anyone with the DVD version have problems?

[krosfyah]

mine is currently winging it's way to me from Amazon...just wondering if any of you guys who purchased the DVD ROM retail copy had any problems at all?

I'm probably worrying over nothing but there seemed to be a large amount of issues with people during registration/installation - although this seemed to be more Steam download version related.

Thanks

 

[Spugmaster]

Got my DVD version today. Installing the game is fine. The part that takes the time is authenticating your CD key through steam and then unlocking the game files. Yes - even retail still have to unlock the game files through steam once the content is installed. The only other thing I am waiting for is for my validation process to be completed so I can play offline. At the moment I have to be connected to steam (online) to play the game. I have read that this process can take some time. I will check later as steam will update once the validation is complete and then I can play offline.

Sucks to be on 56k connection and paying by the hour for connection

 

[we11er]

Where do you validate for offline play? Is that just where you enter your key and it says "registration successfull" or is there something else?

 

[Spugmaster]

Yeah - when I choose offline mode it says "Game not yet ready for offline play"

When I was validating my CD key it said that Steam was busy and that it would be processed later but continued with the rest of the installation.

So this means that when it is ready steam will update and say that the game has now been validated and allow for offline play.

At least that is my understanding.

 

[delboy]

spugmaster

I have the DVD version, got it first thing yesterday. Have you enabled the 'remember my password'? as this is required to play the offline mode.

I have to admit that the whole process sucks!!! :angry:

regards del

 

[EVIL]

with offline play you dont need to start up steam right? cuz imo, steam makes hl2 a tad slower.

 

[Spugmaster]

spugmaster

I have the DVD version, got it first thing yesterday. Have you enabled the 'remember my password'? as this is required to play the offline mode.

I have to admit that the whole process sucks!!! :angry:

regards del

Yep - done all that. Even called Vivendi Tech support. They told me that there is a backlog for steam account validations and to just wait it out.

And to the other guy inquiring about running steam - yes you need to run the steam client to play the game. Even if it is offline you still need to run the offline client to lauch the game.

Boo!!

 

[Shakermaker]

I have the DVD-version and I can't get it to work. Installing, unlocking, validating CD-key works fine. Steam says HL2 and CS:S are ready to play, but when I launch it, I get a screen that says 'preparing to play HL2', the DVD starts spinning, and then .... nothing.

 

[NikolaX]

whats the point then for offline, if you cant close steam , argh.. taking my memory to much ..

 

[Spugmaster]

I have the DVD-version and I can't get it to work. Installing, unlocking, validating CD-key works fine. Steam says HL2 and CS:S are ready to play, but when I launch it, I get a screen that says 'preparing to play HL2', the DVD starts spinning, and then .... nothing.

How long are you waiting - cause depending on how much memory you have it can take a little time.

I have even had "This game unavailable at this time" message a couple of times. All I do is click cancel and try again. It normally works 1st or 2nd time though...

 

[Dublo7]

Que? I didnt think Valve were releasing a DVD version.
Can you get this in normal retail stores?

 

[Spugmaster]

Que? I didnt think Valve were releasing a DVD version.
Can you get this in normal retail stores?

Sure can. I'm in Brisbane and I got mine at EB.

EDIT: It is the Collectors Edition and costs extra though... But you get HL:S and a t-shirt and a Sample hint book Not a full strat guide like the steam one...

 

[Dublo7]

Awwww I was just going to get the standard retail.
Hrmmmm

 

[Esquire]

Only problem i had with the dvd version was trying to install it on my pc which had no dvd drive. Alas, i tried alsorts trying to get it to work. I first installed it over the network from the dvd pc to this one, that was successful. then i registered hl2 but to do so i had to make an ISO of the dvd and put it on this pc. Successful. Then it took probably more than an hour to unlock, update HL2 and update Steam.....

But then when it finally said it would let me play, it asked for a CD/DVD. So i just gave in and played on the other pc instead (this pc's better you see, and the other pc isnt mine).

 

[Tkmaster]

Got my DVD version today. Installing the game is fine. The part that takes the time is authenticating your CD key through steam and then unlocking the game files. Yes - even retail still have to unlock the game files through steam once the content is installed. The only other thing I am waiting for is for my validation process to be completed so I can play offline. At the moment I have to be connected to steam (online) to play the game. I have read that this process can take some time. I will check later as steam will update once the validation is complete and then I can play offline.

Sucks to be on 56k connection and paying by the hour for connection

the good thing with retail is you can play while you wait for the cd key to go through...

 

[Tkmaster]

Only problem i had with the dvd version was trying to install it on my pc which had no dvd drive. Alas, i tried alsorts trying to get it to work. I first installed it over the network from the dvd pc to this one, that was successful. then i registered hl2 but to do so i had to make an ISO of the dvd and put it on this pc. Successful. Then it took probably more than an hour to unlock, update HL2 and update Steam.....

But then when it finally said it would let me play, it asked for a CD/DVD. So i just gave in and played on the other pc instead (this pc's better you see, and the other pc isnt mine).

i wonder if you make a cd backup of the files maybe it will work allowing you to use a cd....
as steam also gives us retail users the option of backup files