XP SP2:Having to click on items on taskbar several times

[TL1979]

I feel utterly stupid, and I can't figure out what is wrong here. I know my way around windows and computers but haven't ran into this problem before.

I'll click on an item in the taskbar, it will flash for a second and not bring itself to the front. When I don't have the current window in the front maximized I can see the window I clicked on pop up, but it's behind the window I have open.

So essentially what is happening is the windows open, just behind the window I currently have open unless I click on each item three or four times. In which case it maximizes, minimizes, and then maximizes again and brings itself to the front. I'm not sure if this is a setting somewhere, or if this is an actual issue with the operating system.

This is a fresh install of XP on an extra HD I threw in. SP2.

Thanks

[TL1979]

UPDATE:

Now I actually think there is an issue going on. My Show Desktop button only works about half the time. The other half nothing happens.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Welcome to the Windows Forum.

You mention a fresh install of Windows; did this occur from the beginning?

Also, does Alt+Tab work correctly to switch between open windows?

[TL1979]

The problem is intermittent. As of now everything is working fine, so yeah alt-tab is working. But there will be times where I'm clicking on every window in the taskbar and nothing will come to the front.

It's pretty frustrating.

I didn't notice it before, but then again I just really started using this install. Before I was just installing my applications and drivers and such.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

When it happens again, can you open the Task Manager and see if there is anything unusual happening (Processes tab; check for high CPU usage).

[Dencandy]

I'm sure you've already tried this, but have you checked Display Properties>Appearance>Advanced to ensure that the default setting (Desktop) applies to the way windows are displayed?