Quickset causes applications to lose focus

Question

Since owning my Dell XPS 15Z notebook since July of 2011, I've had continuous problems with the machine losing focus of the application after a random number of seconds. In other words this requires me to RE-CLICK the any application I'm working so I can continue using it. It doesn't matter whether there is a single or multiple applications open, nor does it matter which application I use. This severely interupts my productivity on this otherwise expensive premium computer. I'm 100% certain this problem is somehow related to the Dell supplied QuickSet application that ships with the machine, as when I uninstall it the problem goes away. Now I don't know if this Quickset is an issue in combination of the other drivers in the machine - but it continues to plague my machine. After reading several posts, it seems this problem has been around for several years on other machines also narrowing the cause down to QuickSet. I'm using the most up to date appilication install for Quickset May 23, 2-11 version A00, OEM version 11.0.11 as downloaded from the Dell driver site. While writing this paragraph the machine has lost focus more than 10 times requiring me to click back in to continue typing - very annoying.

In the past I and others have had issues with the Cypress trackpad driver as did I, however, after the latest application drivers have been installed that issue seem to have abated - unless there's an issue between the trackpad and QuickSet.

While talking to one support rep I indicated that I'd upgraded the Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional directly from Microsoft as we're a Microsoft partner - the guy didn't want to continue supporting me unless I paid for software support - very lame.

I've contacted Dell support last summer and documented the issue along with others, while other driver issues were resolved the time it took to get anything fixed is often several hours often due to being handed off to several technicians and having to reintroduce myself and the technical issue multiple times. In fact today I was on the phone exclusively to discuss this issue and went from the free hardware support over to the software support (where they wanted to charge me), back over to the hardware support (because QuickSet is part of the initial install) and was on the phone in total 94 minutes when the last technician (Sheila) had all my phone numbers and email address - and the line was disconnected (maybe she hung up I don't know) but the call was terminated when she went to research the matter. I suspect she didn't want to touch this one and abondoned my call. All that time and nothing was resolved and nobody returned my call - very aggravating. I've purchased 3 Dell laptops in the past - this is my last one for sure.

I'd welcome someone from Dell to pick this up and attempt a resolution - others are having this same problem. Right now I'm feeling very dissappointed and with little recourse other than to complain to the customer service department - which will be my next step - if nothing happens shortly. If anybody knows of a fix for this OTHER than uninstalling QuickSet let me know. BTW, I need QuickSet as without it there's no way to adjust the volume of the machine or control the ejecting of the CD/DVD.

Bay Wolf · Accepted Answer

Fix Stealing the Focus issue Click on Start. In the text box in the Run window, type regedit and click OK. This will open the Registry Editor program. Locate the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder under My Computer and click on the (+) sign next the folder name to expand the folder. Continue to expand folders until you reach the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel registry key. Select the Desktop key under Control Panel. On the right-hand side of the screen, locate and double-click on the ForegroundLockTimeout DWORD. In the Edit DWORD Value window that appears, set the Value data: field to 30d40.  Note: Make sure the Base option is set to Hexadecimal when entering the DWORD value. Click OK and then close Registry Editor. Reboot your PC for the changes you made to take effect. From this point forward, programs should no longer steal the focus from the window that you're currently working in.

Bay Wolf · Answer

You are very welcome.

Yogaboy905 · Answer

I can't believe that I posted this problem after hours of working with Dell themselves and having this terrible problem plaguing my machine for 5 months and you Bay Wolf solved the problem via the community in less than 1 hour after I posted the issue.  Kudo's to you Bay Wolf and many many thanks.  The problem has completely abated.  I remain with all other functionality, thanks to your help.  You are definitely a Rock Star, thanks.

dprk · Answer

I am having this same issue but my registry setting was already set to this value. Any other way to get rid of this problem? It's driving me up the wall. Thanks for your help in advance.

BenPG · Answer

I am having this same issue but my registry setting was already set to this value. Any other way to get rid of this problem? It's driving me up the wall.

Thanks for your help in advance.

I'm in the same boat... sometimes it'll be once every few seconds - the focus will be lost/stolen by something.

very frustrating

Ho-Sei · Answer

try this thread: en.community.dell.com/.../19393785.aspx

it may be that this is the same problem that many people are having with loss of focus with the XPS 15Z - namely, that focus will randomly and often frequently drop.. it's more likely your Ambient Light Sensor. Try disabling it, or covering it up with a bit of tape and see if your problem is solved.

I had this problem after about 4 months of ownership of this computer - it was often and constant - and caused by the ambient light sensor - I decided to cover mine up with a bit of tape - but most people disable it.

it's a shame really, dell doesn't recognise this as a known issue.. when it's all over the internet. unfixed- it makes your computer into a pretty paper weight - you can't type for more than 4 seconds without focus changing - but a piece of tape (and a bit of cardboard under it) covering up the ambient light sensor.. and problem solved.

you shouldn't need to jury rig a top end machine with tape. you really shouldn't

-hs

rmding · Answer

This doesn't work for many programs, including the Citrix client I use all day in my work.

pierrescarlet · Answer

Thanks Bay wolf, you are really a great person, i was going mad every time when the screen used to loose focus while typing.!!!

badabinga · Answer

fixes the problem and keeps all quickset functionality

badabinga · Answer

My registry is already set to the setting bay wolf recommended.

solutions i am using is to disable the ambiant light sensor BacklitKB.exe in c:\program files\dell\quickset\

its pitiful that this is not fixed.

seems simple enough...

the ambiant light changes cause the on screen disply to take focus even though its not running as a visible window to show that the keyboard is lit or dimmed.

if little ol me can figure it out in a week, why cant dell figure it out for over a year.

dholcomb · Answer

This did not work for me. I am running Window 7 and the regedit key note her\e is already set to 30d40

Just a note. I wish I could find a solution to this. Nothing has worked so far and it is very annoying. Just typing this i've had to reset focus 4 times.

Thanks,

David...

CaptureTechnolo · Answer

Found a final Dell solution for this issue! http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&docid=612742&dgc=SM&cid=68634&lid=4844109

t1mmah · Answer

Any idea if this will work and not cause another issue on an L502X?

I've been unable to locate a similar package for my model of laptop and all those stupid "analyze your system" options aren't helping me either.

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Quickset causes applications to lose focus

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