Minimized DCS... then can't return

[franticSquirrl]

Hey guys

 

So yeah, 70% of the times I minimize DCSW, I can't switch back to the window. I've tried alt+tab, just clicking on the taskbar icon, using "switch to" in task manager -- pretty much all ways I can think of, but no joy. The game usually stays hidden and task manager reports the application as "not responding". The other 30% of times, I can easily switch back to DCS and... :pilotfly:

 

Please give a shout if you have/have had the same issue - or if you know of anything that could help.

 

(I'm running the Steam version of DCSW (latest version, yes) on Windows 7 x64. Issues are for the A-10C, BS2 and the UH-1H modules (I don't own any others).)

[Vedexent]

I often have the opposite issue - I launch DCSW, and then I can't access other windows, unless I cntrl-alt-del to call up a task manager to force the status bar up. This usually - but not always - allows me to access other windows.

 

I think it's safe to say the windowing behavior in DSCW has "character".

[Vedexent]

OK - as an addendum, I'm able to replicate the OP issue.

 

I upped my graphics settings, set DSCW to full screen (hadn't realized it was in windowed mode because it was also set to the full screen resolution) and enabled vsync.

 

I've now gone from not being able to switch away some of the time (under windowed) to not being able to switch to some of the time (under full screen).

 

Either way, there's a problem here. Doubly so as I'm using this system as a personal computer, while keeping a DCSW "server" running on it 24/7 right now. So far as I can tell it's still running, but I can't use it :p

 

System: Windows 7, i5, 8Gb RAM, Gigabyte Nvidia Geoforce GTX 670 card

 

Edit: It also doesn't seem to matter if I invoke multiplayer from the single player menu, or directly start multiplayer.

 

Edit: Of the two "issues", the one that seems to be the least disruptive is windowed mode, full screen resolution, vsync on. There are times when I can't get out of DCSW without shutting down the program, but this seems to happen much less than the OP issue under full screen.

Edited November 13, 2013 by Vedexent

[ENO]

I suspect a part of it will matter if you are running full screen or windowed mode. Also, if I'm tabbing out I will take it off cockpit view because I know in the past tabbing out while the game keeps trying to keep track of TIR5 caused problems.

[Vedexent]

Yes it does - and I'll have to pay attention to the track IR issue as well.

 

I know that if I'm just leaving the "server" running, going to spectator mode, and then going off to do something else, it seems to be less likely to "lock" if I F10 to the map view in the background of the server screen before alt-tabbing out; that could be related to TrackIR.

[franticSquirrl]

Hmm, I'm using FaceTrackNoIR - I'll check if anything changes with it disabled (it usually doesn't bug out like TIR, but sometimes the 'center' will be at a random, odd place - like way back by the radio stack, or looking upwards - then I have to manually find a good position and define it as the new center).

 

Will also try with different graphics settings.

 

Edit: Okay so FTnoIR is no factor - can be either on or off. However, disabling fullscreen seems to be the golden ticket: now I can swtich out of and back to DCS without hassles.

 

Looking at your post though, Vedexent, I'm not sure if my PC behaves the same way. Alt-tabbing instantly shows me both my taskbar and whatever window was open before starting DCS. The sim doesn't actually minimize and hide itself - it keeps running in the background (unless I actually pause it) with the taskbar and other window(s) sitting on top of it. Alt-ctrl-del also works for me, but alt-tabbing is fine. Maybe try hitting winkey-D right after alt-tab to show the desktop? You might have to take the focus off of the DCS window first by clicking on the taskbar or another window - otherwise you direct your flight to engage air defences. :/

 

Also not an issue, but usually Windows switches between windowed and fullscreen of a game when you hit alt-enter - but this has no effect on DCS (maybe unless you select a smaller resolution though).

 

Edit 2: Hmm, spoke too soon. Sometimes, I can only see the taskbar, any other windows seem to remain behind DCS - even if they have focus. Will post if I find a fix.

 

Like you said, DCSW really does have character when it comes to minimizing!

Edited November 13, 2013 by franticSquirrl

[Vedexent]

Just one more data point on the "I can't leave DCS" front: on multiplayer it seems to matter whether or not the server is paused.

 

Paused = can switch to browser window; Running = sometimes can't switch.