now I remember why I uninstalled steam

[Ali]

Had this on my Pc last year liked the game but hated the steam interface. Took over my Pc without asking and it pissed me off.

Since then time has passed, have bought new Pc and have new ISP.
So I thought "lets try again" but guess what; when I register with steam it tells me my cd key is already in use and I cannot create an account. I tried the "I have the CD key option" which worked but sent the info to the email where I registered Half life 2 originally. Can I remember it, can I ****. So it's back in the drawer and good riddance. Good game but crap interface.:angry: :angry:

 

[Hectic Glenn]

That's fine, why did you post then? If you've given up because you can't work a simple procedure you are only losing out yourself. I mean the million other people seem to be doing OK. When you first put that CD key in to register it, you did so with a steam account you created, which was an email and password. You need to log into this to play the game, you don't need to register the CD key a second time. Simple simple!

But if you've forgotten those details, that's obviously your fault. And if you've given up already you probably won't care, so I'm having trouble wondering why this thread exists.

 

[giant384]

you give up way to easily man. if you had to enter your cd key every time then steam is worthless.

 

[Ali]

That's the problem, I cant remember the original login details from when I first created the account. I am not an idiot, sometimes you just forget details. Why is there no option to create a new account with a new email address?
After all I'm sure I'm not the only person to buy a new Pc and need to reinstall software, or to change their ISP.
I paid good money for this game and would like to play it, so why are they making it so hard to reinstall.

 

[$kelet0r]

to prevent theft
surely you can just search for the email you would have received?
unless of course you are still using something stupid like hotmail

 

[Operational]

That's the problem, I cant remember the original login details from when I first created the account.

Then you have a problem - however when steam asks you to login you can try to retrieve your old account.

I am not an idiot, sometimes you just forget details. Why is there no option to create a new account with a new email address?

But you don't want to create a new account because it doesn't have all your games on it.

After all I'm sure I'm not the only person to buy a new Pc and need to reinstall software

All you have to do in those situations is install steam and log in to your old steam account.

or to change their ISP.

I fail to see how that would change anything.

I paid good money for this game and would like to play it, so why are they making it so hard to reinstall.

They are not. You are - you can't just re-enter your CD-Key because it is already in use by You on your account. Get your account details and try again.

 

[Jintor]

It's like posting "Omg I forgot my login details to Hotmail and I don't remember the answer to my secret question HOtmail sux kthxbai".

 

[Ali]

Jintor

I have tried the 'recover lost account' but it sends the info to an email address that is no longer in use so I cannot retrieve the information.
I also cannot remember email address I registered with, that is the problem.

So if I cannot retrieve the account information what can I do?

I understand it's to prevent piracy but I am not using an illegal copy.

I also understand that I cannot register the CD key because it is already registered to me.

So I ask again, if I cannot retrieve my old account information what options are available to me.

 

[Shasta]

So I ask again, if I cannot retrieve my old account information what options are available to me.

Buy the game again.

Learn how to remember important information..

Write down passwords and email addresses etc that you use to unlock expensive games.

Don't keep changing email addresses.

Plead stupidity to Valve, although I don't see that being too successful.





Those are your options.

 

[giant384]

you can ask valve to unbind the cd key from your old account if you know the account name or i guess they could do it with the cd key.also i believe you need a photocopy of the key.

 

[Naudian]

you can ask valve to unbind the cd key from your old account if you know the account name or i guess they could do it with the cd key.also i believe you need a photocopy of the key.

If you seriously can't remember the email address then this looks like your best bet. Getting them to transfer your CD-key to a new account...I think they can do that.

Here look on this page: http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/home.php

 

[Operational]

I have tried the 'recover lost account' but it sends the info to an email address that is no longer in use so I cannot retrieve the information.
I also cannot remember email address I registered with, that is the problem.

Yes that is a problem - but it's your fault not Steam's. Steam even says when you first register an account how important your details are.

I understand it's to prevent piracy but I am not using an illegal copy.

Valve has no way of knowing that.

 

[Shasta]

Can I remember it, can I ****. So it's back in the drawer and good riddance. Good game but crap interface.:angry: :angry:

So if you lost your car-keys, you would blame the cars manufacturer for making you need a key in the first place, AND requiring you to remember where you put them.

How do you not fall over more often?

 

[Ali]

Don't know if my original post upset some people here but it was written after a very frustrating session of trying to get this game to install.

All I seem to have got here is insults about stupidity and being careless with passwords.

I do not continually switch email addresses but on this occasion I moved to a provider who gave me a better service. Sorry if I committed the terrible sin of moving to another ISP and forgetting my previous details but thank you to Naudian and Giant384 for at least giving some useful info.

I will contact Steam and see if they can help.
Remember people, this is only a game and I thought forums were here to help not insult.

 

[CyberPitz]

CD Key Reset Process Guidelines

If you recently purchased a copy of a game which requires activation on Steam and are encountering a "Duplicate CD Key" error message you will need to contact us to have the CD Key reset so you may use it.

Note: We cannot reset CD Keys which have been disabled for violations of the Steam Subscriber Agreement and/or End User License Agreement or banned by VAC for cheating infractions. If your CD Key matches the ##### - ##### - ##### - ##### - ##### pattern you must have a copy of your recent purchase receipt to have the CD Key reset.
http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=294

The reason people took you as hostile is because you virtually said, "Steam sucks because I can't remember details for an account". Essentially.

 

[Shasta]

He didn't just "essentially" say it. He very definitely said it. He actually blamed Steam for his stupidity, and generally complained:

Had this on my Pc last year liked the game but hated the steam interface. Took over my Pc without asking and it pissed me off.

Can I remember it (password), can I ****. So it's back in the drawer and good riddance. Good game but crap interface.:angry: :angry:

 

[Acepilotf14]

Hope you figure it out, man. Gotta have fun the Half life 2.. I love the steam interface, it's easy to use, and I don't have to scramble for a CD... it's all right there. I could throw away my Episode 1 CD if I wanted now. Anyway, Do you have ANY idea of what your login could be? I mean, You should have every login username the same. Like I have. Acepilotf14. It keeps things organized.