Windows XP SP2 with Earthlink Total Acess Task Panel problem

Question

Have a dell dimension 4600 and use earthlink as an ISP with their Total Access task panel running. Recently installed SP2 and ever since have had an annoying problem with all software. Problem is that whatever window I am in with whatever software, the window goes inactive periodically for no reason, as if I had clicked on and activated another window. I'll be typing along and look up and the last few words I typed are not there and the window is inactive. Have to click in the window to reactivate so I can continue. (has happened at least 10 times while I typed this). I know of one other person, using an HP computer also using Earthlink with the Total Access software, who is experiencing the same problem - don't know if Total Access is part of the problem or not - just may be a coincidence.

Wonder if anyone else has experienced this problem or has an idea of what is causing it and what might be done to fix it.

One other thing that may help someone else - I use Outlook Express as an e-mail client - after installing SP2, I thought all my saved e-mails and addresses in the address book had disappeared. Finally, and much to my relief, found that somehow SP2 had created a new identity for me and all I had to do to get everything back was to switch back to the old identity.

Appreciate any help anyone can give.

Lee

Dave_G · Answer

Had the same problem with the active window changing to inactive right after SP2 was installed.  It affected all of the applications and did not matter if the TotalAccess Task Panel was running or not.  The 1st Dell Service Tech tried a couple of fixes, which none worked.  The 2nd tech tried a few more with the same luck.  We eventually restored to right before SP2 was installed.  Problem went away.  The 2nd tech recommended waiting a little while to see if a fix is published for the problem.  I have a 4 month old XPS Gen 2.  Good luck.

1Bowtie · Answer

Hi Dave I have a 9 month old XPS Gen 2 with XP Pro SP 2 and it works flawless, so i would check other areas for probs because its not Dells fault. Maybe spyware, adware, Earthlink.

hlees · Answer

Thanks Dave - Looks like I may have to do the same kind of restore. I think you are correct that the earthlink task panel does not have anything to do with the problem, though it has been acting funny since installing SP2 - locking up and not responding. And the accelerator thing is screwy - showing accelerating at 200+ times. No way. Ran the diagnostic thing related to the accelerator and it stopped at step 7 - emailed their tech support and their respnse was they were aware of the problem and were working on it. No response since. Anyway - the problem with the inactive windows looks to me to be a typical Microsoft bug, the Earthlink problem may or may not be related to SP2. I don't think it is a Dell problem in either case.

Again, thanks for your comments and help.

Lee

saumhaus · Answer

I also have Earthlink dial up and installed SP2, and had no problems other than the accelerator 5. It caused lots of problems, finally uninstalled it and things work good. I had downloaded accelerator when they first offered it, and had problems, even had to uninstall and reinstall EL software. Then I didn't use it for a long time, when they came out with the later version I tried it again, but results were same, problems so now I dont use it.  Ronnie

hlees · Answer

Sorry - don't know how I did this - see next message for what I meant to put in this one. Lee Message Edited by hlees on 09-15-2004 03:04 PM

hlees · Answer

I have restored my system to the point just prior to installing SP2 and things appear to have returned to normal. Earthlink accelerator still acting up but I can live with that. Called and spoke with a Dell tech who initially recommended totally wiping the hard drive and reinstalling everything - meant backing up all data files as well as reinstalling some stuff that was downloaded, thus this was only an option of very last resort. So we restored and looks like things are ok for now. He did say restoring does not always fix the problem and they may recur in the future. We'll see. He also said they were getting MANY calls with problems after installing SP2 and he would recommend not installing it in the first place until Microsoft fixes all the bugs.

Appreciate all the comments and help.

Lee

Windows General

Windows XP SP2 with Earthlink Total Acess Task Panel problem

Was this post helpful?