FFVII PC Installation Help

[Dravin]

Don't know if this is the right place for this, but I was hoping some you might be able to help. I'm trying to install FF7 on my PC, I have Windows 8.1 64bit, but when I run the .exe the initial prompt to start the installer comes up, I click on it, then it goes away, the computer spins, and then nothing. The installer never comes up. Any idea what's going on or how I can fix it? I appreciate any help you guys can give.

 

[Elessar]

Try running the installer in compatibility mode.

 

[Dravin]

Tried it, same thing happened. When I check the task manager, it shows up as a background process. Any idea why?

 

[Obsidian Fire]

^^What installer are you using? Because both FFVII and FFVIII run just fine on my Windows 8.1 x64 OS. Then again, I got both of those though Steam...

 

[Lex]

^For sure they're not using the steam or SE releases.

I've had this problem before when installing from my old PC discs, it's a modern software compatibility thing.

The only way that has worked for me has been to install the game in Safe Mode. If you're installing from the PC 98 discs you need to be sure to also install the custom graphics driver from Qhimm otherwise the game very likely won't run, although I assume you're going to be modding/ doing that anyway since that's the only reason I can think of that would cause you to use the old version rather than get the one from Steam/SE.

For what it's worth I've just bought and installed the Steam version now. It's far less hassle than trying to install from the old discs.

 

[Dravin]

Yeah, I'm using the old 98 version, as that's the one I originally had. Hadn't installed it in years since I usually play the psx version, but I've heard about all the mods and was interested in trying them out. I'll try Safe Mode and see how it goes. The mods were one reason for using the 98 version, another being that I try to avoid DRM whenever I can no matter how benign. I don't like having to rely on an external program to run my games. Used to be that wasn't necessary, games and other programs could be installed without the need for a separate program to manage them (aside from the OS, obviosuly, but I meant something like Steam). I try to keep it that way on my system.

 

[Cthulhu]

Yeah you're gonna need to run the game in Compatibility Mode - IDK how it works though, is it a single .exe or is there a separate launcher and main game file? You'll want to right-click the main game's .exe and fiddle with the compatibility settings, or scour the interwebs for a modernized exe file.

 

[Lex]

It's really odd tbh, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. And I'm talking about on the same install of the same version of Windows, trying to install in the same location etc. I don't understand why it's so finicky. I've had it boot and install fine from disc and I've had the comp completely ignore its presence when I try every compatibility option known to man and am hammering "run as admin" on the setup.exe. It's just.... old XD.

 

[Dravin]

I tried the install program again (it's an .exe) but this time I installed the old DirectX and movie player first. When I did that, the main installer started up and I was able to get the game installed. I installed the custom graphics driver from qhimm, but when I start the game I just get a black screen. Any ideas?

EDIT: Figured it out. Had to install the chocobo patch, version 1.02 patch, and the TM20 codec and it worked. Thanks for all your help, guys!

 

[Cthulhu]

It's really odd tbh, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. And I'm talking about on the same install of the same version of Windows, trying to install in the same location etc. I don't understand why it's so finicky. I've had it boot and install fine from disc and I've had the comp completely ignore its presence when I try every compatibility option known to man and am hammering "run as admin" on the setup.exe. It's just.... old XD.

I hope you've got a newfound appreciation of my job now,

 

[Lex]

Nope, just hatred for your predecessors who created this infernal installer