Windows 7 64-Bit says YOU NEED DIRECTX 8...But

**Update: I fixed it! If you have having similar problems, update ALL (Yes, ALL OF IT) of your hardware and DirectX drivers. BIOS, Video, Audio, USB, etc. but DO NOT download any of these hardware updates via Windows update. Get all recent drivers from the manufacturer's site. The game works perfectly fine in the OS, dispite it being "incompatible" with Windows 7. Thanks to everyone who had helped me out. I feel so silly now after figuring out it was something I simply forgot to update (USB stuff, in my case).**



Hello. I just got a brand new compy with Windows 7 64-bit and I'm loving it. Last night I briefly played CoH/V to drool at the game on full quality settings for the first time ever. After a mission or two, I quit the game and go to bed... Then wake up, excited to play again only to be slapped in the face with an error:

City of Heroes requires DirectX 8 or newer. Please update.

I blink, click the Ok button and I see this:

DirectInput failed to start. (Missing keyboard or mouse)

After that, a crash sending window thingy pops up with the option to send (which I have). Then the prog closes.

I have installed DirectX right after I plugged up my comp... My dxdiag says I have DirectX 11. I have updated my video card, my audio card, and every other driver. Mouse and keyboard worked fine the first playthrough last night... but now the game won't even reach the login screen now. All I see is blackness, then those errors. I can play games such as Left4Dead2 and Team Fortress 2 without a problem... It's just City of X.

Here's the Hijackthis scan...

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:15:37 AM, on 11/18/2009
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.01.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16385)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell DataSafe Local Backup\Components\scheduler\STService.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAAnotif.exe
C:\Users\Adrienne\AppData\Local\Google\Update\1.2. 183.13\GoogleCrashHandler.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative\Sound Blaster X-Fi\Volume Panel\VolPanlu.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell DataSafe Online\DataSafeOnline.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\CyberLink\PowerDVD DX\PDVDDXSrv.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Logitech\G35\G35.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe
C:\Users\Adrienne\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appl ication\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adrienne\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appl ication\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://g.msn.com/USCON/1
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://g.msn.com/USCON/1
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 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {E15A8DC0-8516-42A1-81EA-DC94EC1ACF10} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O2 - BHO: CA Toolbar Helper - {FBF2401B-7447-4727-BE5D-C19B2075CA84} - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Website Inspector\x86\Toolbar\CallingIDIE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Windows Live Toolbar - {21FA44EF-376D-4D53-9B0F-8A89D3229068} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O3 - Toolbar: CA Toolbar - {10134636-E7AF-4AC5-A1DC-C7C44BB97D81} - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Website Inspector\x86\Toolbar\CallingIDIE.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VolPanel] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative\Sound Blaster X-Fi\Volume Panel\VolPanlu.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SPIRunE] Rundll32 SPIRunE.dll,RunDLLEntry
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dell DataSafe Online] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell DataSafe Online\DataSafeOnline.exe" /m
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PDVDDXSrv] "C:\Program Files (x86)\CyberLink\PowerDVD DX\PDVDDXSrv.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DellSupportCenter] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe" /P DellSupportCenter
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech G35] C:\Program Files (x86)\Logitech\G35\G35.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Launcher] C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell DataSafe Local Backup\Components\scheduler\Launcher.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Adrienne\AppData\Local\Google\Update\Goo gleUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: Dell Dock First Run.lnk = C:\Program Files\Dell\DellDock\DellDock.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: Dell Dock.lnk = C:\Program Files\Dell\DellDock\DellDock.exe
O4 - Startup: Logitech blank Product Registration.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\Logitech\G35\eReg.exe
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://ccfiles.creative.com/Web/soft...5109/CTPID.cab
O18 - Protocol: callingid - {086D03BA-57AC-4C8E-A33D-0BAABF742411} - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Website Inspector\x86\Toolbar\CallingIDToolbar.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: CaCCProvSP - CA, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\ccprovsp.exe
O23 - Service: CAISafe - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus Plus\isafe.exe
O23 - Service: CA Common Scheduler Service (ccSchedulerSVC) - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\ccschedulersvc.exe
O23 - Service: Creative ALchemy AL6 Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\AL6Licensing.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Audio Engine Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\CTAELicensing.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Media Toolbox 6 Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\MT6Licensing.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Audio Service (CTAudSvcService) - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative\Shared Files\CTAudSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Dock Login Service (DockLoginService) - Stardock Corporation - C:\Program Files\Dell\DellDock\DockLogin.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: GoToAssist - Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\GoToAssist\514\g2aservice.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Matrix Storage Event Monitor (IAANTMON) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAANTMon.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB10 - Sonic Solutions - c:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Roxio Shared\10.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB10.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SessionLauncher - Unknown owner - c:\Users\ADMINI~1\AppData\Local\Temp\DX9\SessionLa uncher.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SoftThinks Agent Service (SftService) - SoftThinks - C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell DataSafe Local Backup\sftservice.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SupportSoft Sprocket Service (DellSupportCenter) (sprtsvc_DellSupportCenter) - SupportSoft, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service (Stereo Service) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvSCPAPISvr.exe
O23 - Service: stllssvr - MicroVision Development, Inc. - c:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\SureThing Shared\stllssvr.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: HIPS Event Manager (UmxAgent) - CA - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxAgent.exe
O23 - Service: HIPS Configuration Interpreter (UmxCfg) - CA - C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxCfg.exe
O23 - Service: HIPS Firewall Helper (UmxFwHlp) - CA - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxFwHlp.exe
O23 - Service: HIPS Policy Manager (UmxPol) - CA - C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxPol.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: WinSock Extention Manager (WinExtManager) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mdmcls32.exe
O23 - Service: WinSock Svchost Manager (WinSvchostManager) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\svcprs32.exe
O23 - Service: WinSvchostManagerSrv - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cfgmig32.exe
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--

Mmmyes. Halp. D:

First question I have to ask, are you running CoH/V as admin? (right click, run as admin)

Yuppers.

Also have tried compatibilty mode and Safe Mode. I've reinstalled CoH as well using the setup EXE from the ftp as well. Still having issues.

If you could please run CoH Helper and post the result here, it will give the techies some info about your hardware, drivers and CoH related settings that will help them troubleshoot with you.

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.8---

DxDiag gathered at November 18, 2009 16:15 (-08:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
System Manufacturer: DELL Inc.
System Model: Studio XPS 435T/9000
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 8192MB
.Net Memory Report: 6345MB out of 8182MB available
Page File: 14100MB (2263MB currently in use)
C Drive: (WDC WD1001FALS-75J7B0) 882190MB out of 944185MB (93%) free
D Drive: (TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-H653G) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7600.16385 (64-bit version)

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

No problems found.

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 220
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce GT 220
Video Memory: 4057 MB
Driver Version: 8.16.11.9107
Driver Date: 9/27/2009 4:12:22 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (3- Logitech G35 Headset)
Driver File: USBAUDIO.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7600.16385
Driver Date: 7/13/2009 4:06:32 PM

Sound Device Description: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio)
Driver File: t3.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0000.0209
Driver Date: 7/26/2009 10:50:06 PM

Sound Device Description: Speakers (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio)
Driver File: t3.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0000.0209
Driver Date: 7/26/2009 10:50:06 PM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: DELL Inc.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: 0X501H
Motherboard Version: A02
BIOS Manufacturer: DELL INC.
BIOS Name: Default System BIOS
BIOS Version: DELL - 20090728
BIOS Release: 20090728000000.000000+000

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: Unknown (3)

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: 1600.20091102.4T
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

Here ya go. Now Hijackthis wont run... Hm. I've already sent in the issue with support though.

Hmmm....well, that nVidia driver is definitely the current driver number. Question...did you let Windows install that, or did you download it from the nVidia site? If you let Windows Update install it, I suggest going here and installing the nVidia version...the version that gets installed through Win Update is missing some things (took me some time to figure that one out when I first started using 7).

Yeah, I let windows do the installing. I also just did a quick reformat (not much information lost... I just got this comp yesterday :P) and let it apply the gfx update again. However, I DID install that driver from the nVidia site (manually uninstalled ALL previous installations and drivers for the card) and it still gave me issues before the reformat. Did I make a boo boo by manually uninstalling the drivers and such? Windows 7 is awesome, but it also confuses me.

EDIT: Well well, all is working now. I havent installed via nvidia site either. Hm.

Edit2: I'mma guess that my previous method of installing the driver (uninstalling the windows installation of it and slapping on the nvidia one) is why it started acting odd. I guess I could set up a restore point now and fiddle with some things abit, but eh. Dunno. S'really odd though.

And now, after trying to run it a second time, it gives me those errors again. D:

I should add that before trying it again, I ran windows update and installed these two:

Security Update for Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0 Service Pack 2 for x64-based Systems (KB954430)
Security Update for Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package (KB973923)

Doubt these had anything to do with it, but I thought I should mention it. Gonna try installing the nvidia drivers from the nvidia site.

I would recommend turning off the Dell Dock completely. It seems to be a Dell branded version of Stardock Software's ObjectDock. Stardock's Windows Blinds is known to cause problems with CoH, and I've seen others whose problems have been resolved by turning off the Dell Dock.

I don't know if it would have caused problems on my computer or not since I uninstalled it immediately after setting up my computer.

I'd recommend NOT using Compatibility Mode either, since we've had reports of others having problems with that setting enabled. The only setting you should need to use on the Compatibility tab is the Run as Administrator setting.

EDIT: You may also want to temporarily disable your Computer Associates Internet Security Suite software. The firewall or other configurations of this program may be causing some of the problems you are seeing as well.

I don't see anything concerning Dell Dock since I did that quick little reformat.

I tried to disable the firewall on CA but it did nothing... not even an error showed up. It was just unresponsive. I was able to enable snooze however. Tried that out, no go. Still screams at me about directx 8 and directinput. I disabled CA completely by shutting down the process but still... CoH refuses to launch and gives me that same angry error.

Edit:

Recent hijackthis file--

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 11:04:55 PM, on 11/18/2009
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.01.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16385)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell Webcam\Dell Webcam Central\WebcamDell.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative\Sound Blaster X-Fi\Volume Panel\VolPanlu.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltuser.exe
C:\Windows\SysWow64\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil10c.ex e
C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Website Inspector\x86\Light\CAGlobalLight.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\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 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {E15A8DC0-8516-42A1-81EA-DC94EC1ACF10} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O2 - BHO: CA Toolbar Helper - {FBF2401B-7447-4727-BE5D-C19B2075CA84} - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Website Inspector\x86\Toolbar\CallingIDIE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Windows Live Toolbar - {21FA44EF-376D-4D53-9B0F-8A89D3229068} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O3 - Toolbar: CA Toolbar - {10134636-E7AF-4AC5-A1DC-C7C44BB97D81} - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Website Inspector\x86\Toolbar\CallingIDIE.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SPIRunE] Rundll32 SPIRunE.dll,RunDLLEntry
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dell Webcam Central] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell Webcam\Dell Webcam Central\WebcamDell.exe" /mode2
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VolPanel] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative\Sound Blaster X-Fi\Volume Panel\VolPanlu.exe" /r
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262F} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...reqlab_nvd.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://ccfiles.creative.com/Web/soft...5109/CTPID.cab
O18 - Protocol: callingid - {086D03BA-57AC-4C8E-A33D-0BAABF742411} - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Website Inspector\x86\Toolbar\CallingIDToolbar.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: CaCCProvSP - CA, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\ccprovsp.exe
O23 - Service: CAISafe - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus Plus\isafe.exe
O23 - Service: CA Common Scheduler Service (ccSchedulerSVC) - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\ccschedulersvc.exe
O23 - Service: Creative ALchemy AL6 Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\AL6Licensing.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Audio Engine Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\CTAELicensing.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Audio Service (CTAudSvcService) - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative\Shared Files\CTAudSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: HIPS Event Manager (UmxAgent) - CA - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxAgent.exe
O23 - Service: HIPS Configuration Interpreter (UmxCfg) - CA - C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxCfg.exe
O23 - Service: HIPS Firewall Helper (UmxFwHlp) - CA - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxFwHlp.exe
O23 - Service: HIPS Policy Manager (UmxPol) - CA - C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\HIPSEngine\UmxPol.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 8442 bytes

Recent CoH Helper--

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.8---

DxDiag gathered at November 18, 2009 23:11 (-08:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
System Manufacturer: DELL Inc.
System Model: Studio XPS 435T/9000
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 8192MB
.Net Memory Report: 5960MB out of 8182MB available
Page File: 13760MB (2603MB currently in use)
C Drive: (WDC WD1001FALS-75J7B0 ATA Device) 852871MB out of 944185MB (90%) free
D Drive: (TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-H653G ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7600.16385 (64-bit version)

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

No problems found.

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 220
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce GT 220
Video Memory: 4057 MB
Driver Version: 8.16.11.9107
Driver Date: 9/27/2009 11:12:22 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (Logitech G35 Headset)
Driver File: USBAUDIO.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7600.16385
Driver Date: 7/13/2009 4:06:32 PM

Sound Device Description: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio)
Driver File: t3.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0000.0209
Driver Date: 5/6/2009 2:34:52 AM

Sound Device Description: Speakers (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio)
Driver File: t3.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0000.0209
Driver Date: 5/6/2009 2:34:52 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: DELL Inc.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: 0X501H
Motherboard Version: A02
BIOS Manufacturer: DELL INC.
BIOS Name: Default System BIOS
BIOS Version: DELL - 20090728
BIOS Release: 20090728000000.000000+000

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: 4x
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: Unknown (3)

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: Compatiblity
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: 1600.20091102.4T
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found
--

Don't think these are any different from the above I posted, but eh... here's hoping I guess.

Edit: Installed the Nvidia display driver. Didn't work. I however, did not uninstall the drivers manually... Is this advised? And just in case I'm not screwing things up, how can this be done in Windows 7?

Hate to bump, but I thought of something... Would purchasing the architect cd possibly help?

And please please PLEASE tell me if there is a certain way to install drivers on Windows 7 64-bit... I can't find anything and it's starting to get a bit irritating.

Thank you very much for the help. Unfortunately, it didn't work and the game is still giving me those nasty ol' errors.

Edit: Shall I post my dxdiag information? Also, still no word from support after installing more directx stuff. I'm starting to feel like it's probably something stupidly simple... but what really boggles me is that it runs fine ONCE (right after I turn on my computer for the first time, then reformatting and running it after installation/patching), then never again without it erroring at me. Then again, I'm also starting to feel this is an issue wiith the game itself. Or maybe I'm just verrrry unlucky.

Well, at this point I would suggest you open a Support ticket on the NCSoft help site, if you haven't already.

I have, and so far have been telling me the same stuff as y'all have been. No response since this morning too. Ah well. I'll let you guys know how it goes and if I get this patched up. Thank you so so much for the help guys.

Edit: Attempted to skip the updater (at this point, I'll try anything now :P) and that didn't work either. Ah well. *keeps reading*

Okay, I have one more thing for you to try. It occured to me that, if I'm remembering correctly, CoH uses Direct X primarily for sound, since it's OpenGL for video. Taking a look at that CoH Helper file, it looks like your sound drivers are out of date (Creative went through a lot of drivers for that card before they put up a stable one). The current sound drivers for that card can be found here. Give those a try. Good luck!

Gave it a shot (clean install and all), but it still gives me those DirectX/DirectInput errors.

Edit: I noticed this weird NViDIA HD audio thing too that I have on my system... should I remove that?

Edit: disregard the last edit... doubt it has anything to do with it. For some reason I cant run hijackthis anymore though. I ran fine once, then never again. Urgh.

Well I just recieved an interesting lead... And it probably makes me look noobish if it ends up working.

Apparently some programs MUST be installed under your user name in the Users file in Vista/7. Trying that out now.

/thinks: I'm staying with XP at least I understand it

Oh, don't rule out 7 completely. I think I'm just unlucky. Many people are doing fine with it and can run ol' CoH on their system. I must of overlooked something maybe. Other than the issue I have now, it runs all other recent games flawlessly and it runs pretty well.

But... Yeah. Sadly the install method I used didn't work so well. I still have those nasty directx and directinput errors dispite my efforts. Installed the runtimes and all, updated drivers... Still no go. I may just have to someone who is more tech savy to look at my system. Or still wait for Support... It's been a day since their last response.

I too am getting the same errors. Not sure what is going on. here is what helper tells me

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.8---

DxDiag gathered at November 20, 2009 20:17 (-06:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 09/14/09 09:44:04 Ver: 08.00.14
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 4096MB
.Net Memory Report: 2986MB out of 4095MB available
Page File: 6831MB (1356MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST3500418AS ATA Device) 457431MB out of 476937MB (95%) free
D Drive: (HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH22NS50 ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7600.16385 (64-bit version)

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

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 9600 GT
Video Memory: 2287 MB
Driver Version: 8.16.11.9107
Driver Date: 9/27/2009 11:12:22 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (2- High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7600.16385
Driver Date: 7/13/2009 6:07:00 PM

Sound Device Description: Digital Audio (HDMI) (2- High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7600.16385
Driver Date: 7/13/2009 6:07:00 PM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: M3N78-VM
Motherboard Version: Rev X.0x
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Name: BIOS Date: 09/14/09 09:44:04 Ver: 08.00.14
BIOS Version: 091409 - 20090914
BIOS Release: 20090914000000.000000+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: 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: None
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: No
Shader Detail: Lowest

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: No
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: 916163 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1600.20091102.4T
Installation Directory: C:\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

tells me that my video drivers are up to date but the files don't match

Oh wow... As horrible as it may sound, I'm kinda relieved I'm not the only one with this issue. Wonder if it has to do with the version of Windows 7 we have? *shrug*