How to run FF8 [PC Version] from ISO (the REAL way)

[cyric1983]

This is for the PC version of FF8 ONLY.

It seems like there's only ONE place on the internet that actually tells you the CORRECT method that was endorsed by SquareSoft itself. Unfortunately, I found it only the once about a year ago, and I've been having a helluva time trying to find it again. Luckily, I managed to get myself to remember how to do it.

The most common response I see that could possibly 'fix' it, is the one that involves (re)burning the iso to a disc and then re-installing it to play. However, the REASON I have the ISO is because playing from a disc causes the FMV's to skip/distort as a result of the latency while the drive is reading the CD. Playing from the ISO ripped to your HDD removes the skipping, and you get a nice and smooth playing experience with quicker loading times.

Now, on a forum that is based on emulation you might ask, "why not just emulate the PSX version instead?" Well, here's my answer: The quality of the FMV's. The PC version of the game has MUCH better (clearer) FMV's. Not to mention that the polygon vertices are much more accurate on PC as it was made for DirectX, and because of that, anti-aliasing looks much more attractive. Heck, I'd even venture to say that the PC version uses up less CPU power and less RAM to run. It uses up about 18-20MB of RAM, and even with my 8800GTX that's on it's way out, I can play the game at 1280x1024 (more on that in a sec) resolution with 4x4 Supersampling AA, 16x AF, gamma correction, supersampling transparency, V-sync, and forced trilinear mip-maps without ANY problems. It's worth it, believe me, it's worth it. Even with fraps running and recording, the framerate doesn't suffer AT ALL, which is why I say it's easier on the resources.

Anyways here's how to do it without having to burn the ISO to disc, or re-install the game:

You will need an image-mounting software like Daemon Tools.

The game looks for the disc on the drive that you installed the game from. However, it doesn't detect the disc like the more recent games do. Which is why even if you install the game from the Installation Disc's ISO (say from virtual drive H: ), it will not detect the ISO of the game disc when you try to play it (from virtual drive H: ). It looks for the NAME of the disc. The names of the discs are as follows (confirm by opening My Computer with the disc in the disc drive):

Disc 1 = FF8_DISC1
Disc 2 = FF8_DISC2
Disc 3 = FF8_DISC3
Disc 4 = FF8_DISC4

In order to 'fool' the game, you need go to the base-path of the drive that the ISO is on ('C:\' in my case), and create a folder with the name of the disc you're going to be playing. If you're just starting the game, the name of the folder will be 'FF8_DISC1'. Put the ISO in that folder. Do the same for each subsequent disc, as you need them.

Next you need to modify your registry. I will tell you the exact value to change, do not change anything else for the sake of your own sanity incase you change/delete something important.

Open the Start Menu, click 'Run...', type in regedit and click 'OK'.

Navigate to:

My Computer > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Square Soft, Inc > FINAL FANTASY VIII > 1.00

Once the 1.00 'folder' is open, you should see the key called 'DataDrive' (it's the 3rd one from the top for me). Right-click 'DataDrive' and then 'Modify' (NOT 'Modify Binary Data'). Change the Value Data to the drive letter that Daemon Tools generates when it's emulating a drive (F: in my case).

Click OK and close the Registry Editor.

Now, run Daemon Tools and have it emulate a drive. Go into My Computer if you want to make sure you set DataDrive to the correct drive letter. Mount the ISO image that you put into the FF8_DISC1 folder, and play the game!

Now to go back to what I said about the doubled resolution of the game (playing it at 1280x1024). In my search to try and remember how to play the game from ISO, I stumbled upon a new FF8 Launcher program that was made to make FF8's graphics compatible with the newer generations of video cards (Nvidia namely). It is NOT the old Nvidia patch that is nearly 10 years old. It's a new one developed by a 3rd-party. Anyways, this Launcher completely removes (as far as I've played) the 'black boxes' and texture tile issues that crop up with nVidia cards (not sure how it plays on ATI though). You can get the Launcher here:

FF8 Launcher - Custom resolutions and 8-bit paletted textures fix (patch)

If it gives an error when you try to run it, you probably need to download and install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable package that he has linked.

None of these images have been modified in any way. I used Print Screen, pasted them to a BMP, and converted them at 100% JPEG quality in Adobe Photoshop CS 8.0. The difference in size between the PSX FMV shot and the PC FMV shot is NOT because I saved either of them any differently than the other.

FF8 Launcher (Before & After)


PC FMV Vs. PSX FMV

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Last edited by cyric1983; October 24th, 2008 at 05:30..

[Spyhop]

Why not forgo the hassle and just run the PSX version through epsxe? It actually looks and sounds better than trying to get the PC version going.

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[cyric1983]

Originally Posted by Spyhop

Why not forgo the hassle and just run the PSX version through epsxe? It actually looks and sounds better than trying to get the PC version going.

Obviously you didn't read the whole post. Though I can't really blame you. LOL

[Hard core Rikki]

The PC version has horrible midi music if I am not mistaken (unless you do a manipulation to use PSF music ingame instead, for which the method seems to be missing from post 1 ;p )

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[cyric1983]

Originally Posted by Hard core Rikki

The PC version has horrible midi music if I am not mistaken (unless you do a manipulation to use PSF music ingame instead, for which the method seems to be missing from post 1 ;p )

Well, comparing the PC music to the emulated PSX music, the PC music wins because the emulator isn't as accurate. I'm sure the PSX music would be better if I fired up my PS2 to play it, but then I'm sacrificing image quality.

[edit] re-worded 'perfect' into 'as accurate'

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Last edited by cyric1983; October 24th, 2008 at 05:49..

[Hard core Rikki]

FF8 PSFs hardly take any space. The midis fail the listening test, and actually ruin the enjoyment of FF8 on PC.
If it looks better, why not want it to sound better as well, or at least acceptably non-annoying?

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[Squall-Leonhart]

um excuse me? the emulator is accurate to PSM, the innacurate factor comes in the DSP and poor drivers of most sound cards, that don't happen to be made by Creative Labs.

You will never get FF8 running accurately on modern hardware because it lacks Paletted texture support in hardware, and while there is a patch made to work around this on the Nvidia support forums (Games / RPG section) it still doesn't work accurately.

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[Spyhop]

You're sacrificing a drastic difference in game quality for a negligible different in fmv quality.

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[Squall-Leonhart]

FMV's look perfectly fine with the OGL2 MDEC filter.

speaking of which, i need to recapture alot of my screenshots, since they were originally made with the Dx7 plugin.....

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Last edited by Squall-Leonhart; October 24th, 2008 at 05:41.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

[cyric1983]

Originally Posted by Squall-Leonhart

um excuse me? the emulator is accurate to PSM, the innacurate factor comes in the DSP and poor drivers of most sound cards, that don't happen to be made by Creative Labs.

You will never get FF8 running accurately on modern hardware because it lacks Paletted texture support in hardware, and while there is a patch made to work around this on the Nvidia support forums (Games / RPG section) it still doesn't work accurately.

Big words for someone that most likely hasn't even bothered to try this.

Even if you're right about the sound drivers, ePSXe does not produce the low-frequencies NEARLY as well as the PC version, on my computer without changing any drivers. I'll admit the Eternal Sound plugin does better than the 'stock' one, but still, it isn't as good as the PC version.

As for the graphics, have you even LOOKED at the screenshots I just posted? Hell, I'll even fraps a video for you so you can see what the game looks like while playing if you want me to.

Originally Posted by Squall-Leonhart

FMV's look perfectly fine with the OGL2 MDEC filter.

That ePSXe FMV screenshot was taken with the OGL2 MDEC filter on.

[Spyhop]

Originally Posted by cyric1983

Big words for someone that most likely hasn't even bothered to try this.

Even if you're right about the sound drivers, ePSXe does not produce the low-frequencies NEARLY as well as the PC version, on my computer without changing any drivers.

As for the graphics, have you even LOOKED at the screenshots I just posted?



That ePSXe FMV screenshot was taken with the OGL2 MDEC filter on.

Dude. I would go toe-to-toe with Squall on most subjects. But not this one.

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[runawayprisoner]

And if the FMVs are really that low-quality... just re-encode the PC version of those to PSM, then hex-edit or purge them right into the ISO, replacing the PSX ones.

...I did that for quite a number of games. The filter in plugins help, but re-processing frames by frames by some other softwares is still best.

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[Squall-Leonhart]

Originally Posted by cyric1983

Big words for someone that most likely hasn't even bothered to try this.

Even if you're right about the sound drivers, ePSXe does not produce the low-frequencies NEARLY as well as the PC version, on my computer without changing any drivers. I'll admit the Eternal Sound plugin does better than the 'stock' one, but still, it isn't as good as the PC version.

As for the graphics, have you even LOOKED at the screenshots I just posted?



That ePSXe FMV screenshot was taken with the OGL2 MDEC filter on.

If you refer to Reverb, those were a problem in ePSXe 1.6, and will be in 1.7 if you load a savestate.

Load the game from a memory card and the accurate reverb effects are there. Secondarily, Sound hardware and speakers to attribute to the quality output, I've tested the PSX vs the emulator using my HTS via DPLII, and the sounds are within error marks, with some adjustments to the Creative mixer.

As for screenshots, The PSX screen you posted is using either the 1.7x plugins or has not got the mdec filter disabled.

Disabling Fullscreen smoothing is also important for getting hi-q screens of FMV's

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Don't be a NOOB, READ THE NGEmu/EmuForums Rules of Conduct
Need Help with ePSXe? This is your first stop!.
If you don't post all the required information, you don't get help.
Everytime someone posts a romsite, God kills a beautiful woman.

[cyric1983]

Originally Posted by Spyhop

Dude. I would go toe-to-toe with Squall on most subjects. But not this one.

The difference between me and you is that I've seen this work first hand. I've heard the difference in sound quality between ePSXe 1.7.0 and it's Eternal Sound plugin, and the PC Version's audio. I've seen the difference in quality between 3d-models that are meant for PC, and models that are emulated from a source that was never meant to have antialiasing and for standard definition TV's.

[Hard core Rikki]

I'll personally stick with the PS1 version anyday, for a significant number of reasons (for 3d models, its lack of z-depth on the ps1 hardware that makes the difference, btw).

In any way, thanks for sharing mention of this method, I suppose.

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[cyric1983]

Originally Posted by Squall-Leonhart

If you refer to Reverb, those were a problem in ePSXe 1.6, and will be in 1.7 if you load a savestate.

Load the game from a memory card and the accurate reverb effects are there. Secondarily, Sound hardware and speakers to attribute to the quality output, I've tested the PSX vs the emulator using my HTS via DPLII, and the sounds are within error marks, with some adjustments to the Creative mixer.

As for screenshots, The PSX screen you posted is using either the 1.7x plugins or has not got the mdec filter disabled.

Disabling Fullscreen smoothing is also important for getting hi-q screens of FMV's

I wasn't referring to Reverb when i said the Low-frequencies weren't as good. The reverb is what's better with the Eternal Sound plugin Vs. the stock one. As for sound hardware and speakers. I really don't think it makes any difference, because I'm playing both versions with the same speakers and the same sound hardware...

The PSX screen was taken using ePSXe 1.7.0 and Pete's OGL2 2.9 driver. With the MDEC filter enabled.

here's the snap without the fullscreen smoothing, slightly better quality, but still nowhere near the PC version (I'm beginning to memorize the opening fmv I've seen it so many times today...LMAO...)


and here's my settings...


[edit] the ONLY thing I can see that is better with the PSX fmv screenshot are the colours on the wall behind Quistis. Other than that, you simply cannot say that the PSX FMV's are higher-quality (sharper image) than the PC FMV's.

Originally Posted by Hard core Rikki

I'll personally stick with the PS1 version anyday, for a significant number of reasons (for 3d models, its lack of z-depth on the ps1 hardware that makes the difference, btw).

In any way, thanks for sharing mention of this method, I suppose.

I tell ya what. I'll take myself up on my offer to fraps a video to show everybody. I'll fraps my trip through the Fire Cavern.
I'll even do a video of going through the Fire Cavern in ePSXe as well.

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Last edited by cyric1983; October 24th, 2008 at 06:20.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

[Hard core Rikki]

The point being ?
Do not feel forced to have to convince us of how 3d models are processed on PC GPUs and higher bitrate mpg vid show less artefacts than the vcd-quality ps1 vids, btw.

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[emwearz]

Put simple.

FFVIII PC (Fully modded) < FFVIII PSX (Emulated / Filters)
Once you go through the hassle of getting it to work, then changing all the music over because the Midi's sound like utter arse and then going ahead and playing the PC version just because its FMV quality is a bit better is just retarded, the PSX version it better in pretty much every other way. Nice little guide though.

Just for the record.
FFVII PC (Fully moded - high res models, etc) > FFVII PSX (Emulated / Filters)

My feelings anyhow.

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[cyric1983]

Originally Posted by Hard core Rikki

The point being ?
Do not feel forced to have to convince us of how 3d models are processed on PC GPUs and higher bitrate mpg vid show less artefacts than the vcd-quality ps1 vids, btw.

It was Squall who brought this thread into debate city. remember?

Originally Posted by emwearz

Put simple.

FFVIII PC (Fully modded) < FFVIII PSX (Emulated / Filters)
Once you go through the hassle of getting it to work, then changing all the music over because the Midi's sound like utter arse and then going ahead and playing the PC version just because its FMV quality is a bit better is just retarded, the PSX version it better in pretty much every other way. Nice little guide though.

Just for the record.
FFVII PC (Fully moded - high res models, etc) > FFVII PSX (Emulated / Filters)

My feelings anyhow.

*sigh*...fine I guess I'll be going through the Fire Cavern twice, tonight.

[edit] actually, i'll have to do it tomorrow...i promised myself i'd get to bed at a decent time tonight...LOL

[Spyhop]

Originally Posted by cyric1983

The difference between me and you is that I've seen this work first hand.

You assume much.

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