Windows and browsers are rapidly minimizing and maximizing, no malware

ChirantanGhosh · Jun 21, 2015

Windows and browsers are rapidly minimizing and maximizing - no malware accordting to Norton 360

Video of the situation: Windows and browsers are rapidly minimizing and maximizing - no malware accordting to Norton 360 - YouTube

The issue stared two days ago (20 June 2015)after I connected to my TV to see the game of thrones via VGA wire (this is usual practice for couple of years)

I'm using Windows 7 Pro (service pack 1) in Dell Latitude laptop, checked that all my Windows Updates are up-to-date. Don't mind the two black blotches on screen.

Checked if any keyboard buttons are hard pressed (stuck while pressed). Updated my Norton 360 and did full system scan - no issues found. Killed explorer in task manager and restarted the application. Escape button doesn't help.

Recently, I got a notification that Windows 10 is available free to me - do you think Microsoft is trying to give a soft nudge via windows update.

Any suggestions are welcome and highly appreciated.

GokAy · Jun 21, 2015

You said you already checked keys but is that perhaps F11 acting up? Strike it a couple of times.

Also download and run KeyCastOW https://brookhong.github.io/2014/04/28/keycast-on-windows.html
It is portable so no installation needed. See if you can spot anything unusual.

NortonSupport · Jun 24, 2015

Hi,

Please try Norton Power Eraser www.norton.com/npe and see if that helps.
Let us know if you need more help! Thank you.

Praveen
Norton Support.

ChirantanGhosh · Jun 26, 2015

Hi Praveen and Norton Support Team,

Installed NPE, it found no risks - suggested old Java removal. Did that and installed new Java. Rescanned with NPE and Norton 360 with update - still issue persists.

Hi GokAy,
Tried your suggestions- no stuck keys

Would hate to format this laptop - any more suggestions?

UsernameIssues · Jun 26, 2015

Please consider uninstalling Java. Only install it if you find something that needs it. Java is always a security risk.

You system specs are not very detailed - so I don't know if Dell's newly released video drivers are applicable:

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER02997890M/1/Video_Driver_JVC00_WN32_10.18.10.4176_A17.EXE

UsernameIssues · Jun 26, 2015

If updating the video driver fails to fix the issue or if the driver is not applicable to your hardware, then consider these steps: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

If those steps fail, then test the browser after booting the computer into the Safe Mode.

You can also try a new (temporary) profile. You can enable the Guest account for that test. That will tell us if the issue is system wide or an issue with your profile/account.

Does this issue happen for all browsers? If just one browser, consider uninstalling that browser, clearing out any left over folders and re-installing that browser.

GokAy · Jun 26, 2015

Ok, did you try this one?

Also download and run KeyCastOW [URL]https://brookhong.github.io/2014/04/...n-windows.htmlhttps://brookhong.github.io/2014/04/...n-windows.html[/QUOTEhttps://brookhong.github.io/2014/04/...n-windows.html[/QUOTE[/URL]https://brookhong.github.io/2014/04/...n-windows.html[/QUOTE https://brookhong.github.io/2014/04/...n-windows.html[/QUOTE

It may be possible some other program is causing it, so yeah I second clean startup as UsernameIssues linked.

NortonSupport · Jun 26, 2015

ChirantanGhosh said:
Hi Praveen and Norton Support Team,

Installed NPE, it found no risks - suggested old Java removal. Did that and installed new Java. Rescanned with NPE and Norton 360 with update - still issue persists.

Hi GokAy,
Tried your suggestions- no stuck keys &#55357;&#56877;

Would hate to format this laptop - any more suggestions?

Hi,

Can you please try restarting windows in safe mode and see if that works there?
Please check this link on how to start your computer in safe mode - Start your computer in safe mode - Windows Help
Let us know how it goes.

Praveen
Norton Support.

Wajiema · Jun 26, 2015

It could just be a faulty Keyboard or controller. Have u tried to boot in safe mode or to another OS, like a live linux CD/USB and see if the problem persist. If it does still it's a hardware problem if not it's a problem in windows like a driver/sysfile/DLL ect...

ChirantanGhosh · Jun 29, 2015

Thank you all for your suggestions, I really do appreciate your inputs.&#55357;&#56625;

1. Booted in safe mode of existing windows profile - didn't see the issue till I connected to Internet via browsers (Firefox and Chrome). Rescanned via NPE - no risks. Scanned via Norton 360 - nothing found.

2. Booted in safe mode of new windows profile - didn't see the issue till I connected to Internet via browsers (Firefox and Chrome). Rescanned via NPE - no risks. Scanned via Norton 360 - 2 browser cookies, resolved. Issue is back.

--//--
Q2. Would you suggest - any online keyboard diagnostics tools (without download)?

Q3. I'll copy all my data in an external USB hard drive in safe mode with network - do you think I maybe copying the corrupt source (if it's an undetected malware)? Usually, I go to C drive > Users > copy the desktop, docs, pics & other folders

Q1 Repeat. Any other suggestions - other than formatting?

ChirantanGhosh · Jun 29, 2015

Forgot to mention, "wajiema" -I have no means of trying out another OS

GokAy · Jun 29, 2015

I posted an app back in a post keycastow, run that and open Browser, see if it will register anything.

Did you try IE by the way?

lehnerus2000 · Jun 29, 2015

ChirantanGhosh said:
Forgot to mention, "wajiema" -I have no means of trying out another OS

You can download a Linux Distro (they are free) and then run it from CD/DVD/USB.

You don't have to install it (most Linux Distros will run from CD/DVD/USB).

I'd suggest Linux Mint MATE.

NortonSupport · Jul 1, 2015

Thanks for your reply. Please try this tool Mouse, touchpad, and keyboard problems in Windows - Windows Help and see if that helps.

Praveen
Norton Support.

UsernameIssues · Jul 3, 2015

ChirantanGhosh,
Have you made any progress in solving this issue?

ChirantanGhosh · Jul 8, 2015

No progress on the issue, the laptop to a local guy (as its OOW) - he checked for faulty keyboard to no avail

UsernameIssues · Jul 8, 2015

ChirantanGhosh said:
Thank you all for your suggestions, I really do appreciate your inputs.��

1. Booted in safe mode of existing windows profile - didn't see the issue till I connected to Internet via browsers (Firefox and Chrome). Rescanned via NPE - no risks. Scanned via Norton 360 - nothing found.

2. Booted in safe mode of new windows profile - didn't see the issue till I connected to Internet via browsers (Firefox and Chrome). Rescanned via NPE - no risks. Scanned via Norton 360 - 2 browser cookies, resolved. Issue is back.

--//--
Q2. Would you suggest - any online keyboard diagnostics tools (without download)?

Q3. I'll copy all my data in an external USB hard drive in safe mode with network - do you think I maybe copying the corrupt source (if it's an undetected malware)? Usually, I go to C drive > Users > copy the desktop, docs, pics & other folders

Q1 Repeat. Any other suggestions - other than formatting?

ChirantanGhosh said:
No progress on the issue, the laptop to a local guy (as its OOW) - he checked for faulty keyboard to no avail

re: Q2: It would seem that your local guy answered the question about the keyboard and/or keyboard controller being bad. (Running Linux Mint from a DVD would have answered that question for you.)

re: Q3: possibly... but you should backup your data anyway.

re: Q1: you might want to read thru this thread and comment on each suggestion. e.g. I do not see where you addressed my post #5 (video drivers) or my post #6 (the clean boot part).

GokAy · Jul 9, 2015

Did you even try using the program I linked? It is a portable app (no installation required).
All you had to do was start it and trigger the problem.

ChirantanGhosh · Jul 11, 2015

GokAy said:
I posted an app back in a post keycastow, run that and open Browser, see if it will register anything.

Did you try IE by the way?

I tried KeyCastOW - all keys are showing respective symbols excepting "Shift" and Dell's "Function" buttons.
Is there something specific you want me to do with KeyCastOW? Can't see the screens that the blog shows. Would appreciate some detailed instructions.

Thanks for your thoughts.

ChirantanGhosh · Jul 11, 2015

Noticed something - I'm in Safemode with networking and backing up profiles... Almost two hours without incident but the moment I connect to Internet the same dance starts. This makes me think there is a malware involved - @Praveen and Norton Support Team, can you help?

Also, can't enable "Windows Security Center Services" - it's disabled.

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