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When I use the arrow keys in firefox to go forward and back, the cursor erases tiny bits of the letters.

  • 6 replies
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  • Last reply by cor-el

amdamgraham
amdamgraham
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Even within this text field as I type, all is normal, but backspacing using the arrow keys (and then also forward spacing using the arrow keys as I return to typing) erases bits of the text. Once I begin typing again in this field, the erased components restore to normal. This effect can be captured in a screenshot. Upon closer inspection, there appears to be a second invisible cursor, one full character to the right of the visible cursor. So when arrow backspacing, the invisible cursor trails the visible one, wrecking the text behind. When forward spacing using the arrow keys the text gets wrecked in front of the visible cursor.

Even within this text field as I type, all is normal, but backspacing using the arrow keys (and then also forward spacing using the arrow keys as I return to typing) erases bits of the text. Once I begin typing again in this field, the erased components restore to normal. This effect can be captured in a screenshot. Upon closer inspection, there appears to be a second invisible cursor, one full character to the right of the visible cursor. So when arrow backspacing, the invisible cursor trails the visible one, wrecking the text behind. When forward spacing using the arrow keys the text gets wrecked in front of the visible cursor.

Chosen solution

Try to disable hardware acceleration.

  • Tools > Options > Advanced > General > Browsing: "Use hardware acceleration when available"

If disabling hardware acceleration works then check if there is an update available for your graphics display driver.

Read this answer in context 👍 3

All Replies (6)

cor-el
cor-el
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Chosen Solution

Try to disable hardware acceleration.

  • Tools > Options > Advanced > General > Browsing: "Use hardware acceleration when available"

If disabling hardware acceleration works then check if there is an update available for your graphics display driver.

amdamgraham
amdamgraham Question owner
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Thank you this was driving me nuts!

cor-el
cor-el
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You're welcome

suez1040
suez1040
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I use a Mac and my Tool option doesn't have Option. I'd sure would like to meet the ninny who decided we didn't need the forward and back arrows and give him a piece of my mind!!!!!

amdamgraham
amdamgraham Question owner
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I am guilty of not following up. The above solution "appeared" to work for me until I realized that now, the text does not erase bits on the same line as my cursor but erases any text on the line below my cursor... so if I am typing above other text, these semi-invisible marks chop up the text below where I am backspacing. Yes, I know - put this in David Letterman's, "Museum of the hard to believe".

cor-el
cor-el
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If you are not on Windows then see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Menu_differences

  • Windows: Firefox (Tools) > Options
  • Mac: Firefox > Preferences
  • Linux: Edit > Preferences