Patch Question

[Jackrabbit]

I bought HL2 when it came out, and I've finally convinced all my friends that we're not going to be able to crack it and play it on LAN with my copy . So they're all going to buy it hopefully. The problem is we're all on 56k, and we don't all have time to get the necessary patches. I'm wondering if it's possible for one person to get the latest version, then copy their stuff over to other people.

About the cracking, let's please leave that discussion out of this post. I've heard your side, and you've heard my side.

 

[PickledGecko]

I'm not sure about copying but there is a backup feature in steam now. Unfortunately you need the fully patched version of steam installed, so there will be some downloading needed.

After steam is installed and patched on your friends computer, you can use the backup feature to backup all the games you all intend to play, then copy the files to a DVD-R or some CD-Rs, copy to your friends computer and run the backup file. I'm not 100% sure if it backs up everything but it should save a lot of downloading time.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

Actually, you might want to double check the EULA to make sure you aren't breaking the law cause if you are I am not responsible, one person could just download the necessary updates, and then send the updated GCF's over to your friends... Please note that they are ENCRYPTED so they actually must have Half-Life 2 purchased.

I'm not sure if this is legal, but I'm fairly sure it would work... I don't have retail though so I'm not sure how it differs.

 

[Jackrabbit]

I don't see why it would be illegal. Like I said, we're all going to have a legal copy of the game, I just want to copy my fully patched files into their game directory. I don't see why saving time would be illegal...*glances over at the VALVe Combine Soldier with his Stun Baton*.

Thanks for the suggestions and tips though .

 

[Funky Munky]

I don't see why it would be illegal. Like I said, we're all going to have a legal copy of the game, I just want to copy my fully patched files into their game directory. I don't see why saving time would be illegal...*glances over at the VALVe Combine Soldier with his Stun Baton*.

Thanks for the suggestions and tips though .

If they buy the game and you are just handing out a disc of updates I don't see anything wrong.

 

[Cole]

I have a 56k.. Never had any problems..
If you really have no time leave your computer on overnight and have it downloading the patch.

It's how I download 200 - 500 meg files. Or just go to my cousins house .

 

[Shodan]

I hate EULA's they are deliberatly long and incredibly, mind numbingly, boring, so that you never read through it all and when you do something wrong they can catch you out.

Scummy too long text files. *grumbles.

 

[ríomhaire]

problem is we're all on 56k

just leave the internet running all night. my internet runs at 38kbps but I downloaded that stuff.

 

[oni_666]

As long as you all have a Legit copy of the game that you paid for, then I can't see how it could be illegal to do what your thinking of doing.
I play at a LAN, we all own the game, But some times people forget to update Steam, the night before the LAN, And they have missed updates.
What you need to do..Is copy all the gsf files in this directory, C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps and distribute the gsf files amongst your friends so they can copy the gsf files into their directories.

What most people at LAN's forget to do, Is to exit Steam (the night before, online) and NOT log off, If you log off, then you can't play at a LAN, even if you have all the necessary gsf files.

Think of gsf files as Patches.
Your not breaking or cracking the game, By distributing them, Cos they would be useless unless Steam has Validated HL2 online, when you first install, from a original copy of HL2.

 

[Falcon(Nate)]

The easiest way is to use the Steam backup game feature. Backup Half-Life 2, CS:Source, HL2M or whatever games you're going to be playing to a shared directory. Have everyone purchase their games and get the Steam updates (but not install the games) then have them use the game backup files. It will install the fully updated games into their Steam. This is what I did when I reformatted my computer... Backed up the games to my 2nd HD then got them back. Works like a charm.

 

[Jackrabbit]

Thanks for the help guys. About leaving the computer on all night, I can do that, but my friends can't.

 

[Kirkburn]

What most people at LAN's forget to do, Is to exit Steam (the night before, online) and NOT log off, If you log off, then you can't play at a LAN, even if you have all the necessary gsf files.

The log off feature hasn't been in Steam for a long time now ...

 

[Ultimape]

Install steam...
copy all the .gcf files from here =
"C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps"
to the appropriate place on the other comptuesr..

Log in to the other comptuers, and steam should notice the .gcf files if they have bought the game with the account.