Amazon and Java problems

Hi Pamela,

The error you are seeing is actually a JavaScript error. Despite the similarity in the names, it's nothing to do with the Java you have installed on your computer.

I'm getting the same error with Safari here. I don't recall seeing this error with Amazon.com before so I would guess that they have changed something on their website that is causing the error.

Nothing is working correctly after I get that message

I can still navigate the site despite the error message popping up. Which parts aren't working for you Pamela?

I was Amazon.com yesterday. For the first hour or so I had no problems whatsoever. I took a break, went back, and had the same problem as Pamela.

Most of the pages I opened during my second session with Amazon.com threw up a JavaScript box that said: TypeError - NullValue.

When I clicked: OK (on the TypeError - NullValue box) the image of the book I was searching for loaded on the page. As I said, this did not happen earlier in the day. Obviously the book image is tied to this error.

Also, while at Amazon.com during the earlier session, I had disabled pop-ups, cleared all cookies, and cleaned the cache . The problem cropped up after this activity (coincidence?) To make sure this hadn't affected anything I reset all the defaults, but still the annoying JavaScript box appears.

My system is brand new, one day old. I'm unfamiliar with Apple and therefore curious if this is some odd system quirk.)

I would like to be reassured that this problem originates from Amazon.com as iBod says. I am unfamiliar with JavaScript et al - it is possible the setting changes affected this?

iBod, someone, could you enlighten further?

Thanks!
Happy Thanksgiving!

I had the same issue today. It didn't affect my ability to shop but was annoying.

I'm a very regular Amazon shopper and noticed the same error message (Type error-Null Value) crop up in the last couple of days. Doesn't seem to affect my ability to use the site, but it is annoying. And it does concern me that there could be other problems (i.e. security). The error seems to crop up whenever you are selecting a product from your search results.

Same problem here too. I thought the recent Java update might be the cure. However, when I chose Java 5.0 as the default, the error message continues to pop-up.

Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Dear friends,

I have had the same JavaScript error pop up when shopping Amazon.com, and under the same circumstances: I click on a product to view it, and the annoying little "Type Error - Null Value" pops up and mocks me. Like many of you, I am able to shop and buy products, but it is annoying.

I have reported this problem to Amazon.com, and if I hear anything back from them, I will post their reply on this thread. (I foolishly started a new thread about this without realizing that the topic was already being discussed here--sorry about that!) I am really hoping that Amazon does not reply with something like, "Try downloading Firefox" or "Try using Internet Explorer." I get this answer from other sites sometimes. I don't want to use Firefox or IE; I love my Safari browser (when it behaves)!

Chris

eMac Mac OS X (10.3.9) Running Safari 1.3.1

Great info. coming in.

To recap:
1. We know the error:
: is described as- JavaScript: TypeError - Null value
: is not specific to one person/one machine.
: appears when selecting a product from search results, (main
page or WishList.)
: involves the loading of the product's photo on it's featured
page. The photo will not load until 'OK' is clicked on error box.
: does not impede the ability to shop, just the experience.
: is not cured by the recent Java update. Occurs with Java 5.0.
and Java 1.4.2 .
:resetting Safari preferences does not resolve problem.

3. Concerns:
:that it could indicate other problems including security issues.
:that it is tied to Safari's browser.

3. Steps to Resolution:
: Chris S. has reported it to Amazon. (I reported it yesterday but
I have not had a reply. I may have e-mailed the wrong dept.
: I will call Apple Tech Support today and ask about it.

Any info. I left out? Any more helpful info./concerns to be added? Please post it and I'll add it to the summary. (Meanwhile, let's hope we find an answer/resolution.)

I have had the same issue with Amazon.com. In fact, Amazon.com is the only site I've had the Java script error issue (BTW: The Amazon.co.uk site does not have the same problem - it is unique to the U.S. web site).

I contacted AppleCare today (11-25-05) and asked them about the issue. We did duplicate searches on the Amazon.com web site. We both had the same problems. (Sidenote: It does not effect those still running Panther or the IE browser - only Tiger/Safari).

I, as others here on this board have stated, sent Amazon an email outlining the problem. As most know, you can still navigate the Amazon.com site, it's just a pain the the backside to constantly have to clck on an error message window to continue.

One last comment: You would think that the 2nd most visited shopping web site in the U.S. would have someone running tests in relation to different browsers (especially concerning Java security updates) that would catch these problems. This has been an issue since Apple released the Java update on 11-15-05. Someone at Amazon is asleep at the wheel.

Good luck to all and have a very happy holiday season.

Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

I have the problem on Panther, so its not just Tiger. Thanks for all the great work you all have done researching this.

More great info, especially the Panther feedback. I will update the summary shortly.

I outlined the problem and e-mailed Amazon.com. Here's the response I just received. Unless I'm missing something I think it's of no help to us. After I post this I'm rewriting them.

****************
Thanks for writing us at Amazon.com.

I am sorry you encountered problems while using our web site. Here
are some suggestions that usually help:

1) Try reloading. If the site is taking a long time, or if a page
loads for a long, long time, click the "Stop" button at the top of
your browser and then click "Reload" or "Refresh" at the top of your
browser window.

2) Clear your cache. Most browsers temporarily store a local copy of
every page you visit on the web. Clearing your cache deletes all of
those files and makes room for new ones. Go to the "Cache"
or "Temporary Internet Files" option on your Web browser (on
Netscape, go to "Options" and choose "Network Preferences"; if you
use Internet Explorer, go to "Tools" and choose "Internet Options"),
and delete the files stored in your cache.

3) Clear your cookies. The problem may be caused by one of our
servers, or by corrupted cookie files on your browser. In either
case, clearing your cookies should solve the problem. For Internet
Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options > Delete Cookies. For
Netscape or Mozilla, go to Edit > Preferences > Privacy & Security >
Cookies > Cookie Manager > Remove all Cookies. After doing this,
simply sign in to our web site again, and your items should still be
in your Shopping Cart.

4) Try our standard server. If you have trouble accessing the order
form, or if the order form gives you an error on the final step,
using the standard server should allow the order to go through. You
can select the standard server when you enter your e-mail address and
password after clicking "Proceed to Checkout." When submitting an
order on the standard server, if we don't already have your credit
card number on file, it's best to enter just the last five digits of
the card number and then call us with the complete number after
placing the order.

If none of these suggestions solves the problem, please click the
link below to send us a detailed description of the error and where
it is occurring. Any information you can provide us may help us solve
the problem and lessen your frustration in the future. Thanks for
shopping with Amazon.com.

*********

Will try to get them to dig deeper than this.

I have the same problem as well. When I called Applecare today at 2PM, I was asked to reset Safari and to try login in as another user. I told the representative that I had just downloaded Java 1.3.1 and 1.4.2 Release 2" (2.0) and hadn't noticed the problem before. She couldn't help me at all.

Doesn't Applecare have someone to monitor the Discussion boards for problems. Deleting my cache and history was annoying and of no help at all. Does it just depend on which person you end up with? Can you ask to speak to someone else?

Thanks