Dual Monitors

[Phenidate]

I use two monitors on my computer for professional reasons at home.

I've noticed that when in fullscreen the mouse is able to leave the game window, and you are able to click outside the game. (In this case, on the non-primary window).

This causes a similar crash to what has been reported by users alt-tabbing. However, in this case this issue can be triggered by something as simple as an accidental mis-click too close to the screens edge. (such as when interacted with the main menu)

The error reported is "Unable to detect DirectX device. The program has shut down. Please restart FINAL FANTASY XIV"

This causes playability issues for a number of reasons:
Forced caution around any of the screen edges adjacent to another monitor.
Forced to use a minimized window instead. (In my case, 1920x1080 which is the native resolution) This would be fine except it has a couple consequences, namely:

• Without the aid of a 3rd party program to remove borders, running at 1920x1080 causes the game to overlap to the next montior, causing a severe drop in performance due to how primary/secondary monitor relationships are handled by some nvidia cards

• Due to above, forced to use the next possible resolution of 1680x1050; smaller than I would like, have gaps on left and right.

• Performance issues due to being windowed. Where as normally I could run most settings set to high or highest with no noticeable drop in framerate; when windowed the frame rate stutters unless everything is set to standard or lower. This would be a severe issue in terms of graphical quality considering the graphics are a main selling point

A possible solution would be to replace the current error handling for a lost Direct3DDevice handle and just recapture the device when focus returns to the game. (This is typically simple to do. The API you are using likely offers one or several built-in helper functions to handle this for you.)

Note that in my case disabling the second monitor is not an option. Typically I have monitoring software for work running in the background and displayed on the secondary monitor, which I need to keep an eye on while on call. (I work in IT support)

[Xophious]

Greetings Phenidate.

I apologize for the trouble you have been going through with the game crashing suddenly. I can see why you would be reporting it to us and I do agree that it is very inconvenient and can be frustrating. Since what you're reporting is more of a suggestion the thread was moved from In-Game Bugs over to General Discussion. Any suggestions or feedback can be left within this section. Thank you for posting!

[Zarvlad]

Hi there, fellow IT guy

There is a Software called Shift Window (google it), that i use to fix this issue. The software simply moves the window so you get it fullscreen without the borders (which are set "out of bounds"). It's pretty easy to figure out how it works and all you need is to set the game in windowed mode at the native resolution of your monitor.

Just make sure your windows task bar is on the screen you do NOT want the game to be fullscreen.

Since the software only moves the window and dosen't interfere in any way with the game, I'm sure it does not go against the EULA.

Hope this helps!

EDIT: For reference, I am not having any performance issues with this. Using a GTS 250, and a Quad Core CPU i bought back in 2007, Running W7.

[Phenidate]

While it fixes the issues with borders, I'm still seeing a performance drop when running windowed.

I'm not sure why they moved this to suggestions just because I suggested a fix, its still an issue with their code.

Either way, I'm used to games minimizing on me if I click outside them while running in full screen mode. The issue is that when FFXIV minimizes, it CRASHES. This is not acceptable, even if there is an inconvenient work around involving 3rd party software to simulate what should be working in the first place.

[Coldfire]

It's not that easy. The dev team changed and they don't know the code. They can't just try-catch the whole drawing and loading routines :P
All the guys in their team who are knowledgable about this stuff are currently working on the PS3 version I bet. It's also weird that you can only use standard resolutions even in window-mode. If you could just set the width a few pixels less it would probably solve the issue. Maybe they should forget the fullscreen mode and concentrate on window mode.

[Belial]

Greetings Phenidate.

I apologize for the trouble you have been going through with the game crashing suddenly. I can see why you would be reporting it to us and I do agree that it is very inconvenient and can be frustrating. Since what you're reporting is more of a suggestion the thread was moved from In-Game Bugs over to General Discussion. Any suggestions or feedback can be left within this section. Thank you for posting!

Software Bug
A software bug is the common term used to describe an error, flaw, mistake, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that produces an incorrect or unexpected result, or causes it to behave in unintended ways.

Sorry duder, this is not a suggestion, this is a bug. Community reps need to stop trying to "put one past" the community, when the community has been in the know for months.

Fact is, SE can't program PC-designed games. It was proven with XI, and again with XIV. This topic has been flogged to death, it just doesn't matter enough to Square Enix to appeare it's PC playerbase. We are hooped on this one, simply based on the community rep responses (which are complete and utter pass-offs, none of which provide any real information.) In short, download Shift Window, as it is your only recourse at this point in time.

[Zenaku]

There a way to get full screen and alt-tab but the TOS don't allow anyone to use it and i can't post or talk about it on here. Do your research you find something.

[Belial]

There a way to get full screen and alt-tab but the TOS don't allow anyone to use it and i can't post or talk about it on here. Do your research you find something.

That's a lie, I've yet to be reprimanded for informing people of the use of Shift Window. Even if I were, I'd still advocate it on unofficial forums.

[AlexiaKidd]

You can play Full Screen mode and alt+tab to use it's internet browser if you add FFXIV to Steam and play through that. I still use Windowed mode and Shift Window as I prefer to use my own Browser but performance does take a hit.

Also wish the Com Reps would stop passing this off as a suggestion when clearly it isn't. It is a bug and fault in the game. Hell if you play Full Screen mode and accidentally hit the Windows key the game crashes, how can that not be a bug. Really beggars belief that SE have not announced any plans to tackle this issue.

That's a lie, I've yet to be reprimanded for informing people of the use of Shift Window. Even if I were, I'd still advocate it on unofficial forums.

Technically he is correct it could be seen as a violation of the TOS but I really would be surprised if SE banned anyone over this because they lack the ability to code basic features into a game.

[Belial]

Technically he is correct it could be seen as a violation of the TOS but I really would be surprised if SE banned anyone over this because they lack the ability to code basic features into a game.

But not really, as it doesn't directly interact with the program (FF XIV). It's not like Windower which had plugins to affect gameplay.