General question about computers

It's a reply in a thread that already exists, there are other comments before it and this will show after them, the same as in this forum.
In GF you can see the other comments when you're typing yours, but in this forum you can't, the comment you create appears under the others after you've clicked on 'Create Post' (not seen in the screen shot)
The add image is at the bottom in this forum, actually it's 'Upload a file' but that's the same thing. But in the other forum it's at the top .

 

This kind of button is a mix of Javascript, which is mostly used to get a Click event, and Windows. Buttons are asked to do: “click on the button and open the system’s file browser”.
If the button has disappeared, this is caused by a Windows update that went wrong on that system. It can be that the update triggered a change in the system’s registry for handling Javascript, or you have a security software that overwrote the system setting acting as the Windows Administrator. This Administrator is not the same as your account as Administrator. This Administrator is the one that is allowed to install Windows and the account is locked once Windows is installed.
The problem lies most likely with that third-party software and since the Administrator is locked, you can’t do anything. There have always been discussions why security software is allowed to act as Administrator (as a super-user).
Apart from the fact that I can’t tell what key is responsible, but I’m sure that a key in the registry needed to be changed to unlock it again. The problem is that - during a Windows update ? - this registry key lost the permissions.
Generally said, reinstalling Windows from scratch would solve the issue.

I’m fully aware that all this is OTT for you.

 

Is it something that could get sorted out at the next windows update or is it permanent now without intervention by someone in the know?

 

Thanks @simone_in_wiltshire I get the meaning of what you're saying. Maybe I'll take the computer to the local repair shop to see if they can do something to it

 

Michael, I'm typing this now and I can see all the other comments above, do you not get a box at the bottom in which to type your reply.

 

I would start Windows in Safe mode with networking and see if the issue is still there. If not, if it works, that would be something to start with and should be easily solved by disabling the culprits (in Startup in Windows Task manager).
If it’s still the problem in Safe mode, then it’s a corrupted Windows.

of course @Michael Hewett , did you try a different browser or just Edge?

* Do a right-click on a registry key and go to Permissions. Here, you can see that different keys (folders) have different permissions for different users.
There were on affected systems keys that were literally blank and it was not possible to add users because it needs at least the Administrator.
Some ITs tried it, but failed.

 

You get an icon after the last comment in the thread @pete, saying 'Reply' and you click on that, then the other comments disappear and you get the box I've shown in the screenshot above, where you type your comment.

The you click 'Create Post' and the comment appears under the previous ones, like on here,
but you can't see them when typing your reply.

@simone_in_wiltshire I didn't understand most of that but I did log into the site using the Private window, and lo and behold, the missing icon appeared !
That's a relief, so now when I want to add photos I can do it that way

Thanks for everyone's help (although I am still in a fog )

 

That’s great @Michael Hewett

The internet says it could be the cache, cookies or extensions in your Edge.

 

Sorry that is well above my level also @simone_in_wiltshire, but I'm sure it makes sense to anyone who knows.

I have something similar with another forum I use @Michael Hewett, I find it quite annoying that all previous posts disappear once you hit the reply button.
I just thought it was to do with the software that site was using, but maybe not?

 

Have you tried using a different Browser ? ideally one that you have not changed in any way eg adblockers / security options. eg Chrome, Firefox or Brave , all easily downloaded and ready to run.

 

It would be the software if you have an issue on all systems.

Michael’s issue with the missing button happens only on one system. Since he found the issue solved if he is in private mode, that means it’s the browser.

Regarding the other replies not shown once you reply, if that happens with all systems, this is a software issue. Looking at the screenshot that Michael posted, this software is older, I would assume and its code no longer works with current browsers and systems.

 

I've tried different browsers but it's too confusing.
I'll manage with using the private window.

Thank you all

 

So would a browser update sort it out, do you think.

 

I would make sure that i use the latest browser version and delete the browser’s cache/cookies.
Of course, test a page in different browsers to see if it’s the same issue.