system focus issues

Before i get started i wanted to say that i've been pretty decent at keeping things running in the past, and that has largely been due to this site. whether it be manual spyware removal, driver issues, etc, i always start with STFW(searchin' the __ Web), and MG has always been there. big thanks.


anyway, my issue is a pretty odd one--new tasks start in the background! be it winamp, firefox, even the run dialog(especially annoying), anytime i run something new, system focus sticks where it was prior to the new app running.

example:
i have winamp running(lower-left corner of desktop), and hit Windows-key+R.
run dialog comes up, hidden by winamp(behind it), forcing me to use either alt-tab or my mouse to minimize winamp to get to the RUN dialog.

as you can imagine, when this started(yesterday), it was a minor annoyance, but it's gotten old quick. has anyone seen this issue, or have any clues towards a fix? i've scoured for a fix on the web, but frankly, given the nature of the problem, don't even know what, exactly, to search for.

i'd offer a HT log, but don't really use the app. i have gone to fileresearchcenter.com, and found nothing out of the ordinary. i would really appreciate ANY help i can get on this.

DETAILS:
-SOFTWARE:
currently running fully-updated(autoupdates) XP Media center,
and my most recent software change was installing a shoutcast(webradio) server. i've tested the issue, and it occurs whether or not winamp/shoutcast is running.
-HARDWARE:
P4 (HT), 3.0ghz
512 DDR-400mhz
ATI Radeon 9800-Pro Vidcard


any other needed details, please let me know. once again, thx for the help.

-PC

 

just as a quick note, the problem seems to recur if the machine has been running for a while. i first noted it after soaktesting the mentioned shoutcast server. rebooting seems to temporarily fix it. i'll try to lock down potential causes on it and report back.

 

i've noticed another problem with my current issue:
once the main, noted issues start, my windows key fails as well. i know this is a software issue, being that upon a fresh reboot, the key's functionality returns, and CTRL-ESC also fails to do anything. i've looked for that on the web as well, for the most part only coming up with "replace the keyboard" as a fix. i have two keyboards, and they are both behaving exactly the same.

 

Go to the link below and run # 66 on the right-hand side (Prevent Programs from Stealing Focus - Undo)

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Steve

 

so far, the fix seems to have taken hold. i've bookmarked the site as well. thank you very much for your help. you've saved another computer this day.

 

ok, i think my old approach has failed me--after digging around a bit in HijackThis(which i finally got), i think there are some serious infections--i was hoping i could post the log and have someone take a look, letting me know which items i should have HJT kill? i have a fairly good idea that anything talking to another specific IP is bad news, but i wanted to be sure.

at any rate, LogFile follows:


p.s: pay no mind to the Sony Soundstage stuff, needed it for some file conversion stuff. you can mock me if you like(i personally dislike sony).