How to switch out of the game to other Windows application without quiting the game?

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Author Topic:   How to switch out of the game to other Windows application without quiting the game?

kerictang posted 03-12-99 11:20 AM ET
I'm using Windows 98. When I'm playing Alpha Centauri. I cannot switch to other windows application by typing Alt-Tab, (e.g. to replying ICQ message). It's very inconvenient for me to save and quit the game, reply the message, then restart and load the game. Do anyone know any method to do this?
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS posted 03-12-99 11:33 AM ET
I do it all the time. You don't get the little menu of currently running programs? Try hitting the windows key, which should bring the task bar up.
jkm
firaxis games
ziggy posted 03-12-99 12:18 PM ET
Hmm, the problem is that ICQ does not appear on the ALT-TAB menu. It would be nice to be able to minimize SMAC (or to get ICQ on the ALT-TAB menu).
Peter posted 03-13-99 01:26 PM ET
The problem I have is that I can only switch to those programs I called before SMAC and are in task bar (as background running) when calling SMAC. Those programs which already have an icon in taskbar (independent whether running or not in background) or the "Start" field range of the taskbar, or the Explorer, I can't reach by ALT-TAB.

Dvorak posted 03-13-99 03:14 PM ET
If you normally run Windows in a resolution greater than 1024x768, you will encounter problems when task switching.
I'm unable to bring up the taskbar under these circumstances, although I am able to use Alt-Tab to switch to another currently running program if it normally shows in that menu of running progs. However, switching to the desktop to start something else, or trying to go to a program like ICQ that has a little icon in the taskbar isn't possible.
Switching my background resolution to 1024x768 instead of my normal 1280x1024 fixed the problem, however.
kerictang posted 03-13-99 11:12 PM ET
I can now call the task bar by the Windows key. Whenever I start any other programs, only the active window is on top. SMAC is still on the background.
There is no way to minimize the game, right?
Peter posted 03-14-99 01:11 PM ET
running Win95 600 x 800. The solution I found now:
The only way to get the "Start" folder's programs is, that I *right* click the "start" in taskbar and then minimize it so it's a active program. Then call SMAC. If I use ALT-TAB I can switch to the start folder and call an other program. Same happens with Win Explorer.
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Author	Topic: How to switch out of the game to other Windows application without quiting the game?
kerictang	posted 03-12-99 11:20 AM ET I'm using Windows 98. When I'm playing Alpha Centauri. I cannot switch to other windows application by typing Alt-Tab, (e.g. to replying ICQ message). It's very inconvenient for me to save and quit the game, reply the message, then restart and load the game. Do anyone know any method to do this?
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS	posted 03-12-99 11:33 AM ET I do it all the time. You don't get the little menu of currently running programs? Try hitting the windows key, which should bring the task bar up. jkm firaxis games
ziggy	posted 03-12-99 12:18 PM ET Hmm, the problem is that ICQ does not appear on the ALT-TAB menu. It would be nice to be able to minimize SMAC (or to get ICQ on the ALT-TAB menu).
Peter	posted 03-13-99 01:26 PM ET The problem I have is that I can only switch to those programs I called before SMAC and are in task bar (as background running) when calling SMAC. Those programs which already have an icon in taskbar (independent whether running or not in background) or the "Start" field range of the taskbar, or the Explorer, I can't reach by ALT-TAB.
Dvorak	posted 03-13-99 03:14 PM ET If you normally run Windows in a resolution greater than 1024x768, you will encounter problems when task switching. I'm unable to bring up the taskbar under these circumstances, although I am able to use Alt-Tab to switch to another currently running program if it normally shows in that menu of running progs. However, switching to the desktop to start something else, or trying to go to a program like ICQ that has a little icon in the taskbar isn't possible. Switching my background resolution to 1024x768 instead of my normal 1280x1024 fixed the problem, however.
kerictang	posted 03-13-99 11:12 PM ET I can now call the task bar by the Windows key. Whenever I start any other programs, only the active window is on top. SMAC is still on the background. There is no way to minimize the game, right?
Peter	posted 03-14-99 01:11 PM ET running Win95 600 x 800. The solution I found now: The only way to get the "Start" folder's programs is, that I right click the "start" in taskbar and then minimize it so it's a active program. Then call SMAC. If I use ALT-TAB I can switch to the start folder and call an other program. Same happens with Win Explorer.