An assist if you can?

OK, I have been fighting with this since I17 beta, and I haven't quite found the cause of the problem. Usually I can diagnose and repair issues on my own, but this has me pretty beat. If I could call upon our brilliant knowledge experts and tell me what, if anything, I can do...

The problem: For the most part, the game runs fine. However, any time I attempt to log into Talos Island, Cap Au Diable, or St. Martial, the loading bar locks up at about 1/4 and hangs till I wind up being tossed back into the login screen. This is not accompanied by an error message, but attempting to log in gives me the "That account is already logged in." message. Pressing the button again grants me access to the character select window again, but attempting to log the same character gives the same results. I have found that if I log in another character and play with them for a while, I can log out and then access the character in Talos/Cap/St.... Though I do get very slow loading times across the board.

Facts you may want to know: This computer is the main computer in a network with a lesser computer (Pretty much 1/2 of everything that this one has. 1 gig Ram, 256m ATI graphics card {Radeon 9250 no less}, 60 gig memory) and the second computer has had no accessibility or playability issues whatsoever. I have cranked the game way down on graphics in the off chance that was the issue, and even tested my internet de-fragged my sparsely populated drive and ram, triple checked my firewall and network settings, and reinstalled the game.



HIJACK THIS:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 8:08:37 PM, on 5/7/2010
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP3 (6.00.2900.5512)
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:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgchsvx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgrsx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgnsx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Travis Hackett\Desktop\Install Pit\hijackthis\HiJackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgssie.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
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: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262F} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...reqlab_nvd.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...?1269789340948
O16 - DPF: {74DBCB52-F298-4110-951D-AD2FF67BC8AB} (NVIDIA Smart Scan) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...aSmartScan.cab
O16 - DPF: {9732FB42-C321-11D1-836F-00A0C993F125} (mhLabel Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/mhLbl.cab
O16 - DPF: {FFB3A759-98B1-446F-BDA9-909C6EB18CC7} (PCPitstop Exam) - http://utilities.pcpitstop.com/Optimize3/pcpitstop2.dll
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgpp.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - avgrsstx.dll (file missing)
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: AVG Free E-mail Scanner (avg9emc) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Free WatchDog (avg9wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

--
End of file - 3244 bytes


CoH Helper:

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.2.0.2---

DxDiag gathered at May 7, 2010 20:15 (-06:00)
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100216-1514)
System Manufacturer: AWARD_
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) , MMX, 3DNow, ~1.3GHz
Memory: 2048MB
.Net Memory Report: 1525MB out of 2047MB available
Page File: 3480MB (465MB currently in use)
C Drive: (WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0) 287146MB out of 305203MB (94%) free
D Drive: (_NEC DVD+RW ND-1000A) 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: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 7600 GS
Video Memory: 512.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.9713
Driver Date: 3/16/2010 12:51:59 AM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Rocketfish 5.1
Driver File: P17.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0521
Driver Date: 8/12/2008 2:41:02 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer:
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: SiS-741
Motherboard Version:
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: AWARD - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20050421000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1440x853
3D Resolution: 1440x853 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: No
Maximized: Yes
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes


Physics Quality: Low
Maximum Particles: 28593
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: Off
Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: None
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: Unknown (5)


World Texture Level: Medium
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 0.800
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Shadow Mode: Disabled
Shadow Map Shader: Unknown (0)
Environmental Reflections: Disabled
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: Off
Occlusion Strength: Off
Blur: Bilateral
Ambient Resolution: Performance


Gamma Correction: 1.000
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: Yes
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Compatiblity
3D Audio: Yes
FX Sound Volume: 0.611
Music Sound Volume: 0.443

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.250
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 480549 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1800.201003300904.15T4r
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Pet_Command has 9 files
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Powers has 1244 files
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Powers\ALTERNATE-1 has 20 files
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Powers\ALTERNATE-2 has 8 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\city has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Midnight_Squad 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







Any assistance I may be overlooking would be greatly appreciated.

[edit] didn't copy entire CoHhelper file. :P

Yeah, I had a feeling it would not be an easy assessment. Truth is, I can't quite find any other issues mentioned on this board that matches this quite right. I don't get inordinate lag (Unless I Que up a TP power, then I hang for 5-20 seconds.), Chat is fine, I don't get Mapserved, I don't get any error messages when I do get booted to Login, I am not on wireless, I have even began running in windowed mode since I17 hit just to keep my options clear.

The only thing that boggles my mind is the other computer running like a dream. My fiance is laughing at me for giving her the older computer to replace her APTIVA (Windows 3.1)...

"Who has the better computer now?" <~That stings more than her painful costumes.:P

I'm no master of computers and programs but I'm pretty decent with them myself. Though I don't see anything wrong with what your using, I do know and I've seen it posted around a lot that City of Heroes/Villains doesn't get along well with ATI cards. That could be one problem there, especially since i17 released apparently the disagreeably between the game and the cards have grown worse.

One thing I would like to suggest trying if you already have not, turn all of the games music off completely via the options menu for the game, as well as turn sound effects down to 3% at the highest if you must have those on too. I noticed that when I turned those off for myself, that it relieved a few problems. It may not fix it but when thing's are getting bad it's worth a try.

If the computer doesn't have to focus on music and sound effects while it's loading - it could free up a tiny bit of memory that isn't derailed to your sound card. *shrugs* I hope his helps!

Except that's wrong StrifeFox. I17 fixed a number of quirks the game had with ATI cards, and introduced a few new ones. The biggest being a conflict between AA and AO.

Any how Harry is using an nVidia card.

As for Harry's problem there isn't anything obvious. His game settings are set extremely low. His HJT report is clean as a whistle. Memory and page file size seem OK. Yes it's a very low end original Athlon but that shouldn't be a problem unless AVG is bogging down the loading of the zone data so the connection times out.

Thank you one and all for your helpful replys...

Yes, the ATI machine runs smoothly except for the noted Skewing of contact/costume window/ID snapshots. I will Adjust AVG and see if that gives me any play, though it hasn't had a conflict before, it may very well not want to play nice with the game at the moment.

For now, I have a workaround even if it is a bit clunky... If I get booted, I log onto another char for a bit. This usually allows me to go back and log in with the stranded toon. The only flaw is the two timed missions in Talos I failed when I zoned in and got popped back to the login. The only oddity I can see is the lack of any error message after the boot. No matter, I appreciate all the help, and if I actually find the culprit, I will post it here in the off chance this happens to anyone else. Probably just a unique combination of situations creating this anomaly.

Thanks again all! Rough em up!

A bit unlikely but I will note your sound drivers are old. Might see if they can be updated. Also, you might consider having the game updater do a verify on your game files just in case something is not quite right there. You might even try a defrag of the drive just to see if a little drive optimization helps. Kinda grasping at straws beyond what X and TJ suggested but could be worth trying.

I'm afraid this is basically how I17 runs on a lot of machines right now. Hopefully they're working on a fix for it, but at the moment many machines short on processing power can be simply overwhelmed by CoH, causing the client to stop responding for so long that the server thinks it has gone away for good and disconnects it. As Father Xmas says, it really shouldn't do that, but it does.

As for shutting down AVG making things worse instead of better; that may have simply given the piggish CoH more latitude to abuse your system.

Anyway, it seems CoH runs at too high a priority (Above Normal) and some single-core CPU systems simply can't deal with the demands. So, one work-around is to get the process running at a lower priority when it is likely to be the most demanding. Such as when loading zones. The only way I've found to do this is to move it into the background by task switching. If you hit the 'Start' button or Alt-Tab to another app immediately upon zoning (and I mean immediately) you can get CoH to run it's zone load at a lower priority, which helps keep it from overloading the processor. On one machine I tested briefly, this procedure reduced the average zone load time by more than 50% (yep, COH counter-intuitively ran faster when given less priority for system resources). Unfortunately, that was a system with a significantly better CPU (Athlon XP 3000+/2.133GHz), so your mileage may vary. It's worth a try though.

This actually sounds a lot like the "perpetual zoning" issue that crops up on Test Server every so often... jus' sayin'

Are you sure it's not your internet connection or your router causing the issue? I find I get mapserved when I'm running uTorrent, because my router gets overwhelmed with connections and dumps the whole lot every once in a while.

There's other factors to consider:

Cable
Network interface card
Router/switch it's plugged into.

Of course, that's all assuming it's a wired connection to begin with.

I remember there was a post a few whiles back where machine A worked fine until machine B was plugged into the network, then machine A got kicked. This is what it sounds like is going on here, except the plugging part, as the machines are both on.

I'd be throwing in a cheap NIC card for testing purposes and replacing the cable, as well as moving to another port on the router. I'd be going solo for testing then plugging int the 'working' one to see what happens.

I'd also be going to http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php and optimizing my internet settings, if not going to http://www.speedguide.net/analyzer.php to see what potenitally isn't right.

I'd also be turning OFF the QoS for testing. I've seen that fix a few here and there.

And I'd also maybe check my router settings on the max packet size to make sure it's good with my connection too.

Because it's all in the house, and all what I says are possibles. Now, as to how much you can do any of that with Vista and Win7, I dunno, but in XP? Rock it all, no sweat.

Hope that helps!