[Marcov]

OK, this is a new problem I've recently encountered, and it's getting annoying.

At several points during the game, even while loading, or while in gameplay mode, the game just GOES TO DESKTOP. However, take note, this ISN'T A CRASH. It just annoyingly goes to desktop. I thought for a while this was a cause of IRC, but it's not, since even if I don't have practically anything running, it just does this buggy habit.

Help, please? Has anyone else encountered this? Thanks.

[The E]

Are there any other programs running in the background that might grab focus away from FS2? Have you tried using the "-fullscreen_window" option?

This problem is not related to FSO, but rather caused by some other program you have running.

[Marcov]

No, only Internet Explorer.

And as far as I know, IE never treats FS like that.

[Dilmah G]

Ah, I had this one as well. Had no idea which program in particular would cause it, but closing everything worked reasonably well.

[Parias]

Yup, it's gotta be some background process - if not necessarily something with an active window, then some service or other program running in the background. It'd be worth opening Task Manager and doing an audit of all the processes you have running, potentially killing off random applications to see if the issue goes away. Some antivirus apps can be especially notorious for this.

Failing that, could try running MSConfig and just temporarily switching off all non-Microsoft services and startup applications, then rebooting to see if that has an impact.

[qazwsx]

Are you using a multi-monitor or shared mouse/keyboard setup at all (i.e. synergy)?

[Marcov]

This is a laptop. No.

[qazwsx]

The question could still have applied

[Marcov]

Hmm...I THINK it has stopped. Well if it still does I'll inform you.

[jr2]

Make sure you aren't accidentally hitting CTRL + Esc (this brings up your Windows Start Menu) - say you are holding CTRL to fire and you try to hit Esc or maybe another button but hit Esc instead.  Or maybe you hit the Windows key (little windows flag usually between CTRL and ALT) - this also brings up the Start Menu.

CTRL + Esc - brings up Start Menu
Win key - same as above
Win + E - launches Windows Explorer (in the foreground, so that would probably do it)
Win + R - launches the Run command in the foreground
Win + M - minimizes all open windows
Win + D - shows the desktop

Could any of those been accidentally hit?

[Iss Mneur]

The only problem with that theory is FSO explicitly disables the Windows key when it is running.  Though CRTL-ESC should still be active.

[Zacam]

Ctrl+Esc and Ctrl+Shft+Esc do still  work. Anything using the Win key does not. And if you have more than 1 win key, neither of them will work.

No idea about FN key combo's.