Hello all, I am using Internet Explorer 8, not by choice. I need to debug a script in it. However, no matter how many times I click the Developer Tools Icon, under Tools or click F12 it will not show up. Sometimes, I can see that it is minimized in the taskbar but when I actually go to click it. It will not show up...
Does anyone know how to get it to work or what the problem is? I tried updating restarting killing all the processes with no luck.
I've never heard of a problem like this before, but if I had to guess, I'd guess that the tools might be pushed off the edge of the screen? If you click on the task bar item, hit ALT+Space, then M, do you get the "move" cursor?
The window/toolbar may be off-screen (often way off to the left) or have a zero size. If @EricLaw's suggestion doesn't work I'd recommend uninstalling and then reinstalling (log off or reboot between the uninstall and reinstall to allow any pending deletes to finalize).
I've encountered similar issues with various applications over the years, especially if you've shut down the application while it is minimized (occasionally, even if maximized). Often the developers haven't taken these conditions into account before saving the window/toolbar size and/or position, resulting in a set of invalid coordinates for the next launch. The root cause goes way back to Windows 3.x and the GetWindowPlacement API.
I ran into the same problem and it was minimized - so that solved two problems for me. The first that JIT wasn't showing up when F12 was pressed, the other that when I would select to debug a script when an error was encountered IE8 would freeze and then the entire PC would freeze. No mouse movement, task bar access, nada. Had to do hard power down.
My guess is that when JIT is minimized and IE8 tries to stuff the code into it during a script error it hits a stack or heap overflow, or it tries to use to so little memory and thus takes for ever paging the data influx so the system acts like it is froze--which would explain a posting I saw on another website about unresponsive PC/IE8 coming around after 10 to 15 minutes (I never waited that long!).
I had the same problem and tried repeated moving; the move cursor always returned to the top left hand of the screen.
The solution for me was to select the item on the taskbar, right click and select maximise and the IE 8 tools window appeared fine.
Try holding down the WINDOWS key (next to the alt/ctrl) and use the arrow keys
Tip worked unexpectedly well! I have dual monitors on my Windows XP Pro machine, and was experimenting with a third when it happened. I also remote into the computer using LogMeIn (not sure if it would cause a problem).
Alt + Space, then closed the program, and it restarted it in the default frame under the IE page with F12. Guess the developer of the toolbar missed out on it, although is IE 8 still in Beta? Otherwise, it isn't a bad debugger, though firebug works better for me in most instances.
1) digit F12 (key for developer tools)
2) ALT + X (Maximize windows)
3) click in top name bar and move window
I do the follow...
CLick with the right button on the TaskBar inside de IE 8 Developer Tools, them select move.
Then try to move with the mouse or move by arrows
I had the same problem as described. The problem seemed to be that the IE 8 Developer Toolbar window had a zero size. Futhermore, I could see the IE 8 Dev Toolbar when I used Tab + Windows key and it was listed below the other windows as though it was off screen also.
The way I solved this was to right click on the IE 8 Dev Toolbar in the taskbar and select Maximise. From there I could see the Dev Toolbar fullscreen (though this is not very helpful as I wanted to select elements on my webpage by click). I then clicked on Pin (or you can press ctrl + p). From there you should be able to Unpin the Dev Toolbar and resize it and use as normal.
I did the following:
Right click on developer tools in the task bar, Select Maximize, Pin the window to Internet Explorer (ctrl + p) Then it should appear in ie. Select the restore button to unpin.
I really hope someone got fired for that.
I had this problem and found a solution:- I use two monitors, and every time I opened IE8 Dev tools, the dev tool window would either be maximised to full screen or minimised to the task bar (irritating to say the least). The other problem was that when maximised, the window was locked into the full screen mode and could not be dragged to a more convenienet size & position. so it was all or nothing !
To get round this I "stumbled upon" a fix that now allows me to open the Dev Tools window as it should be (a seperate window that can still be positioned & sized how I want it)....
Press ctrl+p (PIN) to attach the dev Tools window to the bottom of the actual browser window. At this stage move your browser window into your main monitor if its not already there. Then un-pin it. For me the Dev tools window then started to behave properly and consistently.
Why the hell MS hasnt released an update for this yet is beyond me. Any way hope this helps any of you.
wow! Thank you for your help. I have been trying all but did not help. The Alt + space trick helped. I used Maximize after Alt + space. Thanks again.
I had the same problem on a brand new Win7 installation - it occurred after having used the debugger without problems for some time, probably also due to temporarily working with dual monitors.
Check the registry key "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\IEDevTools" and remove the "WindowsPos", and "Pinned" keys.
Hi people, some how I have the same problem and for me it appeared that the developer window was minimized at its maximum (don't ask me how this occurred), however this can easily be solved in window 7 by hovering over icon on windows task bar (on the preview popup) showed by windows 7 menu bar, yhen right click it and the press maximize.
This solved my issue.
Hurray for FF!