Crashety crash crash.

I've been having the game crash every couple hours on me, usually while zoning. Windows is up to date, service packs, updates, even the hotfixs listed elsewhere in the forums. Graphics drivers also are swept and up to date. This time the crash gave me the following message (first time)

Crash message:

[ QUOTE ]
Assertion failed

Program: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CityOfHeroes.exe
Time: Wed Jun 24 12:05:08 PM
Process ID: 5500
File: c:\src\utilitieslib\utils\superassert.c
Line: 1857
Expression: 0

Error Message: CRT abort() called

ERROR: swDumpStackToBuffer - timeout (258) waiting for dumpHeap is NOT corrupted
Last windows SYSTEM error: Not enough storage is available to process this command.



[/ QUOTE ]

Here's the CoH helper log:

[ QUOTE ]
---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.7---

DxDiag gathered at June 24, 2009 12:15 (-04:00)
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.lh_sp2rtm.090410-1830)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Inspiron 531
BIOS: oC)Phoenix - AwardBIOSTeDell System v6.00PG
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5600+ (2 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 3070MB
.Net Memory Report: 2350MB out of 3069MB available
Page File: 5145MB (1217MB currently in use)
C Drive: (WDC WD10 01FALS-00J7B SCSI Disk Device) 723549MB out of 953866MB (75%) free
D Drive: (SONY CDRWDVD CRX310S SCSI CdRom 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.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor: ViewSonic VG2230wm SERIES
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 8800 GT
Video Memory: 1779 MB
Driver Version: 8.15.0011.8585
Driver Date: 4/30/2009 10:02:00 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (2- Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5555
Driver Date: 1/24/2008 11:06:40 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: 0RY206
Motherboard Version: ÿÿÿ
BIOS Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
BIOS Name: oC)Phoenix - AwardBIOSTeDell System v6.00PG
BIOS Version: DELL - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20080109000000.000000+000

Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1680x1050
3D Resolution: 1680x1050 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes

Physics Quality: None
Maximum Particles: 6187
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No

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

World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 0.903
Entity Detail Level: 0.890
Shadows Enabled: No
Gamma Correction: 1.000
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: No
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: Compatiblity
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 0.500
Music Sound Volume: 0.221

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.300
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 290909 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 18.20090422.5T
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Powers has 120 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\city has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Safeguard has 9 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\sewers has 44 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\static has 34 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Outdoor_Missions has 9 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Static has 16 files


[/ QUOTE ]

and Hijack This:

[ QUOTE ]
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 12:21:26 PM, on 6/24/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\winssnotify.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\RtHDVCpl.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\unsecapp.exe
C:\Program Files\RivaTuner v2.20\RivaTuner.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltuser.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Taskmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil10b.ex e
C:\Windows\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
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 =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {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: MSN Toolbar Helper - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1125.0\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
O3 - Toolbar: MSN Toolbar - {1E61ED7C-7CB8-49d6-B9E9-AB4C880C8414} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1125.0\msneshellx.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Windows Live Toolbar - {21FA44EF-376D-4D53-9B0F-8A89D3229068} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RtHDVCpl] RtHDVCpl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OneCareUI] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\winssnotify.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RivaTunerStartupDaemon] "C:\Program Files\RivaTuner v2.20\RivaTunerWrapper.exe" /S
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Default Manager] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Default Manager\DefMgr.exe" -resume
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Skytel] Skytel.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [igndlm.exe] C:\Program Files\Download Manager\DLM.exe /windowsstart /startifwork
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: RivaTuner.lnk = C:\Program Files\RivaTuner v2.20\RivaTunerWrapper.exe
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.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
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
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262E} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.srtest.com/srl_bin/sysreqlab_srl.cab
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262F} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...reqlab_nvd.cab
O16 - DPF: {362C56AA-6E4F-40C7-A0B5-85501DBDAD77} (Scanner.SysScanner) - http://i.dell.com/images/global/js/s.../SysProExe.cab
O16 - DPF: {3860DD98-0549-4D50-AA72-5D17D200EE10} (Windows Live OneCare safety scanner control) - http://cdn.scan.onecare.live.com/res.../wlscctrl2.cab
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (CDownloadCtrl Object) - http://www.fileplanet.com/fpdlmgr/ca..._2.3.9.113.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...nt/swflash.cab
O23 - Service: Andrea RT Filters Service (AERTFilters) - Andrea Electronics Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\AERTSrv.exe
O23 - Service: ForceWare Intelligent Application Manager (IAM) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NetworkAccessManager\bin32\nSvcAppFlt. exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: ForceWare IP service (nSvcIp) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NetworkAccessManager\bin32\nSvcIp.exe
O23 - Service: Performance Service (nTuneService) - NVIDIA - C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nTune\nTuneService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe
O23 - Service: SiSoftware Deployment Agent Service (SandraAgentSrv) - SiSoftware - C:\Program Files\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite 2009.SP3c\RpcAgentSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service (Stereo Service) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Windows\System32\nvSCPAPISvr.exe
O23 - Service: Update Center Service (UpdateCenterService) - NVIDIA - C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\System Update\UpdateCenterService.exe

--
End of file - 7990 bytes


[/ QUOTE ]

your video drivers are not up to date. nvidia released 2 new ones i think since the ones you have. i am running the 185.85 version with no problems. update to that driver and try it. and if i'm not mistaken, your sound drivers being yellow means there might be a problem with it. you might want to check on that.

also run a disc cleanup and defrag and virus scan.

[ QUOTE ]
your video drivers are not up to date. nvidia released 2 new ones i think since the ones you have. i am running the 185.85 version with no problems. update to that driver and try it.

[/ QUOTE ] Unless he edited, he already has those drivers:[ QUOTE ]
Driver Version: 8.15.0011.8585
Driver Date: 4/30/2009 10:02:00 PM

[/ QUOTE ]

The sound drivers shouldn't cause it, but there is no harm in updating. The new drivers can easily be found at realtek.com

The only other thing that jumps out at me is this:[ QUOTE ]
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
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

[/ QUOTE ] A quick search on another forum suggested this:[ QUOTE ]
c:\windows\system32\nvlsp.dll
Remove the NVIDIA Firewall (or the forceware network manager, same thing). It's a very, very broken firewall.

[/ QUOTE ] and the OP's random crashing issue was resolved.

yeah. i wasnt paying attention due to just waking up. i only looked at the date of the vid drivers. i have to check what i have cause they have worked for me since installing them. i think they came out in mid may to beggining of june.

edit: just checked mine and i am running the 185.85. i thought i updated but i guess not.

I'll find the latest audio drivers. Cleanup and scan is done pretty much every week, along with spybot S&D. I defrag every couple of weeks too.

Think running drivesweeper and reinstalling the 185.85 drivers will help?

Thanks for the advice.

[ QUOTE ]
I'll find the latest audio drivers. Cleanup and scan is done pretty much every week, along with spybot S&D. I defrag every couple of weeks too.

Think running drivesweeper and reinstalling the 185.85 drivers will help?

Thanks for the advice.

[/ QUOTE ] I posted a solution that has worked for so many other people with similar crashing problems...

[ QUOTE ]
Remove the NVIDIA Firewall (or the forceware network manager, same thing). It's a very, very broken firewall.

[/ QUOTE ]
To do this, it should be un-installable through the add/remove in the control panel. You should see an NVIDIA drivers entry. When clicking on that you might be given a choice of what NVIDIA components to remove, so choose the NAM (Network Access Manager) and after the reboot it should be gone.

It it doesn't let you uninstall the component by itself, or doens't give you the choice, then yes, uninstall the entire driver package, reboot the system, and reinstall it... but make sure you reinstall the drivers WITHOUT the Nvidia Firewall, Network Manager, or anything that sounds like nVidia Network Software.

I hope that works for you. I have not had the issue, nor tried the fix myself. (This information is being re-posted from information I saw on several other message boards, including one on nvidia.com)

Earlier post was made typed before reading your info on the nvidia firewall.... I had a brainfart and didn't click "conintue". Durrr.

Anyway, I've removed the Nvidia network bit, I'll see how that goes...

[ QUOTE ]
Earlier post was made typed before reading your info on the nvidia firewall.... I had a brainfart and didn't click "conintue". Durrr.

Anyway, I've removed the Nvidia network bit, I'll see how that goes...

[/ QUOTE ] Yeah sorry, I did stealth-edit it in there after a few minutes. You probably hit reply to me before it was added.

Anyway.. please report back to us what you find out. I'm interested to see if it works for CoH like it does with the other network-intensive programs I found the information on. I really hope it does.. then I can save the info in this thread to help other people again later. There might even be a few active threads still here that could use it.

If it doesn't work, a new HiJack report will be helpful. Good Luck!

Well, I've played for a day and some change without a single crash, so it looks like the nvidia networking software was to blame. Not a single crash since I removed it.

Thanks!

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I've played for a day and some change without a single crash, so it looks like the nvidia networking software was to blame. Not a single crash since I removed it.

Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ] That's awesome news! I hope it keeps up. thanks for reporting back

Good to hear you're playing crash free!