[Merlin]

Set everything in the FFXI Config exactly as I listed. I am using a 15.4" laptop and that's what settings I use for it. The video card on it should be more than capable of doing the settings I listed. Probably what is going on is you have an old-ass graphics driver... which is not your fault. Playing on a laptop can be troublesome since keeping the graphics drivers updated is a bitch, since the laptop makers won't allow Nvidia and ATI to make the drivers work with them. Yeah it's stupid... but here's how to get around it:

• First , go to NVIDIA Mobility Modder - DriverHeaven.net
  
  You need to download the tool off of here at the bottom of the page.
  
• Next, go here and get the latest driver for Nvidia graphics cards: DriverHeavenDownloads.net - Fast n Furious
  
  I'd use the non-beta ones, as it would be stable.
  
• Run the downloaded driver and let it extract or if the driver is in zip format then extract it manually into a folder, for example into C:/NVIDIA/"Windows version"/"Driver version" - but cancel the installation once the driver is extracted!!
  
• Run Mobility Modder.NET nVidia Edition and browse to the driver in C:/NVIDIA/"Windows version"/"Driver version" - an example of nVidia GeForce 177.79 would be C:/NVIDIA/WinVista/177.79 - hit modify. Wait until driver is modified.
  
• In Vista, go to C:/NVIDIA/WinVista/177.79 (Or whatever the driver installation folder was called), and run the SETUP.EXE.
  
• Wait until Install is finished and reboot.
  

After you do that, you'll have the newest drivers which will work with FFXI. I had to do this with my laptop for other graphics reasons (I have an ATI), but that should fix it.

-----
As for the installation of the Playonline, it's just like I said. Uninstall everything. Install the Vista version of PlayOnline. Then go to the DVD and go to each folder and click on the Setup files. Just install them in order... FFXI-->Rise of Zilart-->etc.


----
Finally, since you are using a laptop, use the Fn key and the blue minus key to get the num-pad one. Mine is Fn + ; but yours could be different. Once you are in the menu you can adjust the keyboard layout to mini, which is designed for laptops. Also change the screen layout to 16:9 as I said. There's an Alt+key combo to get to the menu. It should be ALT+ minus (the regular one). Try that. ^^

[Rikkuffx]

Originally Posted by Merlin

Set everything in the FFXI Config exactly as I listed. I am using a 15.4" laptop and that's what settings I use for it. The video card on it should be more than capable of doing the settings I listed. Probably what is going on is you have an old-ass graphics driver... which is not your fault. Playing on a laptop can be troublesome since keeping the graphics drivers updated is a bitch, since the laptop makers won't allow Nvidia and ATI to make the drivers work with them. Yeah it's stupid... but here's how to get around it:

• First , go to NVIDIA Mobility Modder - DriverHeaven.net
  
  You need to download the tool off of here at the bottom of the page.
  
• Next, go here and get the latest driver for Nvidia graphics cards: DriverHeavenDownloads.net - Fast n Furious
  
  I'd use the non-beta ones, as it would be stable.
  
• Run the downloaded driver and let it extract or if the driver is in zip format then extract it manually into a folder, for example into C:/NVIDIA/"Windows version"/"Driver version" - but cancel the installation once the driver is extracted!!
  
• Run Mobility Modder.NET nVidia Edition and browse to the driver in C:/NVIDIA/"Windows version"/"Driver version" - an example of nVidia GeForce 177.79 would be C:/NVIDIA/WinVista/177.79 - hit modify. Wait until driver is modified.
  
• In Vista, go to C:/NVIDIA/WinVista/177.79 (Or whatever the driver installation folder was called), and run the SETUP.EXE.
  
• Wait until Install is finished and reboot.
  

After you do that, you'll have the newest drivers which will work with FFXI. I had to do this with my laptop for other graphics reasons (I have an ATI), but that should fix it.

-----
As for the installation of the Playonline, it's just like I said. Uninstall everything. Install the Vista version of PlayOnline. Then go to the DVD and go to each folder and click on the Setup files. Just install them in order... FFXI-->Rise of Zilart-->etc.


----
Finally, since you are using a laptop, use the Fn key and the blue minus key to get the num-pad one. Mine is Fn + ; but yours could be different. Once you are in the menu you can adjust the keyboard layout to mini, which is designed for laptops. Also change the screen layout to 16:9 as I said. There's an Alt+key combo to get to the menu. It should be ALT+ minus (the regular one). Try that. ^^

i did install everything correctly again LOL and i did configure the settings exactly as you said so I guess i'll try what your syaing ty for being so helpful
I do have the fn key but no blue minus key or any other minus key other than my regular one

Edit-so I did the menu yayy i found the keys LOL and i could only adjust the keyboard to compact i did not see a screen layout in game option...and i'm going to start doing the drivers
edit-now its saying teh drivers are not compatible with my hardware so i cant install

[Merlin]

Did you use the mod on the drivers before you tried installing them? The regular driver won't work on laptops, you must use the mod on it. If you did, then I'm not sure. I've never had an issue with it.

[Rikkuffx]

Originally Posted by Merlin

Did you use the mod on the drivers before you tried installing them? The regular driver won't work on laptops, you must use the mod on it. If you did, then I'm not sure. I've never had an issue with it.

I did..maybe i did it wrong i'll try it agai and let you know

edit:well it still wont work it first told me it isnt 32bit when it is and then i tried again and it said it wont work cause i dont have the right hardware...*sigh*
isnt there a program that you can use to see my screen and you can do it?I may just be doingit wrong and you may need to do it LOL thats the only other thing i can think of

[Merlin]

I'll mod the file myself and pm you the link to it. I'm not posting it here. Make sure you aren't running virus/adblocker stuff in the background. Also, you probably need to right-click the file and hit Run as Administrator. Vista is stupid with applications half the time.

[Rikkuffx]

Originally Posted by Merlin

I'll mod the file myself and pm you the link to it. I'm not posting it here. Make sure you aren't running virus/adblocker stuff in the background. Also, you probably need to right-click the file and hit Run as Administrator. Vista is stupid with applications half the time.

I always run as adminstrator and thanks so much sorry this is such a pain in the butt.