Taskbar problem with Windows XP after Service Pack 3

Factual Questions
1

So our work computers were updated this morning with Service Pack 3 and I’m having a strange problem I can’t find addressed anywhere.

I can’t switch between programs using the taskbar. Let’s say I have Outlook and Firefox open, and Outlook is active. Normally if I click on the Firefox button on the taskbar, it will switch to Firefox. But today, when I click the Firefox button, it indents and flashes black (the way it would if Firefox was “not responding” when I tried to switch to it) and Outlook remains open, but inactive. When I click the Outlook button again, it also begins flashing (so both buttons are flashing, and Outlook is open, but neither is active).

I can switch between them using Alt+Tab - this is the only way I can reactivate any windows after I’ve clicked on one of the taskbar buttons - and can probably survive that way as long as necessary. But it’s still really annoying.

Also, if I right-click on a taskbar button, it flashes and no menu comes up.

Any ideas?

2

Odd. I installed SP3 last night and after a reboot it was fine. Remote connection to the computer at work is without problem. (After we turned it on, of course.) I had to reboot before it would work right though.

(I’m using XP in a virtual machine under Fusion on a Mac, but that shouldn’t make a difference. Fusion and the Apple hardware drivers have apparently been updated for SP3.)

3

I’m the only person in my office (we all got the update) experiencing this problem, and I haven’t seen anything in any support forums either.

I have a strange computer. It appears to be haunted, and often provides unique challenges for the tech guys. I thought I’d give you guys a shot before I call in the hired guns.

It’s nice to feel special and all, but it does get a bit frustrating.

4

There’s a Pit thread about it, I think.