Explorer.exe taking focus from WoW

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1

Hi everyone,

So i’ve been having this issue since i re-installed WoW the other day. First of all my system specs (old as hell)

Windows 10
Intel i5 2500 3.3Ghz
Nvidia Geforce GTX 560ti
8 GB Ram

The problem is at random intervals during gameplay, the game will briefly minimize and show the desktop for a few seconds, then go back to the game. I’ve tried many things;

Was on Win7 initially, upgraded to 10, issue persists.
Updated to the newest available drivers for GPU
Disconnected wireless keyboard and mouse
Changed power settings to performance instead of balanced
Killed explorer.exe and restarted it
Did a scan with Malwarebytes

Now after upgrading to Win10, the problem changed a bit, because now instead of minimizing the game it just stutters for a few seconds, but the symptoms feel the same.

Anyway if anyone can help please!
Thanks.

2

Hey Trizzy,

This behavior may be caused by another program running in the background that’s stealing focus. Lets try this:

Selective Startup

  1. Press Windows Key+R .
  2. Type msconfig and press Enter .
  3. Select Selective startup and uncheck Load startup items .
  4. Select the Services tab.
  5. Check Hide all Microsoft services .
    Note : Skipping this step may prevent your computer from rebooting correctly.
  6. Click Disable all .
  7. Click Apply then click OK .
  8. Click Restart .
3

Hi Jambrix,

I tried your suggestion but I am still getting random lockups that last a few seconds.

Is it possible this has something to do with DirectX? When I run dxdiag it shows DX12 but I thought my old GPU was not compatible with it.

The WoW in-game settings i have set at DX11 and there is no option listed for DX12.

4

Hi Trizzy

You will be limited to DX11 with the 560ti. One of my old systems that my son in-law plays on is exactly the same - 2500k processor and 560ti. It has no real issues. Let’s take a look at your DXDiag report.

The second section of page has DXDiag report instructions - we don’t require the MSinfo report.

That will be a wall of text. If you have issues pasting on the Forum here go ahead and put it up on pastebin.com. Provide the link code portion of the URL - example below.

(The green bold portion of the link: https://pastebin.com/**Qk28Ed1P**)

5

Hi Tratt,

Here is the dxdiag.

ZxCbNQmG

6

Okay let’s first reinstall the Nvidia using the clean technique we use on the forum here. We will use a tool called DDU for that.

Download this Nvidia driver:

Then download the DDU tool - official download is here:

https://www.wagnardsoft.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1788

Basically you extract the uninstaller from the download. (it will extract to a folder called DDU) *Then unplug the Ethernet or disable the Wifi to avoid Windows automatic driver installation.

I like to boot the computer into safe mode then run the DDU tool. (This isn’t essential and you will need to confirm you have the windows password before you do so. If you are using a PIN it will ask for the actual password after running safe mode.)

On the tool you select Graphics type then Nvidia. Run the recommended “Clean then restart”.

Now for the install. Start the driver download. Select Custom install carry on to the next pane where there are various software listed. Uncheck everything except the Graphics driver. No Geforce Experience - No 3D Vision drivers. There is a box to check for Clean Install select (check) that box. (Resets the Nvidia control panel and profiles to defaults)

7

Next let’s disable some troublesome Windows features. Go to Win10 Settings. Then Gaming - under the Game Bar - Captures and Game mode categories. Disable everything.

Disable “Streaming” on the Battle.net App. It is under “Game Settings”.

8

Hi Tratt,

So I followed your instructions and the game seemed to be working normally but after about an hour, i started to get the lockups again. It seems that I can go a long time without getting the first one, but once that first one happens, they begin to happen much more frequently. Sometimes multiple times in a minute.

I did notice that my CPU cores were running pretty hot, like almost 90degrees at the time i was getting multiple lockups. Could this be related?
I had been monitoring my temps in the past and I don’t recall it ever going this high.

9

That is very likely the Issue. The Maximum operating temp for a 2500K is 72.2 C. Make sure the fan on the heatsink is turning properly and the heat sink is free of dust. What is the GPU temps?

10

I’m sure it is very dusty as I cant remember the last time I cleaned it. I don’t recall what the GPU temps were during gameplay, but according to the program i use, the max it has hit today is 84C.

I’ll try to get rid of the dust tomorrow and see if that helps.

11

It is highly likely your issue lies there Trizzy. Pick up a can of computer air duster then get cleaning. Don’t be tempted to use a vacuum - that could turn out very bad.

I usually clean the fan with Q-tip swabs and isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). If the heatsink fins are really plugged use scissors to fashion a small tool out of a plastic knife then loosen the buildup.

12

I use one of these brushes. It is very thin and fits between the fins on most heat sinks.

13

There was a pretty thick layer of dust covering the heatsink so I cleaned it as best I could, and it seems to have helped a lot.
Played for 2 hours without a stutter and max temp for the CPU was 67C.
GPU was 77C though, not sure if that is high or not.

Anyway thanks for the help.

14

Thanks for the update Trizzy!

Glad to see that you were able to find out what the problem was with the help of our awesome MVPs. :smiley:

1 Like
15

77C is fine for a GTX 560TI maximum temp is 97C

16

Good to see Trizzy. 67C while playing is fine - wow will be working that 2500.

17

Thanks again for the help everyone.