CoH Stuck at "Loading" stripe or disappears

I've had an ongoing problem with the game launcher, it either sticks at the loading stripe but more often than not the loading strip disappears and the game doesn't load.

I tried various solutions on http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showt...59#post3909059 but none of them work such as deleting the CoX folder, addcache file, removing nvidia display divers in safe mode with driver sweeper and installing 175.19 drivers.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Paul

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

DxDiag gathered at November 9, 2011 15:44 (+00:00)
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: DT191A-ABU t450.uk
BIOS: BIOS Date: 03/19/04 13:28:07 Ver: 08.00.09
Central Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
Memory: 2048MB
.Net Memory Report: 1326MB out of 2047MB available
Page File: 1933MB (732MB currently in use)
C Drive: (SAMSUNG SP1203N) 23050MB out of 109590MB (21%) free
D Drive: (SAMSUNG SP1203N) 566MB out of 4885MB (11%) free
E Drive: (HP DVD Writer 300c) zero-size drive
F Drive: (IDE-DVD ROM 16x) 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:
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce FX 5200
Video Memory: 128.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7519
Driver Date: 01/01/0001 00:00:00
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Driver File: ALCXWDM.SYS
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.6290
Driver Date: 08/06/2008 14:45:14


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: 'P4SD-LA'
Motherboard Version: Rev 1.xx
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Name: BIOS Date: 03/19/04 13:28:07 Ver: 08.00.09
BIOS Version: A M I - 3000419
BIOS Release: 20040319000000.000000+000


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


Physics Quality: Medium
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: Unknown (0)
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 (0)


World Texture Level: Low
Character Texture Level: Medium
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 1.000
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: No
Shadow Mode: Stencil shadows
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: No
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: No
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.500
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: Unknown bytes/second
Current Game Version: 2120.201110270112.1.0
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\NCsoft\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 15:54:06, on 09/11/2011
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:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Kontiki\KService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Motive\McciCMService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsAuxs.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsTray.exe
C:\program files\real\realplayer\update\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Multimedia Card Reader\shwicon2k.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon05.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNo tifier.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\BT Auto Backup\VaultClientSRV.exe
C:\Program Files\BT Auto Backup\VaultClientUpgrade.exe
C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Desktop Help\btbb\BTHelpNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\Soluto\Soluto.exe
C:\Program Files\Soluto\SolutoService.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\Transports\NclUSBSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\Transports\NclRSSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\Transports\NclMSBTSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nokia\MPlatform\NokiaMServer.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://gb10.hpwis.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://srch-gb10.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.bt.yahoo.com
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 Bar = http://srch-gb10.hpwis.com/
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
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://uk.red.clientapps.yahoo.com/c...rch.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://gb10.hpwis.com/
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\userinit.exe,C:\Progr am Files\Soluto\soluto.exe /userinit
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer - {3049C3E9-B461-4BC5-8870-4C09146192CA} - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Real\RealPlayer\BrowserRecordPlugin\IE\rpbrow serrecordplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {553DE9D1-822E-4A48-9E5D-80237B45F3B3} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.7.6406.1642\s wg.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {CB5B93DD-4571-42A8-8319-1DF84676A2D8} - (no file)
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
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {B2847E28-5D7D-4DEB-8B67-05D28BCF79F5} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\program files\real\realplayer\update\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Sunkist2k] C:\Program Files\Multimedia Card Reader\shwicon2k.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [none] c:\AUTOEXEC.BAT
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NokiaMServer] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nokia\MPlatform\NokiaMServer /watchfiles startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISTray] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsTray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD05] c:\Program Files\HP\{45B6180B-DCAB-4093-8EE8-6164457517F0}\hphupd05.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon05] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon05.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlcxMonitor] ALCXMNTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NokiaMusic FastStart] "C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia Music Player\NokiaMusicPlayer.exe" /command:faststart
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [btbb_McciTrayApp] "C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Desktop Help\btbb\BTHelpNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNo tifier.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Acme.PCHButton] C:\PROGRA~1\HPPAVI~1\Pavilion\XPHWWBP4\plugin\bin\ PCHButton.exe
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-1-5-18\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: Google Sidewiki... - res://C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_7461 B1589E8B4FB7.dll/cmsidewiki.html
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite....x/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {0972B098-DEE9-4279-AC7E-4BAAA029102D} (PhotoboxPhotowaysUploader5 Control) - http://assets.photobox.com/assets/au...20090729114115
O16 - DPF: {0A43D7AC-D6C1-4622-B309-BF975F427C0E} (first direct internet banking plus digital safe) - https://internetbankingplus1.firstdi...rontdoorFD.cab
O16 - DPF: {0CCA191D-13A6-4E29-B746-314DEE697D83} (Facebook Photo Uploader 5) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/...oUploader5.cab
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {140E4DF8-9E14-4A34-9577-C77561ED7883} (SysInfo Class) - http://content.systemrequirementslab...i_4.1.71.0.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262F} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...reqlab_nvd.cab
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/S...in/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: {67A5F8DC-1A4B-4D66-9F24-A704AD929EEE} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...sysreqlab2.cab
O16 - DPF: {6824D897-F7E1-4E41-B84B-B1D3FA4BF1BD} (PCPitstop AntiVirus) - http://utilities.pcpitstop.com/Exter...pAntiVirus.dll
O16 - DPF: {74DBCB52-F298-4110-951D-AD2FF67BC8AB} (NVIDIA Smart Scan) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...aSmartScan.cab
O16 - DPF: {8100D56A-5661-482C-BEE8-AFECE305D968} (Facebook Photo Uploader 5 Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/...Uploader55.cab
O16 - DPF: {A90A5822-F108-45AD-8482-9BC8B12DD539} (Crucial cpcScan) - http://www.crucial.com/controls/cpcScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {B1E2B96C-12FE-45E2-BEF1-44A219113CDD} (SABScanProcesses Class) - http://www.superadblocker.com/activex/sabspx.cab
O16 - DPF: {BB21F850-63F4-4EC9-BF9D-565BD30C9AE9} (a-squared Scanner) - http://ax.emsisoft.com/asquared.cab
O16 - DPF: {C606BA60-AB76-48B6-96A7-2C4D5C386F70} (PreQualifier Class) - http://downloads.broadbandassist.com...ivePreQual.cab
O16 - DPF: {D821DC4A-0814-435E-9820-661C543A4679} (CRLDownloadWrapper Class) - http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/.../en/crlocx.ocx
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {FFB3A759-98B1-446F-BDA9-909C6EB18CC7} (PCPitstop Exam) - http://utilities.pcpitstop.com/Optimize2/pcpitstop2.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.DLL
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (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: KService - Kontiki Inc. - C:\Program Files\Kontiki\KService.exe
O23 - Service: McciCMService - Alcatel-Lucent - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Motive\McciCMService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Auxiliary Service (sdAuxService) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsAuxs.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Security Service (sdCoreService) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsSvc.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: Soluto PCGenome Core Service (SolutoService) - Soluto - C:\Program Files\Soluto\SolutoService.exe
O23 - Service: BT Auto Backup Service (VaultClientSRV) - BT - C:\Program Files\BT Auto Backup\VaultClientSRV.exe
O23 - Service: BT Auto Backup Upgrade Service (VaultClientUpgrade) - BT - C:\Program Files\BT Auto Backup\VaultClientUpgrade.exe

--
End of file - 12659 bytes

Hi Medi.

Looks like the graphics drivers could be corrupted. That date can't be correct

We've seen the dates like this for a long time in CoH Helper reports. It is generally caused by one of two things.

1. The driver installation is corrupted. When this is the problem all other dates appear correct except for this item.

2. Windows is configured to use a different date format other than MM/DD/YYYY such as those used in countries other than the US. Some non-US versions of Windows by default set the date to display as DD/MM/YYYY. When this is the problem all of the dates appear as 01/01/0001.

Since the video card is showing the odd date and the sound card is showing a normal date it seems as if this is a case of a corrupted video driver installation.

That really needs to be corrected by using the standard driver uninstall/driver sweeper/reinstall as outlined below:

Download the 175.19 drivers from the nVidia site, but don't install them yet.
Download and install Driver Sweeper but don't run it yet.
Uninstall the nVidia Video drivers from Add/Remove Programs in the control panel but don't reboot yet.
Open Device Manager and uninstall the video card from there.
Reboot into Safe Mode.
Cancel any New Hardware wizards that come up.
Run Driver Sweeper and have it remove the nVidia Display Driver remnants.
Reboot into Windows normal mode.
Cancel any New Hardware wizards that come up.
Install the drivers you downloaded previously.

Run CoH Helper and paste the results into Notepad. If the date for the video drivers looks normal, test the game. If not, something is blocking the drivers from installing correctly. It may also be what is causing the game to hang when loading.

If the drivers load correctly and the date looks normal but you still can't get the game to load, see if you can launch the game in Safe Mode (not Windows Safe Mode, but the game's Safe Mode) by following these steps.

Open the NCLaucher but don't start the game yet.
Right-click the City of Heroes entry and select Properties.
At the bottom of the page, put a checkmark in Launch in safe mode and then click OK.
Launch the game.

Does it run? Good. Slowly tweak your graphics settings to where you need them (I wouldn't raise them much above bare minimum with that video card) one setting at a time. After each change, close the game completely and relaunch it in normal mode and make another change, save the setting, close completely, rinse, repeat.

If at any time after a change the game doesn't load, go back into Safe Mode and start with the changes but skip the one that caused it not to load.

If the game still doesn't load, something on the computer is likely causing a conflict. The entries I see that concern me are Soluto, Kontiki, Spyware Doctor and PCPitStop. Those last two have different utilities in them that could be blocking the game if they aren't configured right.

Hi Texas

Are 175.19 US or 175.16 International the correct drivers?

Edit: 175.19 gives Driver Date: 01/01/0001 00:00:00 but 175.16 gives 05/03/2008

I've removed Soluto and Kontiki but can't see PCPitStop in the list of programs to remove in the control panel

I can turn Spyware Doctor off to see if that helps.

Edit: I've tried with both dates and also turning off start up programs and processes as suggested by nc support and still cannot get the launcher to load the game