OK, someone please help me. [installing FFXI]

[Oobgarm]

Well, I decided to try Final Fantasy XI with some friends at work. Funny thing is, I cannot get the game to install on my machine. I've contacted Square regarding it, and they've been of no help. I know that some folks here are tech savvy, so I turn to you. You're my only hope.

Here's what I've tried, and none of them have worked:

--Exchanged discs where I bought them
--Borrowed a friend's copy, who has successfully installed on numerous computers to ensure their disc is good
--Updated DVD Rom firmware (Pioneer DVD-116R)
--Copied CD contents to Hard Drive (still asks for me to put CD in the drive)
--Updated the InstallShield drivers
--Tried using my CDR/W drive

Here's the error I'm getting:

Error 1311.Unable to locate E:\playonline\data1.cab. Verify that the file exists and that you can access it.

My computer has Windows XP, with all driver updates/patches/etc.

Any help here would be GREATLY appreciated, as my patience is wearing thin. :angry:

[digitalpress]

Quick questions that will help someone troubleshoot.

Is E:/ your CD-ROM drive? If so, is it the one the CD is in?

When you go to that same folder through Windows Explorer, can YOU see the file there?

[Oobgarm]

Yes, E: is the DVD drive, which is the main drive I use for installing programs/ripping CDs and the like.

Yes, the files are there when I explore the drive.

[hezeuschrist]

Another FFXI thread... my willpower is quickly dissipating :(

I can't resist anymore, I'm going to buy it... Nooooooooooooooooo!

As for your problem, I have no clue :(

[§ Gideon §]

It's possible that an error occured at the factory, which is what seems to be the case considering that you said that you exchanged the game--that is, assuming that e: is your CD drive label. Usually, the error message you're getting is a strong indication of a scratched disc, so it's weird that something like that would happen with one that's brand new.

[Oobgarm]

It's possible that an error occured at the factory, which is what seems to be the case considering that you said that you exchanged the game--that is, assuming that e: is your CD drive label. Usually, the error message you're getting is a strong indication of a scratched disc, so it's weird that something like that would happen with one that's brand new.
I've tried 3 discs. I bought the game at Best Buy. No luck with that, so I borrowed a friend's disc, who has been playing the game since it was released. No luck there, either. That SHOULD have worked. I then decided to exchange the game at a different Best Buy store. Still no luck. :o

[digitalpress]

It's possible that an error occured at the factory, which is what seems to be the case considering that you said that you exchanged the game--that is, assuming that e: is your CD drive label. Usually, the error message you're getting is a strong indication of a scratched disc, so it's weird that something like that would happen with one that's brand new.

I doubt it's a factory problem unless it's a direct relationship between his specific DVD drive and the game installation. He mentions that his friend used the same disc to install on multiple other machines, presumably with no problems.

[Chunky]

try once, changing your drive letter and installing again. xp actually has a problem when you install from scratch and loading drives for multiple drives on where it's looking.

[CitizenWhite]

I am not sure about this, but it might be the problem. My brother just got the Morrowind GOTY on pc, and he couldn't get it to install from his dvd drive, only the cd writing drive. It could possibly have something to do with how they are set up in the bios, primary/secondary slave/master. You might wanna check and make sure they are put in there correctly.

[Oobgarm]

try once, changing your drive letter and installing again. xp actually has a problem when you install from scratch and loading drives for multiple drives on where it's looking.

How might I do such a thing? I'm still not 100% familiar with XP, since I just installed it over ME about 2 months ago.

[Chunky]

Using the Windows interface

Open Computer Management (Local).
In the console tree, click Disk Management.
Where?

Computer Management (Local)
Storage
Disk Management

Right-click a partition, logical drive, or volume, and then click Change Drive Letter and Paths.
Do one of the following:
To assign a drive letter, click Add, click the drive letter you want to use, and then click OK.
To modify a drive letter, click it, click Change, click the drive letter you want to use, and then click OK.

[Blendo75]

I've been working with software installation issues for the past four years. I can tell you that you havent tried everything until you've F-DISK'ed it. Pain in the ass, I know, but it's an option if you've tried everything else. I've also had to resort to upgrading the BIOS on the motherboard, replacing hardware - starting with the cd/dvd rom first. And yes, sometimes even that does not work. There's certain computers where certain software just will not install, no matter what and you may never know why. :(
Worst offender - Toshiba laptops.

[Oobgarm]

Funny thing is, I haven't had any problems with anything at all until now.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I'm getting nowhere in the install when the error pops up. It genereates the install scripts and whatnot, and as soon as it begins to copy files, the error occurs.


I can tell you that you havent tried everything until you've F-DISK'ed it

I'm not going to go to any extreme length to get this to work, but I appreciate the input.

[Chunky]

for got about something simple here:

- If you have extra space on your hard disk drive, try copying the files from FINAL FANTASY XI Discs 1, 2, and 3 into a folder on your hard drive manually, then start installation by double-clicking the "setup.exe" file.

[Oobgarm]

for got about something simple here:

- If you have extra space on your hard disk drive, try copying the files from FINAL FANTASY XI Discs 1, 2, and 3 into a folder on your hard drive manually, then start installation by double-clicking the "setup.exe" file.

I haven't even gotten that far! :D

I can't install the PlayOnline viewer, which is required to install the actual game.

I tried to select all/copy the files on the CD to a folder on my HD, and it asks me to insert the CD into the drive. Is there a way around this?

[CitizenWhite]

Maybe a virtual drive? Nero has one I think.

[maxlords]

There's actually a production problem with the run of FFXI I've heard.

I'll get the source for this quote...got it from a friend:

As many people are aware, the online version of the popular Final Fantasy series was released for the PC recently. But all was not well, because many people were unable to install the game due to defective discs. The problem was apparently widespread enough to merit Square Enix to set up a place to download the software on the internet.

It's not your PC man!

[Ed Oscuro]

Yet he borrowed a friend's disc which installed on other PCs. It is his PC, or perhaps an issue with the installation program itself being incompatible.

I would certainly take that PC on a visit by windowsupdate.microsoft.com, though, that's what.

But I'd also look through This Forum. (http://www.ffxionline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=2f434d53d95fc61021dab40fd7f1230 d&forumid=22)

[maxlords]

Most likely there's a fatal flaw in the installation program that makes it incompatible with most PCs. Hence the bad bad problems. I'll get more info as soon as I find it!

[Oobgarm]

w00t!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A buddy of mine who is more into computers than I am came over and got it working. I dunno how, but now it's installed. Now the patch downloading begins...

Thanks to all those who responded, your help is appreciated.

[AB Positive]

Oobgarm: if your friend can tell you what he did, tell me as my coworker is having the same problems and I can't figure it out either. If you can, let me know 'cause I want someone to play with that I know in real life. Argh.

-AG