[Balia]

So I recently started having an issue with FFXI getting some bizarre texture corruption and artifacting. I've tried just about every setting I can come up with, and nothing seems to be helping much. Sometimes, it will run for hours without issue, sometimes only five minutes, and I'm at my wits end trying to figure out what would be causing it.

Current System Specs:
Pentium Core2Duo E7200
GeForce 9600GT 512mb
Windows XP SP2
2GB RAM

I've tried running with textures compressed and uncompressed, I've tried with MIP and Bump mapping on and off, I've tried setting up
a profile through Forceware to allow for whatever weirdness FFXI may need by using all app controlled settings, I've tried turning weather animations off and on, windowed on and off...nothing works. To give an example, here's a SS of what I'm dealing with.

I've run Vana'diel bench 3 and gotten a score close to 8000, so I'm not sure what the issue could be, and I have trouble getting it to reproduce reliably; it seems completely random.

Anyone with ideas?

Attached File(s)

•  BizarreStuff.jpg.jpg (47.54K)
  Number of downloads: 3

[PLDExander]

So I recently started having an issue with FFXI getting some bizarre texture corruption and artifacting. I've tried just about every setting I can come up with, and nothing seems to be helping much. Sometimes, it will run for hours without issue, sometimes only five minutes, and I'm at my wits end trying to figure out what would be causing it.

Current System Specs:
Pentium Core2Duo E7200
GeForce 9600GT 512mb
Windows XP SP2
2GB RAM

I've tried running with textures compressed and uncompressed, I've tried with MIP and Bump mapping on and off, I've tried setting up
a profile through Forceware to allow for whatever weirdness FFXI may need by using all app controlled settings, I've tried turning weather animations off and on, windowed on and off...nothing works. To give an example, here's a SS of what I'm dealing with.

I've run Vana'diel bench 3 and gotten a score close to 8000, so I'm not sure what the issue could be, and I have trouble getting it to reproduce reliably; it seems completely random.

Anyone with ideas?

Whoa...


What driver are you using? Have you tried removing the driver and reinstalling it completely in case of it being a bad driver file? It could be very well a corrupt driver installation. Let me know if you have so we can go from there.

[octoberasian]

Not only bad or corrupt drivers, you may want to check your GPU's temperature, or in other words, your video card for overheating. That many times leads to artifacting in games or corrupted screens.

Look in the Nvidia Control Panel application for temperature readings. You may need something called Nvidia System Tools installed alongside it to read your video card's temperature: http://www.nvidia.com/object/nvidia_system_tools_6.03.html


If it isn't there, download a program like RivaTuner:

Spoiler! --Click here to view--

http://downloads.guru3d.com/RivaTuner-v2.2...wnload-163.html

(It's a self-extraction program. After running it, navigate to the folder where you told it to extract to and look for "Setup" folder. During installation and when it asks to apply the update, agree to apply it.)

Once you open RivaTuner, look at the top that says "Main." In Target Adapter is your video card.

Look at "Customize..." then you'll see a square button with a small triangle in the bottom corner. Press that.

A rectangular pop-up will appear. Move your cursor over to Hardware monitoring and press that. If it asks you about detected sensors, press Accept.

Now look at Core Temperature. Check if it is at 70 degrees Celsius or higher. If it's closer to 80 or higher than 80, then you will need to check if the fan on your video card is moving or is clogged up with dust that could cause the graphics problems. This could be a sign that your video card is overheating.

Usually a vacuum with a hose attached can remove any dust from the fan. OBVIOUSLY HAVE THE COMPUTER OFF AND UNPLUGGED WHEN YOU DO THAT.

Another fix is to either return the card to the manufacturer if it's still under warranty. Or, if the card is still working but the fan is not, installing a third-party cooler on your video card will help alleviate temperature problems. I know where to find third party heatsink fans for video cards if you are going this route and can provide instructions on how to install them.

GPU-Z also monitors temperatures: http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1363/...U-Z_v0.3.3.html

Spoiler! --Click here to view--

After downloading it, the program is standalone meaning it doesn't need installation.

Once it's running, go to the Sensor's tab at the top and check your GPU Temperature. Again, if it's about 70 degrees Celsius or higher, or 80 degrees Celsius and higher, then your video card is overheating.

Updating your drivers USUALLY fixes these problems. It's best to Uninstall the program then re-install the newer drivers.

Spoiler! --Click here to view--

Download the newer drivers here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_182.50_whql.html

Go to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.

Look for Nvidia Forceware or Nvidia Display drivers and select Uninstall.

Be sure to delete any previous settings including Nvidia Control Panel.

Restart your computer. After logging back in, cancel any auto-installation/auto-detection of the video card.

Run the installation program for the drivers you just downloaded.

Restart your computer and log back in and adjust your settings.

Run FFXI and test it out.

[Balia]

Temperature was my first thought too, Oct, but I've been checking it with a digial thermometer and a couple other monitoring tools for verification (namely, a software monitor, and a hardware temperature probe for the digital readout on my case), and none of the above show anything out of the ordinary (standard operating idle temp is about 35c, FFXI pushes it to about 38c).

I just did a full removal and reinstall of my video drivers to see if that is causing the issue. Will update when I get some playtime in to test it. Hopefully I can see about reproducing it reliably.

Edit: OK, so I just had my first run in with further graphical glitching as of this morning, in Valkurm dunes. This is after doing a full reinstall of the video drivers themselves. Also, I've limited the problem to FFXI itself; so far, I've put it through DoW2, Left4Dead, and NWN 2 on full settings without any hiccups, leading me to believe that its either A) windowed mode dislikes my GPU, or B)Something in my settings dislikes my GPU.

Screenie just for some further demonstration

Attached File(s)

•  Bal090406103744a.jpg (37.7K)
  Number of downloads: 2

[PLDExander]

Temperature was my first thought too, Oct, but I've been checking it with a digial thermometer and a couple other monitoring tools for verification (namely, a software monitor, and a hardware temperature probe for the digital readout on my case), and none of the above show anything out of the ordinary (standard operating idle temp is about 35c, FFXI pushes it to about 38c).

I just did a full removal and reinstall of my video drivers to see if that is causing the issue. Will update when I get some playtime in to test it. Hopefully I can see about reproducing it reliably.

Edit: OK, so I just had my first run in with further graphical glitching as of this morning, in Valkurm dunes. This is after doing a full reinstall of the video drivers themselves. Also, I've limited the problem to FFXI itself; so far, I've put it through DoW2, Left4Dead, and NWN 2 on full settings without any hiccups, leading me to believe that its either A) windowed mode dislikes my GPU, or B)Something in my settings dislikes my GPU.

Screenie just for some further demonstration

Well, the 9600GT as says FFXI's main page lists (175.16) as the only good drivers to use.

Can try them, There recommended by SE to use with FFXI however don't expect newer games to run flawless with old drivers. You can see if it fixes your problems from there.

SE and nVidia work very very very slowly to get recommended drivers out for FFXI as its a old game.

[Valbjorn]

I have this same exact problem as you, i can play for hours and hours or even leave up bazaar all night and then randomly it will just mess up like that. Sometimes its only after playing for 5 minutes, i monitor my temperature and it seems to be fine. I have a massive card, its the GTX 260 core 216 evga, it runs left4dead HL2 and all those games just flawless on maxed settings no hiccups. But why is FF messing up like this?