XBOX 360 "Game unable to start" PlayOnline Viewer from original FF XI disc

[autopatch]

Technical Support -

When I try to start the PlayOnline Viewer on my XBOX 360, I get "Game unable to start, please contact xbox.com/support".

I cleared the hard drive cache and that has not improved the situation. and I contacted XBOX support and they had me try to reset the system cache, and that did not improve the problem. I reset the NXE Dashboard and reinstalled it, and that did not improve the situation.

Is there a way to get the game to boot without having to reformat the hard drive? Was this issue fixed with the 2009 Ultimate Edition (or any other edition)?

Thanks!

[SE_James]

Autopatch,

We’re sorry for the problems you are experiencing. Unfortunately, though, the only resolution will be to reformat the HDD. We would recommend backing up any Game Saves or GamerTag profiles prior to doing so; however you do not need to save anything related to FINAL FANTASY XI, as all the necessary data is saved on our servers. Simply reformat the HDD, and then install PlayOnline and FINAL FANTASY XI per the instructions in your game manual.

[chubrocka]

Autopatch,

We’re sorry for the problems you are experiencing. Unfortunately, though, the only resolution will be to reformat the HDD. We would recommend backing up any Game Saves or GamerTag profiles prior to doing so; however you do not need to save anything related to FINAL FANTASY XI, as all the necessary data is saved on our servers. Simply reformat the HDD, and then install PlayOnline and FINAL FANTASY XI per the instructions in your game manual.

Ive had that happen too and just do the play music on the hard drive and open the tray put in game and have it start with the music still playing. Fixes it for me everytime

[autopatch]

I did try the trick of playing music from a USB key (and separately tried playing a ripped CD from hard drive) while loading the POL Viewer and it did not work for me in this case. I think there may be different failure modes where sometimes the music method works.

[autopatch]

Dear SE_James -

It turns out that formatting the hard drive is NOT required. There is a space under Games called Publisher Data. It appears that within Publisher Data there are several hidden items called Final Fantasy XI [1-12] ... Final Fantasy XI [12-12].

1) Hit the Xbox Guide Button
2) Go to the Settings blade and choose System Settings
3) Select Memory
4) Select Hard Drive
5) Hit Y for Transfer
6) Select destination USB memory unit (needs at least 5 to 7 GB
7) De-select all items in each category using the X button except in Publisher Data
7) Select Publisher Data
8) Make sure item titled "100000" is selected.
9) Hit the B button to go back
10) Choose Start

The Publisher Data containing the "hidden" Final Fantasy XI files are now transferred off the hard drive. You can now start the PlayOnline Viewer normally and re-install the software. At the end of the install, Publisher Data Item "100000" will be restored.

Please let me know if any clarifications are required.

What would make this entire process easier than transferring the FFXI Publisher Data off onto a USB key would be to be able to clear the Publisher Data through the NXE.

Cheers!