Minimizing on Startup?

[the1jugg]

Hi Everyone. I'm new here, and I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere, but I was not able to find a similar problem.

I have placed Game Ex in my Startup folder for it to start automatically when my computer boots up. However, after the "loading" screen, the window minimizes and displayes GameEx(three vertical lines)0/60(one vertical line) in the toolbar. Then, when I click on it, I get the "Nintendo 64 - Back from the Grave" and then it finishes loading. I'm just not sure what is stalling it...

It worked fine until recently (the last thing I remember doing is setting filesharing across my network). I've tried setting the shortcut to run as a Normal Window and as Maximized, but neither seemed to help. Needless to say, an arcade that boots to windows doesnt look nearly as slick as one that boots into Game Ex.

This is the second time I have installed the program on a clean windows install, and the second time this has happened.

so, if anyone has come across this or a similar problem, maybe you can offer some advice. Thank you in advance.

the1Jugg

[bkenobi]

Whenever GameEx minimizes, it's always related to some other process stealing focus. The usual way to fix it is to determine what else is loading and at least temporarily disabling it to verify the problem is fixed. How to get things working again once you determine the issue process can be more complicated (or very simple potentially). It also wouldn't hurt to post a log file.

[Draco1962]

You can locate the log file under gameex\log\log.txt - just upload to your reply in the forum.

[the1jugg]

You can locate the log file under gameex\log\log.txt - just upload to your reply in the forum.

Thanks for the advice. Here is the log file as it appears when Game ex minimizes (can stil hear ambiance playing).

log.txt

[the1jugg]

Whenever GameEx minimizes, it's always related to some other process stealing focus. The usual way to fix it is to determine what else is loading and at least temporarily disabling it to verify the problem is fixed. How to get things working again once you determine the issue process can be more complicated (or very simple potentially). It also wouldn't hurt to post a log file.

Ok, this makes sense... that something else thinks its more important.

Looking at the log, I log info until 08:57:39.9. I assume thats when something else interrupts it. Looking through my event viewer, at 08:57:35 the Windows Search Service starts.

I did notice a magnifyng glass icon that appeared from an update late in my setup. So I removed the icon from the startup folder,and I even hid it in the toolbar. Not sure if they are the same thing - the one in the toolbar says "indexing complete".

I found instructions online for how to disable "fast indexing" - and its reversible if need be, so I'm going to try that.

thanks

[the1jugg]

Ok, this makes sense... that something else thinks its more important.

Looking at the log, I log info until 08:57:39.9. I assume thats when something else interrupts it. Looking through my event viewer, at 08:57:35 the Windows Search Service starts.

I did notice a magnifyng glass icon that appeared from an update late in my setup. So I removed the icon from the startup folder,and I even hid it in the toolbar. Not sure if they are the same thing - the one in the toolbar says "indexing complete".

I found instructions online for how to disable "fast indexing" - and its reversible if need be, so I'm going to try that.

thanks

Ok, same thing this time. The last log entry is at 09:37:05.3, and the last application event is at 09:36:55 the windows security center starts. At the same time is 2 instaces of Network Information Service starting. As I mentioned earlier, the last thing I did before this started to happen was to turn on networking. Ièll see about turning it off better...

[BritInVA]

I've been having exact same issue.

What I don't understand is any other application I put in startup folder will start maximised but GameEx does not. If it was some other application or service taking focus surely it would do same for all startup applications.

Many applications have as part of their options:

- Run on Windows Startup

- Minimise on Startup

[bkenobi]

My guess is that this issue is not related to a service (at least not a MS service). Most services are very polite and run completely in the background, so you shouldn't have an issue with focus. I'd focus on things like video codecs that have a tray icon or other applications that have a splash screen. First step is to set things up so that ONLY GameEx loads. If you don't have any other program loading, you should be good. At that point, start adding applications back in to see what breaks things.

[the1jugg]

My guess is that this issue is not related to a service (at least not a MS service). Most services are very polite and run completely in the background, so you shouldn't have an issue with focus. I'd focus on things like video codecs that have a tray icon or other applications that have a splash screen. First step is to set things up so that ONLY GameEx loads. If you don't have any other program loading, you should be good. At that point, start adding applications back in to see what breaks things.

Well, Norton starts automatically (and doesnt seem to want me to stop it...), and I think I have figured out how to stop messenger from starting. Otherwise, it was a clean install, so nothing is starting that I know of.

Come to think of it, I am running Bootskin. Maybe I should uninstall that?

You know what Ive noticed? This doesnt happen every time. Often when I make a change (disable something) and restart, it works properly. Then, when I restart again to make sure it works, it minimizes like Ive described.

Its strange that it doest happen every time...

[the1jugg]

oh, and I dont know if it makes a difference, but if I leave the machine alone for 5 minutes, the Gameex screensaver starts up and then I am in Gameex for the duration.

[Draco1962]

I have to agree with bkenobi about the MS services. What you may want to do is, instead of stopping or disabling them, you can set it to delayed start to see if that makes a difference. Regardless be sure to understand what they actually do before making any changes on them or their dependencies. As for Bootskin, not sure I can help you there. My guess is that it will not matter.