My Windows XP Home has something set wrong, I guess, because the
"focus" keeps jumping to new windows. Maybe not, but here is an
example of what happens. I open MS Internet Explorer to Google, which
is my default home page. Immediately, a pop-up window opens (can't
prevent that, I know) but it is behind the Google window. The name of
the pop-up begins blinking on the Taskbar. The hidden window therefore
keeps me from typing into the Google window right away (If I wait I
can type.)  How can I fix this silliness?

gojohns...

One of the "Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP" is a program
called TweakUI (for Tweak User Interface). You can download
it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

It's easy to install, and once you've installed it, go to the
'General' tab. At the bottom is a dialog allowing you to check
a box saying "Prevent applications from stealing focus".
You can also set the number of times you want the program's
button on the taskbar to flash.


You also say "I open MS Internet Explorer to Google, which is
my default home page. Immediately, a pop-up window opens
(can't prevent that, I know) but it is behind the Google window."

Actually, it is not normal for any pop-up windows to appear
when you open Google. It sounds like you have a malicious
script which is causing this. While it is beyond the scope
of your original question, I will recommend that you 
download and install a free program called BHODemon.
This stands for Browser Helper Object Demon. A browser
helper object is normally a helpful add-on to your browser,
such as a search bar. However, many unscrupulous programs
combine the helpful part with a hidden part, or simply 
self-install the hidden part, causing your browser to 
be receptive to unwanted pop-up ads which are in no way
associated with the actual site you're visiting, like
Google. BHODemon is here:
http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm

Two other programs, which address other types of 'spyware'
are AdAware, available from Lavasoft, here:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

...and SpyBot, available here:
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download


Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that
the answer cannot be improved upon by means of a dialog
established through the "Request for Clarification" process.

sublime1-ga


Searches done, via Google:

tweakui XP
://www.google.com/search?q=tweakui+XP

BHODemon
://www.google.com/search?q=BHODemon

AdAware
://www.google.com/search?q=AdAware

SpyBot
://www.google.com/search?q=SpyBot

---

Request for Answer Clarification by gojohns-ga on 05 Aug 2003 00:48 PDT

Thanks, subline1-ga. I have tweakUI already installed. I looked and
found that I already had checked Prevent apps from stealing focus. So,
no fix there. (And, to JF: thanks but my version of TweakUI has no
plus sign and no focus sub-menu, just two other tabs next to the
"General" tab)

However, just looking at my TweakUI focus setting (and possibly
clicking OK again) seems to have, miraculously, fixed my problem! I am
getting NO pop-ups at all anymore when I arrive at Google. Don't know
if your answer helped me, but, for now, at least, the problem is no
more. I will install HBODemon in any case. Please advise if you have
any further advice, otherwise thank you and Best regards.

---

Clarification of Answer by sublime1-ga on 05 Aug 2003 08:22 PDT

gojohns...

There is a cartoon where a man resembling Einstein is working
on a complicated mathematical theorem, and in the middle of it,
he has written "and then a miracle happened". That says it all.

sublime1-ga wrote:
> ...go to the 'General' tab. At the bottom is a dialog allowing you
to check
> a box saying "Prevent applications from stealing focus".


Clarification: you must select the + next to General, then select the
Focus sub-menu, and finally uncheck the box at the top on the right. I
just installed this powertool. Maybe the current version (2.10.0.0)
differs from the version sublime1-ga uses. Regardless, thanks for the
tip sublime1-ga!

JF

gojohns-ga wrote,

>> Immediately, a pop-up window opens (can't prevent that, I know) <<

It is indeed possible to prevent; simply install software to prevent
it or use a more current browser. For example, my default browser is
Mozilla 1.4
  http://www.mozilla.org/
(Mozilla is the code, now open source, behind the Netscape browsers).
It includes a setting to block popups, under "Privacy & Security". The
setting allows you to permit popups at selected Web sites, so you can
still use your bank's Web site, for example.