i20 black screen

Update: the Public Test Server client works on my machine. There is a 4 second black screen between clicking 'I agree' and the CoH splash screen showing up.

I only took CoH through logging in a character, then exited as I had to leave for work.

I'm hoping the next thing I hear is that a mainstream patch for this problem is released!

Where do I download the Mac test server?

Arge... I got all excited this morning when it started to do some small update on my Mac...and then...same black screen. And for me..it locks up my machine to where I have to do a hard boot.

Do I really need to open a ticket for a problem that a bunch of people seem to be having?

I don't want to have to download a test server just to get this to work. Trying to be patient but going through CoH withdrawals ...you guys force me to do this Cold Turkey stuff! Humph!!

Here is the answer to my ticket (They obviously haven't looked at the early part of this thread):
Thank you for contacting NCsoft Technical Support.

As a troubleshooting step, please try running the game in Safe Mode. You can set this mode for the game by doing the following:

1. Launch City of Heroes.

2. Proceed to the “User Agreement” section.

3. Before clicking the “I Agree” button (lower right corner), place a checkmark in the box labeled “Safe Mode.”

4. Click “I Agree.”

This will force the game to run at the minimum graphics/video settings. This is not intended as a permanent solution , but this is being requested so that we can gauge whether these lowered settings will have any effect on the problem at hand.

If this improved the issue, then, while in Safe Mode, set "Advanced Graphics Settings" to "Disabled" and move the "Graphics Quality" slider to a setting that provides good balance between performance and quality. If you'd like you can then enable the advanced graphics settings and continue to tweak the settings.

We look forward to your reply.

Regards,
Mark
NCsoft Technical Support

That is interesting, unless I missed something. I ran "City of Heroes Test" and it launched me in to the live server.

My vague memory is that the current test client connects to live until you edit the Info.plist to make it connect to test. If you've already done that, you need to revert the change. If you're getting a fresh download, I believe you go straight to live.

The downloaded test launcher doesn't work for me, exactly the same problem.

I'm checking out the solution NCSoft Support seems to be suggesting. They seem to be telling people with the black screen issue to use version 1.0.3068 (actually you're downloading 1.0.2098, but it patches to 3068) instead of 1.0.4462. 3068 is also the official patch server version.

So this is essentially a client rollback - probably QA determined that 3068 was working with ATI-based Macs and 4462 wasn't. If it's working I'm therefore going to have to change the advice in my troubleshooting guide.

Also, the Test Server client connects to Live instead of Test because the patching process doesn't seem to replace the Info.plist in the application with a new one.

I downloaded the Test app (from the link provided in this thread), it is CoH v1.0.2098. The launcher won't even start.

However, I already had a copy of Test installed, CoH v1.0.3069. After modifying the line in the plist file, it runs, launches, and connects to the live servers. I'm in-game.

Again, this is on a MacPro 1,1 with OSX 10.6.7 and Radeon HD 5770

"There's villainy ... and then there's supervillainy. The difference is performance."
-Doc_Reverend

Launched it today and had no problems...maybe black screen for about 5 seconds longer than before.

Mac Pro 2008, 2.8x2, 32GB 10.6.7. 5870.

Ok, this is little confusing. Hopefully someone can clear this up. So I received a response back from support. They recommended I use the following lines on the live client:

<key>CiderGameOptions</key>
<string>-- cohupdater.exe -shaderCache 0</string>

Which I tried, but this didn't work. I also tried it on the test server with no luck. Now I see that someone has posted this string:

<key>CiderGameOptions</key>
<string>-- cohupdater.exe -test</string>

Which I guess you would use on the test server. Which one has anyone had luck with?

i dled the test server, installed, ran and....SUCCESS!

I'm on the dino GMA950 2007 black macbook. If mine can werk, so can urs!

The Test client worked for me, although it seems sluggish, and there are a few UI oddities.

If you modified the test client or did anything which modified a Plist and your not sure how revert back or what not, I would suggest you just delete the test client and re-download it again fresh and clean.

If for some strange reason the download hangs just stop it and then click the app again to restart the game. It seems to get it by the hanging part. It literally took me 7 hours to down load the test client because I just let it go and didn't notice it was hanging.

IF your still not in after a fresh test client install then post up so the pros can maybe guild you in the right direction.

Once you install and the test client updates you should have to do NOTHING to get into the game. No Plist modification, NOTHING...


---------------THE RANT BEGINS-------------------

Finally, again I thank players like Cuppa and the rest for helping out where this game company failed to do. I get the issue and I've been an online gamer for 20+ years. I have beta tested games when requested and invited. But I really, really do feel it is not my job to mess around with Plist though I do computer forensics for a living and am comfortable around different OS. I really felt I was beta testing this for them. Basically they are saying I have no clue so lets have them ( the customer ) do stuff and see what screws up their machines.

Another thing that upset me ( I wanted to use another set of words ) was common sense should tell them that some people barely understand the basics let alone trying to figure out how to do stuff like modify a Plist.

I cannot tell you how many people use windows and then jump on a Mac because they heard it was cool. But then ask me how to get a windows program working on Mac or I tried to install my old music player and it won't install on the Mac. I don't even bother trying to tell them about WINE. I just say it won't work, because he next question out of their mouths is can you do it for me.

So this is how I see the Devs here. They want you to do a bunch of stuff and can't even come into the forums and help out. I sent them in only part of my System Profiler because after looking through it I didn't feel it was their business what other apps I had on my system or what other wireless networks my wifi was able to pick up in my area, I think its beyond there scope to know info like that. So removed certain stuff like that and my name from the profiler. They deemed it as I didn't send it in because it was redacted. Though I have sent mail saying otherwise.

And finally after all of this nonsense you would think they would just quickly come out and say hey guys and gals we completely understand your plight so we are going to credit you a week of play time or we are very sorry as we still know some players are still down today. We are going to give every Mac client player a voucher for a free Pack of your choice. Something to show they appreciate that you took the time and effort to help THEM out.

Instead you get nothing from them. This is why I refused to help them out beyond the profile stuff. I came to these forums instead and listened to what you guys had to say. regardless if it came from them. Because they should have posted the same stuff here. Again at a minimum faint an interest in your players having problems. In the grand scheme of things it would cost nothing. Plus you never, never know who is playing and who can't get in.

I really, really would like to know what these guys ( The Devs ) would do without Cuppa helping them out.

So thanks again to everyone

test client seems to be working for me. Not spectacularly, and all my options are reset, but at least I can get on a bit and fiddle around.

(Noted that I'm still having the issue with switching between windowed mode and full screen, though.)

Just wanted to add my 2 inf to the Test server fix. took out the test/beta key and string and its working fine now.

I also wanted to thank Manga and others for their help in this.

Take the Magic: The Gathering 'What Color Are You?' Quiz.

13 hours to download the test client.............