Another FFVII problem

[Ciri]

Hello,

I heard about this problem among other people, though I couldn't find anyone or any forum with a possible solution to this.

In CD2 of Final Fantasy VII when Bugenhaden uses the ancient key in the Forgotten City and the water is supposed to project an image, the game turns black and doesn't continue after you enter the "waterfall". Also unusually, you hear occasional error beeps in-game (the "uh-uhhh") while the screen is black. I do remember when my PSX was working, that part of the game was always extremely laggy. Now I can't get through it at all.

I have the English PAL version of the game, and have used different emulators (ePSXe 1.6.0, PSXeven, etc) and different graphics cards, but no avail. Currently I use P.E.Op.S Soft Driver 1.7, P.E.Op.S DSound AUdio Driver 1.9, Xeven's Cdr Driver 0.93, Segu Direct Input Keyboard Driver. I've tinkered with the settings on the graphics plugin, but I tried just about everything (I think). I also tried Pete's OpenGL2 Driver 2.8, but the same thing happens (I didn't tinker much with the settings, but I don't think that's the problem). It could be that the ISO is corrupt at that point, but I hear is isn't an uncommon problem with others that have the PAL versions - maybe that part of the game doesn't work with emulators, or I'm doing something wrong.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

If this helps, I've attached the savegame (for both ePSXe and PSXeven) before the problem occurs. If it is possible for someone to skip past that FMV, that would be excellent. Thanks in advance.

[hushypushy]

Yeah, it's a common problem with a certain (widely pirated) version of this game. What other emulators have you tried?

[aza123neo]

Originally Posted by hushypushy

Yeah, it's a common problem with a certain (widely pirated) version of this game. What other emulators have you tried?

"...and have used different emulators (ePSXe 1.6.0, PSXeven, etc)"

Duh

[Rebel_X]

try SSSPSX with ISO image of the game.. usually it helped me a lot in in Xenogear game, I don't know if this gonna help you with FF7, also FF7 should not contain any bad sectors when creating ISO image (might be the problem in your case)..

[Squall-Leonhart]

might try using CDR Sapu, otherwise you need a rom patch....

[hushypushy]

Originally Posted by aza123neo

"...and have used different emulators (ePSXe 1.6.0, PSXeven, etc)"

Duh

You see the "etc"? From my understanding, that means there are more (unlisted) examples. So did you try just ePSXe and PSXeven? Is that "etc" just for show? My question was "what other emulators have you tried?" with the implied "besides the ones you already listed" ending. Maybe I should've just said that...well, I will now: Did you also try SSSPSX, PCSX, pSX, and Xebra/Arbex?

I'm not assaulting you, I just wanted to know. You don't have to play the game forever with that emulator, just through one memory card save.

Anyway, you can upload your save game if you wish, someone who also has the English PAL version will be able to pass it for you. I've passed this part a few times for people with the NTSC version (the warez version) already.

[Ciri]

I was thinking something might be wrong with the ISO image that was created. I couldn't get the CD to work, but my friend gave me an ISO image of the game instead - I guess that's the problem.

I've tried PSCX and Bleem! (I know that one's outdated) as well with no luck, but I'll give the other emulators you mentioned a shot. Personally, I think the only problem is that image version my friend gave me is a bit sketchy, but I'll deal with that later.

I'm not sure if this would work - but would converting the memory card saves into the NTSC version, using the memcard converter, work for those who have that version instead of the PAL version? I could attach that version of the saves instead of the one I posted previously.

Thanks for all your help thusfar .

[Squall-Leonhart]

CD didn't work because it requires a rom patch, or as i said, use CDR Sapu

[Ciri]

That's true, but unfortunately it's a hardware problem on my end so I can't use CD's period.

Edit: Nevermind, tried the CD on another computer and the FMV still doesn't play.

[hushypushy]

Originally Posted by Ciri

I couldn't get the CD to work, but my friend gave me an ISO image of the game instead - I guess that's the problem.

Yeah, that's what I've been trying to say...

Have you tried to make your own ISO?

You can also post your memory card so someone else can pass it.

[Ciri]

Righteo, I'll can try to get it burned in the meantime. If it is possible though, it would be much easier for me and a lot faster if someone could simply pass that little part (which is the only problem). I attached the memory cards for the PAL version of the saves in my first post, but I (hopefully successfully) converted them to the NTSC version using PSXmemtool if anyone has that version instead. It would be much appreciated

[hushypushy]

Here you go. Time to go check out the Sister Ray

[Ciri]

Ahh! That saved me loads of time. Thanks a lot! Much appreciated ^_^

[Keyse]

I'm actually having the same problem and I can't go home to get my own CDs quite yet...is there any way someone could help me and skip the FMV for me as well? It'd be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[hushypushy]

So you're having that glitch with the warez version of the game?

[Keyse]

Yeah. A friend was talking about FFVII at school and I wanted to play it so I found it somewhere on the web. But the version I downloaded is PAL and the version I own is NTSC...Is it possible to transfer a PAL save game to NTSC?

[hushypushy]

Yeah, it's possible to convert the save. I think you can use PSXmemtool for that. Shendo should have some information about that, where is he...maybe send him a PM.

If you already own the game, there's no reason to download it. Did you know that you can make your own ISO?

[Keyse]

Well I didn't bring the discs to college, they're at home. But I can just wait until I get home then.

[hushypushy]

Have it sent in the mail, that's what I'd do.

[patrickp]

FWIW I also have the PAL version of this game (SCES-00867/10867/20867) and it played perfectly through that part in pSX Emulator.

This would have been playing from .ccd/.img/.sub images, but the CDs play fine as well (although I doubt I've played that particular section from CD). Since AFAIK the game isn't copy protected (the PAL versions of Final Fantasy VIII and IX are, though), any properly ripped image should work fine.