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How to fix "Septerra Core" (NOTICE: Outdated)
By Transdude1996
NOTICE: As of November 25, 2016, the use of this guide is no longer required due a new update just released. This update fixes all the problems this guide covers. However, this does not mean that this guide will be deleted. I will leave this available for historical purposes, and for those who do have a copy of Septerra Core that isn't one of the updated versions (Steam or GOG versions).

Septerra Core was one of the earliest successful attempts at Western devs developing a JRPG. However, as machines have progressed and programs have changed, it has been a trying process figuring out how to get this game running like it did over 15 years ago. Recently, however, thanks to a few people (CalinTM and Silvery-Corgan[www.gog.com]), I have now found out how to fix the near universal problems people have when running Septerra Core.
   
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Created by
Transdude1996
Offline
Category: Modding or Configuration
Languages: English
Posted
Updated
10 Feb, 2016 @ 11:57am
25 Dec, 2017 @ 8:43pm
2,690 Unique Visitors
16 Current Favorites
Guide Index
Overview
What do you need to do? 
What did you just do? 
F.A.Q. 
Comments
What do you need to do?
This isn't all that hard of a guide to follow, but I have tried to make things as universally friendly as possible.

  1. Start and open the game. Yes, that is the first step.

  2. Open up the directory that Septerra Core is located in. The default location should be:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Septerra Core
    One of the folders located in the directory should be labled "qt". Open it, and install Quicktime.

  3. Download the GOG version of the "septerra.exe" from here[archive.is] (Due to Steam's screening of links, I had to post an archive of the page. You can still find the original link in the "Saved from" field at the top of the page). Once that is done, replace the version of "septerra.exe" currently located in the game's directory with the GOG version of the executable.

  4. Delete any and all AVI files located in Septerra Core's directory as well as files titled "ddraw.dll" and "QuickTime.qts". If all of these cannot be located, move onto the next step.

  5. Download this archive[www.gog.com]. In it, you should find 13 ".db" files and another archive titled "QT4.zip".

  6. Copy all of the ".db" files into Septerra Core's directory, and replace all of the ".db" files that you're asked about.

  7. Unzip the "QT4.zip" archive, and you should see two files titled "QuickTime.qtp" and "QuickTime.qts". Copy both of them to:
    C:\Windows\syswow64
    And, if asked, replacing the already existing files.

  8. Uninstall Quicktime.

And, that should be it. Hope you enjoy the game.
What did you just do?
This section is to, more or less, give you the simple details on what each step does (For those who want to be cautious about modifying their games)

  1. The point of this step was to make sure the game is installed. You need to have loaded the game, at least, once prior to tinkering around with it.

  2. This is just a simple installation of Apple's QuickTime program. For those who've heard of this game's problems with QuickTime 7, you shouldn't worry because this process fixes all of that.

  3. You're replacing the "septerra.exe" provided from Steam with the version of the executable provided by GOG. The reason this is required is because the game's executable from Steam seems to have a bug that causes dialog skipping while in-game. This was fixed with the GOG version of the executable, but they've yet to fix it with the Steam version.

  4. These next few steps are how you get the videos running while in-game. The reason you need to delete these files is beacause they're part of the problem.

  5. The archive downloaded contains the fixed videos as well as another archive with a fix for the Quicktime problem.

  6. You're copying over the fixed versions of the videos.

  7. You're fixing the problem QuickTime is having with playing the videos.

  8. The Quicktime program is no longer needed. Also, QuickTime isn't a very secure program to keep on Windows since Apple left a few secrutiy holes when they dropped support for it.
F.A.Q.
Q
Do I need to follow all of this guide's steps?
A
Yes. If you don't, I cannot gurantee that the game will function properly for you.

Q
Why is [insert step] inlcuded? It seems like a lot of this is now unneeded/fixed and should be removed.
A
Because this is the process one has to follow to fix the game. If you do not need to follow any of these steps, then good for you. However, not everyone is as fortunate.

Q
Can I use the official 1.04 update of the "septerra.exe" file instead of the GOG version?
A
No. In addition to the 1.04 update, the GOG executable contains numerous other patches (Such as the skipping dialog fix).

Q
I followed all the steps and the game still doesn't work, why?
A
Please list the version of the game you are using and your version of Windows. This guide was designed using the latest update of the Steam version of the game (As of November 2016) and on a Windows 10 Home 64-bit system.

Q
Why is the game running in 640x480? Can the resolution be increased?
A
As far as I know, you cannot without using an external upscaler between your monitor and computer. I've received no change in resolution when configuring me GPU's control panel, and the Timeslip patch[timeslip.users.sourceforge.net] resulted in unpleasent outcomes. If you do find a way to run the game at a higher resolution, please provide it below and I'll add it to the guide.
16 Comments
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Neana Undómiel 19 Apr, 2018 @ 2:03pm 
Perform all the steps described by Transdude1996 and then:

Unzip septerra.rar "Septerra.exe" in the C: \ Program Files (x86) \ Steam \ steamapps \ common \ Septerra Core directory. Replace.

Right-click: Go to Compatibility;

Select Run this program in compatibility mode: Windows 98 / Windows Me

Check Settings:
Run in 256 colors;
Disable desktop composition;
Disable display scaling in high DPI settings;
Execute as administrator;

Apply.

Before opening Septerra.exe go to:
Desktop and click the right mouse button;
Screen resolution;
Change the resolution to 800x600. Apply.

Open the game and play Happy! :steamhappy:
Transdude1996  [author] 25 Dec, 2017 @ 8:49pm 
Addressing the two main problems nearly everyone was having with the game was the main point of this guide. However, both of these issues were resolved over a year ago after an update to the game was made. Just updated the links (Seeing as how Valve removed them), so see if step 3 fixes your problem and report back.
bizkitsandgravy 25 Dec, 2017 @ 11:51am 
How is this Obsolete? I recently purchased the game off of Steam Store, and it still will not run. I continuously receive the Direct Draw Fatal error, and there is no help online on how to fix this.
adventureFAN 28 Nov, 2016 @ 2:01am 
This guide is obsolete.
XOF 29 Oct, 2016 @ 6:31am 
Of course I dropped QuickTime 7 and install QuickTime 6.5 just because version 7 just won't play video in the game.
XOF 29 Oct, 2016 @ 6:25am 
Its not the legal way to fix the game. You just need to install Septerra Core offical patch 1.04 and install quicktime 6.5. It is fixed all things for me on Windows 10 64-bit latest beta.
mickiewicz 13 Jul, 2016 @ 2:35am 
I guess the steam version is now updated with the .db files so no need to replace them. Maybe you should consider uploading only the qt4.zip file now?
Lar 12 Jul, 2016 @ 6:54pm 
Thanks, this realy help.
Grumbleng 3 Jun, 2016 @ 11:52am 
.DB files from default steam install are byte by byte same with files in your archive. And there is no files titled "ddraw.dll" and "QuickTime.qts" by default now
DarkWaterSong 10 Apr, 2016 @ 1:21am 
It works on Windows 10 Pro 64 bit!