"Fog" Graphics Bug/Issue

[Cidel]

Hi, I was hoping someone here could answer my question/give me some help or a solution.

Recently I've had my computer taken in to computer technicians @ the retail store I bought my computer from several years ago. I was told the problems I was having was a direct result of a failing hard drive. I've had it replaced (or rather, they left the old one inside, and installed a new one while transferring everything over to the new hard drive). Prior to this, I've had no graphical issues to note; I even could play 1.0 on relatively high settings.

Now, in certain areas I encounter graphical bugs looking like the screenshots below whenever there is a "bottomless pit"-like effect.





I haven't really been able to find any posts or people with a problem like mine (I've seen similar, but still different issues) anywhere aside from this one on reddit:
http://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/commen..._graphics_bug/
So I'm not exactly sure if the limited responses there are the solution to the issue (I don't believe I overclock my GPU). I've changed various in-game graphical settings (hopefully I missed something? doubt it though), nothing seems to work. I have an "ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series" Graphics card. Not sure where that stands in terms of quality. I'm not sure if this is also a sign to replace my video card.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Sunako_Nakahara]

can you list what GPU you have the 3 things I'm aware that can cause the issues you are having right now.
One is a a bad driver install in which you need to do a clean install meaning you delete all traces of the old driver.
Second is one or more of toy components are over heating in which case you can use your favorite monitoring software to check the temps. The temps can be from dust build up thermal pads/ paste drying out, bad airflow.
The third is if you tried to use certain shadders and or AA setting from sweetFX.

[Cidel]

can you list what GPU you have the 3 things I'm aware that can cause the issues you are having right now.
One is a a bad driver install in which you need to do a clean install meaning you delete all traces of the old driver.
Second is one or more of toy components are over heating in which case you can use your favorite monitoring software to check the temps. The temps can be from dust build up thermal pads/ paste drying out, bad airflow.
The third is if you tried to use certain shadders and or AA setting from sweetFX.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

-My GPU is an ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series (What it came with).
- I'm not too familiar with the drivers you're referring to (not super-comp-savvy). As I mentioned, I have a new hard drive with mostly everything transferred over (didn't have to reinstall XIV) but the old hard drive is apparently still in there (don't quite remember the technicians' reasoning for doing so). Did you mean deleting "hidden" devices in Device Manager or to get rid of my older (failing) hard drive altogether?
-As far as temperatures go, I don't think the issue is overheating. There was no problem prior to taking my computer in to get its hard drive replaced. I use a compressed air can cleaner on it fairly regularly.
- I don't believe the third possible cause is an issue? I have never used sweetFX.


Thanks for any further support info.

[Sunako_Nakahara]

Ok cid with the data migration info it points toward the driver or a file corruption in FFXIV.
First go to control panel then programs and features. Uninstall AMD/ATI Catalyst drivers. Go to AMD's site download new drivers and install. Test if the game is working correctly again if not.
Uninstall FFXIV and then redownload the game some of the files may have some damage from the data migration from old hard drive to the new.
if you need more help ill make sure to check back every hour or so i just got up for the day.

[Cidel]

Ok cid with the data migration info it points toward the driver or a file corruption in FFXIV.
First go to control panel then programs and features. Uninstall AMD/ATI Catalyst drivers. Go to AMD's site download new drivers and install. Test if the game is working correctly again if not.
Uninstall FFXIV and then redownload the game some of the files may have some damage from the data migration from old hard drive to the new.
if you need more help ill make sure to check back every hour or so i just got up for the day.

Actually, Programs and Features literally only has a handful of things, and AMD/ATI Catalyst drivers isn't one of them. I went digging through files in the failing hard drive and found ATI technologies files and stuff. Should I remove those? I contemplated just going to AMD's site and downloading the new drivers since I don't seem to have any on the new hard drive; but decided against it when I thought that it might complicate the process, so I'm asking 1st.

[Sunako_Nakahara]

go to the website and get the new driver you can try and fresh install without clearing out old ones just remeber when migrating data sometimes the registry files don't get matched up in the move.
But please do try downloading the drivers and installing them from the amd site.
Guru3D - Driver Sweeper is a tool you can use to uninstall and clear out the amd drivers or nvidia to get the cleanest install you can.
http://www.guru3d.com/content-page/g...r-sweeper.html

[Cidel]

It worked! The glitchy grid effect is gone (At least in Sylphlands, but for now I'll assume it applies to the other areas as well *knock on wood*).

It was like this before:


I can't thank you enough Sunako! I downloaded the drivers from the AMD website and that seemed to do the trick. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me.

[Sunako_Nakahara]

your welcome you should reinstall every thing properly to avoid crashes since you got a no HDD and just back up the media and documents.