Full screen game loses focus - minimizes automatically.

[Guest]

Hi.

I posted this in the Games forum also, but it's a problem I'd like to fix
sooner rather than later..

I'm playing Colin McRae Rally 2 on my XP laptop, it plays in full screen
mode but every couple of minutes or so it resizes down. It's very annoying as
it stops the game everytime it happens.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/willlloyd/errorcmr2.jpg

That's a link to a picture of the frozen game. I have done Spyware checks,
closed all applications but I don't know what else I can do to fix.

Please help me!

Thanks,
Will

 

[Elmo]

Hi.

I posted this in the Games forum also, but it's a problem I'd like to fix
sooner rather than later..

I'm playing Colin McRae Rally 2 on my XP laptop, it plays in full screen
mode but every couple of minutes or so it resizes down. It's very annoying as
it stops the game every time it happens.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/willlloyd/errorcmr2.jpg

That's a link to a picture of the frozen game. I have done Spyware checks,
closed all applications but I don't know what else I can do to fix.

Please help me!

Thanks,
Will

The graphics card is the problem. Run DXDiag and see if it complains of
uncertified drivers; try lowering graphics hardware acceleration, etc..
Also look at the computer manufacturer site and the graphics card
manufacturer site for different drivers. Try upgrades, reference
drivers, and drivers for other model cards till you find one that works.
Do a search at http://groups.google.com entering the game and graphics
card model for more suggestions.

Look for drivers and utilities at these sites:

http://www.guru3d.com/
http://www.reactorcritical.com/download.shtml
http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=3&faq=7&Search=
http://www.voodoofiles.com/
http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html

See if there's a BIOS upgrade for your system. Look at the
manufacturer's site, Compaq, PB, etc., and also at the motherboard
manufacturer's site.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, I thought this is very weird though, all that is needed to run the
game is 32mb, it's a 7 year old game, and my graphics card is 128mb. And it
usually works fine but it's been playing up last couple of days. But I will
have a look. Thanks again.

 

[Guest]

Ok, I had a look didn't seem to be any problems unless you can find something
in this bit :-

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2592&SUBSYS_01C91028&REV_03
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (61Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4410 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/14/2005 22:06:58, 36990 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 10/14/2005 22:15:18, 1302812 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-66D2-11CF-A262-C321A2C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2592
SubSys ID: 0x01C91028
Revision ID: 0x0003
Revision ID: 0x0003
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

 

[dobey]

Ok, I had a look didn't seem to be any problems unless you can find
something
in this bit :-

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2592&SUBSYS_01C91028&REV_03
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (61Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4410 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/14/2005 22:06:58, 36990 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 10/14/2005 22:15:18, 1302812 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-66D2-11CF-A262-C321A2C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2592
SubSys ID: 0x01C91028
Revision ID: 0x0003
Revision ID: 0x0003
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

You need to run the D3Dx tests, since you have a problem with a program
using D3D, or does it use OGL?

Also, just to be pedantic ;-) "minimize" means to shrink to the task bar,
and not appear onscreen. Your game is resizing.

"Lose focus" means the program/window you were working with no longer
recieves input, and some other program or window is active. You don't say if
this is happening also, but as an example, sometimes programs like MSN
messenger can force a game to minimize and steal the focus to alert you
about and incoming messages.

Have you tried the game publishers website for support.
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