A few problems.... initial data, rules, etc.

There are a few problems plaguing me and I can't find any good fixes on the forums. I'm running 2.5
1) My initial data does not work. It doesn't matter what I check, I will never start with anything but the default small shield.
2) When I pick up bombs, it goes right to my bomb count. So what is the point of the bomb bag? Is there any way to get it so I can only collect bombs when I have the bomb bag?
3) Strings in shops currently freeze my game. I have followed the rules at PureZC tutorials to no avail.

Any help would be EXTREMELY helpful. Thank you so much in advance, and sorry if these are trivial questions. =)

1) are you starting a new game or did you save?
2) I believe you need the bomb item to collect bomb ammo. You can set the amount of bomb you can collect to 0 and then use a bomb bag to allow collecting bombs. (I think)
3) I am sorry I really have no idea how guy rooms work anymore. I think I had an idea in like 2002 but I am really lost now. I don't use them.

1) It's from a save, so that probably explains that one.
2) Sounds good, I'll try it out
3) I tried it with both a guy room and a separate DMap for the shop, and no matter which I choose it'll still freeze the game. I haven't tried strings anywhere else yet, but I'll test it out in my first dungeon and see if the same thing happens. The strings on the intros to the maps work fine, though.