Author Topic: XP is hiding windows?!? (Read 3018 times)

Texasmame · « **on:** May 08, 2007, 06:16:57 pm »

For lack of a better term, anyway.

Here's what happens - about 10% of the time when I minimize an app to the bar, when I go to maximize it by clicking on it again, it won't come forward. If I right click, I get the MINIMIZE and MOVE options. If I hit MOVE the four sided arrow thingie appears and the far top left of the screen. I have to close the app, THEN when I restart it, the window for it is fully minimized, but visible at the top left of the screen - next time it does it, I'll post a screen cap.

WTF is going on here and how do I stop it? I've googled the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- outta this to no avail.

DaveMMR · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2007, 06:43:22 pm »

Check your "settings" (right click desktop and choose properties) and make sure you're not running a dual-screen setup (make sure one monitor says "not active" when moused over). That used to happen to me when I ran two monitors, and what you described used to happen all the time with Adobe Photoshop (had to delete some settings file - don't know the name off hand right now).

Texasmame · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2007, 06:51:16 pm »

Nope, just one monitor. . .

It's like the window is there but it's so minimized you can't see or move it.

boykster · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2007, 06:51:57 pm »

sometimes can happen after a remote desktop connection session, especially if the remote client uses a different resolution. usually a restart of the app will fix it....

DaveMMR · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2007, 06:56:59 pm »

Quote from: Texasmame on May 08, 2007, 06:51:16 pm

Nope, just one monitor. . .

It's like the window is there but it's so minimized you can't see or move it.

Sometimes, with ATI cards, it has two inputs. Even if you have one monitor, make sure the "settings" tab doesn't think you have two.

That's probably what you meant, but I elaborated just in case.

Texasmame · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2007, 07:16:01 pm »

Yeah, that's not it. This isn't an ATI card - built in card on an HP.

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2007, 08:35:34 pm »

Quote from: Texasmame on May 08, 2007, 07:16:01 pm

Yeah, that's not it. This isn't an ATI card - built in card on an HP.

That was your first mistake...

Texasmame · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2007, 05:38:18 pm »

Anyone?

boykster · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2007, 05:49:14 pm »

Try resetting your monitor resolution. Set it to 800x600, reboot, then reset it to what you really want it at. That will usually force all windows / applications to reset their locations

Texasmame · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2007, 07:48:28 pm »

Thx. Don't think that's it, tho, since I can use the MOVE option to move the invisible window to anywhere I want, it just never shows back up unless I restart the app.

shorthair · « **Reply #10 on:** May 09, 2007, 10:13:23 pm »

Check your folder options. And be prepared for some feature worded in a way that doesn't autmatically make you think of what you're experiencing.

DaveMMR · « **Reply #11 on:** May 10, 2007, 05:01:29 pm »

Quote from: HarumaN on May 08, 2007, 08:35:34 pm

Quote from: Texasmame on May 08, 2007, 07:16:01 pm
Yeah, that's not it. This isn't an ATI card - built in card on an HP.

That was your first mistake...

I agree. If you have one around, try disabling the onboard video and using a regular video card.

Or... try updating the video drivers, restart and try again.

shorthair · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2007, 12:10:07 am »

Quote

I agree. If you have one around, try disabling the onboard video and using a regular video card.

Or... try updating the video drivers, restart and try again.

Blah. I've had more issues with external cards than integrated video.

DaveMMR · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2007, 01:37:53 pm »

Quote from: shorthair on May 11, 2007, 12:10:07 am

Quote

I agree. If you have one around, try disabling the onboard video and using a regular video card.

Or... try updating the video drivers, restart and try again.

Blah. I've had more issues with external cards than integrated video.

Yeah but maybe there's a problem with the intergrated video card, which is why I suggested that. It wasn't a "which is better" post.

RayB · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2007, 04:19:28 pm »

Happens with ANY window or just browsers? Trojans tend to do funny things to browser and windows behaviour.

Texasmame · « **Reply #15 on:** May 14, 2007, 05:07:39 pm »

Well, very interesting. . .

Updated my vid drivers. Still did it. Then, yesterday I was using my daughter's laptop (which got me thinking - why is my 12 year old's laptop better than my desktop?!?) and her machine did it, too!

Only thing I can think of is that I have the menu bar at the top of the screen on both, like a Mac. When her laptop did it, I dragged the menu bar to the bottom and it didn't help.

Guess I'll have to try with the bar at the bottom for a bit and see if that prevents it from happening. . .

RayB · « **Reply #16 on:** May 15, 2007, 10:05:21 am »

Did you even read my post?
Do a virus scan with an up-to-date anti-virus and also do a scan with Spybot Search & Destroy.

Also uninstall any crapware like browser toolbars. The only one you should have is Google toolbar (but beware, there's even a version of that which is compromised with other spyware--you can tell by looking at the pulldown menu--they have blank entries).

Texasmame · « **Reply #17 on:** May 15, 2007, 05:55:07 pm »

Yes, I read it. My system is all up to date on that good stuff, thanx.

DaveMMR · « **Reply #18 on:** May 15, 2007, 06:20:00 pm »

I don't know if this was addressed but is this happening with different programs or with one specific program?

RayB · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2007, 10:50:12 pm »

Are you using a "release" version of XP? I ve seen some funky stuff happen with "pre release" versions.

Texasmame · « **Reply #20 on:** May 15, 2007, 11:15:35 pm »

Quote from: DaveMMR on May 15, 2007, 06:20:00 pm

I don't know if this was addressed but is this happening with different programs or with one specific program?

Any and all programs and folders periodically.

Texasmame · « **Reply #21 on:** May 15, 2007, 11:16:00 pm »

Quote from: RayB on May 15, 2007, 10:50:12 pm

Are you using a "release" version of XP? I ve seen some funky stuff happen with "pre release" versions.

No, official release, fully updated/patched.

RayB · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2007, 11:51:03 am »

I still think you've got an explorer exploit. But you know what they say to do...... reinstall!!

Texasmame · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2007, 12:49:14 pm »

Hmm. . . but how would you explain my daughter's laptop doing the same thing? We don't go to the same places; not even close. . .

I know it's possible we both have the same "bug" but I'm not liking the odds there.

DaveMMR · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2007, 10:11:53 pm »

Do you and your daughter have any unusual programs or drivers in common?

Texasmame · « **Reply #25 on:** May 16, 2007, 11:28:57 pm »

Proggies, no. Drivers, just whatever is the default that XP installs for stuff. . .


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