Ok, it seems that there are STILL people having issues even getting the game to start. So here is (an attempt at) a cure-all reply.
There are several slightly altered versions of the game to download (a few bytes here and there can make all the difference). I finally settled on the ones listed here
http://www.hongfire.com/forum/showthread.php/289024-HF-FSo-Fse-My-H-SLG-and-H-RPG-game-collection/page6
Scroll down the post a little. Fileserve no longer hosts any of the parts, so...
If someone could upload them to a non-faggot file hosting site, it would be much appreciated.
You need to change your language and regional settings. You SHOULD know how to do this.
If you know jack shit about computers...
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ASIAN LANGUAGE PACKS INSTALLED
(For XP) START --> Control Panel --> Regional and Language Options
Under "Regional Options" change the drop-down menu to "Japanese"
Under "Advanced" change the drop down menu to "Japanese"
If you see the languages in their own form, select 日本語
Apply. You will be prompted to locate the language pack, choose to use the local, allready installed version rather than a disk. Then restart your computer.
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Extract the files to TWO locations. One will be with the patch, one without.
Extract the patch to ONE of the folders, and select Yes to replace the duplicates.
http://www.mediafire.com/?nd81gzddl1w23b4