This may be a bit convoluted, I will try to keep it concise yet simple.
I upgraded from Windows Vista to Windows 7.
I installed Final Fantasy XI Collection 2008 and Adoulin (the programs are stored on separate DVDs).
I deleted the default desktop shortcut for Final Fantasy XI and ran the Configuration program.
My screen is 1600x900, so I set 1280x720 and "Windowed" mode, then created a new desktop shortcut.
I clicked the shortcut, entered my account number and such then logged into the game. Everything normal, I logged out of the game.
I installed the latest version of Windower 4, selected the plug-ins and eventually found the "Profile Edit", selecting "Window" and "North America".
I launched POL and logged into the game. Everything proceeded normally.
The next day, I clicked the "Final Fantasy" shortcut created the day before, completed the "normal login" to POL.
BUT
When I went to enter the game, the screen went berserk, flashing black empty "windows" of 1280x720 size.
After several flashes of this, I got an error window the size of POL viewer:
"Terminated as error occurred in Final Fantasy XI. Failed to initialize DIRECT 3D.
Please check that this computer has the required specifications to run Final Fantasy XI.(-1)"
After closing out the apparent POL Viewer and exiting, I launched Windower 4 and entered the game normally.
The next day, I again deleted the Final Fantasy shortcut, and created a new one using the Config program.
The new FFXI shortcut functioned normally, I logged into POL and entered the game in "windowed" mode.
BUT every time I enter Windower 4 and launch POL entering the game, the next time I use the FFXI shortcut the screen goes berserk.
And it gives me the same error window, until I create a new FFXI shortcut using the Config program.
I hope someone can figure out what is going on and work out a correction !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!