how does one back up the HL2 installation files?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Goethe
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Goethe

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Hello,
The problem I have is that I am on dialup and I don't feel like downloading everything again in the unfortunate event that I have to format my hard drive.

The relevant files for this game might fit nicely in a DVD-R, or maybe in two -- I see the Valve folder is over 5 GB's! I need to know two things. If I back up the files, and I have to format my hard drive, would I have to reinstall Half Life 2 altogether, from the 5 CD's? The other thing is, considering how strict Steam is with people messing with HL2, are these enough grounds to get my account banned?
 
nope, you can back up your files onto a dvd-r if you want, and copy them back onto your pc again later. Thats perfectly fine. Distributing the .gcfs for profit or not i think is frowned upon, but for yourself its fine.
 
So all I need to do is replace the new SteamApps/ Valve folder (I am not sure which it is that I need to back up) with the backup after reinstalling the game?
 
Use the great backup feature in Steam. Just right click the game you want to backup and select backup. Now just follow the instructions on the screen.
 
This what I usually do.

Copy the steamapps folder minus the folders over and burn it onto a dvd or at the moment on another drive becasue once you have unlocked the GCF's if you use those GCF's again they dont need to be decrypted which saves a nicew bit of time.
 
Suppose I try to reinstall HL2. I insert CD#1 and then I will be asked to insert CD#2, #3, #4, and #5 to complete the installation

That sounds like a waste of time considering I made a copy of the SteamApps folder. Is it possible to point the HL2 installation to the backed up SteamApps folder so I don't have to reinstall the encrypted files all over again?
 
No, heres what you do.

Install steam, don't bother with the CD install etc etc.

Then copy over the steamapps folder once steam is installed(just don't forget your account details)
 
Oh I see. So technically I don't need to reinstall Half Life 2... the backed up files will do....
 
Yup.

Install steam.
Copy the steamapps folder back over from the backup you made.
Voila!
 
One more thing:
If I delete unnecessary stuff, like say "Codename Gordon", would the back up still work?
What if I delete the file Counter-strike source shared.gcf ? ( I don't play that game!)

You see it would be ideal if I could fit the backup in one DVD-r....
 
Well if you don't want to play counter strike source then go delete it :D

Im pretty sure you could probably install the game from the CD and it would take signifficantly less time because you aint install HL2 with it.
 
Can't you use the backup feature in Steam itself?

That'll nicely split up the files into the right sizes for you. Just right click on a game, click backup.
 
I would use the built-in steam backup but everytime I try to restore, it immediately crashes out :(
 
I read this in previous older threads too, about the Steam Backup not finishing.

Fido
 
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