The 2005 Alt-Tab Challenge!

OK, actually just a request for help. I posted a few months ago with the
problem I have Alt-Tabbing out of NR2003. Still have the problem but I have
collected a hell of a lot more data so I thought I'd try again. I'm going to
sort this damn thing if it's the last thing I do.

I use only 3 3D games - N2k3, GTR and rFactor. I run all in 1024x768, 32
bit, 6xAA, 16xAF, all game options maxed out. This is the same as my desktop
setting. I have included a link to my system details in the Everest report
format:

http://www.neil.charlton.name/downloads/Everest.htm

Here are some detailed symptoms:

rFactor: Alt Tab works almost flawlessly - the only issue is that if I Alt
Tab away from the first screen (with the spinning car), the car disappears
on return. Other than this, Alt Tab works any time, anywhere. For a test
demo - this thing is impressive on a number of levels.

N2k3: I can Alt Tab in and out from most screens, most of the time. However,
if on track, I always get a crash to desktop.

GTR: In contrast to rFactor, this thing is a P.O.S. on many levels. Sticking
to the particular problem in hand, if I Alt Tab form any screen, I get what
appears to be a black screen with horizontal 'sound bars' on my return. The
good news is that the game is clearly still running and, depending on the
screen I was on, I can sometimes guess where the back button is work my way
out of the program. It makes stuff like sensible use of the Motec
interpreter impossible for me.

Solving this problem (which I know many others have) will earn you immediate
peer recognition and a place in heaven.

Thanks in anticipation and a Happy New Year to all

Regards

"Neil Charlton" > wrote in
:

> OK, actually just a request for help. I posted a few months ago with
> the problem I have Alt-Tabbing out of NR2003. Still have the problem
> but I have collected a hell of a lot more data so I thought I'd try
> again. I'm going to sort this damn thing if it's the last thing I do.
>
> I use only 3 3D games - N2k3, GTR and rFactor. I run all in 1024x768,
> 32 bit, 6xAA, 16xAF, all game options maxed out. This is the same as my
> desktop setting.
<snip>

From my observations, alt-tab usually works reliably out of OpenGL games,
but not out of DirectX games. In NR2003 I had alt-tab problems when running
in D3D mode, but in OpenGL it was working fine. I've also seen the same
pattern in other games (not in your list). Do you have the problems you've
described in D3D, OpenGL or both?

Alex.

Neil Charlton wrote:

> N2k3: I can Alt Tab in and out from most screens, most of the time.
> However, if on track, I always get a crash to desktop.
>

Well I don't play the other ones but after reading this I have one question.
Why would you be alt-tabing out of n2003 when you're on the track?
--
Anthony Brooks

Sometimes I need to pause when doing a long practice run and then come
back - no biggie but irritating.

"Anthony Brooks" > wrote in message
...
> Neil Charlton wrote:
>
>> N2k3: I can Alt Tab in and out from most screens, most of the time.
>> However, if on track, I always get a crash to desktop.
>>
>
> Well I don't play the other ones but after reading this I have one
> question.
> Why would you be alt-tabing out of n2003 when you're on the track?
> --
> Anthony Brooks

"alexti" > wrote in message
33.52...
> "Neil Charlton" > wrote in
> :
>
>> OK, actually just a request for help. I posted a few months ago with
>> the problem I have Alt-Tabbing out of NR2003. Still have the problem
>> but I have collected a hell of a lot more data so I thought I'd try
>> again. I'm going to sort this damn thing if it's the last thing I do.
>>
>> I use only 3 3D games - N2k3, GTR and rFactor. I run all in 1024x768,
>> 32 bit, 6xAA, 16xAF, all game options maxed out. This is the same as my
>> desktop setting.
> <snip>
>
> From my observations, alt-tab usually works reliably out of OpenGL games,
> but not out of DirectX games. In NR2003 I had alt-tab problems when
> running
> in D3D mode, but in OpenGL it was working fine. I've also seen the same
> pattern in other games (not in your list). Do you have the problems you've
> described in D3D, OpenGL or both?
>
I cab Alt Tab in OpenGL but in all other respects OpenGL is unusable for me
(poor frame rates, glitches etc).

Regards

"Neil Charlton" > wrote in
:

> "alexti" > wrote in message
> 33.52...
>> "Neil Charlton" > wrote in
>> :
>>
>>> OK, actually just a request for help. I posted a few months ago with
>>> the problem I have Alt-Tabbing out of NR2003. Still have the problem
>>> but I have collected a hell of a lot more data so I thought I'd try
>>> again. I'm going to sort this damn thing if it's the last thing I do.
>>>
>>> I use only 3 3D games - N2k3, GTR and rFactor. I run all in 1024x768,
>>> 32 bit, 6xAA, 16xAF, all game options maxed out. This is the same as
>>> my desktop setting.
>> <snip>
>>
>> From my observations, alt-tab usually works reliably out of OpenGL
>> games, but not out of DirectX games. In NR2003 I had alt-tab problems
>> when running in D3D mode, but in OpenGL it was working fine. I've also
>> seen the same pattern in other games (not in your list). Do you have
>> the problems you've described in D3D, OpenGL or both?
>>
> I cab Alt Tab in OpenGL but in all other respects OpenGL is unusable
> for me (poor frame rates, glitches etc).
Then I'm afraid your only hope is for a new drivers from ATI...

Alex.

In article >,
says...
> Sometimes I need to pause when doing a long practice run and then come
> back - no biggie but irritating.
>
> "Anthony Brooks" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Neil Charlton wrote:
> >
> >> N2k3: I can Alt Tab in and out from most screens, most of the time.
> >> However, if on track, I always get a crash to desktop.
> >>
> >
> > Well I don't play the other ones but after reading this I have one
> > question.
> > Why would you be alt-tabing out of n2003 when you're on the track?
> > --
> > Anthony Brooks
>
>
>

If your need to multitask is so important, I'd suggest a second computer
for your other important apps. Of course, I am curious as to what is so
important that needs alt-tabbing all the time..

..
..
..

NEILTHEREAL: hey baby, b right back 2 laps need 2 dial out oversteer

ThirTandhornE: ur so dreamy. 2 laps only promise

NEILTHEREAL: promse! brb

/alt-tab pzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaptswhing





MRSisson
--
LOAD "GPL",8,1
RUN

"Michael R Sisson" > wrote in message
news:MPG.1c412c0ae56aa24e989800@nntp...
> In article >,
> says...
> > Sometimes I need to pause when doing a long practice run and then come
> > back - no biggie but irritating.
> >
> > "Anthony Brooks" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Neil Charlton wrote:
> > >
> > >> N2k3: I can Alt Tab in and out from most screens, most of the time.
> > >> However, if on track, I always get a crash to desktop.
> > >>
> > >
> > > Well I don't play the other ones but after reading this I have one
> > > question.
> > > Why would you be alt-tabing out of n2003 when you're on the track?
> > > --
> > > Anthony Brooks
> >
> >
> >
>
> If your need to multitask is so important, I'd suggest a second computer
> for your other important apps. Of course, I am curious as to what is so
> important that needs alt-tabbing all the time..
>
> .
> .
> .
>
> NEILTHEREAL: hey baby, b right back 2 laps need 2 dial out oversteer
>
> ThirTandhornE: ur so dreamy. 2 laps only promise
>
> NEILTHEREAL: promse! brb
>
> /alt-tab pzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaptswhing
>
>
>
>
>
> MRSisson
> --
> LOAD "GPL",8,1
> RUN


I know this thread is about alt-tabbing but it's beginning to sound like it
belongs in one of the ALT groups. ;o)

Elrikk

PS. One of the better reasons given for alt_tabbing though. ;o)

For GTR try setting anti aliasing to 4 rather than 6 in the game setup
config. worked for me.



"Neil Charlton" > wrote in message
...
> OK, actually just a request for help. I posted a few months ago with the
> problem I have Alt-Tabbing out of NR2003. Still have the problem but I
> have collected a hell of a lot more data so I thought I'd try again. I'm
> going to sort this damn thing if it's the last thing I do.
>
> I use only 3 3D games - N2k3, GTR and rFactor. I run all in 1024x768, 32
> bit, 6xAA, 16xAF, all game options maxed out. This is the same as my
> desktop setting. I have included a link to my system details in the
> Everest report format:
>
> http://www.neil.charlton.name/downloads/Everest.htm
>
> Here are some detailed symptoms:
>
> rFactor: Alt Tab works almost flawlessly - the only issue is that if I Alt
> Tab away from the first screen (with the spinning car), the car disappears
> on return. Other than this, Alt Tab works any time, anywhere. For a test
> demo - this thing is impressive on a number of levels.
>
> N2k3: I can Alt Tab in and out from most screens, most of the time.
> However, if on track, I always get a crash to desktop.
>
> GTR: In contrast to rFactor, this thing is a P.O.S. on many levels.
> Sticking to the particular problem in hand, if I Alt Tab form any screen,
> I get what appears to be a black screen with horizontal 'sound bars' on my
> return. The good news is that the game is clearly still running and,
> depending on the screen I was on, I can sometimes guess where the back
> button is work my way out of the program. It makes stuff like sensible use
> of the Motec interpreter impossible for me.
>
> Solving this problem (which I know many others have) will earn you
> immediate peer recognition and a place in heaven.
>
> Thanks in anticipation and a Happy New Year to all
>
> Regards
>
>
>
>
>
>

Vail - you are The Man !!!! Worked a treat

rFactor was already OK - GTR is now perfect (I can at last use the Motec) -
and I even found that N2k3 Alt Tabs even when on track (it only seems to
glitch when sat on pit lane - no problem for setup testing as I only need to
interrupt long fuel test runs after pausing).

In case anyone has the same problem - X800 + GTR - set AA to 4x in GTR
configuration not 6x. I still have the control panel set to 6x (for N2k3 as
it looks better).

Many thanks again Vail - you've made my day )))

Regards

"Vail Riches" > wrote in message
...
> For GTR try setting anti aliasing to 4 rather than 6 in the game setup
> config. worked for me.
>
>
>
> "Neil Charlton" > wrote in message
> ...
>> OK, actually just a request for help. I posted a few months ago with the
>> problem I have Alt-Tabbing out of NR2003. Still have the problem but I
>> have collected a hell of a lot more data so I thought I'd try again. I'm
>> going to sort this damn thing if it's the last thing I do.
>>
>> I use only 3 3D games - N2k3, GTR and rFactor. I run all in 1024x768, 32
>> bit, 6xAA, 16xAF, all game options maxed out. This is the same as my
>> desktop setting. I have included a link to my system details in the
>> Everest report format:
>>
>> http://www.neil.charlton.name/downloads/Everest.htm
>>
>> Here are some detailed symptoms:
>>
>> rFactor: Alt Tab works almost flawlessly - the only issue is that if I
>> Alt Tab away from the first screen (with the spinning car), the car
>> disappears on return. Other than this, Alt Tab works any time, anywhere.
>> For a test demo - this thing is impressive on a number of levels.
>>
>> N2k3: I can Alt Tab in and out from most screens, most of the time.
>> However, if on track, I always get a crash to desktop.
>>
>> GTR: In contrast to rFactor, this thing is a P.O.S. on many levels.
>> Sticking to the particular problem in hand, if I Alt Tab form any screen,
>> I get what appears to be a black screen with horizontal 'sound bars' on
>> my return. The good news is that the game is clearly still running and,
>> depending on the screen I was on, I can sometimes guess where the back
>> button is work my way out of the program. It makes stuff like sensible
>> use of the Motec interpreter impossible for me.
>>
>> Solving this problem (which I know many others have) will earn you
>> immediate peer recognition and a place in heaven.
>>
>> Thanks in anticipation and a Happy New Year to all
>>
>> Regards
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>