Can't Install FFXI

Dude I just linked you the current download with all expansions from SE itself.

Forget whatever you got from piratebay. The install from POL site also reduces a tad how many files you need to download at the update phase.

It contains updated game installers, updated game files and the installer which you would download separately from POL to fix the discs installers.

I don't think this is a problem with the files not being there, but a problem with the windows installer.

Look, one thing you can try is purge the FFXI and POL related information from the Windows installer database (it is stored within Windows folder itself).

It seems like the repair your computer need must start with a checkdisk run. Then you go through this tool to wipe the windows installer cache

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_installer_cleanup_utility.html


Unfortunately sometimes these automated things (windows installer) go off the rails.

Trying that program now, it popped up showing that I had FFXI so I removed all entries of FFXI through that program... This looks hopeful!

IT WORKED! HOLY *** ***! Thank you SO MUCH Leo! This ***has been a *** thorn in my *** for the past 7 hours

If you copied over an already working full XI+Tetramaster+POL install (ffxi/SquareEnix/ and everything in all subdirectories)from another computer and patched the registry, you probably still need to have all the .dll files properly registered.
I haven't had to fuss with doing a hacky install like that in a couple years, but for a win7 machine this is accomplished by a batch file like this:
The explicit path to the regsvr32 file is so it doesnt attempt to use the 64bit version instead (which would be wrong) which resides in the System32 folder.

Just to add to this extremely useful post:

If you going to move FFXI files from a computer to another, DO NOT SHARE IT ON NETWORK. If you do that, you will damage the hidden file attributes which relate to Windows Installer(on the source computer) and then POL will cause Windows installer to pop requesting FFXI to be repaired with the install files before launching the game itself.

If you want to copy the files through network copy the files to another folder before sharing and then share that. Never share the original FFXI files.

Once you're done with the transfer delete the folder with the files you created for the purpose of the file transfer.

Snagging that link, the last time I had to fight with something similar I had to try to manually reinstall, then do a full uninstall, and I believe I used revo, and ccleaner, and then rebooted and it worked.

I'm not sure if ccleaner would wipe the same data out, Leo would probably know though.

I dunno, I never used ccleaner. The tool I linked is from the mothership itself. (Microsoft)

It has it's uses, cleans up dead registry keys. To be fair, most who use it probably just hit it and don't even skim over what it's grabbing, but as long as they make backups before they do, they shouldn't be totally boned.

I usually make at least two backups before I run it, and try to do it after a clean boot, usually go ahead and make a system restore point as well. I also at least skim over it, to make sure nothing looks totally out of place, but for those who don't feel comfortable in the registry, they probably won't have a clue what they're reading.

Interesting, almost never see somebody outright use M$'s tools.

Gonna borrow this thread for an install issue as well instead of starting a whole new thread.

I just bought a new laptop and it has Windows 8.1. I've tried to install ffxi from both the actual game disc and the POL website. I've searched and performed several attempts to solve the issue such as activating directplay, run as admin, etc... and can't figure it out. The error I'm getting is "1603: Fatal Error occurred during installation. Consult Windows Installer Help (Msi.chm) or MSDN for more info." It seems to lock up around the part where it's "updating component registration" and proceeds to give me the error I mentioned.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, the file I downloaded from POL website can't find the program needed to run the file. The extension seems to be some long number instead of .exe or some other format. I have no idea what the issue is and as I'm sure most of you can tell, I'm not good with this sort of thing. Thanks in advance to any responses.

As far as direct play: read this thread; http://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/45391/directplay-error-please-help/

Secondly you need to either be using a modern disc (along with the Playonline installer from the website) or just the installer from the website in it's entirety (if you installed playonline from the disc and it's an old version, it doesn't like OSes beyond XP, so just uninstall playonline, and reinstall with proper).

As for the rest, sounds like you borked your installs.

For the full game from playonline.com (US) you need to download all 4 files and run the setup file:

http://gdl.square-enix.com/ffxi/download/us/FFXISETUP.exe
http://gdl.square-enix.com/ffxi/download/us/FINALFANTASYXI.Data.001
http://gdl.square-enix.com/ffxi/download/us/FINALFANTASYXI.Data.002
http://gdl.square-enix.com/ffxi/download/us/FINALFANTASYXI.Data.003

Went ahead and downloaded all 4 to be safe, but my issue is the setup file won't run. It says it can't find whatever program is needed to run the file. I'm not sure how to get it to run either. I'm so lost lol.

Got a screenshot?

I'll give it a shot one sec.

Okay, so as sad as it is, I can't figure out how to take a screenshot of the issue. The file name for the setup file appears as follows after I downloaded it...


FFXISETUP (2).1423943297

It seems to me that it should be a .exe file and not a .(random number) file. So when I click it to open it, it brings up a window saying windows can't find an app (or program) to open the file. Not really sure what the issue is.

Thank you by the way for the assistance.

hit printscreen, save it, upload it to a picture share site, link it here.

Can you run any .exe ? also what size is it, mine's like 202MB or so.

edit: while downloading it said 202, after:

201 MB (211,424,968 bytes) (size)
201 MB (211,427,328 bytes) (size on disk)

It should read that, does it?

It is about 200MB and I've run another POL .exe application...that system info one,if that helps

Well I know the link works, as I just used it.

It sounds like you have something that's corrupting the file after/during the download. Empty the folder, clear your temp files, uninstall FFXI/pol if you have something partially, do the temp file thing again (disk cleanup will handle it), then reboot.

After you clear the downloads folder (or you can try another folder) download it again, and see if it still changes the filename.

It should be FFXISETUP.exe if it's not, then it sounds like you have a rather deep issue, what browser are you using?

internet explorer, and ill try that thank you for the tips.

Stop doing that.

Firefox
Palemoon (Firefox branch off, better imo) http://www.palemoon.org/download-ng.shtml

Chrome

anything else, keep IE as a backup in case other stuff doesn't work, but holy crap don't use it for regular use.

Also add adblock plus

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/

(for firefox or palemoon)

I think this is the chrome link:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adblock-plus/cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb

It blocks ads, of which you can set a whitelist for sites you visit that run on the ads, like this one.

you very likely have malware, what antivirus do you have?

It appears that IE was the issue, thank you. I'm not sure if the direct links will work, but it is at least coming in as a .exe file so I'm optimistic.

The install is underway. Thank you so much jetacku, very much appreciated.

How do you set macros, so you dont have to use control or alt?

I can tell you whats wrong 100% when you have the install files in the folder they need to be in the order set up dat 1 dat 2 dat 3 and then run the installer from there.

Meanwhile in theproblemwasfixedand49dayslaterland.