Can i preload and enter Cd-key

[forg0tt3n]

ok so if i preload HL2 and buy it retail can i just enter my CD-key and play right away or would i need to install from disk.

 

[f|uke]

Yes, you can preload and use your store bought key to unlock it.

 

[Toy]

why bother?
to save what 3 minutes tops?

 

[Xrenity]

why bother?
to save what 3 minutes tops?

Well, if you preloaded all the stuff it would be bit of a waste to just install it

 

[f|uke]

why bother?
to save what 3 minutes tops?

A six disc install in 3 minutes? I dont think so.

 

[Clavius]

Guys! The man just wants to do something to shorten the wait. He dont want to buy it off steam, but I bet he wants to 'prepare' for hl2...just a guess.

 

[Toy]

A six disc install in 3 minutes? I dont think so.

Sorry for my ignorance

i live in UK and we are getting DVD versions, i totally forgot about the 6 CD version the US are getting

 

[Iconoclast]

Even so, it seems a waste to use all that time and bandwidth to preload to save literally all of 10-15 minutes of installing.

 

[Solver]

Not really. The preloading runs in background and doesn't really take any of your time - it just preloads as you do whatever you normally do. I also guess that the original poster is one of those for whom bandwidth is not a problem. And I can see why he wants to buy the game, enter key and play it right away... makes sense!

 

[Vinnie_NL]

I've preloaded it too and I'm still buying it retail. If you have no bandwithlimit and a fast connection then why not? And I like the idea of already having HL2 om my computer. And if you live in Europe and still don't have an DVD drive you can also preload it too and insert the DVD-key