IE6 using Multiple IEs doesn't let me edit textboxes

Question

Not sure if this counts as programming related, it's a tool that I use.

I've got Multiple IE installed so I can test the sites I make on IE6 for those people who require it, but recently IE6 is not letting me enter into any textboxes, they're acting as if they're all disabled.

Has anyone else encountered this probelem and/or know of a solution. I've already tried uninstalling & re-installing multiple ie.

Answer 1

I have used Multipe IE for my testing but lately I am trying out SuperPreview.

SuperPreview is a new free standalone application from Microsoft (still in beta) which enables you to see how your websites will look across different versions of Internet Explorer making migration from IE6 to 7 and 8 much easier than before, without have to start up a Virtual Machine to run IE6, or have a separate computer dedicated to running IE6.

Answer 2

Yeah, this is just one of the weird little behavioural/scripting weirdnesses that affects multiple-IE setups.

Sadly the virtual machine method is the only reliable way to test web browser interaction (as opposed to just rendering) across different versions of IE. (Thanks for integrating that one into the OS Microsoft. Yay.)

Still, it's a good excuse to tell your boss to justify a more powerful workstation, eh...

Answer 3

Discovered in the comments on the tredosoft site that installing IE8 breaks textbox & textareas in the Multiple IE browser. I uninstalled IE8 & it's fixed the problem.

Answer 4

Use the app compat VHD's that Microsoft makes available for free. Virtual PC is free too.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=21EABB90-958F-4B64-B5F1-73D0A413C8EF&displaylang=en

You can't take a random subset of system dlls and host them side-by-side and expect things to work. It's like expecting the engine from a 1982 Corvette to work in a 2005 Audi S4.

Answer 5

I just installed IE Collection and so far it works much better than Multiple IE for me. I still had to uninstall IE8 to get form inputs to work, but it comes with a standalone version so I can still use 8 for testing.

It has a crapload of versions too (much more than Multiple IE). If you're looking for some old-school fun, fire up 1.5 and visit just about any site ever.

Answer 6

Thanks for your help - I though I was going mad!

Answer 7

Ahh ok - all I had to do was uninstall IE8 and text boxes and forms started working for my IE6 again. Thanks!