A question about Steam

[DoctorWhat]

So, I've been trying to find the PC version of the Orange Box for a friend for a good while now, but it's proving to be an impossible task without resorting to online shopping. His internet is slow enough that downloading it would require his PC to be left on for days, so it has to be hardcopy.

So, my question:

Is there any way that he could purchase the game from steam, but use my discs to install it?

 

[Moriarty]

well, some people seem to know more about this than I, so no purpose on keeping flawed information here

 

[Gladion]

I'm not sure how Steam online shopping works, but all you need is a valid registration key, activate it on your steam account and then you can use any copy of the respective game to install it on the computer.
Even a burned DVD might work (don't know that for sure, though and should also be rather unimportant for your purposes).

 

[Irridium]

Yeah. Sign onto his Steam profile, buy it so its linked to him, sign out and sign into your profile, and install using the disks.

Thats what I did for my brother.

Oh, but you'll still need to download the updates.

 

[Pielikey]

Order it online from Amazon and have it shipped is all I can think of.

 

[DoctorWhat]

Yeah. Sign onto his Steam profile, buy it so its linked to him, sign out and sign into your profile, and install using the disks.

Thats what I did for my brother.

Oh, but you'll still need to download the updates.

Sorry to be annoying, but could you go into a bit more detail? Why do I need to go back into my profile?

 

[manythings]

I think if you buy it on your account but set it as a gift to him you will be able to use the discs to install it and his CD key/steam validation code or whatever to get it going. E-mail the tech support staff to be sure though cause I don't want it to turn out I accidentally told you to commit a crime.

 

[Carlston]

You can do so. Many don't read the whole copyright agreement. But in a nutshell, no one cares if you have your own disk. What is the subject of money and piracy is your CD key. The .1 cent cost software burned onto the cd is nothing, it's that Key you pay the money for.

As a computer tech I had restore copies of all verisons of windows. I could repair and reinstall, or copy if needed, the only violation would be to put 2 of the same cd keys on different computers. Long as I use the customers key, it's still in the good.

So yes you can.

 

[DoctorWhat]

You can do so. Many don't read the whole copyright agreement. But in a nutshell, no one cares if you have your own disk. What is the subject of money and piracy is your CD key. The .1 cent cost software burned onto the cd is nothing, it's that Key you pay the money for.

As a computer tech I had restore copies of all verisons of windows. I could repair and reinstall, or copy if needed, the only violation would be to put 2 of the same cd keys on different computers. Long as I use the customers key, it's still in the good.

So yes you can.

Interestingly I did know that, and have done much the same. It's the means to do it that I can't understand. As far as I know, buying anything off Steam starts the download then and there. But to install using the discs requires a unique CD key that he doesn't have.

 

[Irridium]

Yeah. Sign onto his Steam profile, buy it so its linked to him, sign out and sign into your profile, and install using the disks.

Thats what I did for my brother.

Oh, but you'll still need to download the updates.

Sorry to be annoying, but could you go into a bit more detail? Why do I need to go back into my profile?

If you installed using the disks on your profile, the activation key is now tied to you, and can only be activated on your profile.

 

[Keava]

In theory its possible, but im not sure if im not missing some minor detail.
Basically he would need to buy the game on his Steam account, got o your place, download it form his account onto your PC, then burn the needed files from \Steam\steamapps folder and copy them onto his PC.
In theory..it should work, maybe run a file fix from steam that would take much less time than downloading whole pack.

 

[Bajaraja]

So, I've been trying to find the PC version of the Orange Box for a friend for a good while now, but it's proving to be an impossible task without resorting to online shopping. His internet is slow enough that downloading it would require his PC to be left on for days, so it has to be hardcopy.

So, my question:

Is there any way that he could purchase the game from steam, but use my discs to install it?

Yes, that's how I installed TF2. Just used my bro's install disc. He'll have to download updates if he wants to play online though, and that will probably take a while.
Even then, if his connection is that bad, he probably won't be able to enjoy online that much.

 

[VyperX]

Discs may work, I don't have experience with them. A better option (that I have used before) is to make a backup of your TF2 installation (or any other Steam game) through the Steam program, and put that backup on a portable HD. You can then copy the files to his machine and it will work fine. (You do have to copy it to the correct Steam folder, so check your local installation on where it should be.)

Good luck!

 

[Carlston]

You can do so. Many don't read the whole copyright agreement. But in a nutshell, no one cares if you have your own disk. What is the subject of money and piracy is your CD key. The .1 cent cost software burned onto the cd is nothing, it's that Key you pay the money for.

As a computer tech I had restore copies of all verisons of windows. I could repair and reinstall, or copy if needed, the only violation would be to put 2 of the same cd keys on different computers. Long as I use the customers key, it's still in the good.

So yes you can.

Interestingly I did know that, and have done much the same. It's the means to do it that I can't understand. As far as I know, buying anything off Steam starts the download then and there. But to install using the discs requires a unique CD key that he doesn't have.

Ahh well Steam should give you the cd key....but i am not to sure how steam runs things. Do you dl them then get the key or get the key first...hope you figure out a way.

 

[DoctorWhat]

Yeah. Sign onto his Steam profile, buy it so its linked to him, sign out and sign into your profile, and install using the disks.

Thats what I did for my brother.

Oh, but you'll still need to download the updates.

Sorry to be annoying, but could you go into a bit more detail? Why do I need to go back into my profile?

If you installed using the disks on your profile, the activation key is now tied to you, and can only be activated on your profile.

But if I install it using my key on his computer, does he not have to use my account?

 

[Kaymish]

ok after a bit of a check it looks like you can rip the files from the disks to the appropriate folders in the steamapps folder one will probably be created if you start the download and then rip from the disks to the folder close out steam and then download the rest

im not sure if it will work since i am not willing to test it

 

[Rakkana]

You know he doesn't have to leave online for days. It picks up where it left off last time so eventually it will finish. Just saying whats the problem with waiting?

 

[Outright Villainy]

Yeah. Sign onto his Steam profile, buy it so its linked to him, sign out and sign into your profile, and install using the disks.

Thats what I did for my brother.

Oh, but you'll still need to download the updates.

Sorry to be annoying, but could you go into a bit more detail? Why do I need to go back into my profile?

If you installed using the disks on your profile, the activation key is now tied to you, and can only be activated on your profile.

But if I install it using my key on his computer, does he not have to use my account?

No, don't use your key. Firstly, buy it from his account. The option will be on his library to download it then. Then, just put the cd in and install everything except tf2 (there'll be a checklist.) if you install that with a bad connection, the patches will take forever. Once you've installed the files, you should be able to play them from his account, after the patches to those games are applied.
The Cd just holds the files, you'll just need them activated to your account to play them. You don't need to sign in your account for him at all.

 

[TheComedown]

-Snip-

I do this with mates all the time, Buy the games online, and then on your profile create backups of the games, then log back into your friends profile and launch the backups

Edit: Don't bother using the Discs as you will still most likely have some chunky updates to download.

 

[DoctorWhat]

-Snip-

But what happens when I put in my disc is it shows the splash screen, then the install option, which I click on, and it takes me straight to the "enter your CD key" page. What to do...