block diagram window becomes topmost in win7 64 bit using LV2011 sp1 32bit

[Michael_78]

I am having a strange problem and I wonder if anyone else has ever seen this behaviour. Frequently, when I switch to the block diagram window it will become the topmost window I.e. it sits on top of all other windows including non LabVIEW windows! I have to close the VI and really open it to correct the problem. I am seeing this on 3 machines, all dell m6600 laptops so I am thinking it may be a graphics driver issue. Any ideas?
Thanks
Michael.

[JÞB]

I don't understand.  Ctrl+E to me means I WANT the vi's Block Diagram to be the topmost panel.

[Michael_78]

Sorry, I meant it sticks on top of everything! I can force it to the back using user32 setwindowpos but that is a crazy workaround. I can't see how this is a LabVIEW issue, but it is only happening to LabVIEW and most often after using ctrl+e. The window is not modal because I can use the app sitting behind the window. I.e. I click on the Word document or internet explorer and I can use it but the lv bd is still in front. Any ideas?

[JÞB]

That is very odd. Have you tried repairing the LabVIEW install?

[Michael_78]

Jeff,

No, i have not re-installed LabVIEW yet.  The three machines i see this on are all new and all had LabVIEW installed at the same time.  I have had no luck finding anyone else ever having had this issue, so I now plan to re install the OS and LabVIEW.

Thanks for the response, and I will post a resolution if I find one.  In the meantime if you have any other ideas please let me know

Michael

[Tori.M]

Hi RiversDaddy,

My first question would be whether you have the option to minimise your block diagram or is this disabled (i.e. via the top menu bar next to maximise or close)?

Additionally, custom window appearances can be set through the VI properties (file >> VI properties) so if you have inherited this code, it may have been set to display over all other windows. This VI properties help file may be of use for this.

I look forward to hearing your response and hopefully we can find a solution to this soon!

Kind regards,

[Michael_78]

Tori,

I am now seeing a situation where any window can become stuck at topmost, including windows explorer and internet explorer.  However, this only ever happens when LabVIEW is open.  This happens to 3 employees running labview.  Other people within our organisation using the same machine with identical OS build see no problems.  I can force a 'stuck' window to behave normally by using the SetWindowPos function in user32.dll.

I plan to re build my machine and try to identify which driver/ software is conflicting, as i guess there must be some conflict with this hardware/ os and LabVIEW.  I will post back with the outcome.

Thanks,

Michael.

[Tori.M]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the reply. I look forward to hearing the outcome as I've not heard of this issue occurring before. To clarify, do the Windows Explorer or the Internet Explorer get called by your LabVIEW VI? And is it with a particular VI being open or with LabVIEW being open in general? (Even just the splash screen?)

I'll keep investigating through our resources to see if I can find any instances of this happening to anyone else.

Kind regards,

[Michael_78]

Tori,

The external apps are not being called by LabVIEW, and this can happen with just the getting started window open.  I am sure it is a Windows' problem but it only occours in conjunction with LabVIEW.

My machine is now being re-formatted, so I will see if the problem still exists later today.

Thanks,

Michael.

[Michael_78 · Accepted solution]

Tori,
I can confirm this issue can be resolved by removing the Dell Premier Colour utility which installs with the dell driver set on Premier Colour compatible hardware. The window issue only occurs when LabVIEW is running so there is some kind of conflict. Anyway, problem solved for me.