Using Windows XP

I've got this application that freezes badly and often. I can move my mouse but the application is unresponsive.

Naturally I try to ctrl+alt+del, but all it does is bring the DESKTOP arrow over the frozen screen with everything running behind it. I try shift FIVE times, doesn't work; I try alt+F4, doesn't work; win doesn't work, win+d doesn't work, win+m doesn't work, and I have also tried Xkill for Windows, but nothing works.

I have gotten it to minimize on occasion, but very rarely. Sometimes by pressing shift five times or one time I got it to minimize with my mouse magnifying glass.

I was wondering if anyone knows of any tool/utility that will force stubborn, unresponsive applications to minimize. I prefer that it minimizes and not close because I have been TOLD this particular application will work again if you minimize it then maximize it again.

The application is a game, but that's a whole other nightmare I'm working on.Put mouse on free area of task BAR. RIGHT click. Start task manager. Look at applications. If it does not respond you should close it.

Find the forum that deals with that game. There may be settings you need for it to work right on your machine.

This problem often requires some addition settings in XP. This might help:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/appcompat.mspx