serious freezing


anonymoose

 

Posted

I've been happily running CoH for a few weeks now. But the last 3-4 days CoH has been severely freezing, i.e. locks solid for 3-5 seconds, sound loops, can't even move mouse or alt-tab out to the desktop.

A couple of times I got a pop-up dialog from the nvidia driver saying that there was a problem and I should reboot.

I haven't installed anything new lately.

Things I've done that didn't help -

defragged HD
verified all files from the CoH launcher
updated nvidia drivers
run windows update
rebooted a lot
playing in "safe mode" still has freezes

Any suggestions would be appreciated, TIA.

CoH help sez:
---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.8---

DxDiag gathered at October 3, 2009 21:03 (-03:00)
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: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Memory: 2046MB
.Net Memory Report: 1407MB out of 2046MB available
Page File: 5484MB (488MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST3250820AS) 381MB out of 5122MB (7%) free
D Drive: (ST3250820AS) 13195MB out of 20481MB (64%) free
E Drive: (ST3250820AS) 15986MB out of 190003MB (8%) free
F Drive: (HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H10N) 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: Dell P780
Monitor's Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 7600 GT
Video Memory: 256.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.9062
Driver Date: 8/17/2009 12:57:00 AM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Driver File: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5377
Driver Date: 3/1/2007 6:27:00 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: M2A-VM HDMI
Motherboard Version: 1.XX
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: ATI - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20070312000000.000000+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: 60Hz
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: 0.849
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: Compatiblity
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 0.000
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: 182786 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1600.20090918.4T2
Installation Directory: e:\xp\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

Hijack this sez:
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:06:22 PM, on 10/3/2009
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:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\WgaTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
E:\xp\Program Files\ClamWin\bin\ClamTray.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razerhid.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\ACD Systems\EN\DevDetect.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\OSD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\DNA\btdna.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razertra.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razerofa.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox 3.5 Beta 4\firefox.exe
e:\xp\Program Files\Winamp\winamp.exe
E:\dnload\putty.exe
E:\dnload\CohHelper.exe
E:\dnload\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.hulver.com/scoop/user/bla...20dad/comments
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
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SkyTel] SkyTel.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ClamWin] "e:\xp\Program Files\ClamWin\bin\ClamTray.exe" --logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lachesis] e:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razerhid.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "E:\xp\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Device Detector] DevDetect.exe -autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nView\nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
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: [BitTorrent DNA] "C:\Program Files\DNA\btdna.exe"
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
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: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...?1180094908156
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

--
End of file - 4743 bytes


 

Posted

I THINK, now I maybe wrong but I have noticed a bit of what maybe a memory leak. It has happened 3 times since I16 has launched, generaly after a bit of prolonged game play.

Generaly I keep my task manager open on a second monitor and I have watched it slowly climb from using 700 megs of ram and climb to about 1.25 gigs and then the game will lock up. While the client is locked up the sound loops much like yours.

What has worked for me is keeping an eye on the task manager and when it gets a bit high I have used the /unloadgfx


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ravenous33 View Post
I THINK, now I maybe wrong but I have noticed a bit of what maybe a memory leak. It has happened 3 times since I16 has launched, generaly after a bit of prolonged game play.
I should have mentioned, this problem happens immediately, within a minute or so of loading.


 

Posted

Does this happen on any other games?

Did you properly remove all old drivers? Curious if maybe the fan on your video card went bad


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ravenous33 View Post
Does this happen on any other games?

Did you properly remove all old drivers? Curious if maybe the fan on your video card went bad
Haven't been playing any other games, will try some later.

The problem started before I updated any drivers.

I just downloaded nvmonitor and the GPU hit ~55C when the game started, which should be fine.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymoose View Post
Haven't been playing any other games, will try some later.

...

I just downloaded nvmonitor and the GPU hit ~55C when the game started, which should be fine.
I just played some Mount and Blade, got the GPU up to ~65C and had no problems with stuttering or freezing.


 

Posted

Sorry I couldnt have been more help, hopefully someone will pop in here soon and give you a hand. Good luck!


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ravenous33 View Post
Sorry I couldnt have been more help, hopefully someone will pop in here soon and give you a hand. Good luck!
np, I'm impressed that I've gotten so many suggestions in such a short time.


 

Posted

Was the Nvidia message popping up pertaining to shortage of power? I see nothing alarming running on your computer, the only thing that pops up is your audio drivers being a couple years old.

Also, I looked up your motherboard and it appears it was the first chipset AMD released since the AMD/ATI merger and has onboard ATI video. You may want to make sure that you didn't install an ATI bundle for the chipset and accidentally install an ATI video driver as well. I don't see anything regarding that in your dxdiag, but drivers are a bit crazy sometimes.

It looks like your windows is on the C drive, which only looks to be 6GB with 7% free space. To me that looks problematic. Your pagefile at 6GB also looks a bit odd, since you'll never actually use that much. I don't know if you manually set your pagefile to be that large and partitioned your hard drives accordingly, but it looks a bit funky to me. To defrag properly, most people recommend to have at least 15% free space on the partition/drive being defragged.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by SevereCalamity View Post
Was the Nvidia message popping up pertaining to shortage of power? I see nothing alarming running on your computer, the only thing that pops up is your audio drivers being a couple years old.

Also, I looked up your motherboard and it appears it was the first chipset AMD released since the AMD/ATI merger and has onboard ATI video. You may want to make sure that you didn't install an ATI bundle for the chipset and accidentally install an ATI video driver as well. I don't see anything regarding that in your dxdiag, but drivers are a bit crazy sometimes.

It looks like your windows is on the C drive, which only looks to be 6GB with 7% free space. To me that looks problematic. Your pagefile at 6GB also looks a bit odd, since you'll never actually use that much. I don't know if you manually set your pagefile to be that large and partitioned your hard drives accordingly, but it looks a bit funky to me. To defrag properly, most people recommend to have at least 15% free space on the partition/drive being defragged.
Thanks for the suggestions.

The nvidia message was vague. "a problem has occured", don't know if it logs anything anywhere?

Device Manager -> display adapters only shows the nvidia card.

I forced the pagefile to 6GB on a drive with lots of free space, so it never shrinks/grows/moves around on the disk and therefore never gets fragmented.

The C: drive is far too small, and I get popups about free space a lot, but I've been running this way for years and it hasn't caused problems.

The defrag report doesn't list any of the CoH files as being fragmented. I'm not sure that 15% number makes sense with the huge size of modern partitions. I've got ~16GB free and CoH takes up ~3GB, not surprisingy the system was able to defrag the CoH files.


 

Posted

Well, you can try deleting or disabling (keep from launching on start-up) the following:


C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\WgaTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
E:\xp\Program Files\ClamWin\bin\ClamTray.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razerhid.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\ACD Systems\EN\DevDetect.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\OSD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\DNA\btdna.exe (really?! a bit torrent running in the background of a 3-D online game?! )
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razertra.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razerofa.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
e:\xp\Program Files\Winamp\winamp.exe
E:\dnload\putty.exe


R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.hulver.com/scoop/user/bla...20dad/comments
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
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SkyTel] SkyTel.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lachesis] e:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razerhid.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "E:\xp\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Device Detector] DevDetect.exe -autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nView\nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
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: [BitTorrent DNA] "C:\Program Files\DNA\btdna.exe"
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
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: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...?1180094908156
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe


Speeding Through New DA Repeatables || Spreadsheet o' Enhancements || Zombie Skins: better skins for these forums || Guide to Guides

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zombie Man View Post
Well, you can try deleting or disabling (keep from launching on start-up) the following:


C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\WgaTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
E:\xp\Program Files\ClamWin\bin\ClamTray.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razerhid.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\ACD Systems\EN\DevDetect.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\OSD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\DNA\btdna.exe (really?! a bit torrent running in the background of a 3-D online game?! )
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razertra.exe
E:\xp\Program Files\Razer\Lachesis\razerofa.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
e:\xp\Program Files\Winamp\winamp.exe
E:\dnload\putty.exe
Can't get rid of the Razer stuff, the mouse needs it.

RTHDCPL.EXE is part of my sound driver.

When I start gaming I tell bittorrent to suspend all torrents, and restart them when I'm done. Incidentally the CoH /netgraph or whatever command shows all green, except for the bigs gaps caused by freezes. Whatever the problem is I'm 99% sure it isn't network or disk.

I'll try killing the itunes junk.

What annoys me is that everything worked fine up until this week, running Firefox/Thunderbird/OpenOffice/whatever in the background didn't hurt performance.


 

Posted

The sound looping freeze was very common at one point and had to do with a conflict between the sound drivers and the game calling sounds. It was fixed but perhaps the latest update has brought it back out with some systems.

The way to tell if it's a sound driver conflict is to log into the game. Once into the game open your options and put both the music and sounds sliders to zero. Then start playing. It can be disconcerting playing with no sound if you are used to sound. And you might not want to want to pick missions that need you to click glowies since they are much harder to find without sound.

If you set the sounds sliders all the way down and are able to play without locking up then we have narrowed the problem down. Next try with the music slider all the way down and the sounds at whatever you prefer. Then the other way around.

Get back to us with the results.

Edit: If it is the sound then you can go here http://www.realtek.com.tw/DOWNLOADS/...&GetDown=false and try the latest drivers. I have yet to see anybody with recent drivers for their Realtek hd so I have no idea what kind of result might come from doing this.


Don't count your weasels before they pop dink!

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandu View Post
The sound looping freeze was very common at one point and had to do with a conflict between the sound drivers and the game calling sounds. It was fixed but perhaps the latest update has brought it back out with some systems.

The way to tell if it's a sound driver conflict is to log into the game. Once into the game open your options and put both the music and sounds sliders to zero. Then start playing. It can be disconcerting playing with no sound if you are used to sound. And you might not want to want to pick missions that need you to click glowies since they are much harder to find without sound.

If you set the sounds sliders all the way down and are able to play without locking up then we have narrowed the problem down. Next try with the music slider all the way down and the sounds at whatever you prefer. Then the other way around.

Get back to us with the results.

Edit: If it is the sound then you can go here http://www.realtek.com.tw/DOWNLOADS/...&GetDown=false and try the latest drivers. I have yet to see anybody with recent drivers for their Realtek hd so I have no idea what kind of result might come from doing this.
Excellent advice Mandu! +rep for that


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandu View Post
The sound looping freeze was very common at one point

...

The way to tell if it's a sound driver conflict is to log into the game. Once into the game open your options and put both the music and sounds sliders to zero. Then start playing.

...

Get back to us with the results.
Sad to say the problem persists even with sound sliders at zero.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymoose View Post
Sad to say the problem persists even with sound sliders at zero.
Ouch. Ok, a couple other things you might try. Instead of just suspending torrents when playing try shutting down bittorrent entirely. Also if you are using anything like peerguardian then shut it down. It can lock up CoH.

Second, there is no reason for your card to have the latest drivers. As drivers are updated they are changed to support new features in the latest cards. Sometimes those enhancements can cause glitches in how an older card functions. Try rolling back to an earlier driver, a much earlier driver.

Maybe 169.21 http://downloads.guru3d.com/ForceWare-XP-169.21-(32-bit)-WHQL-download-1800.html Maybe earlier. If that doesn't work you can always reinstall the new ones.


Don't count your weasels before they pop dink!

 

Posted

There is a nice little program I run before I play any game. Read up on SmartClose. What it does it closes anything that is deemed not needed (this includes background services) You can add exemptions to the list such as your mouse.


 

Posted

OK, I dusted off my long-neglected Vista partition. It's a virgin install, the only things installed are Firefox, CoH, and hours and hours worth of Windows Update stuff.

The crashing still occurs, even in safe mode.

I'm incredibly tempted to run out and buy a new video card to see if that's the problem.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymoose View Post
OK, I dusted off my long-neglected Vista partition. It's a virgin install, the only things installed are Firefox, CoH, and hours and hours worth of Windows Update stuff.

The crashing still occurs, even in safe mode.

I'm incredibly tempted to run out and buy a new video card to see if that's the problem.
Couldnt hurt! I wish you luck


 

Posted

OK, have identified the problem -> bad video card.

When I built this rig I also made an identical one for someone else, I borrowed their 7600GT card and everything works fine.

The card works fine under normal load and the fan still spins, maybe the video RAM is going bad or something, can't tell and it's hardly worth troubleshooting since a new, better card would cost all of a hundred bucks.

Now to shop for a new card that still has VGA out and won't blow a 450W power supply...