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Posted on Mar 30, 2009
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Minimizing screens - multiple

I have tried everything I know. I purchased AVG and removed all viruses. I downloaded Spybot, installed it, ran it, had it check for updates and fixed all problems – then clicked Immunized tab and rebooted. Still – screens keep minimizing and periodically, cursor disappears. I am past desperate!

  • 1 more comment 
  • dialouky Mar 31, 2009

    It took many hours to perform all recommendations but I knew it would be worth it. I installed the Avast and Defender; ran scans two different times on each; removed all problems as directed and have rebooted each time thereafter. As I was typing this, screen jumped and minimized three different times.

  • dialouky Mar 31, 2009

    I have done everything you suggested except:
    Also check the following registry key --> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\
    I can’t figure out how to do this one and the problem remains.




    Comment posted on Mar 31, 2009

    Okay, let me see if I can get a better idea on what your problem is:

    1. Are all screen's from any application minimizing on you or just when you are in an internet browser?


    All screens regardless of what is open.

    2. Also does the cursor still disappear?


    Yes, the cursor is still disappearing and reappearing and jumping from top to bottom to middle, etc. during typing in word/excel or even in Internet as I am typing this reply to you or having the document or internet site just randomly highlight itself as if I have gone to Edit and Select All.

    You also stated that the screen "jumps". Does it go to black and then come back on?


    The screen is still jumping, but not going to black and coming back on – it is jumping from one screen to another when in Internet – especially going back to previous sites I have been on and then reappearing back to where I am trying to work and sometimes I have to click the previous screen button a few times to get back and intermittently jumping from minimized screen showing whatever applications I’m on – i.e., if working on three docs. – 2 in word and one in Excel, it will minimize both windows (as if I clicked the scroll button in the middle of the mouse) to normal view or I can have word open and Internet open and it will jump as if I have pushed the scroll button in the middle of the mouse and show all programs open or will jump from bottom of screen – regardless of word/excel/internet as if I am hitting page up or page down back and forth.

    Another thing that you can try is go to start --> run --> type in msconfig and press enter. Click on the startup tab and look through the list of all applications that start-up when you first go into Windows. There could be a process or application that is running in the background that is causing the issues.




    I am so far from being a computer expert – quite novice actually, but nothing here looked hinkey at all.



    Also if you havent already, go into Add/Remove programs and remove unusual programs that you dont remember installing. If you are not sure if it is unusual, you can google it to see what it is.

    Removed 2 “odd” items

    Also check the following registry key --> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\

    Make sure the value of ActiveWndTrkTimeout is 0. There is a possibility that even though you were able to get rid of the virus or spyware variant that was causing the issue, the damage might still remain.

    Let me know if this helps you out

  • dialouky Apr 01, 2009

    value of ActiveWndTrkTimeout shows 0x00000000(0)

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  • Expert 31 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 30, 2009
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Personally I think that Avast might be your best bet and it is free. Avast is like AVG, however from my experience I have seen Avast catch a lot of virues that AVG didnt catch. Also another thing that you need to do is run Spybot or any other spyware cleaner in Safe Mode, this way the viruses or spyware wont re-install themselves while you are running the scans. To download avast, just go to www.avast.com and download/install the home edition. Once you have downloaded and installed it, let it run a boot-time scan ( it will ask you this when you first install Avast ). Also you try other spyware cleaners such as adaware (www.lavasoft.com) and/or Windows Defender (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx). BTW, if you decide to run AVG and Spybot in safe mode and dont know how to get into safe mode, do the following:

1. At boot-up, continually press F8 until a list comes up
2. Choose Safe Mode from the list

Let me know if this helps you out.

Serge C.

  • Anonymous Mar 31, 2009

    Okay, let me see if I can get a better idea on what your problem is:

    1. Are all screen's from any application minimizing on you or just when you are in an internet browser?

    2. Also does the cursor still disappear?

    You also stated that the screen "jumps". Does it go to black and then come back on?

    Another thing that you can try is go to start --> run --> type in msconfig and press enter.

    Click on the startup tab and look through the list of all applications that start-up when you first go into Windows. There could be a process or application that is running in the background that is causing the issues. Also if you havent already, go into Add/Remove programs and remove unusual programs that you dont remember installing. If you are not sure if it is unusual, you can google it to see what it is.

    Also check the following registry key --> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\

    Make sure the value of ActiveWndTrkTimeout is 0. There is a possibility that even though you were able to get rid of the virus or spyware variant that was causing the issue, the damage might still remain.

    Let me know if this helps you out

    Serge C.




  • Anonymous Mar 31, 2009

    I am sorry to hear that you are still experiencing the same issues. To get into the registry, click on Start --> Run and then type in "regedit"

    Once the window opens ( hierarchy looks a lot like Windows Explorer ), navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. On the right hand side of the window, you will see a list of what looks like files, look for ActiveWndTrackTimeout. If it says any number but 0, then that might be your problem. If you need to change this, make sure to backup the registry before hand, here is how:

    - While in the registry, click on ActiveWndTrackTimeout and then click on File --> Export. Exporting is kind of like saving a document, I advise that you save it to your desktop.

    CHANGING THE REGISTRY KEY ( If need be...)
    - Double click on "ActiveWndTrackTimeout"
    - Where it says "base" click to select "Decimal"
    - Under where it says value data, type in the number 0
    - Click OK
    - Reboot the computer

    Will keep on researching this for you, if need be.

    Serge C.




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If that doesn't whack it, fighting this thing might not be worth it. Reinstall the windows operating system after you back up any files which you absolutely HAVE to keep.
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