SuperOz

Sorry, I should've said. They're both USB.

Can it be a power issue? I have a 600w Thermaltake LitePower power supply, which I presumed was good enough to cover the needs of powering this system. Have I grossly underestimated?

S.

Hello again. I posted just a couple of days ago regarding issues I've been having with Windows, and despite updating the motherboard's BIOS, the video card drivers and the audio drivers, I am still having the following problems.

1)During normal operations (including watching YouTube videos, using Windows MovieMaker and playing MMO's) the PC will freeze with an apparent loss of power (both mouse and keyboard clearly lose power lights) and no warning sounds are given. A manual restart needs to take place.

2) During the above normal operations, the computer will freeze and a harsh buzzing/screeching sound comes across my headphones. A manual restart is required.

I fear one of two things; the first being that I have to completely reinstall Windows XP and update -everything-, something I truly dread doing, or secondly that there is something fundamentally wrong with one of the hardware components which I don't have the skill or tools to test for. I would greatly appreciate any help here, and this would include guides to (if it comes to it) saving all my Outlook messages and IE favorites and links. The only good thing about this is that it's near the end of the year and I'm not online as much. Here below are my PC stats.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 1:25:25 AM, on 27/11/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgchsvx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgrsx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nTune\nTuneService.exe
C:\Program Files\AMD\Dual-Core Optimizer\amd_dc_opt.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Application Launcher\Application Launcher.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Skype\Plugins\Plugins\1163D2B46CC742E5A3CC9E4 157887751\TalkAndWrite.exe
C:\Program Files\OCZ Technology\Mouse\Amoumain.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories\XboxStat.exe
C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk2008\PD91Agent.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgnsx.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\SeaPort\SeaPort.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\EXPERTool\TBPANEL.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Teleca Shared\Generic.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Mobile Phone Monitor\epmworker.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.ninemsn.com.au
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.chariot.net.au/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - - (no file)
R3 - URLSearchHook: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - *{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Conversion Toolbar Helper - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O2 - BHO: MSN Toolbar Helper - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1203.0\msneshellx.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {E15A8DC0-8516-42A1-81EA-DC94EC1ACF10} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN Toolbar - {1E61ED7C-7CB8-49d6-B9E9-AB4C880C8414} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1203.0\msneshellx.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AVG Security Toolbar - {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Windows Live Toolbar - {21FA44EF-376D-4D53-9B0F-8A89D3229068} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [amd_dc_opt] C:\Program Files\AMD\Dual-Core Optimizer\amd_dc_opt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Sony Ericsson PC Suite] "C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Application Launcher\Application Launcher.exe" /startoptions
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acrobat Assistant 8.0] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TalkAndWrite] C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Skype\Plugins\Plugins\1163D2B46CC742E5A3CC9E4 157887751\TalkAndWrite.exe /run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WheelMouse] C:\Program Files\OCZ Technology\Mouse\Amoumain.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [XboxStat] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories\XboxStat.exe" silentrun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG9_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (reboot)] "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe" /runcleanupscript
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nView\nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NVIDIA nTune] "C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nTune\nTuneCmd.exe" clear
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [GAINWARD] C:\Program Files\EXPERTool\TBPANEL.exe /A
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: ScreenThemes.lnk = C:\Program Files\ScreenThemes\scthemes.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: Append to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {5067A26B-1337-4436-8AFE-EE169C2DA79F} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {5067A26B-1337-4436-8AFE-EE169C2DA79F} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Skype - {77BF5300-1474-4EC7-9980-D32B190E9B07} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Run IMVU - {d9288080-1baa-4bc4-9cf8-a92d743db949} - C:\Documents and Settings\Ian Tavener\Start Menu\Programs\IMVU\Run IMVU.lnk (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/...x/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {0742B9EF-8C83-41CA-BFBA-830A59E23533} (Microsoft Data Collection Control) - https://support.microsoft.com/OAS/ActiveX/MSDcode.cab
O16 - DPF: {0D6709DD-4ED8-40CA-B459-2757AEEF7BEE} (Dldrv2 Control) - http://download.gigabyte.com.tw/object/Dldrv.ocx
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262E} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...sysreqlab3.cab
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262F} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...reqlab_nvd.cab
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (CDownloadCtrl Object) - http://www.fileplanet.com/fpdlmgr/ca..._2.3.7.109.cab
O16 - DPF: {40F576AD-8680-4F9E-9490-99D069CD665F} (System Requirements Lab Class) - http://srtest-cdn.systemrequirements...qlabdetect.cab
O16 - DPF: {4871A87A-BFDD-4106-8153-FFDE2BAC2967} (DLM Control) - http://dlm.tools.akamai.com/dlmanage...ex-2.2.4.1.cab
O16 - DPF: {59E937ED-AC7E-407D-B40B-6545B1EECDE7} - http://www.nightatthemuseumcomestoli....Installer.exe
O16 - DPF: {67A5F8DC-1A4B-4D66-9F24-A704AD929EEE} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...sysreqlab2.cab
O16 - DPF: {67DABFBF-D0AB-41FA-9C46-CC0F21721616} - http://download.divx.com/player/DivXBrowserPlugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {69EF49E5-FE46-4B92-B5FA-2193AB7A6B8A} (GameLauncher Control) - http://www.acclaim.com/cabs/acclaim_v4.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr...?1194517569171
O16 - DPF: {D1E7CBDA-E60E-4970-A01C-37301EF7BF98} (Futuremark SystemInfo) - http://www.yougamers.com/systeminfo/FMSI.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553550000} - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...sh/swflash.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{0C44BB57-795A-4C3B-8C08-995A16DEFAE7}: NameServer = 203.87.88.1,203.87.88.2
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{0C44BB57-795A-4C3B-8C08-995A16DEFAE7}: NameServer = 203.87.88.1,203.87.88.2
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgpp.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\avgrsstx.dll
O23 - Service: AVG Free WatchDog (avg9wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: ##Id_String1.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94B879762# # (Bonjour Service) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: nTune Service (nTuneService) - NVIDIA - C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nTune\nTuneService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: PD91Agent - Raxco Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk2008\PD91Agent.exe
O23 - Service: PD91Engine - Raxco Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk2008\PD91Engine.exe
O23 - Service: uvnc_service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iTabletop\winvnc.exe (file missing)
--
End of file - 15012 bytes


---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.8---
DxDiag gathered at November 27, 2009 01:26 (+10:00)
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: P55-UD3R
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz (4 CPUs)
Memory: 2044MB
.Net Memory Report: 1398MB out of 2043MB available
Page File: 2893MB (533MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST3160212A) 35648MB out of 152617MB (23%) free
D Drive: (HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4160B) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DirectX Diag version: 5.03.2600.5512 (32-bit version)
Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 9600 GT
Video Memory: 1024.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.9107
Driver Date: 1/01/0001 12:00:00 AM
Driver Language: English
Sound Device Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Driver File: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5973
Driver Date: 11/03/2009 9:39:04 PM

WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: P55-UD3R
Motherboard Version: x.x
BIOS Manufacturer: Award Software International, Inc.
BIOS Name: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: GBT - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20090801000000.000000+000
Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1280x960
3D Resolution: 1280x960 (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: 4x
Anisotropic Filtering: 16x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: High Quality
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: Yes
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: High
World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 2.000
Entity Detail Level: 2.000
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Gamma Correction: 0.690
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of Extra Player FX Enabled: No
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: No
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes
Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: Yes
FX Sound Volume: 0.140
Music Sound Volume: 0.157
Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.600
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 20748 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1600.20091102.4T
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes
Mod files in the Data directory
.\fonts has 2 files
.\sound\Ogg\FrontEnd has 2 files
.\sound\Ogg\Rave has 7 files
.\texture_library\GUI\CREATION\common\Backgrounds has 2 files
.\texture_library\GUI\CREATION\Login has 2 files\

(Note: The change to the video driver date is unknown; viewing it in the Control Panel displays a different date.)

Hi all.

This has happened with not only this game (though notably in LotRo the game fully minimises to desktop wheras CoH doesn't, a click on the screen which still displays the game running seems to get back in the game), but other things like Internet Explorer where the program tries to 'alt' as would happen when you move to another program.

I have an older 17-inch NEC Multisynch V721 monitor with the resolution set to 1280 x 960. Most people I've spoken to about this suggest that I need to have my game resolutions at the same as my desktop or that my video drivers need updating. I have in the last half hour installed the Nvidia 191.07 drivers for a Gainward 9600GT 1024 DDR RAM card, and am hoping this will fix the problem. However, I present my Hijack This information for your perusal. I recently ran a CCleaner program and this has hopefully cleaned up my registry somewhat as well. Any help is appreciated.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:35:35 PM, on 23/11/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgchsvx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgrsx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgnsx.exe
C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nTune\nTuneService.exe
C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk2008\PD91Agent.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\SeaPort\SeaPort.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\iTabletop\winvnc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\iTabletop\winvnc.exe
C:\Program Files\AMD\Dual-Core Optimizer\amd_dc_opt.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Application Launcher\Application Launcher.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Skype\Plugins\Plugins\1163D2B46CC742E5A3CC9E4 157887751\TalkAndWrite.exe
C:\Program Files\OCZ Technology\Mouse\Amoumain.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories\XboxStat.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Teleca Shared\Generic.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Mobile Phone Monitor\epmworker.exe
C:\Program Files\EXPERTool\TBPANEL.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.ninemsn.com.au
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.chariot.net.au/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - - (no file)
R3 - URLSearchHook: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - *{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Conversion Toolbar Helper - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O2 - BHO: MSN Toolbar Helper - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1203.0\msneshellx.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {E15A8DC0-8516-42A1-81EA-DC94EC1ACF10} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN Toolbar - {1E61ED7C-7CB8-49d6-B9E9-AB4C880C8414} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1203.0\msneshellx.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AVG Security Toolbar - {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Windows Live Toolbar - {21FA44EF-376D-4D53-9B0F-8A89D3229068} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [amd_dc_opt] C:\Program Files\AMD\Dual-Core Optimizer\amd_dc_opt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Sony Ericsson PC Suite] "C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Application Launcher\Application Launcher.exe" /startoptions
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acrobat Assistant 8.0] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TalkAndWrite] C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Skype\Plugins\Plugins\1163D2B46CC742E5A3CC9E4 157887751\TalkAndWrite.exe /run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WheelMouse] C:\Program Files\OCZ Technology\Mouse\Amoumain.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [XboxStat] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories\XboxStat.exe" silentrun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG9_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (reboot)] "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe" /runcleanupscript
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nView\nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NVIDIA nTune] "C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nTune\nTuneCmd.exe" clear
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [GAINWARD] C:\Program Files\EXPERTool\TBPANEL.exe /A
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: ScreenThemes.lnk = C:\Program Files\ScreenThemes\scthemes.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: Append to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {5067A26B-1337-4436-8AFE-EE169C2DA79F} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {5067A26B-1337-4436-8AFE-EE169C2DA79F} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Skype - {77BF5300-1474-4EC7-9980-D32B190E9B07} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Run IMVU - {d9288080-1baa-4bc4-9cf8-a92d743db949} - C:\Documents and Settings\Ian Tavener\Start Menu\Programs\IMVU\Run IMVU.lnk (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/...x/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {0742B9EF-8C83-41CA-BFBA-830A59E23533} (Microsoft Data Collection Control) - https://support.microsoft.com/OAS/ActiveX/MSDcode.cab
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262E} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...sysreqlab3.cab
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262F} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...reqlab_nvd.cab
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (CDownloadCtrl Object) - http://www.fileplanet.com/fpdlmgr/ca..._2.3.7.109.cab
O16 - DPF: {40F576AD-8680-4F9E-9490-99D069CD665F} (System Requirements Lab Class) - http://srtest-cdn.systemrequirements...qlabdetect.cab
O16 - DPF: {4871A87A-BFDD-4106-8153-FFDE2BAC2967} (DLM Control) - http://dlm.tools.akamai.com/dlmanage...ex-2.2.4.1.cab
O16 - DPF: {59E937ED-AC7E-407D-B40B-6545B1EECDE7} (CDFusionActiveXCtl Object) - http://www.nightatthemuseumcomestoli....Installer.exe
O16 - DPF: {67A5F8DC-1A4B-4D66-9F24-A704AD929EEE} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...sysreqlab2.cab
O16 - DPF: {67DABFBF-D0AB-41FA-9C46-CC0F21721616} - http://download.divx.com/player/DivXBrowserPlugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {69EF49E5-FE46-4B92-B5FA-2193AB7A6B8A} (GameLauncher Control) - http://www.acclaim.com/cabs/acclaim_v4.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr...?1194517569171
O16 - DPF: {D1E7CBDA-E60E-4970-A01C-37301EF7BF98} (Futuremark SystemInfo) - http://www.yougamers.com/systeminfo/FMSI.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553550000} - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...sh/swflash.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{0C44BB57-795A-4C3B-8C08-995A16DEFAE7}: NameServer = 203.87.88.1,203.87.88.2
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{0C44BB57-795A-4C3B-8C08-995A16DEFAE7}: NameServer = 203.87.88.1,203.87.88.2
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgpp.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\avgrsstx.dll
O23 - Service: AVG Free WatchDog (avg9wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: ##Id_String1.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94B879762# # (Bonjour Service) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: nTune Service (nTuneService) - NVIDIA - C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nTune\nTuneService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: PD91Agent - Raxco Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk2008\PD91Agent.exe
O23 - Service: PD91Engine - Raxco Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk2008\PD91Engine.exe
O23 - Service: uvnc_service - UltraVNC - C:\Program Files\iTabletop\winvnc.exe

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.8---
DxDiag gathered at November 23, 2009 23:01 (+10:00)
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: P55-UD3R
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz (4 CPUs)
Memory: 2044MB
.Net Memory Report: 1355MB out of 2043MB available
Page File: 2872MB (553MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST3160212A) 38406MB out of 152617MB (25%) free
D Drive: (HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4160B) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DirectX Diag version: 5.03.2600.5512 (32-bit version)
Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 9600 GT
Video Memory: 1024.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.9107
Driver Date: 1/01/0001 12:00:00 AM
Driver Language: English
Sound Device Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Driver File: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5874
Driver Date: 1/01/0001 12:00:00 AM

WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: P55-UD3R
Motherboard Version: x.x
BIOS Manufacturer: Award Software International, Inc.
BIOS Name: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: GBT - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20090801000000.000000+000
Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1280x960
3D Resolution: 1280x960 (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: 4x
Anisotropic Filtering: 16x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: High Quality
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: Yes
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: High
World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 2.000
Entity Detail Level: 2.000
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Gamma Correction: 0.690
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of Extra Player FX Enabled: No
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: No
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes
Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: Yes
FX Sound Volume: 0.140
Music Sound Volume: 0.157
Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.600
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 20748 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1600.20091102.4T
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes
Mod files in the Data directory
.\fonts has 2 files
.\sound\Ogg\FrontEnd has 2 files
.\sound\Ogg\Rave has 7 files
.\texture_library\GUI\CREATION\common\Backgrounds has 2 files
.\texture_library\GUI\CREATION\Login has 2 files

That'd be him, yes. No listing of his name in the History section. Thank you!

S.

I just have to say that I think it's a great little QoL feature that other games frankly take forgranted. How many times have you logged into the more fantasy-based or modern games and noticed the characters walking like stiff boards or completely unnaturally?

I'd go so far as to say even Champions (a 2009 game) does this poorly, alternating between a strutting stomp and walking as if a wooden board had been slapped to their backs.

When I logged onto Test and had my Huge Male walking around...it honestly felt natural to look at, and that's not an easy thing to reproduce. Yes, it's a little exaggerated, but normal-paced walking wouldn't give you much to look at, I'd argue. But the movements and the pacing of the limbs look spot on, and I give many congratulations to BaB and his crew for pulling it off.

Some people might consider it superfluous and unnecessary, but considering how forgranted it's taken in other games, and how often we rely upon a jetpack or a travel power to scoot over the environment, it's a welcome thing to get us to stop and smell the roses as it were. I hope more people will just turn on Walk for social gatherings or hanging out in Atlas Park, because it's inherently something we do as people, gather and walk and talk. I'd personally wouldn't mind taking a stroll around Ouroboros.

And who won't walk around Praetoria, eh?

S.

All the MA writers here seem to be the best ones to ask on this:

Doctor Science is referenced and it seems only in the history section of the main page as having discovered how the Rikti came to Earth. I'm thinking of honoring him in some way in an arc I'm working on (he was also the host of a children's tv show) and I'm wondering if anyone knows anything more about him or even what he looks like? I'm having a mental image of the guy in a lab coat, goggles, big gloves and a nuclear symbol or something on his very bright outfit.

Any takers?

S.

Anarchy and Backfire, I got a XBox360 wired controller for a few games I own and to make the times I play Champions Online (yes I know, boo hiss, get it out of your system) and am very intrigued by the keymapping you're talking about.

Would you be able to provide a little walkthrough (I have XPadder, btw) of how to set it all up? Very interested in giving it a go.

S.

Hi out there!

500 posts is pretty significant for me, considering I do more reading and browsing than I do posting, so excuse this brief moment of achievement (however small) on my part. Yay!

Now that's dispensed with, let me get to what I meant in the thread title. I know that there are suggestions/rumors/uncomfirmed reports that there will be a graphics upgrade to this game, but of what sort we don't know. I myself have suggested we get a move towards body models with smoother lines, fingers and toes and a general '2009' appearance for the game, but then I was struck thinking the other day about just what that meant.

I was genuinely surprised when I was doing some research about Aion and discovered that the maximum requirement for the game was only an nVidia 7300 video card! And it's easily amongst the best if not the best looking MMO of this year (its' prior history in Korea notwithstanding). It reminded me that you can pull some amazing looking graphics out by using just good tools. So what does that mean for CoH?

I admit I love the graphics engine of Aion and the look of the game (it ultimately proved far too grindy in nature after reading several reviews for me to want to play it) and wondered if that would be the way I'd want the game to look, or perhaps more like the art style of the Going Rogue website? But then there's the promotional art for HeroCon and whilst looking a little more 'comic book' (and I mean that only in the sense that it's very stylised art), it too looks very attractive.

Most games these days are defined by their looks first and foremost (after all, that's what makes us pick up the box or watch a preview of a game), with customisation running nearly a dead heat in terms of what players want. I really do believe customisation is going to be the buzzword with a lot of games in the next few years, and a flexible graphics style surely must be part of that.

My own personal preference to make CoH dramatic and stand out tends to favor clean lines and great attention to detail. I'm under no illusions that CoH probably couldn't be adapted to the Aion engine, but if the game matched the Going Rogue trailer's style or promotional artwork, I would be very very happy. Another personal favorite is the website artwork which is just gorgeous to me, but may be just that.

What do other people think of the graphics style to hopefully come our way?

S.

Agreed. I'm in Brisbane and find a lot of Aussies on Virtue also. Check out the mentioned servers, see what you like! Virtue is more for roleplayers, so it comes down to your playstyle.

S.

I agree, I like a lot of the new Martial Arts animations, but I should add at least one AT picked up an extra animation, and that's Stalkers. I play an MA/Regen Stalker, and it so happens that they altered the Assassin's Strike animation from the 'I want to do a Kamekameha attack' to a decidedly wicked looking strike (which I forget the name of) that I've chosen. Just looks fabulous. Finally Martial Arts looks like Martial Arts to me.

S.

That's pretty much it, and apologies for me wording it badly. I was wondering if there were any inklings of it happening now in small increments based on what we're seeing already, was my question.

S.

I guess the question I would have here as I raised originally, is there any evidence in game that anyone can point to now that would suggest any of these changes being implemented in some form or another? My suggestion was that that the UI was seeming to be significantly upgraded, or its potential was, but obviously the more visual aspects such as characters and clothing and environment is a different kettle of fish.

Can anyone (presumably je_sasist) comment on this?

S.

I was just wondering this given what we've seen in recent times, namely:

The Power Customisation issue (though this is obvious and the first stage presumably in a rollout of power customisation which includes animations);

The additional small touches to the UI including level indicator, badge categories, minimap and level indicators for missions plus detailed explanations of the UI options;

And finally the information regarding the Halloween Event where a Raid Event indicator plus UI will apparently appear, along with additional minimap markers.

Is this the beginning of what we should begin to expect as GR moves towards and the overall level of the interface improves and becomes more as I call it, '2009'?

I won't deny I like the simplicity and ease of use of the other superhero MMO's interface, but that's predicated on the notion that it is a simpler game by design, and more action-oriented, by which I mean that there is more done with 'interactive' systems relying on less clicks and is more like a console game. Again, by design.

I'm hoping we see a more flexible UI (though as it is, it's pretty impressive), along with a cleaner '2009' look for the game. It's hard to deny what games can render these days with the looks of characters and environments, and whilst I'm not looking for anything specifically, I am hoping this is the beginning of the sort of things we can expect to see.

S.

It depends on the system you intend to use. The Hero System as mentioned above is not implemented in Champions Online and I can say this as someone who played and owned Champions for some four years and built several characters. Champions Online uses a Hero System Lite and isn't reflective.

That being said, to gain any advantage with a power (such as the ability to be Armor Piercing, or reduce the amount of defence the target has) would have to be bought with some compensating disadvantage, such as lower damage and so on. It's meticulous, but mathematically you could have a balanced character. BUT, you could also min/max. Purely comes down to what you're aiming for.

That being said, my Super Strength/Invulnerability tanker is an avatar of an Australian Aboriginal creation deity. He's vastly less than what he is (being confined to a single body, for one) but his disadvantage is pollution in concentrated forms, such as the treatment plants near Founders Falls. It greatly reduces his Strength and Invulnerability, as well as damages him. General levels of pollution means he needs to connect with a natural environment physically once a day or he suffers lower levels of the same effect.

S.

I think like a few posters in this thread, I am feeling a bit of the desire to be a bit more '2009'.

Now, I know people want the game to be playable on their older machines and such, but there are things visually that can be improved upon a lot. A great majority of the costume options are low-res in detail and texture; it's interesting to note that for example the high-res shiny cyborg parts are updated and detailed versions of a lot of the tech parts. A pass over these to bring them closer to the standards of the later costume sets and Boosters are now.

On that, it must surely be time to upgrade the character models as well. I've heard a lot about how time-consuming and difficult it might be, but the bodies are decidedly blocky (not to mention the mitten hands and feet) and aren't '2009'. For good or bad, gamers are coming to expect more detailed character models and I think that's something a little overdue for this game. I would say the same for faces, but that's a double edged sword. Facial expressions are hard enough in full CGI movies; even though there's some advances of this technology in some games (LotRo and a bit in Champions, though it looks awkward at best), I don't see it being a big thing as of yet.

Game engine wise, this also needs to follow through. Again, for good or bad, people are seeing physics based stuff crop up in MMO's (Champions' limited interaction with physical objects comes to mind here immediately) and for me personally, I look at Mayhem/Safeguard missions and think that technology should and could be expanded into the larger world. Not everywhere on every street corner, mind you...but available in some way to make the world more...well....smashy. So that our fights using all these powes have some lasting/temporary effect on the world around us. And isn't that a staple of comic book superheroism/villainy?

Again I agree with a lot of people that zones need a good going over and revamping, and I would say this needs to start from the ground up. Whilst the tutorial is spot on with 'what you need to know' moments on both sides, it could be made to be a bit more involved and invigorating. Busting out of a prison or stopping an outbreak of disease are fine, but give it a little more than just one mission. Like Champions, City of could do a lot to set up storylines from the beginning and give players things to look forward to. And for heroes, let's have reasons to start in Galaxy or Atlas rather than just being two starting zones. And on redside, the choice of NOT working with Arachnos needs to be more dilenated and have meaning instead of having subsequent storylines dovetail back into Arachnos. A secondary faction or something allowing villains to be true villains and not lackeys is needed here. Perhaps Going Rogue will allow this?

And lastly, story story story! The Coming Storm! Rularuu! Ouroboros! Cimerora! All of these things and more have unresolved/ongoing/untouched stories attached to them and deserve more than they have now. By extension this of course should mean more and new maps and environments; that's not just a wish of this player, but it's a logical extension of the game world to reach out and be broader in scope. We -almost- have this with areas like Cimerora and more dramatically in the Shadow Shard (which is practically crying out for more areas to explore within it), but the obvious things like underwater/outer space/other continents/cities (again superhero staples) are there to be had. Respectively and I think mentioned before, we have the Rikti homeworld, the Coralax region, and in Going Rogue, Praetoria (city or more, we don't know).

It's time the story moved forward; I'm fully appreciative of all that's being done for improvements in gameplay, customisation and Quality of Life features, it makes CoH that much more of a joy to log into. I'll admit to being a little spoiled here; I'm also playing Lord of the Rings Online and one of the things that keeps me playing is knowing that the story is moving (however slowly) towards the War of the Ring and seeing places I've read and seen of. I want that here too, that sense that the story is going ahead.

That's pretty much my two influence (though adjusted for the markets these days it'd be about 200,000....)

S.

Thanks. I thought it might be something like this; the available HD space is a big one and I can take care of that right away. I also have a proper defrag program and will put it to work.

Thanks for all the advice....not sure why my video drivers should display so old, I updated pretty recently. But that'll be done too. Thanks for all the help!

Update: With a little work, I tripled the amount of free space on the drive, ran a complete defrag using PerfectDisk and am now looking for a system registry cleanup tool. I actually really enjoy learning how to best look after my machine. I have a feeling getting to the registry will be the best thing I can do here in the long-term. Can you recommend any programs?

S.

Hello everyone. This is being written due to an unusual and devastating crash I had playing villain-side this past evening. I have had the game installed for a good two years now, no issues of any kind outside of inteference due to storms and the like. However, on a full team of eight redside, and after doing a full outdoor map mission, a fight broke out inside an office map. I got defeated, hit an Awaken....and the game abruptly flicked out to a black screen, the sound looped and my machine effectively shut down. I rebooted, went back into the game and into the instance with my team....and it happened again. Finally, I shut the machine down again, restarted, gave the CoH client a complete file verification run and logged back in. I didn't go back into the instance (the mission had finished by this time) but there were no further issues.

I suspect this was a fatal flaw somewhere in the code that created some sort of tremendous error in my machine and the second shutdown, reboot and file scan seemed to fix it. I will test this again doing an instance on my own, but I can't pinpoint a reason for this failure. Here's my machine info.


---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.8---

DxDiag gathered at September 7, 2009 21:20 (+10:00)
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 10/30/06 16:53:50 Ver: 08.00.12
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 2048MB
.Net Memory Report: 1279MB out of 2047MB available
Page File: 2763MB (666MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST3160212A) 16423MB out of 152617MB (10%) free
D Drive: (HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4160B) zero-size drive
E Drive: (LITE-ON LTR-48246K) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DirectX Diag version: 5.03.2600.5512 (32-bit version)

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

Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 7600 GS
Video Memory: 512.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.9038
Driver Date: 1/01/0001 12:00:00 AM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Driver File: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5247
Driver Date: 1/01/0001 12:00:00 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: M2V
Motherboard Version: Rev 1.xx
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Name: BIOS Date: 10/30/06 16:53:50 Ver: 08.00.12
BIOS Version: A M I - 10000630
BIOS Release: 20061030000000.000000+000

Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1280x960
3D Resolution: 1280x960 (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: 4x
Anisotropic Filtering: 16x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: High Quality
Bloom: 1.000 (turned on)
Depth of Field Enabled: Yes
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: High

World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 2.000
Entity Detail Level: 2.000
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Gamma Correction: 0.690
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of Extra Player FX Enabled: No
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: No
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: Yes
FX Sound Volume: 0.330
Music Sound Volume: 0.360

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.600
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 25278 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 19.20090716.3T
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
.\fonts has 2 files
.\sound\Ogg\FrontEnd has 2 files
.\sound\Ogg\Rave has 7 files
.\texture_library\GUI\CREATION\common\Backgrounds has 2 files
.\texture_library\GUI\CREATION\Login has 2 files

and from Hijack This:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:29:07 PM, on 7/09/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nTune\nTuneService.exe
C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk2008\PD91Agent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\iTabletop\winvnc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgrsx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\WgaTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\iTabletop\winvnc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Application Launcher\Application Launcher.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Skype\Plugins\Plugins\1163D2B46CC742E5A3CC9E4 157887751\TalkAndWrite.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EADM\Core.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ymsgr_tray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Teleca Shared\Generic.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Mobile Phone Monitor\epmworker.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Office Live\OfficeLiveSignIn.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\Utilities\CohHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.ninemsn.com.au
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.chariot.net.au/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - - (no file)
R3 - URLSearchHook: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Conversion Toolbar Helper - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O2 - BHO: Burn4Free Toolbar Helper - {D187A56B-A33F-4CBE-9D77-459FC0BAE012} - C:\Program Files\Burn4Free Toolbar\v3.3.0.3\Burn4Free_Toolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: MSN Toolbar Helper - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1203.0\msneshellx.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN Toolbar - {1E61ED7C-7CB8-49d6-B9E9-AB4C880C8414} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1203.0\msneshellx.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AVG Security Toolbar - {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Burn4Free Toolbar - {4F11ACBB-393F-4C86-A214-FF3D0D155CC3} - C:\Program Files\Burn4Free Toolbar\v3.3.0.3\Burn4Free_Toolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [amd_dc_opt] C:\Program Files\AMD\Dual-Core Optimizer\amd_dc_opt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Sony Ericsson PC Suite] "C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Application Launcher\Application Launcher.exe" /startoptions
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acrobat Assistant 8.0] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG8_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TalkAndWrite] C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Skype\Plugins\Plugins\1163D2B46CC742E5A3CC9E4 157887751\TalkAndWrite.exe /run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\isuspm.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nView\nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [igndlm.exe] C:\Program Files\Download Manager\DLM.exe /windowsstart /startifwork
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NVIDIA nTune] "C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nTune\nTuneCmd.exe" clear
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [EA Core] "C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EADM\Core.exe" -silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Messenger (Yahoo!)] "C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe" -quiet
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: ScreenThemes.lnk = C:\Program Files\ScreenThemes\scthemes.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: InterVideo WinCinema Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\InterVideo\Common\Bin\WinCinemaMgr.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: Append to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Skype - {77BF5300-1474-4EC7-9980-D32B190E9B07} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Run IMVU - {d9288080-1baa-4bc4-9cf8-a92d743db949} - C:\Documents and Settings\Ian Tavener\Start Menu\Programs\IMVU\Run IMVU.lnk (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/...x/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {0742B9EF-8C83-41CA-BFBA-830A59E23533} (Microsoft Data Collection Control) - https://support.microsoft.com/OAS/ActiveX/MSDcode.cab
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262E} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...sysreqlab3.cab
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (CDownloadCtrl Object) - http://www.fileplanet.com/fpdlmgr/ca..._2.3.7.109.cab
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End of file - 14070 bytes

I just wanted to come back to this thread to clarify; I wasn't interested so much in a hard copy sourcebook but a softcopy that could be updated, just in a 'ready to print' format such as a PDF. Easier to maintain, easier to update and easier to deal with all round.

The lore isn't hard to find, it's just a matter of the way that it's presented that can provide a barrier.

S.

This occurred when replying to a Hero/Villain Culture thread asking about the now-defunct City of Heroes pen and paper roleplaying game; I realise there are a great many online sources for information, most obviously this site and Paragonwiki, and for the Virtue continuity, the Virtueverse site.

But would I be alone in wanting to see an unofficial project organising the information in a book/PDF format that could be updated to cater for issue releases? I know a reader-friendly format tends to suck me in a lot and I like the accessability of a book where I can go 'oh, what's that thing I wanted to remember about Steel Canyon again?' and look it up in a general sense without needing to remember a specific phrase. And I like to be able to just browse a 'book' where I can just soak in ideas and facts.

Again, this might just be me, but maybe I can spark some interest out there....

S.

Thanks for these additional comments and that clears some of it up...for the record, I'm also in favor of the older costume parts getting a clean up and maybe rendered a bit more three-dimensionally...there are some potentially gorgeous looking parts in there, I have to say.

Creole, you mentioned new geometry for hands and feet and maybe backs, so this falls into a game engine area? If so, how intensive is such a thing to do? We've seen that the Soldiers of Arachnos models have fingers and are largely cosmetic; they don't seem to have any specific animations attached to them and so on, and I doubt there's many MMO's where there would be. And would lighting be an impact on video cards also?

Scarlet_Shocker, I managed to play a few days on CO and there was a framerate hit indeed on many people's machines, presumably one that the Cryptic people were working on hard, given how some folk had machines that far exceeded the minimum system requirements.

S.

Thanks for all the responses, folks! Glad to see people have some thoughts along my lines.

In response to the graphics comments, I was wondering just what constituted an upgrade. Does the addition of fingers, toes, a walk animation, a smoother skeleton with more costume anchor points and so on require a better graphics -engine- or a better -quality- of graphics without the need for more intensive graphics processing power?

I don't know the answer to this one, but my observation is that if you have better looking environments, better looking character models and so on, you seem to need a better graphics card to represent it. Is that a better engine or better quality issue? I'm not too sure.


Dark Gob> Afraid to say it's true! I dialled down other options in-game in CO, most notably the shadows and detail of the environment, but the weather effects ran fine even when I didn't. Go figure. I wish I had videos to back that up. As for the upgrades in technology, this obviously mainly affects gamers as most casual users/players don't even think about upgrades. But, the plain and simple truth is that the technology, particularly in the graphics/physics engine department for games have made quantum leaps in the last five years particularly, and games like Crysis (which had ridiculuous requirements for a PC) are a clear indication of where the game industry wants to go, even if the public may disagree.

S.