How are we surposed to back up the HL2 files?

[shadow stalker]

I know that you can back up the gcf files, but they are so big. You wouldn't be able to burn them to disk. Is there any other way? (and am i right in saying that you only have to back up the gcf files?)

 

[switch]

You can use WinRAR to zip the files into multiple zips of smaller file sizes such as 20x 15MB zips. Then burn that.

 

[Mountain Man]

There are several ways to accomplish this:

1) Span the files across multiple CD-RWs (there is software that can do this)
2) Burn them to DVD (you need a DVD burner obviously)
3) Copy them to a seperate partition or another hard drive; an external hard drive would be ideal (note: Some MP3 players can be used as external hard drives. The iPod is one such example.)

 

[L337_Assasain]

Where are the preloaded files...i can't friggin find them...what's the file name?

 

[Gotter]

<steam install path>\SteamApps\your email address

Copy the .gcf files to some sort of backup medium.

If I'm wrong about the path, someone correct me. I'm at work and can't check.

 

[L337_Assasain]

how big is it? and what are the specific names of the files?

 

[Gotter]

Pretty big. You're going to have to do what Mountain Man said to get them on CDs.

If you have a DVD burner you should be able to get most, if not all of them on one DVD.

Specific names? I don't know, they're different for each game and each engine.

 

[Peqkx]

I got em all on 1 dvd

 

[shadow stalker]

I need to buy myself a DVD burner. but it is just the .gcf files right?

 

[Gotter]

I need to buy myself a DVD burner. but it is just the .gcf files right?

Yes. You will still need to download some updates and some additional files that arn't included in the gcfs when you reinstall, but it's a much quicker download.

Myself, I just take the entire Steam directory and copy it to my external harddrive. All I usually need to do is copy it over again and just log in and everything is right as rain again.

If you just copy the gcfs you'll have to redo all your settings over again.

 

[shadow stalker]

Yes. You will still need to download some updates and some additional files that arn't included in the gcfs when you reinstall, but it's a much quicker download.

Myself, I just take the entire Steam directory and copy it to my external harddrive. All I usually need to do is copy it over again and just log in and everything is right as rain again.

If you just copy the gcfs you'll have to redo all your settings over again.

ok, thanks for your help. =)

 

[Gossoon]

Please - would someone write the definitive FAQ on this and have it stickied? I can understand why people have questions on this but I'm tired of seeing new threads constantly about it.