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Not able to copy/paste into a window

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I have been using Firefox for years for both MAC and PCs. Three updates prior to this last update... something happened. I am an online professor. Our school's LMS has not changed. The issue is that when I am in my classroom, I can type in a window without any problems, but cannot cut and paste from one window to another. I was hoping that this would be corrected in each of the following upgrades, but it has not.

An example would be copying one of my announcements from one class - into another class... or... copying and pasting one grade book item from one student's grade book into another student's. Unfortunately, because of this, I am resorting to using Chrome...

Please address this issue and thank you for your time.

Terry Powell, Ph.D.

I have been using Firefox for years for both MAC and PCs. Three updates prior to this last update... something happened. I am an online professor. Our school's LMS has not changed. The issue is that when I am in my classroom, I can type in a window without any problems, but cannot cut and paste from one window to another. I was hoping that this would be corrected in each of the following upgrades, but it has not. An example would be copying one of my announcements from one class - into another class... or... copying and pasting one grade book item from one student's grade book into another student's. Unfortunately, because of this, I am resorting to using Chrome... Please address this issue and thank you for your time. Terry Powell, Ph.D.

All Replies (19)

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There have been problems in the past when trying to copy from one program to another. The cause was found to be the font were not compatible. The workaround was to copy from one program to a Word type program, then copy from Word to where you wanted it to go.

Could this be the problem?

Are you trying to copy from one Firefox window to another?

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NO... this is not the issue...

Firefox browser only... TWO identical classrooms... SAME LMS... If I copy a grade book item from one student and wish to paste it to another student... it will not paste... You cannot even paste from Word. The issue is with Firefox and not another program. I have even tried using TextExpander which allows you to type partial wording and automatically posts your responses and that does not even work any longer with Firefox. I have been working as an online instructor for almost 10 years and have had this issue one other time years ago but it was corrected in one of your updates. This time, it hasn't been corrected. Three updates have taken place since the issue began.

I can use Chrome or Safari and they work just fine but I prefer Firefox and am hoping you can correct this issue.

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I created a video for you to view which might help explain the issue.

Browser issue

Thank you...

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"Video is unavailable"


As a test; Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?

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Yes, the issue still exists.

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I can and I will change the privacy mode, but need to send the link to a private viewing area because of proprietary information. Can you send me an email where I can send you the link?

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I actually changed the privacy issue but if you could.... please remove that thread after you view the video or let me know you've viewed and I will change the privacy on the video please.

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SimplyWmn2 said

Can you send me an email where I can send you the link?

I have sent you a private message.

Never post any personal information because an adware robot could find it, and start sending you all kinds of spam. This includes e-mail, phone, and home information.

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I saw the video. Hmmmmm.

You tried Firefox in Safe Mode. This rules out add-ons, Hardware Acceleration, theme, and some other things.

You said this started several updates ago. What was the last version of Firefox that worked properly?

I am calling for more help on this.

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I do not know the version that it was working, but I do know that I just had my "third" update if that helps.

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Let's try Firefox ESR. During the install, use customize and place the ESR in its own folder.

Example: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox esr\"

Firefox Extended Support Release https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/ https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/notes/ https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/system-requirements/

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I downloaded firefox 52.1.1esr.dmg and placed in its own folder. There was no option to customize and there was no change in the program. Still unable to cut/paste into the classroom.

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I am uploading my computer info...

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I have downloaded the recommended version and physically deleted the file on my computer before downloading the new version. Nothing has changed.

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Does it work if you first paste this data to another application and then copy it once again to the clipboard as possible workaround?

What kind of content is this about, plain text or formatted text or HTML (rich text) data or other data?

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As you will know from the video, there is an option to select the Word option and paste it that way. Though that is fine... For almost 10 years, I have not had to use that option with Firefox. I could copy whatever I needed to and paste it directly into the window.

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SimplyWmn2 said

As you will know from the video, there is an option to select the Word option and paste it that way. Though that is fine... For almost 10 years, I have not had to use that option with Firefox. I could copy whatever I needed to and paste it directly into the window.

Different sites' rich text editors handle paste differently because they have a different level of tolerance for garbage HTML tags in what is pasted. But since you are talking about the identical site on two different computers, and you already ruled out add-ons, the only thing that comes to mind is this setting:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button promising to be careful.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste CLIPB and pause while the list is filtered

(3) If the dom.event.clipboardevents.enabled preference is bolded and "user set" to false, double-click it to restore the default value of true

A couple years ago there was a problem pasting into YouTube comments that led some users to switch that to false. Then they would later discovery that pasting on Facebook went haywire. So they set it back to true. But I digress. Do you notice any difference in that setting between the working and non-working Firefoxes?

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I was hopeful, but no... it wasn't set to false nor bold.