These procedures are now outdated! Download the New CatsEyeXI Launcher from www.catseyexi.com/install

Option 1: CatsEyeXI Installer

• Click the link to be taken to the download page.
• Download both files, and run the installer.

Option 2: Manual Client Installation (Latest Retail Client)

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Prerequisites

• An archive opening program, such as 7-zip.
• MSVC x86 version runtimes - even if your OS is 64bit (if you get errors about a missing DLL, you are missing a runtime) As time goes on and programs get updated, the version required can change: 2015, 2017, etc. Generally searching the error message will tell you which version the program is expecting. Depending on what operating system you use, you may already have a newer version of these runtimes.
• A compatible version of the loader. One comes with Ashita. If you are a windower user you can either download one separately here ...Or just use the one from ashita with windower, it'll work.
• If a fresh install that has never updated, you will need this patch and you'll need to extract it to your C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI folder.

If you need help or are looking for installation assistance, please visit the DSP Client Install Guide

Basic outline of steps include

• Installing the game from the CDs or the online install file
• Updating the game files for the first time
• Preforming the Check Files on FFXI (not PoL) and patching
• Setting up a way to connect to the server via Ashita or Windower
• Downloading your copy of the xiloader.
  • Making sure you have installed the MSVC 2015/2017 x86 version runtimes for the xiloader

You may also run into some errors if this is your first time. So make sure you check the DSP Client Install Guide for the three Dynamic Link Library files listed. Chances are if Windower or Ashita are not working and you have already used the r-click -> run as admin steps, you may need the three .dll files found in the Common Errors section of the linked page.

Client patch steps (using POL)

• Step 1. Open playonline viewer (NOT ashita/windower - open POL directly).

• Step 2. Select "Check Files" but and then "Final Fantasy XI" don't begin yet. If an installer window comes up, just cancel it.

• Step 3. Browse into your FFXI install directory "C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\ROM\0".

• Step 4. Delete, yes DELETE, 0.dat (again, that is a zero)

• Step 5. Go back to that POL viewer you still have open (You DO still have it open, don't you? If not, slap yourself and return to step 1 ! :smile:). Start the file check. It will check your local files, see 0.dat is missing, then report that it found 1 problem and ask to fix it. Go ahead and ok that, and it will recheck your files AGAIN except this time against the latest version on SE's servers. When that finishes it will finally begin updating. Ain't SE's update system grand? /sarcasm.

DISCLAIMER: Removing rom/0/0.dat has worked for thousands of people without issue. Not all files get found and replaced by the updater process, so do not listen to anyone telling you to delete a different file. These instructions have always worked if they were followed correctly. I cannot be held responsible if you screw up your client and have to reinstall from scratch. :smile: