POL Crash when I try to log onto Test Server

[Siviard]

I just downloaded the Test Server Client today and tried to log on.

I tried my best to follow all of the directions from the ReadMe.txt file as possible, but I've a feeling I overlooked something.

Basically, I can get all the way up to the point where I click on "Play on Test Server" button. But then when FFXI tries to load up, POL locks and gets shut down, and stops short of locking my laptop but I get out of it by CNTRL+ALT+DEL to open up the Task Manager and close it down from there which then returns my computer to normal.

Any help, hints will be greatly appreciated!

[Alhanelem]

You didn't install it correctly.

Most likely, you put the 'ffxi' folder in the install folder for the game. This means all the data files are in the wrong place. You're actually supposed to copy the *contents* of the ffxi folder, not the folder itself.
In the ffxi install folder, you probabbly have something like this:
\ffxi\
\ROM0\
\ROM1\
\ROM2\
...
and a bunch of files. If you go into the \ffxi\ folder you will see many of the same files and folders.
Just go into the FFXI folder, and move all the stuff in there back into the install folder. Say YES if it asks to overwrite any files.

In short, if you go to where you installed and you see an \ffxi\ folder, you did it wrong.

[Siviard]

That actually sounds about right. I copied the folder itself, not the "contents". However, I deleted that extra "ffxi" folder that I copied and I'm not sure how to fix it except for uninstalling and reinstalling.

I'll try it again.

[Alhanelem]

I didn't say delete, I said move. If you had the \ffxi\ folder in your install folder, you need to MOVE the *contents* of the \ffxi\ folder into the install folder, and that will fix the problem.

If you start fresh, when you extract the data archives, you will have a folder called FFXI. do NOT copy this folder, open the folder and copy the stuff inside it instead. Say yes to overwriting all files.

Once you get it set up right, you won't have to think about it again. While you will have to re-register for each test session, you will not need to reinstall the test client, you will be able to simply patch it the normal way.

[Skyrant_Kangaroomouse]

You also want to check you downloaded the correct region of the client, EU PlayOnline wont work with the US test server etc.

[Siviard]

LOL

Nah I downloaded the North American version, the mistake I originally made was the one Alhanelem mentioned.

[vungster]

i'm having the same problem here, not sure what to do: i copied all the files from /ffxi/ over onto the installation folder where the setup.exe is, everything looks normal, but i get a crash when i use play test server

i just uninstalled the the test server client, now reinstalling it (including a one hour reupdating) hoping it will work

are all my files in the right spot?

[vungster]

also, what's the total files I'm supposed to have?

[Taratar]

im having problems trying to install it aswell ive downloaded all of the NA files all of them and ive moved them to the folder with setup in it but its saying that PoL has crashed and wont let me onto my character select screen

[Alhanelem]

There are two main mistakes made: Files in the wrong folder and wrong version of the files. Make sure the files you're downloading correspond to your client region.

Secondly, the file locations:
OPEN the FFXI folder where you extracted the zip files (Make sure you extract all zip files to the same location)
Select All.
press CTRL C.
Go to where you installed (Usually C:\Program Files\PlayOnline\Final Fantasy XI Test Client)
press CTRL V.
Run the game.

Make sure you unzip all the zip files to the same place, or you're going to make a big headache for yourself.

[Thore]

I dl'd the stuff last night and pol crashed when I tried to go to the test server. After reading these posts I still have no idea how to get it to work right, I guess I'm just not tech savvy lol....

[Alhanelem]

I dl'd the stuff last night and pol crashed when I tried to go to the test server. After reading these posts I still have no idea how to get it to work right, I guess I'm just not tech savvy lol....
It doesn't require any tech savvy. I basically spelled out exactly what you need to do down to the keypress. Maybe some pictures will help.

The place you installed the test client should have the folders shown in the window below.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b16/Tahngarthor/ffxiinstallfolder1.png

If it looks more like the below (note the extra "ffxi" folder at the top) then you messed up:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b16/Tahngarthor/ffxiinstallfolder2.png

If your install folder looks more like the second picture, then you need to open that extra 'ffxi' folder, press CTRL-A to select all, press CTRL-X (for Cut), go back to your install folder (The folder path shown is the default install place), and press CTRL-V (for Paste).

This will only work if you haven't already downloaded updates. If you have, then you'll need to uninstall and start over, making sure to copy the CONTENTS of the "ffxi" folder, not the "ffxi" folder itself.

If you're sure you've done everything correctly and it STILL doesn't work, then the most likely reason is you downloaded the EU files when you're using the NA client or vice-versa.