OS X 10.11.6 is the operating system I am using. Just today, I am finding that if I use SAFARI and Google to search for something, I cannot seem to bring up "all countries" or "Canada" when I click on TOOLS in the header. This has changed recently, as I was always able to specify if I wanted to search the world or just items available in Canada when I was in Google. Can someone please help?
MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)
Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. Also try the Safe Mode.
Isolating an issue by using another user account
Safe Mode Startup – El Capitan. also Sierra
If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.
Most likely a cache issue. See if deleting the cache.db associated with Safari helps.
Opne the Finder. From the Finder menu bar click Go > Go to Folder
Then copy / paste the following:
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari
Then click Go then from the Finder window that opens move the Cache.db file to the Trash.
Then quit and relaunch Safari to test.
Hi, Carolyn. Thank you for the very prompt reply. As I was away from my MacBook for a few days, I am sitting down to try what you said. But before I move anything to trash, I have two questions: what is Cache.db and secondly, if I go through the steps you suggest, will I lose my autosaved favourite sites? Will I lose all my log in passwords which automatically sign me in on a few sites and have to re-enter them all again?
Hi, Carolyn,
OK, so this is reply #2. I decided to "go for it" and followed your instructions. However, when I quit and even shut down the laptop completely and restarted it and then opened Safari, the only options I get when I go to the TOOLS is "anytime" and "all results". I have lost the choice of "search all countries or Canada". I am open to further suggestions. I did not empty my trash folder, could this be part of the problem?
Thanks, Eric. I have tried what Carolyn suggested with no positive result. I have just cleared all history (and therefore, I assume cookies?) and have logged in to Google, and still am not able to retrieve the selection of "Any Country" in addition to "Any Time" and "all results" when I hit the TOOLS button on my MacBook OS X 10.11.6. No problem seeing the "Any Country" selection when I hit "search" on my iPad.......just on my Mac. So frustrating !!
Hi, again. OK so I have now deleted ALL HISTORY and ALL COOKIES, as per your recommendation. I have shut down the computer and restarted it and tried to retrieve the "any country" option.......to no avail!! I even updated the latest version of Safari a few hours ago, but that hasn't made any difference.
Hi, Eric,
This is a bit more involved than perhaps I am capable of. I will sit down and try to follow your instructions when I get a chance, but with great trepidation. Thanks for your reply and detailed information. At the moment there is only one user and one user account, and that is me.
Not emptying the Trash isn't part of the problem.
Hi, Carolyn - I did try what you recommended and it did not work. Do you or anyone else have any further suggestions?
What would I all lose, if I cleared all cookies and history on Safari??
You might have to identify yourself again to some web sites if you deleted all the cookies. There is no harm in deleting all history if you don't mind losing it.
You are welcome. Check Safari/Preferences/Privacy/Website data to delete cookies.
You are welcome. It isn't that difficult. Go slowly and you should be fine.
Safari and El Capitan
