Aces High Bulletin Board
Help and Support Forums => Technical Support => Topic started by: Martyn on February 11, 2006, 06:02:57 AM
-
I don't know why this happens, but every now and then AH just minimises.
Anyone got any ideas?
-
Is something running in the background? It sounds like it...
Or (as silly as it sounds) I removed the windows key from my keyboard as I was minimizing AH with it.
-
I reckon it is something in the background - I've got 2 screens and I ran Task Manager in the right hand side to see if it 'popped' up while I was in AH. Problem is there's so many necessary services I can't tell which is the culprit.
However, a background process shouldn't take the Focus from an active window, and then disappear should it?
-
In my experience you have either a virus or spyware causing the game to minimize.
Does it just minimize to the desktop or does it fire up IE or another program?
-
Nothing else happens - it just minimises AH
-
Are you using your joystick and keyboard when this happens or does it happen hands off to?
I know I have a weird problem when I use my joystick and keyboard at the same time. It gets 1/2 the full command and gets wacky or something like that I assume. When I hit ESCape it doesn't bring up the clipboard I goto the desktop. I've found if I get back into the game and then look down and bring up the clipboard using a mouse click it clears the problem. I think this is related to my CH keymapping though.
-
It happens spontaneously - even when I'm not using a joystick. It's not just AH that's affected - Outlook will suddenly lose the focus too.
But it happens irregularly - sometimes going for a couple hours then suddenly (like when I'm being chased by an F4U!) it minimises me.:furious
-
Run a spyware/malware check. This definitly sounds like a virus that puts its own process in the foreground (ie minimizing all other running programs).
-
It is definately spyware, malware, or a virus causing this behavior. Most anti-virus programs are not very good at catching spyware/malware applications.
-
I get AH minimizing when ever Outlook sends/recieves if theres an error in one of those send/recieve connections.
-
Thanks everyone for your help - I'll check this out.
-
I'll be taking off the base after scoring a few kills, and rearming on the pad and then randomly aces high minimizes and i am left staring at my desktop. I try to reopen the game, but by the time it pops up my pilot has a mouth full of fresh sod. I have tried setting AH2 as 'above normal'' priority, and I have defragmented and swept my computer of spyware, but this still happens. I have lowered my resolution from 512 to 256 and I still have this problem. I am pretty certain it doesn't have anything to do with my CH pedals or my saitek x52, as it can happen when AH is just sitting.
Anyone ever run into this , and how can I fix it?
thanks
-
Usually this is caused by some program running in the background that is registering as "currently open program" (ie running in the foreground) every few minutes. Spyware/Malware can do that. Im not sure, but i think also autoupdating/clocked programs like firewall, AV or such might do the same.
-
I have exactly the same problem!
How do I find out what program is taking the focus from AH? I always wind up on the desktop with nothing active. I even brought up the Task Manager to see if anything was doing more than idling, but it was 98% AH.
I suspect it's the latest version of Webroot Spy Sweeper (5.05 build 1286). I also run Black Ice but it's not complaining about attacks.
I don't have anything on auto-update or any scheduled tasks.
This is making the game almost not worth playing. Oddly enough I don't have the problem with Day of Defeat (Half Life mod).
HEEEEELLLLPPPPP! I need my AH fix.
-Rauchen verboten
-
I have seen this when someone sends me an IM when I am flying. I will sometimes dump to desktop but it is obvious what did it.
Maybe it could be a spyware, AV. Something may be trying look scan the information that is coming in. Disable it and see if you still have the problem.
-
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 (http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm) 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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."
-
I have closed webroot spy sweeper and now my aces high experience is much better.
-
don't hit the windows key :)
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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. :(
-
You talking about the Windows Security warning pop-up?
Disable the security center in the Services list.
-
Nope...this one...
(http://www.brewsterbuffalos.com/warning.JPG)
I tried unchecking the box and disabling windows securitry center.
-
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. :D
-
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
-
Go hunt for spyware/malware on your computer.
Might even be a "regular" program that as a feature running that puts its application into the foreground every few minutes.
-
Firewall messages?
New emails being checked?
Pressing the "windows key" on keyboard by accident?
-
I do have Norton AntiVirus, and Internet Securtiy running in the background. I have SpySweeper, that runs regularly and hasn't found any spy/adware in awhile, so I don't think adware is the problem. Should I disable both Norton AV and Internet Security?
-
You might have to. Its worth a try (the risks of getting "infected" through AH are nil anyway, unless you regularly ALT TAB out of the game surfing pron while playing ;) :D).
The less you have running in the background, the better. And Norton might well be the cuplrit that demands attention every few mins.
-
or the Stupid "Widows update "
Guys running XP as primary os .... they've been tossing out huge updates lately .
-
look at programs running in task mgr, make sure any thing with "sched" in name is disabled. A notorius one for me was "jusched", was a java update scheduler. would cause AH to minimize, was very disturbing when in middle of fight.
-
Disabled both Norton AV and Internet Security, and SpySweeper, not sure which one it was, but that fixed it. Thanks everybody.
-
Originally posted by WPerry1151
Disabled both Norton AV and Internet Security, and SpySweeper, not sure which one it was, but that fixed it. Thanks everybody.
You can disable Norton AV and the SpySweeper but I'd think twice about the Internet Security software. I don't think that's your problem and shutting down the internet security is like leaving all your windows and doors in your house open and going on vacation.
If the internet security software was causing you to be bounced back to the desk top, there would be a reason for it and a message waiting for you to take some action when you arrived at the desk top. It could be a scheduled job such as a java update, but again there is usually a message waiting for you.
one of my squad mates had this same problem and I experienced it for a short period of time. My squad mate did an entire clean sweep and rebuild of all his software. I only chose to use my original OS Windows disk and select the Repair/reinstall option. We both fixed our problems, I only went through the pain for a half/hour or so. My squad mate solution took much longer. good luck
-
SpySweeper is the problem. Something they have done in the latest release is causing this issue.
-
Originally posted by Skuzzy
SpySweeper is the problem. Something they have done in the latest release is causing this issue.
Skuzzy I'm having the same issue as Wes as far as AH getting minimized to the desktop task bar. Yes, I have SpySweeper, which I always shut down before booting Aces High.
When SpySweeper is running it shows in task manager as:
SpySweeperUI.exe
SpySweeper.exe
After shutting down SS only SpySweeper.exe shows in the task mgr window.
Am I correct in assuming I should manually turn of SpySweeper.exe in task manager?
I'd can the SOB but I just ponied up a 2 year subscription to the service :cry
-
Originally posted by Skuzzy
SpySweeper is the problem. Something they have done in the latest release is causing this issue.
I had the same problem and I don't have spySweeper on my system. I never did find out what software caused the probelem. I resolved the issue by reloading the OS using the load/repair option.
SpySweeper may cause a specific probelm that Skuzzy knows of, but it was not causing the problem on my machine because I never installed SpySweeper in the first place.
-
Traveler, the same symptom can be caused by various spyware/malware/virus programs.
-
I’m running Windows XP and use dial-up to connect to AH and was having the same problem with the game minimizing to the task bar five or ten minutes after logging into the game. Turned out that the automatic checking for Updates in Zone Alarm was causing the problem. Other programs may cause the same problem when they look for or complete their updates.
-
In the last month or so, I've had increasing episodes of AH minimizing to desktop. It never happens more than once per boot, and there are no active message windows or programs on the taskbar. I can immediately click on the AH segment of the toolbar to return to the game. There is no instability (except for my poor airplane, which drifts without control inputs while I'm away in windows-land.
Any suggestions on how I can find what program or process is doing this? I have no idea what programs I might have installed or changed around the time of symptom onset, but I dont think there was anything right near the first episode since I would have thought of it at once.
-
I had that problem, this is what I do now.
I make sure AVG doesn't want to be updated by checking for updates(I dont have auto updates enabled but still)
dont have any auto updaters running
run adaware or spybot s&d
I delete all temp internet files
run FS autostart to shut down services
it was weird -it would usually do it on my first flight but would be fine after that.
-
Pop the windows keys off of your keyboard.
Worked wonders for me :)
-
Originally posted by Golfer
Pop the windows keys off of your keyboard.
Worked wonders for me :)
:lol lmao yes i hate windows button. I do belive he has a program trying to update.:aok
-
I downloaded the FSautostart, figuring that I'd finally get that utility into my bag of tricks. But, the help file refers back to the authors homepage, and that homepage was redirected to a nonexisting site.
ANybody have soem tips on setting up the program, and just how to work it?
-
Skuzzy,
Or whomever wants to chime in here. I been logged in flying around clubbing all the baby seals. Anyways keep getting Ah2 min then I am on the desktop? It has not happend in a long awhile but this morning it happened again. Halp? Goose
-
Goose, that is another application telling Windows it is the primary application, and then Windows minimizes us.
Typically spyware/malware/pop-ups and/or Spysweep also causes it.
-
Skuzzy,
Probably another stupid question but how do I find it . Virus scan or Malware scan?
-
I just built a new system and after having reinstalled everything, ran into the problem of AH minimizing to desktop every 10 minutes or so. I had this problem before, and it took awhile to remember how to fix it. It is minimizing due to the HP Software Updater (C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe). I used "Quick Startup" utility and turned it off and have not had the problem since.
Hope this helps,
Fedral
-
GO to Black Viper and follow his XP suggestions.....
Shut all that crap OFF!!...
http://majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=12
This is what I used and it works GREAT!!!
Best of luck
Gatr
-
either that or a key sticking or getting hit accidently
-
Originally posted by Fedral
I just built a new system and after having reinstalled everything, ran into the problem of AH minimizing to desktop every 10 minutes or so. I had this problem before, and it took awhile to remember how to fix it. It is minimizing due to the HP Software Updater (C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe). I used "Quick Startup" utility and turned it off and have not had the problem since.
Hope this helps,
Fedral
Fedral, it is understandable that you want to make sure everyone knows that you found a problem, but bumping 3 or 4 OLD threads with the same message is a bit of overkill.........some might even think worse.......you have only made 7 post as of now, 4 of them is the same message in 4 different threads that are 1 year old, 6 months old, 4 months old and 3 months old .........just saying.......
good luck with your new computer......
-
Fedral, see rule #13 of the forum posting rules.