Random Tabbing Out

[redbear44]

I am aware of this fix...

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-3426393/fix-hourly-cmd-window-pop-appearing.html

1. Open Task scheduler
2. look in left column and Select the little arrow next to Task Scheduler library - this should reveal the layers below it.
3. Click little arrow next to Microsoft Folder
Click little arrow next to Office and in the right column, search for OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerRegistration task and disable it.

However, when I reach the step (step 3) where I need to open the Office folder, I can't because it doesn't exist. There should be three folders under Microsoft. I only have two, Windows and XblGameSave. How can I either fix the tabbing out, or add the office tab to disable the task?

Thanks,
redbear44

 

[gardenman]

Hi, I'm glad you started a new thread.

These command prompt popups (if that's what it is) can be caused by a number of different things. Scheduled Tasks is one of those things, not only from Office but others also. Here's a few things you can do:

#1. These popups can be caused by Malware. Download the free version of [Malwarebytes] and do a full scan with it. After installing Malwarebytes, I usually disable the free full featured version options which keep it running in the background. This can be done on the Settings / Account section if you want to just use the free version forever.

#2. When the popup happens, write down the exact time/date it happens. You can turn on the Task History (it's on the right) in Task Scheduler to see if a task was run at the specific time. After the popup happens, open Task Scheduler and review the log for any specific tasks running when it happened.

#3. Capture info. You are looking for any information that can point to the program causing the problem. If the Window has any text in it, that could be useful. Try to capture it either by a screenshot or capture it in video to find out what it says (if anything). If necessary, use a screen capturing program or a external video recorder such as a phone.

 

[redbear44]

Hi, I'm glad you started a new thread.

These command prompt popups (if that's what it is) can be caused by a number of different things. Scheduled Tasks is one of those things, not only from Office but others also. Here's a few things you can do:

#1. These popups can be caused by Malware. Download the free version of [Malwarebytes] and do a full scan with it. After installing Malwarebytes, I usually disable the free full featured version options which keep it running in the background. This can be done on the Settings / Account section if you want to just use the free version forever.

#2. When the popup happens, write down the exact time/date it happens. You can turn on the Task History (it's on the right) in Task Scheduler to see if a task was run at the specific time. After the popup happens, open Task Scheduler and review the log for any specific tasks running when it happened.

#3. Capture info. You are looking for any information that can point to the program causing the problem. If the Window has any text in it, that could be useful. Try to capture it either by a screenshot or capture it in video to find out what it says (if anything). If necessary, use a screen capturing program or a external video recorder such as a phone.

Thanks for your help! I will try these out shortly. However the more i think about it, the more i think it is not the CMD issue. I uploaded an unlisted video to YouTube showing the issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIFR0SZxTi4

I have not slowed down time or anything.

Not sure if it is the same thing but I will try what you suggested!

Thanks,
redbear44

 

[gardenman]

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIFR0SZxTi4"][/video]

I don't even see a "popup". Do you?

If not, let's see what is "stealing" focus. Download the [Windows Focus Logger] and unzip it. Run WindowFocusLoggerGUI.exe and click Start to begin logging. Go into your game, wait for it to tab out and see what Windows Focus Logger tells you. Click Stop and close Windows Focus Logger when done.

To be honest, I don't know anything about Discord, never used it. Is it possible to close Discord out and try your game to see if it's causing the problem? At least temporarily? Or is Discord kinda like Steam and must be running?

 

[redbear44]

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIFR0SZxTi4"][/video]

I don't even see a "popup". Do you?

If not, let's see what is "stealing" focus. Download the [Windows Focus Logger] and unzip it. Run WindowFocusLoggerGUI.exe and click Start to begin logging. Go into your game, wait for it to tab out and see what Windows Focus Logger tells you. Click Stop and close Windows Focus Logger when done.

To be honest, I don't know anything about Discord, never used it. Is it possible to close Discord out and try your game to see if it's causing the problem? At least temporarily? Or is Discord kinda like Steam and must be running?

I ran the program, then opened the game and it started to tab out. The most recent task however, was me tabbing out on purpose (ALT+TAB), because the game was stuck. I'm not sure, but just by looking at the screenshot i took of the feed, I can't see anything that is taking the focus away from the game. I do not think it is discord. I used it before this problem started, and all my other buddies use it just fine.

The screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/1K7ffKP

 

[gardenman]

I can't tell either from that screen shot. It looks like Steam and explorer both grabbed focus at the same time, which makes no sense (assuming that's when it tabbed out on you without you wanting it to). You can delete Windows Focus Logger if you like.

Maybe a clean boot will tell us if it's 3rd party software that is causing the problem. To do a clean boot, you basically go into MSCONFIG.exe (System Configuration) and disable all 3rd party services (not the Microsoft services), and you disable the startup programs in Task Manager. Very important, when disabling services, be sure to check the box to Hide all Microsoft services. You don't want to disable those or your system likely won't boot. Full instructions on how to do a Clean Boot from Microsoft can be found here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows

If you don't have the tabbing out while in Clean Boot, then it was one of the programs that you temporarily disabled for the Clean Boot that was causing the problem. Start off by re-enabling all of the services (only) and reboot and try again. If the tabbing out still isn't happening, start re-enabling the startup programs one or two at a time with a reboot until you discover which program is make the tabbing out happen.

If you still have the tabbing out in Clean Boot, let me know.

 

[redbear44]

I can't tell either from that screen shot. It looks like Steam and explorer both grabbed focus at the same time, which makes no sense (assuming that's when it tabbed out on you without you wanting it to). You can delete Windows Focus Logger if you like.

Maybe a clean boot will tell us if it's 3rd party software that is causing the problem. To do a clean boot, you basically go into MSCONFIG.exe (System Configuration) and disable all 3rd party services (not the Microsoft services), and you disable the startup programs in Task Manager. Very important, when disabling services, be sure to check the box to Hide all Microsoft services. You don't want to disable those or your system likely won't boot. Full instructions on how to do a Clean Boot from Microsoft can be found here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows

If you don't have the tabbing out while in Clean Boot, then it was one of the programs that you temporarily disabled for the Clean Boot that was causing the problem. Start off by re-enabling all of the services (only) and reboot and try again. If the tabbing out still isn't happening, start re-enabling the startup programs one or two at a time with a reboot until you discover which program is make the tabbing out happen.

If you still have the tabbing out in Clean Boot, let me know.

Hi,

I am so sorry for not getting back to you for a while. I was pretty busy with work.

Regardless, i just attempted the clean boot, and it still tabs out.I am going to enable all the task again and startup tasks.

Do you have any other ideas?

Thanks for you patients,
redbear44

 

[gardenman]

If it's still doing it while in Clean Boot then what we've done is eliminate 3rd party software as being the problem. That leaves the following: 3rd party drivers, Windows, or hardware itself.

Usually the next thing to try is a Safe Boot. A safe boot basically eliminates all 3rd party software like a Clean Boot, but it also turns off all 3rd party drivers. The problem with that is, is when you disable your graphics card drivers then you usually won't be able to play your games.

What are did you run while in the Clean Boot with the game? Steam and the Game, anything else? Have you tried the game without those other things? Discord? I know you said you think it's not Discord but have you tried without it yet?

Did you ever try Malwarebytes?

 

[redbear44]

If it's still doing it while in Clean Boot then what we've done is eliminate 3rd party software as being the problem. That leaves the following: 3rd party drivers, Windows, or hardware itself.

Usually the next thing to try is a Safe Boot. A safe boot basically eliminates all 3rd party software like a Clean Boot, but it also turns off all 3rd party drivers. The problem with that is, is when you disable your graphics card drivers then you usually won't be able to play your games.

What are did you run while in the Clean Boot with the game? Steam and the Game, anything else? Have you tried the game without those other things? Discord? I know you said you think it's not Discord but have you tried without it yet?

Did you ever try Malwarebytes?

Hi,
I literally just started CS:GO when I restarted my computer after the clean boot. Didn't launch discord or anything.
I have Malwarebytes and tried the scan, but didn't find anything relevant(at least I think). There a bunch of files called "PUP.Optional.REimage". Other than that, nothing comes up on Malwarebytes.

 

[gardenman]

Did you remove those PUPs?

A friend suggested trying [Hitman Pro]. I just downloaded it myself (the 64 bit version near top of page) to try it out before recommending it to you. Note: You don't even have to install it. Choose Next on the first page, agree to the License, then select "No" from the options on the 3rd page and it won't even install, yet still let you scan.

If removing the PUPs doesn't help I'll probably ask for additional help from others.

 

[redbear44]

Did you remove those PUPs?

A friend suggested trying [Hitman Pro]. I just downloaded it myself (the 64 bit version near top of page) to try it out before recommending it to you. Note: You don't even have to install it. Choose Next on the first page, agree to the License, then select "No" from the options on the 3rd page and it won't even install, yet still let you scan.

If removing the PUPs doesn't help I'll probably ask for additional help from others.

Hi,

I tried removing the PUPs from quarantine on Malwarebytes and running Hitman Pro to delete some things and still tabs out.

 

[Barty1884]

Is this happening solely with CS:GO? I don't see mention of any other title tried. Could be an issue with the game install itself etc.....

Looks like gardenman has covered off all the usual routes for something like this. A very strange situation indeed.

 

[redbear44]

Is this happening solely with CS:GO? I don't see mention of any other title tried. Could be an issue with the game install itself etc.....

Looks like gardenman has covered off all the usual routes for something like this. A very strange situation indeed.

HI Barty

First of all thank you for trying to help me.
Second, I do't think it is just CS:GO. It also happens when I play War Thunder and GTA V. However GTA V isn't tabbing out, but rather i get the gfx d3d init error, which causes it to crash. I think these are related because the tabbing out and GTA V crashing both happened at about the same time.

Thanks,
redbear44

 

[Barty1884]

Hmmm, definitely a weird situation.

What are your full system specs? Seems a lot shot (although might help with GTAV) but have you fully removed your GPU drivers and reinstalled? Sometimes the leftovers during driver updates, despite selecting to "clean" install, can cause all sorts of weird issues/headaches.

Use DDU to fully remove any trace of GPU drivers (reboot into safe mode)
https://www.wagnardsoft.com/

The reboot and reinstall.

 

[redbear44]

Hmmm, definitely a weird situation.

What are your full system specs? Seems a lot shot (although might help with GTAV) but have you fully removed your GPU drivers and reinstalled? Sometimes the leftovers during driver updates, despite selecting to "clean" install, can cause all sorts of weird issues/headaches.

Use DDU to fully remove any trace of GPU drivers (reboot into safe mode)
https://www.wagnardsoft.com/

The reboot and reinstall.

So my specs are...
Ryzen 5 1600 (not overclock but i plan on it once i fix this problem)
Zotac GTX 1060 6gb AMP edition
8gb of DDR4 @3000MHz
ASRock AB350m Pro4
Coolermaster MasterLiquid Lite 120mm
Intel 600p series 256gb M.2
WD Blue 2 TB
Corsair 650W 80+
Inwin 301 mATX

I have tried reinstalling my gpu driver however not with this full removal process so I will give that a go.

 

[Barty1884]

Try the driver removal first of all.

Which memory do you have, specifically? Ryzen can have issues with memory not on the QVL for a given board.
If the problem persists after the driver removal/replacement, I'd suggest reverting to stock 2133/2400MHz speeds and testing, just to rule that out as an issue.

Chances are really slim of that being the case, but clearly it's going to be something completely random since nothing else appears to be causing the issues.



Just to confirm, this was a clean OS install on the Ryzen system, right? You didn't bring this SSD from another system with the OS already installed?

 

[redbear44]

Try the driver removal first of all.

Which memory do you have, specifically? Ryzen can have issues with memory not on the QVL for a given board.
If the problem persists after the driver removal/replacement, I'd suggest reverting to stock 2133/2400MHz speeds and testing, just to rule that out as an issue.

Chances are really slim of that being the case, but clearly it's going to be something completely random since nothing else appears to be causing the issues.



Just to confirm, this was a clean OS install on the Ryzen system, right? You didn't bring this SSD from another system with the OS already installed?

The ram I have is the 2x4gb kit of Corsair Vengance rated up to 3000MHz. https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/BYH48d/corsair-memory-cmk8gx4m2b3000c15

Windows 10 was a clean install (first time with the product key) and on a brand new M.2 drive.

 

[Barty1884]

That kit does not appear on the QVL for the board (for neither 1st or 2nd Gen Ryzen).

Again, it's a long shot, but perhaps it's not 100% stable at the XMP profile.....

Googling the full product number for the kit:
CMK8GX4M2B3000C15

And "Ryzen" brings up quite a few problems running at the upper rated speed.

From Corsair directly, it can work, but only on some boards.
http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=166631

Some people can't even boot >2133MHz
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3406599/corsair-vengeance-lpx-ram-compatible-ryzen.html


Again, a long shot. I'd expect many more issues than this "alt tab" issue... but you never know, stranger things have happened.

 

[redbear44]

That kit does not appear on the QVL for the board (for neither 1st or 2nd Gen Ryzen).

Again, it's a long shot, but perhaps it's not 100% stable at the XMP profile.....

Googling the full product number for the kit:
CMK8GX4M2B3000C15

And "Ryzen" brings up quite a few problems running at the upper rated speed.

From Corsair directly, it can work, but only on some boards.
http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=166631

Some people can't even boot >2133MHz
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3406599/corsair-vengeance-lpx-ram-compatible-ryzen.html


Again, a long shot. I'd expect many more issues than this "alt tab" issue... but you never know, stranger things have happened.

Hello again,

Sorry for the late reply again. I was on vacation and had some other personal matters to attend.

I tried dropping the RAM back down to factory. It is now running at 2133mhz at 1.35V. It has an interesting impact. I still will tab out, however, not as frequently. But when it does tab out, it has less focus changes I guess you call it (where it goes from game to last used screen) and the tab outs last less long.

I was talking to my cousin, and he was hinting at something was wrong with windows 10. I tried resetting windows (keeping files), however it doesn't work. At around 30% of reset completion, I get this screen. https://imgur.com/gallery/fQr6Nev

Any ideas?

Thanks for all you help so far,
redbear44