Trying to Validate – Need a little guidance

oh, here’s a link
MySite

first, which files should I be looking in to find errors to html code?

The validator parses all of your files combined when checking a page, so I usually start with my Main Index Template and then work through the others (header, sidebar, etc.)

Second, I assume that when the validator puts, let’s say, a little red > that means I have to add that, right?

The red notations (like the “little red >”) show you where your error began.

Third, how do I fix a “parsing error.”

It depends on what kind of error it is. I usually look at the notes for each error, and if I have no clue what they mean, I try searching the Web for answers. Most of the time, someone else has received the same parsing error.

I can tell you from experience that the more you do this, the easier it gets!

Good luck,
Jo

viabledesign already gave you some good tips. I would add: don’t start with the first error and try to work your way down. Start with the ones that are most obvious and that you know how to fix. A lot of times one problem can cause several validation errors. Fixing the obvious ones can sometimes take care of the obscure ones.

Thanks for your responses.
I guess I’m going to have to play detective, huh?
Well, here I go. I may be back.
Thanks again

OK, I managed to finally eliminate six errors with validation, but I have 18 left. About 15 of those are being caused by two widgets – adsense and newser – neither of which I’m allowed to change.

But, the last three I think I can fix. I just have no idea what I’m supposed to do with them.

XML Parsing Error: Opening and ending tag mismatch: body line 91 and div .
<div/>

XML Parsing Error: Opening and ending tag mismatch: html line 2 and body .
</body></html>

XML Parsing Error: Extra content at the end of the document
</body></html>

What do I need to do?

Thanks

MySite if interested

looks like you have some unclosed tags. You might want to fix those.

Then, try asking for help regarding validation at https://codingforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

I did and got help.

I also had problems with my Google search form. You might have just one or two mistakes, resulting in your 18 errors. The problem seems to be this line:
<input type="radio" name="sitesearch" value="" checked id="ss0"></input>
But I don’t see anything obviously wrong (but I’m far from an expert).
Have a look on your Google code and see if you have all the “s, all code closed, everything lowercase, etc.

It’s telling you that you can’t omit the equal sign when specifying an attribute.

You need to have checked="checked".

Make sure that you select verbose output when doing your validation, and then read what it says. It will often tell you exactly what you need to fix.

Jabecker, do you mean value="" checked should be value="checked"? or does checked refer to checked id?

Just wondering.

Hey, I got it to validate.

Thanks for your help. It turned out that I did indeed need to add checked=”checked” to the Google search box code.

After, no problems. I did check the Google boards and as I understand it, this is one of the few code changes allowed.

Thanks again for your time and your help