City of Heroes: Live Forum Archive

Escalating CoX issues - now unplayable

Armsman

By Armsman,
Posted on: 2009-06-23 05:12 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs

 

Posted

Hi there, I'd really appreciate any insights you can offer to me. I'm getting withdrawal symptoms.

On Friday the game crashed and screen looked pixellated. Wouldn't ctrl-alt-del and I had to reboot. I'd been playing absolutely fine before that.

Over the weekend, I have had the graphics card replaced, the power supply changed, installed a fresh hard drive and reinstalled windows. I re-downloaded the game (not steam) after the windows install.

I'm still getting the same problem that I was on Friday. In fact it's got worse now I can't even get past the log in screen even in safe mode.

Below is a hijack this and coh helper log. I am using Windows XP and I've had no problems before Friday. As I said, I'd really appreciate any insights anyone might have. Thank you.

LOGS:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 12:59:55, on 23/06/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\sched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\BroadJump\Client Foundation\CFD.exe << NOW TURNED OFF
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\YourWare Solutions\FreeRAM XP Pro \FreeRAM XP Pro.exe << NOW TURNED OFF
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Cosmic Scenes\CosmicScenes.exe << NOW TURNED OFF
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avguard.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrA.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrB.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [workflow] D:\installs\workflow.exe << NOW TURNED OFF
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BJCFD] C:\Program Files\BroadJump\Client Foundation\CFD.exe << NOW TURNED OFF
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 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [FreeRAM XP] "C:\Program Files\YourWare Solutions\FreeRAM XP Pro\FreeRAM XP Pro.exe" -win << NOW TURNED OFF
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: Cosmic Scenes.lnk = C:\Program Files\Cosmic Scenes\CosmicScenes.exe << NOW TURNED OFF
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
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/PCPitStop.CAB
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Scheduler (AntiVirSchedulerService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\sched.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: PnkBstrA - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrA.exe
O23 - Service: PnkBstrB - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrB.exe

--
End of file - 3518 bytes


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

DxDiag gathered at June 23, 2009 13:00 (+01:00)
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
System Manufacturer: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
System Model: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Central Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2048MB
.Net Memory Report: 1720MB out of 2047MB available
Page File: 3689MB (254MB currently in use)
C Drive: (Hitachi HDP725050GLA360) 461408MB out of 476929MB (96%) free
D Drive: (TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S202N) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DirectX Diag version: 5.03.2600.2180 (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 9800 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 9800 GT
Video Memory: 1024.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.8618 << UPDATED
Driver Date: 06/10/2009 06:03:00 << UPDATED
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: C-Media PCI Audio
Driver File: cmudax3.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0008
Driver Date: 12/03/2008 07:32:06



WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer:
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: ConRoe1333-D667
Motherboard Version:
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Name: Default System BIOS
BIOS Version: A_M_I - 12000710
BIOS Release: 20071210000000.000000+000 << UPDATED

Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1024x768
3D Resolution: 1024x768 (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: No
FX Sound Volume: 1.000
Music Sound Volume: 0.600

Show Advanced Graphics Options: No
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.600
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: Unknown bytes/second
Current Game Version: 18.20090422.5T
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found




SAVE CoX info:
Titan Network efforts
Saving CoX events/FB info

 

Posted

Wow, with my limited tech knowledge, you've basically narrowed the problem down to RAM or MoBo, but I couldn't tell you why either would do that.

I can't really see any problem with the info listed. Sorry.

EDIT: Except, how long have you been running Freeram XP? if it was near Friday try uninstalling it. Just a hunch.

EDIT 2: Just tried Freeram, while I don't see the use of it (I have 4 G of RAM, it tells me I have 2) I can't see any problem with it that would be causing your issue.

 

Posted

In addition to the above, which I say you *must* do first, using MSConfig turn these off

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [workflow] D:\installs\workflow.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BJCFD] C:\Program Files\BroadJump\Client Foundation\CFD.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [FreeRAM XP] "C:\Program Files\YourWare Solutions\FreeRAM XP Pro\FreeRAM XP Pro.exe" -win
O4 - Startup: Cosmic Scenes.lnk = C:\Program Files\Cosmic Scenes\CosmicScenes.exe

and retest.

August 31, 2012. A Day that will Live in Infamy. Or Information. Possibly Influence. Well, Inf, anyway. Thank you, Paragon Studios, for what you did, and the enjoyment and camaraderie you brought.
This is houtex, aka Mike, signing off the forums. G'night all. - 10/26/2012
Well... perhaps I was premature about that whole 'signing off' thing... - 11-9-2012

 

Posted

Thank you all for the suggestions.

When it was running perfectly I had: SP2 (never did update windows much), was using not the most recent drivers for my 8600GTS card, FreeRam running, Cosmic Scenes installed but never changing because I liked the picture it created so I turned off the renew function.

I've followed the steps by everyone above (except one - see below) and I did manage to get into game once in safe mode. However, before I had managed to cross from one side of the city hall to the other, the pixellization was back.

The only games on there right now are CoX, Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and Sim City Rush Hour. Sim City pixellizes as you choose a square to work on. Rainbow Six is working fine. Which is odd because it crashed before I changed cards.

This is looking more and more like a hardware problem, isn't it? I ran Memtest86 and that seemed ok.

My motherboard manufacture's website is somewhat unhelpful. In fact the CD that came with the MoBo didn't work. I'll spare you the pain we went through to get net so we could manually download stuff.

Any other ideas please while I go play on the MoBo website?

Thank you all.

EDIT: Updating the COH log because of the suggestions to update the drivers when I have already done so.




SAVE CoX info:
Titan Network efforts
Saving CoX events/FB info

 

Posted

The driver date in CoH Helper shows as 01/01/0001. They are probably corrupt.

Uninstall current drivers

Run Driver Sweeper to clean fully

Install new drivers.

Don't count your weasels before they pop dink!

 

Posted

I've come to associate pixelation with graphics overheat. Are you sure all of your fans are still running, and the intakes are all nice and clean?

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]

Driver Version: 6.14.0011.8120
Driver Date: 01/01/0001 00:00:00


[/ QUOTE ]

See bolded: This leads me to believe theres a problem with your graphics driver installation.

 

Posted

FreeRAM is nice on machines that have under 2GB. They haven't updated it in a long time, so if you have more than 2GB you shouldn't have any need for it. Remove it.

Defcon 0 - (D4 lvl 50),DJ Shecky Cape Radio
@Shecky
Twitter: @DJ_Shecky, @siliconshecky, @thecaperadio
When you air your dirty laundry out on a clothesline above the street, everyone is allowed to snicker at the skid marks in your underoos. - Lemur_Lad

 

Posted

I have updated the first post to reflect the fact I have already updated the graphics drivers. My reply above where I stated all the steps I took after that log was posted seemed to be getting missed by everyone.

I have already turned off FreeRam and as I said above, I was always using FreeRam when CoX worked. I don't have more than two Gig of RAM as it states in the stats in the log.

I have also now updated the BIOS.

EDIT:
Hmm. I just got in in windowed mode and so far no crash. I'm going to try non-windowed in a moment once I'm sure that wasn't a fluke. My pagefile was showing up to a Gig used, is that normal?




SAVE CoX info:
Titan Network efforts
Saving CoX events/FB info

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
FreeRAM is nice on machines that have under 2GB. They haven't updated it in a long time, so if you have more than 2GB you shouldn't have any need for it. Remove it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah that was me, just commenting on having tested the program out as a result of the OP.