Looping Sound Crash/Game Freeze

Greetings all!

I recently came back to the world of CoH/CoV after a long break. Since re-installing the game, I've been playing on the Villain side and working on making my first lvl 50 Villain since I already have at least 1 lvl 50 Hero. At least a few times a day, my game crashes with looping sound back to desktop. The main issue, is dealing with or fixing this crash.

So far, the times the game has crashed on me have occurred when chatting in a zone, travelling through a zone, loading into a mission map, and/or loading into a new zone (i.e. Mercy Island to Port Oakes). When the game crashes, I get a box popup that always asks me what I was doing when the error occurred; sometimes I can type in it, and sometimes I cannot. Overall, I can play the game and missions through pretty thoroughly, but the random crashes are a minor annoyance.

What have I tried to fix this? After the first few times I crashed, I went to www.nvidia.com and updated to the latest driver for my XFX 9600GT; the problem still existed after rebooting my computer. Then I did a google search on the problem and came up with adding "-project coh" to my Target command line; this didn't fix my problem either. Finally, I've tried installing/updating the drivers to my new Creative USB Headset and still no joy. Overall, the problem is still unresolved.

Below are my system specs. Please advise me on any possible fixes or work-arounds for this problem.

Thank you!

-Mike

System Specs:
OS: Windows XP Professional
Motherboard: ASUS M2N68-AM
Processor: AMD 64X2 6400+
RAM: 4GB 6400+ 1066MHz FSB (I forget which brand)
Video Card: XFX 9600GT 512MB
Audio: Creative USB Gaming Headset
Storage: 350GB Western Digital SATA Hard Drive

Try updating your sound device drivers as well.

[ QUOTE ]
Try updating your sound device drivers as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ummm.... already did that. It was in the original post.

Thanks anyway!

Problem still unresolved.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Try updating your sound device drivers as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ummm.... already did that. It was in the original post.

Thanks anyway!

Problem still unresolved.

[/ QUOTE ] The OP says you updated your graphics driver, and your headset driver. Armsman was referring to updating your Soundcard driver as well.

In any case, if you provide us with a CoH_Helper and HiJackThis report and we might be able come up with something.

I didn't think I would need another sound drive because USB headsets are generally plug n play on Windows XP. However, since reading your response, I have updated my mobo sound drivers. After doing so, I tried to play again and quickly crashed with a error on nvoglnt.dll. I did a Google search on the error and came up with various graphic problems. Therefore, I checked NVidia's website again only to reallize that they posted yet another new driver yesterday. I installed this driver, rebooted my machine, tried to play the game, and repeatedly crashed even more frequent than before.

I'm not sure what HiJackThis is or how to get it, but I'll look around and check into it. Meanwhile, I'll get that CoH_Helper and see if you all can't help me solve this issue for my gameplay.

Thank you!

-Mike

_____________________________________________

Also, during one of my crashes, CoH creaded a .zip file. What should I do with it?

Here's the info frmo CoH_Helper:

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.7---

DxDiag gathered at May 7, 2009 23:17 (-07:00)
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: 11/03/08 16:15:26 Ver: 08.00.14
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6400+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Memory: 3072MB
.Net Memory Report: 2622MB out of 3071MB available
Page File: 4664MB (293MB currently in use)
C Drive: (WDC WD2500KS-00MJB0) 5733MB out of 50003MB (11%) free
D Drive: (WDC WD2500KS-00MJB0) 179673MB out of 188461MB (95%) free
E Drive: (HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GSA-H22L) 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.

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: 512.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.8585
Driver Date: 4/30/2009 10:02:00 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Creative USB Headset
Driver File: usbaudio.sys
Driver Version: 5.01.2600.5512
Driver Date: 4/13/2008 10:45:12 AM

Sound Device Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Driver File: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5730
Driver Date: 5/7/2009 7:17:48 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: M2N68-AM
Motherboard Version: Rev X.0x
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Name: BIOS Date: 11/03/08 16:15:26 Ver: 08.00.14
BIOS Version: 110308 - 20081103
BIOS Release: 20081103000000.000000+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: 75Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: No

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

Anti-aliasing: None
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: Lowest

World Texture Level: Low
Character Texture Level: Medium
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 0.500
Entity Detail Level: 0.500
Shadows Enabled: No
Gamma Correction: 1.000
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of Extra Player FX Enabled: No
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: 0.000

Show Advanced Graphics Options: No
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.000
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 1044065 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 18.20090422.2T
Installation Directory: D:\CityofHeroes\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

HijackThis - it will show us what's running on your computer concurrently with CoH. Click on "Do a system Scan and save a logfile." It will automatically open up Notepad and put the info there. Make sure Wordwrap is off in Notepad (Format > Wordwrap unchecked) before you cut and paste here.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 11:22:40 PM, on 5/7/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16827)
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:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NetworkAccessManager\bin32\nSvcAppFlt. exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NetworkAccessManager\bin32\nSvcIp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
D:\Downloads\CohHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

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
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Gears Helper - {E0FEFE40-FBF9-42AE-BA58-794CA7E3FB53} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Gears\Internet Explorer\0.5.16.0\gears.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NBKeyScan] "C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero8\Nero BackItUp\NBKeyScan.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RGSC] C:\program files\steam\steamapps\common\grand theft auto iv\RGSC\RGSCLauncher.exe /silent
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {09C04DA7-5B76-4EBC-BBEE-B25EAC5965F5} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Gears\Internet Explorer\0.5.16.0\gears.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Gears Settings - {09C04DA7-5B76-4EBC-BBEE-B25EAC5965F5} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Gears\Internet Explorer\0.5.16.0\gears.dll
O9 - Extra button: PokerStars - {3AD14F0C-ED16-4e43-B6D8-661B03F6A1EF} - C:\Program Files\PokerStars\PokerStarsUpdate.exe
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: Bodog Poker - {F47C1DB5-ED21-4dc1-853E-D1495792D4C5} - C:\Program Files\Bodog Poker\BPGame.exe (file missing)
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
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nvlsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nvlsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nvlsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nvlsp.dll
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/windowsu...b?1234336838781
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://ccfiles.creative.com/Web/soft...5107/CTPID.cab
O23 - Service: ForceWare Intelligent Application Manager (IAM) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NetworkAccessManager\bin32\nSvcAppFlt. exe
O23 - Service: getPlus(R) Helper - NOS Microsystems Ltd. - C:\Program Files\NOS\bin\getPlus_HelperSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate1c9b590e2b16c2a) (gupdate1c9b590e2b16c2a) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: ForceWare IP service (nSvcIp) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NetworkAccessManager\bin32\nSvcIp.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

--
End of file - 4757 bytes

^Bump


This problem is still unresolved. Any ideas?

Thanks!

-Mike

This has been happening to me too. No other applications are running and this started with the latest patch update.

Could it possibly be a dual core problem? Her computer is AMD 64 single core and mine's a dual core both with similar graphics cards; her computer runs the game just fine. When I first got a dual core AMD when running Battlefield 2, I used to have to go into task manager and turn one of the affinities off when running the game to make it not crash. I'll try the same for CoH/CoV and see what happens...

Also, Major, what are you computer specs?

-Mike

Post deleted by Major_Glory

System Info captured by CoH Helper:

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.7---

DxDiag gathered at May 9, 2009 18:00 (-04:00)
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.090302-1506)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: GM5474
BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 2046MB
.Net Memory Report: 1278MB out of 2045MB available
Page File: 2315MB (2010MB currently in use)
C Drive: (WDC WD50 00AAKS-22TMA SCSI Disk Device) 360208MB out of 466881MB (77%) free
D Drive: (WDC WD50 00AAKS-22TMA SCSI Disk Device) 4529MB out of 10056MB (45%) free
E Drive: (TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H652D ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 10
DirectX Diag version: 6.00.6001.18000 (32-bit version)

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

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor: SyncMaster 931BW/906BW/931CW , SyncMaster Magic CX931BW (Digital)
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 8500 GT
Video Memory: 1011 MB
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.7813
Driver Date: 9/18/2008 12:55:00 AM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5361
Driver Date: 1/18/2007 9:56:56 PM

Sound Device Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5361
Driver Date: 1/18/2007 9:56:56 PM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ELITEGROUP
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: MCP61PM-AM
Motherboard Version: 1.0
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: GATEWA - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20070427000000.000000+000

Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1440x900
3D Resolution: 1440x900 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes

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

Anti-aliasing: None
Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
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): 1.000
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Gamma Correction: 1.000
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: 0.605
Music Sound Volume: 0.000

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.600
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 671206 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 18.20090422.2T
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

^Bump


This problem is still unresolved. Any feedback on this, Rednames? Anything?

I tried my idea of setting the affinity and it worked. I noticed you have a AMD Dual Core as well. I was able to play a full 4 hour session without any crashing. Also, I changed my monitor frequency to 60Hz instead of 75.

How it works... After you load into the game via CoHUpdater.exe wait until you get to the login screen. Press Cntrl+Alt+Delete and open up Task Manager. Click on the Processes tab. Sort the tabs by name and find the processes that have you're personal computer username associated with them. Right-click on the process for City of Heroes (i.e. CityofHeroes.exe) and choose "Set Affinity." Take the checkmark away from "CPU 1" and click OK.

So far, this has worked for me, but I have to do it everytime I play the game.

Another post about this issue mentioned that many people have been posting with semi-outdated RealTek Audio drivers. I noticed you have the same driver. Here's a link to that post: https://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat...;gonew=1#UNREAD

I hope this helps!

-Mike

__________________________________________________ _
Update:
I'm starting another session right now if anybody would like to join me. I play on Freedom and sometimes on Guardian. Hit me up: @Guardian Ekim

Last night's session went well for me!

No crashes whatsoever!

-Mike

[ QUOTE ]
I tried my idea of setting the affinity and it worked. I noticed you have a AMD Dual Core as well. I was able to play a full 4 hour session without any crashing. Also, I changed my monitor frequency to 60Hz instead of 75.

How it works... After you load into the game via CoHUpdater.exe wait until you get to the login screen. Press Cntrl+Alt+Delete and open up Task Manager. Click on the Processes tab. Sort the tabs by name and find the processes that have you're personal computer username associated with them. Right-click on the process for City of Heroes (i.e. CityofHeroes.exe) and choose "Set Affinity." Take the checkmark away from "CPU 1" and click OK.

So far, this has worked for me, but I have to do it everytime I play the game.

Another post about this issue mentioned that many people have been posting with semi-outdated RealTek Audio drivers. I noticed you have the same driver. Here's a link to that post: https://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat...;gonew=1#UNREAD

I hope this helps!

-Mike

__________________________________________________ _
Update:
I'm starting another session right now if anybody would like to join me. I play on Freedom and sometimes on Guardian. Hit me up: @Guardian Ekim

[/ QUOTE ]

TYVM, D.

I'll give it a shot and cross my fingers. Hopefully this bug gets fixed soon.

Regards,

MG

It worked! Had to deal with some lag but it's better than crashing.

Thanks again.

Glad to hear it!

I haven't had a problem yet so far either, just minor lag as you said.
-------------------------------------------------------

EDIT: Testing Sig

Having this same issue after the last patch. I'll try the suggestion made in the forum to see if it works for me.

keep an eye on your netgraph during these crashes. if you start getting a log of solid red bars or weird rubberbanding it could be related to an issue i've also been having for weeks that has made the game unplayable.

If setting the Affinity to one CPU Core works, then you might try appending -renderthread 0 to the CoH Shortcut. 0 *should* Switch the game to using only one core by default.

[ QUOTE ]
If setting the Affinity to one CPU Core works, then you might try appending -renderthread 0 to the CoH Shortcut. 0 *should* Switch the game to using only one core by default.

[/ QUOTE ]


I'll try that...

Thank you!

It didn't work... but the way I was doing it still does...

The problem re-occurred today while running single core. My team was in a mission killing stuff when it looped and crashed once again.

I checked for any new drivers with no luck.

What should I do now?