Steam/Orange Box question

[David M]

Some time ago, I bought Steam's Orange Box. I loaded it on to my previous computer (a different motherboard and drives) and everything worked fine.

Now, I go to load the same CD onto my new computer and it refuses to load because this CD has already been activated. Those are not Steams exact words but close enough. I did use the correct access code...I triple checked that.

So I go into Steams website and they essentially say I need to provide a copy of my original store receipt in order to get my account reset. Is this correct?

The Orange Box never said on the outside of the box or anywhere for that matter, that I must keep the original receipt if I ever decide to move the software to a new computer. This seems very unfair. The game you paid $50 bucks for should not become obsolete if you change computers.

Steam does not have a phone number where I can talk to a human...at least not one I can find after doing a thorough internet search for one.

I tried to set up a an account in Steam's forum so I could perhaps get some help there but the Steam server did not recognize my new forum account when I went to log in.

I was able to download Half Life 2 and Counter Strike. The option to download Episode 2, Portal or Team Fortress was not there at all.

Am I plain "SOL" with Steam?

Any ideas on what else I might try?

Feeling a little Steamed,
David

Edit...I really do type using paragraphs. Somehow each sentence became a paragraph. Is this a bug in the software? :)

[Force Flow]

Is the game tied to your steam account, or is it stand-alone?

If it's tied to your steam account, it should be a simple matter of just logging in on the new machine and downloading the game.

[hitchface]

That would be my guess as well. If you have already purchased the game, Steam should show that you own it when you log in. At the same time, it will know if it is on your computer. I am willing to be that it is listed in your uninstalled games.

[pam123]

The CD key is tied to your Steam account, not your computer, which means you need your Steam password.
If you've mislaid or forgotten the password it can be re-set by Steam.

The instructions for that are here : https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4988-DHXV-7272

[radtaz]

All you have to do to get it to work is download steam and log in then it should let you download the game because the game is linked to your steam user-name and password.

click here do download steam. http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php

[Prew]

That can't be (at least shouldn't be) right. I have one Steam account installed on 3 computers and can play the Orange Box games on all of them- albeit, only one computer can play at a time. I just log in on the computer I want to use- if you try to log in with one of the other computers when I'm already logged in, a message will just state that the account is currently in use. But one of the other computers can log in after I have logged at. (In the same way a WoW account can be installed in multiple computers

Oh- hmm, your postings are correct, my son just walked by and said that the games do not need to be reinstalled using the CD's- you just use the Steam account. In fact, he can download HL2 from Steam because he entered the CD key from the old discs he bought a few years ago.

Interesting though, so if you buy the Orange Box, you can only use the CD's on one computer? (A anti piracy tool?)

[pam123]

Yes it is an anti-piracy tool, part of Steam's purpose.

In this instance it does have a positive effect for anyone who buys a Valve/Steam game; it doesn't matter if you lose or scratch the disks.

[randomuser83]

Yes it is an anti-piracy tool, part of Steam's purpose.

In this instance it does have a positive effect for anyone who buys a Valve/Steam game; it doesn't matter if you lose or scratch the disks.

Which is one of the BEST ideas to come out of a PC gaming company in a long time.

[David M]

Ok...I made a really dumb mistake. I bought Half-Life 2 some time back and in doing so created a Steam account. Not too long ago I bought Orange Box and created a second Steam account so I could play all those games. What I did was mix up the first Steam account with the second Steam account...so it now makes sense why Portal, Team Fortress etc were not available as downloads. Doh! Don't get old people....it stinks forgetting this kind of stuff. See the grey hairs in my avatar? :)

[pam123]

Arrgghh!!!

In any case I'm glad you got it straightened out.

As for not getting old, considering the alternative on offer. I'll just get a digital recorder.
All I'll have to do is remember where I left it.:D

[METAL13]

Good tip with having 2 steam accounts or more, get banned on any via VAC (Valve Anti Cheat) DO NOT go and re-buy or buy more games to that steam account because they all get banned even your new ones, instead create a new account and start over :)