Vista/Nvidia problem /sigh

[Tanthalass]

Disabling plugins has not worked.

3.3 has the same problem.

There is no IR device/drivers

Drivers check out.

I'm at a loss ; ; about to just give up and go back to XP (I really like Vista this is just pissing me off...)

If its any help, the exact error message I'm getting is:

A problem cuased the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available.

[Aksannyi]

That's what I get when I crash too. There's obviously something in your system that doesn't like the game. :/

[Fodder]

I forget the exact name of the setting in the windower ini file, but try adjusting the delay before starting the plugin manager. I had this problem on my Lenovo (with 3.3) but was able to work around it by delaying the plugin manager by 30s so I had time to get in game before the plugin manager fired up. It's worth a try at least.

[drwaffles]

Sorry for the semi-necro-bump, but I've searched for any and all things related to this issue and nothing has worked properly.

Yesterday I got a brand new computer to replace my five-year-old pile of crap I've been using to play FFXI since the day I bought it. It came pre-installed with Vista, obviously, and I had practically no problems whatsoever setting up anything including FFXI itself. In fact, logging into FFXI without the use of Windower was entirely possible.

I tried to boot up the game using both Windower 3.3 and Windower 3.4, but to no avail. Once I press the "Play" button and make the transition between POL and FFXI, the program encounters a problem and has to close. Obviously before I decided to post anywhere asking for help, I trawled through every thread I could find on BG and windower.net concerning this compatibility issue and followed every piece of advice that was given - I disabled UAC, I installed the latest drivers for my NVidia GeForce 9800 GT card, I checked for IR devices, I edited out the auto-loading of all Windower plugins, I did a file check via the inital POL login screen and I tried downgrading from 3.4 to 3.3 as mentioned. Nothing made any difference.

Then I got some advice from someone on GameFAQs who had a similar problem - it is actually possible to play using Windower by changing window focus between pressing the "Play" button and making the transition between POL and FFXI. However, once you've managed to get into the game like this, doing anything to change window focus (Alt+Tab, minimising, etc.) will cause the game to crash in the same manner as when I couldn't get into it in the first place. So right now what I'm left with is a game mode that has all the functionality of Windower (plugins, scripts, FPS counter) but essentially isn't a windowed mode at all, which really kinda sucks.

Before I consider simply installing XP, which is something I'd really like to avoid if at all possible, I thought I'd ask for advice here. Please, if anyone who might be able to offer some guidance could post anything of any use it would be greatly appreciated.

[Mayareira]

Give the program administrator rights and don't use "True Fullscreen". Instead, edit the .ini file(that was the one, iirc) and manually enter the resolution of your screen.

[drwaffles]

Give the program administrator rights and don't use "True Fullscreen". Instead, edit the .ini file(that was the one, iirc) and manually enter the resolution of your screen.

I have given it administrator rights, and it will close itself regardless of whether I use fullscreen or ordinary windowed mode. What exactly is "True Fullscreen"? I've heard it mentioned a few times now in relation to this issue. And where exactly in the launcher.ini (that's the file you're referring to, right?) do you manually enter the resolution? Currently it looks like this:

#Windower 3.3 Config File
#Final Fantasy XI window resolution
x-resolution = 800
y-resolution = 600
#PlayOnlineViewer Language (JP, US, or EU)
language = EU
#Windower Console Key
console-key = insert
#------------Registry Settings For GUI Launcher-------
#all commands for gui must start with #
#commands prefixed with / will be ignored
#background-x = 
#background-y = 1024
#enviro-animation = -1
#texture-compression = -1
#mipmaps = 0
#maxsounds = 0

I'm assuming the "x-resolution = 800 y-resolution = 600" part is what you're referring to, and if so doesn't that mean the window's size is already automatically configured?

[Mayareira]

Yes, for example my screen resolution is 1440 x 900 so I set that value to x = 1440 y = 900. Normally you should be able to set these values via GUI but I and a bunch of people had a problem wtih that on Vista. So I don't use the GUI, edit values manually and launch windower via "launcher.exe" directly.

Also, make sure you give "launcher.exe"(not only launcher_gui.exe) file administrator rights and activate XP compatibility mode.

[drwaffles]

It looks to me like the values are already set, and I've already set both launcher.exe and polboot.exe to XP compatibility as dictated by numerous people in previous threads. I'll check if changing the x and y values in the .ini has any effect in a couple of hours.

[Amele]

this is going to seem like a dumb question: did you install the vista-compatible playonline?

[drwaffles]

Yes. As stated I can actually log into FFXI using both Windower and the official client, but in the case of Windower I can't change focus from FFXI without the whole program instantly closing. I know it might be tempting to say "well just learn to live without Windower functions", but as a main-job BLM with over 70 pieces of situational gear that I've worked my ass off for (as well as 60+ pieces for RDM and WHM) and scripted macros that change every single slot for almost every single spell I'm not prepared to play without the ability to use them.

[Amele]

can you give me the specs on your pc? (brand/components/etc) there's a few known issues that might be causing this but need more info than just 'new computer'.

I got both 3.3 and 3.4 working on my machine without a hitch so it *can* work, just a matter of getting you to that point too.

edit: oh, did you disable secure desktop yet? if secure desktop is enabled several features of windower can cause uncontrolled crash behavior (I can't tell you what exactly, I'm not in the habit of running unstable setups with stuff I actually play unless I have to haha)

[drwaffles]

I believe disabling UAC automatically disables secure desktop? Or am I mistaken? I'll find/post my specs a bit later on as I'm a little preoccupied right now. Thanks for the help thus far though!

[Amele]

I believe disabling UAC automatically disables secure desktop? Or am I mistaken? I'll find/post my specs a bit later on as I'm a little preoccupied right now. Thanks for the help thus far though!

yeah disabling UAC should cover the secure desktop too. (personally I find it odd to disable UAC but eh. not that important; I know alot of people recommend doing it.)

since you don't know your specs off the cuff I'm guessing it's bought instead of built - do you know the brand and model number? I can probably figure out most of the rest it myself from that if it's a major brand.

[drwaffles]

Yeah, it's bought. It's a HP Pavilion with a GeForce 9800 as I mentioned earlier. Not sure if that's enough to go on, tell me if there's any other information you need.

[njitjk68]

Do you have play opening movie enabled?

[drwaffles]

I do (only just installed FFXI on this computer yesterday and didn't bother to turn it off yet), but if that was the problem wouldn't it only affect the initial POL > FFXI transition rather than the entire thing? It's worth a try I guess, I'll give it a go in a little while.

Edit: tried it, didn't make any difference. Thanks for the suggestion though.