Solved Windows 7 - window Flicker (Not screen) poor mouse response (Aero?)

[Pezzie]

Hello,

I am getting windows that flash transparent and back (not the screen), clicking on buttons flashes "Not Responding" for less than a second and it takes multiple (3 or more) clicks to get a program to start responding. Hitting escape lets me back onto the screen. (sometimes)

Sometimes the flashing is continual, until I click on another program or the desktop. It happens in Office, Firefox, and most programs. It happens more when I have multiple windows open. (memory?)

It is almost as if the system has to go and check another program before responding. I've looked in Process Explorer, but can't see what it is going to as it happens so quickly.

`I have read multiple boards/threads and tried the multiple fixes that haven't worked:

• Updated video drivers
• Changed refresh rates (it is the windows, not the whole screen)
• Updated PATH to include the correct directories (I hope)
• Cleaned out the Registry of dead lines etc
• Cleaned out temp files etc
• Turned Aero off and on (works sometimes, but I would rather keep Aero going if I can)
• I've tried, wired (usb), and cordless mice there is no PS/2 port for a mouse

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Here is my system info, in case it helps:

System Information:
Windows 7 Professional 64bit, Service Pack 1
Model Name Satellite P500
Part Number PSPGSA-0GW003
OS Version Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
BIOS Version 2.90
CPU Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 740 @ 1.73GHz
Physical Memory 4096MB RAM
Hard Disk Capacity 1,000,106,610,688 [Byte] 931.422 [GB]
Hard Disk Free Space Capacity 176,914,124,800 [Byte] 164.764 [GB]
Video
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M version=8.16.11.8875
Graphics memory 4095MB
Dedicated video memory: 1024MB Shared system memory 3071
Screen Resolution 1680 x 945 Pixels
Colour Quality True Colour (32 Bit)
Sound NVIDIA High Definition Audio version=1.0.0.59

 

[F5ing]

Hello Pezzie!

You might try going to the event viewer to see if there are any issues reported there.

 

[karlsnooks]

Pezzie,
Welcome to SevenForums.

Are all of those drives internal?

Glad to see that you entered the spec info into your system specs which helps us.

Have you tried disconnecting any and all external devices to see if the problem goes away?

Need following info:
Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD, as an attachment, the startup.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

 

[F5ing]

It may just be a single 1TB, the rest being partition entries. One is listed as 2 GB; suspect a partition there.

 

[Pezzie]

Thanks for getting back to me on this karlsnooks and F5ing,

The only thing that stops it is to turn off the Desktop Window Manager in Services. I've put a shortcut on my task bar so I can turn it on and off to see if the latest attempt at a fix works. This is a work around, not what I'd call a fix. I've lost all the Aero features, which I like, but can live without until a fix can be found.

I've a had a go at multiple fixes so far without success:

I've posted on Major Geeks as well. I ran all the Malware removal procedures from their site. Didn't fix it.

I've also posted on the Microsoft site, there are a few people there with the same problem, but none of their fixes work either.

I cleaned all the temp files, dead registry entries, updated my drivers. Didn't fix it.

I ran a clean Windows boot with EVERYTHING not part of Windows turned off. Didn't fix it.

I tried using wireless and USB mice, and no mouse. Didn't fix it.

Connected to the work network, not connected to the work network. Connected at home. Didn't fix it.

As to the drives there are two physical drives of 500GB each. My work IT section did the partitions.

I'm the first to admit that I have a lot of crap in my startup, (attached) but it all worked prior to a Windows Update. (not sure which one) and I can't roll it back as it is a work computer. Besides that, I turned all the startup programs off, and it still does it.

My work is only just switching from XP to Windows 7. As I'm a 'pre-release' user they've said they are not supporting Windows 7 until it goes out to everyone else. <INSERT VERY LONG LIST OF DEFAMING AND GRAPHICAL EXPLETIVES HERE> So I am trying to figure this one out for myself with the help of anyone who might know.

Have a look at the files, they might tell you something I can't figure out:


View attachment install.txt

View attachment Sched Tasks.txt

View attachment startup.txt

Thanks again for helping.

 

[karlsnooks]

As I'm a 'pre-release' user they've said they are not supporting Windows 7 until it goes out to everyone else.

Who is "they"? What product are you talking about?

 

[karlsnooks]

Pezzie,
For starters:

WIN | type MSCONFIG | ENTER | STARTUP tab |
Uncheck ALL except for:

Sidebar    Microsoft Corporation    C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
IntelliPoint    Microsoft Corporation    "c:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\ipoint.exe"
SynTPEnh        %ProgramFiles%\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe

REBOOT!

You have just told Win 7 to not run unchecked programs at start up time.

You have not disabled the programs. They will be run when needed.

WIN = key with the Microsoft logo on top

=====================================

I'll await the answers to my questions before continuing with more recommendations.

 

[Pezzie]

"They" are my employer's IT section. Fondly known in the department as the helpless desk.

The product in question is Windows 7. They have been "about" to switch from XP to 7 for over a year. My laptop sat in their office for 11 months because they couldn't load XP on it and they refused to let me have it with Windows 7. After trying to put XP on it and failing, they relented provided that I had to fix any problems myself until the rest of the department starts using Windows 7. Funnily enough all the IT section are using Windows 7 but that doesn't count apparently if you want any support.

Sorry if I am ranting, but I'm a wee bit jaded with them after this long. I could list quite a few other 'fun and interesting' conversations I've had with them, but liable laws, and the fact that I don't want to bore everyone to death prevents me. I used to work on helpdesk many years ago, so I suppose that doesn't make dealing with useless user support any easier.

Best I stop ranting now. Apologies.

 

[karlsnooks]

Pezzie,
Will be tomorrow before I can reply. Am getting ready to call it quits for today.
karl

 

[Pezzie]

Thanks Karl,

Hope you got a good nights sleep. Sorry about my previous reply, I didn't see your next post until after I replied.

When I originally did the clean boot I did uncheck all those items in Msconfig not in CClearner. But just in case I missed something I followed your instructions and did it again. Alas, it didn't fix the problem. The previous time I did the clean boot, I unchecked everything just to make sure.

My guess is that something has changed the way the Window Desktop Manger interacts with other programs. The "not responding" flashing up makes me think it is going off to some routine or something before coming back to the window where the mouse was clicked. Just a guess, and I'm damned if I can follow where the other routine is. I run process explorer instead of task manager, but even with that open I can't see anything obvious.

 

[F5ing]

Try giving this a shot:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[Pezzie]

Thanks F5ing,

I had already tried that one a couple of times. It found one corrupt mouse pointer which I deleted.

No joy I'm afraid.

 

[F5ing]

Man, you've got a boatload of apps installed. What's not needed?

 

[Pezzie]

Hi F5ing,

I normally shut most of them down from start up, but they are still in the start up list. I made a bunch run in start up when I did the CCLean save to txt file to show the system running with most of the apps.

Most get installed with various software and it is easier to turn them off in start up than to uninstall the whole program. I used to uninstall them completely then found I needed to run the app for something, so figured it better to just stop them starting automatically to save resources. This laptop has 8GB of RAM and two processors, so it doesn't appear to slow down with a lot of little apps running.

I've tried starting with nothing in start up and it still does the "not responding" window flash. I think something changed in one of the Windows updates, but that is only a guess. As I said in a previous post, turning off the Window Desktop Manager stops the problem, but I'd like to have Aero back if it is possible.

In Msconfig, there is a list of services. (I'm guessing these load before the start up programs) I suppose the next step might be to turn some of those off as well as the start up programs and see if that fixes it. I'll just have to ensure I don't shut anything vital down, or I will have no end of fun trying to get the system back. Hence why I haven't tried that yet.

 

[F5ing]

Well I was just referring to your installed apps list that you posted. Pretty large list, and if any have associated services that start with the machine, then at a minimum they are monitoring in order to perform some service when needed.

I'd go through the list of installed apps and uninstall the stuff you don't ever use. After doing that then it would be time to go through the list of services.

 

[karlsnooks]

I also find the boatload of apps very unusual.

You are using your computer at a workplace?

You are using a Win 7 paid for by the company?

No self-respecting IT department would permit such a computer with so much junk on it, in to the workplace.

I give you back to your IT department.

 

[Pezzie]

Hi karlsnooks,

I'm sorry you feel that way, but fair enough. Thanks for the help you did provide, it kept me searching.......

Just in case anyone else runs into this problem, I seemed to have found something that works other than turning off Windows Desktop Manager. I found a link to this post buried in one of the MicroSoft Answers threads here's the link to the post with the fix:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/fix-windows-7-screen-flashes-to-desktop-with-not-responding-error/comment-page-1/#comment-902397

Here's what it says:

Windows 7 may occasionally display a symptom where the screen flashes after user optimizes the computer shutdown speed. The symptom happens whenever user selects a folder or browses to new web page, the desktop which supposed to be in the background will jump or bring to front – flash out for a while, and the “Not Responding” error message will display on the top left corner.

The problem is probably due to optimisation to increase PC shutdown speed and decrease time required to shut down the computer. The change can be used by Windows optimization utility or technical user who modifies the registry manually. When the setting is changed, Windows 7 may encounter lack of buffer time or other slowness.

To fix the screen flashing issue, follow steps below.
Run Registry Editor, and then delete the following registry keys


HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\HungAppTimeOut
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\WaitToKillAppTimeOut
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\HungAppTimeOut
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WaitToKillAppTimeOut
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WaitToKillServiceTimeOut

Restart the computer after deletion, and the screen flashing issue on Windows 7 should be fixed.[

Further down the page someone added a bit more:

Catherine
]January 25, 2011 at 2:50 pm
This solution worked for me too – after days and days of looking at other resources. I did not find HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktopHungAppTimeOut or HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktopWaitToKillAppTimeOut but I did find the other two under HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop. The last one I found in two places under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001Control and ControlSet002Control – I had to run a search to find them.

*** Note: the first time I tried this I didn't search the registry properly. You need to search on the last part of those lines to find the registry entries. Eg. search on "HungAppTimeOut" not "HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\HungAppTimeOut". Might seem obvious to most people but I've not touched REGEDIT very much.

Also check that you have the right part of the registry tree before you delete anything. Repeat the searches for the other strings and you should find them all.

So far so good, no flashing windows and no "not responding" messages.

Thanks to everyone who helped. My IT department wouldn't which was why I came here. So thanks again.

 

[F5ing]

Thanks for posting what you've found. Please post again after some run time to let us know how successful it turns out in solving your original problem, as well as any other changes to expected behavior.

Had you done any shutdown optimization?

 

[Pezzie]

Hi F5ing,

I've trimmed down the startup programs to the minimum, but it still worked with everything on (testing). So far so good. (touch wood)

 

[F5ing]

Sound good. I'll touch wood on my end for ya!