Overriding GCF files

[Eilarais]

All right, this is definitely the most noob thing I have ever posted, but I cannot make this work. I have a skill.cfg in C:\Games\Steam\SteamApps\<user>\half-life 2\hl2\cfg which doesn't work. I also have a skill.cfg in:

C:\Games\Steam\SteamApps\<user>\source engine\hl2\cfg
C:\Games\Steam\SteamApps\<user>\hl2\cfg
C:\Games\Steam\SteamApps\hl2\cfg

These do not work. I am avoiding SourceMods\ on purpose since there seem to be problems with text strings and chapters not being available. Sourcemods\ does work, but when the mod is named hl2\ it stops working again, so obviously the .gcf file is taking precedence. What am I missing here?

 

[Eilarais]

Or, I guess, can someone tell me how to make a sourcemods\ folder that does not have either of these problems?

 

[Rapstah]

Pirated version? Everyone else would have these folders by default.

 

[Eilarais]

Ok. Can someone who knows what they are talking about give me a hand here? Once again, to summarize all of my problems:

1. skill.cfg is being overridden by cached file in .gcf
2. Custom mods seem to be missing text strings and chapters

I don't mean to be an ass, Rabarber, but understand a post before replying to it, and don't make accusations unless you have an actual reason to do so.