Topic: Shoutbox not posting without refresshing browser

[cloksin]

My shoutbox won't post shouts unless you click the refresh browser button or F5.  When you type a shout and either hit enter or click the shout button the icon in the upper right spins, but won't post to the shoutbox without a browser refresh.

[AngelinaBelle]

Are you seeing any javascript errors in your browser?

[cloksin]

Yes, I get two errors.

1. XML or text declaration not at start of entity
hxxp://myforum/forum/index.php?action=portal;sa=shoutbox;xml         Line:  3

2. XMLDoc.getElementsByTagName("smf")

• is undefined

hxxp://myforum/forum/Themes/default/scripts/portal.js?233                  Line:  96

[AngelinaBelle]

The first error is your first clue. Something is complaining about the XML text received from the XML request given by that URL.
 
The second error tells you the XML returned did not contain something it was supposed to contain.
 
That URL in error 1 is incorrect for some reason. It should contain a shoutbox id.
You can see the difference in what is returned if you try the URL in your browser's "Address" or "Go" box:
hxxp://myforum/forum/index.php?action=portal;sa=shoutbox;xml
hxxp://myforum/forum/index.php?action=portal;sa=shoutbox;shoutbox_id=1;xml
 
Figuring out where the URL goes bad would require using a script debugging tool. Something like firebug for firefox, or developers tools for IE7/IE8.
 
If you provide a link, I could help you look at your own forum.

[cloksin]

Thank you for your help, here is the link. http://www.d-and-x.net/dandx/index.php

[AngelinaBelle]

I took a look at your shoutbox at http://www.d-and-x.net/dandx/index.php?action=forum and tried to trace things through. I could see sp_refresh_shout (in portal.js)  trying to get the XML Document with URL http://www.d-and-x.net/dandx/index.php?action=portal;sa=shoutbox;shoutbox_id=2;time=1295983412;xml and process it using onshoutReceived (also in portal.js).
 
When I try the URL in the browser's address line, it comes back just fine, with all the required information between the <smf> tags and a long list of shouts.
 
But, when I check this in the debugger, the XML keeps coming back empty, and I don't know why.
 
I will ask for more help.

[cloksin]

I appreciate your help, thank you.

[cloksin]

Any luck with this?

[AngelinaBelle]

Do you, by any chance, have Google Analytics installed?
Re: Shoutbox doesnt auto refresh.

[cloksin]

No I don't, these are the packages I have installed

1. Stars And Badges 2.2   
2. WYSIWYG Quick Reply 2.1 
3. Unreplied Topics 1.00 
4. Karma Description Mod 2.6.8     
5. Custom Action Mod 3.2     
6. Switch Permissions 1.0     
7. Additional Membergroups on Profile 1.1.1   
8. SMFShop 3.1.6.1   
9. SMF Links 2.3   
10. Profile Comments 2.0.1 
11. Tapatalk SMF 2.0 RC3 Plugin 1.3.0   
12. SMF Staff Page 1.7 
13. Bookmarks 2.3   
14. DisableTemplateEval 1.2
15. Spell Check Custom Words 1.2 
16. SMF Articles 1.3.2.1   
17. Member Awards 2.2.3 
18. Aeva Media 1.4c   
19. SMF module for 123 Flash Chat 2.2
20. Stars And Badges 2.1 
21. Topic Solved 1.1.1 
22. Order Custom Profile Fields 1.1 
23. Member Color Link 3.0.8 
24. SimplePortal 2.3.3   
25. Post By Email 1.03 (Beta) 
26. Post Unapproval 1.1.3   
27. Redirect on Login and/or Logout mod 0.4 

I'm in the process of copying the whole site over to a second directory on my server to give me a mirror image to test with.  I plan on removing each of the mods and reinstalling them one at a time until I find where my errors are.  I'm getting a few other errors in other places, some related to javascript, some not, so I've determined the best way to move forward with the troubleshooting is to take this step.  I will keep you posted on my progress, and may set up an account for you on the test site once its ready if you would be interested in assisting in that way.

[AngelinaBelle]

Sounds like you have a good plan, and will be able to narrow this down. When you have more specifics, please let us know what you find out.


Thanks