FF7 - Yes You Guessed It

[b000st]

Hi,

I have been reading and searching all over this forum for the last 5 hours, i was hoping i didnt have to make a post but after trying everything avalible it seems i have no choice.

The problem Lies with FF7 PC version and Windows XP.
Before i start id just like to list the comp specs which are as follows;

Toshiba Satallite A70 Laptop
Win XP Home Edition
Pentuim 4 3.06 GHZ
256 MB Ram
ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 (Driver 6.14.10.6444 Dated: 21/04/2004 i dont think its a Catalyst driver)

Now the specific problem i am having at this point is that i can get the EIDOS, SQUARESOFT & FF7 Credits/Intro up and running, i select NEW GAME then i get the black screen of death...

I have tried everything to solve this problem, which includes following the Sticy FAQ at the top of this forum.

At the moment my settings are;
-FF7 Original edition (not platinum)
-Patched to 1.02
-Chocobo Fix (not that ill ever get there  )
-Upside down video fix
-Movie player installed
-Run all videos off Harddrive
-ff7.exe made to run compatible with windows 95 (right click---> properties---> compatibility---> compatibility mode)
-Config.exe running in QUATER WINDOW MODE with Hardware acceleration Nvidia TNT box ticked.

Anybody have any suggestions or has come across issues of the same nature...please do share its driving me insane!!!

Regards,
b000st

[Covarr]

Well, it seems like the problem is likely a rendering one, as the first time any 3D is rendered is during the opening video. Try setting it to Software mode, see if that helps.

[b000st]

Ok thanks for the suggestion however it didnt do much, same outcome.
I have tried every compatibility (95,98,2000) & software/D3D combinations avalible to get it running but still no go... 

I have been reading about the 8 Bit pallete problem with ATI cards, anybody know how to change it on an ATI card or at least suggest a driver which is working for them?

If possible can anybody tell me the name of the Video that load directly after you start a new game...maybe mine is corrupt and i can work around this issue...?!?!

 - Edit -
Ok i think i have found the solution to the startup problem....

As i have mentioned in my first post, i moved all the movie files to the HDD, now it seems i can only play a handfull of them files on WMP, and of them include the first 3 intro videos, but one of the corrupted files had to be "opening.avi" which i believe is the first FMV of the game...

The error i receive through WMP (windows media player) is "Windows Media Player cannot play the file. The Player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file."

Any ideas suggestions...i know i can replace all the broken files with a working copy like the squaresoft logo, but that means i forfeit the chance to watch them..

Mod Edit: Do not double-post.

[corpse]

Try cleaning your cds and copying the movies over again. Also I check to see if you got any scratches on the cd.