Zoning/PS2/3 Freeze Issues

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Originally Posted by Nadeu

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..

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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!

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!! :-)

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by Boukenred

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.

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by Boukenred

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.

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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! :)

you do mean square right :)

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

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.

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Originally Posted by katz

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.

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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.

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

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.

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.

Welcome to the club.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...-Freeze-Issues

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.

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Originally Posted by Michae

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.

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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.

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.

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Originally Posted by Michae

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.

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The playstations have been blackscreening/freezing.. getting stuck on npcs for years. It is not because recently added parts of the game over loaded it. While I do support a move toward pc only for ffxi's future myself even tho I play on Ps3 I do so for logical factual reasons. Not assumptions.

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.

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!

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!

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

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Originally Posted by Octaviane

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 >.<.