The tab out of terror

[Koechophe]

Okay, So I have played ddo in the past and am starting up again on the same cpu. I have switched graphics cards since then because the other one died, but I've played games like dragonica and LOL on it without any difficulties, which leads me to believe that its some random software issue.

The issue is simple and annoying. When loading for something or recalling, the game has a tendancy to tab-out (Without me telling it to), the screen goes black, and it trys to tab in, goes to black screen, tabs out. These tab in/tab outs occur over 1 second each, and the only way to stop it is to ctrl/alt/delete, tell it to log off, then as the force log off screen comes and closes the program, tell it to abort. This happens anywhere from 1 hour of playing to 10 mineuts of playing, but having to restart every time makes me just not want to play. Does anyone know what could be causing this and/or ways to diagnose and fix the problem?

[bigolbear]

set DDO's res to one that is natively supported by your monitor.

If that dont work its driver updates, direct x updates etc.

[Koechophe]

In response, my drivers are updated and the resolution fits the cpu.

It seems more of a black screen, then tab out, but the mouse still locks on to actual parts in the game while the black screen goes, and even a bit after my desktop is there. For instance, it's the ddo mouse and it still changes when I mouse over a object. For all intensive purposes, the character I have is still logged in until I force the game closed. Anyone else getting this weird issue?

[MsEricka]

The "black screen" means nothing. It is windows redrawing the graphics.

The alt-tab issue is likely caused by a windows function that you're activating. Pay careful attention to exactly what keys you're pressing.

It sounds to me like you're activating one of the windows accessibility hotkeys such as pressing shift 5 times in a row. Although honestly that doesn't explain the second alt-tab unless you are constantly hitting the keys while it's happening.

[Koechophe]

I can alt tab and back in with no problem. But this causes the game to not let me back in, and if it were really alt tabbing, why is it my mouse still thinks im in ddo?

Also, this has happened when I am not pushing anything. Do you know of any windows functions that could just alt tab things a ton?

[MsEricka]

Well yes sort of.

If there is anything trying to take focus, meaning brought up to the front of whatever is currently is focus, that would do it.

This could be a virus scanner trying to get your attention, windows updates, hardware crash notices, firewall alerts, instant messengers, email and honestly the list could go on and on.

1) Close all external programs that you can.
2) What version of windows do you have?
3) What is your brand of video card? (This may be a particular issue)

[bigolbear]

try a reinstal of direct X, try switching to DX 9 in ddo options. new graphics driver if you havent done that yet....

[BDog77]

I had a problem on my old comp where holding the shift button for more than 5 secs would minimize the running program. Needless to say, this was a problem when playing DDO, lol...

[MsEricka]

I had a problem on my old comp where holding the shift button for more than 5 secs would minimize the running program. Needless to say, this was a problem when playing DDO, lol...

That would the Windows "sticky keys" feature which is exactly what I mentioned earlier. It enables the accessibility features for disabled users.