Consistent Crashing Problem

I'm hoping my problem is a straightforward one, but for the life of me, I don't see what the cause of my crashes might be. I've turned my graphics way down to help, but the relief is minimal at best.

For the last month or so (ever since upgrading to Win7), I've been having relatively frequent crashes and can't seem to figure out why. The pattern I've seen is that it almost always occurs while zoning and usually happens every other mission. I notice an increased likelihood of crashing when teaming (though that might be in my head) and OFTEN crash when trying to access the MA editor.

Anyone know what might be up? I've included the COH Helper info below, but let me know if y'all need any other info.

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

DxDiag gathered at October 9, 2010 16:15 (-07:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100618-1621)
System Manufacturer: Unknow
System Model: Unknow
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ (2 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
Memory: 4096MB
.Net Memory Report: 2196MB out of 3071MB available
Page File: 4676MB (1464MB currently in use)
C Drive: (WDC WD2500JD-55HBB0 ATA Device) 82926MB out of 238472MB (34%) free
G Drive: (Seagate FreeAgentDesktop USB Device) 50471MB out of 238472MB (21%) free
E Drive: (SAMSUNG CDRW/DVD SM-316B ATA Device) zero-size drive
D Drive: (ASUS CRW-5232AX ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7600.16385 (32-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.

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 GTX 260
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce GTX 260
Video Memory: 2159 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.12.5896
Driver Date: 7/10/2010 5:37:00 AM
Driver Language: English

Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce GTX 260
Video Memory: 2159 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.12.5896
Driver Date: 7/10/2010 5:37:00 AM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6167
Driver Date: 7/28/2010 3:23:36 PM

Sound Device Description: Speakers (Creative SB X-Fi)
Driver File: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1375
Driver Date: 5/5/2010 9:24:24 PM

Sound Device Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6167
Driver Date: 7/28/2010 3:23:36 PM

Sound Device Description: SPDIF Out (Creative SB X-Fi)
Driver File: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1375
Driver Date: 5/5/2010 9:24:24 PM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: JETWAY
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: HA07
Motherboard Version:
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: RS780 - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20080725000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1680x1050
3D Resolution: 1680x1050 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: No
Maximized: No
Screen Position: Unknown, Unknown
Refresh Rate: UnknownHz
Vertical Sync Enabled: No


Physics Quality: Unknown (2147483647)
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: Unknown (2147483647)
Anisotropic Filtering: Unknown (2147483647)
Texture LOD Bias: Unknown (2147483647)
Water Effects: Unknown (2147483647)
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: No
Shader Detail: Unknown (2147483647)


World Texture Level: Unknown (2147483647)
Character Texture Level: Unknown (2147483647)
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 1.000
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: No
Shadow Mode: Unknown (2147483647)
Shadow Map Shader: Unknown (2147483647)
Environmental Reflections: Unknonwn (2147483647)
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: Off
Occlusion Strength: Unknonwn (2147483647)
Blur: Unknonwn (2147483647)
Ambient Resolution: Unknonwn (2147483647)


Gamma Correction: 1.000
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) 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: 0.500
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 8950800 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1850.201009101722.11T2o
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
.\sound\Ogg has 1 file
.\sound\Ogg\FrontEnd has 2 files
.\sound\Ogg\Mission_Architect has 1 file
.\sound\Ogg\Powers has 11 files
.\sound\Ogg\Rave has 2 files
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Powers has 1218 files
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Van Powers has 144 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\city has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Safeguard has 9 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\sewers has 44 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\static has 33 files
.\texture_library\PLAYERS\AVATAR\Super_Shared\Embl em has 5 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Outdoor_Missions has 9 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Static has 14 files
.\texture_library\WORLD\Villain_lairs\cot has 1 file
.\texture_library\WORLD\V_COV\Bases\Details\Decora tive_liquid\Baseliquid_Monitors has 1 file

Just got this message right before another crash:

./piggs/sound.pigg: Corrupt pig file detected
Read failed for file: sound/Ogg/5th Column/PropPA_loop.ogg
-1

Your data might be corrupt, please run the patcher and try again

Not something I see every time, but... it's something.

--

Also, the updater NEVER runs a Verify Image after a crash now... which seems odd to me.

Anyone? The DC's are pretty common at this point, but strangely don't appear to have anything to do with lag-creating situations. The ITF lag hill didn't even give me pause. Zoning out of the mission, however...

I hate to seem desperate, but I'm getting close to it. The game is getting unplayable for me... I'm crashing every other mission and can't seem to find a reason why.

I've shut down all other programs to see if it's a memory issue (it shouldn't be). Same results. I've actually DELETED all my pigg files and had the updater "repair" them. Same results. As mentioned above, I also reduced my graphics setting to recommended. Same results.

To recap, I have no problem with lag, ever. Even the ITF lag-hill of doom doesn't do much to me. However, upon zoning in and out of a mission, or even out of a BUILDING like a hospital, I'll crash. On the rare occasion, I'll get a sound loop bug and THEN crash, but that's not as common.

I've added a Hijackthis report below, as I forgot to do that in the OP.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 11:51:24 PM, on 10/19/2010
Platform: Windows 7 (WinNT 6.00.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16671)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe
C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\WISPTIS.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ink\TabTip.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\WTablet\Wacom_TabletUser.exe
C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RtHDVCpl.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\GamePanel Software\LGDevAgt.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\GamePanel Software\G-series Software\LGDCore.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeInSystray.exe
C:\Windows\System32\Ctxfihlp.exe
C:\Program Files\RocketDock\RocketDock.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\CTSched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\QBUpdate\qbupdate.exe
C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\CTXFISPI.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe
C:\Program Files\DivX\DivX Update\DivXUpdate.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink\InputPersonalization.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe
C:\Users\Bobby\Desktop\HijackThis.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.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 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O2 - BHO: ContributeBHO Class - {074C1DC5-9320-4A9A-947D-C042949C6216} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Contribute CS5\Plugins\IEPlugin\contributeieplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: MSN Toolbar BHO - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar\Platform\4.0.0417.0\npwinext.dll
O2 - BHO: Ask Toolbar BHO - {D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440} - C:\Program Files\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN Toolbar - {8dcb7100-df86-4384-8842-8fa844297b3f} - C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar\Platform\4.0.0417.0\npwinext.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Contribute Toolbar - {517BDDE4-E3A7-4570-B21E-2B52B6139FC7} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Contribute CS5\Plugins\IEPlugin\contributeieplugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Ask Toolbar - {D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440} - C:\Program Files\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RtHDVCpl] C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RtHDVCpl.exe -s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Launch LgDeviceAgent] "C:\Program Files\Logitech\GamePanel Software\LgDevAgt.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Launch LGDCore] "C:\Program Files\Logitech\GamePanel Software\G-series Software\LGDCore.exe" /SHOWHIDE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogMeIn GUI] "C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeInSystray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTxfiHlp] CTXFIHLP.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RocketDock] "C:\Program Files\RocketDock\RocketDock.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CreativeTaskScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\CTSched.exe" /logon
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 - Global Startup: QuickBooks Update Agent.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\QBUpdate\qbupdate.exe
O9 - Extra button: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O23 - Service: Creative Audio Engine Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\CTAELicensing.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Audio Service (CTAudSvcService) - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\CTAudSvc.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Acresso Software Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: LMIGuardianSvc - LogMeIn, Inc. - C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LMIGuardianSvc.exe
O23 - Service: LogMeIn Maintenance Service (LMIMaint) - LogMeIn, Inc. - C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\RaMaint.exe
O23 - Service: LogMeIn - LogMeIn, Inc. - C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeIn.exe
O23 - Service: Process Monitor (LVPrcSrv) - Logitech Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\LVMVFM\LVPrcSrv.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe SwitchBoard (SwitchBoard) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\SwitchBoard\SwitchBoard.exe
O23 - Service: TabletServiceWacom - Wacom Technology, Corp. - C:\Windows\system32\Wacom_Tablet.exe

--
End of file - 7046 bytes

Bump. ~160 views, but no thoughts? I've switched up virus scanners just to see if there's something fishy going on in that department... no luck. If anyone has any thoughts, even if they seem like long-shots, I'd really appreciate it.

Delete ./piggs/sound.pigg from you pigg folder.

Delete checksum.coh from the main CoH directory.

Reboot and rerun the client. Make sure you don't have the -project coh tag in your shortcut, you want the verifier to run.


If that doesn't fix things, see if there's a software conflict by following the instructions here to shut down all those other start-up and stay-resident programs.


Also, you can check with your computer manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer to see if there are driver updates for your motherboard chipset/CPU.

If you get spurious checksum errors on pigg-files the following things can apply:

1. Flaky memory, solution: reboot - press F8 and select memory test from the menu or download memtest86 and create a cd that you boot from. Memory tests should run for a couple of hours. Possible solution: remove memory and clean the connectors with an eraser - make sure they are clean from any residue before reseating them.

2. Failing disk, run a bad block test: right-click the disk, select properties, select tools tab, click Check now.., deselect Automatic fix, select Scan for bad sectors. You can also download HDTune (from www.hdtune.com) and see the condition your disks are in.

3. Old BIOS that may have problems with Windows 7, update BIOS to latest version for your motherboard, tools & bios available on Asus' homepage.

4. Virus/trojan or other software interferes with CoX. Run virus & trojan scans. Shutdown any extraneous software then try to run CoX.

5. Misc. hardware problem.

Thanks both for the reply. I'll check out those solutions and report back when I know something more.

Hmmm... I'm not sure what's going on, but following Zombie Man's instructions, the sound.pigg file is refusing to download. The updater is showing no download progress at all, no matter how long I leave it up and running...

which has me a little worried, as I don't see any way around the issue to get back up and running again (aside from reinstalling, which I assume isn't the best method).

I'm also super-uneasy about updating my BIOS, as the website is VERY hard to understand (for me anyway). I was able to obtain this info:

BIOS Type:Phoenix-AwardBIOS
Date:July 25th 2008BIOS
ID:07/25/2008-790GX-SB750-8A660J19C-00-NoneBIOS
OEM:V.HA07 A01 07-25-2008 - 6.00
PGChipset:AMD 9600 rev 0
...but really don't know what to do with that.

Yet another update.

My virus scanner has revealed nothing out of the ordinary.
Running a bad-block test has revealed... my drive is in good order.
I've cleaned up all registry errors that I could find.

Hopefully in the long run all of this tweaking will help with my stability.

Unfortunately, the updater is STILL stuck trying to fix (download) sound.pigg. Every time I try to run the updater again, it will checksum, then attempt a download... which does nothing, every time. I'm now completely locked out.



--

Well, I'm pleased to announce that the updater finally fixed everything (downloaded sound.pigg). Unfortunately, I'm still having the same disconnect issues. This leaves me with updating my BIOS driver (which as I mentioned I'm concerned about doing) and running a memory test.

<frustrated>