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View Full Version : WTF! HL2?!? This is BS

GrimNecroWizard
07-31-2006, 04:45 PM
A long time ago Target had a sale where I bought HL2 and could get a cheap game for free, so I bought Warcraft because that's what I mainly wanted. I was gonna wait until I got my new computer to play HL2, but then my friend had just given me his account with a ton more games. So I left Hl2 sealed sitting by my computer for a super long time. I recently Sold it to my friend for $10 because he was about to pay $30 for it and he says the CD key is in use. Am I basically SOL and there's no way to exchange it or anything?
Vinny
07-31-2006, 04:50 PM
They did give out new CD-Keys in your case for free but since it's been a while and you probably don't have the receipt, I'd say you're SOL.

The Steam Client's security features are truly annoying. I can't install my copy of HL2 on any other computer because I installed it on my brothers first (even though everything has been removed form that computer). If I do want to get a new key, it would be $20. Fuck that...
GrimNecroWizard
07-31-2006, 04:53 PM
That's bull shit. It always seemed like such a good idea how you have 1 CD key and you can install steam anywhere and have your games, but if it doesn't work they fuck you up the ass and make you buy a new one or like you said $20 for a new CD key.
tehweezner
07-31-2006, 04:56 PM
wait so you never even opened/installed the copy you bought, and it says cd key in use?? wow that sucks
GrimNecroWizard
07-31-2006, 05:07 PM
wait so you never even opened/installed the copy you bought, and it says cd key in use?? wow that sucks

Yeah, I was googling it and I read some other things where people's keys were in use because of others using CD key generator things or just looking at it and resealing it and stuff...
SOSTrooper
07-31-2006, 05:11 PM
Theres a service on steam where you can send in your actualy CD sleeve that has the CD key on it and have the CD key reset and applied to your account. But that costs $10 if you bought it more than 3 months ago and might take a few days for it to reset.
Vinny
07-31-2006, 05:29 PM
Well... at least they lowered the price. Too bad you can just buy a new copy of the game for like $20 easily.
GrimNecroWizard
07-31-2006, 05:33 PM
He e-mailed them and they said the key is in use and then something about his e-mail not being connected with his steam account. I'll just take it to the store and tell them what happened, if they have an employee that's in a good mood and willing to help, lucky me, if not oh well $15 isn't that much and I could always wait to get Shadow of the Collosus. I have a big enough back log as it is.
SOSTrooper
07-31-2006, 05:38 PM
I doubt the store can or will do anything since you bought it so long ago and has no receipt.
projecteightysix
07-31-2006, 05:41 PM
Go to walmart, don't give them a story, just say you bought it and the key wont work when you install it. They'll replace it.
CYRiX
07-31-2006, 08:26 PM
Theres a service on steam where you can send in your actualy CD sleeve that has the CD key on it and have the CD key reset and applied to your account. But that costs $10 if you bought it more than 3 months ago and might take a few days for it to reset.
Probably your best bet.
Roufuss
08-01-2006, 01:04 AM
Steam is such BS... makes it impossible to resell the games if you bought them retail.

I'm definitely getting HL 2 + Episode 1 / 2 when it hits 360, dealing with Steam has been a pain in the ass and I never want to mess with it again.
Scorch
08-01-2006, 01:19 AM
Steam is such BS... makes it impossible to resell the games if you bought them retail.

not really, you just have to pay $10 to unbind the cd key from your account
Michaellvortega
08-01-2006, 01:36 AM
Fuck steam, That's lame man, but If I were you I would FIRST contact the distributor of the game(Valve?) See if they can replace the key for free. If not, go and buy another copy at target(same box type)and return the one with the used CD-key explaining that when you tried to install it it said the CD-key was used. If they only let you get another copy, come back later with the sealed copy and return the sealed copy for cash. In NO way are you at fault and you should not have to pay twice to play a game. If your story is true that is.
GrimNecroWizard
08-01-2006, 01:44 AM
Fuck steam, That's lame man, but If I were you I would FIRST contact the distributor of the game(Valve?) See if they can replace the key for free. If not, go and buy another copy at target(same box type)and return the one with the used CD-key explaining that when you tried to install it it said the CD-key was used. If they only let you get another copy, come back later with the sealed copy and return the sealed copy for cash. In NO way are you at fault and you should not have to pay twice to play a game. If your story is true that is.

Yeah, good plan. I'll just buy a new one from Target, it's only sealed with this little circular piece of tape, I'll just take that off and put it on the one my friend just opened and return it and be all "Wrong game" I don't care that it's not honest. They sold me a fucking game that wouldn't work.
Scorch
08-01-2006, 01:47 AM
Oh wait, if you bought it and opened it and the CD Key didn't work out of the box, that was a problem Valve was having, if you mail them and give them the CD Key and explain the situation, they will probably give you a new one.
GrimNecroWizard
08-01-2006, 01:53 AM
Oh wait, if you bought it and opened it and the CD Key didn't work out of the box, that was a problem Valve was having, if you mail them and give them the CD Key and explain the situation, they will probably give you a new one.

My friend did and all they said was that the CD key is already in use and to please buy another retail copy and try that...
ITDEFX
08-01-2006, 01:56 AM
People should file a class action lawsuit to get steam to drop this stupid game tied to your computer configuration...hell no i am never going to pay them 20 bucks for a new key if i upgrade my computer.
Michaellvortega
08-01-2006, 02:06 AM
People should file a class action lawsuit to get steam to drop this stupid game tied to your computer configuration...hell no i am never going to pay them 20 bucks for a new key if i upgrade my computer.


I have installed this game on 3 diffrent computers so far with no problems. Plastic box copy 2 discs.
dwhelan
08-01-2006, 02:55 AM
I have installed this game on 3 diffrent computers so far with no problems. Plastic box copy 2 discs.

Honestly, I agree here. I have had no problems changing machines with steam. The first machine, I did the install from Cds and then authenticated. The new PC I just put on steam and typed in the key, let dl the full game.

Though steam is cumbersome at time, I really do enjoy it. I have archived all the disks for HL, HL2, Expansions, and Mods. All I do is log the CD-keys into my account and away I go. Heck, I did not even pop in the SIN or Episode 1 disks. I really enjoy it.
Scorch
08-01-2006, 03:05 AM
My friend did and all they said was that the CD key is already in use and to please buy another retail copy and try that...

uhh then call back and get a different person.
cheapfrag
08-01-2006, 03:45 PM
Honestly, I agree here. I have had no problems changing machines with steam. The first machine, I did the install from Cds and then authenticated. The new PC I just put on steam and typed in the key, let dl the full game.

Though steam is cumbersome at time, I really do enjoy it. I have archived all the disks for HL, HL2, Expansions, and Mods. All I do is log the CD-keys into my account and away I go. Heck, I did not even pop in the SIN or Episode 1 disks. I really enjoy it.
The theory behind Steam is good, but I don't like the implementation very much. I thought originally they were going to try to use steam to prevent cheaters - by pushing patches/anti-cheat measures but you don't hear about that very much.

I really like how Guild Wars works - it seems smoother, quicker and more streamlined than Steam.
crazytalkx
08-01-2006, 05:46 PM
Steam sucks ass, my personal take on it, which I'm sure many of you share.
Vegan
08-02-2006, 04:18 AM
People should file a class action lawsuit to get steam to drop this stupid game tied to your computer configuration...hell no i am never going to pay them 20 bucks for a new key if i upgrade my computer.

I think you're confused about how Steam works, because that is not how it works.
Kyo
08-02-2006, 04:33 AM
Steam is awesome - it changed way games are being distributed.

I (like others) eventually had to buy CS, but it was well worth it. Steam had bugs but most of it was quickly fixed.

As for this, I dunno, I would get somebody to talk to at Valve. I knew that if you send in your CD along with your key, it'll get it replaced/reactivated, but I didn't know there was a 10 dollar fee. Total BS!