Official Final Fantasy VIII Help Thread

FINAL FANTASY VIII (PSP) HELP THREAD

BEFORE READING FF8 REQUIRES A MULTI-DISK EBOOT TO RUN YOU MUST NOT USE A SINGLE-EBOOT.

NOTE:DO NOT USE RSGUIPOPSTATION OR ANY OTHER EBOOT CREATOR EXCEPT SIMPLE POPSTATION GUI AND PSX2PSP 1.4

4.01 M33 users may use 4.01 POPs as it has the same compatibility as 3.90

POPSLOADER TUTORIAL- http://forums.maxconsole.net/showthread.php?t=87901

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This is a updated thread on Final Fantasy 8 so nobody get confused on the other thread. This thread also contains the fix for PAL FF8 and every program mentioned in this post can be downloaded at the attachments.

FFVIII now works very well using the game ID SLPS_02180 on 3.90 M33(or when the pops by itself is released). No more lag, freeze, or any other problems that cursed the game. The only problem is that some FMV's will hang. The intro FMV will hang, so you'll have to use 3.71 or 3.72 with popsloader to start the game, save it, and then you can play the rest of the game without trouble on 3.90 M33. This will work only on MD EBOOTs of FFVIII. Tested by Cheska.
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GUIDE: HOW TO GET FF8 WORKING ON A MULTI-EBOOT. (2-4 Disks)

1) Download "Simple Popstation GUI" which can be obtained from the attachments, extract and load up mdGUI.

2) A menu should pop up, now type "Final Fantasy VIII" in the main EBOOT title field for the "Main ID" SLPS02180.

3) Choose the ISO file for the disks, now you can choose how many discs you want from 2-4 discs (must have at least two discs).

4) Now you must choose the IDs for each discs, SLPS02180 for all of them, yes they all have to be the same and for the compression level, 9 prefably.

5) You can customize the EBOOT if you want by clicking the "Customize" tab, save to PSP>GAME.

6) Check if everthings ok, if so click convert.

Voila! where done!
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GUIDE:HOW TO GET FF8 WORKING ON PAL VERSIONS

Well there have been some problems with FF8 on PAL versions. When booted it only loads up at the PSX logo screen and then to a black screen this is because FF8 PAL is protected, the only way to fix this is to patch it or to convert it to NTSC. The patch is called PPF-O-MATIC you can download it from the attachments. It basically just patches the FF8 ISO thus breaking its protection. Thanks to phantom-lord.

How-to PPF-O-MATIC:

1) Extract the RAR to desktop or something and load up PPF-O-MATIC v3.
2) Search for the ISO lets say DISC 1 for example and open it.
3) Then search for the patch for the disc (included in the RAR) in this case the patch for DISC 1.
4) Then simply click apply then it should patch the ISO.

This method was tested by phantom-lord and was proven to work

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ISSUES

The game will freeze at certain points, however to bypass this you have to have to set the disc speed to fast, to do this press Home>Other Settings>Disk Speed>Fast

Unfortunately setting the disc speed to fast will not fix all the issues so all you have to do is switch to 3.71 POPs right before the following FMVs;

1) The Sorceress Parade. (When the people start dancing)(DISC 1)

2) Balamb garden transformation. (DISC 2)

3) When Squall looks through some binoculars to look at Galbadia Garden (DISC 2)

4) When Rinoa slips of the cliff no FMV shows. (DISC 2)

5) When Galbadian Soldiers break through the window in the class ( Second Floor) (DISC 2)

6) Squall freeing rinoa at the memorial. (DISC3)

7) Lunar cry (when Squall looks out of a window) (DISC 3)

8) When the Ragnarok tries to break through the Lunatic Pandora. (DISC 3)

9) When Squall,Ellone and Pete escape in pods the FMV crashes. (DISC 3)

10) Very last FMV when you defeat Ultimecia. (DISC 4)

11) When Adel uses quake game locks up. (Slight chance of this happening if so Re-Rip your discs) DISC 4
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Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP5qChLDnaM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yoy5PeK-MUw

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FAQ

How much in size is a Multi-EBOOT?

Well it depends on how many discs you put in to the Multi-EBOOT, 2 discs is about 600MB fully compressed and 4 discs is 2.04GB.

Is there only one kind of Multi-EBOOT creator?

No there are a few but we highly reccomend you use only Simple Popstation and PSX2PSP 1.4.

What kind of software can i use to rip the ISO from my FF8 discs?

There are various kinds of software, but the best ones are
Alcohol120%, MagicISO, Nero and IMGburn.

What POPs version is need to minimize the risk of crashing and such?

3.90 and 4.01 are the best POPs versions to use at the moment.

OK..im confused whats POPs?

POPs is a PSX emulator for the PSP developed by Sony. You can use diffrent versions of POPS.

I followed your guide and the game still crashes why is this?

You are probaly using a Single-EBOOT, use a Multi-EBOOT or you probably have a bad rip.

I dont own this game... where can i download this?

Dont download the game if you dont own its illegal, just ask a friend DONT ask here unless you want to get banned.

Can i use different IDs for all four discs?

No you must use the same ID for all the disks.

If you have any problems or want to ask a question feel free to post a comment or just PM me.


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Credits
Cheska- For discovering this fix.
phantom-lord-Fix for PAL verisons.
Manias- VERY Helpful.
Duck Buster- Popsloader Tutorial

Nice trick, thanks!.

note that IIRC cheska only tested with multidisc eboots.. which work great. So perhaps there's something there, as some ppl tested with multiple eboots (one disc per eboot) and they did still have some crashes

i think it works perfect too without the multidisk eboots

Originally Posted by waqster

i think it works perfect too without the multidisk eboots

Could anyone confirm this?

from my own experience, the game is only stable when playing on a multi-disc eboot. i tried both of my saves at the time [one before fake president fight in disc 1, the other on the world map in disc 3] and attempted to play through with single-disc eboots on 3.90, and recieved several crashes. it was only after i tried cheska's multi that i was able to get it fully functional.

so, in a nutshell, if you want a perfect playthrough of VIII on the PSP, you'd better have a big memory stick! the file is slightly over 2 gig with all discs combined.

Originally Posted by dancingmadx77

from my own experience, the game is only stable when playing on a multi-disc eboot. i tried both of my saves at the time [one before fake president fight in disc 1, the other on the world map in disc 3] and attempted to play through with single-disc eboots on 3.90, and recieved several crashes. it was only after i tried cheska's multi that i was able to get it fully functional.

so, in a nutshell, if you want a perfect playthrough of VIII on the PSP, you'd better have a big memory stick! the file is slightly over 2 gig with all discs combined.

its about 1.7 gb if anyone wants to know

Originally Posted by waqster

its about 1.7 gb if anyone wants to know

No, it's 2.04 gigs combined(and fully compressed).


Also, I have also tested single disks out for this trick(not a whole lot, but enough to justify that it's working), and I've found no instances of crashing. For notable areas, I tested the tower, Diablos, various parts of disk 3, and minor other areas. All tests have concluded that it works perfectly fine in those instances. In some cases(like I mentioned in the PSX-PSP compatibility site), saves can be an issue, along with an older version of the EBOOT. First, check that your pops is on the original flash(for 3.90 M33) and that you're not using something else. Next, make sure you have no prior save for SLPS02180. After that, start the EBOOT and check if the beginning FMV will work or not. If it doesn't, that means your EBOOT should be the perfect one. If it starts, something is wrong. Like stated before, to start the intro, use 3.71/2 pops.

If you can't seem to get that working, and don't have a 4 gig stick for my 4-disk multi-EBOOT, simply try creating a 2-disk EBOOT, as it should have the same effect. Hope this helps.

-Cheska

Originally Posted by Cheska

No, it's 2.04 gigs combined(and fully compressed).


Also, I have also tested single disks out for this trick(not a whole lot, but enough to justify that it's working), and I've found no instances of crashing. For notable areas, I tested the tower, Diablos, various parts of disk 3, and minor other areas. All tests have concluded that it works perfectly fine in those instances. In some cases(like I mentioned in the PSX-PSP compatibility site), saves can be an issue, along with an older version of the EBOOT. First, check that your pops is on the original flash(for 3.90 M33) and that you're not using something else. Next, make sure you have no prior save for SLPS02180. After that, start the EBOOT and check if the beginning FMV will work or not. If it doesn't, that means your EBOOT should be the perfect one. If it starts, something is wrong. Like stated before, to start the intro, use 3.71/2 pops.

If you can't seem to get that working, and don't have a 4 gig stick for my 4-disk multi-EBOOT, simply try creating a 2-disk EBOOT, as it should have the same effect. Hope this helps.

-Cheska

well that sucks i only have a 2gb

http://forums.maxconsole.net/showthr...d=1#post861455

Originally Posted by Rethion

http://forums.maxconsole.net/showthr...d=1#post861455

? what about that? this thread also says to use that code :P

About the problems with crashes with MD eboot and single discs eboots is simply a lie. I got a 1 gig. card and everything runs perfect, no fmv has freezed. i dont have any problem with single discs eboots, i use the 3.90 m33 Firmware with no popsloader and it works without any problem.

Oh By the way, im usin a Slim, not a Phat.

Are you sure? Not knocking anyone here, but 9 times outta 10, people here claim a game "works" after like 5 minutes of playing it.

Originally Posted by Chickenwuss

About the problems with crashes with MD eboot and single discs eboots is simply a lie. I got a 1 gig. card and everything runs perfect, no fmv has freezed. i dont have any problem with single discs eboots, i use the 3.90 m33 Firmware with no popsloader and it works without any problem.

Oh By the way, im usin a Slim, not a Phat.

If your intro FMV works, there is something wrong(if you're on 3.90 M33 and using SLPS02180). I've argued and proved my point far too much sense I've stated it before, and I'm just going to say if that happens, then it's not in the "perfect" version mode(Aside from the 3 fmv freezes).

Also, waqster, I'd recommend putting up PopstationMDv3.00, which you can fine and post up here: http://dl.qj.net/General-Apps/pg/12/fid/15852/catid/151

It's the best multi-disk PSX-PSP EBOOT creator so far.

thx for the tip cheska