Update: In the process of download the famous PlayOnline FFXI updates, which were not available until now. POL-1406 error etc.

After deleting the FFXI folder from steam running a clean up from steam etc.

Using the steam full re-install, i got the old PlayOnline viewer, deleting the this folder and running the check files got the latest version again Yay! But then I got the POL-1406 error. This time around instead of the full delete, I just deleted the "FINAL FNASTASY XI" folder (within C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ffxi\SquareEnix), and ran the check files (via steam again). After logging into PlayOnline which had the correct version this time, i did not get the POL-1406 error, but the FFXI updater, 24382/24382 files etc. Assuming this runs ok, things should be back to normal.

Estimating at around 10hrs left on patching.