The Alt-Tab Bugbear

[TorpX]

I noticed when playing recently, that when I was submerged my battery was draining about 3 times faster than normal. A day of submerged patrolling at 3 kn. took me down to less than 50%, where before, I finished with about 80%.

At first, I thought there was some kind of crew or special ability problem, but I could find none. The tip-off came when I noticed that the CO2 levels stayed at zero, even after a full day submerged.

Saving and reloading returned things to normal, but didn't prevent the problem from recurring after any alt-tabbing. This is annoying to me, as I never had this problem with Windows Vista. Now, I'm using Windows 7, and here it is.

People might want to keep an eye on their battery levels, in light of this.

[CapnScurvy]

The Alt-Tab feature (returning to the Desktop while the game is still open) is a bad habit, brought on by the various Window Operating Systems allowing you to do so, yet there's no place in the game instructions/allowances to safely have you do it. The game doesn't expect a player to use the ability......there's no mention of it within the Manual, or in its Keyboard mapping. Other games may have allowed for the OS keyboard function to work, however the fact is.....this game shouldn't be left using the Alt-Tab function while doing other tasks with the computer.

[merc4ulfate]

Alt tab in Vista uses up all the air unless I reload it as a save.

[TorpX]

Alt tab in Vista uses up all the air unless I reload it as a save.

Yes, the CO2 buildup is the usual result. That's why I posted this; the high battery drain might escape notice, if someone doesn't know what kind of performance they should get, or don't pay close attention to it.

If I had the choice, I would rather have the CO2 buildup; it isn't really a problem, until it reaches 100%, but the battery is more immediate.

[merc4ulfate]

"If I had the choice, I would rather have the CO2 buildup; it isn't really a problem, until it reaches 100%"

Which normally happens before I can reach a port.

I only do alt tab now when I want a nice screen shot. I save the game then alt out to save my shots in GIMP. I do not use the normal screen shot mode in the game.

[TorpX]

"If I had the choice, I would rather have the CO2 buildup; it isn't really a problem, until it reaches 100%"

Which normally happens before I can reach a port.



Well yeah, but you don't have to do the reload thing right away. With the triple battery drain, I don't want to risk an encounter before submerging.

I only do alt tab now when I want a nice screen shot.

I generally only alt-tab to do game related things; like checking on the die rolls of the Ted Healy system, or more critical, using my Tracking Party app. for a firing solution. Otherwise, I prefer not to do it.

[WernherVonTrapp]

I don't know if this will help everyone, but it has worked for me so far. Just pause the game before Alt+Tab and there should be no ill effects.

[TorpX]

I always use the 'Esc' key to pause it; so that doesn't work for everyone.

[WernherVonTrapp]

I always use the 'Esc' key to pause it; so that doesn't work for everyone.



Ahh, OK. I always pause using the menu button on the lower right.