Try throwing out your preferences in Users > (yourname) > Library > Preferences > City of Heroes Preferences.
And also send a support request to help.ncsoft.com so they can track the issue.
Manga @ Triumph
"Meanwhile In The Halls Of Titan"...Titan Network Working To Save City Of Heroes
Save Paragon City! Efforts Coordination
Yeah, I feel the pain. I've been around about a year and a half, and I am about a week away from canceling. I've been going back in forth with the tech support, describing things and error reports in minute detail, and the last time I heard from them they gave me a list of 45 things to do and log. And frankly, I don't have time for it. I have a job. I work there.
I told them I wasn't able to give them their days work and they just sent me a "how did we do solving your problem?" survey.
They didn't score high.
The only bright side so far is that I didn't pre purchase Going Rogue.
The only reason I'm on these boards is to check the mac forum and see if any progress has been made.
Apparently it hasn't?
Is your OS up to date? It seems like there's a bunch of OpenGL fixes that Apple is working on as well so it might fix your black screen issues.
Quote:
I've owned three macs and managed a lab for my university. So far I'm not used to things working at all. One class bought 17 macbooks. Of which we had 32 returns. My favorite was the one where the monitor didn't work because the cable was severed. This is in a laptop mind you. Also had one with an inverted screen image on first boot. That was kinda cool actually. My own iMac had to be sent back 4 times (meaning I am on my fifth version).|
Originally Posted by NightSable
I have a mac. I am not used to things not working. In fact, it is pretty rare thing indeed as most things work properly on the mac. Since NCSOFT claimed and sold a mac edition, one would deduce it would work.
|
Get Word for Mac. That pile of C#$% crashes at least daily. Best part? Auto "save" doesn't.
Try to use Preview for half the things it is supposed to do with PDF.
That said, CoH for Mac works more reliably for me than the PC version I used to use did. And remember NC Soft didn't do the port to Mac they outsourced it to a vendor.
"Hmm, I guess I'm not as omniscient as I thought" -Gavin Runeblade.
I can be found, outside of paragon city here.
Thank you everyone at Paragon and on Virtue. When the lights go out in November, you'll find me on Razor Bunny.
NightSable,
I get your frustration, and I do think that this needs to be addressed asap.
It seems to affect a number of people, it affects both Snow Leopard and Leopard users and it does not seem to be an issue when using the Test server. So for all matters and purposes there appears to be a solution (unless I am drawing the wrong conclusions from the fact that I have no problem starting the Test server repeatedly on the same Mac that I have the black screen issue on the Live server with...).
But in the meantime try this as a workaround. Instead of deleting the whole Preference folder, only delete:
"/Library/Preferences/City of Heroes Preferences/p_drive/User/Local Settings/Application Data/NCSoft"
In other words, just delete the NCSoft folder at the end of this path. You will have to do this every time before you start the game, but for me at least it keeps my graphics settings intact. No need to fix the settings and reboot in order to play. Major improvement.
I'm frustrated too. It is irritating to have to delete files and restart my PC every time. Before I17, my Mac Client was perfect.
Lewis
Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan
So I use Leopard, because I can't upgrade to Snow Leopard until some work software becomes compatible.
Despite the fact I'm on Leopard, "Donovan" from COH tech support just told me to update to the latest Snow Leopard.
What the hell? Are they even paying attention?
Well, I have been able to get in, and I have to completely lower my graphics settings to the bare minimum before I log off and reset them when I enter (except screen resolution). If I forget to do this, then I have to go into safe mode and then restart and reset graphics, once again, when I am in, there is no issue with performance, even in ultramode, so not sure what gives. Passed on to support, but it seems they still have issues.
Never had an issue with I16 and before, and I tried test, and it works fine. Anyway, thanks for the other options for solutions. I think I will lax my game play until NCSOFT gets a more appropriate fix. Having to alter code or reset graphics each time is not a viable strategy to maintain customers. I am guessing mac users are not >10% of the player base, but as I guy who works in business, 10% loss of customers means letting people go, so hopefully someone is working on a solution.
Keep sending Support requests (help.ncsoft.com) - it's how the devs track an issue and how widespread it is.
Manga @ Triumph
"Meanwhile In The Halls Of Titan"...Titan Network Working To Save City Of Heroes
Save Paragon City! Efforts Coordination
Quote:
That has been working for me, but man its tedious to hit command-f and then click my user and then navigate all the way down. Is there a way to make a desktop link or a toolbar link that opens right to a specific directory?|
Originally Posted by Xenos
But in the meantime try this as a workaround. Instead of deleting the whole Preference folder, only delete:
"/Library/Preferences/City of Heroes Preferences/p_drive/User/Local Settings/Application Data/NCSoft" |
I ask because the 5/12 patch didn't fix my black screen of death on the mac client.
Lewis
Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan
Quote:
There are a couple of ways to skin this cat. Easiest is to simply COMMAND+OPTION drag the folder you want. It creates a shortcut.|
Originally Posted by UnicyclePeon
Is there a way to make a desktop link or a toolbar link that opens right to a specific directory?
|
Or you could use terminal to run the command that Eldman had suggested running and delete the folder that way:
rm -rf ~"/Library/Preferences/City of Heroes Preferences/p_drive/User/Local Settings/Application Data/NCSoft"
I am a bit cautions with the rm command though...you hit enter to soon...whoosh!...so I did not want to go that route.
Quote:
This sounds just like a mac to me, works perfect till you make a change then they go to pot. You may have to wait for Apple to recertify new drivers for your internal ATI card. I dont think you can goto ATI and get them because apple is very protective on the software that goes into their computers. Your issue I belive stems from the change in graphics drivers dealing with City Of Heroes.|
Originally Posted by bromley
So I use Leopard, because I can't upgrade to Snow Leopard until some work software becomes compatible.
Despite the fact I'm on Leopard, "Donovan" from COH tech support just told me to update to the latest Snow Leopard. What the hell? Are they even paying attention? |
At least with a PC you have the option to update your video card and or drivers, even degress drivers to a stable or prefered version. Are you using Bootcamp on your mac? At least you can boot into Windows and update drivers and still be able to play, your intel based mac is more than able to handle it.
Quote:
Thanks!|
Originally Posted by Xenos
There are a couple of ways to skin this cat.
|
Lewis
Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan
OK I finally got a fix for this situation from tech support. Here is what they said to do. I had to still open it in safe mode the first time and change my graphics setting, but it loads every time after that. I also didn't have to edit the info.plist file as those lines weren't present.
Please download the City of Heroes Test client and check to see if it has the same issue. The test client can be found at http://download.cityofheroes.com/Tes..._Server_US.dmg
If the test client works properly, please try the following:
1. Move the "City of Heroes.app" file from /Applications and "City of Heroes Preferences" from ~/Library/Preferences/ to the Trash.
2. Control-click on "City of Heroes Test.app" and choose "Duplicate". Rename the new copy to "City of Heroes.app"
3. Control-click on the new "City of Heroes.app" and choose "Show package contents".
4. Open Contents.
Now, I would like you to modify the info.plist file that is located in the Contents folder and remove the following lines:
<key>CiderGameOptions</key>
<string>-- cohupdater.exe -test</string>
5. Close and save the file. Then check for the issue again.
*make sure you check safe mode the first time you run it and change your graphics settings there or it will just give you the black screen. If you forget to, then just delete your preference file again and launch it again in safe mode.*
Good find, YBNormal. That's very similar to the workaround I discovered shortly after I17 went live (but due to the invasive nature of it, I didn't want to publish it without approval).
Manga @ Triumph
"Meanwhile In The Halls Of Titan"...Titan Network Working To Save City Of Heroes
Save Paragon City! Efforts Coordination
Quote:
This actually worked easy, I just made a shortcut to the file. Now, I am running with some beautiful ultramode, although I should not be able to. That being said, the fan kicks on pretty fast when I do and almost right away. But I am now able to enjoy the game. In fact, I just beat myself and Protean last night solo with my new scrapper, and it was a blast. I will probably do this fix until the the devs correct the problem. I figure it will be an issue since until I17, I had to reloadgfx or unloadgfx almost every time I zoned. (but at least I do not have to do that anymore).|
Originally Posted by Xenos
NightSable,
I get your frustration, and I do think that this needs to be addressed asap. It seems to affect a number of people, it affects both Snow Leopard and Leopard users and it does not seem to be an issue when using the Test server. So for all matters and purposes there appears to be a solution (unless I am drawing the wrong conclusions from the fact that I have no problem starting the Test server repeatedly on the same Mac that I have the black screen issue on the Live server with...). But in the meantime try this as a workaround. Instead of deleting the whole Preference folder, only delete: "/Library/Preferences/City of Heroes Preferences/p_drive/User/Local Settings/Application Data/NCSoft" In other words, just delete the NCSoft folder at the end of this path. You will have to do this every time before you start the game, but for me at least it keeps my graphics settings intact. No need to fix the settings and reboot in order to play. Major improvement. |
Thanks for all the help and letting a cranky old vet vent a little. Now I need my geritol and a nap.
*shakes fist*
ASSERTION FAIL!!!!!!!! *reloads game...* Ok time to edit the base. Ok moving the tele- ASSERTION FAIL!!!!!! *reloads game....* Let's try this again...Ok teleporter in. I don't like that wa- ASSERTION FAIL!!!! ...... *reload.... game..* OK...CHANGING THE WALL COLOR NOW AND MO- ASSERTION FAIL!!! *cries and lays head on keyboard* what did I do to deserve this!?
---> macbook pro. newest model. 4G+ and NVIDA cards. Yes I threw out the folders and that did nothing. Still buggy, still glitching, still having fun with the assertion fails.
Which newest model? The 2010 one or the late-2009?
Manga @ Triumph
"Meanwhile In The Halls Of Titan"...Titan Network Working To Save City Of Heroes
Save Paragon City! Efforts Coordination
late 2009, forgot one was made in '10
Follow the instructions here and see if it makes a difference for you:
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showp...6&postcount=25
Manga @ Triumph
"Meanwhile In The Halls Of Titan"...Titan Network Working To Save City Of Heroes
Save Paragon City! Efforts Coordination
i'm trying that now...just hate downloading because it takes forever. *crosses fingers* i hope this is the problem. I never got the log-in black screen just random assertion fails while trying to base edit.
.................... and
no. Still bugged. Still getting graphic bugged pictures in the editor and still getting assertion failed in the editor. I never had problems outside the editor it's ONLY the base editor causing problems.
I'll test that later tonight and see if there's a larger problem.
Manga @ Triumph
"Meanwhile In The Halls Of Titan"...Titan Network Working To Save City Of Heroes
Save Paragon City! Efforts Coordination
ok so so far, no assertion fails but...It's a tid laggy still when i place something or move something huge afterwards unless i cmd. enter in and out to reset the screen, and still getting the pixelated pictures. It's only the editor causing problems I'm not getting issues anywhere else.
I have a mac. I am not used to things not working. In fact, it is pretty rare thing indeed as most things work properly on the mac. Since NCSOFT claimed and sold a mac edition, one would deduce it would work. Issue 17 has been a horrible experience thus far. I suffer from the blank screen after trying to load CoX. This is how I have gotten around it. I pop open safe mode and then restart to my desktop screen settings. Then I can get in, and put all my graphics back to where I like them, even with ultramode, and everything works fine. If I leave it on those settings, then when I restart the next time, it seems to give me the blank screen yet again. So, I can fully run CoX, however, I can't start it up with those settings.
WTF?
OK, this was all true until yesterday. Now I can't seem to get in at all. I'm a 66 month vet, and really have no wishes to quit, but it seems the game and the devs are quitting on me here. You make something and sell it for a platform, it needs to work and should not require anyone to try to figure out how it works. That's one of the reasons mac users get a damn mac, so we don't have to worry about that kind of cr^p.
Thanks, felt good to vent that out.
P.S. The new market format sucks. Devs, please don't worry about fixing things that work well. Work on the hundred or so things that are still broken instead.