AH Minimises

[The Fugitive]

When it drops you to the desk top, hit and check the processes that are running. Either Google each program that is running, or check them at a site like this one to see what each of them do. I'm sure you'll find one that is either a "malware", or one that sends or recieves info thru your internet connection reguraly. Disable it, or remove it and you should be ok.

[rauchen]

I'm using Webroot Spy Sweeper to keep the malware off my machine - it does pretty well, so I doubt that spyware is getting me.  I shut down Webroot & I managed to play for about 30 minutes without a problem so that may be it.

I am not using Instant Messaging or anything like that.

I've hit ctrl+alt+del and looked at the Task Manager & checked out the applications (AH only thing there) and the Processes Tab.  There's boatloads of stuff in processes, but everything is at 0% and occaisionally the virus checker & webroot spyware checker bump up to 2 or 3 % of the cpu.

I think I'll google all the processes just to be thorough.

Next I'll launch the Task Manager, sort the processes by CPU usage, then fire up AH. When I flip back to the desktop I can see right away what's at the top of the list and kill it.

I'll post my findings.

[StarOfAfrica2]

It doesnt have to be malware or spyware, those are just the most common causes.  

ANY program running in the background can cause you to dump to the desktop.  All it has to do is ask for attention for a fraction of a second.  Windows Auto Update can cause it.  Anti Virus programs looking for an update can cause it.  So can any other program that automatically looks to the internet for updates.  You should optimally have absolutely ZERO other programs running when you run Aces High, for 3 reasons.

1.  The more programs you have running the more of your system resources are eaten up sustaining those programs.  Less for the game to use.

2.  If any of those programs asks for attention, it will get it, and your open window (Aces High) will minimize.  At best this can cause some scrambling to get the window back up before something bad happens.  It almost never happens at a time thats convenient.

3.  If any of those programs ask for attention like that, chances are they are not only dumping you to the desktop, but using CPU cycles and maybe internet bandwidth to download something.  Aces High is VERY CPU dependent, requiring its total attention.  Dividing that attention can cause the game to lockup when it minimizes.  Also, anything taking up internet bandwidth can interfere with stable communication with the Aces High server and you can lose the connection.  Another good way to lock up the game.  So now your annoying problem with the game minimizing becomes an even more annoying problem of the game crashing and maybe locking up your computer.

So.  If you have anything running while you are gaming, even if it's a legitimate program, I'd strongly suggest you shut it off or you will never be happy with your gaming experience.


*Edit

This most especially goes for anti virus programs.

[rauchen]

Thanks for the details Star.

What concerned me most is that it started recently started and I wanted to know what changed.

As it turns out, by process of elimination, it seems to be the latest version of Webroot Spysweeper wanting more resources than it used to.

I turn it off & then fire up AH and all is well.

I still keep running my Norton AntiVirus - that seems to be ok.

[fuzeman]

From the first Skuzzy sticky post above:
http://www.flyaceshigh.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=71591

"ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAMS

You must shut down any Anti-Virus software you have running in background. If you do not, you could suffer problems, such as, being switched from UDP to TCP, dropped connections, massive lags, and other anomalies.
Even when you think you have the Anti-Virus software shutdown, it can start up again if you update the Anti-Virus database. So always check this.

What Anti-Virus programs do is grab every packet of data coming into your computer from the Internet and they analyze the data in each packet. This, in of itself, could cause problems as it introduces significant delay to the packet getting to the game.
More importantly, a game data packet could accidently look like a virus to the software, in which case, you would lose your connection to the game servers."

[StarEye]

I have closed webroot spy sweeper and now my aces high experience is much better.

[Golfer]

don't hit the windows key

[aenigma]

Anyone who is using WebRoots Spysweeper must turn it off so AH does not minimize on you during flight.

I figured this out after my spysweeper was upgraded and started to not only affect my AH gaming but all the windows on my desktop. Surfing the web, using office, etc. it just stalls everything for a few seconds. Annoying.

Anyhow, turn off spysweeper and you should be fine.

[fuzeman]

Per Skuzzy, all antivirus programs should be turned off while playing Aces High.
 They inspect each and every packet the host sends and will definately have a bad effect on your gaming experience.

[Skuzzy]

You really do not need anti-virus/spyware tools running when playing Aces High II, as long as you do not have your browser and/or email opened.

Our servers are UNIX based, not Windows based.  Your computer will be fine without those programs running and the game (any online game actually) will run better with them off.  Take care though.  If you play another game over the Internet, check to see if the remote server is Windows or UNIX based.  Windows servers can deliver spyware and virus programs to your computer.

[NHawk]

Skuzzy...

Any idea on how to stop the pop-up warning that virus protection is turned off?

I've tried disableing auto-protect on more than one occasion, but that darned pop-up comes up every few seconds.

[Skuzzy]

You talking about the Windows Security warning pop-up?

Disable the security center in the Services list.

[NHawk]

Nope...this one...



I tried unchecking the box and disabling windows securitry center.

[Irwink!]

You should be able to go to Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services and kill (for now) any system service that says Symantec this, or Nav that. Also kill anything like that in Task Manager and you kill any running Norton componenents. Restart the computer later and it'll all come back as it was before.

[WPerry1151]

For some reason, whether I'm in flight or the tower/hanger, every few minutes my computer jumps back to the desktop.  I then have to click on the AH bar at the bottom of the desktop, which then after a few seconds will take me back to the game.  This gets very frustrating when it happens in flight, and especially when you have somebody in your sights.  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Wes