Constant stuttering in-game on windows 7 64-bit

[Devrom]

Details: Although I am not experiencing such a problem (or any problem) in any other game I am playing on this system, i get this constant stuttering on FFXI during the title screen sequence and most importantly, playing the game. The game runs as normal for a second then freezes for a moment then normal again and so on, forever. It happens even if there is no dynamic models other than my character on the screen.

Steps:
1. i experienced constant stuttering on title screen and in-game.
2. first, i just tried using the minimum settings on in-game config options, turning off shadows, weather effects, setting character models displayed at minimum etc.
3. as suggested on various tech forums; i tried "Run as administrator", running the game in compatibility modes for windows 2000, XP and Vista , disabling QoS pocket scheduler from network settings, disabling controllers in windows device manager and FFXI config utility, disabling other USB devices and nothing worked.
4. then I unistalled the POL provided in my Vana'diel Collection 2008 disc and installed the vista/w7 compatible POL that i downloaded from official site but that didn't work either.

Date & Time: i can't really give exact date and time but i noticed the stuttering 2-3 months ago and it is still the same
Frequency: Always
Platform: PC
PC Manufacturer & Model Number: Homebuilt Computer
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit)
Graphics Card: ATI HD4800
ISP: TURKSAT (TR)
Type of Internet Connection: CATV

[Kraggy]

I have two PCs running Win7 64-bit with 5870s in both, using the 10.8 ATI drivers and don't see this effect at all on either of them.

[Nadeu]

Devrom,

We’re sorry for the problems you are experiencing trying to play FINAL FANTASY XI, and we’d like to try to help you resolve it. However we will need more information from you before we can try to resolve your issues. When posting on the Technical Support forum, please be sure to follow the general forum rules on posting, to ensure that you’re providing us with enough information for us to provide assistance.

The general forum rules can be found at this link:
Welcome to Forum: Technical Support! (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/68-Welcome-to-Forum-Technical-Support!)

[Devrom]

Devrom,

We’re sorry for the problems you are experiencing trying to play FINAL FANTASY XI, and we’d like to try to help you resolve it. However we will need more information from you before we can try to resolve your issues. When posting on the Technical Support forum, please be sure to follow the general forum rules on posting, to ensure that you’re providing us with enough information for us to provide assistance.

The general forum rules can be found at this link:
Welcome to Forum: Technical Support! (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/68-Welcome-to-Forum-Technical-Support!)

sorry, i just edited my initial post accordingly.

[Crazze]

Hey Are you using Catalyst to control your graphics? If so I may know your problem when you are going to play 11 before you open it up make sure the top two options (both should say SMOOTHVISION) and check the boxes for using application settings. That's ending up fixing everything for me. If I forget to click those boxes before starting FFXI it will run at around 6-10 fps instead of the normal 30ish(fps cap for 11). Hope this helps and good luck.

[Devrom]

Hey Are you using Catalyst to control your graphics? If so I may know your problem when you are going to play 11 before you open it up make sure the top two options (both should say SMOOTHVISION) and check the boxes for using application settings. That's ending up fixing everything for me. If I forget to click those boxes before starting FFXI it will run at around 6-10 fps instead of the normal 30ish(fps cap for 11). Hope this helps and good luck.

my fps is fine but you never know, it might help. thanks for the tips.

edit: made sure both checked, still no good :/

[Crazze]

Hmmm that's extremely odd do you know which model of the 4800 series you have? Well either way do you have the most up to date catalyst control center?

If not download it here http://support.amd.com/us/psearch/Pages/psearch.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.36.3.1&contentType=GPU+Download+Detail&ostype=Windows+7+-+64-Bit+Edition&keywords=&items=20

No matter which video card you actually have this download should include the most recent driver for your card.

[Lyndonn]

i use 5850 and some times get this Problem, drives me insane i had to roll back the drivers to get it to play at Higher Fps

[Frost]

I've had this exact problem for a long long long time
I use a 5850 ATI card, and I get choppy gameplay too. The best way to describe it is, every 1.5 seconds the game drops a frame then jumps 2 frames (instantly) catching up. You'll never lag or fall behind or slowed down by any means, but it's just annoying. No driver updates or settings seem to fix the issue, and it's exclusive to FFXI, no other games I have experience this issue.

[Lyndonn]

does it on FF14 also aswell as 11 so its something in the SE Formula >.<

[Kayn]

i have this issue everytime my computer turns off abnormaly, like for example on a power shortage or something. strangely enough, what causes this for me its my Pc game controller, i just unplug it and plug it back on and it goes away, i understeand you it was driving me insane. it can be anything wireless you have pluged in your pc, just try it and see what happens.

[Sukasaroth]

id stutter if i had gampad enabled but no controller plugged in. <_<

[Devrom]

i have this issue everytime my computer turns off abnormaly, like for example on a power shortage or something. strangely enough, what causes this for me its my Pc game controller, i just unplug it and plug it back on and it goes away, i understeand you it was driving me insane. it can be anything wireless you have pluged in your pc, just try it and see what happens.

i am not using any wireless device and i have already tried unplugging and disabling the controller and other USB devices all together :/

[Krayle]

I'm not sure what the connection was, but I had the same issue (Windows 7 64-bit, no stuttering in any other game) and tried just about everything until I read somewhere that this fixed it for someone else: I had the VMWare program VirtualBox installed. I simply uninstalled it. Fixed; no more stuttering in FFXI.

Weirdest fix ever but it worked for me -- I hope you have VirtualBox installed >.>

[Eburo]

I can agree to some extent with Krayle, I had some VMware program installed (although I'm not sure it was VirtualBox

I did a bunch of things at once, so it could be any one of these...
1. Disable Wireless mode on your router.
2. Disable wireless services on your PC (even if you don't use any wireless device, Windows 7 does still come with wireless utilities.
3. Uninstall unnecessary programs that have *anything* to do with networking.

Basically your best way to solve this problem is to consider everything that happens on your computer or network 24/7 at the interval of your frame skips... In this case, networking is about the only practical thing that could cause it that would not cause system instability.

[Devrom]

i don't have VirtualBox installed.

About the wireless services in windows 7, i have just read an article about it and it seems you are right so thanks for pointing me in the right direction assuming that it would help :p

I think i will just give up if this doesn't work either...

link to the article if anyone is interested;
http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-fix-wireless-lag-in-vista-and-windows-7-a161817

another one that might help DSL users;
http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-fix-internet-lag-on-dsl-such-as-verizon-a193417

[Chaani]

I'm not sure what the connection was, but I had the same issue (Windows 7 64-bit, no stuttering in any other game) and tried just about everything until I read somewhere that this fixed it for someone else: I had the VMWare program VirtualBox installed. I simply uninstalled it. Fixed; no more stuttering in FFXI.

Weirdest fix ever but it worked for me -- I hope you have VirtualBox installed >.>

I can attest to this fixing my most recent graphics stutter on my computer. I had Oracle Virtual Machine installed to test Minecraft under Linux, the Virtual Machine installed a special network adapter to bridge the physical adapter to the virtual one, getting rid of the Virtual Machine installation got rid of the stutter.

I have the same OS as the OP too, Windows 7 64-bit.

Another thing to try is to make sure you don't have any "HID compliant devices" in your device manager disable them (don't uninstall) one by one slowly so you can revert them back if you disable something like your keyboard or mouse. A few times on fresh format/re-installs the stutter was caused by the "HID compliant device" of my keyboard's volume/media player controls.

[Een]

You wouldn't happen to have an older Video card do you? Maybe like an older Nvidia card? SquareEnix originally recommended Nvidia as the card to use for FFXI.

I'm just asking, cause if you could switch Video cards and get the same result then you could completely rule out the video card being the culprit. I've seen Video Cards just not like certain games, sound cards to..well built in. Like Realtek wouldn't work with COD: WaW when it first was released for me til they patched it.

And if you switched Video cards and it did fix your problem, you could then figure out if something is causing it. Like I read disabling things one at a time and such.

If I was you, I'd just want to for sure eliminate the possibility of it being your video card. IIRC the original version of FFXI called for a 256 MB RAM Video Card, (recommended). Even my mom's old Compaq she bought in 2001, (COMPLETE P.O.S. to BTW,) played FFXI without lagging. My brother burnt that computer up playing FFXI and it used an onboard crappy whatever. Probably a 128 MB onboard...if that, with a 1.6 Ghz Pentium 4 and 256 MB of ram.

But, the point is, you shouldn't have this problem with what you are using on this game...not at all. Stuttering happens to weak systems...or systems with conflicts.

[Frost]

You wouldn't happen to have an older Video card do you? Maybe like an older Nvidia card? SquareEnix originally recommended Nvidia as the card to use for FFXI.

I'm just asking, cause if you could switch Video cards and get the same result then you could completely rule out the video card being the culprit. I've seen Video Cards just not like certain games, sound cards to..well built in. Like Realtek wouldn't work with COD: WaW when it first was released for me til they patched it.

And if you switched Video cards and it did fix your problem, you could then figure out if something is causing it. Like I read disabling things one at a time and such.

If I was you, I'd just want to for sure eliminate the possibility of it being your video card. IIRC the original version of FFXI called for a 256 MB RAM Video Card, (recommended). Even my mom's old Compaq she bought in 2001, (COMPLETE P.O.S. to BTW,) played FFXI without lagging. My brother burnt that computer up playing FFXI and it used an onboard crappy whatever. Probably a 128 MB onboard...if that, with a 1.6 Ghz Pentium 4 and 256 MB of ram.

But, the point is, you shouldn't have this problem with what you are using on this game...not at all. Stuttering happens to weak systems...or systems with conflicts.

Personally yes, I used a nVidia 9800 GT and it did the same thing.

In fact I exploited the return policy at the Computer store and tried a couple of cards trying to fix this issue. I just thought it would be something that would have eventually been fixed. And dont' really notice it until it's pointed out.

Congratulations, you are now aware that you're breathing.

^^^ Like that ^^^

It's still annoying .

[Nadeu]

Devrom,

While we were investigating your problem, we noticed that TURKSAT comes up as a satellite-based Internet Service Provider. If this is the case, then it would explain the ‘stuttering’ problem you are experiencing. What is happening is that the software is trying to download the data from our servers, and the latency from the satellite connection is causing the software to pause while it waits for the next burst of data.

This is simply a result of how satellite-based connections function. Such a high-latency connection is not recommended for online gaming, and is definitely not supported by SQUARE ENIX for FINAL FANTASY XI. We can only recommend switching to a land-line-based, low-latency connection type.

[Renald]

same problem for me but not in ATI, in NVIDIA GT 425M (1GB didcated) i've been searching for reasons to find way to fix it but ended up with info in new driver that they released:
"New in Release 266.58 Driver:
Performance:
•Increases performance for GeForce 400 Series GPUs in several PC games vs. the latest Release 260 drivers.
•Improves performance in Final Fantasy XI on GeForce 400 Series GPUs."

so after updating the driver guess WHAT!!! still same >.> so its not a problem in driver maybe something related to windows 7 64 bit?

tested some other games and the problem didnt show up and only happen in FFXI.

[Lyndonn]

Devrom,

While we were investigating your problem, we noticed that TURKSAT comes up as a satellite-based Internet Service Provider. If this is the case, then it would explain the ‘stuttering’ problem you are experiencing. What is happening is that the software is trying to download the data from our servers, and the latency from the satellite connection is causing the software to pause while it waits for the next burst of data.

This is simply a result of how satellite-based connections function. Such a high-latency connection is not recommended for online gaming, and is definitely not supported by SQUARE ENIX for FINAL FANTASY XI. We can only recommend switching to a land-line-based, low-latency connection type.


I use Virgin-media Fiber Optic (cable) and i get this stuttering using my ATI 5850 but on my other PC only change is i use a 3800 and no stuttering on that, so its a problem with higher end graphics cards in my opinion, maybe a Patch can fix this issue.

[Devrom]

Devrom,

While we were investigating your problem, we noticed that TURKSAT comes up as a satellite-based Internet Service Provider. If this is the case, then it would explain the ‘stuttering’ problem you are experiencing. What is happening is that the software is trying to download the data from our servers, and the latency from the satellite connection is causing the software to pause while it waits for the next burst of data.

This is simply a result of how satellite-based connections function. Such a high-latency connection is not recommended for online gaming, and is definitely not supported by SQUARE ENIX for FINAL FANTASY XI. We can only recommend switching to a land-line-based, low-latency connection type.

Thanks for the reply but it doesn't really explain my problem :/

As I have already said in my initial post, I am using CATV connection and only up to 5 Mpbs (rarely goes that high, usually around 3). It is not really that high. Also, I am using the exact same connection on my laptop and playing FFXI without such a problem. So it can't be a high-latency issue. Furthermore, TURKSAT isn't really a satellite-based ISP. The internet service they provide is based on the good old cable TV infrastructure, copper cables and all. We are not directly connected to satellite or something.

PS: disabling WLAN AutoConfig service under Computer Management didn't work either. Although I think there is barely anything left to try as I have already tried 12314512 things to no avail, any other suggestions, anyone?...

[Frost]

It's the "Hot Potato" No one wants to admit it's their fault.

It IS a video problem.
It IS only FFXI.
It IS only Higher end graphics cards.

I would bet it has to do with how FFXI and DX 10+ get along. All the DX 9 cards seem to be ok.

It's NOT network lag, or latency. It's definitely a graphics thing.

[Devrom]

It's the "Hot Potato" No one wants to admit it's their fault.

It IS a video problem.
It IS only FFXI.
It IS only Higher end graphics cards.

I would bet it has to do with how FFXI and DX 10+ get along. All the DX 9 cards seem to be ok.

It's NOT network lag, or latency. It's definitely a graphics thing.

Seems like it... We should just switch to PS2, problem solved.

[Ziyyigo-Tipyigo]

I've experienced the same problem intermittently throughout various system rebuilds (I'm restless, what can I say?). On one system, the stuttering seemed to have been caused by specific versions of the ATI drivers, but I forget which of my three options (packaged, Windows Update drivers or downloaded from ATI's website) would fix the problem.

I've moved to a notebook, though, and after wiping the system and reinstalling Windows on it, the same "hiccup" problem showed itself where it wasn't before, and juggling drivers isn't doing the trick this time.

The really frustrating thing, in my opinion, is that it also happens on the title screen (which shouldn't be affected by bandwidth or latency issues). However, the performance of the old Vana'diel Benchmark 3 is unaffected, no hiccups, so that can't be used as a litmus test.

This is why I hate Windows gaming. But the alternatives are a three-second freeze every time I change areas on Xbox 360, or black screens when the PS2 tries to load cutscenes (e.g. chocobo raising), so... I dunno.

I'm about to try FFXI under WINE.

[Atomic_Skull]

It's caused by the ATI drivers lowering the GPU and VRAM clocks when it shouldn't. It happens on a lot of DirectX 8 games not just FFXI. It's actually a problem with ATI's power saving being too aggressive about lowering the clocks on the video card.

Basically what's happening is this.

"Ok an application is running, increase the clocks"
"Ok an application is still running"
"GPU isn't doing anything lower the clocks to save power"
"Ok an application is running, increase the clocks"
"Ok an application is still running"
"GPU isn't doing anything lower the clocks to save power"
"Ok an application is running, increase the clocks"

The problem is that DirectX 8 games don't use the GPU as heavily as a DirectX 9 or 10 games, so ATI's drivers will occasionally think that there aren't any 3D apps running and lower the clocks when it shouldn't. And every time it does this FFXI will hiccup.

ATI isn't likely to fix this because honestly they don't care about DirectX 8 anymore.



I think the real problem is that FFXI needs an engine refresh. I'm not talking about a graphics update or anything like that. Just updating to DirectX 9/10, MSAA support, 60FPS and more normal resolution select in the config.

Yes I know you can set any resolution you want but most people don't know how to do that and the way the config utility handles resolution selection is very confusing for new players. The maximum 1024x1024 that the config util allows is also rather low by today's standards.

[Arlaine]

I was also having these stuttering performance issues that seem to match your description pretty closely.
It only happened on one computer, the rest were fine, some things that were tried included:
Different computer, same GPU
Different computer, different GPU
XP, Vista, Windows 7
Different internet connections
Adjusting FFXI's config options [eg. mip mapping, hardware cursor, resolution, bump mapping, sound objects]


I understand a related fix was already posted in this thread but hopefully this will add some keywords or assist in some other way.

On my laptop running Windows 7 64bit [Core i3, ATI Mobility 5650]
Removed ICS(Internet Connection Sharing) from my network adapters.
Updated ATI Mobility drivers
Removed/Uninstalled VMWare
Removed/Uninstalled Oracle Virtualbox

It wasnt until I uninstalled VirtualBox that the problem went away.

I'm not going to say this is a fantastic idea based on anything intelligible but if you're having issues with the stuttering and it was anything close to mine and you want to try something silly, try this:
1. Install Oracle VirtualBox (its free)
2. Restart
3. Uninstall VirtualBox
4. Restart
5. Launch FFXI
6. Post results!

Best of luck!