I received Half Life 2 as a gift a few months back, and just got around to installing it. I pull out the 5 CDs in the package – there doesn’t seem to be anything else.
I install the game and it automatically boots Steam under an account that’s not mine (it was a friend’s account who moved out and uninstalled his games, including Half-Life 2). I logout and login under a new account, but Half Life 2 and Counterstrike: Source are no longer listed.
If I try to re-add the game, it asks me for my CD key; however, there was no CD key in the package. According to this, it should be on the jewel case, manual, or on a slip of paper. However, there was no manual, no jewel cases (the CDs were in paper slips, not on there though) and there were no papers with the CD key.
I can’t contact the retailer as I have no idea who sold the game and certainly no receipt.
Am I stuck with a useless game? I tried calling customer support, but the number listed on the CD gives me an error if I select the right option (press 1 for Half Life 2 GOTY edition, which I don’t have; press 2 for all others. 2 doesn’t work – it’s not connected to a number and the voice system gives me an error - and 1 locks me in endless menus that don’t have the option I’m looking for.)
You’re stuck with playing under your friend’s account, most likely. Steam is difficult to deal with under normal circumstances; [cochran]if you don’t have the code, you’re in non-play mode[/cochran].
I don’t even have the password, and he’s not likely to give it to me to use his CD key.
I sent off an e-mail to tech support; I guess, worst case, I’ll just take it to Best Buy or whatever and tell them that the game was incomplete.
That’s very disappointing. I’m frustrated FOR you.
Anyways, you checked for the CD-KEY on all of the paper slips (front and back) that held the CDs? That’s where it was located for me.
Just checked again. Nothing. Thanks, though.
Ditto.
Sounds like fluiddruid got a bum copy that someone bought, pulled the CD-key from, and then returned. You’ll have to take it back and get another. Valve has a system for dealing with such copies, but it’s troublesome.
I stopped dealing with Steam right after it was released. Far too many technical issues to deal with. I haven’t played a good multiplayer FPS in a long time. Sure, I’ve dabbled with Halo 2 for X-Box, but I can’t stand trying deal with a game pad. FPS games were meant to be played with “WASD” and a mouse!
ummm…
Half Life 2 is beautiful to look at, but unless you are playing multiplayer, it is not really worth it. Coupled with the steam foolishness required to play the game, and I kinda wish that I had my $50.00 back. Maybe there is a better game out there. Just a thought…