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Reinstalling issuesFollow

#1 Aug 30 2011 at 9:50 AM Rating: Good
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I'm in need of some advice here. I came back to my PC after 8 weeks of being out of town. Updated POL, no problem. Updated FFXI, network gave in, disrupted the update. I restart Playonline again, go through the updating process. I start FFXI, agree, blah, select my character. Starts logging in but it froze during the loading screen before I even got inside the game.

This repeated several times, ran a file check and I even had it go trhough the entire updating process again. Still no go. Not working. Decided to attempt a reinstall, found my brother's CD's and uninstalled FFXI and POL from my PC.

Now this is where the actual reinstalling issues began. I uninstalled the whole thing. Every seperate expansion and Playonline for a full reinstall through the proper uninstall wizards. It gave me a note stating it might not have removed the stuff properly for every one of them. I uninstalled and the files were nowhere to be found, but I didn't select that they were, in face, properly removed.

Afterwards, they still showed up in my program list, despite the fact that they were removed from my PC. I ran an uninstall program to see if I could remove them from the program list, too. Removed additional files through the use of mentioned program, and they now no longer show up.

Now here's where I'm stuck at. I tried to reinstall Playonline, as a start, but it keeps on telling me there is already a Playonline installed on my PC. Yet I have removed just about every single thing relating to POL and FFXI on my PC. I'm clueless as on how to fix this. I tried a system restore, but they're all from when the de-installing issues began.

Ideally, I'd not format my entire PC just to be able to play FFXI again. If anyone has any suggestions as to how to fix this issue, it would be greatly appreciated.


Blacky


As a sidenote, Google hasn't been very helpful so far. One suggest reinstalling using the original CD, but I have no clue where it is. I'm using Windows Vista, by the way.
#2 Aug 30 2011 at 11:07 AM Rating: Good
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Did you reinstall the vista fix for FFXI?
#4 Aug 31 2011 at 2:15 AM Rating: Good
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nyopo wrote:
Did you reinstall the vista fix for FFXI?


I have, and apparantly it's the wrong version. I needed the EU copy of Vista POL whereas I thought my CD's were american. Hopefully sorting it out today.

Thanks for the suggestion.
#5 Sep 15 2011 at 4:06 AM Rating: Good
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So, I got the reinstalling fixed now, but the same problem still occurs.

Whenever I open FFXI, it stops working after I select my character. It shows the loading gauge, followed by the loading screen at which point it freezes. I get the error that PlayOnline has stopped working and it leaves me with that. I'm not very willing to buy a new PC for just one game, especially considering it's worked like a charm for 3 and a half years.

As far as solutions go, I've done multiple file checks, fully reinstalled FFXI, updated my DirectX and graphic card drivers, I've attempted to deinstall some recent system updates (only to reinstall them, because it didn't solve anything), I've tried to log in using an unnamed 3rd Party Tool, I've fiddled around with my FFXI resolutions, I've cleared more RAM in my PC and god knows what other solutions I've attempted. I'm stuck.

I'd like to log back in again and play the game every once in a while, and I was hoping some of the tech savvy people here have any suggestion or clue as to what to do to fix this (I'm considering installing Windows 7, but I'd preferably not if there's any possible solution. I've tried e-mailing the Square Enix Support Center, they were at a loss, requested me to send my system specs again. I'm in the process of waiting for another reply, but I figured I'd just attempt to make a post here as well.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions, or perhaps similar experiences.


Blacky
#6 Sep 15 2011 at 8:03 AM Rating: Excellent
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Given all you have tried so far, I'd actually be inclined to start considering video card partial hardware failure. The 3D module can fail without rendering the 2D module nonfunctional. It's either that, or your operating system is hosed and needs a complete reinstall.

Go to start:run and type in dxdiag see if any problems are reported under any of the tabs. depending on the version of windows you have, there may be display tests available. if so, run them. Also physically inspect the video card to determine if the primary fan is still working and not blocked or snagged. A video card running at Idle often doesn't create enough heat to actually need the fan, but as soon as the 3d module comes on line, the heat can be enough to cause problems.
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#7 Sep 15 2011 at 9:45 PM Rating: Good
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just to clarify...is it tanking with a black screen, and saying "Downloading Data" or something like that in the corner?

And are you getting something along the lines of being unable to reach the lobby server or other connectivity related POL message?

I've seen this happen before for myself and others, and it was basically blocked internet traffic. Check logs to see if you can spot an IP being dropped--don't have the IP list on hand at the moment, but wanna say they were usually IP's starting with the number 124--can get ip info via someone like dnsstuff.com and get ARIN report showing who leased the IP--SE leases HUNDREDS of IP's in one big block. The fixes varied from correcting errors in port-forwarding rules, whitelisting the problematic IP (or a big block of SE's IP's), putting the system in the DMZ at the router(or physically bypassing the router and connecting directly to the modem) and using a software firewall on the system (whitelisting the SE IP's), or flat out replacing the router and setting up port-forwarding again.

If it is something that happens when it FIRST goes into 3D mode--as in after your last click in the POL interface to play, and it starts loading the title screen stuff, it could be simply a D3DInit error. POL often doesn't give you an error message for it and it just crashes to desktop and all you get is the Windows message about pol.exe stopped working. It happens a lot simply because the engine doesn't like the resolution settings--changing it to more standard resolutions usually fixes it.

If it's not a connectivity issue and is crashing after you've been in 3D mode for a bit, then it could be your video card, drivers, memory--any number of things hardware related and usually attributed to heat and/or voltage or just flat out failure of a particular component (bad cell in memory chip, etc.). Something like that can become a long list of things to check on--that's why I asked for a little clarification on just what you are seeing. Don't need to start testing every little thing if the router or local security is blocking UDP traffic from SE and there is an easy fix for that.

Edit:
IP info for one of SE's blocks(just part of a LONG report):

Quote:
Using 0 day old cached answer (or, you can get fresh results).
Hiding E-mail address (you can get results with the E-mail address).

% [whois.apnic.net node-3]
% Whois data copyright terms http://www.apnic.net/db/dbcopyright.html

inetnum: 124.150.152.0 - 124.150.159.255
netname: SQUARE
descr: SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
descr: Shinjuku Bunka Quint Bldg.
descr: 3-22-7 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-8544,Japan
country: JP
admin-c: JNIC1-AP
tech-c: JNIC1-AP
status: ALLOCATED PORTABLE
remarks: Email address for spam or abuse complaints *******@square-enix.com
changed: **********@apnic.net 20090818
mnt-by: MAINT-JPNIC
mnt-lower: MAINT-JPNIC
source: APNIC


So, you can try white-listing both TCP/UDP for IP's logged in the bolded range if a local firewall is blocking the traffic (or just do the whole block for that matter). NOTE: sometimes it isn't logged specifically as UDP or TCP traffic, it may simply be listed as a DNS or other ping activity--but for whatever reason, an expected response is lost and FFXI or SE drops the connection.

Edit #2:
D3D crashes can also be tripped up by system/driver design issues--something causing a reset of the GPU. Something like ATI's PowerPlay kicking in and dropping the card back to 2D Mode clock speeds (lowers voltage to the GPU) after a set amount of time, and it can't sustain 3D support. One workaround for that is doing something to keep it in 3D Mode, like loading something else in the background or forcing clock settings in ATI TrayTools, locking it into 3D Mode clocks/voltages full time. Another culprit is the dual GPU setup like the Intel/nVidia mess we've started seeing on laptops in the last year or so. For that, you have to get new drivers that lock it to the nVidia GPU (not sure if they are still in Beta or not, but they are literally new drivers), or disable the nVidia in Device Manager, forcing it to use only the Intel HD Graphics.

Edited, Sep 16th 2011 12:01am by BDHERTZER

Edited, Sep 16th 2011 12:11am by BDHERTZER
#8 Sep 16 2011 at 8:15 AM Rating: Good
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Thanks for the thoughts. The graphics card might have issues, as the ATI Control Center mentions the temperature is 89~ish degrees. I thought this might've been a display issue, but I've noticed my PC has made quite a bit less noise lately. I can't imagine the IP being blocked is an issue, my brother can still log into FFXI just fine and my PC's firewall is turned off (I make sure to clean my PC regularly).

I'll try and plug in an older card from my brother and see if that solves anything. I'll be sure to report back any results.

Again, I appreciate the thoughts and suggestions.
#9 Sep 16 2011 at 9:05 AM Rating: Excellent
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BlackyLakshmi wrote:
Thanks for the thoughts. The graphics card might have issues, as the ATI Control Center mentions the temperature is 89~ish degrees. I thought this might've been a display issue, but I've noticed my PC has made quite a bit less noise lately. I can't imagine the IP being blocked is an issue, my brother can still log into FFXI just fine and my PC's firewall is turned off (I make sure to clean my PC regularly).

I'll try and plug in an older card from my brother and see if that solves anything. I'll be sure to report back any results.

Again, I appreciate the thoughts and suggestions.

If that 89-ish is Celsius, then you have a problem.
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#10 Sep 16 2011 at 10:17 AM Rating: Good
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yeah.. my 4850 hovers around the 60-64C mark for the most part during the summer months. In more serious sessions, it will ramp up to about 67/69 though. I ramped up the fan speeds with profiles in ATI Tray tools though. Without the higher fan speeds, it would be up around 70 by the time my desktop fully loaded. Damn system sounds like it's gearing up for take off when I boot up because all the fans ramp to full speed for a short burst once all the drivers get loaded during startup.
#11 Sep 16 2011 at 2:25 PM Rating: Excellent
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89ish degrees celsius on a video card almost certanly indicates a bad fan. 89 degrees fahrenheit indicates your computer is actually off hehe. I'd definitly look at a blocked fan or one with a cracked fan blade or otherwise failed fan.
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#12 Sep 16 2011 at 6:43 PM Rating: Good
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Opened it up earlier, the fan was filled to the brim with dust. Cleaned it out, it gives me 70 degrees now but it still doesn't make a sound. At the very least I may just have found my problem. A dead fan.
#13 Sep 16 2011 at 7:23 PM Rating: Good
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BlackyLakshmi wrote:
Opened it up earlier, the fan was filled to the brim with dust. Cleaned it out, it gives me 70 degrees now but it still doesn't make a sound. At the very least I may just have found my problem. A dead fan.

Burned out with all the dust buildup, or you have an energy efficient fan that only ramps up when the temps do. I had to download a set of tools from nVidia to turn my fans up or else my idle temps were mid 60s.
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#14 Sep 17 2011 at 1:41 AM Rating: Excellent
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The bearing in the fan might be damaged, or the card itself might be damaged, or there is still some dust in it. What specific make and model video card is it? You might be able to locate an aftermarket fan. also, with the computer powered off, see if the fan moves freely without any resistance at all. If it is catching or sluggish, you need a new fan at a minimum.
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#15 Sep 17 2011 at 3:59 AM Rating: Good
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It's an ATI Radeon 2400 HD Pro, a relatively old one. The fan is indeed very sluggish, I'll hop by a local hardware store for something to replace it with tomorrow.

Edit: change of tactics. I went ahead and bought a proper laptop that (according to the salesguy) is relatively good for gaming. Also quite nice for schoolwork in the near future. 6,5 hours worth of updates left.

Edited, Sep 18th 2011 3:47pm by BlackyLakshmi
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