[FF7] Tutorial for Bootleg - Tifa's Bootleg

  • Thread starter Thread starter EQ2Alyza
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I'm encountering the following problem:

I'm running Windows XP Service Pack 2, Home Edition.  I get a differing message on the DOS window and config windows never appear for me.

    .______    ______   ______ .___________. __       _______   _______
    |   _  \  /  __  \ /  __  \|           ||  |     |   ____| /  _____|
    |  |_)  ||  |  |  |  |  |  `---|  |----`|  |     |  |__   |  |  __
    |   _  < |  |  |  |  |  |  |   |  |     |  |     |   __|  |  | |_ |
    |  |_)  ||  `--'  |  `--'  |   |  |     |  `----.|  |____ |  |__| |
    |______/  \______/ \______/    |__|     |_______||_______| \______|
 _____ _             _   _____           _                 __     _____ ___
|  ___(_)_ __   __ _| | |  ___|_ _ _ __ | |_ __ _ ___ _   _\ \   / /_ _|_ _|
| |_  | | '_ \ / _` | | | |_ / _` | '_ \| __/ _` / __| | | |\ \ / / | | | |
|  _| | | | | | (_| | | |  _| (_| | | | | || (_| \__ \ |_| | \ V /  | | | |
|_|   |_|_| |_|\__,_|_| |_|  \__,_|_| |_|\__\__,_|___/\__, |  \_/  |___|___|
     .______  __.___________.______  .______          |___/___________.
     |   _  \|  |           |   _  \ |   _  \        /   \|           |
     |  |_)  |  `---|  |----`  |_)  ||  |_)  |      /  ^  \---|  |----`
     |   ___/|  |   |  |    |   _  < |      /      /  /_\  \  |  |
     |  |    |  |   |  |    |  |_)  ||  |\  \----./  _____  \ |  |
   by|__|    |__|   |__|    |______/ |__| `._____/__/     \__\|__|
                                            2012.12.31 Version .040

Checking Operating System . . .


Laying Bootleg Edit. . .
Checking Operating System...
32Bit Installation
Final Fantasy VII Installation Located:
"C:\Games\FINAL FANTASY VII\"
1 File(s) copied
1 File(s) copied

Initializing Bootleg . . .
Intialization Completed.

Validating Language Files . . .
Identified Compatible US Version.
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Language Validation Completed.

Backing up Vanilla Data . . .
1 File(s) copied
1 File(s) copied
1 File(s) copied
1 File(s) copied
1 File(s) copied
Completed Backup.

Preparing Sprinkles . . .

It then proceeds to go through extracting several files rapidly; after a brief time the window closes, the Bootleg Front End window reappears and nothing else happens.

I've tried using FF7Music.exe in the file folder itself, but I'm only greeted with a "requires FF7 to be installed" error message, which is silly because I've plunked 47 hours into it before trying to mod it.  In fact, I'm playing it now.  Other .exe files are greeting me with similar messages.

Game install path is c:\Games\Final Fantasy VII
Mods foldier is c:\Games\FF7 Mods

The appropriate directories are listed in the Installation tab in Bootleg Front End, and all available mods are downloaded, up-to-date and green/yellow in the lists.

Dafuq am I doing wrong?
 
Last edited:
Can anyone help? Or was this problem answered in another thread?
It's been mentioned before. I was waiting for Kompass to chime in, as I believe his converter fixes this issue.

Uninstall everything, delete the leftovers, and clean your registry (CCleaner works well). Next, install a fresh copy, use Kompass' Converter, then run Bootleg normally.
 
Hi Exceed, those files should indeed be located in your game directory. What operating system? Have you tried redoing the entire ff7 install? I suggest backing up any save games, uninstall ff7music then ff7, erase entire ff7 directory completely, and reinstall clean to C:\Games\FF7. For whatever reason it may be important for that to be the exact spelling for the install directory in some cases, possibly just for where the bootleg stores temp files, not entirely sure. Mods and bootleg need to be in a different directory from the game directory, I use C:\FF7Mods and I have BFE and bootleg and like 90 other files in there. Follow Tifa's Bootleg Tutorial in the FAQ section carefully. I am sorry for the difficulties you are having.

Hi Dances: basically same advice. It probably isn't what's causing that invalid switch spam, but your game directory looks funny. Make sure everything is correctly filled out in BFE Install tab and you aren't trying to use an ff7 install image. All the fields for destination location and mod source that sort of thing. Just kinda brainstorming. Good luck!

Edit: /sigh I write so slow. Posted this after EQ answered but started working on it like an hour before. Lots of distractions and also some M&Ms
 
Last edited:
Hi Dances: basically same advice. It probably isn't what's causing that invalid switch spam, but your game directory looks funny. Make sure everything is correctly filled out in BFE Install tab and you aren't trying to use an ff7 install image. All the fields for destination location and mod source that sort of thing. Just kinda brainstorming. Good luck!

Edit: /sigh I write so slow. Posted this after EQ answered but started working on it like an hour before. Lots of distractions and also some M&Ms
Changed destination location to C:/Games/FF7, same error and same problems on all fronts.  Install image field is blank.  I'm kind of sad, this looks AMAZING.
 
Did you completely uninstall everything ff7 and start over, making sure to physically delete the ff7directory and all files you originally installed?  Need to remove registry entries with Ccleaner as well possibly. Try the process again with mods in a separate directory C:\FF7mods and reinstall from ff7 discs to C:\games\FF7 once it has been completely removed. Make sure in BFE that you check mod listings and everything is green or yellow. I'm sure you are doing things correctly just trying to be sure. I think this isn't an issue but make sure you have all .NET updates and everything squared away hardware wise.

One more thing: make sure you have 7-zip installed and a copy of 7za.exe in your bootleg folder, this is for decompressing all the mods themselves. I remember having a problem with that. Hopefully someone who really knows exactly what is up with recent bootleg + 32bit can help us because I'm shooting in the dark here.
 
Last edited:
Did you completely uninstall everything ff7 and start over? Need to remove registry entries with Ccleaner maybe?
Yes on both counts.  Also uninstalled and redownloaded bootleg (which was a pain in the ass).
 
I swear theres a SP3 for windows xp too, could that be related? Make sure everything system wise is up to date, I'm sure what you've got downloaded is all fine. Things like visual C++ and all the .NET crap that microsoft doesn't push out as recommended updates may be needed. Personally if I knew I was completely updated and it had been a long time on an XP machine if I ran into a thing like this I couldn't solve after a couple days, I'd reformat, but this seems specific and solvable.
 
I'm encountering the following problem:

I'm running Windows XP Service Pack 2, Home Edition.  I get a differing message on the DOS window and config windows never appear for me.

.
.
.
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
Invalid switch - -I
.
.
.
That I noticed only now ...
Bootleg is not designed to work under XP.
You can try to remove before bootleg the write protection from all files and folders in the [game folder].
But if that helps to get on with bootleg I do not know...


It then proceeds to go through extracting several files rapidly; after a brief time the window closes, the Bootleg Front End window reappears and nothing else happens.
Start at this point the task manager (ctrl + alt + del) and see if you discover another DOS window that is busy with "7za.exe".


When I click Play FF7 from the bootloader, I get an error message saying MountFF7DISC1.bat is missing, then i get the same type of error for unmounting
It's been mentioned before. I was waiting for Kompass to chime in, as I believe his converter fixes this issue.
not really ...

The old FF7 (1998) expects a disk named "FF7DISC1" (or 2 or 3) at startup.
It does not matter whether it is a CD, DVD, BlueRay, Floppy, Hard Drive, Virtual CD, virtual hard drive, USB-Stick or whatever, the main thing is the name is correct.
The letter of the drive is to be found in the registry, for 32-bit Systems
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Square Soft, Inc.\Final Fantasy VII]
"DataDrive"="V:\"
for 64-bit Systems
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Square Soft, Inc.\Final Fantasy VII]
"DataDrive"="V:\"         (V:\ is my virtual CD-Drive ;D)

As luck would have it, a virtual harddisk is in the use of bootleg (NOT work with XP!) with installed and happened to this is called "FF7DISC1". (what a coincidence 8))
However, this hard drive has yet to be logged in and also the appropriate drive letter must be entered into the registry.
If the file "MountFF7DISC1.bat" is not there, something went wrong with the install of bootleg :?.

You can now make do by plugging a USB stick, this renames "FF7DISC1" and entering the drive letter of the sticks in the registry.
That with the registry you can also make with the boot loader -> Configure, choose the correct letter.
The check "Auto Mount" should be removed.

Unfortunately that is not always easy with the letters of the drives, for example if you has forgotten an SD card in the card reader, the letters are arranged differently again ...
The USB-Stick maybe get a different letter on the next reboot of the PC, you should pay attention. :roll:
 
Last edited:
Well that explains a lot. But I also have buncha questions...

Why are we locked into using bootlegs virtual drive? Has this been the case in all of the bootleg releases previous? I have the actual disc in my DVD drive... I'm guessing if PB didn't make bootleg compatible with XP it isn't something he can easily fix in the future? And it's not something possible to fix by changing your converter, right Kompass?

The advantage to the Vdrive is speed, presumably? Besides convenience, obviously.

This issue is seperate from write protection, though... I do not remember having problems with file write protection being on when modding ff7 under xp 32 bit. But again I have never used the re-release. I bought a used but originally owned and fairly mint copy of ff7 PC on ebay in like 2002 for 80$ US iirc and then couldn't get it to work very well until 2010 or whatever it was when I found this forum. This game has given the tinkerer in me a lot of hamster-wheel time.
 
Why are we locked into using bootlegs virtual drive?
locked? Absolutely not!
You can always change the drive letter (FF7 BootLoader -> Configure, do not forget to uncheck automount and do not forget write CFG) if there is media inside with correct name.
However, if you have checked the box next to Auto Mount is entered in the registry of the drive letter of the virtual disk.
For me it is (mostly) not logged in the system quickly enough, which is why I get an error message.
That's why I do not use the automount feature.


is this been the case in all of the bootleg releases previous?
I believe this was only a problem when the re release came out and people had no more original CD's.


I'm guessing if PB didn't make bootleg compatible with XP it isn't something he can easily fix in the future? And it's not something possible to fix by changing your converter, right Kompass?
Actually, I had assumed (apart from the virtual hard disk) that bootleg is already XP Compatible.
The error message "Invalid switch - I" taught me better
Some commands react differently between XP and Win7.
Also, the command line in 2146 (START /w /MIN "Bootleg - Unzipping" "7za.exe" x -y -o"%BootlegTemp%%Sprinkles%" "%Sprinkles%"), danceswithchihuahuas is stuck at the seems, not to function as intended under XP.
I wonder anyway why PB in many places starts a new DOS process, I would have written there simply
7za.exe x -y -o"%BootlegTemp%%Sprinkles%" "%Sprinkles%" >NUL

One would have to try out each command in XP, if it works as well as under Win7.
That's a lot of work (the Bootleg.bat has 10572 lines) for a few people who still use XP ... but doable.


The advantage to the Vdrive is speed, presumably? Besides convenience, obviously.
Convenience yes, speed no...
For a full installation of the game, only the video sequences are loaded from the CD.
Since these are now available through bootleg on the hard disk, the CD is actually no longer needed.
But "FF7.exe" asks the CD anyway.
You can even have a floppy disk in drive A: use the name FF7DISC1 ... (speed ???)


This issue is seperate from write protection, though... I do not remember having problems with file write protection being on when modding ff7 under xp 32 bit.
Yes, I've also rarely had problems with the write protection.
In the German version, almost all files are installed with write protection enabled.
In theory, this prevents that the files are deleted or tampered with.
In XP seems to not or not always function properly.
But it is always safer to remove the write protection if you want to change the files.


But again I have never used the re-release. I bought a used but originally owned and fairly mint copy of ff7 PC on ebay in like 2002 for 80$ US iirc and then couldn't get it to work very well until 2010 or whatever it was when I found this forum. This game has given the tinkerer in me a lot of hamster-wheel time.
2002 was about the year in which I also had massive problems with FF7 >:(
While running the game, but it crashed again and again from different video sequences.
I definitely needed a year to encircle the error and find a solution.
 
Okay, this looks to be the final issue before being able to actually play, when I press Play FF7, the mounting works but now the config crashes, doesn't load at all
 
Okay, this looks to be the final issue before being able to actually play, when I press Play FF7, the mounting works but now the config crashes, doesn't load at all
Nvidia? If so, then look at this:
Driver 306. works. But I don't know from which one exactly the confic dosen't work anymore...
It's nessesary to run the confic with the integrated graphic card. You could add FF7confic.exe in your Nvidia driver 3D-setting and choose to run the programm with the integrated graphic card.
 
Nvidia control panel doesn't give me an option to run programs with the integrated card
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top