Various areas crash game

[Troca]

Details: Whenever I zone into Port Jeuno or Bastok Mines, the game crashes in certain portions of either zone. This began shortly after I registered a security token, leading me to believe it to be responsible for the issue, since the problem persists on my personal computer and my laptop.
Steps:
1. Experienced game crashes in Port Jeuno and Bastok Mines.
2. Attempts to log in after crashes in Port Jeuno are eventually successful after leaving "crash zone" around the fame checking NPC. This required multiple log-ins.
3. All attempts to log in at Bastok Mines (character's current area) were unsuccessful. Game cannot currently be played.
Date & Time: May 14th, 11:30 PM, EST (latest).
Frequency: Always.
PC Manufacturer & Model Number: Sony (Laptop)/ Hewlett Packard (PC). (Model numbers to be added later)
Platform: PC/Laptop
OS: Windows Vista (Laptop) Windows XP (PC)
Graphics Card: (To be added later)
ISP: AT & T
Type of Internet Connection: DSL

[Purrs]

I had this problem. Good luck getting support from SE. I uninstalled and reinstalled the entire game and was finally able to log in again. Did you try the file check from the POL log-in screen? Some files could be corrupted.

[Troca]

Since it doesn't look like I'll be getting any technical support on the issue from the people who's job it is to do so, I guess I'll be doing the reinstallion dance, after all.

Thanks, Purrs.

[SE_James]

Troca,

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:
1. Check to make sure you have properly configured or turned off any of the following: Routers, Proxy Servers, NAT Servers, Internet Connection Sharing services.
2. 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.
3. 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.

[Glamdring]

SE_James: I've just been reading this forum, and I admit I am nowhere NEAR done, but the sheer volume of posts from players on multiple platforms and the like... well if you've ever done any pattern analysis the only common trend I'm seeing is people attempting to use the FFXI software. In other words, all signs seem to indicate that the problem is on your end of things, not the end-user.

It doesn't matter if they are playing on X-box, PS2/3, PC (regardless of OS version), who their ISP is, bandwidth, etc. the game itself is crashing/locking for them. Luckily, I haven't been unable to log-on as yet, although I have gone home to find that at some point while I was out my connection to the servers disconnected and I have to relog in.

My initial suspicion-based on the recent events in terms of hardware/software changes-is that the server consolidation resulted in too many players logging in to too few servers, as that would also explain the massive lag issues for those of us that are able to get in. Less likely is a bug in the software that is continually being checked resulting in some type of failure for an element that is required to maintain your connection. The comon theme in all of this seems to be that it is accompanied by either an attempt to log in initially or to change areas; simply standing still in East Ronafure does not seem to boot people that are connected, but zoning does.

[LadyRagefist]

Tons of us are complaining about this unfortunately, as all of this started happening after the most recent update.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/7886-Horst-teleport-to-LaThiene-Stuck-in-load-screen

Its not just porting into a zone from an abyssea NPC I discovered. I can't even TELEPORT or WALK into La Thiene or Qufim island...

I found out last night through Comcast that they closed about 5 ports some time ago, about over a year, but that has not effected my gameplay until after the most recent update. Either these certain zones were rerouted to access these ports upon server merge or there is an actual armaggeddon happening with the SE servers. Regardless, the tug of war 'your problem not our servers' thing needs to end. I've been playing this game for 7 yrs and have never had this problem until last week, and it still persists :(

[Glamdring]

I suspect it's simply the congestion and I seem to recall similar problems during the last server merge. I was on Caitsith so we didn't have a merge at that time, but I saw plenty of complaints from those that did. It simply seems logical to me that an increased load on systems that already had lag issues could result in a failure to load your character into a new zone, even if that zone is your initial log-on.

[Troca]

Turns out the issue was several corrupted DAT files brought about by my downloading the game to an external hard drive. For anyone having similar issues, run a file check and, if the files can't be repaired by POL itself, delete them and run the check again.

I'd also recommend checking FFXIAH instead of this site for any future technical issues. They seem to be far more on the ball about it than anyone else.