Windows XP assorted problems FF7

[dabigtao]

I am running on a 1.0Ghz Intel celeron (don't laugh), and a Sapphire ATI Radeon 9250. I am using SP2 and XP home edition. I have all the latest drivers and have already installed the TM20 codec

When I try to run FF7 after installing the 1.02 patch, I simply get a black screen and then I am taken to a New Game screen. After I choose new game, I get the same black screen.

I reinstalled and tried running the game without the patch. I hear the square intro sound, but I recieve another system error. I have tried installing almost every patch out there, but I am unable to get the game to run. However, I am able to get the demo I got from download.com to run with no problem at all. Any help would be appreciated.

[Larken]

Did you install the directshow from the disc? I get a black screen before I go to the new game/continue screen if I didn't. Also if I'm not wrong, the starting part after you choose a new game is a FMV, which requires the directshow installed, which might explain why you get black screens for those.

[Threesixty]

I'd try that, too.

It should be in that install menu...near the bottom. Think it's labeled as Movieplayer or something near that.

I hear the upside-down move patch will also install the codec.

http://support.eidosinteractive.com/GI/CustomerSupport/FaqAnswer.jsp?faq=872&game=79&platform=3&problemType=5

[dabigtao]

I've installed the DirectShow and If I don't apply the 1.02 patch I can hear the Squaresoft Intro, but It is a blank screen and I get the following error:

AppName: ff7.exe    AppVer: 0.0.0.0    ModName: ff7.exe
ModVer: 0.0.0.0    Offset: 000186af

However, after applying all the patches (1.02, upsidedownmovie, chocobo, etc.) I simply get a blank screen with the new game select followed by another blank screen.

[Larken]

Sounds like the movies are the only thing that doesn't work for you after 1.02 patch... Probably if you wait a long long while after you choose new game, u'll get to play, cos by then the FMV would have finished. I would hazard a guess at a codec problem, try to uninstall FF7 and reinstall it again with the directshow, then try it again before patch and after patch.

[Threesixty]

Umm.... that's starting to sound like a Riva TNT patch problem, to me.

The 8bit pallet must say FAIL before you use the TNT patch. The FF7.exe that comes with the patch only works if the Test says Fail. The problem you're describing sounds a lot like you're trying to use the TNTpatch with the Test reading as Pass.

The FF7.exe from the TNT patch and an enabled 8bit pallet of the video driver...will not mix.

I may be wrong....but that's my initial guess.

I'm going to guess that you have an ATI card. (either that or the latest Nivida drivers have the 8bit pallet enabled...still haven't gotten around to installing that.) In which case....my advice is to not use the Riva TNT patch...and to play in software mode.

The last drive I checked with FF7, were the 77.77's....those worked fine with the Riva TNT patch....at least they did about a month ago.

(heh...just reread your orginal post....you are using an ATI card.... you're just going to have to live with Software mode...the TNT patch will not work with the ATI card....only because of the 8bit pallet Passing. If you can find a way to disable the 8bit pallet either by an older driver, or a 3rd party program...then the patch would work. For now...your only choice is the orginal FF7.exe and selecting Software mode....which will be the only option available, anyway)