Monk AF NPC not playing cutscenes fully or at all.

Platform: Play Station 2
ISP: Verizon
Type of Internet Connection: DSL
Internet Connection Speed: Unknown
Date & Time: Nov. 4, 2011 10:00p EST to Nov. 5, 2011 time of this post
Frequency: Almost always, took multiple tries to advance through 1st quest, stuck on
2nd quest
Character Name: Habil
Race: ElvaanM
World: Valefor
Main Job: Monk, Lv.95
Support Job: Warrior, Black Mage, White Mage
Area and Coordinates: Port Bastok (E-6)
Party or Solo: Party with 3 members 1 time, Solo mostly
NPC Name: Oggbi
Monster Name: None
Steps:
1. Talked to npc to start quest, character paused as if waiting for a cutscene, nothing happened, was unable to move or log out.
2. Forced a cold restart, tried to talk to npc again, same thing happens.
3. Repeated step #2 at least 10 times, then zoned to Bastok Markets, logged off, logged on, zoned back into Port Bastok talked to NPC, was able to start quest.
4. Completed requirements for "Ghost of the Past" quest, situation in step 1 happened again, repeated step #2 unknown number of times (10+), did step #3, talked to npc, became "stuck" again, forced restart, logged on and Monk AF weapon was in inventory without having seen the cutscene for the quest completion.
5. Zoned into Bastok Markets then back to Port Bastok to start "The First Meeting" quest, situations that happened in steps #1-3 occurred again.
6. Completed requirements for "The First Meeting" quest, went to talk to npc, situations in steps #1-3 occur again, after sometime NPC starts cutscene for quest completion, screen goes black.
7. Forced restart, tried to talk to other npcs in same area, the ones outside the tavern worked fine, tried to talk to another NPC (Carmelo) same problem happened, also with the "Game Table".
8. after forced restart, friend invites me to Party (3 memeber including myself), he cast Warp II on me, said my body vanished, but name remained, still showing me in Port Bastok in Party window. Also, between steps #6 & #7, I took out the PS2 HDD and let it sit for 10 mins then reinstalled it, problem still occurs after step #7

Greetings, Habil!
Thank you for posting your concerns regarding your game freezing while interacting with an NPC. I have made sure to submit your information to the development team, and they will thoroughly investigate this matter, based on your report. Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee that a direct response will be posted on your thread, but I do recommend checking here and here for any details regarding the development team's investigation. Also, I suggest contacting the SQUARE ENIX Support Center, just in case they may be able to help you find a solution to this matter. Thanks again for your report!