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When using Firefox, my basic edit commands are not working properly on documents, searches, etc. It started yesterday.

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  • Last reply by Turtlewiz

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I'm using a Mac, running OS X 10.5. Running Firefox 18.0.1. The problem seems to have started with this version of Firefox. I can edit any document on my laptop and I can use basic edit and search commands on Safari, however, I can't do that when I'm in Firefox. Hence, I believe the problem to be with Firefox.

If I try to type, delete, cut and paste, etc. in my email, on a website that I've reached via Firefox, or even in my URL or search window, I can't use the keyboard for cutting, pasting, deleting, etc. I have to get out of whichever "window" my cursor is in and then go back into that window in order for it to work. I have to do this repeatedly.

For example, as I'm typing this (in this "window")... I wanted to go add a period after the last word ("repeatedly") in the previous paragraph. When I move my cursor from where I am now, as I type, to do that - I can't. I have to move my cursor out of this box and then re-enter the box at the place where I wish to edit. Once I move away from where I am currently typing, I can no longer edit anything. I have to move out of the window and back in...

The same applies to the search window, the URL bar and then when I finally get to a site and want to type, etc., the same applies.

Also, I am unable to use the control key functions in any of the above mentioned areas.

So, if I type in "a;lskdjf;alskdjf" and want to delete it, I have to: 1) get out of this box and re-enter it with my cursor where I want to begin 2) use a delete key - i.e. let it back up and delete each letter one by one, or go to my "edit" choices at the top of my screen and select "delete".

In other words, I can no longer use they keyboard shortcuts (command key + X to delete, for example) to perform ANY type of basic edit. The odd thing is that I CAN place my cursor anywhere in this box at anytime and use the edit choices from my tool bar. That seems to work fine.

Again... I am NOT having this problem with any text document or when I use Safari.

I'm using a Mac, running OS X 10.5. Running Firefox 18.0.1. The problem seems to have started with this version of Firefox. I can edit any document on my laptop and I can use basic edit and search commands on Safari, however, I can't do that when I'm in Firefox. Hence, I believe the problem to be with Firefox. If I try to type, delete, cut and paste, etc. in my email, on a website that I've reached via Firefox, or even in my URL or search window, I can't use the keyboard for cutting, pasting, deleting, etc. I have to get out of whichever "window" my cursor is in and then go back into that window in order for it to work. I have to do this repeatedly. For example, as I'm typing this (in this "window")... I wanted to go add a period after the last word ("repeatedly") in the previous paragraph. When I move my cursor from where I am now, as I type, to do that - I can't. I have to move my cursor out of this box and then re-enter the box at the place where I wish to edit. Once I move away from where I am currently typing, I can no longer edit anything. I have to move out of the window and back in... The same applies to the search window, the URL bar and then when I finally get to a site and want to type, etc., the same applies. Also, I am unable to use the control key functions in any of the above mentioned areas. So, if I type in "a;lskdjf;alskdjf" and want to delete it, I have to: 1) get out of this box and re-enter it with my cursor where I want to begin 2) use a delete key - i.e. let it back up and delete each letter one by one, or go to my "edit" choices at the top of my screen and select "delete". In other words, I can no longer use they keyboard shortcuts (command key + X to delete, for example) to perform ANY type of basic edit. The odd thing is that I CAN place my cursor anywhere in this box at anytime and use the edit choices from my tool bar. That seems to work fine. Again... I am NOT having this problem with any text document or when I use Safari.

All Replies (4)

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Hello peggyrainwater, check it in Safe Mode, in Safe Mode window select "Start in Safe Mode" and see if this happen again, if not then see: Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems

(If the problem does not happen in Safe Mode, it is most likely because of an extension, theme or hardware acceleration).


thank you

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Ideato,

THANK YOU!!!!! This worked. I had to reset Firefox after trying the other suggestions, but it appears that all is fine now. Any idea what happened since the Hardware Acceleration, Add-ons, etc. didn't resolve the problem. That's when I tried the Reset and it all seems to be working fine now.

I truly thank you!! Peggy

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you are welcome

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Hello ideato--I had a similar problem that your answer to Peggy solved: since the last update (to Firefox/Mac 20), pressing the Command key and not pressing another key immediately caused the screen to zoom in, which was really annoying.

I went to the Safe Mode article and started Firefox in Safe Mode and ran a test (no problems).  When I then restarted in regular mode, I found that the problem had stopped and I didn't need to do a reset.  Thanks so much!   I've bookmarked the article.