sorry for bringing this up but i just have to
Whenever i started Halo (original source of problem), the Halo loads then minimizes.
I used alt-tab and I see the folding "gear" icon, then when went to it, no response.
Alt-tab again and its gone.
So i loaded Halo and when the "gear" showed up in my "switch dialog", I selected it then then quickly pressed alt-f4 and now I have fullscreen!!.
edit:never mind, it works for one full screen then lags out...