The Most Frustrating Problem Ever

[brettxtucker]

I'm a first time poster and I honestly signed up for an account so I could seek help with my personal FFXI problem - though I would love to have a reason to get back on here!

My main problem is this: when I get through the POL process and go to launch FFXI I (after my first ever install of FFXI on this laptop, I haven't played in years) get the dreaded Direct3D error.
Here's a screenshot of the exact message: i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee74/BretTtucker/Untitled.png
(In case that link doesn't work for someone, it says 'Terminated as error occurred in FINAL FANTASY XI. Failed to initialize Direct3D. Please check that this computer has required specifications to run FINAL FANTASYXI.(-1))

So, instant reaction was to run the DirectX Diagnostics Tool (dxdiag) only to see that my Direct3D is, in fact, working. Here's a screenshot of exactly what I see when I use this tool: i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee74/BretTtucker/Untitled1.png
Confused as to how FFXI could think it wasn't working, I proceeded to pour my heart and soul over the internet, desperately searching for the answer to my delimna.

So, the point I've come to is this: I honestly cannot figure this out and seek guidance.
Things I have tried:
-Editing the registry, with instructions, to set the resolution properly (due to the fact that FFXI Config window comes up blank with only Default (D) - Help (H) - Okay buttons available. I've read that this is a common issue with the recent version of FFXI but who knows how legitimate that claim is?)
-Uninstalling (completely) FFXI and all of its data and reinstalling it (by that I mean I've had to redownload all of the patches and everything).
-Downloading and attempting to use a certain third-party utility to run FFXI which produced the same results.
-Uninstalling my graphics cards and reinstalling the latest possible drivers for them.
-Updating DirectX, which had no use due to the fact that I have the latest version (DirectX11).
-Downloading Direct9c and 8 to obtain any missing dll files.
-I even tried copying all of my DirectX dlls to my FFXI folder.
-Simply rebooting my PC.
-And now I post for help seeing as how this issue has no foreseeable resolution.

I've read every single thread on every forum that has anything to do with FFXI issues for like 10 pages on Google (no kidding) and the all say the same thing: that its a "resolution setting" issue and must be fixed (via the registry in my experience), that I need to redownload drivers for my graphics card, that I need to try to uninstall and reinstall FFXI and everything inbetween.

It seems to me that no one really has exactly the same issue as me or has not received a real resolution for their problem and has probably abandoned all hope. So, I beg of you, my fellow lovers of Final Fantasy, please assist me - and possibly others - in resolving this issue and getting me in the world of Vana'diel!


As an addendum, my PC specs are as follows:

HP Pavillion dv6 LM720AV
Windows 7 (64-bit)
Intel(R) Core i7-2630QM CPU @ 2.00GHz, 2001 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processors
Graphics Cards (Switchable, one is a simple Intel HD) - AMD Radeon HD 6400M (6450M I believe) with 4GB memory
6GB RAM
750BG HDD, which has plenty of room for the 12GB possible from FFXI.
If I have forgotten any necessary specs, please let me know so I can relay them to you.

Another screenshot that might be helpful is the "System" tab of my dxdiag tool: i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee74/BretTtucker/Untitled2.png

Thanks so much in advance for your help, I'm sorry that this post is so painfully long but I did not want to skimp on the details. This is killing me, I just wanna play some FFXI! []

[Vyvian]

You might get a better answer in the Tech forum (3rd from the top of the main forum list), but I'd guess your problem lies in the switchable graphics. Somehow POL has decided to use the Intel, which lacks the power required to play FFXI, and its not switching over.

I believe there's a way (I think its in Catalyst Control Center), to manually define which graphics card will be used for certain applications, and if you can find that, I'd try assigning every exe you can find related to FFXI to it.

There's also a way to set your switchable graphics to never use the Intel and always run on the Radeon, but that is supposed to significantly impact your battery life. It may be worth trying to see if the problem stops though.

[geno3302]

My guess would be it's your switchable graphics card. FFXI might not like the integrated card, make sure you're using the dedicated card and that there's no strange profile setting that enables the integrated card for FFXI.

Edit: I was too slow :<

[brettxtucker]

My guess would be it's your switchable graphics card. FFXI might not like the integrated card, make sure you're using the dedicated card and that there's no strange profile setting that enables the integrated card for FFXI.

Edit: I was too slow :<

Sorry I just now got to reply! I actually have set my BIOS up to fixed on the Radeon card. The Intellect card is actually irrelevant in this equation, haha. That was the first thing I tried though! I should have mentioned it in my initial post.

[kittycatrag]

Try older drivers too

[Snprphnx]

Have you tried "Run as Admin" as well as "Run in Windows XP Compatability mode" yet?

[altwight]

Set your graphics card to a specific driver.

If it switches while you're trying to run FFXI it won't load. Had this problem myself.

[Rafaras]

Tucker, this may help, try disabling your video card(AMD Radeon HD 6400M) from device manager in control panel, it may work for you as it did with me and alot of people.

The game has been out for 10 years and you got a top notch device with up to date graphics card, so the game does not support it.

If this does not work then try the FFXI Tech forum.

[Kegsay]

I had this error on a netbook of mine. I fixed it by using windower. It seems that using windower (unofficial) renders stuff slightly differently which makes it work.

[brettxtucker]

Tucker, this may help, try disabling your video card(AMD Radeon HD 6400M) from device manager in control panel, it may work for you as it did with me and alot of people.

The game has been out for 10 years and you got a top notch device with up to date graphics card, so the game does not support it.

If this does not work then try the FFXI Tech forum.

I tried it with my normal Intel card before I downloaded all of the DirectX drivers so I'll definitely try this now, thanks!

As for Windower, I get the same error. Maybe it is my registry? I just have it set as 1024x768 (my desktop resolution) in both 0001+0002 and 0003+0004, keyed in decimal not hexidecimal.

[banggugyangu]

If you have used the registry to set the texture resolutions beyond a certain point, you'll exceed a value in DirectX9 and cause that same error. I'm not possitive what resolution is the maximum you can use for it, however.

[brettxtucker]

I couldn't find much about registry settings. It must be something to do with those or an incompatibility with DirectX. I don't understand how it could be though, I've tried everything. I think this is on it's last leg, unfortunately. I don't want to give up but I can't seem to figure it out.

[brettxtucker]

Does anyone else have suggestions for things I should try? I feel like I'm so close to solving this problem.

[Shizznight]

I had this problem with an Alienware laptop.

Disclaimer: I'm not sure of the policies of HP so you might check with them to make sure you aren't voiding any warranty or anything.

I ended up having to modify the graphics driver for the reasons listed above that going from desktop to application and the switching from the intel HD graphics to the (in my case) nVidia GPU was causing the issue.

Search for modified drivers or possibly catalyst software(I use nVidia so it could be a catalyst thing)to correct the issue. Be aware that anything that is modified is done by a third party and you are using it at your own risk.

Hope you find what you need and correct the issue. If I wasn't cramming for finals I'd look for it myself, but if there is a fix you should be able to find it knowing what you're looking for now.

If it makes you feel any better it took me 3 days to get my issue sorted. Keep at it, I'm sure there is a workaround for this. Good luck!!!

[Rafaras]

I had this problem with an Alienware laptop.

Disclaimer: I'm not sure of the policies of HP so you might check with them to make sure you aren't voiding any warranty or anything.

I ended up having to modify the graphics driver for the reasons listed above that going from desktop to application and the switching from the intel HD graphics to the (in my case) nVidia GPU was causing the issue.

Search for modified drivers or possibly catalyst software(I use nVidia so it could be a catalyst thing)to correct the issue. Be aware that anything that is modified is done by a third party and you are using it at your own risk.

Hope you find what you need and correct the issue. If I wasn't cramming for finals I'd look for it myself, but if there is a fix you should be able to find it knowing what you're looking for now.

If it makes you feel any better it took me 3 days to get my issue sorted. Keep at it, I'm sure there is a workaround for this. Good luck!!!

My problem was same as shizznight and solved it the same way as he did. So most probably you have the same problem, i hope.

[brettxtucker]

My problem was same as shizznight and solved it the same way as he did. So most probably you have the same problem, i hope.

I've tried all that as well. I don't understand how it could be my graphics cards or their drivers. I tried both cards off and on multiple times and have updated drivers, uninstalled them and used older ones, all of that stuff.

[Shizznight]

I've tried all that as well. I don't understand how it could be my graphics cards or their drivers. I tried both cards off and on multiple times and have updated drivers, uninstalled them and used older ones, all of that stuff.

To be clear, it's not an updated driver you need. The driver I use on my laptop is just a modified version of a normal driver(which is actually out of date but I still use it because it works).

Simply disabling the GPU sometimes won't work unless you do it through the BIOS. Check the BIOS and see if there is a way to access display options and you should find an option to disable detection for switchable graphics. Try and see if you can disable the on-board graphics and use only the radeon for now. I'm done with school for the semester so I'll look around and see if I can find the fix for you.

*EDIT* Also try working backwards through drivers and see if any of those solve the issue. Sometimes using an older driver will clear the issue.

[Shizznight]

Ok so this isn't the latest version of catalyst, but it's the last WHQL version and it may solve your issue. At the very least you can post to the site and might find someone who has the same issue you're having. Make sure you read the notes before you install and use the program listed to clean the old drivers off before you install these.

http://drivers.leshcatlabs.org/2012/...able-graphics/

[Biiru]

I'm having a problem with a new PC and FFXI as well, and I didn't really want to start a new thread. Hopefully someone can help me with my problem. I have also done pretty much all of the troubleshooting that the OP did and can't seem to get any results.

Here is my problem: I hit the launch icon, POL starts and can get as far as me being able to hit the update button, then it just vanishes. No error, nothing, it's just gone. I actually don't even have to touch anything once I launch and after about 5-10 seconds it just crashes with no error. I've installed directx 8 and 9, tried running it through windower, tried it through Steam and from the POL site, all with the same thing happening. I'm lost and I just wanna play again too!

Here's my specs:
Intel Core i5-2500k 3.30GHz
8 GB RAM
ATI Radeon HD 3870 (I think, device manager only shows it as 3800) Edit: 3870 is correct
Windows 7 x64 Home Premium
MB is Asus P8 P67-M Pro

Gonna try messing around with drivers again as that's what I'm gathering seems to be the problem, but what I've done so far has not helped.