[MIGhunter]

I just upgraded from Windows Vista 64 to Windows 7 64 and now FFXI won't work. I uninstalled and reinstalled FFXI and it still doesn't work. I get through all of the POL screens and when I hit that final play button it tells me "Unable to initialize directX 3d".

Yes, I downloaded the POL vista version off POL.
I can't get this to load through POL or Windower. i.e. It's not a windower issue.
I went to directX's website and downloaded an older version of directX and that didn't help.

[Dyire]

Try downloading the Window 7 x64 drivers for your graphics card

[MIGhunter]

Ya I did that.

Only way I can get into the game is to set the game to same res as my desktop. Which means I can't use the game's windower mode. I also can't get it to work with windower at all.

[dragonclaw]

Not trying to sound like an ass, at least not a complete ass, but there's a reason people havent started switching over in mass yet. IT HASN'T COME OUT YET. There's very low support at this point as M$ is still debugging some of the major issues and XP-mode hasn't been released yet, at least not completely. Quite simply, it may be a glitch with a certain component of your PC, a driver that was just made to work (but not good compatibility wise), or in general a glitch with either windows7 or a bi-product glitch of an overall upgrade rather than a clean install (which as many of us know, can cause many issues on its own). If you cant get it to work, an option would be to do a total install, that should clear up some issues, otherwise just wait on upgrading from vista for the time being.

Also, if i may ask, what video card is in your PC? Because this very well may be one of nvidia's famous half-assed driver remakes.

[Chriscoffey]

I am using Windows 64 bit Ultimate with an ATI X2600 Radeon card and their drivers fortunately work better than the one that the MS update keeps trying to get me to install. I would check around with your drivers at least for ATI the original ones weren't working well then i updated to 9.9 catalyst and presto works like magic.

[MIGhunter]

dragonclaw, on 12 October 2009 - 03:45 PM, said:

Not trying to sound like an ass, at least not a complete ass, but there's a reason people havent started switching over in mass yet. IT HASN'T COME OUT YET. There's very low support at this point as M$ is still debugging some of the major issues and XP-mode hasn't been released yet, at least not completely. Quite simply, it may be a glitch with a certain component of your PC, a driver that was just made to work (but not good compatibility wise), or in general a glitch with either windows7 or a bi-product glitch of an overall upgrade rather than a clean install (which as many of us know, can cause many issues on its own). If you cant get it to work, an option would be to do a total install, that should clear up some issues, otherwise just wait on upgrading from vista for the time being.

Also, if i may ask, what video card is in your PC? Because this very well may be one of nvidia's famous half-assed driver remakes.

I have a fully released version. Indiana University has been selling them for 2 months now. I got mine through the microsoft developers subscription.

Anyway, I reinstalled a fresh copy of Windows 7, i.e. didn't "upgrade" and now it's fine. Seems like something between DX11 that comes with windows 7 and my Ati 4850 drivers jacked each other up.

[dragonclaw]

Interesting because windows 7 is set to be released on the 22nd. Which means either your university jumped the gun, is selling corporate editions, gave you a release candidate or is just plain pirating (lol). In anycase, yea, sometimes you'll have problems from upgrades, specifically the imports of registry files just plain doesn't work correctly and results in a messed up program. Also, like i said before, just because windows 7 is technically complete, it is a new system and wont be 100% awesome til a few months down the road when people have found all the bugs that weren't found in beta.

[Dyire]

The full versions of Window 7 RTM are available through many channels, legally. I've been using my RTM professional copy for over a month because I have access to MSNDAA through IEE and my college as well.

http://windowsteambl...dows-7-rtm.aspx

[octoberasian]

I run Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RTM with FFXI. Works flawlessly.

RTM was released to manufacturers back in September 15, long before it's available to consumers on October 22nd. This was also made available to TechNet subscribers on Microsoft's website, which is a $250 to $300 yearly subscription. On the upside, you get 6 valid product keys to go with it, and can download any FULL, BETA, or TRIAL versions of software that Microsoft develops and produces over the course of your subscription.

Also, students had access to this through MSDNAA, or Microsoft Software Developers Network Academic Alliance. You must be a student in computer sciences, programming, electronics, engineering, or related course at a technical school, college or university from my understanding. You get a similar subscription like those from TechNet, but at a much discounted price.

I'm a TechNet subscriber, and it's pretty worth it. I have access to about everything Microsoft makes for $250 to $300. ^^;

Ok, back to the original poster, this is what I did:

1. Download the Vista version of PlayOnline Viewer: http://dl.square-eni...polus/setup.exe

2. Right-click and Run as Administrator. Yeah, this is a slight difference from Vista.

3. Update it. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.

4. Now, open up your FFXI expansion discs and locate the setup.exe files in each of them. Don't have to run as admin, just double-click the EXE file.

Also, it is best to install in this order like with Vista: Zilart > Promathia > Aht Urghan > Wings of the Goddess.

5. Don't configure anything yet. Log onto PlayOnline Viewer and update FFXI.

6. Sit back for the next three to six hours. Watch the clouds move by or see a movie. Whatever. XD

7. Configure FFXI. Or, if you fancy increasing the graphics detail, go here for instructions: http://wiki.ffxiclop...g/wiki/Graphics

For Windows 7 x64, the registry location is similar to Vista x64: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Wow6432Node > PlayOnlineUS (or PlayOnline if Japanese; PlayOnlineEU if European)

8. Now, usually this step is optional, but to be on the safe side go to Microsoft's DirectX website and download their updater/newest version:
http://www.microsoft...&displaylang=en

This will download a few files, if you haven't done this already.

9. After installing, restart your computer.

10. Now, double check to be sure you have the updated video card drivers for your card. If not, you can download them here:

ATI - Windows 7 x64 - http://game.amd.com/...windows-7-64bit
ATI - Windows 7 x86 - http://game.amd.com/...windows-7-32bit

Nvidia - Windows 7 x64 - http://www.nvidia.co...91.07_whql.html
Nvidia - Windows 7 x86 - http://www.nvidia.co...91.07_whql.html

11. Install and restart your computer.

12. To run Windower, go here: http://forums.window...-compatability/ (http://aikar.us.to/Hook.dll)

You need to use the 3.42.2 RC2 Hook.DLL from that link. You can still use the 3.41 Windower version of the Launcher.exe, but need to replace the Hook.DLL file there in the same folder.

Also, right-click the Launcher.exe file and go to Compatibility tab. Put a check next to Run as Administrator.

That should get you to run FFXI.

[Velhart]

Hmm, I have Windows 7 Ultimate on my PC for a while now, and FFXI hasn't presented any problems to me at all.

Only problem I had was looking for the proper folder to regedit 1900x1200 resolution and 2048x2048 BG resolution, turns out it is put in a different folder on 64 bit version. Haha

[MrReinhardt]

well won't work for me. I did a full install no upgrade. my graphics drivers are installed and I have the vista version of PoL. When I try to open it in windower I get the message saying PoL viewer has stopped working.... blah blah blah. And when I try to use it without windower. I get a message saying the direct3d one. gonna uninstall it and reinstall it, hopefully it works this time. too bad I have to update again.

[dragonclaw]

MrReinhardt, on 09 November 2009 - 07:19 AM, said:

well won't work for me. I did a full install no upgrade. my graphics drivers are installed and I have the vista version of PoL. When I try to open it in windower I get the message saying PoL viewer has stopped working.... blah blah blah. And when I try to use it without windower. I get a message saying the direct3d one. gonna uninstall it and reinstall it, hopefully it works this time. too bad I have to update again.

Give specifics about your PC please.

[MrReinhardt]

dont care anymore, went back to xp. think my hardware just wont cut the mustard.

[MrReinhardt]

got it working after i replaced my vid card. but noticing an issue with windower. when the game loads it does not load the console so none of the plugins are coming up.

I did dl the new hook.dll file. Also if I try minimizing the window it crashes.

[PLDExander]

MrReinhardt, on 14 November 2009 - 12:55 AM, said:

got it working after i replaced my vid card. but noticing an issue with windower. when the game loads it does not load the console so none of the plugins are coming up.

I did dl the new hook.dll file. Also if I try minimizing the window it crashes.

Load Windows Live Messinger and the Calander Widget. For me, Windows Live Messinger fixes the plugin load for windower. Theres no true fix to Win 7 Windower yet but give them about 2 more months and there should be one.

As for the problem with minimizing window that'sis more of a Driver issue IMO because i no longer have that problem with 186.91

I'm using Windows 7 64bit Professional (Upgraded from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium (That i had to pirate xD!) than upgraded to Professional)

[MrReinhardt]

nope that didnt help

just going to use v.4 alpha for now. hopefully it goes into beta soon

[Shaherazade]

I'm having a similar problem and I am unsure of what to do:

I use a Mac and through the Parallels 5 program, I installed Windows 7 Home Premium. I installed the game and all the expansions w/o so much as a problem; however, when I click my POL icon to start it up, POL crashes and says this "The Play Online viewer has stopped working." I don't know what to do. My mac info is this:

2 GB
2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Is there something I can do?

[Shaherazade]

Ok, so I got rid of Parallels and I am using Bootcamp which seems much faster already.

I went to the POL website and dowloaded/installed the Windows 7 version of POL and it is woking; however, it is very pixelated. Is this normal or is there a way to change it. It's just POL so far.

Lol @ woking, meant working.

[Selamis]

octoberasian, on 13 October 2009 - 10:39 AM, said:

I run Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RTM with FFXI. Works flawlessly.

RTM was released to manufacturers back in September 15, long before it's available to consumers on October 22nd. This was also made available to TechNet subscribers on Microsoft's website, which is a $250 to $300 yearly subscription. On the upside, you get 6 valid product keys to go with it, and can download any FULL, BETA, or TRIAL versions of software that Microsoft develops and produces over the course of your subscription.

Also, students had access to this through MSDNAA, or Microsoft Software Developers Network Academic Alliance. You must be a student in computer sciences, programming, electronics, engineering, or related course at a technical school, college or university from my understanding. You get a similar subscription like those from TechNet, but at a much discounted price.

I'm a TechNet subscriber, and it's pretty worth it. I have access to about everything Microsoft makes for $250 to $300. ^^;

Ok, back to the original poster, this is what I did:

1. Download the Vista version of PlayOnline Viewer: http://dl.square-eni...polus/setup.exe

2. Right-click and Run as Administrator. Yeah, this is a slight difference from Vista.

3. Update it. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.

4. Now, open up your FFXI expansion discs and locate the setup.exe files in each of them. Don't have to run as admin, just double-click the EXE file.

Also, it is best to install in this order like with Vista: Zilart > Promathia > Aht Urghan > Wings of the Goddess.

5. Don't configure anything yet. Log onto PlayOnline Viewer and update FFXI.

6. Sit back for the next three to six hours. Watch the clouds move by or see a movie. Whatever. XD

7. Configure FFXI. Or, if you fancy increasing the graphics detail, go here for instructions: http://wiki.ffxiclop...g/wiki/Graphics

For Windows 7 x64, the registry location is similar to Vista x64: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Wow6432Node > PlayOnlineUS (or PlayOnline if Japanese; PlayOnlineEU if European)

8. Now, usually this step is optional, but to be on the safe side go to Microsoft's DirectX website and download their updater/newest version:
http://www.microsoft...&displaylang=en

This will download a few files, if you haven't done this already.

9. After installing, restart your computer.

10. Now, double check to be sure you have the updated video card drivers for your card. If not, you can download them here:

ATI - Windows 7 x64 - http://game.amd.com/...windows-7-64bit
ATI - Windows 7 x86 - http://game.amd.com/...windows-7-32bit

Nvidia - Windows 7 x64 - http://www.nvidia.co...91.07_whql.html
Nvidia - Windows 7 x86 - http://www.nvidia.co...91.07_whql.html

11. Install and restart your computer.

12. To run Windower, go here: http://forums.window...-compatability/ (http://aikar.us.to/Hook.dll)

You need to use the 3.42.2 RC2 Hook.DLL from that link. You can still use the 3.41 Windower version of the Launcher.exe, but need to replace the Hook.DLL file there in the same folder.

Also, right-click the Launcher.exe file and go to Compatibility tab. Put a check next to Run as Administrator.

That should get you to run FFXI.

Thank you so much for writing this out. I was pulling my hair out because I couldn't get it to run and I followed this to a T, and I am now updating my pol viewer. 5 stars for this guide.

[tigerlillie]

This may sound like a stupid question but as certain parties have seen fit to block the words "final fantasy" on the network i am left with little choice. The link (direct) for the pol viewer will this work for the EU version? And if it doesnt could you please supply me with a direct link to the right one. Thank you in advance

Tigerlillie