Installation Problem HL2

[Devilinsaint]

Hi, I am new to computer gaming. I am facing problems with a recently bought HL2 game. I am not able to install HL2 on my laptop! I got 6 CDs in the HL2 box and it loads only the 1st 3! I wonder what the remaining 3 CDs are all about. After loading the first 3 CDs also the damn thing keeps asking for internet connection which I am unable to get. Now does this mean that this is a game only for Online playing and that I cannot play it offline? If not then how do I make the damn thing work??? I am losing all my Steam over this Steam now! :angry:
Someone please suggest a step-by-step approach to help please.

 

[UltimaApocalypse]

You need internet to play Half Life 2 because of Steam, sorry.

 

[$kelet0r]

to be allowed to play the game you initially need an internet connection
surely if it is a laptop you can do as I did and go to an internet cafe

 

[Devilinsaint]

Installation Problems Additional Inputs Pls

Thanks for your inputs, John. So does this mean that I need to have an internet connection just in the initial stage? When do I link it up and what exactly do I need to do after linking up in the net and at what point I can disconnect and start playing off line?

to be allowed to play the game you initially need an internet connection
surely if it is a laptop you can do as I did and go to an internet cafe

 

[UltimaApocalypse]

Well after all of the games are installed, updated and everything, you sould be fine to go into offline mode after that.

 

[$kelet0r]

Thanks for your inputs, John. So does this mean that I need to have an internet connection just in the initial stage? When do I link it up and what exactly do I need to do after linking up in the net and at what point I can disconnect and start playing off line?

Well if you do as I did i'll give you the benefit of my advice
alot of which you probably will not like the sound of

First find an internet cafe with a very stable internet connection and don't do it on a Wednesday as Valve tends to publish new updates on that day

1. Connect to the internet and follow the instructions in the installation (steam set up etc.)
2. Finish installation (6 cds bet you wish you got the DVD version)
3. Begin the update process.
This part can take several hours - ridiculous I know
You should not surf the web or even use the computer - it'll slow things down
The updating may hang at 98% or thereabouts for what seems an eternity - just have faith. It may be an idea to actually start the game when it reaches this point and then seems to slow down completely and play a little

4. OK you've reached 100% for all games and you want to play in Offline mode
- make sure you have selected offline mode in steam settings and clicked 'do not start automatically
- right click on the games in the steam games menu and make sure they all read 100%
- right click again and in the properties click do not keep this game up to date
- now open and close all of your games one by one
- restart your computer without closing steam. Do not click end process if that window comes up (ignore all the bad info that the steam support website has on this)
- Manually disconnect from the internet and check that all the games open - a window should come up when you double click steam (you must have already while steam was online have selected do not start steam automatically) saying retry connection or start in oflline mode (if not you'll have to start over)

Congratulations - Now you know pain
all I hope now is that you have a bug free, issue free game :|
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