The client hogs 90% CPU.

That is, CPU usage is 100% total (with about 80%-90% of it being cityofheroes.exe) just standing in Ouroboros, doing nothing, fresh after complete reboot. FPS are never above 35, even with a minimum resolution and minimum settings. Typical FPS is 10-20. Ping is more or less fine, netgraph smooth.

I'm reasonably sure the system is malware-free, but just to comply with the guide I will post HijackThis log too in the next post.

So, what could it be?

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

DxDiag gathered at november 2, 2011 23:38 (+00:00)
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647)
System Manufacturer: ECS
System Model: 945GCT-M2
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Central Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.80GHz
Memory: 2048MB
.Net Memory Report: 1024MB out of 2047MB available
Page File: 3028MB (915MB currently in use)
C Drive: (SAMSUNG HD250HJ) 3274MB out of 219999MB (1%) free
E Drive: (ATAPI DVD A DH20A4P) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DirectX Diag version: 5.03.2600.5512 (32-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor: SyncMaster 206BW(Analog)
Monitor's Max Resolution: 1680,1050
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce GTS 250
Video Memory: 1024.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0012.8558
Driver Date: 10.08.2011 4:50:00
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: SigmaTel Audio
Driver File: sthda.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.5511.0000
Driver Date: 05.06.2007 9:12:00


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ECS
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: 945GCT-M2
Motherboard Version: ECS
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Name: Default System BIOS
BIOS Version: AAMMII - 8000716
BIOS Release: 20070816000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1024x768
3D Resolution: 1024x768 (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: 2x
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: 0,829
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: Yes
Close Suppression Range: 3,000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 0,600
Music Sound Volume: 0,600

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0,000
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: Unknown bytes/second
Current Game Version: 2100.201109170227.1.0
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\NCsoft\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
. has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\city has 2 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\Midnight_Squad has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\NewPlayerTutorial has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Safeguard has 9 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\sewers has 44 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\static has 40 files
.\texture_library\P_MAPS has 2 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\City has 2 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Outdoor_Missions has 9 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Static has 16 files

Problems:
1.) Single core Celeron CPU
2.) 2 GB RAM
3.) 3ish GB of free space on C:

I'm surprised you get 35 FPS on a single core CPU.
I'd say upgrade your ram to 4 GB, but I'm not sure it would help with the CPU, you also need to free up some space on your C:\ Drive.

How is a geForce GTS 250 a problem?

And to keep Hyperstrike happy:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 0:05:43, on 03.11.2011
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgchsvx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgrsx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\3 Mobile Broadband\3Connect\BecHelperService.exe
C:\Program Files\Cepstral\bin\CepstralLicSrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\CTDevSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Keyboard & Mouse Driver\KMWDSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LVMVFM\LVPrcSrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\C-Major Audio\WDM\STacSV.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgnsx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\TortoiseSVN\bin\TSVNCache.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\sttray.exe
C:\Program Files\Keyboard & Mouse Driver\StartAutorun.exe
C:\Program Files\Keyboard & Mouse Driver\KMConfig.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\BOINC\boinctray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RunDLL32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\Creative Media Lite\CTZDetec.exe
C:\Program Files\Philips\GoGear Mix Device Manager\main.exe
C:\Program Files\Keyboard & Mouse Driver\KMProcess.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\3 Mobile Broadband\3Connect\Wilog.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jucheck.exe
C:\Program Files\Opera\opera.exe
C:\Program Files\CPUID\CPU-Z\cpuz.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe
C:\Program Files\Far\Far.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\hthis\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blank
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
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.2.4204.1700\s wg.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O2 - BHO: ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker BHO - {F0D4B231-DA4B-4daf-81E4-DFEE4931A4AA} - C:\Program Files\ZoneAlarmSB\bar\1.bin\SPYBLOCK.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker - {F0D4B239-DA4B-4daf-81E4-DFEE4931A4AA} - C:\Program Files\ZoneAlarmSB\bar\1.bin\SPYBLOCK.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: TextAloud - {F053C368-5458-45B2-9B4D-D8914BDDDBFF} - C:\PROGRA~1\TEXTAL~1\TAForIE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: PROMT - {FF284F5C-7CF9-4682-8701-D467C1DBB99F} - C:\Program Files\PRMT78\PRMTIE\prmtie.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMJPMIG8.1] "C:\WINDOWS\IME\imjp8_1\IMJPMIG.EXE" /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002ASync] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002A] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /IMEName
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SigmatelSysTrayApp] sttray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KMCONFIG] C:\Program Files\Keyboard & Mouse Driver\StartAutorun.exe KMConfig.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG9_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZoneAlarm Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RunDLL32.exe NvMCTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit -login
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\nview\nwiz.exe /installquiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTZDetec.exe] C:\Program Files\Creative\Creative Media Lite\CTZDetec.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Documents and Settings\Noir\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNo tifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [EA Core] "C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EADM\Core.exe" -silent
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-1292428093-1960408961-725345543-1009\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'UpdatusUser')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: AutorunsDisabled
O4 - Global Startup: AutorunsDisabled
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport uz programmu Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Sutit uz programmu OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&utit uz programmu OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Run WinHTTrack - {36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040} - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Launch WinHTTrack - {36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040} - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {7A2EFD41-E6B3-11D2-89E3-00E0292EE574} - C:\Program Files\PRMT78\PRMTIE\prmtie5.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Перевести - {7A2EFD41-E6B3-11D2-89E3-00E0292EE574} - C:\Program Files\PRMT78\PRMTIE\prmtie5.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {7A2EFD41-E6B3-11D2-89E3-00E0292EE575} - C:\Program Files\PRMT78\PRMTIE\options.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Настройка параметров перевода - {7A2EFD41-E6B3-11D2-89E3-00E0292EE575} - C:\Program Files\PRMT78\PRMTIE\options.htm
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {0A5FD7C5-A45C-49FC-ADB5-9952547D5715} (Creative Software AutoUpdate) - http://www.creative.com/softwareupda...31/CTSUEng.cab
O16 - DPF: {814EA0DA-E0D9-4AA4-833C-A1A6D38E79E9} (DASWebDownload Class) - http://das.microsoft.com/activate/ca...ail/DASAct.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://www.creative.com/softwareupda...5035/CTPID.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{DA0F957C-ABEA-46EF-B7BF-6CABC0B9711F}: NameServer = 217.171.132.1 217.171.135.1
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgpp.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O18 - Filter: AutorunsDisabled - (no CLSID) - (no file)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - avgrsstx.dll (file missing)
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: AVG Free E-mail Scanner (avg9emc) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Free WatchDog (avg9wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: BecHelperService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\3 Mobile Broadband\3Connect\BecHelperService.exe
O23 - Service: Cepstral License Server - Cepstral, LLC - C:\Program Files\Cepstral\bin\CepstralLicSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.exe
O23 - Service: CT Device Query service (CTDevice_Srv) - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\CTDevSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Служба Google Update (gupdate1c9f41489900e54) (gupdate1c9f41489900e54) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Служба Google Update (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: Keyboard And Mouse Communication Service (KMWDSERVICE) - UASSOFT.COM - C:\Program Files\Keyboard & Mouse Driver\KMWDSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Process Monitor (LVPrcSrv) - Logitech Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LVMVFM\LVPrcSrv.exe
O23 - Service: nProtect GameGuard Service (npggsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\GameMon.des.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Update Service Daemon (nvUpdatusService) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NVIDIA Updatus\daemonu.exe
O23 - Service: Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental) (rpcapd) - CACE Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\WinPcap\rpcapd.exe
O23 - Service: SigmaTel Audio Service (STacSV) - SigmaTel, Inc. - C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\C-Major Audio\WDM\STacSV.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Check Point Software Technologies LTD - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

--
End of file - 11626 bytes

CPU usage and Co* is about normal, I'd say. Although, you DO have quite a bit going on in the Hijack this log. Co* is a pretty good CPU user. Even a dual core will get a nice workout.

Upgrading to a dual core will help, as Co* does use the second core. 35 FPS on what you got is pretty good though. It doesn't sound off at all, to me.

You really need to think about running MSCONFIG and turning things off to see if any of that running in the background is required. The less the computer needs to do behind Co*'s back, the better.

I've got 35 FPS not with these settings, but with 800*600 resolution and renderscale moved all the way to the minimum.

These settings are more like 20-25 FPS (again, standing in Oro, doing nothing.)

The dual core CPU should help, so yes I'd do that if possible.

To the question of why is the GTS 250 a problem: I have a GTX 260, Phenom II and 8 GB of RAM, I get about 60 FPS. I had a 250, and got about 30-40, I borrowed a 460, and got 80+ depending on where I was.

I would also do as houtex suggested, hit up MSCONFIG and try to disable anything in there that isn't needed.

Hmm... I started with the next-heaviest item in task manager... Got 30-50 FPS on the same settings (no renderscale, 1024*768, minimum FX.) That's 20 FPS gain from JUST CLOSING NCSOFT LAUNCHER. /em headdesk.

It's still not entering any FPS contests, but at least it's closer to playable now.

I doubt there's more stuff I can really get rid of for any similar gains, but it strongly supports the CPU theory.

The biggest single "issue" there is the CPU, no question. Even with my old Core2Duo CoH used to sit at 80%+ CPU most of the time (Though that was at 1600x1200, Medium detail).

Quite simply, Celerons suck and it needs replacing, though doing so with something more powerful will probably require a new motherboard, which probably means new RAM and possibly a new PSU.