Playing FFXI, pol.exe randomly terminated

[Prettz]

FFXI used to run just fine. Then I was forced to reformat my hard drive. I updated my video drivers and sound drivers, reinstalled FFXI. When I played, Windows would occasionally state that there is an error with POL.EXE and it would terminate the program, thus terminating FFXI. It did not matter if I were in battle, in a remote area, busy area, on a chocobo, etc. It didn't seem to occur after a certain amount of time, either. Sometimes I could go for hours. Sometimes only a few minutes. I would have to restart PlayOnline Viewer in order to get back in the game.

Also, I think I have small graphical problems with water. It seems much more plain than I remember it (like there's only one graphical layer).

In fact, my computer overall wasn't really running that great either, so I figured maybe something happened when it reformatted. I reformatted it again, thinking it would fix the problem. Unfortunately, it hasn't. I still have all my problems.

When I get more information on the error, this is the information Windows gives me:

AppName: pol.exe
AppVer: 1.16.7.0
ModName: ffximain.dll
ModVer: 3.0.0.0
OffSet: 003ae89e <-- Recorded three times (003add72 & 003ad8b8)

Here are my PC's specs:

CPU = AMD Athlon XP(TM) Processor
OS = Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 Ver 5.01.2600
Version of DirectX = DirectX 9.0
Main Memory = Capacity: 511MB : Free Space: 161MB
Drive = Local Disk Free Space: 48.61 GB (Capacity: 74.54 GB )
Graphics Card = NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200
Sound Card = SB Live! Audio [D800]

These would be the first times I have ever reformatted a computer, so I'm not sure I updated everything that needed to be updated. That might be a problem. Windows should update itself. And I updated my drivers for my graphics and sound card. Would anything else effect pol.exe to cause it to close like this?

Sorry I'm not too knowledgeable in these things. Either way, I'd greatly appreciate some possible solutions. Thank you VERY much.

[x1ang]

Re: Playing FFXI, pol.exe randomly terminated

Are you running a "clean" POL ? (e.g. no windower?)

[Prettz]

Re: Playing FFXI, pol.exe randomly terminated

No. I do not use windower. As far as I know, I am running POL clean. Sorry I forgot to indicate that.

[Jei]

Re: Playing FFXI, pol.exe randomly terminated

there seem to be some kind of nvidia issue with the game lately. I know it causes lag when some spells are casted but haven't heard of it crasing windows completely.
This may not help, but try download and install an older version of graphic card drivers?

[fastcart]

Re: Playing FFXI, pol.exe randomly terminated

Graphics Card = NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200

Definitely need an older driver.
http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/polnews/news7177.shtml

GeForce 6 series(excluding graphics cards that are incompatible with "NVIDIA ForceWare (TM) Ver.66.93")
- GeForce 4 Ti series
- GeForce 4 MX series
- GeForce 3 series
- GeForce 2 MX series (over 32MB of VRAM)

[Prettz]

Re: Playing FFXI, pol.exe randomly terminated

Well, I downloaded and installed S-E's recommended compatible driver. I thought it was running fine.... but POL.EXE crashed on me again.

Just to confirm, it does NOT crash Windows. Only POL.EXE - It's that typical, "Windows has encountered an problem with POL.EXE..." etc screen. Then I click OK (or whatever it is) and it closes POL.EXE and FFXI.

As I mentioned in my first post, the error screen, when click for more information on the problem, tells me "ModName: ffximain.dll"... could this be the source of the problem?

[fastcart]

Re: Playing FFXI, pol.exe randomly terminated

Run a file check from PoL. Maybe some files are corrupted?

[Prettz]

Re: Playing FFXI, pol.exe randomly terminated

Run a file check from PoL. Maybe some files are corrupted?

I did that before I first posted on here, actually.

[Bricklayer]

Re: Playing FFXI, pol.exe randomly terminated

I've been having the same problem.

My spec:
Intel 805D 2.66GHz @ 3.33GHz
Aopen DDR2-667 1GB
Asus P5ND2
Albatron 7600GT
Windows XP Pro 2002 SP2

I get application errors (exactly the same as OP's error) every time I party in Valkurm by a beach. I have no problem soloing, was partying in Qufim and Valkurm (up on that cliff by the oasis) earlier with no problems...

This is frustrating, as I'm trying to get my WHM up to 37 (currently 17), and Valkurm seems to be the most popular place to do this. Though I'd rather fix the problem (whatever that may be), if there is another place for WHM to solo/party at my level, that may be a good short-term solution.

Thanks,
Bricklayer