The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: Texasmame on May 08, 2007, 06:16:57 pm

Title: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: 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.   :dunno
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: DaveMMR 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).
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: 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.  :(
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: boykster 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.... :dunno
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: DaveMMR on May 08, 2007, 06:56:59 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.
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: 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.
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: HaRuMaN on May 08, 2007, 08:35:34 pm
Yeah, that's not it.  This isn't an ATI card - built in card on an HP.

That was your first mistake...  ::)
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: Texasmame on May 09, 2007, 05:38:18 pm
Anyone? :dunno
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: boykster 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

Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: Texasmame 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.
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: shorthair 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.
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: DaveMMR on May 10, 2007, 05:01:29 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. 
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: 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.
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: DaveMMR on May 14, 2007, 01:37:53 pm
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.  ;)

Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: RayB 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.
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: Texasmame 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. . .   :dunno
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: RayB 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).
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: Texasmame on May 15, 2007, 05:55:07 pm
Yes, I read it.  My system is all up to date on that good stuff, thanx.
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: 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?
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: 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.
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: Texasmame on May 15, 2007, 11:15:35 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.
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: Texasmame on May 15, 2007, 11:16:00 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.
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: RayB 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!!   ;D
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: Texasmame 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.   :dunno
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: DaveMMR on May 16, 2007, 10:11:53 pm
Do you and your daughter have any unusual programs or drivers in common?
Title: Re: XP is hiding windows?!?
Post by: Texasmame on May 16, 2007, 11:28:57 pm
Proggies, no.  Drivers, just whatever is the default that XP installs for stuff. . .