Problem in javascript:history.back()

Hi,
I am using apage that contains a link and a button. The button uses javascript:history.back() to go back to the previous page. The link opens a website in a new window. The button when clicked takes me back to the original page and the dta entered is intact. However if the button is clicked after clicking on the hyperlink then the data on the original page is lost.

Thanks in advance for the help

what data on the original page?
i thought you said there was only a link and a button?

does the link go to # with an onclick event to open the window?
If so, then the most recent page (After clicking the link to page.html#) would be page.html... try simply pressing the back button of your browser to see if you acheive the same results as your javascript does.