Unable to Switch to File Manager After Formatting Disk in Back

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q90917
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

After you finish formatting a disk in the background of the Error Selecting Drive dialog box, File Manager does not appear in the Task List. Also, File Manager does not appear if you press ALT+TAB.

MORE INFORMATION

When you change drives or refresh the drive window, File Manager searches the current drive to display its contents. If File Manager detects an unformatted or unrecognizable disk, it displays the Error Selecting Drive dialog box and prompts you to format the disk.

If you choose the Yes button in response to this prompt, the File Manager Format Disk dialog box is displayed and you can format the disk. If you format the disk with File Manager in the background, when the format is completed, you cannot switch back to File Manager from the Task List, and File Manager does not appear if you press ALT+TAB to switch to an application.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following techniques:

  • Minimize all application windows except File Manager. This makes File Manager the active window by default.
  • If visible, click the File Manager window.
  • If the File Manager is not visible, press ALT+ESC to display its window at the front of the desktop and click the window.
  • Run File Manager from the Program Manager (double-click the File Manager icon).

Note: You can run only one instance of File Manager at a time.

KBCategory: kbtool kbdisplay kbprb
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.10

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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