Google gadgets - error on page when editing

I don't know about anybody else, but I'm not sure I understand which "default" Dell homepage you're referring to, nor what the "gadgets" you're on about are either?

"Default Dell homepage" suggests a website page?  As does your reference to clearing out cookies, history, temp files etc?

But if that were true... where do the Google gadgets come into it, because I don't know of any Dell website which uses Google gadgets - let alone gadgets which you can edit?

You don't mean the Dell Dock by an chance?  Or maybe Windows Vista's Sidebar?

But if that was the case... I then wouldn't know what "status bar" you mean?

It's possibly just me having an 'off day' of course, but please humour me, and clarify exactly what you mean?

The Dell start page is a custom version of an iGoogle page.

https://www.google.com/ig/dell

There are some general iGoogle troubleshooting tips here - it could be an add-on you have interfering with the page, or maybe a Java issue.

http://www.google.com/support/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=69569

You can backup and restore iGoogle settings, but only if you actually create a Google account (should work for the Dell version as well).

http://www.google.com/support/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=107519

To fgburden: I am having the exact same problem as you with my Dell Home page. I have been using it for about two years and suddenly the gadgets don't work correctly and I can't edit them, I also get an 'error on page' when I try to.

The gadgets work fine in igoogle...just not on my Dell Home page. I called Dell and the tech support thought the problem was on Dells end..but that dept was closed on the weekend, and I haven't been able to call back during the week. Have you had any luck fixing yours, and if so, How?

Thanks

OK - I've started having this problem about 2 weeks ago. The error message you will get at the lower left side of the screen if you double click on it is:

"HTML is NULL or not an Object"

This happens if you try to click on one of the gadgets that have the word "EDIT" on them, like trying to change "Happy, Texas" to your location - it will not work.

I tried everything, clearing cookies, clearing History, clearing Cache, uninstalling Java then reinstalling it - all a waste of time. The URL you are probably referring to is:

http://www.google.com/ig/dell?hl=en&client=dell-inc&channel=us

this was the Dell Home page that came with my XPS 600 system and I've used all along fine till about 2 weeks ago. I sent that URL to my work PC and when I access the site, it comes up with the same Null is not an object error message. One of the programmers that works in my company told me it has nothing to do with my PC, it is the HTML coding on the page and I can't change it. Apparently some change has been made by Google.

Now here is something interesting. If you type www.google.com/ig

you can add most of the same gadgets by creating a page, even the one on left side. You also will be able to edit them. However, if you clear your cookies, unless you save that page with an account on Google, you will have to reset everything again. The original page that came with the Dell XPS 600 and others, must have been especially set up by Dell on Google. It appears that the new iGoogle is replacing the old Google.

The only thing I don't know is how to add the top banner on the Dell home page that has HOME GAMING PHOTOS, ETC. HYPERLINKS.

Maybe it's possible that Dell has set up a new page that ships with their new computers and if we could get our hands on that updated page, we can fine tune the gadgets to our liking.

Maybe someone has info on this and can assist.

I think you are right that if we can get that new Dell Home page URL that ships with their new computers, our Dell Home pages would work again. Looks like Google is making changes and updating their home page..and all of us who have an older computer with a Dell Home page that partners with Google, are left behind because Dell is not sending us updates for us to continue using their Dell Home page.

Dell should really be on top of this and have these updates/changes on that site of theirs that has other items that can be downloaded (like driver updates, etc..the one called: "Support Home Page/Product Support")

I have a support case in to Dell on this; I'll post when I get an answer from them. If I get an answer from them. If not ,I'll call them directly.

I really like my Dell Home page...I don't want to use google or igoogle even tho those work fine. I like the Dell Home page links for Photos/Gaming/Music/Dell Perks etc. I like to cusomtize using the google gadgets.

It's frustrating to use the Dell Home page for years...and suddenly it doesn't work properly, with the problem being on Dells end... and Dell appears to not even be aware of it. That is disappointing and discouraging.

Hi tbsDC,

I agree it is frustrating and that is an excellent suggestion - it should be included as an update. I too like the way that page is laid out and in fact I have had as my home page, rather than my MSN page which I use to have before. Actually for HOME pages I have both come up, but the Dell Home page has always been on top receiving focus.

You mentioned: "I really like my Dell Home page...I don't want to use google or igoogle even tho those work fine",

However my Dell Home page does have Google, since it's probably hosted on Google - isn't yours similar to the link I provided in my previous post?

Regardless, I hope you get some info and can share - that would be great. It's just that top banner, becasue all the other content, I noticed I can actually select and customize to have it exactly as the page that originally us to load up.

Hi skier7667:

Yes my Dell Home page is similar to yours (using google)..I just didn't phrase my wording clearly. I got a response from Google Tech Support and they said this special version of the Dell Home page that uses google is supported by Dell and we have to keep working with Dell Tech Support to get the issue resolved.

So I called Dell Tech Support today...and they went to the Dell Home page and had the same issues we did with the gadgets not working. So the page is definitely not working, and it is not our own computers that are the problem. So Dell Support is submitting a trouble ticket to one of their departments (I forget which one he said..it has something to do with this kind of stuff..maybe thier own tech guys for their own web page dept?)..anyway then that deparment will look into it. If Google did a "code base change" (or something) on their end, that could cause all of our Dell Home pages to not work. So if that Dell Dept can't fix it on their end..then they would contact Google..and this problem would be worked out between the partnership that exists between Dell & Google..as to where the problem occured and as to who would be fixing it..etc etc.

So now we just gotta wait it out and hopefully it will get resolved. Also the Tech Support guy I talked with..went to this community page we are all posting on about this problem, and he is bringing it to the attention of the Dell support people that go through all these community postings..sometimes they post to our postings themselves if they have answers or something to offer. I was wondering if they ever reviewed these..so that is good to know.

Let's all cross our fingures and hope for the best.

Hi tbsDC,

That is great news. Thanks so much for the update and also for taking the time to contact Dell on this. I have been doing something similar, but with Microsoft and the Xbox 360. It is takinga l long time it appears, but I hope I can get them to resolve the problem.

It should not be difficult to get the problem resolved whether it's from the Dell side or Google. I have a feeling Dell will have to compose a new page, rewrite the HTML and then set it up on the iGoogle site with regard to the banner at top. That of course will probably require Upper management approval. I don't think it's a Google problem itself, but maybe I'm wrong.

Let's wait and see what happens!!!

And maybe Dell will be quick about fixing it when someone from Dell realizes they are losing revenue by the customized Google Dell Home Page not working. Supposedly when we use this page to search the internet both Dell and Google share the revenue earned from us searching this way. With alot of us jumping over to igoogle and using those "working" gadgets and searching that way (since we are already there)....only Google gets the revenue.

Google has some discussions going on about this as well, since some users posted the problem there thinking it was a Google problem. Google is refering them to use igoogle; I would think Dell would be concerned and most interested in this response from Google.

I don't know if someone was already looking into this or not, but I've just started the process to have someone look into things if they weren't already aware of it.

Thanks, Larry :emotion-1: .

Hey everyone check your Dell Home pages...mine is working now!! maybe yours are too.

Thanks Dell !!   We appreciate you getting this fixed. It works great, I can add and edit gadgets again.

The only gadget not working is "Weather" by Google Engineering in Mountainview, CA..... You can add it and edit it...except it is supposed to display a 4 day forecast with pics and temperature for each day, but it doesn't. No pictures display and only a one day forecast shows.

This gadget works fine in igoogle, so looks like a Google/Dell problem still on this one?  (odd thing is, is this is the first gadget that malfunctioned-just like it is now- before the whole Dell Home Page stopped working properly regarding all the gadgets suddenly not working). I'll have to switch to a different weather gadget that has a forecast that works, for now. I really like the one that is not working, hopefully that will come back also. In the past I contacted Google & Dell both on this weather gadget not working properly on the Dell Home Page ...and I didn't have any luck on either side in getting that problem fixed at that time. But since it works fine on igoogle and does not on the Dell Home Page ...it kinda looks like it may be connected with this current problem on gadgets on the Dell  Home page that is currently being worked on. ???

So looks like the Dell Home Page is back in business!!!!!!!!!!!! ....except for that one google weather gadget that doesn't work on the Dell Home Page properly yet.

Hi tbsDC,

Thanks for your efforts in taking the time to point that out to Dell. Yes, it appears it was fixed. I have the link at work and was able to click on a gadget without getting the "null error". I'll try it from home on my XPS 600 tonight - I'm sure it should work.

It's nice when things get fixed in a reasonable amount of time.

Thanks again!