Can't figure out offline mode

[antero]

Hi guys, I'm having some major problems with steam/HL2.

Im trying to get steam to work in offline mode. I've install HL2 and I am at a school that won't open the ports for steam to connect. I've tryed the "How To Make Steam Offline Mode Work" from the steampowered support, but I think im missing something.

I have a friend who is at an internet connection that will work. I told him to download steam and create an account for me and sign in. Then he exits out of steam, unplugs his internet cable and starts steam again. He gets an errors message saying that he cannot login to steam because no login information has been stored on the computer. How do i get his steam account into offline mode so that he can send me the install directory so that i may finally play this game I spent $80 on.

Thank you!!

 

[ESKIMO n00b]

make sure the check box (in the first setttings menu) that says do not save any account info on this computer is UNchecked

 

[antero]

make sure the check box (in the first setttings menu) that says do not save any account info on this computer is UNchecked

It is unchecked

 

[ESKIMO n00b]

then my friend it seems you are royally screwed

 

[antero]

that doesnt help me

 

[ESKIMO n00b]

i know but im truly sorry and i feel for you because i cannot play it either

 

[Gossoon]

A couple things that I've noticed: 1) Make sure you save the password and account info. 2) Make sure under Properties (right-click HL2 in the Steam Games menu) you have 100% downloaded and it says ready for offline mode. If that doesn't work knowing Steam it's probably just broken. Good luck. I personally haven't tried it yet, but I know it's causing a lot of people problems.

 

[andytheandy]

I think to make off line mode work you must also be phyically disconnected from the network OR have something like Zone Alarm which prompts you to give permission for the game/steam to access the net. When permission is asked for, refuse, the option to play off line then appears. The zone alarm thing worked for me!
I have a feeling that on a network, neither of these options will work.

Get on with some work instead, save the game for the holidays! ;-)

 

[CR0M]

Steam is taking a long time to verify accounts, mine took nearly 2 days. To play offline, your key needs to be verified.

The authentication process is in 2 parts:

1) Authentication
After initially authenticating, steam allows you to play the game ONline only until it HAS been verified. If you try and play OFFline you will get a message saying 'The game is not ready to play offline' and the games in your game list are greyed out.

2) Verification
Once your serial number is properly verified you will get a message through steam saying it is all done, you have fully registered blah blah blah. Only then can you play in offline mode. Only... you need a net connection to get this message and to set steam up to play offline, so if you haven't got connection and had to haul your machine to a friends house to authenticate, you have to do it again to get your verification.

 

[Nuada]

I'm having the same problem. I have the password remembered for the account, the don't save info box unchecked and all the HL2 files unlocked but I still need to connect to play and once the game is artarted I can disconnect. When I try the play offline mode I just get an error sayingthat it can't connect to the steam network...no shit sherlock... It may seem harsh to some of you but a few accidental deaths in Valve wouldn't upset me too much. I just payed €55 for a game that is useless to me seeing as I have to use a mobile to connect to the internet. I brought it back to GAME where I bought it to return it as they assured me all that was needed was a one time registration but they refuse to take it back now saying to get on to valve.....What a ****ing joke...

 

[Ranga]

i found a good way to keep u playing...

if u connect to the net, then use hl2. then, unplug the modem without closing steam. it'll still think ur connected, so u can play hl2. then just hibernate ur computer instead of turning it off. it'll always think its in online mode. it is a bit annoying, but it works