Hi, ever since i updated to service pack 2 i'm not able to alt tab or minimize using the windows key in games that i was normally able to do so in. I've installed XP many times on this computer and i think my key is on it's last activation, and my SP2 update dates too far back to perform a system restore. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions to try, CTRL alt delete works but my computer restarts on map change or closing the application after i do that. I've scanned for viruses with multiple virus scans such as panda and trend micro and nothing has come up. Thanks for all replies / suggestions.
I think it depends on the game. Some games support Alt+Tab while others don't. Half-Life 2 claims it can support Alt+Tab but it only works for me half the time *roll eyes*.
it was working in all the games i own except for quake 3 (which doesnt allow minimizing) before i installed sp2 games such as painkiller, half life , half life 2 no longer allow me to minimize unless i ctrl+alt+delete =[
Have a look here www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm Edit: lol well there is a shocker a link that the forum don't like.
and have a look at this reg key : HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop Name: Coolswitch Type: REG_SZ Value: 1 enable switching Value: 0 disable switching A reboot in necessary for the settings to take effect, But it doesn't work all the times !!
coolswitch was already set to 1 , i downloaded the program but i can't really find what i'm supposed to do, or is all that it would do is change coolswitch to 1?
Is it just the Alt+Tab key that is not working, OR is all hotkeys not working ? Does the Alt+Tab work normally (I mean when u are not playing games) ?
Yeah alt tab, and the windows key work in windows, just not in any games. ctrl alt delete is my only alternative that works but for some reason if i do that my computer restarts when i either a.) close the game i minimize in b.) the map changes in the game i minimize in =[
then I think Alt+Tab is being disabled by the games. It seems starnge that the PC restarts only when there is a change in map or u end-task the game, it may be a memory issue, try increasing your ram, test your memory with memtest. Also try sme other shortcuts like Ctrl+Shift+Esc, Ctrl+Esc, etc
What about Windows logo key(Start)+D = Show the desktop Windows logo key(Start)+M = Minimize all windows Try running the game(s) in window mode and see if it get's easier to minimize. If not there may be other reasons such as Keyboard drivers. The game(s) have bind functions to Tab, Alt etc. etc. try unbinding the keys. And just to make you feel really dumb i will now talk to you as if you were stupid...oh don't be alarmed it's normal procedure. Alt+Tab instructions Remember to press down the Alt key and keep it pressed until you have pressed the Tab key and released it. Then release the Alt key.
not one game that i own will let me minimize, and i am holding alt+tab or hitting the windows key, i tried the windows+d/m no luck with those either. all the games i'm trying these in also i was able to minimize in before, such as quake3,painkiller, half life, half life 2, and many more non popular games :[ edit * after re checking drivers, i discovered that my old logitech drivers never actually uninstalled when i attempted to uninstall them. i re-tried through safe mode and everytime i reboot windows automatically installs the logitech drivers ( i don't own a logitech keyboard anymore ) how would i go about preventing this without access to drivers for my current keyboard (not a brand keyboard) :[ ?
Try installing the right driver "on top" off the logitech as a upgrade (i.e. don't uninstall the old driver first). That should mean XP's Plug and play wont install a driver when you reboot. However drivers left on the system can be removed but are sometimes hard to find. Here is one for MouseWare should give you a idea of the placement of the files and reg. entries. Manually Uninstalling Logitech® MouseWare® from Windows® 2000 and Windows® XP http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?p...&showalldocuments=0&countryid=19&languageid=1 Booting clean http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/logitech_en_amr.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=228 Pretty sure drivercleaner won't work with logitech drivers http://www.drivercleaner.net/
Try installing Taskswitch from the Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx Taskswitch http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/TaskswitchPowertoySetup.exe