[SailorCallie]

I've finally got around to installing FFXI last Friday, and now I cannot access the game unless the update is installed, and it fails to do so everytime, no matter what time of day it is, even when there aren't any server updates and the like.

What's even worse is that on occasion, it would tell me that I need a Content ID in order to run FFXI, but I already have purchased one that's ready to go.

This is driving me nuts!! Is it my ISP and/or Network Settings? Please help me!!

[Andromeda]

I'm trying to remember, but I know you have to setup content IDs for all of the expansions and it maybe necessary for the main game as well. And then you have your character content ID apart from that. I would say try to making another ID just to see if it works. If it does then there you go, if you end up with two character slots you can just delete the other one.

As for the updates it depends on how it is failing. It will generally tell you what error happened. If you can get into making a content ID then you've gotten past the logging in process so I would not think that it is your IP or Network Settings. You also probably have a mountain of updates to grab so it might be freaking out. But without knowing the error that you are getting I don't know what is going wrong.

[SailorCallie]

Originally Posted by Andromeda

I'm trying to remember, but I know you have to setup content IDs for all of the expansions and it maybe necessary for the main game as well. And then you have your character content ID apart from that. I would say try to making another ID just to see if it works. If it does then there you go, if you end up with two character slots you can just delete the other one.

As for the updates it depends on how it is failing. It will generally tell you what error happened. If you can get into making a content ID then you've gotten past the logging in process so I would not think that it is your IP or Network Settings. You also probably have a mountain of updates to grab so it might be freaking out. But without knowing the error that you are getting I don't know what is going wrong.

I'll keep on trying, even if I have to get up a 3 AM in order for the updates to be successfully downloaded. If not, then I'll contact my ISP.

Thanks again!!

[Usagy]

Might be something with firewall or something blocking content to be loaded?

Peace out

[LocoColt04]

Check the ports on your router as well. If the port is closed, you won't be able to access the internet through the routes necessary. The booklets should say something about which ports the game requires availability of in order to function properly. If they don't, the internet is also a good resource.

Via PlayOnline.com:

PlayOnline(including all related software such as FINAL FANTASY XI) may use any of the following ports. If you are using a router, please configure it to allow packets to pass through these ports.

Port numbers that may be used by the PlayOnline server group.
TCP 25.80.110.443 or 50000 - 65535
UDP 50000 - 65535

Port numbers that may be used by terminals such as the PlayStation(R)2.
TCP 1024 - 65535
UDP 50000 - 65535

[Merlin]

You should never open ports unless you know wtf you are doing. For one thing, thats a huge bracket of numbers. Secondly, it depends if you are using hardware or software. Hardware will typically allow programs like PlayOnline to connect with outgoing connections through ports, while blocking any incoming attempts. This is perfectly fine and PlayOnline will work. Now if you use software-based stuff like ZoneAlarm, you have to set it up to work, because it is an active firewall rather than a passive.

As for the ISP I highly doubt it has anything to do with it. Now if you're doing something silly like using a dial-up modem to get on the game, then yeah, it isn't going to work. Its too slow and PO will boot your ass long before you can think of doing the full update.

The smartest way to figure out what the problem is, is to do the following:

• If you have a hardware Router, hook your computer up straight to the cable modem or DSL and see if the Playonline will let you download all the updates. If not, its your computer. If you have a software firewall(including the built-in one on Windows), see below. If not, reinstall the game.
• If you have a software firewall turned on, disable it. Windows XP and later comes with a built-in firewall which is complete garbage and does more harm than good. Disable it immediately in any case. The only thing it is doing is giving you a headache. It will NOT protect you from malicious hackers, crackers, or the script-kiddy secretly living in your basement. If you have programs like ZoneAlarm, Norton Firewall, etc, turn them off temporarily and try the game again. If this works, your firewall has a stick up its ass and you need to set it up to let the game pass through. If it doesn't, reinstall the game.

[SailorCallie]

Originally Posted by Merlin

You should never open ports unless you know wtf you are doing. For one thing, thats a huge bracket of numbers. Secondly, it depends if you are using hardware or software. Hardware will typically allow programs like PlayOnline to connect with outgoing connections through ports, while blocking any incoming attempts. This is perfectly fine and PlayOnline will work. Now if you use software-based stuff like ZoneAlarm, you have to set it up to work, because it is an active firewall rather than a passive.

As for the ISP I highly doubt it has anything to do with it. Now if you're doing something silly like using a dial-up modem to get on the game, then yeah, it isn't going to work. Its too slow and PO will boot your ass long before you can think of doing the full update.

The smartest way to figure out what the problem is, is to do the following:

• If you have a hardware Router, hook your computer up straight to the cable modem or DSL and see if the Playonline will let you download all the updates. If not, its your computer. If you have a software firewall(including the built-in one on Windows), see below. If not, reinstall the game.
• If you have a software firewall turned on, disable it. Windows XP and later comes with a built-in firewall which is complete garbage and does more harm than good. Disable it immediately in any case. The only thing it is doing is giving you a headache. It will NOT protect you from malicious hackers, crackers, or the script-kiddy secretly living in your basement. If you have programs like ZoneAlarm, Norton Firewall, etc, turn them off temporarily and try the game again. If this works, your firewall has a stick up its ass and you need to set it up to let the game pass through. If it doesn't, reinstall the game.

I want to try out your suggestion, but I'm not sure if it's my computer or the location of where I live that has crappy broadband service that's been unable to successfully download the game's updates and such, even if I let it update overnight, I still get an error message the next day.

[$Nanaki$]

Wekk I can tell you from personal experience that when I first installed the game it worked fine. Then when i reited uppdating it, i'd get all kinda of errors, in the middle of dowmloadin it would say disk error or someting like that, i'd restaert the process and it would eventually finish.
To make a lng story short it seems that the program doesnt like certain HDDs or motherboards, when i got a new motherboard the problem disappeared and no probs anymore.

I know this prolly isnt the problem but i thought i'd throw my 2 cents in anyways.

[SailorCallie]

Originally Posted by $Nanaki$

Wekk I can tell you from personal experience that when I first installed the game it worked fine. Then when i reited uppdating it, i'd get all kinda of errors, in the middle of dowmloadin it would say disk error or someting like that, i'd restaert the process and it would eventually finish.
To make a lng story short it seems that the program doesnt like certain HDDs or motherboards, when i got a new motherboard the problem disappeared and no probs anymore.

I know this prolly isnt the problem but i thought i'd throw my 2 cents in anyways.

You're right, though. Since Christmas is upon us, I hope I get a new PC that'll allow FFXI to cooperate.

[SailorCallie]

I've finally got FFXI's updates to successfully download and now I've just started. I've took this advantage of this oppotunity(sp) once I've gotten my DSL activated at my new home and now I cannot wait to explore Vana'diel.