Windows 8.1 "DirectX failed to initialise"

Hello, could anyone please help me with the "DirectX failed to initialise" issue?
I am using Windows 8.1 and I have .NET 3.5 installed and active and I have Direct Play installed and active. I have DirectX 8.1 installed even though it doesn't show up in the DXDIAG settings, but my friend didn't even install 8.1 and can play fine.
I am playing on a laptop with integrated HD4000 GPU and it has an NVidia GPU, I have tried both.
In the FFXI config box I have a display error of some kind and it doesn't show up any of the drop down menus or anything, Playonline is completely pixelated and really bad quality for some reason. 

Can anyone help me with fixing this issue please?

Is this with or without Windower? It doesn't sound like a Windower issue. It sounds like a driver problem.

It happens with both sorry. It is not an issue specific to Windower but I was hoping someone might have had to overcome this same issue recently. There are tons of threads across the internet about it and I have tried everything I can think of. What would the driver issue be with? One of the GPUs? Thanks.

Hmm I just did a fresh install with windows 8.1 and didn't have this problem after I enabled DirectPlay under legacy components. Perhaps try disabling restarting and re-enable it. Longshot, but also try doing the directx web install too.

Hmm I just did a fresh install with windows 8.1 and didn't have this problem after I enabled DirectPlay under legacy components. Perhaps try disabling restarting and re-enable it. Longshot, but also try doing the directx web install too.

I have had it installed and running fine on Windows 8.1 before too and I never had to mess with DirectPlay or anything. It is quite strange and extremely annoying. Which installer do you use and what is directx web install? Thanks.

I use a program that installs all my drivers so I don't have to find them on the web (lazy). Anyways you can find it here https://www.microsof...ion.aspx?id=35. I couldn't get game to launch without directplay.

Anyways you said you had directplay enabled under legacy components right? Only reason I'm saying to download directx web installer is that is the only thing I have done different. Also I never installed D3D8 when installing FFXI.

I use a program that installs all my drivers so I don't have to find them on the web (lazy). Anyways you can find it here https://www.microsof...ion.aspx?id=35. I couldn't get game to launch without directplay.

Anyways you said you had directplay enabled under legacy components right? Only reason I'm saying to download directx web installer is that is the only thing I have done different. Also I never installed D3D8 when installing FFXI./

Yeah I have it enabled and my friend never installed directx 8 either and has it working fine. It is really strange, I should try and wipe and reinstall I guess, with the installer from SE website. Is that the FFXI installer you use or something else like Steam?

I used the client download off ffxi website it is three files that installs all the expansion packs. If you do do a reinstall you can download the patches from http://tehkrizz.net/FFXI/downloads.php and install them in order and overwrite when asked and do a file check after that. Also use CCleaner to clean registry just because it'll clean out all the unused files.

Thanks, do you know where I can find the torrent for the updates?

You don't need a torrent just use the link I posted above.

I updated as normal. I have edited the resolution etc in regedit and still nothing - it absolutely will not play on my laptop for absolutely no reason and now Windower crashes for no apparent reason too. I guess it is fate.

Super bad quality in Playonline.

That's what happens when PlayOnline runs under the DirectDraw software renderer. So I'm quite sure you have a driver issue.

Also, Windower requires the .Net Framework 4.0 (4.5 should work too), not 2.0, 3.0 or 3.5.

Download free version of Driver Booster from iobit and see if it picks anything up. I use the pro version so I don't have to look all over web getting drivers. If there are any new intel drivers it'll pull them up.

That's what happens when PlayOnline runs under the DirectDraw software renderer. So I'm quite sure you have a driver issue.

 

Also, Windower requires the .Net Framework 4.0 (4.5 should work too), not 2.0, 3.0 or 3.5.

Thanks for the reply. The NVidia GPU is up to date for sure, but I am not sure about the integrated which I think it tries to use. I will try and update it with the Driver Booster mentioned.

Thanks Avaro.

I tried Driver Booster which did not pick up any drivers for the GPU so I went to the Intel website and downloaded the "Latest" driver pack for my integrated 4600 GPU, opened it and it said my drivers were newer and do I Want to replace them with these older ones so I did and still no luck with this. It's really beyond me why this is happening. Could it be anything to do with the laptop being 1080p and high definition resolution mode in Windows sending it funny? 

To be honest I really have no idea I've ran out of ideas trouble shooting. I'm currently playing on an HD 4000 till I can afford another GPU so I know intel GPU's work fine. Something is corrupt somewhere obviously due to nothing being being shown in FFXI config. You have tried to reinstall XI correct? I'd be pissed as this point and reinstall windows 7 or do a fresh install of 8 again. 

Yeah I have tried reinstalling and this is a fresh install of Windows 8.1 too. I have given up now but I am sure it's a Windows 8.1 problem because they killed DirectPlay with Windows 8 or something. Who knows, maybe I will try again next free period if I have another PC. Thanks for all your help.