Problem with google search

[alfred2_question]

• What you were doing I typed in an expression for google search: capital of england
• Whether you were able to replicate it a second time by performing the same action: yes
• Include any screenshots that might help us:

This is the search command

 

http://www.google.com/%3C#_ws%3E/bg/search-col/index.html?&policy=1285&q=capital%20of%20england

 

This is the error message:

 

404. That’s an error.

The requested URL /%3C was not found on this server.That’s all we know.

 

• Include the Alfred version & build number you are using: Alfred v2, Version 2.0.4 b199 (OS X 10.6+, 64-bit Intel only)

   

• Include your OS X version: OSX 10.8.4
•  

[Andrew]

 

• What you were doing I typed in an expression for google search: capital of england
• Whether you were able to replicate it a second time by performing the same action: yes
• Include any screenshots that might help us:

This is the search command

 

http://www.google.com/%3C#_ws%3E/bg/search-col/index.html?&policy=1285&q=capital%20of%20england

 

This is the error message:

404. That’s an error.

The requested URL /%3C was not found on this server.That’s all we know.

 

• Include the Alfred version & build number you are using: Alfred v2, Version 2.0.4 b199 (OS X 10.6+, 64-bit Intel only)

   

• Include your OS X version: OSX 10.8.4
•  

 

 

The URL you are seeing doesn't look like the URL Alfred uses to search google. Do you have a workflow installed which is replacing the default Alfred search?

[alfred2_question]

>>  Do you have a workflow installed which is replacing the default Alfred search?

 

No, I just got the software and haven't started using the workflows yet. 

 

One thing I noticed is that this happens when I am at home at different macs the same problem (both basic and powerpack versions). And it doesn't happen at work.

 

The only thing I can think of the difference between home and the work wifi's is that my home wifi name is hidden. I am not sure if it's the culprit.

 

I appreciate your looking into this problem promptly. 

 

Thanks.

[Andrew]

>>  Do you have a workflow installed which is replacing the default Alfred search?

 

No, I just got the software and haven't started using the workflows yet. 

 

One thing I noticed is that this happens when I am at home at different macs the same problem (both basic and powerpack versions). And it doesn't happen at work.

 

The only thing I can think of the difference between home and the work wifi's is that my home wifi name is hidden. I am not sure if it's the culprit.

 

I appreciate your looking into this problem promptly. 

 

Thanks.

 

Hm I wonder if it's your ISP causing it. If you click this link, does it work:

 

http://www.google.com/search?q=alfred%20app

[alfred2_question]

Hm I wonder if it's your ISP causing it. If you click this link, does it work:

 

http://www.google.com/search?q=alfred%20app

Yes, I have just tried this link works. No luck with searching directly from alfred2 though.

[Andrew]

Yes, I have just tried this link works. No luck with searching directly from alfred2 though.

 

Hm that's the link which Alfred launches - I wonder if something on your main Mac profile is changing the behaviour of URL request. Could you temporarily create a new user profile on your Mac, switch to that user and try Alfred's google search from there.

[Andrew]

[moving to the help forum in case others may understand what could be going on, e.g. an ISP proxy]

[alfred2_question]

Hello,

 

I have tried with another user account at home and I don't have the same problem. When I select another search engine, e.g. Bing, I don't have the problem.

 

So, I have the problem only when 1) I am at my home network, 2) at my current user account and 3) use google as the default search engine.

 

Whenever I enter any word(s) to Alfred 2 and hit return, it's just translated into this  strange search query, which is rejected by google.

 

For example, I can type eggplant to Alfred 2, which fires up my safari with the query:

 

http://www.google.com/%3C#_ws%3E/bg/search-col/index.html?&policy=1285&q=eggplant

 

And google comes back with "

404. That’s an error.

The requested URL /%3C was not found on this server.That’s all we know."

A similar entry to Alfred2 using Bing, returns the query:

 

http://www.bing.com/search?q=eggplant

 

and it's fine. 

 

It's still a mystery. Thank you for your help. 

 

[jdfwarrior]

Hello,

 

I have tried with another user account at home and I don't have the same problem. When I select another search engine, e.g. Bing, I don't have the problem.

 

So, I have the problem only when 1) I am at my home network, 2) at my current user account and 3) use google as the default search engine.

 

Whenever I enter any word(s) to Alfred 2 and hit return, it's just translated into this  strange search query, which is rejected by google.

 

For example, I can type eggplant to Alfred 2, which fires up my safari with the query:

 

http://www.google.com/<#_ws>/bg/search-col/index.html?&policy=1285&q=eggplant

 

And google comes back with "

404. That’s an error.

The requested URL /%3C was not found on this server.That’s all we know."

A similar entry to Alfred2 using Bing, returns the query:

 

http://www.bing.com/search?q=eggplant

 

and it's fine. 

 

It's still a mystery. Thank you for your help.

Could there be some extension in safari that's causing issues?

[alfred2_question]

Could there be some extension in safari that's causing issues?

I have three: evernote, pocket and 1 password. I have tried after disabling them -- still no success. Thanks for your help and suggestion.

[alfred2_question]

Could there be some extension in safari that's causing issues?

 

I am writing to let you know that I have installed OpenDNS and it seems to have solved the problem. I am writing this so that it may be of help to somebody else. Thanks for the great product.

[jdfwarrior]

I am writing to let you know that I have installed OpenDNS and it seems to have solved the problem. I am writing this so that it may be of help to somebody else. Thanks for the great product.

 

Great, thanks for letting us know how you worked it out