Steelebow

Just tested, and prior to the completion of the first mission, it locked up again- its now going to the blue screen. There hasn't been readily visible error messages for the windows log since its been a hard boot after each time. I'm happy to take a look at it, but at this point, I think its looking more and more like we need to scroll back to an earlier OS.

Quick update: We have reinstalled COH after the service pack upgrade, and turned the settings all the way down. For the first time, he had this issue last night outside of COH trying to run Skype. Actually, skype worked fine, but about 10-15 minutes afterward, his computer completely locked up as it has in COH. This leads my uninformed thoughts to believe that it really is a RAM/paging file issue. I have gone in and set it to 3MB, which it was saying was the maximum allowed- he only has 2MB of RAM on the PC. Our only other option is to try to get our hands on a version of XP to reinstall that, because we know his game and computer ran on that OS. I am very grateful for the help, and will let you all know soon how the change in paging file worked. Only 1 MB, but I'm crossing my fingers.

Thanks all for the continued suggestions. Graphics turned all the way down, same setup. Gets through about one mission, no apparent issues- then the whole computer locks up.

Also, here is the updated results of the COH helper, in case its of any use:

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.2.0.2---

DxDiag gathered at February 25, 2011 14:21 (-06:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_rtm.101119-1850)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5400+ (2 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 2048MB
.Net Memory Report: 1054MB out of 2046MB available
Page File: 2834MB (1258MB currently in use)
C Drive: (MAXTOR STM3200820AS ATA Device) 94528MB out of 190771MB (49%) free
D Drive: (PHILIPS SPD2413P ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7601.17514 (32-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 8600 GT
Video Memory: 1266 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.12.6658
Driver Date: 1/7/2011 9:27:00 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speaker (SB X-Fi Go! Pro)
Driver File: ksaud.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.0483
Driver Date: 8/11/2010 8:50:00 AM

Sound Device Description: Speakers (PnP Audio Device )
Driver File: USBAUDIO.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514
Driver Date: 11/20/2010 3:59:44 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: M2N-E SLI
Motherboard Version: 1.XX
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: Nvidia - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20070425000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1280x1024
3D Resolution: 1280x1024 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes


Physics Quality: High
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: Off
Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: Ultra quality
Bloom: 1.000 (turned on)
Depth of Field Enabled: Yes
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: Medium?


World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 1.000
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: No
Shadow Mode: Unknown (4)
Shadow Map Shader: High quality
Environmental Reflections: High quality
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: High quality
Occlusion Strength: Strong
Blur: Trilateral
Ambient Resolution: Quality


Gamma Correction: 0.860
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: No
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Compatiblity
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 1.000
Music Sound Volume: 0.600

Show Advanced Graphics Options: No
Overall Graphics Quality: 1.000
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: Unknown bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1950.201102120907.1
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

Thank you all for your help. We've gotten a new sound card, one that is listed as compatible with Windows 7. All the drivers are newly installed after the windows 7 install- in other words, we didn't upgrade, its a from scratch install. Whats happening is that he will be able to play with no issues at all, get through almost a whole mission (on one occasion got just past a mission), and then the screen will lock up. No ctrl-alt-del to taskmanager, no ESC, no crash log from CoX, etc. Basically, forced to do a hard boot from there. Prior to the crash, there doesn't seem to be any video glitch, or sound glitch. There is the slightest of lag right before the crash, but thats it.

Also, @zombie man, I tried running the hijack this, but its telling me its being denied access to write to the hosts file. I confess ignorance on this, but not sure how to work around that. Finally, I disabled the aero themes, and the game no longer seems to be running in windowed mode. We are running out of things to try, but you have given us some solid ideas. We are willing to keep taking a shot. Gladly welcoming any new suggestions!

Thank you both! I will work on that this second. Also, found out that his sound card is one no longer supported by Windows 7, so I'm going to try to disable the window mode and get a new sound card. If that doesn't work, I'll be back with the hijack this results.

Thanks for taking time to take a look!

My son has recently updated (?) his computer from Windows XP to Windows 7. He ran COH just fine on this computer before, and now it crashes minutes into playing. It looks like a video driver issue, but that has been updated. Also, all the updates for Windows 7, including Service Pack 1, have been downloaded as well. Per requests elsewhere, this is what the system looks like. I realize its an older computer, but its aggravating because it wasn't having any trouble with CoH before. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.2.0.2---

DxDiag gathered at February 24, 2011 19:21 (-06:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_rtm.101119-1850)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5400+ (2 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 2048MB
.Net Memory Report: 1233MB out of 2046MB available
Page File: 3040MB (1052MB currently in use)
C Drive: (MAXTOR STM3200820AS ATA Device) 110531MB out of 190771MB (57%) free
D Drive: (PHILIPS SPD2413P ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7601.17514 (32-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 8600 GT
Video Memory: 1266 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.12.6658
Driver Date: 1/7/2011 9:27:00 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (PnP Audio Device )
Driver File: USBAUDIO.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514
Driver Date: 11/20/2010 3:59:44 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: M2N-E SLI
Motherboard Version: 1.XX
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: Nvidia - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20070425000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1280x1024
3D Resolution: 1280x1024 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: No


Physics Quality: None
Maximum Particles: 100
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: Off
Anisotropic Filtering: None
Texture LOD Bias: Crisp
Water Effects: None
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: No
Shader Detail: Unknown (4)


World Texture Level: Unknown (3)
Character Texture Level: Low
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 0.500
Entity Detail Level: 0.300
Shadows Enabled: No
Shadow Mode: Disabled
Shadow Map Shader: Unknown (0)
Environmental Reflections: Disabled
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: Off
Occlusion Strength: Off
Blur: Bilateral
Ambient Resolution: Performance


Gamma Correction: 0.860
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: Yes
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 1.000
Music Sound Volume: 0.600

Show Advanced Graphics Options: No
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.000
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: Unknown bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1950.201102120907.1
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

I love my masterminds. I have been a victim of altitis for a long time now, but I am finally finding the game growing boring for me. I’ve run out of alts I want to make, AT’s I want to try, etc. I have found nothing else in the game comes close to a mastermind for the way I enjoy playing it. I have eight active masterminds, and I am looking to focus primarily on one. The levels don’t matter- if its lower level, I will work my way up. If its high level, I still have plenty of invention salvage gathering to do. Below I’ve outlined some of what I like about my MMs and what I hope to be able to do- based on that, and your own thoughts, please shed some light on which one of these masterminds you would suggest as my best bet for this focus. I’m very interested in the community’s thoughts. My only stipulation is, I really want it to be a Mastermind. I realize based on the below categories that there are other AT’s that can do what I’m looking for better, but what I’m really after is which particular Mastermind can best fit this grouping. I’d prefer it be one of the builds I have already established, but if you think I simply HAVE to have a new build of an MM, I would consider that. What would be really great, if you feel so inclined, would be a ranking of the below in terms of the various categories- (solo, team friendly, high end strike forces, fun, etc) Thanks for any and all responses! (my criteria and thoughts below)

Robot/Traps Level 50
Thugs/Force Field Level 50
Mercs/Poison Level 37
Necro/Trick Arrow Level 36
Ninjas/Dark Level 26
Ninjas/Pain Level 25
Thug/Storm Level 24
Necro/Poison Level 18

First and foremost, I like to solo. I don’t have any hard and fast rules, but sometimes, I just want to solo. I enjoy redside more than blue- this has been debated quite a bit, but for me I would rather be bad. I like being able to help my team. Even though we MM’s can’t keep up with Defenders, Corruptors or Controllers, I feel like we can bring a lot to a team. I’ve found the more people on my team, the less my pets matter- but the buff/debuff makes me useful regardless. Finally, I like being unique. As the only AT with access to the pets powersets, I feel like I stand out. (And thankfully, there aren’t QUITE as many masterminds running around as there has been in the past.) Not to mention nothing feels quite as stereotypically villainous as ordering others to do your bidding.

I am looking for a main villain, for a couple of reasons. I don’t enjoy the inventions process, but I’ve decided to give it a go. I only plan on doing it for one toon, however. On the off chance I want to PvP, it will be with this mastermind. And since masterminds are my favorite AT, I feel most comfortable here. There may be other AT’s that outshine us (I’m sure there are), but I’d rather make the most of what I like. Lastly, I want to be able to participate in the end game stuff. ITFs, LRSFs, etc. I realize Brutes and Corruptors basically rule this villain side, but surely there are MM’s that are found to be useful during these high end tasks.

I have a lvl 50 Thug/FF, but only SOs. Far from weak. Thugs do massive damage, and their only weakness seems to be that they are squishy. FF plugs that hole nicely. Fun build, I'd highly recommend hanging in there.

Thank you, that is incredibly helpful! Do you happen to know if this affects any other groups? As I said, since its the Zig, I wanted a wide sample of baddies in there.

Thanks again for the reply!

A while back, I had a mission that I made spawning for lvl 37s for the most part just fine. I found that a few family were spawning at 45. I made some changes, and the problem seemed to be fixed. Now, on another mission I am doing (Zig breakout with a wide range of opponents, such as COT, Family, Tsoo, etc) is having the same problem. Went in at 32, and everything seemed fine. I had a Family minion (always the family) conning at 29. The carines are conning at lvl 40. I thought maybe the lvl range of the Carnies was 40+, but went back and they are supposed to be 30-54. Does anyone know why this is? Is it a bug, or am I doing something wrong? Any help would be appreciated, as I spent quite a bit of time trying to make this arc, and its now unplayable.

Thanks!

Thanks all- helpful stuff. I'll check them out.

... and not quite sure where to start. I am, truthfully, one of a seemingly rare breed. I have taken part in a few farms, in an effort to level up some problem toons. Concepts I love, but game play was slow. I also THOROUGHLY enjoy so many of these arcs, which I think are vastly entertaining.

I've gotten the 'farm' bug out of my system, and my son and I have decided to sit down and really experience some of these well written arcs. Rather than reinventing the wheel, I wondered if there was a particular place where discussion and sharing of threads was happening.

I know people are advertising their threads, and I don't mind that at all. But what about open reviews of something that we didn't know existed before. I'm currently working through a 'very long' (this seems to not happen much, huh?) about saving the President of the United States. I find it very entertaining, and once I'm done with it, I would love to share some thoughts so this rarely played arc can get some play.

They don't need to be 5 stars (I think some good arcs get a raw deal by people who have pretty high standards), but I do want it to be good. I've found 4 and 5 star arcs to fit the bill, but am considering venturing into 3 star territory.

Anyway, was wondering on suggestions on where might be a good place to check these out. I see lots of promotions, but a place to review in a constructive way would be a lot of fun.

Thanks!

Redux,

Thanks for taking the time to make the guide! I've been enjoying my lvl 20 sonic corruptor, and have been looking for guides that I can use. The numbers on hotbutteredsoul's ccntroller guide were very helpful, and matched the corr's numbers I believe- but it will be great for the corruptors to have a guide of their very own...

good stuff

Ok, having trouble with real life getting my screen shots posted, but I really like that costume idea. What style gloves and boots are those?

First of all, that is a LOT of alts, Ironik.

Ironic, huh? (dodges rotten tomatoes)

I really like all of them for different takes on the archer themes. I'm afraid on a couple I violated some of the archery rules, but actually, being the type of guy I am, I may go back and rework the other costumes I have to adapt to those. I may try later if I have time to post some of my screenshots of my current costumes to give some ideas of what I've been using. Thanks all for the input and screenies! I'll be back with my stuff shortly, and go from there...

I give up. I love my concept and character (Steelebow, lvl 50 TA/A), but I can't find a costume I like. Looking for ideas I can stea... err, borrow. Or just plain old fashioned inspiration. Really want to get the feel of a Hawkeye or Green Arrow type, while at the same time being distinct...

Any and all ideas or suggestions are welcome...