Command Tab to Finder doesn't work

Hi All,
I've seen a few other posts with this problem, but the suggested fix didn't work for me. The problem is that after some period of use when using Command-Tab to switch to the Finder the Finder windows do not come to the front. The Finder is definitely the active application because its menu bar is displayed. But the previous application's windows are still displayed. If I Command-Tab to the Finder again (going through all open apps) or click on the Finder's dock icon, then the Finder windows will come to the front. Similarly, if I'm working in some other application and try to switch to the Finder via the Dock, the same problem exists. I have to 're-select' the FInder in order for the open FInder windows to come to the front.
The one suggestion in another thread was to trash the Finder preference file. I did that and it didn't work. After a period of use the problem will return. The only way to fix it is to either force a relaunch of the Finder or reboot the machine.
Unfortunately a side effect of trashing the prefs is that another problem was created - now when I relaunch the Finder it doesn't remember what windows were opened and it only gives me one window with the top level of the computer displayed. Previously when relaunching the Finder it would bring back all of my open windows. So the fix didn't work and it made things worse.
FWIW the Command-Tab problem seems to occur after using Quicktime and/or Safari for a while. I can't be 100% sure that it's related but it really does seem like it.
Anyone have any suggestions for how to fix this?
Thanks,
Chris

One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for action in Safe Mode...
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it is some 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchDaemons

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First, get rid of the worthless, time-wasting "Drive Genius" according to its developer's instructions. Never install any so-called "utility" again.
Don't waste time repairing permissions again, either, unless you have an indication of a permission error involving system files, which you don't and probably never will.
Never delete any file in the shell (Terminal) for any reason.
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Please read this whole message before doing anything.
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Step 1
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
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The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
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