Nukluk

Thanks for the responses.

Pine, the issue is not with the OS, not with Windows 7, but rather with skinning programs. Windows 7 just complicates it a bit as I found no easy remedy within my skinning program to make an exception for COH.

Master-Blade, I'd previously researched a lot of "loading" posts and realize it has been a known issue since long before Windows 7. However, any threads I saw had very vague information on solutions, or had a stream of intense changes recommended to your computer.

Memphis Bill is correct when saying that normally the reaction has been "Go to the skinning program and add an exception for COH.” However, I could not find anywhere in my skinning program for making an exception. When I find a solution, I try to provide the steps to it for other users. That was always missing in the posts I’d found on this issue.

Anyway, I wanted to provide some thorough steps and a visual for anyone else running into this issue. Especially when my skinning program did not allow for an exception for COH like many posts had outlined.

I'll jump right to the chase...

Are you stuck with a "Loading" bar when you launch CoH/CoV on a Windows 7, running any kind of Themes or skins? If so, try this solution. It worked for me.

1) Find and right-click your "cityofheroes.exe" file (for me, it was in default path "C:\Program Files (x86)\City of Heroes").
2) Select "Properties" to bring up the properties window on the file.
3) Select the "Compatibility" tab.
4) Under the "Settings" area, select the "Disable Visual Themes" option.
5) For good measure, also select the "Run this program as an administrator" option.
6) Click the "OK" button to close the Properties window.

Handy picture I made:




Why make this thread?
I thought I'd post this here. I searched all over the Internet and tried a number of other solutions. Most involved previous versions of Windows, and didn't work as well with Windows 7. Many solutions involved completely uninstalling Themes & Skins programs, and I was loathe to do that.
I'm hoping this thread helps some other gamers find an easy solution to try before uninstalling themes & skins, updating or downgrading video drivers, reinstalling the game, spinning in circles, pulling their hair out, etc.

A bit about me:
I did Beta for CoH, was an avid player for quite some time, but left CoH/CoV for the newest shiny thing way-back when. Well, I'm back and I LOVE CoH/CoV - I always have. There are a LOT of new features that I am totally digging. Dual Blades & Katana ROCKS! The Peacebringers and Warshades provide new and fun challenges for me. It also feels great to dust off my old heroes and villains once again.