09-11-2011, 06:00 PM
> I do have some 3rd party apps/extensions: AdBlock,
> Incognito, Ghostery, VirusBarrier plus Safari's
> pop-up blocker.
VirusBarrier? Are you really that paranoid?
And Incognito, Ghostery, AdBlock... yes, any of them could mess up some of your links.
> What can I do to avoid all the work of a fresh install
> if it isn't necessary?
Good question. It seems that you've got a lot of cr@p installed that could be responsible. The issues with your s/o's computer could point to an external problem or they could be a red herring...
Ordinarily, I'd start tracking down a problem like yours by removing all Safari extensions, hacks, toolbars, plugins and InputManagers, but that might be a bit complicated for you.
...
So, let's start simpler:
Change your DNS settings in the Network pane in your System Preferences. Find the list of DNS servers and add 8.8.4.4 to the list at the very beginning. If the numbers in that list are separated by commas then put a comma after the 8.8.4.4.
One possibility raised by both you and your s/o having trouble is that your internet service provider's DNS server isn't working well. This is an alternate DNS server that should be more reliable. If it works then you're done. Just leave your Network settings like that.
...
If that doesn't work then go into your Accounts preferences and create a new user account. Try running Safari for awhile under the new user account and see whether the same problems occur. If the problems seem to go away then that would point to some hack residing in your Home folder at fault.
> Incognito, Ghostery, VirusBarrier plus Safari's
> pop-up blocker.
VirusBarrier? Are you really that paranoid?
And Incognito, Ghostery, AdBlock... yes, any of them could mess up some of your links.
> What can I do to avoid all the work of a fresh install
> if it isn't necessary?
Good question. It seems that you've got a lot of cr@p installed that could be responsible. The issues with your s/o's computer could point to an external problem or they could be a red herring...
Ordinarily, I'd start tracking down a problem like yours by removing all Safari extensions, hacks, toolbars, plugins and InputManagers, but that might be a bit complicated for you.
...
So, let's start simpler:
Change your DNS settings in the Network pane in your System Preferences. Find the list of DNS servers and add 8.8.4.4 to the list at the very beginning. If the numbers in that list are separated by commas then put a comma after the 8.8.4.4.
One possibility raised by both you and your s/o having trouble is that your internet service provider's DNS server isn't working well. This is an alternate DNS server that should be more reliable. If it works then you're done. Just leave your Network settings like that.
...
If that doesn't work then go into your Accounts preferences and create a new user account. Try running Safari for awhile under the new user account and see whether the same problems occur. If the problems seem to go away then that would point to some hack residing in your Home folder at fault.