Stuck at pre-game Loading bar

I just reinstalled COH on a system where it worked fine on before. Now when I click on the game and run the updater, it runs fine and then when it goes to start the game (where you get that thin "Loading" graphic before the game actually loads up, it just freezes there.

I have searched the forums and have found many people with the same issue but none of why theirs were not loading apply to me. I am not running Window Blinds or any Alienware visual programs. In fact this is pretty much a brand new fresh reinstall. I have tried running in Windows Xp compat. mode and have tried disabling visual themes and desktop comp in compatibility options. I have tried adding exceptions and outright disabling windows firewall. I've made sure my motherboard's firmware is up to date and downloaded the newest sound drivers for my onboard sound.

I have tried the latest WHQL drivers for my video card and have also tried every other certified drivers all the way back to January 2010.

After trying to run the game I have to go into task manager and kill the process. If I just kill the application, it just keeps sitting there as a running process. At one point, I had about 5 of them in there even though I was killing the app.

I should also note that I have no issues loading the game up in Safe Mode. It works fine.

I am at a total loss as to why its doing this. I am hoping someone can help me out.

Here is my log fomr CoHHelper:

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

DxDiag gathered at October 29, 2010 15:20 (-07:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100618-1621)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/22/10 12:51:51 Ver: 08.00.15
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 8192MB
.Net Memory Report: 6792MB out of 8190MB available
Page File: 14803MB (1574MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST31500341AS ATA Device) 1284475MB out of 1430696MB (89%) free
D Drive: (WDC WD15EADS-00P8B0 ATA Device) 886539MB out of 1430796MB (61%) free
E Drive: (HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GSA-H22N 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 GTX 280
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce GTX 280
Video Memory: 4077 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.11.9621
Driver Date: 01/11/2010 9:03:33 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (VIA High Definition Audio)
Driver File: viahduaa.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.7900
Driver Date: 01/11/2010 6:05:20 PM

Sound Device Description: HD Audio HDMI out (VIA High Definition Audio)
Driver File: viahduaa.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.7900
Driver Date: 01/11/2010 6:05:20 PM

Sound Device Description: SPDIF Interface (TX1) (VIA High Definition Audio)
Driver File: viahduaa.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.7900
Driver Date: 01/11/2010 6:05:20 PM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: P7P55D
Motherboard Version: Rev 1.xx
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Name: BIOS Date: 07/22/10 12:51:51 Ver: 08.00.15
BIOS Version: 072210 - 20100722
BIOS Release: 20100722000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 19200x12000
3D Resolution: 19200x12000 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: No
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: No


Physics Quality: Unknown (31)
Maximum Particles: 500000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: Unknown (2147483647)
Anisotropic Filtering: Unknown (2147483647)
Texture LOD Bias: Unknown (20)
Water Effects: Unknown (2147483647)
Bloom: Unknown (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: No
Shader Detail: Unknown (30)


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


Gamma Correction: Unknown
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: Unknown
Music Sound Volume: Unknown

Show Advanced Graphics Options: No
Overall Graphics Quality: Unknown
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: Unknown bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1850.201009101722.15T2r
Installation Directory: C:\Games\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

Hijack this:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 3:29:26 PM, on 29/10/2010
Platform: Windows 7 (WinNT 6.00.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16671)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Games\Steam\Steam.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\SteelSeries\World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse\WoWMHID.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\SteelSeries\World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse\WoWMTray.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
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: Windows Live ID 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
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SteelSeries World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse] C:\Program Files (x86)\SteelSeries\World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse\WoWMHID.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HDAudDeck] C:\Program Files (x86)\VIA\VIAudioi\VDeck\VDeck.exe -r
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] "C:\Games\Steam\Steam.exe" -silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [uTorrent] "C:\Program Files (x86)\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
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')
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
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: NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service (Stereo Service) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvSCPAPISvr.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
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\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.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 - 6204 bytes

Please help!

Move the updater exe to the desktop and run from there and make sure it's intalling to C:/games/City of Heroes

Also you can try disabling all the other programs to see if one them is in conflict by following the instructions here.

Hmm, I downloaded Tweak COH and made it pick 1900x1200 resolution but it still doesn't work. Does anyone know of a file I can go into and manually change it?

Does everyone else's COHHelper dumps show a proper resolution?

Does anyone know where City of Heroes stores its client side options?

Registry. Search for Cryptic.

It seems that no matter what value I put in for resolution in registry or in safe mode, it comes out multiplied by 10 in COH Helper's output file. What the hell is going on? Does anyone have any insight? I just reinstalled the client again and the same exact thing happens.

Update your video drivers IMMEDIATELY

You are currently using the bad drivers that nvidia has since withdrawn which cause severe video card overheating.

I had the same problem last night and this morning. My Alienware system came with a skin program to give it more of an "Alienware Vibe". As soon as I turned that off, it all worked fine.