All files open in background??

[Huff09]

So I installed W7 the other day and everything went surprisingly smooth. There were a few hiccups with program compatibility and drivers but nothing major (which thrilled me).

However, there is one issue I have not been able to resolve and I can't find any type of info on others having a similar issue. Ever since I installed the new OS, every file I open from a folder opens in the background. So far this includes pictures, music, video, etc. It doesn't seem to affect my Open Office documents or spreadsheets, however.

Here's the other hitch. . . it only affects the very first file I open from a folder. After that, all subsequent files are opened on top. However, once I close the folder and go to a new folder, the problem starts again.

I wouldn't classify it as a major issue, however, it is a bit annoying. Anyone else having a similar issue or have an idea of what is going on?

 

[Minotar]

Do you have any other programs running at the time that might have a "always stay on top" option like the Task Manager?

 

[Huff09]

Thanks for the response Minotar.

Other programs running don't seem to be the issue. It seems to happen regardless of whether I have nothing else open or many things. Also, here's another interesting thing I've discovered about this issue. If I have multiple windows open (i.e, Firefox maximized) and then I open a folder with files in it, such as pictures, the file will open behind the folder window but not the other windows (in this example it's Firefox). In other words, it's not really opening in the background, it's just always opening behind the folder window.

Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[Minotar]

No problem and it does

Have you tried ticking the "Automatically Expand to current Folder" button in the folder options in appearance and personalization in control panel?

 

[Huff09]

Just tried that with no success.

This will probably end up being a simple fix but for now it's becoming an obsession.

 

[Minotar]

Just tried that with no success.

This will probably end up being a simple fix but for now it's becoming an obsession.

Im lost on this now,ive ran out of ideas

 

[Huff09]

Well thanks anyway. I appreciate your help. I'll keep at it.

 

[Huff09]

Just a bump to see if anyone has any ideas.

 

[harpua]

In folder options, is "open each folder in the same window" checked. If not, perhaps that would help. Worth a try.

Another thing you could try would be to run the system file checker. Open administrative command window and type sfc /scannow, and hit enter, and wait a few minutes for it to complete. It will check your system files for corruption and fix if possible if any is found.

Otherwise, perhaps a "repair install" which does not wipe out your programs, settings, and data, might be worth trying.

Another possible fix would be to create a new user account and see if the objectionable behavior happens when you're in that account. If not, from within the new account, you could copy over all your folders and files that are under your old User/user name into the appropriate place in your newly created account and hope that the problem doesn't transfer to the new account along with old your folders and files.

If that last approach fixes the problem, then after you're very sure everything is working properly with all your transferred folders, apps, files, etc., you could delete the old user account.

 

[Disk4mat]

My wifes system has had this problem even on Vista and now 7. I've never had the problem and cant reproduce it on my sys. After spending much time trying to figure out what was causing it I came to this conclusion...

She is running Skype and FireFox, where I am not. Otherwise all settings for Explorer and taskbar etc are the same.

 

[Huff09]

Thanks Disk. I run FF but not Skype. Unfortunately, I don't think that is the issue. I haven't changed anything other than the upgrade to W7 and I never had this issue with Vista.

Thanks again.

 

[Huff09]

"open each folder in the same window"

Yep, it's checked but thanks.

Nothing found on the file checker either. I may have to try the repair install next. I'm hopeful that will work. It has to be something with the upgrade installation since this never happened with Vista.

Thanks for your input and time.

 

[Minotar]

"open each folder in the same window"

Yep, it's checked but thanks.

Nothing found on the file checker either. I may have to try the repair install next. I'm hopeful that will work. It has to be something with the upgrade installation since this never happened with Vista.

Thanks for your input and time.

Hey Huff,
Another member was had a similar problem so i now know(all files opened a new wndow) what your on about and i used team viewer to remote access into his pc to see if i could fix it,i searched through all options,ran numerous commands and couldnt figure it out.

Buuuuut...it had only happened him a few days ago after he installed some "Counter Strike" programs,so if it happened only after a certain program either try deleting it or system restore.

If that fails,copy all your programs onto a data disc and delete them off the system using CCleaner,just leave the important ones (Windows ones)

Then boot up the Win7 boot cd,go to the repair console and run the memory hardware option (it takes some time) reboot and use start up repair and see if it finds anything.

Hope this can help,
Dan

 

[Huff09]

Well, I have finally figured out the issue. For whatever reason, a program in my startup folder is causing the issue. The program is object dock. It's strange because it never caused issues with XP or Vista and I have even upgraded to the non beta version they say is approved for Windows 7.

It seems to only be affecting photos and videos I open in Windows picture viewer and Windows media player. If I change the default so other programs open these file types then there are no issues. Strange.

Any thoughts on this new development? I'll be contacting Stardock to see what they say.

 

[ryan1cf]

I too have been trying to figure out why this is happening.

But now I have a better idea of why since you've mentioned that you discovered that Object Dock is causing it and I too have Object Dock installed.

I'm going to try uninstalling it to see if it fixes the issue.

Thanks.

 

[Huff09]

Hey Ryan,

I can tell you that in my situation disabling ObjectDock fixes the issue. Unfortunately, I'm not willing to give it up so I'm having to deal with the issue or now. I contacted Stardock and they responded with the following:

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]"I apologize, but ObjectDock (Plus) is not supported on Windows 7 systems. Although the application may work in some regards, many of it's key features are disabled. ObjectDock 2.0 is currently in development, and will be Windows 7 compatible. Unfortunately, there is no release date at this time.[/FONT]"

I'm just hoping 2.0 gets done at some point in the near future. Good luck.

 

[ryan1cf]

I hope so too. Yea I just turn it off if I need to view pictures quickly using Windows Image Viewer.

I wonder what features are turned off? I haven't tried this yet either but installing the latest version of ObjectDock.

 

[Huff09]

I have installed the latest version and I have also tried a repair installation, neither had any effect.

 

[ryan1cf]

looks like they haven't fixed this problem in build... 536

images still open in background...

 

[Huff09]

I am losing faith that they are going to fix this issue anytime soon. Seems odd since so many people are adopting Windows 7. As much as I love OD, I am gradually getting away from it and using more desktop gadgets.

Aside from the files opening in the background, I am also unable to keep my weather dock updated. It works for a bit after start up but eventually "goes dark" and can't make a connection. I have to restart to get it to work.

It's just becoming more hassle then it's worth.