Losing typing ability in IE 9

Hi all
I have a brand new Dell XPS15Z with nothing installed except software it came with.
It has developed an irritating fault when typing the focus dissapears from the
open window along with the cursor as if I have clicked out of the window.
I have Norton IS12 installed and if I remove all tracking cookies with this I
can type normally for a short while but it gradually gets worse until I can only
type a couple of letters at a time and have to click several time after the last
letter to get the cursor back.Virus scan reports no problems.
I can type perfectly normally in notepad etc this seems to only affect me when
IE 9 is open. I have tried a USB keyboard with the same result.
I have tried to log on to the Microsoft Support site but it says my product key
doesn't match my location and won't go any further, don't know what they mean
by that as I live in the UK and purchased the laptop locally from a large local
retailer and collected it personally.
Dell say they can't discuss the problem via email and want me to phone them
at my expense to discuss it.
Is it possible to uninstall and reinstall IE 9 ,it doesn't appear in the uninstall
programs list.
Could try to install a different browser but don't want to complicate issues
any further.
If I had been supplied with a recovery disc I could have wiped it all and started
fresh ,can't find any info from Dell except to use Microsoft system recovery.
Sorry iv'e gone on a bit but I only bought this machine after my beautiful
Toshiba Quosmio F10 with XP Pro expired after years of faultless service and
having managed to avoid Vista i'm now stuffed with this thing.
Gratefull for any suggestions
Yours Dave T

* You say your computer is brand new...and I would imagine under warranty.
A new computer should not be presenting with these problems.
I strongly suggest that you should seek further advice asap.
Under Warranty terms a duty of care applies.
Make sure all the problems you list in your Post are addressed.

* BTW What Anti Virus Software came preinstalled with your new computer?
{How did you remove it?}

Totally agree with JMH! In fact, I would go one step further: if your computer is still within the period of time that you can return it, I would have Dell exchange it for a different one. I did that with my HP laptop when I first got it. It was giving me major headaches with all of it's flaws, and when HP only wanted to 'repair' it, I refused and threatened to return it unless they exchanged it for a different computer. They did, and my new laptop was perfect!!! The problems your having with your new computer problems may or may not be integral to the system --- but it is Dell's responsibility, not yours, to make sure that you have exactly what you paid for --- a computer that works the way that it is supposed to!

Hi Guys
thanks for your input.
Regards virus software it came with Macafee I think but I deleted this without
activating and installed Norton IS2012 which I had already paid for on old laptop.
Norton have been very helpfull and can find no problem.
Dell as mentioned want me to call them on their premium rate phone number but
don't advertise the actual cost of the call.
I am loathe to return the machine to the retailer for repair as they have a terrilble
reputation regarding repairs ,renowned for losing machines or returning them with
more faults than they fix.
Having spent many happy hours battling with Microsoft Operating systems since
the days of DOS I would rather try to fix it myself if its only a matter of reinstalling
IE 9.
Yours Dave T

I agree Dave, You essentially PAID part of the price of the computer for the warranty. You should use that.

But I also am tending to think that the a/v software, which originally came with the machine was not uninstalled properly. I am not a big fan of Mcaffee so I'm not to familiar with the preinstalled package or if it somehow was active in some capacity, but if it was, and you merely uninstalled it from the control panel's program uninstaller, there could be portions left behind. And what you describe, almost sounds like some type of anti-keylogging technology, that isn't working in the intended manner.

can you type enough to go to a website and download the removal tool?

Mike

Hi again
Thanks for that will try downloading Macaffee remover
As mentioned before if I remove all tracking cookies I can type OK for a few minutes but typing gradually gets worse untill I can only type a couple of letters at a time.
I thought it sounded like some sort of virus issue but Norton scan comes up clean
I have now changed back to IE 8 and curiously the cursor now flashes rapidly before dissappearing in IE 9 it just dissapeared.
Thanks for input

Yours Dave T

It does this in IE windows only?

Hi again
May not only be IE 9 but is definatley only when logged on to internet .
Also can't type emails in Yahoo mail

I have a brand new Dell XPS15Z with nothing installed except software it came with.

Well actually it wasn't until a later post that you said:

virus software it came with Macafee I think but I deleted this without
activating and installed Norton IS2012 which I had already paid for on old laptop.

So could there be other software your forgetting about?

It has developed an irritating fault

Developed over what time frame? graduallly? Had you already been browsing the net for a while?

when typing the focus dissapears from the
open window along with the cursor as if I have clicked out of the window.

Where is the focus pointed to, another open window like say notepad that may have already been open? or to seemingly nowhere? if it's nowhere, then you mean the cursor basiclly "vanishes" and nothing changes with the IE window size/shape/etc? can you press "tab" to see is the IE menu opens and the focus is really still in IE just not where you were? If it is being "stolen" by a window that you cannot see possibly, as soon as it occurs try pressing alt+f4 to close whatever app has the focus? anything close? IE?

I have Norton IS12 installed

maybe this software is the issue as you installed it after you got the machine, maybe thats when it started really happening? might be worth properly uninstalling it, and checking the computer. if no better then reinstall (but use the norton uninstall program on their site if you do this)

and if I remove all tracking cookies with this I
can type normally for a short while but it gradually gets worse

Maybe you should try to go into IE settings and block all cookies 100% then remove the cookies using norton and no new ones should return? Also You could try changing other settings in IE, esp very heavy security on any difference? Unplug Ethernet or wireless connection. does this still act the same? even the gradual return from the cookie removed state?

until I can only
type a couple of letters at a time

does speed of typing affect it, say try 1 char per 5 sec? 1 char per 20 sec and it still happens after the same # of keystrokes? Are there certian keys that set it off? could a ctrl or alt key be sticking and acting as a shortcut command? maybe function key sticking? ins? esc? etc..

and have to click several time after the last
letter to get the cursor back.

maybe it's temp freezing -what if you just wait insted of click for like 1 min? Or click once hen wait to see if it returns after a minute pause? Is there a certian number of clicks it takes every time?

Virus scan reports no problems.
I can type perfectly normally in notepad etc this seems to only affect me when
IE 9 is open. I have tried a USB keyboard with the same result.
I have tried to log on to the Microsoft Support site but it says my product key
doesn't match my location and won't go any further, don't know what they mean
by that as I live in the UK and purchased the laptop locally from a large local
retailer and collected it personally.

doesn't mean it wasnt setup wrong or bogus windows didn't get sold to dell somehow, does it have the genuine MS software seal on the "system" window of ctrl panl? what contry does it say it is set up for?

Dell say they can't discuss the problem via email and want me to phone them
at my expense to discuss it.

UNACCEPTABLE! they "say" it so you have A phone number or just email "say"? if email request tollfree number of any kind if necessary. Then get human on phone and ask for tollfree number for fixing the computer. wont give it? speak to their manager. or the managers manager? don't stop, until given satisfaction. They have obligations, probibly in your country too, BY LAW if its a new computer. If this doesnt work I can advise further.

Is it possible to uninstall and reinstall IE 9 ,it doesn't appear in the uninstall
programs list.
Could try to install a different browser but don't want to complicate issues
any further.

actually might be worth trying mozilla (or google) if you do is it isolated to MSIE?

If I had been supplied with a recovery disc I could have wiped it all and started
fresh

It should have recovery partition which can be used in place of a Recovery Disc!

,can't find any info from Dell except to use Microsoft system recovery.

and why is that so bad? It could take care of your problem!

Sorry iv'e gone on a bit but I only bought this machine after my beautiful
Toshiba Quosmio F10 with XP Pro expired after years of faultless service and
having managed to avoid Vista i'm now stuffed with this thing.
Gratefull for any suggestions
Yours Dave T

Have you tryed booting in safe mode or safe mode with networking and seeing if the problem still occurs the same (f8 during boot)?

Let me know if anything produces any results that stray from the same way its acting now.

Mike

also try onscreen keyboard