Already used activation code.

M

Mattador

Guest
I just bought Halflife 2 and I installed it with the 5 discs. Then a program called "Steam" made me make an account. I made the account and whenever I click on the Halflife 2 icon on my desktop, Steam pops up. It doesn't have any option to start a new game or play online, it says I need to purchase the game.. which I have already done.

Am I doing something wrong? please help.
Oh and I tried activating it with the code they gave me with the game, but it said it's already been used.
 
If you brought it second hand, you're screwed. Unless you can get the account name and password etc from the person who first installed the game and therefore tied the CD key to their account. You MUST use Steam and a Steam account to play things like HL2. There is NO legal way around it. The CD key will ONLY be able to be used ONCE to make ONE account, and then logging onto that Steam account is the ONLY way to install or play that game forever after.

However - you say you have already installed it. The thing is, you CAN'T install it without making or logging onto a valid Steam account. So you have a little explaining to do...
 
Shasta said:
If you brought it second hand, you're screwed. Unless you can get the account name and password etc from the person who first installed the game and therefore tied the CD key to their account. You MUST use Steam and a Steam account to play things like HL2. There is NO legal way around it. The CD key will ONLY be able to be used ONCE to make ONE account, and then logging onto that Steam account is the ONLY way to install or play that game forever after.

However - you say you have already installed it. The thing is, you CAN'T install it without making or logging onto a valid Steam account. So you have a little explaining to do...
Click to expand...

Now that's being a tad overly critical.

You seem to think that EVERYBODY is pirating the game Shasta...

But I do find it a tad suspicious that he'd duplicate and move this thread to an entirely separate board, right after you brought that up...
 
sinkoman said:
Now that's being a tad overly critical.

You seem to think that EVERYBODY is pirating the game Shasta...

But I do find it a tad suspicious that he'd duplicate and move this thread to an entirely separate board, right after you brought that up...
Click to expand...
I'm just saying: you CAN'T install without a working Steam account that has the game registered to it. He says he DOESN'T have a working Steam account with the game locked to it, BUT he HAS installed the game. Very suspicious. I'd like an explanation before any more help is offered.
 
Shasta said:
I'm just saying: you CAN'T install without a working Steam account that has the game registered to it. He says he DOESN'T have a working Steam account with the game locked to it, BUT he HAS installed the game. Very suspicious. I'd like an explanation before any more help is offered.
Click to expand...

I really doubt that people take down the installation procedure they had to take verbatim and relay it to their help threads.
 
It is a contradiction...
 
sinkoman said:
I really doubt that people take down the installation procedure they had to take verbatim and relay it to their help threads.
Click to expand...
He needs an account to install. He doesn't have one. But he HAS somehow installed the game. Something is not right. What part is confusing you?
 
Wait... at what stage do you need the CD Key?

Registering the game, right?
 
If I understand right, he's installed steam, made an account, installed HL2 (as in copied the files from CD to HD), but when he goes to launch it, it wants activation, but Steam says it's already registered elsewhere?

(I've never installed a CD-version, I've only bought straight from Steam, so I don't know if you can 'install' the game before activating, but I don't see why not)

Edit: Try a few more times, but the only thing I can think of is that someone's already got your key via keygen or something :(
 
Shasta said:
He needs an account to install. He doesn't have one. But he HAS somehow installed the game. Something is not right. What part is confusing you?
Click to expand...

Mattador said:
Then a program called "Steam" made me make an account. I made the account and whenever I click on the Halflife 2 icon on my desktop, Steam pops up.
Click to expand...

.
 
Oh for fu*ks sake. Why am I always the one who has to spell it out to you?

YOU NEED AN ACCOUNT WITH AN HL2 KEY REGISTERED TO IT, TO INSTALL HL2. HIS ACCOUNT ISN'T WORTH PISS, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE A VALID HL2 CD KEY BOUND TO IT. I COULD MAKE STEAM ACCOUNTS ALL DAY, BUT THEY DON'T MEAN SH*T WITHOUT A VALID KEY BOUND TO THEM.

So if he doesn't have a Steam account with an HL2 key BOUND TO IT, how did he install?

So all you morons saying "he has a steam account...blah blah blah" use your fu*king heads.
 
Then you're both wrong :p

I think what Jintor said is correct, you don't need to have the key bound while you extract the files to your Steamapps directory. You can register the key afterwards to unlock the game, but in Mattador's case, the key's already in use.
 
Naudian said:
Then you're both wrong :p

I think what Jintor said is correct, you don't need to have the key bound while you extract the files to your Steamapps directory. You can register the key afterwards to unlock the game, but in Mattador's case, the key's already in use.
Click to expand...
It's been a few years since I created my account, but I'm pretty sure you must enter the key first - why would they want to let you put the content on your PC BEFORE checking if you are legit? It would be too easy for some whizz to get around the copy protection. Harder if they can't even install at all. Most games want the CD key FIRST. Why would Steam be any different? Again - I'm pretty sure it's not.
 
Lol sinkoman are you actually reading what Shasta is saying?
 
Shasta said:
It's been a few years since I created my account, but I'm pretty sure you must enter the key first - why would they want to let you put the content on your PC BEFORE checking if you are legit? It would be too easy for some whizz to get around the copy protection. Harder if they can't even install at all. Most games want the CD key FIRST. Why would Steam be any different? Again - I'm pretty sure it's not.
Click to expand...

i just installed HL2 retail on my computers PC and it did NOT ask me for logging in first. hence you CAN install HL2 without valid account. just not play it, without logging in and registering the cd key. that's his problem. he's probably asking for a way to register the cd key to his account.
 
If that is the case (which I doubt...) can he not go to "Activate product on Steam" and enter it from there?
 
[RnL]Stefan said:
i just installed HL2 retail on my computers PC and it did NOT ask me for logging in first. hence you CAN install HL2 without valid account. just not play it, without logging in and registering the cd key. that's his problem. he's probably asking for a way to register the cd key to his account.
Click to expand...

THANK you.

Now quit bitching Shasta/Sinko/The rest.

He apparently either bought it second hand and is ****ed, or got it from wal-mart, and some kid already jacked the CD-Key.

Follow the link provided for resetting the key, or try to get the original steam account.
 
[RnL]Stefan said:
i just installed HL2 retail on my computers PC and it did NOT ask me for logging in first. hence you CAN install HL2 without valid account. just not play it, without logging in and registering the cd key. that's his problem. he's probably asking for a way to register the cd key to his account.
Click to expand...
On your "computers PC"? What?

Anyway, unless you installed your game for the first time just now, (which seems doubtful as you have over 100 posts here - why would you only NOW be installing it?) it doesn't ask you for your CD key. ONLY the first time, to bind it to your account. EVERY time you install after that, you just need to log onto the same account, as the key is already bound to it. So if that's the case, you shouldn't have expected it to ask for the key again anyway.
 
Shasta said:
On your "computers PC"? What?

Anyway, unless you installed your game for the first time just now, (which seems doubtful as you have over 100 posts here - why would you only NOW be installing it?) it doesn't ask you for your CD key. ONLY the first time, to bind it to your account. EVERY time you install after that, you just need to log onto the same account, as the key is already bound to it. So if that's the case, you shouldn't have expected it to ask for the key again anyway.
Click to expand...

woops..my *brothers* pc. not knowing my brothers account login. i just did him the favor of installing it while he was at work and i was reseting up his box. i personally never got a cd key as i purchased it via steam.

and im well aware of the rest you stated. i was making clear, that with the retail copy of hl2 you can install the game without having to login into steam, as the installer only copies the hl2 files into the steam directory. hence proofing you wrong on your claim "you cannot install hl2 without logging into steam".
 
[RnL]Stefan said:
woops..my *brothers* pc. not knowing my brothers account login. i just did him the favor of installing it while he was at work and i was reseting up his box. i personally never got a cd key as i purchased it via steam.
Click to expand...
I'll stop you right there. I'm pretty sure that even online sales get given an activation code - which is the same as a CD key. So how can you have NEVER used a code? Can someone who has bought off Steam confirm this? Do you get a serial code or not?

Secondly, you say you installed for your brother, but didn't know his account details. So he ALREADY had an account, and had ALREADY bound his key to it, so you would NOT have been asked for it again ANYWAY, making your little "contribution" to this thread irrelevant, as we are talking about FIRST TIME installs and CD key uses.

Whether or not I am right about putting in your key before installation, you sure as hell need to log onto a Steam account before installation - because it needs to know what to name the sub-folder it puts the game in, in the Steam folder for a start. So you are pretty much full of sh*t about installing with NO ACCOUNT at all, let alone one without an HL2 bound to it.

[RnL]Stefan said:
and im well aware of the rest you stated. i was making clear, that with the retail copy of hl2 you can install the game without having to login into steam, as the installer only copies the hl2 files into the steam directory. hence proofing you wrong on your claim "you cannot install hl2 without logging into steam".
Click to expand...
Install without Steam? You are full of crap, or have a pirate / hacked copy, or are severely mentally impaired.
 
Can't install Steam games without an account. They can be installed under an account other than the one that will be used, but that does you no good.
 
Shasta, he didn't say "Install without Steam," he said, "Install the game without having to login to steam."

When installing half-life 2 at any point, the setup makes sure that Steam is installed (with an account name directory to install to) before copying the HL2 files, but does not need you to be logged in.
(Okay I actually just made all that up, I don't know for sure if that's how it works, but it makes the most sense and seems right from what I recall)

Shasta, you're full of crap, and it makes me laugh, especially with your sig :LOL:

BTW didn't a moderator put that in your sig?
 
Naudian said:
Shasta, he didn't say "Install without Steam," he said, "Install the game without having to login to steam."

When installing half-life 2 at any point, the setup makes sure that Steam is installed (with an account name directory to install to) before copying the HL2 files, but does not need you to be logged in.
(Okay I actually just made all that up, I don't know for sure if that's how it works, but it makes the most sense and seems right from what I recall)
Click to expand...
Then how would it know what "account name directory" to install to if you didn't need to log onto a Steam account first??????? Can it see into the future?

Also, why would you need to install Steam first, if you didn't need to log onto a Steam account before installing the game?

Look, I'm not saying I know 100% for sure, because it has been a LONG time since I had to use my CD key for that magical first and only time. But I DO know you MUST install steam first, and you MUST be online to even START to install the game, and that you DO need an account with the game key bound to it to play, and that Steam makes a folder with the same name as your account to put your game stuff into. Now why would you be FORCED to install Steam FIRST, be FORCED to be online to install, if you didn't need to log onto a Steam account to install. And as you need to log onto a Steam account, why would they let you use a Steam account to install HL2, that DOESN'T have an HL2 key bound to it? It just wouldn't make sense.

So as far as I'm aware, you need to log onto a Steam account that you have entered an HL2 key into (before, or just now), and THEN you can install the game.

Naudian said:
Shasta, you're full of crap, and it makes me laugh, especially with your sig :LOL:

BTW didn't a moderator put that in your sig?
Click to expand...
Nah, that's all me. There was a mod that took his mod privileges too far when he couldn't accept that I was right and he was not - it was clear as day, and I think he just got embarrassed about looking like a tool - so he took it upon himself to use his mod status to change my sig / avatar on a daily basis, because he couldn't out-smart me in a fair "fight" (although when you are as wrong as he was, no amount of intelligence will make you right). Anyway, he quickly screwed up by putting swearing and insults directed at Munro and some mods in my sig (to make it look like it was ME saying those things and then getting banned for it) but he got caught red-handed. Good times, good times.
 
When buying over Steam, you do not get a product code.

Shasta's clearly right anyway.
 
Shasta said:
Then how would it know what "account name directory" to install to if you didn't need to log onto a Steam account first??????? Can it see into the future?

Also, why would you need to install Steam first, if you didn't need to log onto a Steam account before installing the game?

Look, I'm not saying I know 100% for sure, because it has been a LONG time since I had to use my CD key for that magical first and only time. But I DO know you MUST install steam first, and you MUST be online to even START to install the game, and that you DO need an account with the game key bound to it to play, and that Steam makes a folder with the same name as your account to put your game stuff into. Now why would you be FORCED to install Steam FIRST, be FORCED to be online to install, if you didn't need to log onto a Steam account to install. And as you need to log onto a Steam account, why would they let you use a Steam account to install HL2, that DOESN'T have an HL2 key bound to it? It just wouldn't make sense.

So as far as I'm aware, you need to log onto a Steam account that you have entered an HL2 key into (before, or just now), and THEN you can install the game.
Click to expand...

PreEdit: Okay I started typing this before your edit so read on :p



How to install HL2 for Shastas

Step 1. Insert HL2 installation disk

Step 2. Wait for Autorun

Step 3. Click Install

Step 4. Setup will check for a steam installation.
  • If Steam is already installed, setup looks to \Steam\steamapps\ and puts some .gfc files there, then it looks to all existing account name directories. You could have something like \Steam\steamapps\accountname1\ and Steam\steamapps\accountname2\ - however many there are, the setup creates game folders for each account, whether or not you are logged in. This way you can have multiple users, all with their own purchase of the game, but they share the game content archives, and have their own folders for configuration settings and custom content.
  • If Steam is not installed, then you have to install it and login at least once with an account. At this point I think you can remain logged in and continue the installation, or log out and installation will still work. I'm guessing. Anyway the setup will now extract the .gcf files.
Step 5. Setup is done and it says HL2 is installed. Well, if this is your first time installing HL2 on your account, see step 6. If you've already tied the key to the account then see step 8.

Step 6. Up to this point you haven't entered in any CD key. So when you log in to your account and launch Half-Life 2 (from the "Not installed" list) it will ask for the key to activate and tie it to the current account.

Step 7. Wait through a year or two of validation.

Step 8. Play the damn game! \o/
 
So you don't need a CD-key to install the game, just to validate/update/play it.
 
Naudian said:
Stuff
Click to expand...
Now we have both listed "the" way that an install goes down. Both ways are different however, so someone has it wrong. Without proof (from a Steam link I guess), you can't say your way is fact, and I guess neither can I.

All we have is "he said, she said" (you can be the she!). Hopefully someone can find an official HL2 installation guide from Steam that has enough info on it to clear this up (so no-one bother posting links to ones that DON'T clear this up. That would just make you look like an idiot).

Because what you guys are saying just doesn't make sense - why let someone even install the game without using a key when the account they are FORCED to make an use before installing is already right there etc, and you seem convinced that you are also right. As neither of us have any solid proof, neither of us can claim that the other is wrong yet.

That's why I haven't gone off my nut about this one, because I'm only pretty sure how the CD key is used in the first install, not 100% positive.
 
That's true, I'm like 80-90% sure on the stuff I posted, some was just guessing though :\ Anybody who actually knows how it works care to correct us babbling fools? I can think of a few different situations and ways you could install it but I'm not gonna bother posting any more thoughts.

Anyway, it's all the same for the original poster, his key seems to be in use and he probably needs to buy it again :(
 
Shasta said:
Because what you guys are saying just doesn't make sense - why let someone even install the game without using a key when the account they are FORCED to make an use before installing is already right there etc, and you seem convinced that you are also right. As neither of us have any solid proof, neither of us can claim that the other is wrong yet.

That's why I haven't gone off my nut about this one, because I'm only pretty sure how the CD key is used in the first install, not 100% positive.
Click to expand...

I am also about 90% sure on this one, but reasonable doubt still exists... anyway.

http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=174

This may be relevant. The CD-keys are tied to your account after installation of the encrypted game files, methinks, so...

But I don't know if this happens during initial installation of HL2 via CD.
 
Shasta said:
Oh for fu*ks sake. Why am I always the one who has to spell it out to you?

YOU NEED AN ACCOUNT WITH AN HL2 KEY REGISTERED TO IT, TO INSTALL HL2. HIS ACCOUNT ISN'T WORTH PISS, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE A VALID HL2 CD KEY BOUND TO IT. I COULD MAKE STEAM ACCOUNTS ALL DAY, BUT THEY DON'T MEAN SH*T WITHOUT A VALID KEY BOUND TO THEM.

So if he doesn't have a Steam account with an HL2 key BOUND TO IT, how did he install?

So all you morons saying "he has a steam account...blah blah blah" use your fu*king heads.
Click to expand...

You said that one requires a Steam account to install the game, which made perfect sense to me.

You did NOT say that one requires a Steam account that is bound to a valid and unused HL2 cd key to install the game. It makes sense, but not as much as the former.

In any case, why the **** are you folk arguing over the installation process? As I said before, I really doubt that he posted, verbatim, the HL2 installation procedure. He was probably just skimming over what generally happened.
 
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