Can only play in Safe Mode

I posted a while back with a problem, but didn't seem to be able to determine what was going on with my PC. So, a while back, I got my PC back up and running, downloaded all the patches, and tried to be on my way in game. Well, it just hangs up on the small, rectangular box that says "Loading...". When I launch the CoH/CoX launcher, I'm able to pull the game up in "Safe Mode", and have been for a while. Problem is, the graphics aren't up to what this rig is capable of, and I'm running at 800x600 resolution.

I'll gladly do any diagnostics and post my PC info. Can anyone help me out here?

I'll post a DxDiag in the next post. If it lets me...


Okay, so apparently, the DxDiag is too much information to be posted on here. Is there anything pertinent that I need to post on here from the DxDiag?

Here's my CoHHelper Data:


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

DxDiag gathered at June 3, 2011 23:39 (-07:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110408-1631)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: EP45-UD3P
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9400 @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 4096MB
.Net Memory Report: 2119MB out of 4094MB available
Page File: 4067MB (4319MB currently in use)
C Drive: (WDC WD5000AAKS-00V1A0 ATA Device) 273658MB out of 476929MB (57%) free
D Drive: (WDC WD5000AAKS-00V1A0 ATA Device) 130595MB out of 476929MB (27%) free
E Drive: (TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223B ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7601.17514 (64-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: 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: 2668 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.12.7061
Driver Date: 4/7/2011 10:14:00 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514
Driver Date: 11/20/2010 3:44:23 AM

Sound Device Description: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514
Driver Date: 11/20/2010 3:44:23 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: EP45-UD3P
Motherboard Version: x.x
BIOS Manufacturer: Award Software International, Inc.
BIOS Name: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: _ASUS_ - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20090520000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 800x600
3D Resolution: 800x600 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: No


Physics Quality: None
Maximum Particles: 100
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


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


World Texture Level: Unknown (3)
Character Texture Level: Low
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 0.500
Entity Detail Level: 0.300
Shadows Enabled: No
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: No
FX Sound Volume: 1.000
Music Sound Volume: 0.600

Show Advanced Graphics Options: No
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.000
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 1144392 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 2010.201105250125.1
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
.\texture_library\GUI\Icons\Powers has 214 files

Here's my HijackThis data:


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 11:41:41 PM, on 6/3/2011
Platform: Windows 7 SP1 (WinNT 6.00.3505)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v9.00 (9.00.8112.16421)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Search Protection\SearchProtection.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP Software Update\hpwuschd2.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Identity Protection\agent\bin\avgidsmonitor.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Orb Networks\Orb\bin\Orblauncher.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\soffice.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Orb Networks\Orb\bin\Orb.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\soffice.bin
C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Messenger\ymsgr_tray.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Roaming\CBS Interactive\CNET TechTracker\TechTracker.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\rundll32.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\program files (x86)\ncsoft\launcher\NCLauncher.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\City of Heroes\CityOfHeroes.exe
C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applicat ion\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Adam\Downloads\HijackThis.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://www.bing.com/?pc=ZUGO&form=ZGAPHP
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.yahoo.com
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://www.yahoo.com
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
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: AskBar BHO - {201f27d4-3704-41d6-89c1-aa35e39143ed} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AskBarDis\bar\bin\askBar.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Search Toolbar - {9D425283-D487-4337-BAB6-AB8354A81457} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Toolbar\SearchToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AVG Security Toolbar - {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Ask Toolbar - {3041d03e-fd4b-44e0-b742-2d9b88305f98} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AskBarDis\bar\bin\askBar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Search Toolbar - {9D425283-D487-4337-BAB6-AB8354A81457} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Toolbar\SearchToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [JMB36X IDE Setup] C:\Windows\RaidTool\xInsIDE.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (reboot)] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe" /runcleanupscript
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [YSearchProtection] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Search Protection\SearchProtection.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files (x86)\Hp\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG_TRAY] C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleU pdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Search Protection] C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Search Protection\SearchProtection.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Vidalia] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Vidalia Bundle\Vidalia\vidalia.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NCsoft Launcher] C:\program files (x86)\ncsoft\launcher\NCLauncher.exe /Minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Messenger (Yahoo!)] "C:\PROGRA~2\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\YahooMessenger.ex e" -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [F2BDFAB81C6AAAF1D0071939A82311FC9D34DE60._service_ run] "C:\Users\Adam\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Applica tion\chrome.exe" --type=service
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [spchecker] "C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Notification\SPCheckerTE.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [FlashPlayerUpdate] C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32_FlashUt il.exe -p
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 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-1995587874-2556146595-3653231612-1003\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'UpdatusUser')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-1995587874-2556146595-3653231612-1003\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'UpdatusUser')
O4 - Startup: CNET TechTracker.lnk = Adam\AppData\Roaming\CBS Interactive\CNET TechTracker\TechTracker.exe
O4 - Startup: OpenOffice.org 3.3.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\quickstart.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search && Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O18 - Protocol: avgsecuritytoolbar - {F2DDE6B2-9684-4A55-86D4-E255E237B77C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgpp.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: ASKService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\AskBarDis\bar\bin\AskService.exe
O23 - Service: ASKUpgrade - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\AskBarDis\bar\bin\ASKUpgrade.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Security Toolbar Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Toolbar\ToolbarBroker.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Firewall (avgfws) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgfws.exe
O23 - Service: AVGIDSAgent - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Identity Protection\Agent\Bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe
O23 - Service: AVG WatchDog (avgwd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
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: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
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: NVIDIA Update Service Daemon (nvUpdatusService) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\NVIDIA Updatus\daemonu.exe
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: SBSD Security Center Service (SBSDWSCService) - Safer Networking Ltd. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDWinSec.exe
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: 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)
O23 - Service: Yahoo! Updater (YahooAUService) - Yahoo! Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe

--
End of file - 13126 bytes

Heh, the first thing that jumped out at me is probably not related but your Gigabyte motherboard is loaded with an Asus bios.

Motherboard Product: EP45-UD3P
BIOS Version: _ASUS_ - 42302e31

So what steps have been taken? Have you run -verify on the coh loader?
Have you tried a complete uninstall and reinstall?

Has there been any other posts in the gameplay/tech issues forum with people who had the same problem?

Windows skinning programs like Window Blinds are known to cause this problem. I didn't see anything in your Hijack This that jumped out at me, but I don't know the names of all such programs.

You seem to have a lot of toolbars and other extraneous startup programs running, I'd trying turning some of them off to see if that helps.

You have Spybot, Yahoo search protection AND AVG all running. These are probably conflicting with each other. Keep AVG on and turn the others off.

On 4 gb, you've got a lot of background services you don't really need running.

Also, go into the NCSoft launcher settings and set it to "Exit after launching game". The launcher has a memory leak.

Yes, just add -verify to the end of the shortcut on your old coh loader.

So on the Target line it should say: "C:\Program Files (x86)\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe" -verify

Could try uninstall and reinstall.

Re Motherboard: If its working, great. It just looks weird, its like buying a Chevy and finding a Ford Engine.

How is your computer connected to the router? Is it an ethernet connection or a wireless connection? If it's a wireless connection, it's possible that you are flooding the wireless buffer with data when the settings are turned up (not in safe mode).

When you say it is a cable connection going through a router, is it a cable coming into a cable modem and then connected with ethernet to a router or is it a cable coming into a combination of cable modem and router all in one box?

Have you tried plugging your computer directly into the cable modem to see if the router is the cause of the problems? If the problem goes away, you may want to check for a firmware update for the router or try to find a better router.

Have you tried -verify or reinstall the coh client?

My recommendation would be to re-install your video drivers. In particular, you might want to run one of the driver sweeper tools after uninstalling the video drivers to make sure all remnants of any old drivers are removed before re-installing one of the latest drivers.

First a question. Do you have a graphics tablet connected to your computer? In the past there have been circumstances where graphics tablets interfered with CoH and kept it from loading in anything but safe mode. The only solution was to uninstall the tablet and all it's software.

Second, a suggestion. Disable Vidalia. From what I've been able to find it's a program that is supposed to hide your identity and ip while you surf the web. Of course with all those spyware toolbars you have installed that's sort of like a fire truck with lights and siren running turning off it's headlights so it won't be noticed. At any rate there is a possibility that the software is preventing the server from seeing the game client in anything except it's base state.

If you can run other OpenGL applications (like the Unigine Heaven Benchmark here: http://unigine.com/download/#heaven with the API set to OpenGL), then it might be a problem with the game or game settings.

If other OpenGL applications also fail to run correctly, then it might be a problem with your system (hardware, drivers, other applications interfering with OpenGL, etc).

Since you can get the game to run in the game's safe mode, what happens if you start the game in safe mode and then increase the graphics quality without enabling the advanced graphics options? Don't forget to hit "Apply" after moving the graphics quality slider.

What resolution is your desktop set to in comparison to the resolution in game? In game go into settings for screen resolution. You will see two possible settings that match your desktop. One will say something like 1680 by 1050 and the other will say 1680 by 1050 (desktop). Choose the one that has (desktop) after it and try setting your resolution to that. For some reason with some systems coh can only match that resolution or safe and trying something higher or lower causes it to default to safe mode resolution. I haven't seen anybody with that problem for a couple years so I didn't think of it till now.

If this is the situation and you have your desktop set to a lower resolution for text and icon size then you will have to play at the lower desktop resolution or else raise your desktop resolution to where you want it in the game.

And that reminds me of yet one other possibility. Do you have your desktop icon and text set to be a larger size? If you have it set to 100% or 125% then it's fine but at 150% coh doesn't like it.