I hit the .exe for Champions Online. It gives me a tab on the taskbar, and a Champions icon in the tray, but the launcher doesn't pop up. At all. It just...chills there. Just started happening last night. I've been playing the game for the last couple days before last night just fine.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 12/24/2009, 15:11:45
Machine name: ROBYN-918A79335
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
System Model: VGN-FW140E
BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/27/08 18:05:52 Ver: 08.00.10
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P8400 @ 2.26GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2940MB RAM
Page File: 803MB used, 4022MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A42&SUBSYS_9035104D&REV_07
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: igxprd32.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4953 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/21/2008 16:12:36, 57344 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: igxpmp32.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/21/2008 17:12:36, 6018464 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6902-11CF-A460-3FB0A6C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2A42
SubSys ID: 0x9035104D
Revision ID: 0x0007
Revision ID: 0x0007
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0262&SUBSYS_104D2E00& REV_1003
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5591 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 8/22/2008 08:15:00, 4713472 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 8000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 33, 32
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 33, 32
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

Description: Logitech USB Headset
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: USB\Vid_046d&Pid_0a01&Rev_1013&MI_00
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: usbaudio.sys
Driver Version: 5.01.2600.5512 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 4/13/2008 23:15:14, 60032 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Realtek HD Audio Input
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5591 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 8/22/2008 08:15:00, 4713472 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xCC0

Description: Logitech USB Headset
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name: usbaudio.sys
Driver Version: 5.01.2600.5512 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 4/13/2008 23:15:14, 60032 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0x444

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
USB Audio Device, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: USB-compliant keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x0B38, 0x0003
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: USB-compliant keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x0B38, 0x0003
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: USB-compliant keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x0B38, 0x0003
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: USB-compliant keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x0B38, 0x0003
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x2935
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 4/13/2008 23:15:38, 59520 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 52480 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 24576 bytes
|
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x0B38, 0x0003
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
| Driver: kbdhid.sys, 4/13/2008 23:09:50, 14592 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/14/2008 04:43:22, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 24576 bytes
|
+ PS/2 Compatible Mouse
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0f13
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 52480 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 23040 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x093A, 0x2510
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/17/2001 12:48:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x0B38, 0x0003
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/17/2001 12:48:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/14/2008 04:43:22, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 23040 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: HDAUDIO SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM3
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM4
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------
Star Wars Jedi Knight Jedi Academy (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: jamp.exe (1.00.0000.0000)

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 68.7 GB
Total Space: 230.1 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: FUJITSU MHY2250BH

Drive: D:
Model: Optiarc DVD RW AD-7560A USB Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.5512 (English), 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 62976 bytes

Drive: F:
Model: ORGBK YF01M3GX SCSI CdRom Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.5512 (English), 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 62976 bytes

Drive: G:
Model: MagicISO Virtual DVD-ROM0000
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.5512 (English), 4/14/2008 04:00:00, 62976 bytes

I'm having this same problem. It was working fine yesterday morning, and now no launcher.

Exact same issue here,

Tried to log in last night and got the 'Unable to authenticate' issue. Now I can start the .exec and I get the taskbar icon, but the login box doesn;t pop-up :(.

Eager to find a resolution for it.

Mike.

Worked fine before the stupid login servers went down, login servers came back up and now the launcher wont start up, it lags out basically. Looks like it is not recieving a signal from the update server, but i doubt ill get to play for another week because of how long its been taking cryptic recently.

Anyone else having this issue? I'd like to know im not sitting here wasting my money.

Click to launch, nothing opens or appears except for a tab in the taskbar. Counting the days to the other game-that-shall-not-be-named.

I have been trying to play for 2 DAYS! Yesterday, I could not create an account and today I cannot launch/log in!??!? Are you serious? I will not attempt to log in after today, so that gives Cryptic a little time to get it up, but not much. If I cannot even log in to the game after 2 days, it is just not administered well enough to be a reliably good game. I was a Crytic fan, but not any longer.

Same here... yesterday had the "can not authenticate user" and now today it just hangs at "connecting".

Really blows.... and just think about all those customers that just got this game for Xmas...

EDIT< I just changed my proxy and logged in. It worked for me.

Ditto here. Has anyone been able to get it to work since or found a solution?

I wish I could help you. It works perfectly on my end, and I haven't changed anything since yesterday. Unfortunately, it's the holiday season, so there probably won't be any official response here until Monday at earliest.

I see from your join dates that some of you are recent players. If I dare ask, you didn't happen to get your boxes as Christmas presents and just installed from the disks?

I'm speculating now, so don't take my words as the Lord's truth: the version on the disk is from before September, so it's seriously outdated and has to be updated. And since it's Christmas, I suspect that everyone and their aunt also got their boxes, their games has to be updated as well.

Cryptic has had problems with the patch server being overloaded at launch, the first free play, and to some extent the second free play as well. My client is up to date so I don't have any trouble, but I suspect that any new players may be caught in this overload and can't update their clients.

I would recommend you to wait a few days until things calm down a bit, and not give up just yet. There's a great fun game waiting for you. If you can't wait, go to the front page and then Support and create a ticket, and the on-call GM will eventually say "hi". He might know of a way of getting a fully patched client (note "might" - I'm not guaranteeing that there are any fully patched clients for download).

I hope this help somewhat.

Good thought Kitty, but unfortunately it doesn't always ring true as I have been playing for about a month. Everything worked fine until, I'm assuming, the log in server crashed. I came back from Christmas dinner and merriment to find the log in server down message on the site and this above mentioned problem with the launcher. It had been playing fine earlier that evening.

I've submitted a ticket. Let's see how long it takes the weekend cleaning crew to notice. ;)