IE 5.01 Problem. Float Margin Too Large!

I have to optimise my site for IE 5.01 compatibility. I've fixed everything, except a problem with my horizontal menu (at the top):



As you can see, it floats too far to the right. It's meant to start where the base line beneath it begins. Also, the font is too large - much larger than in any other browser. The large font and the extended floating to the right pushes the last button underneath the rest.

At first, I thought it was the double float margin bug. I therefore tried adding the fix (display: inline to various parts of the CSS, but nothing happened. Anyone know how I can fix this?

Here's the CSS:

/* ######### Menu ######### */

#menu {
	padding: 0;
        margin: 0 40px 25px 50px;
}

.ddcolortabs{
	padding: 0;
	width: 100%;
	background: transparent;
	voice-family: "\"}\"";
	voice-family: inherit;
}

.ddcolortabs ul{
	font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;
	font-size: 12px;
	margin: 0;
	padding: 0;
	list-style: none;
}

.ddcolortabs li{
	display: inline;
	margin: 0 2px 0 0;
	padding: 0;
}

.ddcolortabs a{
	font-weight: bold;
	float: left;
	color: #000;
	background: #e6ede7 url(images/color_tabs_left.gif) no-repeat left top;
	margin: 0 1px 0 0;
	padding: 0 0 1px 3px;
	text-decoration: none;
	letter-spacing: 1px;
}

.ddcolortabs a span{
	float: left;
	display: block;
	background: transparent url(images/color_tabs_right.gif) no-repeat right top;
	padding: 4px 4px 2px 4px;
}

.ddcolortabs a span{
	float: none;
}

.ddcolortabs a:hover{
	background-color: #87b77b;
	text-decoration: none;	
}

.ddcolortabs a:hover span{
	background-color: #87b77b;
}

.ddcolortabs .selected a, .ddcolortabs .selected span {
background-color: #8cb85c;
}

/* ######### Menu Line ######### */

.ddcolortabsline{
        margin: 0 10px 0 0;
	clear: both;
	padding: 0;
	width: 900px;
	height: 8px;
	line-height: 8px;
	background: #e6ede7;
	border-top: 1px solid #fff;
}

Code (markup):

 

I don't see any examples of a float with margins, or display inline in your posted css. Please post a link to the page. I don't have IE5 (does anyone, really?), but maybe seeing the page and its source will let me or someone else spot the problem.

Frankly, I can't imagine even thinking about IE5 nowadays. How many people are even using Win98* that haven't upgraded to IE6? Are there even enough computers that old to worry about?

cheers,

gary

* I confess to having an old Win98 box, and I suppose I could use the recovery disc to reinstall IE5. Nah. Why would I?

 

Thanks for the response, Kk5st!

Here's the code for the menu:

<div id="menu">

<div class="ddcolortabs">

<ul>
<li><a href=""><span>Home</span></a></li>
<li><a href=""><span>Categories</span></a></li>
<li><a href=""><span>Stores</span></a></li>
<li><a href=""><span>Popular</span></a></li>
<li><a href=""><span>Exclusive</span></a></li>	
<li><a href=""><span>New</span></a></li>
<li><a href=""><span>Expiring</span></a></li>
<li><a href=""><span>Submit</span></a></li>
<li><a href=""><span>Request</span></a></li>	
</ul>

</div>

<div class="ddcolortabsline">&nbsp;</div>
                                          
</div>

Code (markup):

The problem only occurs in IE 5.01. Can you see any obvious errors?

 

Reduce the width of the #container to 900px, centered. Then let the block elements take their natural widths, without using margins to control them.

I don't know if that will help, as I can't test; it couldn't hurt.

Does your client pay a hefty premium for the IE5 compat? He should. That browser is dead and buried.

cheers,

gary

 

Thanks, Kk5st, but that won't work. No worries . . . I'll try something else. I still added points to your reputation.

I'm trying to secure compatibility for my own site, not for a client's. I am going to pay to advertise my site, so it's important that I make it compatible with as many browsers as possible. I realise that IE 5.01 is ancient and that it's used by less than 1% of people, but I still feel that I should accommodate it - at least for another year or so.

 

Some companies, like Facebook, and some known developers have dropped IE6 so I don't think you need to worry about those two guys who still use IE5.