Windows XP Taskbar Silliness

[Aaron Kelley]

Alright, so, for a long time, I've had this problem in Windows XP. I know a
few other people who this happens to, but I don't have a solution, so I'm
posting here in the hopes that some of you have seen it before too!

So, the problem is, I'm sitting here using my computer, and I have lots of
windows open. When I click on one of the taskbar buttons to switch windows,
what happens is, *another* window (seemingly random) pops to the front when
I click down on the mouse button, and the one I clicked on pops to the front
when I release it. (When clicking fast, it pretty much appears that both
windows popped to the front at the same time, and the one I requested is
always on top.)

This is annoying for a couple of reasons. First of all, it's visually
distracting. And also, sometimes I want to get two particular windows up so
that I can drag a file or something between them, and this issue gets in the
way, particularly when a maximized window pops up when I click my second
button, covering the first window.

If I'm not describing this in a way that makes it easy for you to understand
what I'm talking about, I'll try to elaborate or post a video. (It may
sound wierd if you've never seen this happen.)

I've tried to search for information on this, but it is difficult to
construct a search about this without just getting tons of pointless
results. This is my first time posting about it.

Has anyone seen this? Is this a Windows bug that just happens, or something
that only seems to affect my systems? On the chance that anyone else has
seen this, do you know any way to fix it?

Additional notes that might be relevant:
- I am experiencing this behavior on my desktop and on my laptop both. My
desktop is running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, and my laptop is
running regular x86 Windows XP Professional.
- If I reboot, then it doesn't happen for a while. Once it starts
happening, it doesn't happen on every taskbar click but is pretty easy to
produce by just clicking a few times.
- I occasionally reinstall Windows clean, and I try to keep my systems as
clean as I can, so I have no idea what I might be installing or running that
may be causing this. I've been seeing it as far back as since before
Windows XP SP2 was relased, I don't remember when it first started.
Generally, the applications I have open are just Windows Explorer, Outlook,
Firefox, and Trillian Pro, however, I have experienced this behavior which
each one of those not running.
- Doesn't usually happen when I don't have many windows open, however, I
usually have at least 10.

Thanks for any input!

- Aaron

 

[Aaron Kelley]

Here is a video so that you can see exactly what I am talking about.
http://aaron-kelley.net/!!stuff/capture2.wmv

Notice when I click the button labeled "Re: Fwd: first class ..." (at about
8 seconds in), the Timbuktu Pro button is activated briefly.

Again, this seems to happen regardless of what kind of programs I have
running.

- Aaron

 

[Kelly]

Has been a bug for great while. It has to do with Focus.

TweakUI/General/Focus
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Prevent Programs from Stealing Focus - Undo (Line 66)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

When a window that does not have focus is updated by its program, the
default setting prevents it from becoming the foremost (top) window,
instead, it flashes in the taskbar.

HeldUp is the easiest way to stop windows from disappearing behind other
programs. http://www.johnmacintyre.ca/HeldUp.asp

Programs May Start, Quit, Lose, and Gain Focus Randomly
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313176&Product=winxp

Customize Auto Hide Taskbar Settings (Line 190) Right hand side
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Tip:

Tool Tips Hidden Behind Taskbar (Line 321)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[NewScience]

WHen you say that you install Windows clean ... that means out-of-the-box
and NO additional programs installed. Including Trillian Pro and FireFox.

Just because these programs are no ACTIVELY running, does not mean that they
have not installed support libraries, drivers or applications (services) in
support of these applications.

The next time you reinstall Windows clean, leave it clean and see if the
problem comes back. That means NO Firefox or Trillian Pro. If after a week
of no problems, you have your answer.

You can always install a second copy on another partition - clean - and test
with that. The only thing to install would be MS patches and updates (and
any network support drivers). Leave the third-party applications alone.
Use IE.

The simplest solution to finding a problem is to remove ALL variables not
part of the product.
Then test, and add one by one.

 

[Aaron Kelley]

Thanks! This is a useful reply.

Not all of the links apply to me, but I think the KB article about
applications randomly grabbing focus (suggested to turn off text services)
did the trick. We'll see... The problem is difficult to repro but I think
it should have shown up by now.

- Aaron

 

[koriun.margarian]

Hi

I have this problem tooo
how you solve it ?

 

[Rock]

Hi

I have this problem tooo
how you solve it ?

Sorry but what problem? You posted your message as an add one to
someone else's thread. This is not a good thing to do. Post a new
message with the details of the problem giving all the needed information.

This is a newsgroup and many of us use a newsreader to access it and
only have the most recent messages. We don't see the whole thread.

Here is a link with info on making a good newsgroup post.

Making Good Newsgroup Posts

 

[koriun.margarian]

please see first poster.
he is describing problem. he is started of this thread.

i will not open new thread for same question.

 

[Rock]

please see first poster.
he is describing problem. he is started of this thread.

i will not open new thread for same question.

Sorry but what problem? You posted your message as an add one to
someone else's thread. This is not a good thing to do. Post a new
message with the details of the problem giving all the needed
information.

This is a newsgroup and many of us use a newsreader to access it and
only have the most recent messages. We don't see the whole thread.

Here is a link with info on making a good newsgroup post.

Making Good Newsgroup Posts

Actually it's the other way around. You should open a new thread for your
issue. Do not post onto someone else's thread. For thing I cannot see the
previous posts in the thread because I, as do many others, use a newsreader,
not the lousy web interface. I download only the most recent messages in
each thread. For another, it's not very reasonable for you to expect others
to go back and read past threads, i.e. do the work for you, when you should
be providing the relevant information. Lastly there is no guarantee your
problem is the same as his. Do you have the same computer? The same
hardware, the same software?

As I indicated previously, if you want to get some help you should repost
your question in a new thread giving all the relevant information. Review
that link I gave you on how to make a good newsgroup post.

Good luck.