Tablet PC Input Panel has become unmovable

[shokan2]

A couple days ago the Tablet PC Input Panel became unmovable. I can't slide it up and down the left edge when it's minimized and also, once it is expanded, it can't be moved around the screen. Can anyone help with this?

edit: just discovered that it's a problem with my Wacom Bamboo graphics tablet driver, because I can move the panel using the touchpad of the laptop. So, I will try uninstalling and reinstalling the Wacom driver. I won't need any advice now, thanks.

 

[emptyboxes]

Me too, noticed it a few days ago. Has some MS update hit us? can move the panel using a plugged-in keyboard-center stick and with a USB mouse. The Windows Touch Pointer, however, will move any other window but not the Touch Keyboard or Touch Input Panel. When I touch the top bar of the TK or TIP, the pointer seems different and does not "pick up" the TK or TIP. Right-click does nothing. But elsewhere on every other window I try, it works fine.

Have you fixed it, shokan2, and if so, explaining exactly how would be greatly appreciated! I have not discovered anything on Microsoft Support yet. Thanks for sharing

ps Acer Iconia Tab W501 and I accept all automatic MS updates.

 

[emptyboxes]

New just in: see Industry's first discussion list dedicated to discussing security patch management topics () which suggests it was a Windows Update patch problem: "MS14-039 Patch Breaks Tablet PC Input Panel Keyboard (KB2973201) - Patch Tuesday July 8, 2014"

 

[emptyboxes]

Yep, that fixes it. In Control Panel -> Programs & Features -> Installed Updates, uninstall KB2973201, restart. Solved - the touch input panel moves with touch!

Microsoft actually acknowledges the problem but don't yet seem to understand that inabillty to move a touch input panel using touch renders a tablet close to useless!
MS14-039: Description of the security update for Windows on-screen keyboard: July 8, 2014

 

[shokan2]

Thanks to emptyboxes for bringing the resolution to our attention. It does fix the problem (uninstall KB2973201).

I'm the OP, but I'm not going to mark this thread as solved because there hopefully will be a further update from MS that addresses the security vulnerability but that does not cause the Input Panel problem again.

Good thing I didn't focus on the Wacom tablet driver as the source of the problem (as mentioned in my first post). I'd still be trying, with no luck.

edit: how do I stop Microsoft Updates from pestering me to install KB2973201 again, but to continue with as usual updates in the future?

edit: I right-clicked the update and chose 'hide'. Don't know if this is what did it, but I'm not getting prompted to install it anymore.

 

[emptyboxes]

I also hid the update but I just checked the MS report and there's now a hotfix.

See MS14-039: Description of the security update for Windows on-screen keyboard: July 8, 2014 and follow the link under "More information" to Tablet PC Input Panel cannot be moved after you install update 2973201 in Windows 7 or Windows Vista. I'm not on my tablet at the moment but will install it soon.

 

[emptyboxes]

Hmm. Will I have to install the bad patch again before installing the good one? Is this a replacement part or a fix to a broken part? I'm assuming first it's a replacement, so just have the hotfix installed, not the duff update.

Well that didn't work! Created a restore point, download and run the hotfix unzip, run the unzipped installer. Reboot. Back to the self-same problem - cannot move the touch keyboard with touch, but can move it with a (USB) mouse.

Go into Control Panel > Programs and Features -> View installed updates then find and remove Update for Microsoft Windows (KB2984930). Restart again and back to touch-movable (but presumably still insecure) touch keyboard.

So maybe I have to reinstall the (now-hidden) bad patch first? Not now - I'm too busy - but I'll feedback to MS for more explicit instructions.