alt+tab problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter chance
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chance

Hi,
It's a new pc with win XP pro, all service packs and updates installed.
Running on P4 3.0Ghz, 1GB ddr, ATI Radeon 9600 pro 8x with 256MB DDR.
Whenever I run full screen games and try to switch to another app by hitting
alt+tab or windows key, it switches to another app and minimizes the game,
but then i can't maximize the game by clicking on it anymore. Also, in task
manager, the game's process shows no cpu consumption. I can't right click on
it in the taskbar and close it. I have to manually kill the process. I have
tried running the games in different resolutions and different frquencies to
no avail. This happens with all full screen games, however there is no
problem with apps or games that have the minimize/restore/close buttons. All
these games work fine on my other pcs.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Chance
 
Hi,
It's a new pc with win XP pro, all service packs and updates installed.
Running on P4 3.0Ghz, 1GB ddr, ATI Radeon 9600 pro 8x with 256MB DDR.
Whenever I run full screen games and try to switch to another app by hitting
alt+tab or windows key, it switches to another app and minimizes the game,
but then i can't maximize the game by clicking on it anymore. Also, in task
manager, the game's process shows no cpu consumption. I can't right click on
it in the taskbar and close it. I have to manually kill the process. I have
tried running the games in different resolutions and different frquencies to
no avail. This happens with all full screen games, however there is no
problem with apps or games that have the minimize/restore/close buttons. All
these games work fine on my other pcs.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Chance
Click to expand...

What happens if you Alt+Tab back to the game? If still no game, what if you
press the shortcut for fullscreen? May want to check the game's help file
to check what kind of keyboard shortcuts for display are provided.
 
I've seen thiis where one has to press enter after clicking the TB button. Or something like that.
 
I've seen it too, usually with games but sometimes with other applications
and it doesn't always require Alt+Tab to make it happen. Nonetheless,
depending upon the action, some games don't think the screen is actually
minimized, hence, when you hit the maximize button, nothing happens. Often,
as Sharon suggests, you have to Alt+Tab back to that app or you might try
David's suggestion as well. It may vary because application controls can
differ and change the way they react to various actions. In other words,
the response may not be the same in all applications.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

I've seen thiis where one has to press enter after clicking the TB button.
Or something like that.
 
Thank you all for your suggestions, but alt+tab back to the game does the
same thing. Hitting enter after tab as David suggested doesn't do anything.
The problem is also not game specific. So far I have tried about 12 games,
like warcraft 3, tomb raider: angel of darkness, postal 2, grand theft auto:
vice city, ... Also, as I mentioned, these games work fine on other pcs and
do switch back and forth. When I try to switch back to the game, either by
alt+tab or clicking on it on this pc, it tries to maximize the game, shows
me flickering black screen and comes back to the desktop with the game
minimized in the task bar. I don't know where exactly my problem lies, i.e.,
some xp service pack, other software, graphics card...

Thanks,
Chance

Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User) said:
I've seen it too, usually with games but sometimes with other applications
and it doesn't always require Alt+Tab to make it happen. Nonetheless,
depending upon the action, some games don't think the screen is actually
minimized, hence, when you hit the maximize button, nothing happens. Often,
as Sharon suggests, you have to Alt+Tab back to that app or you might try
David's suggestion as well. It may vary because application controls can
differ and change the way they react to various actions. In other words,
the response may not be the same in all applications.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

I've seen thiis where one has to press enter after clicking the TB button.
Or something like that.
Click to expand...
 
Try changing video drivers and disable any mouse or keyboard software (if possible eg type32 and point32)

--
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.g2mil.com/Dec2003.htm
chance said:
Thank you all for your suggestions, but alt+tab back to the game does the
same thing. Hitting enter after tab as David suggested doesn't do anything.
The problem is also not game specific. So far I have tried about 12 games,
like warcraft 3, tomb raider: angel of darkness, postal 2, grand theft auto:
vice city, ... Also, as I mentioned, these games work fine on other pcs and
do switch back and forth. When I try to switch back to the game, either by
alt+tab or clicking on it on this pc, it tries to maximize the game, shows
me flickering black screen and comes back to the desktop with the game
minimized in the task bar. I don't know where exactly my problem lies, i.e.,
some xp service pack, other software, graphics card...

Thanks,
Chance
Click to expand...
 
Bingo! I have a wireless keyboard and mouse. I disabled their software for
multimedia features and i can switch between the game and other apps just
fine now. Once again, thank you all for your help.

Happy holidays,
Chandrak

Try changing video drivers and disable any mouse or keyboard software (if
possible eg type32 and point32)
 
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