Random Unplanned Tabbing Out

RopeDrink

Right, I'm at my wits end.
First of all this started happening over the last 2-3 days - The only programs I remember installing are the latest AVGFree 9.0 and thats about it bar some FireFox Plugins.

I've done a full Virus, Spyware and Adaware search and been given the all-clear, also done a registery check via CC Cleaner and the only thing I've not done yet is search via HiJackThis.

The problem?

Beit browsing or gaming, the computer seems to randomly 'Tab Out' of whatever window is active at the time at random intervals, generally every 5-30mins or so. If I'm browsing (full screen) then the window suddenly greys out at the top, as if it's been sent to the back, much like how it would if you clicked the Desktop or another Window (and this happens even if there ARE no other windows open).

It just happened now, once again, mid-game of SF4 where for absolutely no reason mid-match, it tabbed me out.

I have no sticky-key settings or other things bound to keys that would do this and it can happen regardless of mouse or keyboard activity.

It's such a minor problem (such as deactivating my window when typing a message on Boards, meaning I have to re-click the window to continue typing) but if it happens at a wrong time it can be infuriating, such as tabbing me out in matches or games for no reason.

I can't see it being anything I've installed and I deactivated certain plugins in FireFox that I suspected could be responsible, but now that it also happened In-Game I'm certain it's not a browser problem and more a general problem.

I'd appreciate it if anyone has any tips they can think of or steps to take that may cure such a nieussance.

I was about to uninstall FireFox entirely but as said, now that it doesn't seem to be restricted to web browsers and can happen at anytime regardless of whats open, I figure it must be something else.

All responses welcome and appreciative - Also, hope this is in the right Forum - Never had to pop by here before.

Cork Skate

Its trying to install/run/do something, you need to identify that.

Start -> Control Panel -> System -> Hardware Tab -> Device Manager and see if there are any faults

Go to the system logs to see what happening there, Start -> Right click on My Computer and go to 'Manage' -> Go to 'Event Viewer' and look for errors

Monitor the task manager at the time, go to the processes tab, then 'View' and 'Select Columns' and tick the 'Virtual Memory Size' checkbox and click ok, arrange by that column.

Are you getting any errors?

kippy

Is this happening on a laptop or PC?
Also what Operating system are you using?

Ive seen a lot of posts on the web such as this one, but few have any real solution, one fix was a windows update, another was an issue with interference causing an issue with a wireless mouse/keyboard but most like the link below had no real solution that was consistent across a few of them
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/36083-windows-minimize-their-own.html

kippy

Here we go:
http://forums.avg.com/ww-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=41015http://forums.avg.com/ww-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=41015
Known AVG issue by the looks of it.

Overheal

Nothing wrong with AVG until somethings wrong with AVG, and thats happened to me a lot over the years. Done with it, my free alternative is Avast. And I hear Microsoft Security Essentials is a free winner too.

I was also going to suggest you check the back of your PC for foreign objects, as it wouldnt be the first USB prank I thought about buying off of thinkgeek.

kippy

Overheal wrote: »

Nothing wrong with AVG until somethings wrong with AVG, and thats happened to me a lot over the years. Done with it, my free alternative is Avast. And I hear Microsoft Security Essentials is a free winner too.

I was also going to suggest you check the back of your PC for foreign objects, as it wouldnt be the first USB prank I thought about buying off of thinkgeek.

AVG was generally pretty good, I must say but I did go off it from version 8 and up. Been using Avira since and lately, due to overly good reviews I have been trying the microsoft one, as you mention, which I am liking.

Overheal

When that linkscanner started acting the tit and made browsing a hair splitting experience, thats when i was done with the PoS.

kippy

Overheal wrote: »

When that linkscanner started acting the tit and made browsing a hair splitting experience, thats when i was done with the PoS.

I think that was the turning point for me too, I think it was around version 8.

Effluo

Yeah this happened to me after i upgraded AVG last week, right pain it was especially when gaming!

I actually moved from Avast because i had installed it on a few lappy's and got BSOD when rebooting it. Very odd!

Back to Avast now though...

BostonB

Long time user of AVG. But AVG 9 leave temp files on all your drives. Pet hate of mine. Other than that I had no problems. I didn't install the link scanner though.