technical help needed

I bought Final Fantasy 11 a couple of weeks ago but when I installed it and when I clicked on play, it wouldnt play dispite installing everything correctly and with sucess. My dad had a look and the problem was that my computers sound and graphics cards are too old. My computer is a flarscreen and its 3 years old, is there ANY way I can get the game working without buying new graphics and sound cards(even if i did then I would have to dismantle the computer to fit them in) and without getting a new computer?
My mum wants a new computer but I have no idea when we can get a new one
thanks for any help,
Dino

Firstly, I assume when you mean ‘flatscreen’, you mean a laptop, in which case people have had trouble getting FFXI to work on laptops. As you’re aware that the problem lies in the sound and graphics cards on your computer, and have stated that it’s possible that you can upgrade to a new PC, this is the bare minimum system and hardware requirements in order to run FFXI:

800mhz Pentium processor or equivileant, or better
128 mb of RAM or higher
AGP compliant video card (preferably a Geeforce 3 or Radeeon 9xxx with min 32mb of VRAM)
DirectX compatiable sound card (most onboard sound cards will work)
At least 8gb of free hard disc space for installation
CDROM drive (only needed during installation)
Stable internet connection – dialup is suitable
Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP, (although Square Enix have stopped providing technical support for players running the game under Windows 98, the game still runs under it though).
Keyboard and mouse (obviously)

Those specs are merely what Square Enix have stated as the official minimum required to run the game, but of course, it would not look very good or run very fast on such a system. As a general rule, the better the hardware, the better the game will run.

As a guide to what sort of system will run FFXI well, this is the specs of my own system and hardware setup on which I play FFXI:

AMD Sempron 2400XP+ 1.6 ghz processor
768mb of RAM (when I first started playing the game I only had 256mb of memory, and FFXI still ran well)
Geeforce 4 MX 440 AGP video card
VIA motherboard sound card (onboard)
80gb hard drive
CDROM drive
Dial-up internet connection (56k PCI modem)
Windows XP with Service Pack 2
Standard 108 key PS/2 keyboard
USB laser mouse with scrollwheel

That list seems impressive, but it isn’t considering the much better systems some players use to play games like FFXI on. Really, anything higher than the bare minimum listed before will run FFXI well, just as long as the graphics card is AGP compliant, as that is the sticking point which catches a lot of would-be FFXI players off-guard. So be careful. 🙂

FFXI does require a mid-high end computer. If the game isn’t running, all you can really do is swap in new hardware. Drivers won’t fix anything to a huge extent. m

No no lol I dont have a laptop, this is a flatscreen computer, not a laptop 😉

hmmmm I guess there isnt another solution except for upgrade this computer for a better one :-/

Well, if it’s a flatscreen monitor and a three year old computer, then I’d assume it would be satisfactory in the processor and RAM department (as most modern computers generally are faster than 800 mhz and have a larger memory than 180mb which is FFXI’s minimum). Therefore, I assume it’s merely the graphics card that you need to upgrade (it’s likely your system has onboard video and sound as part of the motherboard – which doesn’t cut the mustard as far as FFXI is concerned).

Most computer stores will sell graphics cards, but you don’t need anything too fancy or state of the art. Just as long as it’s AGP compliant and has at least 32mb of video RAM is enough to run FFXI (a Geeforce or Radeon card is desirable, as these are the two types most supported by FFXI). Of course, this means you’ll need to physically install the video card into the back of the computer, but this is the cheaper option to buying a brand new PC.

As for sound, I have no trouble running onboard sound with FFXI on my computer, so unless you have a very old sound card, then I don’t see why it should be causing problems.

Im only worried about having to dismantle the computer to put it in with no ill effects, otherwise I would buy a good graphics card
thanks for the help,
Dino

No problem. Glad to help to out.

Installing a new video card shouldn’t require the computer to be dismantled. Generally, all you’ll need to do is take off the side panel to gain access inside (make sure the computer is turned off and disconnected from the power supply beforehand). Then, all you’ll need to do is just plug the card into the AGP slot on the motherboard (the AGP slot is a small brown slot on the main board, near the larger white PCI slots. It should be free, and not already used, as the AGP slot is only used for video cards).

Make sure the card is properly inserted (in other words, it can’t move around easily), then, fasten the video card in place with a screw on the back plate of the computer. Once you’re satisfied that the card is tight enough and can’t move out of place, put the side panel back onto the computer, plug the monitor/screen into the monitor port on the video card (the one you’ve just installed), turn the computer on, and load up Windows.

If you’re running Windows 98/ME etc, then you’ll have to install the driver files for the video card (which your card should come with on disc) – if you’re running Windows XP however, you probably won’t have to, as it will install a default driver automatically.

After the drivers are installed, you’ll probably need to reboot the system as well as adjust display options (such as screen resolution etc). Once that’s done, then that’s all you need to do. Although installing a video card seems complicated, especially if you’re a first time computer user, it’s really a lot easier than it seems.

Thats all well and good, and Id be preapared to get oen now BUT……my dad bought stuff for the computer, and he payed a lot of money for it and it should have fitted in and stuff…….but when he opened the computer to slot the stuff in, it didnt fit. Thats what me and my dad are worried about now.
How can I be sure the card would fit?
Dino

Well, I can’t know that for sure without knowing the make-up of your computer. As a general rule however, most modern computers have on their motherboard (the main, large circuit board inside the computer’s case which all the other components and wires are connected too); a small brown slot called a ‘AGP’ slot. This is the slot you need to connect a video card to in order to run FFXI. If your computer doesn’t have this slot, it’s probably an older computer which would need to be upgraded (often only the motherboard needs upgrading though.)

Now, your video card should mention if it is AGP compliant (if not on the box, then in it’s manual.) – if your video card is made by NVIDIA (Geeforce brand) or ATI (Radeon brand), and was made in the last two or so years, then chances are it’s almost definentely AGP compliant. Older cards may not be AGP though, and probably won’t support FFXI.

Apart from video cards, most other computer components (peripherals) connect in the larger, white slots on the motherboard (called PCI slots). Such components may include sound cards, modems, USB cards, TV capture cards, and many others. Older types of video cards may also be PCI based. Most computers will have one AGP slot and anywhere between four to eight PCI slots.

That’s about the best I can do under the circumstances. But if you could give me a basic idea of your computer’s hardware, and the components you’re trying to install, I may be able to give better advice. I’m really sorry about that.

Ive got some info for you, sorry it took so long!

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Cooperation
System Manufacturer Packard Bell NEC
System Model 000000000000000000000000
System Type X86-based PC

Is this the information youre looking for? If not, I can give you more information

Unfortunately, that isn’t really enough to go on – as it’s merely what OS you’re running.

There is an easy way of finding your system specs with FFXI though (assuming PlayOnline Viewer is currently installed)..

In the Windows Start menu, click on All Programs, then Playonline/PlayOnline Viewer, and finally PlayOnline Viewer Config. In POL Viewer Config, click on the button at the bottom that says ‘System Information’.

It will take a few seconds to load, but when it does, it will show pretty much a complete list of your current hardware and software in order to ‘benchmark’ your system (ie to tell if your system will run FFXI). Click the ‘Copy to Clipboard’ button and then paste this information into a new reply (in a new reply, right hand mouse click and select ‘Paste’).

It should be able to give me a fair idea as to what kind of system you’re running in order to find the problem (as a guide, here is what PlayOnline Viewer Config lists for my system:)

=============================== System =================================

CPU = AMD Athlon XP(TM) Processor
CPU Speed = 1718 MHz
No. of CPUs = 1
OS = Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 Ver 5.01.2600
Version of DirectX = DirectX 9.0
Main Memory = Capacity: 767MB : Free Space: 514MB
Drive [C:\] = Local Disk Free Space: 23.08 GB (Capacity: 74.55 GB )
PlayOnline Viewer Install Path = C:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\PlayOnlineViewer\
Tetra Master Install Path = C:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\TetraMaster\
FINAL FANTASY XI Install Path = C:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\
Graphics Card = NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440
Type of Chip = GeForce4 MX 440
Video Driver = nv4_disp.dll
Version = 6.14.10.6693
Updated = Friday, 29 October 2004 4:50 PM
VendorId = 0x10DE
DeviceId = 0x0171
SubSysId = 0x0000
Revision = 163
VRAM = 64.0MB
AvailableVidMem = 60.8MB
AvailableTextureMem = 308.0MB
Sound Card = Vinyl AC’97 Audio (WAVE)
Sound Driver = vinyl97.sys
Version = 6.14.01.4070
Updated = Monday, 6 September 2004 4:01 PM
Network Card = VIA Compatable Fast Ethernet Adapter
Network Driver = fetnd5.sys
Version = 2.66
Updated = Friday, 17 August 2001 12:13 PM
Motherboard = MS-7061
Manufacturer = MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
Version =
Serial Number =

EDIT (I deleted the other parts such as installed programs as they’re techncailly irrellevant to running FFXI..)