Half Life 2 registration

[BrokenFlight]

I bought Half Life 2 used today. If I'd put any thought into it I would have realised you need to register it and they key had already been used. I took it back and was told to look for a cd key generator. That sounded dodgy to me so I just asked for my money back.

1) Are CD key generators legal?
2)Is there a legal way of using the game when it's already been registered?

[unbroken]

you need a legit cd key to register hl2 , once its already been registered to a steam account you can never register it again. so legal or not, a cd key generator for hl2 would be useless unless you cracked the game. im 99.9% sure key gen's are illegal.

[BrokenFlight]

Ok, thanks. Looks like I'll be buying it new then. The only trouble is no one seems to stock it.

[THATinkjar]

Someone did produce a bypass for Steam, though I haven't tried it in months. It may not work now.

Alternatively, perhaps a friend can lend you their account details? I don't think Steam ties in the registration with your PC's spec. I could be wrong, though.

Or, shock/horror, why not purchase a new copy of Half-Life 2? It is pretty cheap, and is completely worth it.

[SoulBlazer]

How about just calling Valve and telling them you bought a used copy?

Or looking on their website and seeing if they address the issue?

I buy used PC games ALL the time, so I'm sure there's a workaround.

[BrokenFlight]

for some reason I can't get onto www.steampowered.com

Is that the official Valve site or is it just for steam? And what's on it?

I bought one new on Amazon so it should be here by the end of the week. I went with used because I couldn't find it new anywhere and I just happened to notice it in the shop.

[njiska]

For anyone who buys a used copy of HL2 here's how you address the cd key issue.


From Steam Support:

How to Submit your Retail CDKey to Valve to get it Reset to a new Steam Account

This answer is intended for those customers who are requesting to transfer a retail package product CD-Key from one Steam Account to another or to prove ownership of a retail packaged product and assign a previously used retail package product CD-Key to their Steam Account.

Retail Package CD-Key Reset from Valve

If you still have your original printed CD-Key and product CD from a retail package for a Valve product to prove ownership, we can reset your CD-Key however, there is a $10.00 handling fee for this service.

*
If you need a Half-Life 2 CD-Key to be reset, there is no charge for the service.
*
If it is within 30 days of your date of purchase of a game using a WON CD-Key (xxxx-xxxxx-xxxx format) you may include your receipt to have the $10.00 fee waived.
*
WON CD-Keys that were purchased USED either through Retail or Ebay will need to pay the $10.00 fee

FOR ALL PRODUCTS (INCLUDING HALF-LIFE 2) - If you are transferring ownership (sale or gift) of a previously purchased retail package, you are required to transfer all materials (including box, disc, end user license agreement and documentation) in order for the transfer to be legitimate. Valve does not permit the sale or transfer of CD-Keys without the accompanying retail package materials. Please see the end user license agreement (EULA) that came with your game for further details.

This transfer will remove the CD-Key from the account that is currently using the CD-Key, and add it to your account. To do this you will need to have a working Steam account (create a new one, if you do not have one or do not have access to your current account).

You will need to mail us the following items to reset the CD-Key:

*
The original printed CD-Key. This must include the original packaging the CD-Key was printed on (e.g. the CD jewel case). No copies, photos or scans will be accepted.
*
Please ONLY SEND THE ORIGINAL PRINTED CD-KEY. DO NOT SEND YOUR CDs OR OTHER PACKAGING.
*
Your email address, phone number and mailing address.
*
The Steam Account Name that you want the CD-Key assigned to.
*
$10.00 (US Dollars). Only money orders or a bank cashier check in US Dollars will be accepted. For Half-Life 2 Retail Package owners, there is no charge for this service. We cannot process incomplete CD-Key reset requests. If you cannot provide all of the above items, we will be unable to help you and will return your payment.

NOTE: Valve will not reset CD-Keys that have been disabled or banned for violations of the Steam Subscriber Agreement and/or End User License Agreement (e.g. cheating or piracy).

Send the information typed and printed (not handwritten), and specify the use of any numbers in the names or email accounts. For instance, "B0B" has the number zero in it; you would need to point this out to us.

Please include all of the above items and send your package to:

CD Key Reset
Valve Corporation
PO Box 1688
Bellevue, WA 98009

NOTE: Please use the form at the bottom of the page for submitting your CDKey to be reset.

NOTE: Your CD-Key will be returned via US Mail once it has been reset (please allow 6-8 weeks for return).

http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/fattach_get.php?p_sid=*HTxz2Qh&p_tbl=9&p_id=70&p_created=1123541090&p_olh=0

The URL is too long to work with DP's url code so you'll have to copy it. That's a direct link so if it fails you'll have to use the support page on http://steampowered.com

[s1lence]

Heh, 10 bucks... I guess thats better then nothing.

[zerohero]

Someone did produce a bypass for Steam, though I haven't tried it in months. It may not work now.

Alternatively, perhaps a friend can lend you their account details? I don't think Steam ties in the registration with your PC's spec. I could be wrong, though.

Or, shock/horror, why not purchase a new copy of Half-Life 2? It is pretty cheap, and is completely worth it.

The bypass does work. HL2 is decently priced now though so just by yourself a copy.

[THATinkjar]

The bypass does work. HL2 is decently priced now though so just by yourself a copy.

Yeah. I actually helped test the "hack" for the guy who wrote it. Pretty cool stuff. It came at a time when Steam required you to authenticate before each offline play session.

But if you're suggesting I don't own a copy of Half-Life 2, I can prove otherwise :)

[mills]

"Alternatively, perhaps a friend can lend you their account details? I don't think Steam ties in the registration with your PC's spec."


Thats the problem at hand, the CD key was already used by someone else, thus cannot be used to register a new account, so that definitely would not work.

[mills]

"Alternatively, perhaps a friend can lend you their account details? I don't think Steam ties in the registration with your PC's spec."

Thats the problem at hand, the CD key was already used by someone else, thus cannot be used to register a new account, so that definitely would not work.