Weird Windows: Can anyone explain this?!

v1p3r · 27th September 2005, 04:06

Hey,

Check this out...

This has happened a few times before. When I press some odd combos of the mouse left+right buttons while the pointer is on the taskbar, I get this screen. This time I hit Prt Scrn and got a screenshot...

Computer geniuses, please explain...

adya33 · 27th September 2005, 07:30

try this

do virus scan after updating
install latest updates for windows
install latest drivers for all hardware

devarshi84 · 27th September 2005, 08:04

that is due to a malfunctioning of a software which is running in the background.

try restoring your computer to a point before the problem started.

or else try repairing windows.

Hellcat · 27th September 2005, 10:11

You'll need to update your Xp with Service Pack 1 and 2.

Scuderia · 27th September 2005, 11:03

I guess its nothing to do with any virus stuff...

Its just that, when you click those "odd" combinations of keys on the taskbar, the processor shifts between those programs (actually processes) and since the expected rate of this shifting (called Pre-emption in tech terms) is high, the resources are not sufficient, or a more probable reason is that windows cannot manage the resources well to have the shift.

This leads to too much of "thrashing" in the memory... leading to a "hang".

Nothing serious. Just avoid those combos.

Also, while opening a program or shifting to another window, avoid clicking multiple times if it doesnt open immediately. This screws up the preemption further.

A bit too tech... but hope its clear

v1p3r · 27th September 2005, 16:16

I doubt it's a virus or that sort of malfunction.

BTW, I'm running SP 2 on XP.

It's not a problem, and it doesn't hang or slow down at all. It's just that I've never seen this screen before, and I wanted to know what it is...

Anyone heard of the hidden MS Ofiice features? The game in Excel, and the "I'll drink to that" spellcheck in Word?

Jaggu · 27th September 2005, 16:52

is this a lap top ? then re instal the driver for the mouse pad, i faced a similar issue and i took an online diagnosis of the erro which pointed to mouse pad, re installed the driver and its fine since then..

v1p3r · 27th September 2005, 17:21

No, it's a desktop.

Mouse PAD error?! PAD??!!

WTF?!

amitoj · 27th September 2005, 17:30

lol... i think jaggu meant the touchpad of a laptop.
Anyways... you could also try changing ur browser from IE to maybe firefox? The way i see it, if you keep your mouse on the IE tab on the taskbar, and keep pressing the left mouse button, it just means that u r minimizing and maximizing ur IE window quickly and repeatedly. And it seems IE doesnt like doing so much work...

v1p3r · 27th September 2005, 17:46

Oh sorry, touchpad...my apologies, Jaggu!

The thing is, this is not an error per se, because God knows with any error, MS products hang. This is some sort of undocumented...well, feature...

Xsailor · 27th September 2005, 17:46

Hi Viper,

At times, this *** happens with me too. As you rightly pointed out, it is not an issue - do not go around reinstalling or doing a sys restore.

In my case, it got fine after I upgraded to 1 GB of RAM (Kingston make) - I had noticed this issue only when I was doing heavy multi-tasking and tried closing a few windows rapidly - just like amitoj says.

The screen usually 'refreshes' to normal soon enough.

Do an online RAM [just google it!] check if you want more comfort

Cheers

adya33 · 27th September 2005, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitoj

lol... i think jaggu meant the touchpad of a laptop.
Anyways... you could also try changing ur browser from IE to maybe firefox? The way i see it, if you keep your mouse on the IE tab on the taskbar, and keep pressing the left mouse button, it just means that u r minimizing and maximizing ur IE window quickly and repeatedly. And it seems IE doesnt like doing so much work...

thats not reason
after reading your post I opened IE came to this page minimized maximized 25 to 30 times still no error (WinXP SP2 + all latest updates + all latest drivers)

if it happens while minimizing/maximizing then it must be due to poor graphics drivers or insufficient video memory

@v1p3r : why don't you post your computers configuration

amitoj · 27th September 2005, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by adya33

thats not reason
after reading your post I opened IE came to this page minimized maximized 25 to 30 times still no error (WinXP SP2 + all latest updates + all latest drivers)

if it happens while minimizing/maximizing then it must be due to poor graphics drivers or insufficient video memory

@v1p3r : why don't you post your computers configuration

wot i meant, without getting any technical, was that minimizing and maximizing the IE window too many times was putting a strain on the system process thats supposed to repaint the desktop when you minimize all windows. I saw no point in throwing in needless tech jargon.

Like XSailor suggested, getting a bigger RAM will solve his problem. Since i dont think u can get free RAM, so i suggested the cheapest thing to try. Thats getting another browser which wont put too much load on his system.

Cheers
Amitoj

SLK · 27th September 2005, 20:10

.. Not a problem.. if its gets back to normal in a few secs.
reinstalling/upgrading display adaptor drivers is worth a try.

Otherwise monitor your processor's temperature... see if its too hot!

or just check for an entry in your event log!

v1p3r · 27th September 2005, 21:57

Could be a processor heat issue. AMD (2000) are known to have heating issues. And I'm running a single fan, not twins.

But it's rather cool, that blue shade, don't you think?!

27th September 2005, 04:06	#1
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	Weird Windows: Can anyone explain this?! Hey, Check this out... This has happened a few times before. When I press some odd combos of the mouse left+right buttons while the pointer is on the taskbar, I get this screen. This time I hit Prt Scrn and got a screenshot... Computer geniuses, please explain...
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 07:30	#2
adya33 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 1,839 Thanked: 183 Times	try this do virus scan after updating install latest updates for windows install latest drivers for all hardware
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 08:04	#3
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	that is due to a malfunctioning of a software which is running in the background. try restoring your computer to a point before the problem started. or else try repairing windows.
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 10:11	#4
Hellcat BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 222 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	You'll need to update your Xp with Service Pack 1 and 2.
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 11:03	#5
Scuderia BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 127 Thanked: 8 Times	my understanding... I guess its nothing to do with any virus stuff... Its just that, when you click those "odd" combinations of keys on the taskbar, the processor shifts between those programs (actually processes) and since the expected rate of this shifting (called Pre-emption in tech terms) is high, the resources are not sufficient, or a more probable reason is that windows cannot manage the resources well to have the shift. This leads to too much of "thrashing" in the memory... leading to a "hang". Nothing serious. Just avoid those combos. Also, while opening a program or shifting to another window, avoid clicking multiple times if it doesnt open immediately. This screws up the preemption further. A bit too tech... but hope its clear
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 16:16	#6
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	I doubt it's a virus or that sort of malfunction. BTW, I'm running SP 2 on XP. It's not a problem, and it doesn't hang or slow down at all. It's just that I've never seen this screen before, and I wanted to know what it is... Anyone heard of the hidden MS Ofiice features? The game in Excel, and the "I'll drink to that" spellcheck in Word?
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 16:52	#7
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,906 Times	is this a lap top ? then re instal the driver for the mouse pad, i faced a similar issue and i took an online diagnosis of the erro which pointed to mouse pad, re installed the driver and its fine since then..
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 17:21	#8
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	No, it's a desktop. Mouse PAD error?! PAD??!! WTF?!
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 17:30	#9
amitoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Windham, NH USA Posts: 3,348 Thanked: 3,103 Times View My Garage	lol... i think jaggu meant the touchpad of a laptop. Anyways... you could also try changing ur browser from IE to maybe firefox? The way i see it, if you keep your mouse on the IE tab on the taskbar, and keep pressing the left mouse button, it just means that u r minimizing and maximizing ur IE window quickly and repeatedly. And it seems IE doesnt like doing so much work...
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 17:46	#10
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	Oh sorry, touchpad...my apologies, Jaggu! The thing is, this is not an error per se, because God knows with any error, MS products hang. This is some sort of undocumented...well, feature...
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 17:46	#11
Xsailor BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Noida Posts: 128 Thanked: 0 Times	No Problemo Hi Viper, At times, this *** happens with me too. As you rightly pointed out, it is not an issue - do not go around reinstalling or doing a sys restore. In my case, it got fine after I upgraded to 1 GB of RAM (Kingston make) - I had noticed this issue only when I was doing heavy multi-tasking and tried closing a few windows rapidly - just like amitoj says. The screen usually 'refreshes' to normal soon enough. Do an online RAM [just google it!] check if you want more comfort Cheers
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 20:10	#14
SLK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: DL XX XX XXXX Posts: 1,634 Thanked: 1,011 Times	.. Not a problem.. if its gets back to normal in a few secs. reinstalling/upgrading display adaptor drivers is worth a try. Otherwise monitor your processor's temperature... see if its too hot! or just check for an entry in your event log!
	() Thanks

27th September 2005, 21:57	#15
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	Could be a processor heat issue. AMD (2000) are known to have heating issues. And I'm running a single fan, not twins. But it's rather cool, that blue shade, don't you think?!
	() Thanks