The URL insertion box uses the blue highlighting as a page/site loading progress bar. When it reaches the far right hand edge it it means the page is completely loaded and it (the blue highlighting) will disappear. If it it stalls or shortens and lengthens instead of steadily progressing to the right, it is an indication of problems loading the page or extra code being sent after the original request. The problem may be nothing more than an over loaded server at that site or an error in the transmission. It could also be a problem with your connection somewhere between you and that site. None of those problems can be solved by anything you have control of.
If your OS or browser cannot
display something from that site, it may cause problems
viewing or
using the site and it might even cause the browser to crash. But that, again, is pretty much out of your control
unless there are preferences or plug-ins that are set to block some kind of content. If crashing is a problem, you can make sure the browser is up-to-date and also try using a different one on the same site.
I seriously doubt that the Safari problem and the OS freezing problem are related. But the non-normal sounds and the freezes may certainly well be. Not sure what version, but I assume you are using OS X. If so, you should be able to create (if you haven't already) another plain user. By logging in as that user and operating for a while, you should fairly soon discover if you still have the OS crashing problems. In the best case, you will
not and you can be fairly sure that the problem is a software issue with the OS or any third-party apps/Pref Panels/plug-ins you have installed.
If you still have the OS crashing and sound problems, it is more likely a hardware problem but you still can't rull out the need to re-install the OS. But first, take one problem at a time and do the easiest and simplest steps before delving into the more expensive and time consuming ones! Just answer the questions posed as best as you can and be patient with them. They have some expert knowledge and lots of experience!
And, BTW, welcome back! Haven't seen your name around much!
Thanks for the advise - The reason I think the problem might be my OS is the blue highlighter flashing freeze coincides with the speakers rat-a-tat sound. So that when I bail out of Safari the speakers sound at the same interval that the frozen highlighter blinked. Also as I click on any of my desktops folders they also flash or blink, without being able to open. Hopefully re-installing the OS will cure it.. If not - then what?
And, BTW, thanks for remembering me. You must have a steel-trap memory.
