Update:
After going in a few times, it seems that the market is not affected any more than normal and that visiting the Tailor isn't half bad; probably because they're primarily GUI based systems? (which isn't affected by changing the graphics quality).
Apparently, I play "City of Shakespeare"
*Arc #95278-Gathering the Four Winds -3 step arc; challenging - 5 Ratings/3 Stars (still working out the kinks)
*Arc #177826-Lights, Camera, Scream! - 3 step arc, camp horror; try out in 1st person POV - 35 Ratings/4 Stars
Awesome guide!
It might fall a bit in the "upgrade, noob!", and not everyone might have $30 available, but I'd recommend picking up a 2gb RAM stick for anyone on a low end machine. Going from 1gb to 2gb dramatically improved performance on any system I've played CoH on.
Turning player names, health bars, archetypes and buffs indicators off can also help with network performance. Of course, the best option is to just use an ethernet cable (which is included with any router in my country, but I don't know if it's the same everywhere).
Currently I use a laptop (Intel T2060 CPU 1.60GHz) that suffers from using 32-bit WindowsVista, having a weak, integrated graphics card (ATI Radeon Xpress 200M) and only 1GB RAM; accessing wirelessly (802.11 b/g).
I just had my gaming desktop blow up on me and was faced with the dilemma of how to access CoX with the above stated laptop.
After fiddling around with a painful 4hr client download and install; I now pass this information on to you.
When you start the CoX updater; make sure to click the Safe Mode box before going into the main program.
Once in, open the Menu tab and go to Options.
Open the Graphics and Audio tab and make the following changes:
Screen/UI Resolution: Windowed
3D Resolution Scaling: 200x150
Graphics Quality: Minimum
You may also want to open the Controls tab and set your Control Sensitivity: Turning; to 300% or less.
You will have to exit and restart the client for your changes to take effect.
Once back in, you'll be able to move around in normal mode fairly decently and engage in combat with small mobs (1-3 targets) with few problems.
Respecs and any administrative work should be no problem.
You may even be able to get some minor base edits done.
Rapid movement (requiring moderate to high refreshing of the ambient grahics) and larger mobs/teams (NPC and Player) can cause extended lags and hangs. Super Speed, Teleport and Super Jump may need to be avoided while at this mode of play.
The end results resembles an older 8-16 Bit video game; so a trip to the Tailor isn't recommended.
Zoning may take longer than usual and could cause hangs or crashes.
You may also experience additional lag at the Market.
For those with a bit more memory or incrementally better cards, processors and/or internet connection; you may be able to up your graphics settings (at comparable performance) or play at the above settings with better performance.
If anyone would like to add other helpful tips (outside of "Get a new laptop, noob!"), feel free to do so and thank you in advance.
Apparently, I play "City of Shakespeare"
*Arc #95278-Gathering the Four Winds -3 step arc; challenging - 5 Ratings/3 Stars (still working out the kinks)
*Arc #177826-Lights, Camera, Scream! - 3 step arc, camp horror; try out in 1st person POV - 35 Ratings/4 Stars