Windows taskbar problem

[paulorton]

I hope someone recognises this situation!

When I run the compiled version of my application and then change focus to another running program (by clicking on the taskbar) the second program comes to the front OK but the taskbar entry for *my* application starts flashing and the taskbar stays revealed (it's set to autohide) until I click back on my program.

This is very annoying behaviour (I use Mozilla Firefox and this does something similar when you have a download window open).

How do I stop this happening?

Paul.

[chemicalNova]

The taskbar panels only flash when something is being updated in your program. What is happening in your program?

chem

[paulorton]

The program isn't processing anything at the time I click on the taskbar.

It seems to only happen if the second program is not maximised ie. after moving to the second program you can still see my app (which *is* maximised) underneath.

If I resize the second (maximised) program to make it much smaller, the taskbar doesn't pop out but when you inspect it it is indeed flashing!

In all cases the flashing only happens for a couple of seconds (and my application flashes with it) and then the taskbar panel simply glows a steady orange.

Paul.

[chemicalNova]

Again, it shouldn't be doing this unless your program is doing anything. The FireFox download dialog updates every now and then too....how long have you tested this for? Can you give me any information on what your program does (even if you don't think its your program)?

chem

[paulorton]

It's essentially a database program with the user clicking on various bits of data that are then added to various tables. None of these processes take more than about one second to complete and I can't think what hidden processing could be causing this.

The behaviour just feels like my application not giving up its focus without a struggle (unless the second app covers it completely on the screen).

Is there any way of testing for activity in an application that appears to be doing nothing?

Paul.

[chemicalNova]

The only way I can think of is looking at it in the Proccesses tab of Task Manager. See how much CPU its using during the focus change. Do you use "DoEvents" anywhere in there? I'm not exactly a DB expert but that may also be the case.

chem

[paulorton]

It's showing absolutely no activity just before, during or after the change of focus.

Also I haven't had to use DoEvents anywhere so far!

Oh dear, I had hoped this would be a common problem...

Paul.