if I install HL1 on my PC, will Steam take control of it?

[Goethe]

It's been a while since the last time I played HL1. I was thinking about it installing it in this PC but I don't want Steam to take control of it. Is it possible to install it in such a way that Steam won't even know it exists?

 

[JCampbell]

It's been a while since the last time I played HL1. I was thinking about it installing it in this PC but I don't want Steam to take control of it. Is it possible to install it in such a way that Steam won't even know it exists?

Yes. Don't install it into the Steam directory.

 

[Shadow][]

why would you want to install the old non-steam version? there are so many bugs in it

 

[Edcrab]

A lot of older mods don't run properly on Steam.

Steam sometimes endeavours to convert all WON HL desktop icons into its own, which is annoying but not fatal to an older install.

 

[Danimal]

When I got HL1 and its expansions off ebay I ended up 3 versions of opposing force and 2 versions of HL1 but only 1 version of blue shift


danged steam...

 

[mitya]

I installed my old copy of half life into steam and got Opposing Forces for freeeeee!

 

[D€vIL²]

you can get a high-def models patch for HL in steam (not hl Source) but its only got the scientists and I think barney and weapons.

goto www.zdnet.com and search high definition patch

Edit: http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/Half...el-Pack/3000-7452_2-10266026.html?tag=lst-0-1
-direct link

 

[Goethe]

I don't really care about the advantages of installing HL1 in the Steam folder. To me the disadvantages of Steam far outweigh its few advantages --if indeed there is any.. Blue Shift already comes with the HD pack so I don't need to download that.

Thanks

 

[JamesPicard_007]

Half-Life should just install into its own directory rather than being absorbed into Steam.

 

[czrsink]

Yup, I'll vouch for that. Half Life will remain as a completly seperate entity unless you use STEAM to 'register a product I already own'.

Don't expect to get any old-skool multiplayer action though, as WON is well and truly dead.

 

[Mountain Man]

Yes, Steam will take control of your poor, helpless program! OH, THE HUMANITY!!!

WE'RE ALL DOOMED!!!!!!!

 

[justmatt]

Yeah, I experimented around with this when I got Steam installed for HL2. It actually doesn't matter where you install HL1 if memory serves right. I think I put mine right alongside my "half-life 2" folder under Steamapps and it still didn't seem to care. I had to go in and "register" my HL1 CD-Key with Steam. Then I think there was an option to find the files on my hard drive, or to just download them all from Steam.

 

[Sharrd]

Yes, Steam will take control of your poor, helpless program! OH, THE HUMANITY!!!

WE'RE ALL DOOMED!!!!!!!

Actually, what he's asking in the thread title is if Steam will dominate his PC from the moment he installs HL1. Strange, I thought it was Microsoft who were the abusers of the public's PC's, not Valve...

 

[Ahnteis]

Just install steam BEFORE you install HL1.