Installation Of FFXI

I have played ff11 for years on a PS2 and it finally bit the dust. I am now trying to play on PC but I am having problems with the installation process. I have googled for solutions but none of them are actually fixing my problem.

I bought the ultimate seekers edition on amazon. It is the US version because they do not sell the EU version according to the Digital sales rep. Once I downloaded it from amazon, it created a folder called "Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection Seekers Edition". It had 3 compressed data files the installation wizard and a txt file with my keys. After the lengthy installation (and many splash screens, one for each expansion), it tells me installation is complete. I should add that I also told it to install directx 8.1. Anyways, I checked the "Programs" under Control Panel and it shows the base FF11, expansions and POL. I launched POL, did my update song and dance, and logged in. However, when I tried to launch the game (by hitting "Play" in POL) it said that FF11 was not installed.

So, I went back to the file checker at the beginning of POL and it does not list FF11 (it does list Tetra master and POL). After looking online, I saw people had problems with getting the EU version of POL so I uninstalled everything, went to Playonline.com, got the US POL and tried doing everything over, but it still didn't recognize FF11. I've already used the benchmark to see if my PC can run FF11 and it scored Decent Challenge on High resolution (if that helps any).

If you need them, I will list my PC specs:

Dell Opiplex 330 Mini tower
CPU: 1.93 Ghz Single Core
HDD: 80GB
Video card: Intel GMA 3100
OS: Win7 32x SP1 (with all current updates)
RAM: 2GB

If you have more specific questions, I'll be happy to answer them.
Thank you for your time.

Did the game, install on the same directory as POL ?
asking this cause some stuff installs in:
C:\Program Files
or
C:\Program Files (x86)

would explain why POL is not reading up XI files

Yes, they did install in the same directory. It is in C:\Program Files\Playonline.

Edit: It did not let me check for updates after hitting "Play". It immediately told me FF11 was not installed.

I would suggest you to

-uninstall everything again (I recommend using a 3rd party uninstall app like RevoUninstaller and an additional registry cleaner like CCleaner for a clean uninstall),
-stick with the POL on the disc, you shouldn't be needing to download it,
-make sure you install POL first then the base game and then the expansions in that order.
-When I installed it from an older collection I own, the default path was like this; Program Files > PlayOnline > SquareEnix > FFXI and POL. I don't think it has to be exactly like this but you have nothing to lose to try that. Why I am saying this is you said Program Files > PlayOnline so maaaaaaybe that is the issue (highly doubt it)

Sadly, the only installation disc I have is the PS2 version. However, I will do as you say now and get back to you on the progress of it. :)

so far you only downloaded the playonline you need to download the actual ffxi exe

So, I have used the 3rd PT uninstaller and cleaned my registry out but I am still having the same problem. It says that FF11 is not installed.

@bigdave1978: When I downloaded the files from amazon, it was the same file names that SE had up on their official site (except they are not the trial version) They come as 3 files in a compressed 7z format. When I go through the install wizard it decompresses them. That is how it installs on my PC. They take up way more space when it is unpacked (about 12 GB). I am not sure what else you are referring to. Please explain. FF11 does show up in my "All Programs" area in my start menu. It has it's own icon and a config app too. I did take a look at the config but I didn't make any changes to it. Of course, FF11 app just boots POL. :(

I have this version also from Amazon, there should be 5 files in totl, FFXISETUP, a HTML Doc, and three 2GB files.

Run FFXIV Setup and it'll extract the actual files to install.
So once the extraction is finished a new pop up appears, make sure you select everything. And that should do it.
If it still gives the error, navigate to where FFXI is installed (C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI for Win7 x64) and launch polboot.exe application(it's ~56kb in size) and see if that helps.

Yeah sorry, I mean the one in the collection, there should be one included in your download.


So you don't get to choose to install the programs individually? Hmm. Did you try running polboot.exe with admin rights? I can't think of nothing else as to what may be the problem :/

I PMd you links to my installation downloads with a couple recommendations. Hopefully they help.

As per FFXI not showing on filecheck at POL login screen, that only appears after the first "install check" is completed.

The "pack" with all expansions come with a fairly recent version of the game files so you should not have any problems with updating. And it installs POL and the game files.

Now here's the important bits: The target directory (and POL/FFXI data in the Windows registry) for the installation varies PER REGION then if you install USA FFXI and EU POL the EU POL install won't find FFXI files without some registry modding.

I'd suggest you "uproot" (mog gardens joke) everything and install fresh from the big files set. After that, check IF YOU REGISTERED the game on the SE account website (if you're using your original account make sure you re-activate your billing option so you gain access to the game, the Play button won't work unless it's paid) in order to play.

Basically:

1- Without the install check and initial update it wont show as installed for POL. The button "PLAY" should work *if* FFXI entitlement (this is different than just setting the POL account) is configured properly(trial account)/paid(existing account).

2- Without you paying or registering a new account for FFXI (Read above about entitlement) you won't be able to hit "Play" even if you manage to log into the POL service. It should result in a error message about "Contents ID" .

3- Cross region installs don't work without some "sorcery" made on the windows registry data related to POL and it's files.

Hope this help you have a better idea of how to fix your issue. I suspect it might just be a step you forgot at the account registration/reactivation part ...

I did as you said the first time I installed (because I didn't have any of what it was offering) but to no avail. I don't have a x86 Program file, just a "C:\Program Files". I did try booting like you said from polboot.exe. It booted POL quite fine. It allows me to send messages to my friends on my Friend List, but when I hit "Play" it gives me the games rating, tells you about how not to forget people and your job, server notes, then Error 020 comes up and said that FF11 is not installed. Trying the Test server button gives me the same message (just without the server notes).

@Devrom I used the Setup program file that came with it the first few times but not luck. The only difference I can tell from the one from SE's US one and the one I got with the collection is a 30 minute update for POL. I should say that I did not install both at the same time. :) I did try running polboot.exe with admin rights but I still get the same message.



I will check out what you've sent in a few min. :D

@Mariane I did contact Amazon about the product they sold me that they do not sell the EU version of it and that both are the US version of it. I will double check my account registration/reactivation.

Thank you all for trying to help me. It means a lot to me. :D