I need to know how to stop the back button on my keyboard to take my
browser back to the previous page.

When I am typing something whilst surfing the Internet, (such as in a
newsgroup), and move the cursor to another part of the text I have
written, and I then click the “back button” on my keyboard to delete
something that I wrote, it often makes my browser jump to the previous
web page I was visiting. This is extremely annoying as it often means
I loose a lot of information because when I click the “Forward button”
in the browser to go back sometimes all the text has disappeared. My
worst incident happened a few days ago when I had been working on
something for about 3 hours and it was all lost because I had to move
the cursor and delete some text! I will soon either die of a heart
attack or trash my computer so please help.

BTW, when I am talking about the “back button” I mean the fairly large
button in the top right hand corner of the keyboard with an arrow
pointing to the left.

Thanks for Asking!

There are a number of different Internet Keyboards out there with
navigation keys in the upper right hand corner, plus regular keyboards
with large back buttons in the upper right quadrant. I'll need to know
which one you own, and which browser and browser version you're using
in order to offer you specific keyboard advice for your own situation.

Many of the Internet keyboards available have programmable or
customizable keys. You could check the User's Manual that came with
your keyboard to see if these keys are programmable and how. If you'd
tell me the brand and/or model, I'll be glad to see if this
information is available online, and summarize the instructions.

Here's a directory listing of keyboard manufacturers. You may be able
to quickly locate the information applicable to your keyboard:

http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Hardware/Peripherals/Keyboards/


In general, however, many users who've encountered this same situation
have chosen to change their habit of typing directly into browser text
boxes, and instead prepare their work for entry in a separate text
editor such as Notepad, or one of these system tray utilities:

Editpad Classic - Postcardware
http://www.editpadpro.com/editpadclassic.html 
Word Spring - $34.95
http://www.alcodasoftware.com/word-spring.htm
ExtremePad - Freeware
http://www.tucows.com/preview/210149.html

These mini-text editors allow you to save your work at various stages
(really helpful if you lose your Internet connection during the work
process), offer easy copy-and-paste, and some even offer a spell
checker or thesaurus. For what it's worth, this was my own
problem-solving choice many moons ago, after experiencing the same
sort of frustration you describe.

Here's an expanded listing of text editors (shareware, freeware, and
for purchase), available for immediate download from Tucows:

http://www.tucows.com/htmltext95.html


Search strategy:
"Internet keyboards" "back button"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&q=%22internet+keyboard%22+%22back+buttons%22
keyboard "back buttons"
://www.google.com/search?num=30&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&q=keyboard+%22back+button%22
"text editors" "system tray"
://www.google.com/search?num=30&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&q=%22text+editors%22+%22system+tray%22

----------

Please fill me in on your computer system, brand and model of
keyboard, and browser info if you'd like specific information and
additional solutions.

Thank you for using Google Answers.

~larre-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by mr-ga on 22 May 2002 08:51 PDT

Well this answer does not offer an acceptable solution. I am fully
aware of the possibility to use a text editor to prepare my text, and
where this is practical I do so. However, if you have ever tried to
submit 100+ keywords to Overture you will understand why this is not
practical with about 400 different boxes to enter different text into.
As far as reading the manual, if that were what I wanted to do I
wouldn't pay for advice, would I?

I want a simple answer to the question of how to disable the back
buttons connection with the browsers back button. That's it. No
alternative ideas etc.

I am using a Gateway computer that is about 18 months old. It was
custom built for me and I don't know the model number of it or the
keyboard and I can't find the manual any longer. It is an AMD Athlon
1Ghz processor with 512 MB RAM, 64 MB graphics card, 19" monitor, but
this knowledge won't be of any use to you. The keyboard is a simple
Gateway keyboard without any "extra buttons". I explained that I am
not talking about navigation buttons or anything like that. I am
referring to the "main" back button that you use to delete text in a
word document. The one that comes after the 0 - = keys (next one to
the right of these buttons). It is just above the "Enter key" and is
the same on all normal keyboards that I have seen. The button has an
arrow pointing to the left. I am using IE 5.0, which might help, and I
forgot to mention this in my original question.

I think you are making this way more complicated than it really is
because you don't know the answer, and like me, you couldn't find it
easily. It would have been better to leave this question to someone
that knew the answer to this; I am sure, simple question.

Please let me know if you can find the answer to this or I will cancel
the question and re-post it for someone else to answer.

Sincerely
mr-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by larre-ga on 22 May 2002 10:37 PDT

Thank you for clarifying your request.

As others have indicated, there is no 'cover it all' solution that is
Windows and browser based. My answer and advice to you was not based
upon the lack of information available, but the quantity of it. My own
keyboard is fully programmable, including multi-functional use of
individual keys, using a special utility supplied by the manufacturer.
Other manufacturers have similar utilities.

This is the listing of the keyboards in use with recent Gateway
custom-built systems:

7003990 -  PS/2 Multi-function Keyboard R0 
7003989 -  Multi-function PS/2 Keyboard R0 
7003988 -  Millennium PS/2 104-Key Keyboard Rev2 
7003604 -  PS/2 Millenium Multi-Function Keyboard R2 
7003331 -  USB Multi-function Me keyboard Revision 1 
7003271 -  Lite-on Millennium PS/2 104-Key Keyboard Rev. 1 
7003223 -  Keytronics Multi-function USB Spanish / Mexican Keyboard
Revision 1
7003197 -  Gateway® Millennium PS/2 Multi-Function Keyboard 
7003175 -  Lite On USB Multifunction Keyboard 
7003098 -  Ergo USB Multi-Function Keyboard 
7002921 -  Keytronics Multi-function USB Spanish / Mexican Keyboard 
7002878 -  Samsung 104 key PS2 keyboard 
7002812 -  USB 99 KEY LITE R2 
7002739 -  KBD NPG US 104 PS2 NMB ME R0 
7002737 -  PS/2 Millenium Multi-Function Keyboard 
7002736 -  USB Multi-function Me keyboard R0 
7002621 -  Gateway® Millennium PS/2 Multi-Function Keyboard 
7002557 -  Keytronics Keyboard 
7002354 -  LiteOn Multi-Function Keyboard R2 
7002237 -  KBD NPG US 104+ New Look R5 
7002195 -  Keytronics Multi-function Me keyboard R0 
7002192 -  Keytronics Multi-Function Keyboard Revision 6 
7001837 -  Learning Keyboard by kidBoard, inc. 
7001788 -  Lite On USB Multifunction Keyboard 
7001628 -  104 + New Look Keyboard R2 
7001603 -  LiteOn Multi-Function Keyboard Revision 1 
7001602 -  Keytronics Multi-Function Keyboard Revision 5 
7001465 -  KBD US Elite MSF Natural R5 
7001459 -  104 + New Look Keyboard R1 
7001456 -  KBD MAX MFX R0 
7001443 -  KBD KT MFX R4 
7001352 -  104 Windows® 95 Keyboard 
7001351 -  Multi-function Keyboard 
7001244 -  KidBoard 
7001211 -  KBD KT MFX R3 
7001099 -  105 Key Spanish Keyboard (white) 
7001085 -  KBD US Elite MSF Natural R4 
7001049 -  104 Windows® 95 Keyboard 
7001024 -  KBD NPG US 104+ New Look R4 
7000985 -  Multi-function Keyboard 
7000984 -  104 Windows® 95 Keyboard 
7000831 -  Microsoft® Natural 104 Keyboard w/ PS2 Connector 
7000690 -  Comfy Keyboard 
7000606 -  KBD SP NPG 105+ Key R2 
7000599 -  104 Windows® 95 Keyboard 
7000598 -  Multi-function Keyboard 
7000580 -  KBD SP NPG 105+ Key R1 
7000573 -  104 Windows® 95 Keyboard 
7000425 -  105 Key Spanish Keyboard (white) 
KBDSAC001AAUS -  Multi-function Keyboard 
KBDSAB001ACUS -  Microsoft® Natural 104 Keyboard 
KBDSAB001ABUS -  Microsoft® Natural 104 Keyboard 
KBDSAB001AAUS -  Microsoft® Natural 104 Keyboard 
KBDNPG026AASP -  KBD SP NPG 105+ Key R0 
KBDNPG025AASP -  105 Key Spanish Keyboard (white) 
KBDNPG013AAUS -  Microsoft® Natural 104 Keyboard w/ PS2 Connector

If you can identify the brand and model of the keyboard by turning it
over and providing the information on the metal label, I'll be happy
to call Gateway Technical Support on your behalf, to find out if a
similar utility exists, and, if so, explain instructions for its use.

Of course, you are welcome to use Google Answers process for rejecting
unacceptable answers and begin the process again. From the Google
Answers Help and Tips reference:

"Ask for a refund
To request a refund, you'll need the question ID number for the answer
that is unsatisfactory. Go to "My Account" and select "Answered
Questions." Choose the question for which you would like a refund. You
can see the ID number in the right side of the window. while keeping
this window open, launch a second window in your browser (Ctrl+N in
Internet Explorer). Type or paste the ID number into the "Question ID"
space on the refund page. Please supply the reason for your request -
your refund cannot be processed without this explanation. The reason
will be posted on the site along with the question and answer since
this will provide useful information to other users.

Repost your question 
To repost a question, open a second window in your browser (Ctrl+N in
Internet Explorer). Go to "My Account" and select "Answered
Questions." Choose the question for which you would like a refund. You
need to obtain the question ID number from the right side of the
question window. Type or paste this number into the "Question ID"
space on the reposting page. Please supply a reason for your request -
your repost cannot be processed without this explanation."

https://answers.google.com/answers/help.html

I'm sorry we've disappointed you so far on this question.

~larre-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by mr-ga on 24 May 2002 18:05 PDT

Oopps. Sorry Just read your clarification after I posted a comment
below. The Model of the keyboard, (as stated underneath it), is:
Gateway SK-9921 and date of manufacture is: 001011

Thanks for taking the time.

Mr-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by larre-ga on 25 May 2002 11:46 PDT

Working on it!

It may take until Tuesday to reach the right person with the exact
information - Memorial Day weekend. Keyboard programming is at least a
footnote  with every manufacturer because of the current emphasis on
accessibility and prevention of work-related repetitive motion
injuries.

In the meantime, upgrading your browser IS an option, however I have
no verifiable information that it will definitely cure the difficulty.
I also understand how one can become very attached to a particular
browser and version. It can take a bit of time to get used to even
small changes.  Internet Explorer versions 5 and older allowed
concurrent installation of more than one version of the application on
the same Win partition. Versions 5.5 and 6 do not play well with their
siblings. They allow only a single instance of any browser version on
the same Win partition. The installation and setup routine overwrites
older versions.  I don't particularly trust the Add/Remove Programs
utility to 'go backward' if you're not pleased with the newer version
and wish to revert back to 5.0.

I'd recommend a full backup of your system folders, of the program
folder, and your registry before proceeding. I also use a DriveImage
snapshot before making these type of changes or upgrades. The Browser
Archive, at Evolt.com, has download links for both broser versions.

http://browsers.evolt.org/index.cfm/dir/ie/32bit/

Of the 5.5 versions listed, select the SP2 version, which contains all
of the most recent service and security patches. 6.0 is available for
download at the same location, or you can get it from Microsoft, or
from http://www.browsers.com .

The other alternative to overwriting your current version of IE5 would
be to create an additional Win partition, and install the new browser
version there for testing, before overwriting your current browser.
PCWorld offers a step-by-step tutorial for hard drive partitioning on
various Windows OS versions, including 98, ME, XP, NT and 2000:

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,73826,00.asp

I will provide further clarification as soon as I have specific
information about programming your keyboard to eliminate the
difficulty.

larre-ga

As a side comment, please note that most browsers use the backspace
button as a short cut for the page back action.  This can be
particularly annoying due to the fact that this behaviour is
determined by the mouse focus which can be tricky to determine.  The
easiest way to make sure backspace is going to delete and not move
back a webpage is to highlight via keyboard shortcuts (shift-arrow or
shift-control-arrow).

cheers
-r

A simple yet effective way to make sure you don't lose any work you've
done in your browser is to change your settings for Temporary Internet
Files.

In Internet Explorer go:

Tools -> Internet Options

On the menu that pops up you'll see a "Temporary Internet Files"
section. Click on "Settings...".  The first option you will see is
"Check for newer versions of stored pages:".  Change the setting to
"Every time you start Internet Explorer". Click "OK", then "OK" again.

This will not fix your Backspace key, but will prevent the loss of any
text you have filled in to forms should you happen to accidentally
leave the page you're typing on.

Hope that helps.

This is how they programmed it in Microsoft. There is no solution. As
the previous comment mentioned, try clicking on the dialouge box, I
tried it now. You have to focus. Otherwise, Netscape or Opera can
solve your problems. I looked in the the registry for a solution; and
there wan't anything that can reconfigure the keyboard shortcuts.
Although, the webmasters can add a solution to this by adding a piece
of javascript code that disables the back button (The entire back
function.)

I am aware that you specifically asked not to be supplied with
alternative solutions, however this is a comment – not an answer! Your
problem seems to be related to deleting errors and typos from forms.
Why not consider an alternative method of deleting the material -
namely selecting the material and hitting the delete button.

"This is how they programmed it in Microsoft. There is no solution."

Thank you very much whirlpool-ga. This is the correct answer, and the
one that should have been posted by the original researcher.

I have now found out myself that there is no way to disable the "hot
key" function of the backspace button in IE. I find this very
irritating and I will now abandon IE for good. I have just purchased
Opera 6.02 instead, which will also get rid of all pop-up windows.

It would have been ok to add alternative solutions after explaining
that it is impossible to disable this function, but not instead of the
correct answer. I was given the "run-around" because the researcher
didn't know, or couldn't find, the correct answer and that is not
acceptable. Ok, I didn't tell him the browser version I was using in
my original question but it seems that IE is the only browser that has
this function/problem, so that is not an excuse for the original poor
answer.

mr-ga

What browser and version are you using? (eg. IE5, IE6, Netscape 6..?)

Hi mr-ga,

This is not a problem with *all* versions of IE - just some of them. 
For example, I was really irritated with this behavior in IE 5.0 on my
Windows 98 laptop (this was the default version).  I upgraded to IE
5.5 and never had the problem again.  The behavior of versions for
different platforms might be a little different (I can't vouch for
IE's behavior on windows XP or 2000) - but if it is easy for you to
upgrade your browser you might want to try it.

I have IE and my backspace key doens't do this because I programmed it
not too. So I don't see "You Can't" as an answer at all, but if you
are happy then it is an answer. I would still be interested in what
kind of keyboard you have.

webadept-ga

As was mentioned, this is a known issue with IE 5, Microsft is not
planning a patch for the problem.

Congratulations on your purchase of Opera, it is a far superiour
browser in all aspects (I love the speed, the mouse gestures, and the
avoidance of popups).

I'm sorry your answer was so off-base, but hopefully the comments have
helped clarify things for you.

Now, I really need some clarification... 

I found answers on the net myself, after doing some more research,
that suggested this was a "problem/feature" of all IE browsers. If
that is not the case I apologise to the researcher for jumping the
gun, and his request for clarification on what browser I was using was
then justified. So Larre-ga, (or anyone else), if you can just tell me
what browser/platform verions I should be running to get rid of this
problem I would be grateful. I have bought Opera but not yet dowloaded
it and tried it. However, if possible I would like to stick with IE as
I have used for so long and like the Toolbar etc.

Mr-ga