Tip: Simple fix to force-start Explorer.exe once game exits full-screen

[RightDeve]

I don't know for sure if this has already been discussed before, but I thought I'd share anyway, a simple fix for those using full-screen mode and have that issue where explorer.exe fails to re-launch once the full-screen-game closes..


(in my case, instead of the true explorer.exe relaunched and the Windows taskbar popping up, it shows a particular folder, although in task manager, it showed explorer.exe listed IDK why. Once I tried using this fix immediately after closing the previous game, task manager showed TWO explorer.exe, one from the previous game without this fix, the other from recently closed game after this fix)


So, here's the simple fix for some who's having this issue (I didn't have this issue in my previous computer build):

1. Locate the file "Win7SPMBT.cmd" on your Steel Panthers main installation folder.

2. Edit that file using notepad (right-click -> edit). The original line should look like:

taskkill.exe /f /im explorer.exe
start/w winSPMBT.exe
cd c:\windows
start explorer.exe

Edit that last line with "start C:\Windows\explorer.exe" so it should look like:

taskkill.exe /f /im explorer.exe
start/w winSPMBT.exe
cd c:\windows
start C:\Windows\explorer.exe

3. Save the file.

4. Try to launch the full-screen game via GameOptions.exe, then exit. Hopefully it will launch the true explorer.exe now.



This modified fix also applies to the full screen extended map editor program. Previously (in my case), using full screen mode, extended map editor would show that horrible color just like that main game when explorer.exe wasn't killed.

1. Copy that same file (Win7SPMBT.cmd) in the same Steel Panthers main folder, then rename it like "Extended Map Editor.cmd"

2. Edit the file using notepad (right click -> edit) and change the lines so it should like:

taskkill.exe /f /im explorer.exe
start/w CamoMapEdit.exe
cd c:\windows
start C:\Windows\explorer.exe

3. Save the file.

4. IMPORTANT: Launch the Extended Map Editor only through this cmd file, not via the gameoptions.exe. For convenience, you may want to create a desktop shortcut of this cmd file. To do so, just right-click the file -> create shortcut. To add icon image to this shortcut file, right-click the shortcut -> properties -> shortcut tab -> change icon -> browse and open the file CamoMapEdit.exe in the Steel Panthers main folder -> select the icon, OK. That yellow engineer helmet icon.


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Just want to add something for the devs:

When using the Extended Map Editor in full-screen mode, there's this coil whine on my computer power supply unit. It's like a "ngeeeeeeeeeeng", faint but audible. I know it's not actually a problem, I'm just curious why this also happened to my previous computer build, different parts, different power supply unit, obsolete WinSPMBT version probably before the widescreen support. Only at that time, BOTH the main game in full screen mode and extended map editor in full screen mode displayed this coil whine problem. Now, it's only this extended map editor in full screen.
Maybe this has something to do with the screen resolution patches not yet implemented to the Extended Map Editor? I know that sounds really off topic, but unfortunately only Steel Panthers Extended Map Editor in full screen mode shows this coil whine, other programs are fine.

Just want to report what I saw though.........


PS: I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit.
Power supply is SeaSonic S12E 650 Watt (SS 650 HT). Previous power supply was SeaSonic SS 500 ES.

PS: Just in case, I have attached the modified CMD file (CMD for main game, CMD for extended map editor), and the desktop shortcut for the extended map editor.