Windows Opening Behind Other Windows

The information provided is for help with Commtest Instruments products:

• Ascent®

QUESTION

I clicked a button expecting a new window to display but nothing happened. Now my computer has frozen and won't respond. What happened?

ANSWER

There is a known issue with Windows® 2000-, XP- and Windows® Server-based computers that causes new windows to pop up behind other open windows so that they are hidden from view. This behavior can affect the Ascent software. For example if you are using a vbOnline device and you use the vbOnline Wizard to create a structure report, when you select the Preview option the report preview window might not appear on your screen (because it has opened behind another open window).

SYMPTOMS

• The Ascent icon on the taskbar (at the bottom of your screen) may flash.
• The front window on your screen will not respond to any mouse clicks (it 'freezes').

• The title bar at the top of the front window will be grey instead of blue. This indicates that the window is not 'active' and that another hidden window is open and expecting input from you.

SOLUTION

You can bring the hidden window to the front of your screen using this procedure:

• Press and hold the keyboard ALT key then press the TAB key. This opens a new window that displays all the programs you have open on your PC.

ALT + TAB displays the programs currently running on your PC

• Continue to hold down the ALT key and press TAB repeatedly to move the blue highlight box over the Ascent icon then release both keys. The hidden Ascent window should now appear on top of all other windows.

FAQ ID: 114827 Last Reviewed: 20/09/2005