Final Fantasy XI won't load - please help

[MogulRasputin]

Hi there. I'm running Windows 7 32-bit, Core2duo 3ghz, 4890HD, 2gb RAM. So yeah, my system specs are well above what is needed to run this, but I'm still having an issue.

When I go to start up FFXI, after going through the rigmarole that is POL, I click Play, hit ok to a couple of messages about maintenance and making sure to not die at your keyboard, then the screen tries to switch resolution and crashes back to desktop. No error message, not even that familiar "Bing!" when something ♥♥♥♥s up. Nothing. I have tried quite a few different resolutions, none of which make the slightest difference. I'm also running two monitors (not that that should make a difference).

If anyone could help that would be great.

EDIT: Also windowed mode/non windowed mode makes no difference.

[XE800]

Sounds a bit like the issue I had. This is what Steam Support recommended (I don't know if it will work, by the time I got this advice I had already reinstalled Vista which fixed the issue for me):



Thank you for contacting Steam Support.

Please exit Steam and go to the folder called C:\Program Files\Steam\ (this is the default location for a Steam installation - if you set a different installation directory, you will need to browse to it).

Delete all of the files in this folder except:

The Steamapps folder and Steam.exe (this file is listed as an application and features the black and white Steam logo)

Restart your computer.

Then, you will need to launch Steam.exe from within the Steam installation folder, and not from a pre-existing shortcut.

With Steam running, re-test the original issue.

Note: This process will not affect your currently installed games.



If that doesn't fix the issue, you may need to try the following:

Exit Steam entirely.

Browse to your Steam installation (Usually C:\Program Files\Steam\)

Rename the "steamapps" folder to "old_steamapps"

Re-launch Steam and re-install the game.

Once the installation is complete, test the issue.

If this resolves the issue, you may copy the new files into the "old_steamapps" folder and rename it to "steamapps" to restore your other games without re-downloading.

If the issue is not resolved, you can rename the folder back to avoid having to re-install other games.

[MogulRasputin]

Well, I tried the first solution, which didn't help. I don't really want to use another 8gb of bandwidth to test out the second solution, but I may try reinstalling my OS.

Thanks for the help.

[JohnX]

I also have this exact problem. The game will try to load FF11 after play online, go black, then go exit to the desktop. Does this game not want me to play it? :o.. I am angered.

The above options didn't work..
IRT#1
I notice you also had a dual monitor setup, as do I. I tried disconnecting one monitor, but didn't do sh*t :(

Steam, or anyone please help!

[Snownd]

I'm having the same problem as JohnX. Are there any known ways to fix this or any links to help out?

[Obans]

I have the same issue as well. At times I even see the cursor displayed on the screen, and after a milisecond of hope, it fades from black to Desktop. Help would be great, seeing I dont't wanna waste any more time on the trial.

[goodayve]

Im not sure if my issue is the same, but my game wont run. Steams version seems to update fine on win 7

Edit- delted some info the wasnt helpful

[dropy]

Have any of you guys tried to manually start the game? aka going to the steam directory and locating the pol.exe and starting it that way?

[goodayve]

I tried that, since you mentioned it. It did not work. I also tried to set it to win xp compatabilty and starting with steam normally, but it didnt work.

I havent installed the win 7 play online viewer yet. Since it says I have to uninstall FF XI first.

I am hopeing either steam or square support will be able to help also. I do not want to have to uninstall, its like an 8 hour steam download.

[dropy]

Well if you downloaded it via steam u have the version that works with vista/win7.
So there would be no need to run it in compability mode, have you tried to set it to run as administrator? (Right click on FINAL FANTASY XI\polboot.exe" and then go to the Compatibility tab and at the bottom of that panel, select "Run as an Administrator")

[goodayve]

Thanks for the responses, I tried setting polboot.exe to run as administraitor and it didnt work. I also tried setting pol.exe to run as administraitor, and I set the config.exes to run as administraitor also.

I made sure play online had access through mcafee also.

Below is what happens when it stops working:

First the play online splash screen comes up, then another window opens that is just black, and on top of that window it says Play Online Viewer Ver 1.18.00n. Then after a few seconds I get the normal windws error for a program has stopped working.

[dropy]

Well thats not the latest version, 1.18.13a is the latest one.
What happends if u start playonline and run check files on playonline and then ffxi?
Also have u added ffxi to the exclusion list in mcafee, have you tried disabling/uninstalling mcafee?

[goodayve]

Play online stops working before I can do anything with it.

How can I run the check files?

[dropy]

My bad, so you have never gotten the playonline viewer to stay open for more then lets say 30sec?

[goodayve]

Nope, only stays open for about 2-5 seconds. I have verified integrity in steam. I also tried deleting the playonline view folder, then verify integrity again but same error again after finished with download. Not sure if it needs a new install maybe.But seems like it might be something simple.

I see other posts about people that had a problem that Play Online would not update, but I do not see any of them with a solution.

I might just delete local game content, Then try again. I am not going to delete it all yet though. Still waiting on responses from both supports. Have any other ideas?:) Thanks for the help

[dropy]

have u added ffxi to the exclusion list in mcafee, have you tried disabling/uninstalling mcafee?

[goodayve]

Im not going to uninstall Mcafee(have had no problems with it), yea its allowed full access.

When I look at the error for why it stopped working it mentions a video driver aticfx32.dll

So it might be something to do with that.

[dropy]

Have you tried to reinstall the gfx driver?
Do you have crossfire enabled?

[goodayve]

I updated my driver through steam, and now it seems to be working:) Guess I should have tried that sooner.

I know steam isnt always the best way to update drivers, but this is the second time I have used it, and it seems to work well.

Thanks for the help.

[emomelodic]

I ran into a boat load of problems. The first being playonline would not update.
I deleted all play online from my computer. including program files/steam/ common/ff11 play online.
i then ran a disk verify on the game and it worked


i then ran into a graphic problem
so in the end I renamed my steap apps folder steamapps1
created a new folder called steamapps
re downloaded final fantasy. it worked like a dream

i then moved all of my games into steamapps from steamapps1 except final fantasy of course

-cam