Duplicate Cdkey

[Bruticus]

I have a cd key problem.
I uninstalled half life 2 and deleted all the files that still existed. Now i have installed it over and over again and when I login steam I use the right password and username. So far so good. But then when I want to play counterstrike or any other mod, even half life 2 itself I get this steam window with the products you can buy and at the bottom it says :" Register a product I already own".

Since I bought the game in the store and got a cdkey like anybody else
I click on the button to register and then I have to enter my cd key in the product registration window. After I enter it steam tries to register my cd key the product registration window and says that I have a duplicate cdkey and that it has already been registered with an other existing steam account, and therefore is invalid. I only have registered one user account.

I have tried to change my password. When I entered the verification code the support and my the secret answer, there wasnt a problem. But the weird thing is that when I tell them to retrieve a lost account I get the email, that insures me that my cdkey is linked to my account name and my email adress.

So steam acknowlegded my account and I was able to change my password, but the cdkey seems to be in use with another account and I don't understand, because nobody could have used mine. I never lent the game to anybody. I went to the support FAQ and read that I should follow instructions for outside USA. (I am from the Netherlands) This is supposed to be found in the user manual or paper I received with the game. I never did received any.

So please does anybody know what to do because I really want to play the game again.

 

[15357]

don't click :" Register a product I already own'.

instead, click play game.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Im always impressed with Dutch people speaking english as your language is near perfect.

Once you have registered the cd to an account all you need to do it log in each time and play. Open your 'play games' menu on the top of your list and select a game from there to play.

If you have tried to register the cd for the FIRST time and it says its been taken this means that someone else had has that copy before you or a generator has made an identical one as yours and you've been very unlucky.

In that case your game is faulty and won't work, meaning you have the right to return the goods to the store you bought it from, in exchange for a working copy. If this is the case you are unlucky. But i wish you good luck with fixing the problem.

 

[Bruticus]

Thank you for your complement on my proficiency in the english language...I should tell you though, that I was brought up by my mom who speaks mostly English to me. It is true that the Dutch are quite good in speaking english, but I still think they aren't speaking correctly. They always have a heavy accent and translate Dutch to English directly.
But as I said, thanks for the compliment and I have called the store and I am trying to get a new copy of half life 2. I am just might even print your post for them to read as a sort of prove that these cd key problems can occur and they should give me a new copy.

btw I read a lot of Dan Brown... sure helps!

 

[Bruticus]

I have reinstalled the game now and after I login to my steam account, steam still asked me for my cd key, after I entered it I got the same "duplicate cdkey" messsage.
You told me to go to steams play games menu and I did, but when I (left)click on the game I want to play, for instance counter strike source, I still get the purchase menu and right clicking on counter-strike source gives me the option to purchase the game or view update news. What I am missing is the option to actually play the game.

So I am still stuck and in need of help ....

 

[15357]

Thank you for your complement on my proficiency in the english language...I should tell you though, that I was brought up by my mom who speaks mostly English to me. It is true that the Dutch are quite good in speaking english, but I still think they aren't speaking correctly. They always have a heavy accent and translate Dutch to English directly.
But as I said, thanks for the compliment and I have called the store and I am trying to get a new copy of half life 2. I am just might even print your post for them to read as a sort of prove that these cd key problems can occur and they should give me a new copy.

btw I read a lot of Dan Brown... sure helps!

The guy who wrote "Digital Fortress"?


anyway, yeah, do that.

also, are you sure that you didn't register it with another acount?

 

[JellyWorld]

The guy who wrote "Digital Fortress"?


anyway, yeah, do that.

also, are you sure that you didn't register it with another acount?

Ha I think Digital Fortress was the worst of his books. DF and Deception Point.

 

[Bruticus]

Yep i am positive I didn't register it with another account

 

[Sharrd]

Sorry about bringing up an old topic, but this might be related to the problem I'm having, kind of. One year ago, I registered my HL2 CD-key with an account, but now that I reinstalled for Dystopia the account simply didn't exist(nope, I didn't delete it). Just in case, even though my inbox still has the email stating that was my account, I tried retrieving the account by e-mail. No dice, no e-mail was sent(unless it takes a reeeally long time?) even though it said "your information has been sent to your e-mail inbox, please check it!". I proceed to recreate my account and try to register HL2 with my CD-key... "CD-key IN USE!" In use by the no-longer-existing account, I suppose.

I've sent an e-mail to Steam support, but I'd like to have some tips on something I might have done wrong. Also, I haven't told anyone my password or even account name and neither have I used any shady programs.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

It says CD key in use, as its been registered to another account. Your other account. I'm not entirely sure why you can't log back in, you must have made a mistake in your email log-in or password. Theres no doubt about that, your account is definately there, assuming its not been disabled from you downloading cracks/ or credit card fraud etc. But you said you've not done anything shady.

I'd suggest you changed your contact email in steam to a different email, to see if it will come through there on a different address. You should be able to reset your password that way. Make sure your using the right email log in though. Check your steam folder to see what email is saved on the folder which all your games are saved in.

 

[Beerdude26]

Yeah, what Glenn said. Send an email to yourself through Steam to get the right account. Also, you can log out, and select 'Retrieve A Lost Account'. Then, select 'I don't know my account name'. Now select 'I remember the CD key I used'. Now just type it in and your correct username should come up. If it's the same as your own account, you should Contact Steam support and explain your problem. Also, include pictures of each Steam window that you go through ('Retrieve A Lost Account','I remember the CD key I used',...). They should be able to help you.

BTW Belgian here

 

[Sharrd]

I actually said though that when I tried to go through the "retrieve account/password" sequence, it said that <my account name> didn't exist. When I tried with other accounts that ought to exist, like Mike, it worked. And then I created an account with the same name without any problems.
"your account is definately there" seems to be more like "your account is definitely not there, if Steam's to be believed". As I said in the first post, I also tried to get my info sent to my e-mail, but that didn't work either.
Thanks for trying, though.