New PC but now can't alt tab

[f2k sel 164]

Since building my new PC a few months ago I've been unable to alt tab or ctrl alt delete out of the game with any degree of success.

This has really killed the game for me as I only want to edit my own missions.

I don't get this problem with any other game just Arma2, I've tried new and old drivers without any success. Not even a bios update or re-install of the OS has helped.

I'm using XP and that worked fine on my old rig.

[EDcase 87]

Thats a strange one. Sorry can't give any suggestions.

[f2k sel 164]

I think I have improved the situation by reducing the repeat rate of the keyboard. The only other way I found was to send the game to a window mode Shift+enter but that can be a bit hit and miss.

Edited April 29, 2010 by F2k Sel

[CarlGustaffa 4]

Try windowed mode. Can't see a reason why anyone would want to edit missions without it. However, I can't alt-tab between editor and other applications then either, Arma2 simply freezes and I have to use task manager to shut it down. All script edits etc has to be done while the mission is actually running, then I have no problems.

Yeah, it is so painful I just wanna cry sometimes.

[rstratton 0]

if the game seems to freeze when u alt tab in the editor u can click down where your taskbar is and bring the game back to focus. just take note of where the arma2 tab is in the taskbar

[Bandito 10]

F2k Sel I have the exact same issue as you and found it so frustrating when I needed to alt-tab and copy scripts etc.

My solution was to run ArmA 2 in -windowed mode at the same resolution as my desktop (minus the 30px for the taskbar). To be sure, I set all the properties in ArmA 2 video settings, then edited the command line to specify my width/height.

Seamless alt-tabbing between A2 and other applications, and I barely notice the menu and task bars.

Further to rstratton's suggestion, the alt-tab issue seems to be focus-related and I have found that clicking in the window immediately after alt-tabbing sometimes 'forced' the alt-tab through. Good luck.

[NeMeSiS 11]

if the game seems to freeze when u alt tab in the editor u can click down where your taskbar is and bring the game back to focus. just take note of where the arma2 tab is in the taskbar

I use the 'alt+tab->alt+tabtab->alt+tabtabtab->etc' method if i accidentally alt+tab without a mission running. Though it may take a while if you have alot of windows open, which happens quite often when editing. :p

Windowed mode is preferred, but IMO mostly because of this bug.

[f2k sel 164]

Thanks for the advice, I do find it a little frustrating when trying to use window mode after many years of doing it the other way.

The Odd thing is after 3 months of hair pulling and making my first post about it the bloody thing's been working correctly.

I've reset my keyboard rate back to max and it's still working 100%, I have no idea why it's working now only that it is.

[Bulldogs 10]

The alt-tab issue is often a driver level issue for the graphics card. I know ATI recently worked out some alt-tab issues with some games (not being able to alt-tab) not sure if it worked with Arma 2 though.

[f2k sel 164]

It's strange problem for sure, it's been working fine until this afternoon when I accidently pressed the Windows key while pressing Alt+Tab now it's out of sync again.

I now have to press Alt+tab then Windows Key and then Alt+Tab twice.

If I press Alt+Tab it does go to desktop and then instantly back to the game.

[Wolfrug 0]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem, but for me I think it either started when I got my new flatscreen, OR when Arma 2 updated to 1.07 (either that or I updated my graphics card driver at some point). Before I could always alt-tab when editing a mission, now I have to be physically running it to be able to :(

I must say, very, very annoying bug which makes editing quite a chore. I suppose I'll have to set up a separate "editing" shortcut that's windowed, since I hate properly playing as windowed.

Regards,

Wolfrug

[GROM64 10]

I've worked out semi solution to this problem:

1. press alt-tab, nothing really happens except my mouse cursor is not working in game :confused:

2. press alt-tab, again it says receiving on the bottom of the screen :j:

3. while receiving is on another alt-tab gets me to desktop.

[CarlGustaffa 4]

@Wolfrug:

Yeah I know. It totally sucks. It's the only application that behaves this way, and it was never a problem during OFP or Arma1. Arma2 and OA has made editing a nightmare, since you can't switch application while editor is open, only while previewing mission.

As for -window startup, hit esc while gaming to bring up the menu, then press alt + (num) enter. Instant full screen toggle, although I prefer windowed play myself.