Problem in-game with alt-tabbing out...

S

Stunedgoat

New Member
So here's the scenario:

When I'm just browsing the web, working with word, after affects etc. I haven't had a single problem what so ever.

But when I'm in-game the computer does some sort of alt-tabbing to the desktop but with the game still running in the backround and responding to inputs (can even hear the sounds) I can alt-tab to other windows like spotify, facebook etc. but if I try to alt-tab into the game again it just displays the desktop but with the game highlighted in the taskbar (still responding to inputs)

Would like to add that this isn't something that happens everytime and not regularly and it's random like SH*T because sometimes the game just plays nicely like normal. Have tried to close all other tabs and programs but, again, this is very random. If I close and start up the game again it seems to work properly but I'm not so sure... I'm getting very annoyed to start up a game twice to play it.

Any ideas? Thinking about direct X problem but dxdiag shows no error or problems...

Comp specs:
CPU: I5 4690k OC 4.55 GHz (stable of course)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3
GPU: Gigabyte Gaming G1 970 OC +140 MHz core +200 MHz memory
SSD: Kingston SSDNow V300 120GB (Win 8.1 Pro)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda® 1TB (Games)
 
This happened to me a few times. In the games you are having this issue with, are you running the same resolution as your desktop?
 
Yes, running native resulotion 1920x1080

I wonder if there some sort of software that's missing or isn't installed correctly... I highly doubt it's a hardware problem anyway
 
From what you said it sounds like you have other crap running at the same time as the game. Don't do this. It's fine if it's related to the game, but for the most part I would shut down anything that is not game related. This may not be a cure, but perhaps it's a memory leak or something. I despise Origin for this reason because in BF3 you have to launch the game with a browser.

What game is this? There might be others having the same issue and there could be a patch or fix.

Try not overclocking the GPU and see if the issue persists.
 
I've actually tried with no other crap in the background as well but the problem still persists. It's actually every game I own... so it can't be a "game problem" but more likely something like a driver issue or a bad directx install, or something similar (don't know what I've missed)

I will try with no OC on the GPU but in benchmarks it's fine with no thermal-throttling at all or artifacts...

When games actually do work there's no sign of the problem what so ever.

I'm so confused why this happens at all + It's random! I can't replicate it with other programs open... Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't :confused:

Again: normal things except games like browsing, spotify, word etc works flawless!
 
Reflashing my 970

You think a reflash of the bios in my 970 can fix it?
Or can a faulty or wrong bios mess it up(at random)?
 
If you have RivaTuner change the Application detection level" to "None." If you have a WIFI adapter it could be the application. Firewall or anti-virus or other things running in Task Manager. Basically there may be processes or services that are fighting each other. If it's a specific game then editing an .ini file might fix the issue.

Someone on Steam mentions this:

Hey guys, I started getting the same problem when i installed Red Orchestra 2 and it also happened to my Mass Effect game(from Origin). Haven't noticed it with anything else yet. Anyway long story short i think I may have a work around that might help. it works for me every time.
1) Launch the game as you would normally do.
2) When the game gets minimized, click it at the bottom and try to maximize it. If your problem is anything like mine a black screen will appear for a short while and get minimized again.
3) Now, when the black screen appears, start clicking your left mouse button repeatedly and rapidly, and your game should instantly load and stay maximized and in full screen. You will now be able to play the game without any trouble.

This is just a workaround I still haven't found the source of the problem, but its good enough for me for the time being. I hope it helps the erst of you if you are still experiencing the problem.

ALSO: This process will have to be repeated every time you launch the game, however after it is launched you can minimize it, or alt - tab it or whatever and come back to it without a any problems. The problem only occurs at the launch of the game.
Let me know if this helps or if anyone finds the actual cause of the problem.
Click to expand...
This program might help to free up applications. I have never used it. http://www.iobit.com/gameassistant.php

If these are Steam games try to disable steam community.

Some have said this might be a fix. Go to Start | type in: "how to report problems" and chose never.
 
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But he gets a black screen and I don't.

When you alt-tab to desktop you can see the outline of the application. When I try to alt-tab into the game after the sudden alt-tab problem I get, I can actually see the outline of the application go back into place like normal but it doesn't show the game itself. The only thing I can see is the desktop (which isn't responding, have to alt-tab again to desktop to get it to work)

Will try this though but don't think it's the same problem, even with the similarities.

Iobit I'm familiar with so will try that to.:good:
 
Stunedgoat said:
But he gets a black screen and I don't.

When you alt-tab to desktop you can see the outline of the application. When I try to alt-tab into the game after the sudden alt-tab problem I get, I can actually see the outline of the application go back into place like normal but it doesn't show the game itself. The only thing I can see is the desktop (which isn't responding, have to alt-tab again to desktop to get it to work)

Will try this though but don't think it's the same problem, even with the similarities.

Iobit I'm familiar with so will try that to.:good:
Click to expand...

GTA IV besides being a resource hog, won't allow me to alt-tab back in if I do so in-game. If I alt-tab while at a pause menue or something, it'll work about 50% of the time but struggles to load the screen.
 
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