Games Minimize to Task Bar For No Apparent Reason

[Scott]

While playing certian games for no apparent reason they
will minimize to the task bar. Some games I can restore
and continue playing while others will not. It seems that
most of the games that do this are playing off the CD.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kevin Christian [MS]]

The only thing I can think of is keyboard software. What kind of keyboard do
you have, do you have any keyboard software running? If so try disabling it.

 

[Guest]

I have a Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard. Where
would I find out if I have any keyboard software running.
Nothing on the taskbar, looked at the startup under
msconfig but didn't see anything that might apply but
then again not exactly sure what to look for.

-----Original Message-----
The only thing I can think of is keyboard software. What kind of keyboard do
you have, do you have any keyboard software running? If so try disabling it.

--
Kevin Christian [MS]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

While playing certian games for no apparent reason they
will minimize to the task bar. Some games I can restore
and continue playing while others will not. It seems that
most of the games that do this are playing off the CD.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

.

 

[Frenchy]

I have a Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard. Where
would I find out if I have any keyboard software running.
Nothing on the taskbar, looked at the startup under
msconfig but didn't see anything that might apply but
then again not exactly sure what to look for.
so try disabling it.

type32.exe is probably in your Start-up (found under START/RUN/msconfig), that is the
keyboard file


See also this posted to you in MS Public.winxp-helpand support

Make sure U are not accidentally hitting the WIN Key on the keyboard during frantic game
play!

U can grab a freebie program called "I Hate That Key" to disable the Win key (the key with
flying windows logo on it)

Make sure the video adaptor card has latest drivers as well as your Motherboard.

Check that nothing is trying to access the internet (spyware) or something else is
"running", as most high end games need almost everything turned off. Check your Scheduled
events to make sure Disk Defrag or Virus scan is not starting, as that will cause anything
running full screen (like a game) to minimise.

Next time it happens, do a CTRL-ALT-DEL and check what is "running" under the Applications
Tab

Frenchy

 

[Chris H.]

I think that's not the issue. I run the same keyboard here, with the
software installed, and don't see the problem you're reporting. Are you
running SP1 and DirectX 9.0b? If not the latter, you can check it out here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;drx&Product=gms
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -

I have a Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard. Where
would I find out if I have any keyboard software running.
Nothing on the taskbar, looked at the startup under
msconfig but didn't see anything that might apply but
then again not exactly sure what to look for.

-----Original Message-----
The only thing I can think of is keyboard software. What kind of keyboard do
you have, do you have any keyboard software running? If so try disabling it.

--
Kevin Christian [MS]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

While playing certian games for no apparent reason they
will minimize to the task bar. Some games I can restore
and continue playing while others will not. It seems that
most of the games that do this are playing off the CD.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

.

 

[Guest]

The jury is still out, but it seems that if I disable Norton Anti-Virus before playing a game, then I do not see the minimization problem. I'll continue to track it.

 

[Jimmy S.]

That seems reasonable. No need to analyse packets
during gameplay anyways, it's a waste of resources. Run
a complete scan before you play and then turn it off.

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com


Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| The jury is still out, but it seems that if I disable Norton Anti-Virus before playing a game, then I do not see the minimization
problem. I'll continue to track it.

 

[Guest]

Thanks!! I was having this same problem with every game I played. I disabled Norton and the minimizing stopped. It's a real pain to deal with this issue, will there be a patch or something from Microsoft to correct this issue? Others are having this problem too, just type in 'XP minimizes games' in Google. Thanks a lot for the Norton fix!

 

[Neil Dela Osa [MS]]

Hmm... that would sound like an app focus issue with Norton. They should
stop grabbing focus away from the active application.

--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights.
Please do not send email directly to my alias. This alias is for newsgroup
posting only.

Thanks!! I was having this same problem with every game I played. I

disabled Norton and the minimizing stopped. It's a real pain to deal with
this issue, will there be a patch or something from Microsoft to correct
this issue? Others are having this problem too, just type in 'XP minimizes
games' in Google. Thanks a lot for the Norton fix!

 

[Chris H.]

Are you running Norton in the background, or have you uninstalled it to
check. When you "exit" from the Norton icon in the Systray, the program
continues to run underneath without the users knowing. It is only exiting
the icon, and not the program itself. Any themes on your system? Those can
cause errors, too, but can be overcome by right-clicking the link you use to
launch the games, selecting Properties and then going to the Compatibility
tab. On that screen, you can Disable visual themes in the Display settings
area. This is only for the specific game, and not your system in general.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -

Norton Anti-Virus was not causing the problem. Games still minimize to

taskbar. Call of Duty freezes at random times also. I just bought a new
computer and this is happining. My old computer NEVER did this. The new
computer is a HP Pavillion Media Center PC (m380n)/w Pentium 4 3.00GHz
Processor, 512 MB RAM, GeForce FX 5200 128MB. Have upgraded computer with
all Microsoft critical updates, GeForce driver update, motherboard chipset
update, etc. MICROSOFT NEEDS A UPDATE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. If anyone knows
what is REALLY causing this, I would love to know. Thanks.

 

[Guest]

I have not completely uninstalled Norton, just checked "Disable Auto-Protect" in the system tray.This puts a red "X" through the Norton icon
I'm not using any themes
Guess I could try uninstalling Norton like you said, see if that helps
Thanks for the reply.

 

[Guest]

Have also tried Symantec's suggestions to no avail
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR..._contact_select_vendor.html&src=oem&pcode=nav

 

[Guest]

Well, uninstalling Norton Anti-Virus stopped the minimizing. I tried uninstalling and re-installing several times over long periods, playing different games both ways. Had the trouble when it was installed, but never when it wasn't.
This seems strange to me, though, because I NEVER had this problem with my older computer, only with the one I have now. I installed the same Norton on both.
My new computer ( which I purchased about a month ago) is a HP Media Center PC M380n, Intel 4 3.00GHz, 512MB DDR SDRAM W/ nVidia GeForce FX 5200 128MB card. My older pc is a HP Pavilion XL866, AMD Athlon 1.1 GHz, 512MB SDRAM W/ nVidia GeForce Ti 4200 128MB card.
Could this have something to do with BackWeb Lite being on my newest computer? Just a thought. Thanks.

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Blargg,

It could have something to do with that component. However the only
way to really be sure, is to remove the component and see if you can
continue to play games without that minimization issue. If that works,
then reinstall Norton's. If that works, then reinstall the component and
see if that "breaks" it. Good luck with the troubleshooting.

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com


Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| Well, uninstalling Norton Anti-Virus stopped the minimizing. I tried uninstalling and re-installing several times over long
periods, playing different games both ways. Had the trouble when it was installed, but never when it wasn't.
| This seems strange to me, though, because I NEVER had this problem with my older computer, only with the one I have now. I
installed the same Norton on both.
| My new computer ( which I purchased about a month ago) is a HP Media Center PC M380n, Intel 4 3.00GHz, 512MB DDR SDRAM W/ nVidia
GeForce FX 5200 128MB card. My older pc is a HP Pavilion XL866, AMD Athlon 1.1 GHz, 512MB SDRAM W/ nVidia GeForce Ti 4200 128MB
card.
| Could this have something to do with BackWeb Lite being on my newest computer? Just a thought. Thanks.
|

 

[Frenchy]

If Norton's was trying to do an Auto-update or otherwise contact the
web or start a scan, that (or any other program that auto-activates)
will cause some games to minimise

Frenchy

Hi Blargg,

It could have something to do with that component. However the only
way to really be sure, is to remove the component and see if you can
continue to play games without that minimization issue. If that works,
then reinstall Norton's. If that works, then reinstall the component and
see if that "breaks" it. Good luck with the troubleshooting.

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com


Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| Well, uninstalling Norton Anti-Virus stopped the minimizing. I

tried uninstalling and re-installing several times over long

periods, playing different games both ways. Had the trouble when it

was installed, but never when it wasn't.

| This seems strange to me, though, because I NEVER had this problem

with my older computer, only with the one I have now. I

installed the same Norton on both.
| My new computer ( which I purchased about a month ago) is a HP

Media Center PC M380n, Intel 4 3.00GHz, 512MB DDR SDRAM W/ nVidia

GeForce FX 5200 128MB card. My older pc is a HP Pavilion XL866, AMD

Athlon 1.1 GHz, 512MB SDRAM W/ nVidia GeForce Ti 4200 128MB

card.
| Could this have something to do with BackWeb Lite being on my

newest computer? Just a thought. Thanks.

 

[Guest]

I just went to the Norton Anti-virus options, and turned off the Liveupdate auto update option. It worked like a charm for me. I also have an HP m380n =)

 

[Jimmy S.]

Thanks for sharing that. Norton's has been known to
cause that issue for others before. Glad it worked!

Cheers,
Jimmy.

|I just went to the Norton Anti-virus options, and turned off the Liveupdate auto update option. It worked like a charm for me. I
also have an HP m380n =)