Games minimizing to Desktop

[Proc]

This started a while back, i switch on pc and when everythings loaded i try running a game. It flashes up for about a second then minimizes to desktop, the sounds still runs but it just minimizes again if i try clicking on it. I've also noticed if i run dxdiag and run the direct3d test, it starts then stops saying a key has been pressed. No game or 3d program like 3dmark will run.

So from that i think its a DX issue or gfx drivers, but i've tried loads of different driver version to no avail. Games work for a few days, weeks after a driver install but the problem comes back. Reinstalled DX and still happens, i'm all out of ideas so wondering if anyone of you guys have clue.

My card is a 8800gts 320mb, running on the 163.71 drivers. And the latest DX9c.

 

[dan^uk]

Close down every single application you can before you running the game (including Anti virus).

 

[Greebo]

Well this problem has been around for years and for different reasons for different users.

Sometimes it has been down to wireless keyboard/mice. If you have one, try borrowing a plug in keyboard and mouse and see if that fixes it. If so job sorted.

Other than that, folding programs like "Folding for a Cure", the F@H Graphical Client have caused it and uninstalling them cures it.

Other times it can be Norton Security and some other dodgy programs etc.

Therefore if not the keyboard problem or folding program I would disable your programs running, one at a time, until you find the culprit.

Once found there might be a bug fix on the developers website. If not you will just have to live without that program.

Hope that helps

 

[joedeath332]

!st up i would try a diff keybaord ,, specially due to the fact that u said "I've also noticed if i run dxdiag and run the direct3d test, it starts then stops saying a key has been pressed"

Also have u tried a new instalation of the operation system

 

[JIMA]

Hi,

I had a problem like this a couple of months ago. Apps started to do things like minimize themselves sometimes. Most times things were OK, just occasionally they weren't so I put it down to Windows.

It turned out to be due to a dodgy memory chip (I was running with 2x1gb chips at the time). Running memtest on it produced errors. The faulty memory must have been causing bad disk writes as over time my system got worse until it collapsed altogether.

It might be worth checking your memory with memtest or something similar.

Jim

 

[Teaf]

Software will also do this, noteably Zonealarm when it tries to update itself.