I have a web grid in XML mode where I prepare a hierarchical data set in the InitializeDataSource event then format the grid in the IntializeLayout event.
Sometimes the page renders fine and sometimes I have to refresh the page. Sometimes the grid has the columns and pagination but no rows until I refresh (reload) the web page, sometimes it works just fine. I have traced the server code and the data sets and formatting seem to be happening normally in both situations.
What is the reason for this?
Indeed, these types of problems are really very hard to debug. I've seen similar problems in many web-sites (the loading status bar never finishes) mainly in IE browsers.
While I really have no idea what is going on, I typically start resolving these problem by first locating the browser (is it appearing in all browsers, or is it only IE6 / 7 / FireFox), then I start checking / disabling browser plug-ins / toolbars, then I check if some kind of firewal//anti-virus tool is interfering with my connection and finally I start disabling features one by one until I figure out what is causing the problem.
Hopefully, If you go this way, some additional information may come up that will help us figure out what is going on.
I was afraid of this.
I don't know about your experience with web programming but I am spending about equal time troubleshooting things that work sometimes with developing new web pages.
I read an interesting blog entry that could have something to do with this problem written by Joel Spolsky. I recommend it to all web programmers as an intelligent discussion on why it is so difficult to develop for the web, despite the sincerest efforts of the powers that be to standardize and simplify the process.
http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2008/03/17.html