Solved "search box" disabled on "save" or "save as" file dialog

iko22

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"search box" disabled on "save" or "save as" file dialog

So, the search box found on Wordpad, Windows Explorer or the Start Menu are unaffected. Now, from any other document-orientated desktop application (Word 2013, LibreOffice, Abbyy Reader, iMindMap, Firefox browser), if I click on "save" or "save as" buttons, the file save dialog box appears and is now masking out the search bar found in top right corner.

A white band now appears across the location of the search box, and I cant 'click' to position the text cursor inside the box.

I tried restoring system to previous restore point, but problem wont go away.
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
 

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Hi iko22, welcome to the Forum.

Are you using an Aero Theme or a Classical Theme. This is the theme used for your normal Windows settings.
 

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Hi Ranger4, thanks for the question: The default Desktop theme is Aero, if I temporary change the theme to Windows Classic, and try again, then visually the white band does actually disappear, however the the search box remains disabled.
 

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Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphoneIntel E8400 65W 64-bitDDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2XFX Radeon HD5750
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphone
CPU
Intel E8400 65W 64-bit
Motherboard
Gigabyte EP45-UD3LR
Memory
DDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD5750
Sound Card
AMD High Definition Audio; Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
iiyama prolite X2377HDS
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
500GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3500413AS 16MB, 500GB 5400 rpm Toshiba MQ02ABF050H 32MB, 200GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3200820AS 8MB, 2TB 7200 rpm Western Digital WD20EZRX 64MB
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Are you saving the item to the main Operating System hard drive or to another drive. In other words I assume you are accessing the program from your normal Windows drive, then when you wish to save changes or whatever you are saving it to the same drive. If you are saving to a different, this could be why the Search box is greyed out.
 

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Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1Intel i5 3570 3.4Ghz Ivy Bridge SKT 1155 quad...G-Skill Rip Jaws 16Gb (8x2) DDR3 -1600 PC3 12...Gigabyte NVIDIA GT610 1Gb DDR3 810/1200 PCI-E...
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built using existing case
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1
CPU
Intel i5 3570 3.4Ghz Ivy Bridge SKT 1155 quad core
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z77-HD3 SKT 1155 2xSata 3, 4x USB 3.0
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G-Skill Rip Jaws 16Gb (8x2) DDR3 -1600 PC3 12800 CL 10 red
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Gigabyte NVIDIA GT610 1Gb DDR3 810/1200 PCI-E 2.0 Silent
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NVIDIA High Definition & Realtech High Definition Audio
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2 x Philips 226V4L 16:9 aspect ratio
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1920 x 1080 HD
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Samsung 840 Pro 256gb SSD, SATA 3.
Hitachi Touro Portable 1tb, USB 3.0 HDD used for image b/ups.
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Corsair VS450
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PSU fan & CPU fan
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Yes that is perfectly correct, standard practice for each save command still works reliably from every desktop application. That is, each user can navigate each folder or directory on any drive (that they have sufficient access privileges), from the "save" dialog box.
To clarify the behavior of the 'disabled search box', I'd say that this white band (across the search box) in aero actually looks as if it has been graphically redacted. Whereas the 'disabled' action in either theme actually 'blocks' user input of the text cursor, thus preventing the "search" command from being executed.
Perhaps I should have included a screen image.
I'll do that now.

( ---> Now how do I add image under text!!! Anyway, 2 images appear as thumbnails attachments.)

Image 1 MS paint dialog box
.
This is "save as" in MS Paint. The window shows the features you'd assume in this kind of dialog box (Common File Dialog Box). The Common Shell folders are located on the left, File Name and Type are towards the bottom of the window, "Save" and "Cancel" commands are in bottom-right corner, and then the Search box is at Top-Left corner. Nothing unusual or concerning.

Image 2 MS Word dialog box 'blocked'

This image is of "save as" from MS Word. What is unusual about this dialog box is the search bar towards the top right.
Immediately you can see that the italisised "search <name of directory or folder>" text is missing from the search bar. I don't know whether you can also see, but there is now a white band that has appeared. The white band starts just inside the left corner of the search bar, and extends right just before the blue search icon. The top and bottom of the white band just clips the top and bottom borders of the search bar. I have never seen the operating system create this UI behavior in a desktop application. I have placed the mouse cursor over the redacted area to help make it more visible. If I were to click the hovering mouse pointer on the redacted search box, then nothing happens - the standard mode change to text cursor never appears. If I start typing text at this point, then the text appears on the File name bar, and not the search bar location.

If I were to change the file format that Im trying to save, then it makes no difference. Changing to Classic theme, removed the redacted 'white band', but in Classic theme, the UI behavior of the search box is still prevents the Search command from being executed.
 

Attachments

  • MS paint dialog box.PNG
    MS paint dialog box.PNG
    27.8 KB · Views: 1
  • MS Word dialog box 'blocked'.png
    MS Word dialog box 'blocked'.png
    187.4 KB · Views: 1

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphoneIntel E8400 65W 64-bitDDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2XFX Radeon HD5750
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphone
CPU
Intel E8400 65W 64-bit
Motherboard
Gigabyte EP45-UD3LR
Memory
DDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD5750
Sound Card
AMD High Definition Audio; Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
iiyama prolite X2377HDS
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
500GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3500413AS 16MB, 500GB 5400 rpm Toshiba MQ02ABF050H 32MB, 200GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3200820AS 8MB, 2TB 7200 rpm Western Digital WD20EZRX 64MB
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I have asked for some more help on this, so hopefully someone will come in with a possible solution.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1Intel i5 3570 3.4Ghz Ivy Bridge SKT 1155 quad...G-Skill Rip Jaws 16Gb (8x2) DDR3 -1600 PC3 12...Gigabyte NVIDIA GT610 1Gb DDR3 810/1200 PCI-E...
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built using existing case
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1
CPU
Intel i5 3570 3.4Ghz Ivy Bridge SKT 1155 quad core
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z77-HD3 SKT 1155 2xSata 3, 4x USB 3.0
Memory
G-Skill Rip Jaws 16Gb (8x2) DDR3 -1600 PC3 12800 CL 10 red
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte NVIDIA GT610 1Gb DDR3 810/1200 PCI-E 2.0 Silent
Sound Card
NVIDIA High Definition & Realtech High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Philips 226V4L 16:9 aspect ratio
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 HD
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Pro 256gb SSD, SATA 3.
Hitachi Touro Portable 1tb, USB 3.0 HDD used for image b/ups.
PSU
Corsair VS450
Case
Codeng
Cooling
PSU fan & CPU fan
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech Wireless trackball M570
Internet Speed
Wireless 3G. 3mg down & 550kb up.
Antivirus
Bitdefender Internet Security 2020
Browser
Opera (Current Version) & Firefox
Other Info
MS Office 2013 Pro. Davis weather station software. MGE Nova 600 avr UPS.
Further Information

BTW, I can also replicate the problem in the PDF printer on the Opera web browser. Same symptoms as described. Yet, from the web browser, if I change printer to XPS document writer, the issue is not present.

Looks as if problem affects more than just Office applications. My operating system is 64-bit and my Office installations are 32-bit. As for the other applications, I know not if they are 64 or 32 bit.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphoneIntel E8400 65W 64-bitDDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2XFX Radeon HD5750
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphone
CPU
Intel E8400 65W 64-bit
Motherboard
Gigabyte EP45-UD3LR
Memory
DDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD5750
Sound Card
AMD High Definition Audio; Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
iiyama prolite X2377HDS
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
500GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3500413AS 16MB, 500GB 5400 rpm Toshiba MQ02ABF050H 32MB, 200GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3200820AS 8MB, 2TB 7200 rpm Western Digital WD20EZRX 64MB
PSU
Enermax Liberty Modular
Case
Antec P193 Midi Tower
Keyboard
Mionix ZIBAL 60
Mouse
Razer USB 2.0 Diamondback Mouse or Huion Graphics Tablet
Browser
Internet Explorer, Lunascape, Firefox, Opera, Avast Safezone
Problem gone/fixed?

It looks as if this problem has gone away/fixed. I can now launch these applications and choose either "save" or "save as" (or "open") and not only has the white band vannished in aero glass, but I can also once again type text into the dialog search box. :cool:
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphoneIntel E8400 65W 64-bitDDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2XFX Radeon HD5750
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphone
CPU
Intel E8400 65W 64-bit
Motherboard
Gigabyte EP45-UD3LR
Memory
DDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD5750
Sound Card
AMD High Definition Audio; Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
iiyama prolite X2377HDS
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
500GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3500413AS 16MB, 500GB 5400 rpm Toshiba MQ02ABF050H 32MB, 200GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3200820AS 8MB, 2TB 7200 rpm Western Digital WD20EZRX 64MB
PSU
Enermax Liberty Modular
Case
Antec P193 Midi Tower
Keyboard
Mionix ZIBAL 60
Mouse
Razer USB 2.0 Diamondback Mouse or Huion Graphics Tablet
Browser
Internet Explorer, Lunascape, Firefox, Opera, Avast Safezone

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphoneIntel E8400 65W 64-bitDDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2XFX Radeon HD5750
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphone
CPU
Intel E8400 65W 64-bit
Motherboard
Gigabyte EP45-UD3LR
Memory
DDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD5750
Sound Card
AMD High Definition Audio; Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
iiyama prolite X2377HDS
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
500GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3500413AS 16MB, 500GB 5400 rpm Toshiba MQ02ABF050H 32MB, 200GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3200820AS 8MB, 2TB 7200 rpm Western Digital WD20EZRX 64MB
PSU
Enermax Liberty Modular
Case
Antec P193 Midi Tower
Keyboard
Mionix ZIBAL 60
Mouse
Razer USB 2.0 Diamondback Mouse or Huion Graphics Tablet
Browser
Internet Explorer, Lunascape, Firefox, Opera, Avast Safezone
Thanks for your help BTW. I suppose over the days and weeks I'd wished for more experts on this site to post with their suggestions. However, enough was enough, and I reckon I'd managed to explore the question sufficiently to solve it, if not identify possible cause.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphoneIntel E8400 65W 64-bitDDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2XFX Radeon HD5750
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphone
CPU
Intel E8400 65W 64-bit
Motherboard
Gigabyte EP45-UD3LR
Memory
DDR2 2 x 2GB, 1GB x 2
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD5750
Sound Card
AMD High Definition Audio; Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
iiyama prolite X2377HDS
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
500GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3500413AS 16MB, 500GB 5400 rpm Toshiba MQ02ABF050H 32MB, 200GB 7200 rpm Seagate ST3200820AS 8MB, 2TB 7200 rpm Western Digital WD20EZRX 64MB
PSU
Enermax Liberty Modular
Case
Antec P193 Midi Tower
Keyboard
Mionix ZIBAL 60
Mouse
Razer USB 2.0 Diamondback Mouse or Huion Graphics Tablet
Browser
Internet Explorer, Lunascape, Firefox, Opera, Avast Safezone
Thanks for getting back & from what you have reported it looks like you have fixed it.

Could you mark the Thread as Solved please.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1Intel i5 3570 3.4Ghz Ivy Bridge SKT 1155 quad...G-Skill Rip Jaws 16Gb (8x2) DDR3 -1600 PC3 12...Gigabyte NVIDIA GT610 1Gb DDR3 810/1200 PCI-E...
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built using existing case
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1
CPU
Intel i5 3570 3.4Ghz Ivy Bridge SKT 1155 quad core
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z77-HD3 SKT 1155 2xSata 3, 4x USB 3.0
Memory
G-Skill Rip Jaws 16Gb (8x2) DDR3 -1600 PC3 12800 CL 10 red
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte NVIDIA GT610 1Gb DDR3 810/1200 PCI-E 2.0 Silent
Sound Card
NVIDIA High Definition & Realtech High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Philips 226V4L 16:9 aspect ratio
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 HD
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Pro 256gb SSD, SATA 3.
Hitachi Touro Portable 1tb, USB 3.0 HDD used for image b/ups.
PSU
Corsair VS450
Case
Codeng
Cooling
PSU fan & CPU fan
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech Wireless trackball M570
Internet Speed
Wireless 3G. 3mg down & 550kb up.
Antivirus
Bitdefender Internet Security 2020
Browser
Opera (Current Version) & Firefox
Other Info
MS Office 2013 Pro. Davis weather station software. MGE Nova 600 avr UPS.
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