Copying FFXI to Another Machine (No Reinstall)Follow

Just something I did earlier today.

My laptop had gotten fragmented, and after running defrag, I saw that it wasn't defragging several FFXI files. The fragmentation got worse for about a week or two, until finally XI went haywire. NPCs wouldn't load. I would lock up while checking the AH. I couldn't enter the Alchemy guild or Airships. :(

So I finally uninstalled FFXI, then copied all the files off my computer (the ENTIRE PlayOnline folder). I set my settings to default for the Registry, then exported them. I'm on Windows XP Professional SP2, if that affects anything. I'm not super registry proficient, so if anyone more skilled than I can see any necessary corrections to the following, let me know so I can do so.

Copy the entire PlayOnline Folder to where you want it. Double check the *.reg file you will copy below. Make sure that the [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PlayOnlineUS\InstallFolder] values match where you placed your PlayOnline folder. I highlighted them below for your convenience.

[edit] If you are using a 64-bit OS, you will have to change SOFTWARE\PlayOnlineUS to SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\PlayOnlineUS. CTRL+H in Notepad is your friend.

Copy the following into notepad, and save it as a *.reg file. I called mine ffxi.reg. Doesn't matter where you save it.



Copy the following into notepad and save it as *.bat. I saved mine as ffxi_reg.bat. You will want to save it to the '\PlayOnline\SquareEnix' folder; you will see the three folders (Final Fantasy XI, PlayOnlineViewer, TetraMaster) if you're in the right spot.



[edit] If you are running Windows 7, you might have to disable the UAC.

[edit] The '/s' tags on the batch file are so that the prompt window didn't pop up. Having to click ok for all those *.dll files was annoying.

[edit] Once you save the two files, you'll have to run them (just double clicking them should be fine). Just having them saved on your computer doesn't make it work. Sorry about that.

Edited, Jul 26th 2007 8:48pm by Dandruffshampoo

Edited, Jun 30th 2010 10:33am by Dandruffshampoo

Freaking awesoem!

Dang. I could have used this two days ago.

I have no DVD drive, so everytime I buy an expansion I have to install it on my laptop, then copy/paste the entire FFXI folder over to my Desktop via the local network connection.

This would allow me to uninstall FFXI before I do so, rather than having the mess of either overwriting the folders that are already there or deleting and replacing them with the copy/paste.

BOOKMARKED!!!!!

Major thanks for this... now I can play ffxi anywhere!!!

It would be about the same degree of difficulty; export the file, transmit it to the new computer (email, network share, flash drive, floppy disk), and then apply it VS copy, paste, save as *.reg and then apply it.

I just figured that, given the multiple threads I've seen on this topic, it'd be better to go as simple as possible. But thanks for the suggestion.

Edited, Feb 25th 2007 7:55pm by Dandruffshampoo

I know that it automatically saves as a *.reg, and all you do is double click it to add it to the registry. But you still have to copy it from computer A to computer B. I'm saying that copying and pasting from this (if you're using it as a guide, you have it open anyway) would be just as much trouble as mucking around in the registry - especially if you aren't familiar with it.

Edited, Feb 26th 2007 4:48pm by Dandruffshampoo

The OP made my day, but this just made my day more. xD

WOE BE US ALL!

I don't know how but you just saved me hours of frustration...

Thank you!

*Edit: Spoke too soon.. when I try pressing 'play' and accepting the agreement to start up ff I get this message "Unable to start final fantasy XI because it is not installed Error:022

Now I'm CERTAIN that FFXI is installed, I think there is somehow still a problem with a registry somewhere ><

Edited, May 24th 2007 11:17pm by inferknite

If you know how to copy your own FFXI registry values, I'd do that. This one has all my graphic and controller setups, so after using the files, you'll want to run the config programs for PlayOnline and XI.

I've only copied to the same computer after wiping the hard drive and to my laptop, so I have a small sample to go by. When I get my new computer after Christmas, this will be the process I use to copy XI to it. If I figure out something else, I'll update or something.

Or better yet, run the registry file through a program like Wise Installation Studio and create an .msi that does the path variables for you.. like the one I posted back in April before everyone either A) argued about it being a virus or B) Had no interest in whatsoever and eventually led to me discontinuing the project.

The original thread I made was Install FFXI in 10 minutes and showed everyone how to get FFXI up and running in 10 minutes w/o using any installation discs, running any file checks or updates.

Linky: http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=10;mid=118037401469829412;page=1

Don't try to use the file from that old link btw, it's pretty dated and still buggy.


*edit* Had a wild hair up my ***, forgiveness prs. Your registry thing has been done quite a few times before, but I suppose it's a good thing to re-up it once in awhile because the original threads tend to get buried.

Edited, Dec 16th 2007 4:53pm by Chocotaku

Edited, Dec 16th 2007 5:09pm by Chocotaku

I can vouch for chocotaku's .exe. It's a neat little tool I keep for my constant reformats. It basically automates the registry changes so I can be lazy.

Edited, Dec 16th 2007 1:55pm by Kirbster

It only bypasses the file checks/updates if there haven't been any since you moved everything over. I had to do file checks, but then again, you had discontinued it so i'm sure that's why. I ended up not being so lazy and just doing it myself, via a home brewed web application that will forcibly put ffxi on any machine that goes to the web site and clicks my little button o' doom.

For those that had problems with being "fragmented", etc....remember, copying the files and putting them in a new install of windows wont help the files at all if they do have problems. Best bet is to uninstall completely, re-install, then copy the files. Could save problems later? Not sure on this as defragmenting the HDD = "lol reinstall" for me.

Good job though, props to you!