<p>Decided to try EQ2 for first time and went to play the free EQ2 Extended version, put in my information...it downloaded a small file which I opened....had me agree to download adobe flashplayer update...then the EQ2 window opened and the screen just shows the SOE Online emblem on a black background and nothing else happens.</p><p>Any ideas, do I need to download something.  Doesn't even ask me to log in.</p><p>Thanks for anyone's help. </p>

<p>Forgot to mention I now have the EQII icon on my desktop and when I click on it, the EQ2 window with the cool looking skin around it comes up with the same thing as described above - SOE online on a black background.  The skin at top of window is titled "Everquest 2 Extended Free Adventures".</p>

<p>I'm having the same problem, and so I missed the entire weekend of double experience! <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Unlike the original poster, I was playing EQ2 (paid subscription) before the hack-shutdown.  Once it was announced EQ2 was back up, I clicked my EQ2 icon and...</p><p>Same cool window, but it's just a black background and says "SOE" in the middle.</p><p>Any help would be appreciated by us for sure! <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

<p>bump^</p>

<p>Please run this update for Flash and let me know if it resolves the issue.  I've also included a knowledge base article below that outlines additional steps that may need to be taken.</p><p><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><a href="http://fpdownload.adobe.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_ax.exe" target="_blank">[Flash Update]</a></span></p><p><p><a href="https://help.station.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12293" target="_blank">[EQII] Firewall and Proxy Information for EverQuest II</a></p></p>

<p>@JoshuaM:</p><p>Hey, thanks for the response.  I had poured over other posts/threads that were even remotely close to my situation and had double checked the firewall/ports/anti-virus thing.</p><p>I had also seen another post about the flash player, so I updated that, cleared my cache, rebooted, and tried again.  No deal <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Another thread mentioned deleting the LegendsOfNorrath dynamic link library file, which I did (from all locations) and that didn't work either.</p><p>==============================</p><p>Since then, I decided to use the Station Launcher and downloaded EQ2 again (around 19gigs me thinks) over night; this morning I was able to launch EQ2 and was able to get to the character select screen! <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  *woohoo!</p><p>I then closed it, tried to use my EQ2 icon and it did the same thing - and the screen with the black, and the SOE.  I'll try making a new shortcut from the launcher.</p><p>I'll post how it goes! <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

<p>~ update ~</p><p>Last night when I got home, I was able to use the Station Launcher and access EQ2 that way.  I deleted my old EQ2 icons and just use the launcher now.  I played (way too late - ugh work this morning!), made a new friend, enjoyed dbl exp, and had a great time.</p><p>Cheers <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>