Compatibility Mode is a mode that is only in Internet Explorer. Most users should not experience any issues when viewing websites in Firefox.

You can try installing the UAControl add-on and setting the user agent to:

Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1)

This will have Firefox tell websites that it is actually Internet Explorer and may help you to view the website correctly.

Please let us know if it works.

Wesley, thanks for the suggestion but it doesn't work because the add-on installs without allowing for a change in user agent setting. Help? R

If the add-on has installed correctly, there should be a button on the toolbar for the add-on. If you click on that, you should be able to select UAControl Options for This Site from the drop-down menu. Ensure that the Site URL is correct. Then select custom and enter:

Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1)

That should allow you to enter the user agent for the website. Please let us know if it works.

Thanks.

Wesley, the button is there, I did as you said, but it doesn't work. Thanks for trying. R

If possible, can you please share a link to a website that experiences this issue? Thanks

Sorry, I'd love to but it's password-protected. I can get to the User ID/Password page OK, but the next page doesn't load properly. That's when I was told it only works with IE. I've even tried repeating UAControl at each step, i.e. before entering the site, while on the ID page and while on the page that doesn't load properly. I have IE so its no big deal. It just seems unproductive for the site owners having to tell every new user to use only IE.

Many companies maintain sites that use ancient Microsoft-specific coding. If it ain't "broke," why fix it? As long as their customers don't immediately need to use other devices for access (Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Chromebook, etc.), they'll be able to save on those development costs to modernize the site. Until a wonderful new cross-browser product puts them out of business.