Trouble getting FF7 to run... possibly not graphics related?

[ledguitarist]

First of all, let me apologize in advance if this issue is already addressed in the "Great FAQ".  After scanning several pages of it, I didn't find what I needed so I decided to create a topic.

I've seen mention of an "ultima" edition, mine seems to be "platinum".
I'm running XP Pro with a 32MB GeForce MX/MX400, and I've installed FF7 patch v1.02 as well as the Chocobo patch. (after the standard install of course)  

First things first, the full install didn't work so great for me.  It would get to 64% and say 'installation complete' but then never run successfully.  So I unistalled and did a standard install which made it all the way to 100% only to still not run successfully.

Basically, here's the issue: If disc 1 is in, the computer screen will go black then prompt me at the desktop to 'please insert ff7 disc 1, 2, or 3'; if disc 2 is in, the game will get as far as the squaresoft logo... but if any keys are pressed I get kicked back to the desktop. I haven't bothered to try discs 3 or 4 because I really don't see them getting me anywhere.

I've also tried tinkering with the compatibility features on the FF7.exe icon, none of the options seem to work.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated... Thanks in advance. :isee:

 

[Phyltre]

Okay, firsts first.  This is a retail copy, right?

Assuming that it is, this sounds like a CD problem.  If the problem is installing, and apparently not actually playing the game, your first culprit is the physical media.

Now, if it isn't that, you're looking at a problem with the video files.  (Disc 2 is the first actual game disk, so that's why disc 1 isn't doing anything.  1 is only an installer.)  Have you investigated the video codecs on your machine?

Some one else who knows more about video problems will have to go from there, since I haven't had that problem personally.

If it's a problem with the disks, though, your best bet is getting a new copy of the game.  Or, you could try creating ISO's of the game and re-burning them onto non-scratched disks...that might make the install process actually work.

 

[tl2e3le4f]

Actually, maybe you should try the full install again. The minimum install caused problems for me too, but after I did the full install it worked fine. It also works withs with many different patches like the high-resolution patch, reuinion patch, chocobo patch, ff7music patch, and much more without any problems.

 

[ledguitarist]

Yes, it's a retail copy, and the discs are scratch and smudge free.  Several years ago I had FF7 installed and working with Windows ME, but the game crashed with ME at a certain point that was apparently unfixable.

I've tried the full install no less than three times, every time it gets to 64% and says installation successful.  But what really gets me is the varying depth I can proceed--which is seemingly randomly--within the game before getting booted back to the desktop.  About 60% of the time the screen goes black then returns to the desktop, about 20% of the time it makes it through the 'Eidos' logo, and the other 20% of the time I can get to the squaresoft logo.  Once, I made it to the screen after that where the credits roll only to push a key and wind up back at the desktop.

Any ideas?

 

[Phyltre]

Yes, it's a retail copy, and the discs are scratch and smudge free.  Several years ago I had FF7 installed and working with Windows ME, but the game crashed with ME at a certain point that was apparently unfixable.

I've tried the full install no less than three times, every time it gets to 64% and says installation successful.  But what really gets me is the varying depth I can proceed--which is seemingly randomly--within the game before getting booted back to the desktop.  About 60% of the time the screen goes black then returns to the desktop, about 20% of the time it makes it through the 'Eidos' logo, and the other 20% of the time I can get to the squaresoft logo.  Once, I made it to the screen after that where the credits roll only to push a key and wind up back at the desktop.

Any ideas?

Well, I'd say you need to look at replacing video codecs on your machine.  This sounds like that kind of problem, although I'm sure there are other factors that could be causing it.  There's lots of posts on here about that.  If codecs don't fix it, you could try bypassing the videos altogether, too...there's a bunch of threads on that here too, I believe.  You'll have to search forthem.

 

[Otokoshi]

I had the very same problem that ledguitarist has with Final Fantasy VII many moons ago.  I was running the dreaded Windows ME operating system at the time.  I have the original FFVII, not the platinum edition, but I hope I could be of some help.  Phyltre makes good suggestions and it could be a codec issue.

I remember I just gave up on it for a while.  Then one day I tried again on a newly reformated, fresh OS install and it worked.  My advice, check your codecs like Phyltre suggested.  I have not discovered a "multi-codec pack" that I found helpful and not full of spyware or malware, so I would stay away from those.

Try to update any drivers on your machine.  I know it sounds like a general tip, but it's amazing how much those little things can help or hinder the Windows operating system.  Check for video card, sound card, and chipset.  It seems some neglect to update the motherboard drivers and chipset.

Finally, just try to get it running with just the official 1.02 patch first.  After applying the patch, go to the new ff7config and adjust your settings before starting the ff7.exe.  I wish I could be more help, but best of luck to you.