STEAM problem: Access Denied

[Tawnmaru]

I have looked on the STEAM website and I have e-mailed through the website and have gotten no answer to my problem.

After playing the single player game okay for a couple months with no problem all the sudden I can't get STEAM to update. It starts to update, goes so far then I get an error message saying "access is denied". I have uninstalled, reinstalled, downloaded STEAM from the website. Nothing changes. I have a cable connection. I bought the game and registered it.

Does anyone know what this is and how to fix the problem?

 

[lord dubu]

I'm having this same problem. Unless I am connected I cannot play. Even if I choose "play in offline mode" it says it can't connect to the steam network and closes the app. As with your condition this is a new problem for me... as I was able to play as recently as last night without a network connection.

 

[Tawnmaru]

I didn't word that as clearly as I needed to. I was able to play offline, as you were saying. Then the game suddenly decided (by itself) that I had to connect and "update" STEAM but it won't so I can't play the game. I get "access is denied" like I've done something wrong and am now being punished for being a bad girl by STEAM.

BAD GIRL!

 

[lord dubu]

Oh. My apologies then, as it seems we have different problems. I was able to work around mine by hooking up to the internet long enough for steam to log on, and then disconnecting to play offline. I haven't tried to play offline since then, so I don't know if that is now something I can do.

 

[madcat75]

Because you touch yourself at night.

 

[Chris D]

Can you get a screenshot of this error message?

First time I've ever seen the "Access is denied" message? Are you sure that's exactly what it says?

 

[lord dubu]

Actually mine has changed.

Now I can choose "play offline" and it brings up the steam menu. But when I choose "Half-life" I get an error that says I can't perform that function in offline mode.

Funny. I could 2 days ago.

 

[lord dubu]

I noticed that my settings, have changed. Aparantly the checkbox to save login information had been unchecked.

Can that be because I purged my web-browser cookies? That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but its the only thing I can think of that I did before the sudden inability to play offline.

 

[daverince]

maybe this is stupid suggestion, but there is no way your firewall or security software is blocking Steam is there?

 

[Tawnmaru]

No suggestion is a stupid one. I appreciate any help I can get. I don't have a firewall or security system. (I can just hear the shocked gasps)

I will attempt to take a screenie of the error message but I won't be able to post it here because I don't have a webpage to link it to. I'll have to email it to you. It says "access is denied."

 

[Chris D]

You can attach pictures to posts by clicking "Go Advanced".

 

[wolvesrdogs]

Dont Bother Emailing Steam Anything They Give U Stuff Which Is Already On Their Support Site Which U Ahve Obviosly Already Checked!!!

 

[Kirkburn]

wolvesrdogs, I entirely disagree with you. Half the people who email valve never bother to check the support pages anyway so they have to do that kind of stuff. Did you tell them exactly what stuff you tried?

And, Tawnmaru, get a firewall!!

 

[Tawnmaru]

Okay, I took a screen of my desktop page and I saved the STEAM error message in a Word document. I don't know how to turn it into a jpg.

 

[Chris D]

E-mail it to me.

 

[Tawnmaru]

Okay, I just e-mailed it to you. Unless you're a night owl you probably won't see it until tomorrow. Anyone else want to see it?

 

[Kirkburn]

Did you notice his location? I'm surprised he's not around at the mo, really (it's only 10:30 here) ... wake up Chris!
(Go to bed, me)

For converting the piccie to jpg:
Open the file in MS Paint and choose save as, then choose jpg from the drop down list. I hope that works! There are far better progs out there tho, tis true ....

 

[Chris D]

This picture contains a lot more information than what you originally gave to us. If you'd have written down and given us the full error message we'd have been able to make sure you've followed the instructions on this page: http://steampowered.custhelp.com/cg...SAiQWNjZXNzIGlzIGRlbmllZC4i&p_li=&p_topview=1
If you have tried EVERYTHING on that page and it hasn't worked then e-mail Valve again using the ASK A QUESTION link and then explain to them you have tried everything on that page and be specific about what you've already tried. That way they're more likely to get back to you with other possible solutions.

Remember, technical support will only work if the person providing the support gets the full story. I work in technical support and when you get people calling up and just simply saying "My computer isn't working", it's not a lot to go on

 

[Tawnmaru]

Thanks for the info. At least I have an idea of what the problem might be--but the main problem is the whole concept of STEAM itself.

It's the equivalent of buying a washing machine and every time you want to use it you have to go back to the store to get an "update." Sometimes the store has too many customers inside or it's closed and---too bad so sad, you can't wash your clothes.

Once this game is registered, there should be NO having to log onto some server for any reason :flame: .

 

[Tawnmaru]

Here's an update to my problem:

Well, I didn't do any of things recommended by STEAM support. (I didn't have a virus, didn't have a firewall. ) But I get a firewall. The minute it's installed, STEAM starts suddenly "updating" itself and it doesn't get hung up and give me the "access is denied" message. Now I can play the game for the first time in weeks. Go figure.