Loss of Focus Problem

[Guest Norm Dresner]

Computer is a Dell 9100 Inspiron Laptop with WinXP SP3 and all later

automatic updates. Randomly while typing, the open window loses focus. We

can't correlate it with anything on the keyboard or mouse. Further, I can't

figure out where the focus is! All global keys (e.g. Windows key,

Ctrl-Alt-Del) still work as normal. If we tap the right mouse button, the

focus point is restored to the point where we were typing, though no mouse

icon or cursor is visible on the screen.

 

I think as a first step, I'd like to find out where the focus has gone to.

It's not any open window and it's not the desktop because these can be

tested by typing keys that would have an effect if the focus is there.

We're pretty sure that there's no virus or adware on the computer.

 

Suggestions welcome.

 

Norm

[Guest Elmo]

Re: Loss of Focus Problem

 

Norm Dresner wrote:

> Computer is a Dell 9100 Inspiron Laptop with WinXP SP3 and all later

> automatic updates. Randomly while typing, the open window loses focus. We

> can't correlate it with anything on the keyboard or mouse. Further, I can't

> figure out where the focus is! All global keys (e.g. Windows key,

> Ctrl-Alt-Del) still work as normal. If we tap the right mouse button, the

> focus point is restored to the point where we were typing, though no mouse

> icon or cursor is visible on the screen.

>

> I think as a first step, I'd like to find out where the focus has gone to.

> It's not any open window and it's not the desktop because these can be

> tested by typing keys that would have an effect if the focus is there.

> We're pretty sure that there's no virus or adware on the computer.

>

> Suggestions welcome.

>

> Norm

 

Alt/F4 will close the currently selected window. That might help you

find the program that is stealing focus and hiding the pointer.. Or,

the following might help:

 

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Line 66. (r-h column) Prevent Programs from Stealing Focus - Undo

 

--

Joe =o)

[Guest Norm Dresner]

Re: Loss of Focus Problem

 

"Elmo" <elmogeek@iglou.invalid> wrote in message

news:OxCYFvKOJHA.4372@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

| Norm Dresner wrote:

| > Computer is a Dell 9100 Inspiron Laptop with WinXP SP3 and all later

| > automatic updates. Randomly while typing, the open window loses focus.

We

| > can't correlate it with anything on the keyboard or mouse. Further, I

can't

| > figure out where the focus is! All global keys (e.g. Windows key,

| > Ctrl-Alt-Del) still work as normal. If we tap the right mouse button,

the

| > focus point is restored to the point where we were typing, though no

mouse

| > icon or cursor is visible on the screen.

| >

| > I think as a first step, I'd like to find out where the focus has gone

to.

| > It's not any open window and it's not the desktop because these can be

| > tested by typing keys that would have an effect if the focus is there.

| > We're pretty sure that there's no virus or adware on the computer.

| >

| > Suggestions welcome.

| >

| > Norm

|

| Alt/F4 will close the currently selected window. That might help you

| find the program that is stealing focus and hiding the pointer.. Or,

| the following might help:

|

| http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

| Line 66. (r-h column) Prevent Programs from Stealing Focus - Undo

|

| --

| Joe =o)

 

Alt-F4 was the first thing I tried and nothing happens!

 

Norm

[Guest Uwe Sieber]

Re: Loss of Focus Problem

 

Norm Dresner wrote:

> Computer is a Dell 9100 Inspiron Laptop with WinXP SP3 and all later

> automatic updates. Randomly while typing, the open window loses focus. We

> can't correlate it with anything on the keyboard or mouse. Further, I can't

> figure out where the focus is! All global keys (e.g. Windows key,

> Ctrl-Alt-Del) still work as normal. If we tap the right mouse button, the

> focus point is restored to the point where we were typing, though no mouse

> icon or cursor is visible on the screen.

>

> I think as a first step, I'd like to find out where the focus has gone to.

> It's not any open window and it's not the desktop because these can be

> tested by typing keys that would have an effect if the focus is there.

> We're pretty sure that there's no virus or adware on the computer.

>

> Suggestions welcome.

 

My little ugly tool which logs the foreground window

should show who steals the focus:

http://www.uwe-sieber.de/files/logfgwin.zip

 

Uwe

[Guest Norm Dresner]

Re: Loss of Focus Problem

 

"Uwe Sieber" <mail@uwe-sieber.de> wrote in message

news:6mqhhnFhrajpU1@mid.individual.net...

| Norm Dresner wrote:

| > Computer is a Dell 9100 Inspiron Laptop with WinXP SP3 and all later

| > automatic updates. Randomly while typing, the open window loses focus.

We

| > can't correlate it with anything on the keyboard or mouse. Further, I

can't

| > figure out where the focus is! All global keys (e.g. Windows key,

| > Ctrl-Alt-Del) still work as normal. If we tap the right mouse button,

the

| > focus point is restored to the point where we were typing, though no

mouse

| > icon or cursor is visible on the screen.

| >

| > I think as a first step, I'd like to find out where the focus has gone

to.

| > It's not any open window and it's not the desktop because these can be

| > tested by typing keys that would have an effect if the focus is there.

| > We're pretty sure that there's no virus or adware on the computer.

| >

| > Suggestions welcome.

|

| My little ugly tool which logs the foreground window

| should show who steals the focus:

| http://www.uwe-sieber.de/files/logfgwin.zip

|

| Uwe

 

Thanks, we'll give it a try.

Norm

[Guest Kelly]

Re: Loss of Focus Problem

 

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

 

 

--

 

All the Best,

Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

 

Happy Birthday if today is your birthday!

 

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

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

 

SupportSpace

http://www.supportspace.com/pages?aiu=kellyskorner

 

"Uwe Sieber" <mail@uwe-sieber.de> wrote in message

news:6mqhhnFhrajpU1@mid.individual.net...

> Norm Dresner wrote:

>> Computer is a Dell 9100 Inspiron Laptop with WinXP SP3 and all later

>> automatic updates. Randomly while typing, the open window loses focus.

>> We can't correlate it with anything on the keyboard or mouse. Further, I

>> can't figure out where the focus is! All global keys (e.g. Windows key,

>> Ctrl-Alt-Del) still work as normal. If we tap the right mouse button,

>> the focus point is restored to the point where we were typing, though no

>> mouse icon or cursor is visible on the screen.

>>

>> I think as a first step, I'd like to find out where the focus has gone

>> to. It's not any open window and it's not the desktop because these can

>> be tested by typing keys that would have an effect if the focus is there.

>> We're pretty sure that there's no virus or adware on the computer.

>>

>> Suggestions welcome.

>

> My little ugly tool which logs the foreground window

> should show who steals the focus:

> http://www.uwe-sieber.de/files/logfgwin.zip

>

> Uwe