FFXI + Vista = Stress-Induced Aneurysm?

[Susurrus]

Sorry I meant FFXI in vista.

[Sporked]

I just reinstalled FFXI after about 2 years of not playing. First thing I encountered was the 'can't play on this OS' error. Fine, read through this thread, found the link for the Vista version of POL and downloaded, installed and patched that.

Now when I come to try and play the game through POL I am told that I can't play as I don not have FFXI installed. Now having just installed everything off the Vana'Diel collection DVD (including the version of the POL viewer on there to a different directory because none of the games would install without it) I am pretty sure I DO have it installed. I tried using the polboot.exe in the FFXI directory but that just tries to boot the incompatible version.

Help!

[Mhurron]

There are directions on the POL site where you got the Vista client. Read.

[Sporked]

Read, followed, done, spoken with PlayOnline support about, not working. I wouldn't have posted here otherwise .

I can't install final fantasy with just the vista POL viewer installed as the installer gives me an error of 'PlayOnline Viewer not installed, please install the viewer and try again' (paraphrased) and I can't play once I have uninstalled the old viewer and installed the Vista viewer because then it doesn't recognise my final fantasy installation.

[Mhurron]

Read the instructions. Follow them, don't skip over the steps that I can see by what you're saying you are skipping.

The instructions work, if you actually follow them. The problem is you, not Vista, not POL, not FFXI and not SE.

[Sporked]

Are you going to read the bit where I said I *have* followed the instructions but run into a hitch whereby the damn game won't install with the vista playonline viewer installed which is where those lovely instructions stop working?

In fact, here's an image of the error I get every time I try to install the game after having installed the vista version of the viewer.




Note I have already fully uninstalled FFXI, CoP, RotZ and the viewer, restarted my machine, installed the vista client, restarted my machine and then attempted to reinstall FFXI before you respond.

[Kailea]

Are you going to read the bit where I said I *have* followed the instructions but run into a hitch whereby the damn game won't install with the vista playonline viewer installed which is where those lovely instructions stop working?

In fact, here's an image of the error I get every time I try to install the game after having installed the vista version of the viewer.




Note I have already fully uninstalled FFXI, CoP, RotZ and the viewer, restarted my machine, installed the vista client, restarted my machine and then attempted to reinstall FFXI before you respond.

install Vista POL, then full update it, then install FFXI and expansions

[Sporked]

install Vista POL, then full update it, then install FFXI and expansions

Gonna get all capsy here but....

I'VE ALREADY DONE THAT!

I'm fairly sure I mentioned that in at least one post. In fact, after checking, it's in the very first post I made.

I run into that exact same error when trying to install the game whether the launcher is patched or not. And considering it takes about 1.5 hours to patch the POL viewer each time I try, it's not exactly a quick process to keep installing and uninstalling the damn thing.

[Kelkiki]

Gonna get all capsy here but....

I'VE ALREADY DONE THAT!

I'm fairly sure I mentioned that in at least one post. In fact, after checking, it's in the very first post I made.

I run into that exact same error when trying to install the game whether the launcher is patched or not. And considering it takes about 1.5 hours to patch the POL viewer each time I try, it's not exactly a quick process to keep installing and uninstalling the damn thing.

When my old comp died and I got a brand new shiny compy complete with Vista, I had that same problem...and after three days, opted for the easy way out and bought the newest collection for the game and expansion packs. Too bad after installing it I ran into another problem, POL freezing up and just generally being slower than a turtle in snow. So...yeah. I'm not familiar with Vista in the least, so not sure what else to do. Glad to see I'm not the only one having trouble, at least!

[Sporked]

That's what I've done too. Also, the problem with FFXI not detecting my POL install was because I had downloaded the US version of the POL viewer. Redownloaded the EU version from the official site and that sorted out that problem but left the POL not detecting FFXI issue, new game version fixed that. Don't know how, don't know why but it did.

So partly my fault and partly the fault of old software.

Just to reinforce the fact, MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD THE CORRECT VISTA ENABLED POL VIEWER FOR YOUR REGION. Otherwise you run the risk of looking like a tard in public <_<

Vista POL Viewer link for EU types.

Also, about the freezes try going to start > all programs > playonline > Playonline viewer > Viewer config and setting it to full screen. Sometimes mine throws hissy fits when in windowed mode.

[Kelkiki]

Jimminy Crickets, this is getting annoying. I know it's me, but heck I don't know what I'm doing, never gonna lie about that. Anyhow, I tried the full screen mode thing, then it went ahead and closed me out after presenting me with the original message I had been receiving.

I've realized I've been having two separate troubles. Depending on whether or not I have the User Account Control switched on. With the UAC on, I get an error message, with it off, it goes on about its merry way until getting to the point of retrieving POL messages. And it's either taking a really long time to gather those messages, or just stops working. I'm guessing the latter. Off to work now! >.<

[Sporked]

Could be your router is blocking your access? There's a guide to forwarding ports for FFXI and POL in a sticky at the top of this forum, that might resolve any connection problems.

Also, try going to your FFXI shortcut, right click on it > properties > compatibility and try putting a tick in the 'Run this program as an administrator' box if you can or simply right click the shortcut and choose that option from it's right click menu

[Kelkiki]

Thanks! I'm having new issues now, however. I took the easy way out and dropped two hundred bucks on XP, and everything went fine and dandy...up until the part where you actually get past POL and connect to the actual game. Turns out my graphics card is full of lame and fail (Intel G33/G31 express chipset family) and...well, just looking for yeeet another solution. My FFXI gaming buddy had better appreciate this xD

[Kailea]

Thanks! I'm having new issues now, however. I took the easy way out and dropped two hundred bucks on XP, and everything went fine and dandy...up until the part where you actually get past POL and connect to the actual game. Turns out my graphics card is full of lame and fail (Intel G33/G31 express chipset family) and...well, just looking for yeeet another solution. My FFXI gaming buddy had better appreciate this xD

you paid $200 for XP?...... LOL!!!!!!!!


boy you got ripped off so hard......

also if that laptop came with Vista, you better double check to make sure you can get XP drivers for all the hardware on it.

[Kelkiki]

you paid $200 for XP?...... LOL!!!!!!!!


boy you got ripped off so hard......

Yeah, I know, right? Too bad it was the cheapest price on it around here. New county tax on everything, so...anyway. It's a desktop, not a lappy. And, as I've stated numerous times, just not here, I'm not computer literate...so I'd have no idea how to go about doing that.

Anyhow, all problems are fixed now! FFXI is running smoothly, since I've updated my drivers and such...nighty night!