Ask Ben - Online forms not working?

Ask Ben - Online forms not working?

1st October 2007 By Ben Hall

Dear Ben,

When I go to the website http://www.*******.org.uk and try to fill in a form with some data, the actual form will not load!  Internet Explorer says the page has fully loaded but there is a little triangle with an exclamation point in the bottom left corner.  I have tried it on another machine and it works fine.  Can you help?

Mary Robinson, Barnsley.

Dear Mary,

This is one of the more common questions I am asked and, thankfully, has an easy solution.  The form you speak of sounds like it uses JavaScript.  Java is a type of language used for many things on the internet from forms to games.  Some years ago the Java plug-in used to be installed with Windows and would work straight away, however Microsoft and Sun Microsystems (the company who made the Java plug-in) have fallen out, so now you must download it separately.

Simply go to http://www.java.com/ and click ‘free Java download' on the top left, and then follow the instructions.  After the installation your forms (and games) should work correctly!

Regards,

Ben.

 Hall

By Ben Hall

Ben Hall BSc (Hons) MCP MCTS is part of our helpdesk support team, predominantly supporting schools.  He studied at Sheffield Hallam University and has been with Resolve IT since 2006. He enjoys a good burrito and a beer.