Pre element and Overflow Attribute

Here's my next IE challenge (or frustration). It deals with the overflow attribute. Overflow property was a challenge on my page since the page emulates position fixed for IE.

The present scenario deals with the pre element. Sometimes the content in the pre container exceed the parent container's width. IE expands the parent containers width as a result. The workaround for this scenario relates to the overflow property and using a wrapper with the height set to 1% . Now, IE maintains the parent container width. Apparently, the wrapper ensures that IE renders hasLayout. I am not exactly sure why it works, but it has predictable results.

The workaround involves wrapping a pre element in a div, WrapOverflow. Now, you could set the overflow auto attribute on the child pre element. Apparently, the wrapper ensures that IE renders hasLayout. I am not exactly sure why it works, but it has predictable results.

Firefox has no need for the wrapper and still renders the page accurately with the superfluous code. The problem relates to IE rendering pre/wrapper with a smaller height. By controlling the horizontal expansion; the workaround has somehow constrained the height as well. The net effect is a vertical scroll bar, which is not ideal.

Compare the scenario in both Firefox and IE; set the browser next to each other; notice the div.WrapOverflow pre container height. Screenshots are below and review the code for a full illustration.

Yes, you must be thinking change overflow auto to overflow vertical. Let's not jump to a quick conclusion. Understanding what is going on here is important as well. The pre container's height should grow in IE, but the page's complexity and various hacks muddle the scenario. I have already spent a month on this scenario, but do not have the skill to decipher what various hacks impose on my layout. Let me know if you have any good ideas, explanations, or suggestions on this situation.

http://neville.f2o.org/nifty_TEMP2.html