I have the same problem, has your computer upgraded to to IE11 by any chance? Mine did and I think that is what is to blame. To overcome:
Smilies can be dragged and dropped
To show a quote highlighted in blue: Copy and paste the relevant part:
.... and the answer will be no. then put [ quote ] at the front and [ /quote ] at the back
but without any spaces and voila!!!
.... and the answer will be no.