It's not a delay or anything, the computer runs really fast. When I push alt+tab, the window that pops up disappears within a second or two, and I have to push alt+tab again. It doesn't always close at the same speed, sometimes it stays open for 2 seconds, sometimes a fraction of a second. I'm really not sure how else to explain that.. It's like the program that switches windows using alt+tab crashes
Assume you mean switching between open items using Alt+Tab
Yes it’s normally instantaneous but if a slight delay – could be something running & slowing down your computer. Have you tried using Task Manager (right click on task bar or Ctrl+Alt+Del) & checking CPU usage when there is a delay in switching?
If you mean it’s the taskbar open item that you are trying to switch to that, “sometimes it stays open for 2 seconds, sometimes a fraction of a second” & you need to press Alt+Tab keys again to make it appear permanently?
Then problem could be keyboard (not unusual) or you have Powertoys for Windows XP installed or (a long shot & unlikely) some shortcut keys don’t work properly if Use StickyKeys has been check box enabled in Accessibility Options?
I have the exact same problem. I recently bought Inspirion 1501 and it behaves JUST LIKE THAT. It seems not to be able to "hold on" to the task switching screen that opns when you Alt-Tab. However, if I hit Alt-Tab in quick succession twice, it switches to the previous app. Go figure!
Alright, I had this problem too (extremely annoying) and fixed it today. The problem lies in Dell's BIOS. I went back 2 versions and now my Alt + Tab is working as it should.
My system: Inspiron 1501 (Laptop)
Bios versions where Alt+Tab does NOT work: A14 (2.6.1), A11 (2.4.1)
Bios versions where Alt+Tab DOES word: A09 (2.3.0) and probably lower (haven't tried)
Hi, could you fix the problem the way h0b0 said?
I can't find the bios firmware version in dell site.
I have the same laptop and problem.
I have other effect as consequence of this problem:
- Direct3d test is canceled
- Preview of some screensavers doesn't work
- Some tooltips didn't work
This problem seems to have magically disappeared for me. I didn't change anything on my computer except running Windows Update, but it stopped doing it. So, if it's not from Windows Update, then I have no idea why it stopped.
Hi h0bo, thanks for the link, but my laptop is a Vostro 1000, anyway i could find the bios for my laptop, it seems i have installed the latest one so maybe i'll do what you said and install a previous version, although i'm a little afraid of bios changing. Thank you.
INSPIRON 1501 with same problem Alt-Tab window disappears quickly.
Also these strange problems: At end of winning solitaire, only about 2 cards will fly away before "Deal Again" pops up. Programs opened up in less than full screen will open beneath open windows and the corresponding task bar button will flash orange. Windows screen saver will only preview properly one time. After that, preview will go to black then pop back to screen saver dialog box.
It is as if an invisible window is open or the mouse is always moving. No wireless mouse - only stock touch pad.
Also sometimes typing an email is very frustrating because the text is displayed very slowly. If you have to back space it's just plain silly.
himynameiskevin
11 Posts
0
October 7th, 2007 00:00
BELL BOY
1.1K Posts
0
October 7th, 2007 00:00
Assume you mean switching between open items using Alt+Tab
Yes it’s normally instantaneous but if a slight delay – could be something running & slowing down your computer. Have you tried using Task Manager (right click on task bar or Ctrl+Alt+Del) & checking CPU usage when there is a delay in switching?
BELL BOY
1.1K Posts
0
October 7th, 2007 02:00
If you mean it’s the taskbar open item that you are trying to switch to that, “sometimes it stays open for 2 seconds, sometimes a fraction of a second” & you need to press Alt+Tab keys again to make it appear permanently?
Then problem could be keyboard (not unusual) or you have Powertoys for Windows XP installed or (a long shot & unlikely) some shortcut keys don’t work properly if Use StickyKeys has been check box enabled in Accessibility Options?
himynameiskevin
11 Posts
0
October 7th, 2007 03:00
cavemanweb
2 Posts
0
October 30th, 2007 21:00
himynameiskevin
11 Posts
0
October 30th, 2007 21:00
sg12_371eaf
1 Message
0
November 21st, 2007 14:00
-h0b0-
2 Posts
0
November 27th, 2007 04:00
My system: Inspiron 1501 (Laptop)
Bios versions where Alt+Tab does NOT work: A14 (2.6.1), A11 (2.4.1)
Bios versions where Alt+Tab DOES word: A09 (2.3.0) and probably lower (haven't tried)
Good luck to anybody else with this problem.
Message Edited by -h0b0- on 11-27-2007 12:42 AM
AndresGV
6 Posts
0
January 2nd, 2008 16:00
I can't find the bios firmware version in dell site.
I have the same laptop and problem.
I have other effect as consequence of this problem:
- Direct3d test is canceled
- Preview of some screensavers doesn't work
- Some tooltips didn't work
Best regards
himynameiskevin
11 Posts
0
January 2nd, 2008 16:00
-h0b0-
2 Posts
0
January 2nd, 2008 16:00
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/previousversions.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=gen&impid=-1&vercnt=9&osl=en&SystemID=INS_PNT_1501&catid=-1&deviceid=13120&releaseid=R174470&releasetype=BIOS&servicetag=&os=WW1&formatcnt=1&libid=1
AndresGV
6 Posts
0
January 2nd, 2008 17:00
AndresGV
6 Posts
0
January 2nd, 2008 17:00
BitSlave
2 Posts
0
March 17th, 2008 03:00
INSPIRON 1501 with same problem Alt-Tab window disappears quickly.
Also these strange problems: At end of winning solitaire, only about 2 cards will fly away before "Deal Again" pops up. Programs opened up in less than full screen will open beneath open windows and the corresponding task bar button will flash orange. Windows screen saver will only preview properly one time. After that, preview will go to black then pop back to screen saver dialog box.
It is as if an invisible window is open or the mouse is always moving. No wireless mouse - only stock touch pad.
Also sometimes typing an email is very frustrating because the text is displayed very slowly. If you have to back space it's just plain silly.
BitSlave
2 Posts
0
March 17th, 2008 04:00
Found on other thread:
Unplug from AC
Shut-down Windows
Remove battery
Hold down power button. 10 seconds
Seemed to work. Will be interested to see if the never ending ERROR Event 7011 (event viewer) ends.