Zoning/PS2/3 Freeze Issues [Archive] - FINAL FANTASY XI Forum

Vandheer

03-09-2011, 02:50 AM

I run the PS2 version of FFXI on my PS3. I've most frequently experienced game freezes while trying to talk to the NPC Jeanvirgaud. I haven't experienced this issue since the latest maintenance (knock on wood...). I have not noticed any patterns to the freeze only that it varies greatly in the amount of time it freezes. I've experienced a black screen freeze twice while zoning (not 100% sure on that). I have yet to be able to out wait any black screen freeze so whenever they do happen to me they happen for 10 minutes+.

Save me SE from the game freeze! D: lol Seriously if it wasn't fixed in the maintenance it would be greatly appreciated if you took further steps to fixing the issues.

PizzaTheHut

03-09-2011, 02:55 AM

On PS2 game freezes when trying to use any OP warper or any quest related NPC, at least with mine, there is not a single day my console do not freeze when attemping to do an OP warp or trying to do some quest..

I don't think I've ever frozen on an outpost warper or quests. That sounds like yours might be failing? Connection? Try cleaning all the dust! Something! Maybe a fresh re-install?

Wenceslao

03-09-2011, 02:59 AM

I've done it in two different consoles, and two different connections, and the problem is the same, for example, trying to speak with a chocoboy delays usually like 1~5 mins or when someone use the service.... I use a computer version too, but sometimes my kids are using it and i got to use my console...so its kinda frustating attemping to do something with npc related on ps2.

seya

03-09-2011, 03:32 AM

I play on ps3 and yes we get freezes when getting inside abyssea or leaving sometimes blackouts too
The Npc problem wasnt so bad until last couple months it seems i m getting stuck on every npc now not just
the op warp one and stay stuck there for a good 3-5 min its getting really annoying

oliveira

03-09-2011, 03:48 AM

The freeze seems to be a server sided issue which happens on "pseudo CS" NPCs where the compass disappears from the screen. What happens is that the PS2 console stops receiving updates from what happens nearby the player, causing the player to not see what happens close by. Say, Shout seems blocked too, but linkshell, party and tell chat still works. Obviously since it's on Cutscene mode you can't open menus or do anything else.

Pulling the Ethernet cable causes the PS2 to completely freeze instantly while music still plays fine.

Another great NPC to get stuck with is the quest giver NPC for "Escort for hire".

Legomike

03-09-2011, 04:03 AM

yes please fix this. it also happened in port bastok on 2 or 3 npcs and cooking guild point npc

Wenceslao

03-09-2011, 04:16 AM

SE please fix it

Ruujin

03-09-2011, 04:26 AM

I experienced several of the same issues listed here. I did discover using the Check Files utility that I had 115 files that were damaged. Most if not all the files that were damaged are original files that have not had any modifications done to them. So they will not be repaired if you click on fix files. By clicking on the install disc option on the POL sign in menu and over writing all the files seemed to do the trick. Basic game functions like zoning are not typically modified cause the info is processed the same way every time regardless of where you go or how you get there.

Xophious

03-09-2011, 09:25 AM

There isnt a day that goes by that my PS3 does not freeze up at least once while either zoning thru a Cavernous Maw or using the Runic Portal (this happens at busy times and when few around also). Now, with the increase of people just standing there, it also happens at when entering the MH from Port Jeuno.

It use to happen every time we would speak with npc Ugrihd in Aht Urhgan Whitegate but this was fixed a few years ago, so how about working on this now please.

Hello everyone! Thank you all for your input on the PS3/PS2 freezing/lag issue.

We apologize for the trouble and frustration it has been causing. We will be more than happy to forward this concern to try and get it resolved. However, we will require the details before it can be investigated.

Gropitou, since you started the thread, could you please fill out the following information?

________________________________
Thread Title:
Short outline explaining what sort of issue you are experiencing.

Platform:
Specify which platform was in use to play the game.(“PlayStation2”, Windows, and/or Xbox 360)

ISP:
Name of ISP you use to connect to the Internet.

Type of Internet Connection:
Specify the type of connection. (dial-up, DSL, CATV, Optic Fiber, Other)

Internet Connection Speed:
Specify the speed of internet connection. (Example: 768Kbit/s, 5Mbit/s)

Date & Time:
Date and time of when the issue occurred. Please be sure to state the time zone of your region. (Example: Pacific Time = PST/PDT)

Frequency:
State how frequently the issue occurs. Please select from the following.
1. Always
2. Sometimes
3. Once (did not reproduce)
4. Unknown

Character Name:
Which character did the issue occur with?

Race:
Race of your character when the issue occurred.
(Hume M, Hume F, ElvaanM, ElvaanF, TarutaruM, TarutaruF, Galka, Mithra)

World:
World where the issue occurred.

Main Job:
Main job and level of your character when the issue occurred.

Support Job:
Support job of your character when the issue occurred.

Area and Coordinates:
Area and map coordinates where the issue occurred.

Party or Solo:
If you were solo when the issue occurred, please write “Solo”. If you were in a party, please write “Party”. With alliance, please write “Alliance.”
*If you wrote “Party” or “Alliance”, please also include the number of members.

NPC Name:
Name of NPC that your character was interacting with when the issue occurred.
*If you were not interacting with any NPC, then please write “None”.

Monster Name:
Name of monster that your character was battling against when the issue occurred.
*If you were not battling against any monster, then please write “None”.

Steps:
Detailed steps on how the issue occurred.
*Please try to include the following details.

* What you were doing when the issue occurred. (Example: Battle, mission, quest, crafting, synthesis, etc.)
* Please do your best to write using official terms for item names and action names. Please avoid any abbreviations or improper terms.
* If you were using macro commands when the issue occurred, please include the details of the command.
* In case the error message appeared when the issue occurred, please include what the message said.
________________________________

Tellahchan

03-09-2011, 02:07 PM

I've experienced the same problems:
Freezing after teleporting via Runic portal, freezes on entering Abyssea, freezes on talking to various NPCs.

Thread Title: PS3 Freezing
Platform: PS3
ISP: Brighthouse/Roadrunner
Type of Internet Connection: DSL
Internet Connection Speed: 9.9 Mbps
Date & Time: Various (March 9th 2011, 12:20 AM EST)
Frequency: Sometimes:Ocasionaly consecutively, sometimes days between freezes.
Character Name: Tellahchan
Race: TarutaruM
World: Cerberus
Main Job: Various (Rdm, Bst, Smn, Pup)
Support Job: Various
Area and Coordinates: Various (North San d'Oria: Jeanvirgaud (K-9), Lower Jeuno: Ghebi Damomohe(I-7), Bastok Mines: Synergy Furnace(J-8))
Party or Solo: Solo & Party (2-4)
NPC Name: Various (North San d'Oria: Jeanvirgaud (K-9), Lower Jeuno: Ghebi Damomohe(I-7), Bastok Mines: Synergy Furnace(J-8))
Monster Name: None

Steps:
Interacting with any of these NPCs will seemingly randomly cause the game to hang, sometimes for only 30 seconds to a minute. I'm unable to move my character or open the menu when this happens.
It's happened most frequently with the Outpost Teleport NPC Jeanvirgaud.

As I write this I have been stuck at the Synergy Furnace in Bastok Mines for about 5 minutes.
Specifically when trying to use the Syngergy Furnace: after interacting with it and trading my materials to it, the game does not display the recipe confirmation and eventually I get a message about losing "claim" on the furnace. After waiting around 5 minutes, the recipe displayed and I was able to move again.
Upon being able to move, I checked the furnace to retrieve my items from it and attempted to try again. This time attempting to check my fewell levels had the same effect, no information was displayed, and I was left stuck for several minutes, until the fewell info was finaly displayed.

Silversky

03-09-2011, 11:12 PM

Tellahchan

03-10-2011, 02:50 AM

Has been 4 days now that FFXI froze occasionally after zoning from MH to Port Jueno. This is really irritating and annoying!!! Also occasionally after npc warping to Maws for Abyssea, Maws didn't load up and i have to log out and log back on in order to have Maws loaded up...... SE please do something about these issues!!! Thanks!!!

I've had the maw thing happen to me to, only usually with Confluxes. A faster fix is to walk a distance away and then walk back, they almost always load for me then.

oliveira

03-10-2011, 03:37 AM

Japanese players also report the same issue:

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/837-NPC%E3%81%AB%E8%A9%B1%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E3%83%95%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA

Wenceslao

03-11-2011, 01:32 AM

Thread Title: PS2 Freezing
Platform: PS2
ISP: Prodigy Infinitum
Type of Internet Connection: DSL
Internet Connection Speed: 10 Mbps
Date & Time: Various
Frequency: Sometimes
Character Name: Wenceslao
Race: Hume M
World: Ramuh
Main Job: DRG (and WHM, BLM, WHM)
Support Job: Usually (WHM)
Area and Coordinates: Various (North San d'Oria: Jeanvirgaud (K-9), Upper Jeuno: Guslam (H-8) [Durable Shields shop] )

Party or Solo: Solo, Party, Alliance
NPC Name: Various (North San d'Oria: Jeanvirgaud (K-9), Lower Jeuno: Guslam (H-8) [Durable Shields shop] )
Monster Name: None

Steps:
Interacting with any of these NPCs will seemingly randomly cause the game to hang, sometimes for 1~5 minutes, sometimes, until you reboot. I'm unable to move my character or open the menu when this happens.
It's happened most of the time with the Outpost Teleport NPC Jeanvirgaud in Northern San d’Oria

Gropitou

03-11-2011, 02:07 AM

Thread Title: PS2-PS3 Freezing
There isnt a day that goes by that my PS3 does not freeze up at least once while either zoning thru a Cavernous Maw or using the Runic Portal (this happens at busy times and when few around also). Now, with the increase of people just standing there, it also happens at when entering the MH from Port Jeuno.

It use to happen every time we would speak with npc Ugrihd in Aht Urhgan Whitegate but this was fixed a few years ago, so how about working on this now please.

Platform: PS3 (with PS2 emulator in a partition)

ISP: Vidéotron (Canada)

Type of Internet Connection: Cable Modem

Internet Connection Speed: 8Mbit/s

Date & Time: every day

Frequency: time not an issue, ingame actions are (2 out of 3 times it will freeze when zoning thru)

Character Name: Gropitou

Race: Galka (does size really matter? j/k)

World: Phoenix

Main Job: THF (but happens on any of my jobs, at any level)

Support Job: all

Area and Coordinates: Cavernous Maw in/out of Abyssea, Runic Portal in/out of AU Whitegate, Port Jeuno into MH

Party or Solo: both (happens if solo, in party, in alliance of all numbers)

NPC Name: none

Monster Name: none

Steps: Click on Cavernous Maw or Runic Portal, choose from menu to enter, start of zoning visual effect, screen either goes black (no sound) or with dimmed image (sound seems like a broken record), must shut off PS3 and use full start-up, once back in the game, my character appears at the destination as if nothing happened. No macros used. No error messages of any kind. Strictly a zoning issue.

I also needed a friend on PC to login for me and get me thru all the CS when doing the Windhurst storyline of the WotG missions. Since the CS occured as you zoned into Windy (s) there was no way to recover from this freeze.

Gunnerie

03-11-2011, 05:02 AM

I myself play on the PS3, and I have a PS2 that I use at times. I've gotten blackscreened in alot of different cs's on both systems. (Windy missions, DNC AF, quests, ect) I had to fire up my PC version to get past those cs's. I even have a few friends that have to call me up and ask me if I can get them through a cs for them on my PC because they don't have one that has the game on it.

Going into Abyssea areas is almost terrifying, because I have no idea if I'm gonna make it through the zoneing process without freezing.

There's numerous NPC's I've gotten stuck at while trying to talk to them. (Chocobo npcs, signit npcs, heck just about all npcs at one point anymore.) Sometimes I'll be stuck there waiting for the text to pop up for 30 seconds. And then there is times I'll have to wait 5+ minutes. (@10 min I just rest the game)

I know SE sees the PS2 version of the game as outdated, but there's still ALOT of us that play on it. They need to have someone sitting down (on this side of the planet) that can find/report all of these issues so they can be fixed. Because they get less lag/connection issues that we get here.

P.S. I'll edit and add this before it becomes someones question. No I can't actually play on the PC for a long period of time. Something has happened to it and now the game goes into a lag fit every 3-4 minutes. So if I try and do anything on the PC it looks like a DVD thats been scratched and is still trying to play. + I'd rather have the PC open and free so I can look up things as I play.

Baccanale

03-12-2011, 04:18 PM

Greetings!
I am moving this thread from In-Game Bugs to Technical Support. Thanks!

Vege

03-13-2011, 04:55 AM

I play FFXI on ps3 and have the same problems. Before the June level increase patch i had no issues freezing took a break for a few months and now freezing galore. Trying to OP in north Sandy is like trying to pull teeth. I craft alot and need to go between cities and sometime i would be reseting my console more then playing. Right now I am stuck trying to do Chasing Quotos for DRG af with Ardea in Bastok. I will have to give my info to a trusted friend like i did getting through ACP CS in lower Jueno. Relieve us with a Solution so we can get back to our in-game lives

Nadeu

03-15-2011, 08:55 AM

Spamtastic

03-16-2011, 03:38 AM

at first i was like:

I am moving this thread from In-Game Bugs to Technical Support.

but then i:

submit this as a bug in our In-Game Bugs (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/forums/80-In-Game-Bugs) section of this forum.

lol.

Gropitou

03-16-2011, 08:06 AM

Gropitou,

If you believe there is an ongoing issue with FINAL FANTASY XI, we’d like to help fix it. The best way to do that is by submitting this as a bug in our In-Game Bugs (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/forums/80-In-Game-Bugs) section of this forum. We’re glad you’re bringing this to our attention and look forward to any thoughts you may have in the future

Greetings!
I am moving this thread from In-Game Bugs to Technical Support. Thanks!

Can you please make up your minds, I did start it in the "In-Game Bugs" it was moved to "Technical Support" by GM Baccanale, now GM Nadeu wants it back there. Why not just deal with the problem regardless of which of the 2 forums it is in. If you (GM Nadeu) want it back in the "In-Game Bugs" then by all means move it like your collegue did but dont ask me to restart this thread and loose all the comments by other players.

Please Be Consistant in the way each one of you GM deal with these posts. Thank You.

Zaknafein

03-16-2011, 08:23 AM

Played for years on Ps2, and only ever had the frozen screen/blackscreen on runic portals like 50/50 chance. Switched to Ps3, and get that on Abyssea Maws also 50/50 North Sandy Op npc, Runic portals again, and Aht Urgan warp npcs in South Sandy & Jeuno. Had blackscreens many times in ToaU, and WotG mission cut scenes.

Verizon DSL for connection.
Elvaan has happened on all my jobs.
All different times of day, and night.
While op guys, and runic portals are annoying the maws are the worst of it.
Trying to lead an event, and Freezing 50/50 maw entrances is unacceptable.
Also it is never past maws only abyssea.

Kayri

03-17-2011, 07:21 AM

Game freezing while using the Abyssea Maws or using runic portals is PS3 specific as I've noticed from switching from PS2 and PS3 myself. Freezing at the OP NPCs or some other NPCs seems to be more common right after a major update.

I'd like to add that any NPC inside or right outside the Steaming Sheep Restaurant in Port Bastok seems to freeze PS2/PS3 users ever since the major update in Dec. 2010. Most NPCs I wouldn't care about but Flaco is the reputation NPC that I get frustrated if I get frozen since I would like to know my level of reputation. I'm forced to reboot over and over until it finally lets the dialog run through without freezing.

archerj

03-17-2011, 08:16 AM

I have an issue with my PS3 freezing when i enter or exit a maw for Abyssea. This includes all abby maws. This only started after the last version update.

Baccanale

03-17-2011, 10:52 AM

Greetings, Gropitou!
Upon further review of the information that you have provided regarding your concerns with your game freezing, it does seem that the matter may need to be reviewed, so I will make sure to move this thread from "Technical Support" to "In-Game Bugs, " just in case. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Thanks for your patience!

Baccanale

03-18-2011, 08:42 AM

Greetings again, Gropitou!
Thank you for posting your concerns about your system freezing. I can understand how greatly frustrating this matter has been for you, so I made sure to submit your information to the development team for a thorough investigation. I recommend checking on this thread for any information on the investigation. I also suggest consulting www.PlayOnline.com for any further developments, just in case. Thanks again for your report!

Baccanale

04-21-2011, 04:56 PM

Greetings again, Gropitou!
Thanks for your patience with waiting for a response. After a thorough investigation, the development team determined this matter to be a technical issue, so I have made sure to move this thread from "In-Game Bugs" to "Technical Support," just to make sure that your report is properly addressed. Thanks again for your patience!

Apocalypse

04-21-2011, 05:48 PM

that happen to me on my PS3.. zone into abyssea misar and vunk once every like 5 zone it freeze / black screen and it annoy me like hell lol :(

Nadeu

04-28-2011, 02:55 AM

Gropitou,

We can offer a few suggestions if you are experiencing any of the following:
• Have difficulty connecting to or staying connected to the PlayOnline Viewer or FINAL FANTASY XI
• Crash, receive a black screen error, or get stuck at the downloading data screen upon clicking your character handle or character select button
• See your the lag meter turn red
• Encounter increased lag or connection problems near crowed areas
• Have trouble accessing specific zone(s)
• Have trouble logging in with specific character(s)
• Receive any of these errors: 3113, 3100, 4001, 1160

Suggestions:
10. Check to make sure you have properly configured or turned off any of the following: Routers, Proxy Servers, NAT Servers, Internet Connection Sharing services.
11. If you are using any kind of software/hardware Internet Sharing service/device the following ports need INCOMING access to your PC: TCP 1024 - 65535, UDP 53, and 50000 - 65535. Also, check to make sure that the ports mentioned are not blocked by your ISP for INCOMING access. Proper configuration of any of the above items mentioned should be done by following the instructions in the software/hardware manual or calling the manufacturer's technical support.
12. If you are using a router, and have configured that router for port forwarding, temporarily bypass that router and connect directly to the modem.

Please take note of the following:
• Proxy servers, and satellite connections are not supported and do not work correctly with FINAL FANTASY XI.
• Your router may require that you use a PC to configure your network settings. For more information about how to configure your network settings, please refer to the instruction manual that came with your router or contact the manufacturer directly.
• If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) specifies a DNS server, you need to make sure to configure your settings to allow packets to pass through UDP Port 53 as well. For more information, please refer to the instruction manual for your router or the information provided by your ISP.

Gropitou

04-28-2011, 03:33 AM

Nadeu,

All the suggestions you have put forward have been tried and failed. My problem is not with the game in general or with internet connections, my (all most PS2/3 users) problem is with specific areas inside the game that cause either intermittent or full time problems.

For a long time, the Whitegate NPC selling coins used to cause a freeze everytime we started the dialogue, this was so widespread a fix was done and publicize and that situation was permanently resolved.

Now my/our problem is zoning thru a Cavernous Maw or Runic Portal. Nearly 50% or more of the time, once the animation begins we either stay frozen in it or the screen goes black. Similar zoning problems occur when going into past Windy while doing WotG missions where the CS occurs in that zoning effect. Since this problem is very specific to the zoning process in very specific locations, how about looking at your code and seeing how it is different there versus all the other areas of the game where no problems currently are reported occurring, this may offer some insight.

Legomike

05-03-2011, 05:19 AM

i see we are no closer to having this get fixed then before. froze x2 on echo awakens and i believe more and more npcs are starting to freeze

Untergang1987

05-17-2011, 06:44 AM

I have personally experienced the following issues with the following NPCs:

Outpost NPC in Bastok Mines (forget his name) - Begin chat to OP warp and can take 2-10 minutes to finally give me the OP menu

Chocobo NPCs in Bastok Mines (all 3) - Same issue as OP NPC but I have actually sat stuck on 1 of them for 7 hours straight with no option to actually ride a chocobo, ended up resetting my PS2 and haven't ridden a chocobo in Bastok since as I always have the same problem

Luto Mewrilah in Upper Jeuno - Went to start an Adventuring Fellow quest and was stuck for around 10 minutes before the submenu options finally appeared

Einherjar CS NPC in Nashmau (forget his name) - Every time I go to do the initial Einherjar CS it gets a few lines in then black screens, have yet to be able to buy anything with all my ampules.

That's all the NPCs I remember getting stuck or freezing on since this problem first hit me last summer, and like Legomike I've noticed more and more seem to suddenly start doing so (initially it was only the Bastok OP NPC). I've also heard about the freezing in Aht Urghan in the past, something I haven't personally experienced but my ex-girlfriend did on our old PC. Luckily I've had no issues with Maws or Runic Portals but having already lost access to chocobos and the ability to spend my ampules from Einherjar, this problem has already gotten far out of hand. I feel I should also note that since this problem began I have reinstalled the game on my PS2 on 3 seperate occassions, used my character on other people's connections in different locations, and even purchased a new PS2 thinking that may be the cause of the problem, so the problem is most definitely SE and not our platforms/connections.

finiteHP

05-23-2011, 01:45 PM

I've been having the black screen freezes when I enter or exit Abyssea areas too. I have also noticed that I get black screen freezes in cutscenes as well. I play FFXI on a 60GB PS3. One of the specific ones I get is the first cutscene in the Optistery for Windurst mission 7-1 The Sixth Ministry. The cutscene freezes when the view switches from Heaven's Tower to Toraimarai Canal. I have to restart the game to get out of the freeze. When I come back in I have the key item from the cutscene and the game acts like I have seen the whole cutscene. Viewing the scene from the scene replaying npc causes a freeze at the exact same spot. Another freeze is at the end of Aht Urhgan mission 31 Shades of Vengeance. I get a black screen freeze as the cutscene ends. Restarting the game puts me right back into cutscene meaning that I can not continue on with the game.

Sarick

05-24-2011, 03:49 AM

Gropitou,

We can offer a few suggestions if you are experiencing any of the following:
• Have difficulty connecting to or staying connected to the PlayOnline Viewer or FINAL FANTASY XI
• Crash, receive a black screen error, or get stuck at the downloading data screen upon clicking your character handle or character select button~~~~~~

Nadeu, hello..

I've already explained the cause of the PS2 black screens in CS's. If you truly can contact the developers directly ask them this. If you increase the size of the client features does this not consume more resources? With this knowledge do you think maybe that the extra features added are consuming memory resources that are conflicting with older cut scenes that worked perfectly in the past? I would assume that by the extra data being loaded in the game engine older large cut scenes can no longer LOAD fully with the finite memory resources available to the consoles. This is not a connection issue if the game stops receiving after it's already crashed AKA BSOD. (black screen of death) It wouldn't matter if the client had a direct ethernet connection to the server the system would still crash or lock up.

Tell them to please check the resources when loading those CS with the PS2 DEV KIT.

It's like a bag that holds four regular hamburgers and two drinks. If those hamburgers start getting cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, onions and pickles the two drinks can no longer fit in the bag without ripping it.

With the broad range of cut scenes crashing it's apparent that the problem is getting worse as more cut scenes are being affected after each update.

Not sure about the ones below >>

When entering maws and zoning with PS3s this issue is probability a result of memory violations also where the system isn't able to fully load the next zone and the download is halted. (Not a connection issue if the game stops receiving because it's already crashed.)

No idea what could be causing the NPC's to halt unless they are stuck in a loop.

IBHalliwell

05-26-2011, 03:22 AM

If you are using any kind of software/hardware Internet Sharing service/device the following ports need INCOMING access to your PC: TCP 1024 - 65535, UDP 53, and 50000 - 65535. Also, check to make sure that the ports mentioned are not blocked by your ISP for INCOMING access. Proper configuration of any of the above items mentioned should be done by following the instructions in the software/hardware manual or calling the manufacturer's technical support..

Hello,

I'm not sure how to implement the above request / requirement given:

1) My ISP (Comcast) only give me one (1) IP address.
2) We have two Windows machines, two PS/2, and one PS3 machine that runs FFXI
3) We have three acounts and use all three accounts at the same time.

If I redirect port 53 to say machine 190, what about the other two machines and their need for port 53?

Given what you say, how can anyone have more than one person play FFXI at the same time?

One of the benefits for us is FFXI is a FAMILY game. If only one person can play at a time, then it is no longer a FAMILY game. We can't even belong to the same Dynamis LS or other adventuring LS that require people to show up at the same time!!!

This isn't right!

IBHalliwell

05-26-2011, 03:39 AM

Hello,

I have a slightly different perspective on this issue and it might HELP the developers find the route cause and a solution.

We have three (3) accounts and over 30 or so different characters. Of all these 30 or so characters ONLY one of them has this PS2/PS3 FREEZE with NPC issue. The other 29 (or so) do NOT have the FREEZE when talking to NPCs in the Bastok Mines.

My thought is there is something unique about this character. I'm not sure what it might be and these suggestions are simply shots in the dark and many won't be anywhere near. What makes characters unique .. the "guy" could be on a quest, have a rank, etc that causes the incoming port issue (or whatever it might be).

Bottom line is out of all of our character only one -- turns out to be my Son's character that he's been using for years (we've been playing since 2004)). It might be worth having the developers see if there is something common with the characters having the issue.

My Son's character is RAMRAT on Ragnarok (was on Caitsith).

He keeps pointing out to me one question: Why is it that only his character has this issue. All the other characters on the three accounts we own never have this freeze issue. They can go up to the Bastok Mine NPCs all day long and talk to them without any issues.

Honestly, I can't tell him why his character has the problem on the PS2 / PS3 systems and none of the others do ....

SUGGESTION for other players: Maybe we should compare our characters and see there is something in common. Should there be one or more common items, we could try changing them (e.g. complete the quest, rank up, etc) to make them no longer common and see if the issue goes away.

Any thoughts on this perspective and/or comment to my Son on why its just his character and not the other 29 or so characters we created.

Thanks!! :-)

Octaviane

06-22-2011, 02:36 AM

Unfortunately, our Community reps/Devs/SE are not going to address this issue. They are very aware of the problems and as you can see are shifting the reports from In-Game Bugs to Technical Support and back. The standard responses are to check PlayOnline for further updates, there are none, run a file check, do a clean re-install etc. All these things have been attempted, some with a positive result, others not. Calling Tech Support only gives the exact same response.

With respect SE, you know, have known for a very long time about these issues and have even acknowledged them. It's time to step up and give us an answer. Are you going to fix these issues? Are you going to continue/discontinue PS2 support? Or, are you going to continue to give us all the same non-response? You have had plenty of time to "Investigate" these matters, time for answers guys.

Boukenred

06-23-2011, 08:02 PM

Octaviane

06-26-2011, 12:23 AM

I actually found a way to avoid getting npc lock in Sandy and Bastok; it seems that after you click on the npc -- whether it's the OP npc, WG npc, or moogle npc -- you have a small window of chance to not get froze by it. Simply after clicking the npc, or trading items or gils to npc, simply spam the menu button open (rectangle button), then if menu pops quickly spam the x-button, to click on that menu option to go off; this will prevent you from getting npc lock. I chose the playtime option from the menu, but other menu option works well also; as for as I know, this trick been working for over a month now.

Ok I will give this a try thanks.^^ I have been having some fun levelling a mule and have gotten stuck at almost every NPC (quest givers, OP NPC, Chocobo NPC's), you name it, I am stuck at it.

Retiti

06-26-2011, 04:30 AM

ive noticed that on the outpost warp npcs, once someone else uses them to come back to town, they unfreeze.

Octaviane

06-28-2011, 11:59 PM

I actually found a way to avoid getting npc lock in Sandy and Bastok; it seems that after you click on the npc -- whether it's the OP npc, WG npc, or moogle npc -- you have a small window of chance to not get froze by it. Simply after clicking the npc, or trading items or gils to npc, simply spam the menu button open (rectangle button), then if menu pops quickly spam the x-button, to click on that menu option to go off; this will prevent you from getting npc lock. I chose the playtime option from the menu, but other menu option works well also; as for as I know, this trick been working for over a month now.

I wanted to take the time to thank you for your solutions. I paid much closer attention to the OP NPC Conrad in Bastok Mines and also noticed that when someone OP'd back to him, I became unstuck. I also tried your method of spamming the Rectangle button and so far it has worked. Good job! :)

Legomike

06-29-2011, 06:24 PM

you do mean square right :)

Octaviane

07-01-2011, 09:05 AM

Good catch. Haha! So glad SOMEONE has a sense of humor here. :)

katz

07-01-2011, 09:17 AM

Issues with maws not loading, seen this on other systems too. I do like the moggle ghost that appears in Jeuno too. Sits in the middle of the street and will disappear when you click on him.

Kristal

07-05-2011, 10:09 PM

Issues with maws not loading, seen this on other systems too. I do like the moggle ghost that appears in Jeuno too. Sits in the middle of the street and will disappear when you click on him.

Maws show that problem on my WinXP PC occasionally, but also regular NPCs. It's very noticable when it's the NPC you need, so I don't know how often it happens to any NPC I have no business with (Like, you ran out of Forbidden Keys and the Cruor Prospector doesn't load. Or a quest NPC for a quest you've repeated for an hour is suddenly not there.) Walking out of sight range always solved it, but it's annoying.

Laraul

07-05-2011, 11:00 PM

This is an example of the PS2 dropping to a black screen. (*NOTE: This specific cut scene "crash" has long since been resolved)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0npvLOrvsw

Octaviane

07-13-2011, 12:26 AM

Stuck again at Flaco - Fame giver NPC Port Bastok

Platform: PS2

ISP: Comcast

Type of Internet Connection: Xfinity Hi Speed

Internet Connection Speed: Mbps 2.49

Date & Time: Tuesday Jult 12, 2011

Frequency: four times already in 15 minutes

Character Name: Marshallin

Race: Mithra F

World: Sylph

Main Job: THF 33

Support Job: MNK

Area and Coordinates: Port Bastok

Party or Solo: Solo

NPC Name: Flaco

Monster Name: None

Steps: Attempted to check fame level with Flaco 4 times, each time stuck forcing log off, re-log, try again, rinse and repeat.

I know this will be moved to Tech Support and left unanswered.I will report it via e-mail too, although I know it will do no good. I will continue to report until someone has the courtesy to respond to concerns about freeze issues.

Michae

07-13-2011, 12:57 AM

Gropitou

07-13-2011, 01:00 AM

Welcome to the club.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/623-Zoning-PS2-3-Freeze-Issues

Octaviane

07-13-2011, 04:51 AM

Here is the response I got from Support. Please note the non-toll free # provided for further assistance.

Dear Customer,

Regarding your request for account support. Please find your answer below.

Unfortunately, we currently do not have a solution to this problem. Please contact the Support Center Tech Department and they will assist you further. The contact phone number for the tech department is: 310-846-0345.

Thank you for contacting the SQUARE ENIX Support Center.

Octaviane

07-13-2011, 05:02 AM

I think I can solve your problem.

Easy fix is to change this: Platform: PS2

The game is expanding and ps2 can barely handle it anymore. Its no wonder your crashing. Its like trying to play FFX on a snes. In all seriousness and only with good intentions (not being one of those gamer flamers) I would seriously say to find a new format on which to play the game. Not only are the capabilities of the ps2 lacking but they are also old machines that just cant perform like they used to.

Sorry, and also not trying to be a complete jerk, but, SE knows there are problems with PS2 and PS3. With PS2 in particular, knowing that it's in it's coffin on the way to the graveyard, SE needs to announce that they will be dropping support instead of continuing to collect money from it's users. Sure, the majority may have other platforms to play on, but there are some that don't. Not everyone can afford to buy new or refurbished X-boxes or new PC's unfortunately. In my case, I have retired my main character and one mule, but continue to want to have some fun on another mule until I quit completely. I am also speaking out for those who have paid their money over the years and can get not even the courtesy of a response in this forum. Silence is golden.

Retiti

07-22-2011, 09:45 AM

i see only two acceptable responses to all the issues the ps2/3 users have. 1) drop support for it fully. while this would make me cry, i'd get over it. 2) admit there are problems, and at the very least attempt to fix them.
ignoring us and crossing fingers that we just go away isnt an acceptable response.

Zaknafein

07-22-2011, 12:29 PM

oliveira

07-31-2011, 03:07 PM

I've been playing on two different Japanese Playstation 2 consoles (SCPH-10000 and SCPH-30000), one NA Playstation 2 (SCPH-30001) console and one PC with an *eventual* play on a NA XBOX360.

Only on the Playstation 2 there is freezing issues. Same account/character (the one on my forum profile) on the Windows PC or XBOX360 works fine. Which mostly rules out data error on the characters.

The problem seems quite simple:

This game has became a SNOWBALL (Or should I call it a Katamari ? lol) of computer code, the original programmers are no longer working on this project and the people who are working in it ATM know everything about the Windows/XBOX version but are lacking knowledge of the inner workings in the PS2 version.

The hangs do feel like some problem with logic handling on the game protocol, which is specific to the PS2 client. The game console does not crash, but sits like it's waiting for some packet to come from the server but since it never arrives the game just sits idle. This is a important information nobody mentioned: When the game is stuck, the network activity arrows keep at 100%, the Sent and Receive numbers do react normally as if nothing were wrong. But if you pull the cable to force an disconnection the PS2 hangs in a black screen instead of returning to the PlayOnline Viewer.

It's ironic, because the original code was made for the PS2.
But I suppose this is how things go.

Caspr_Asura

08-02-2011, 06:53 AM

So, up to this point I've only had one real issue with a black screen. That was of course at the "Queen of the Dance" CS, but was able to get past it by doing the file check thing and it fixed it! Now I am trying to do "Fire in the Hole" mission/quest for Bastok and after the first CS, zoning into Bastok Markets (S) my PS2 goes black and freezes. To make matters worse now every time I try to log in right at the zone to Bastok Markets (S) my PS2 goes black and freezes. Has anyone else come across this issue or is this just a person/system specific issue? If PS2 is really going to be out dated I wish SE would at least give us a way of getting a PC copy with no additional charge, so I may still enjoy the game I've loved for 8 yrs now!

Zaknafein

08-03-2011, 02:24 AM

I've had a couple CS over the years that blackscreened. Then I would reset, and be put str8 back into the CS only to have the same problem over, and over no matter how many times I tried. Finally gave up, and had a trustworthy friend watch it for me on her pc. If you don't have someone with whom you can trust with your account info I spose you could send a /tell to someone while in the CS to call a GM on your behalf. Good luck!

Octaviane

08-04-2011, 06:59 AM

GM's can't and won't help you if you ask for help for another person's character.

Zaknafein

08-05-2011, 02:08 AM

GM's can't and won't help you if you ask for help for another person's character.

I've called on behalf of a LS member on two separate occasions, and the GM assisted both times.

Phillipe

11-03-2011, 06:56 AM

I have been dealing with this since the Wings of the Goddess upgrade/update... my character locks up when talking to an NPC for quests or missions, SE has not been able to help.. to the point of having me completly reformat my PS2 and re-install. This did not help AT ALL.. my character still locks up when trying to finish the asuran fists quest, this happens with any npc i talk to within that area

Phillipe

11-03-2011, 06:59 AM

continued... I was informed by one of the GMs that helped me, that he/she could not release my char or that my char will be damaged withing server... well, prior to that another GM released my char and the entire game froze, i mean FROZE. I dont think SE knows about this problem, prolly because not enough ppl have complained. If you know of anyone, let them know to contact SE and maybe PS2 players can get a fix.. ty

11/08/11

Here is what i have been asked to do by SE support

1. Use file check withing FFXI >> done, NO problems
2. re-install POL and FFXI >> done, NOT solved
3. reformat HD and re-install >> done, NOT solved
4. reconfigure modem ports >> DONE, NOT solved

additionally.. if the problem still persists, try using a friends account that you trust to get get your mission or quest completed..... HUH... am I playing for free?

We shouldn't have to fear reprisal for what we post, esp. if we keep our end of the bargain, time for SE to start looking at issues a little more closer and fixing problems instead of asking to have a friends account finish quests or missions, or playing e-mail tag.

11/09/11

think this is a little more understanding.. or at least clarify things

today I spoke to someone at square enix that might know what is going on.

here it is.. bad news for those of us that live in a house with other people that use the internet, or play other games, or, have more than one FFXI account, and, use hybrid modems, SE does not support them.

so everyone else that is in your houshold.. "off the internet, its my turn"

when its your turn HOOK up directly to you console from the service provider, and if that doesnt fix it, well, it gives them another idea. Good luck to all that have this issue, its not the console, its not you.

Legomike

11-08-2011, 08:11 AM

this thread exist for the purpose of letting SE know but they still dont fix the problems

Afin

11-09-2011, 06:29 AM

Well, this is an ongoing issue not just with PS3, but xbox 360 too, as now several times i've enquired about why xbox players seem to freeze at the end of besieged or in long campaign battles, i think i know why, but i would like SE to say why this is happening, to avoid many xbox players like myself from raging in the future., As clearly its an issue that needs to be sorted, if it can be sorted, or at least suggestions to try using. As this issue has been happening since lvl 6 besieged was introduced and nothing has been said from what i can see from SE concerning thiese issues, unlike p.c., xbox players dont have the option to reduce graphic content, amount they can have on a screen etc, all we get is chat filters and effect filters, which unfortunately make no difference in the long term

Gropitou

11-10-2011, 02:27 AM

Now freezing on Voidwatch NPCs trying to get stones or teleportation. Thanks for all your hard work SE (j/k).

oliveira

11-11-2011, 12:31 PM

One VERY interesting thing about this problem is that if you are stuck and for example take your PC and log in to the game (this would cause the server to disconnect the PS2/PS3) the game freezes completely on the PS2, with only the music playing. Only way out is reset.

Same thing happens when you pull the ethernet cable. Full freeze.

I suspect whatever is wrong is causing some very nasty error on the PS2. Perhaps something as bad as an Kernel panic ? haha

Ryouken

09-26-2012, 01:02 AM

Aside from the freezing now after a recent connection lost freeze my ps2 load times are ridiculous. It takes maybe twice as longfor the log on menu to even appear perhaps 3times much. also all the menus in viewer take longer to load, and when the game switches from viewer to XI the black screen lasts about 3-5 mins. Every time i zone in game, i freeze for approximately 27 seconds b4 i start downloading data for the new zone, same basic thing happens when i log out as well. also my game freezes for 3-5 secs when switching palettes and if i use a jump macro that switches book and palette i freeze for longer and get a Red dot moment. There are also short second freezes sometiems when just opening a menu or trying to use items. though of late i havent black screened or frozen on any npc's guess traded one evil for another ;;

Edit: i should prolly add i recently had to buy a hdd when i restarted onps2 because my old hdd stopped working with no explanation, and the installation took about 5-7 days >.<.