Originally posted by Mikus
OWNED

Originally posted by Shintock
Check this out:
http://steampowered.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=119&p_created=1093290282&p_sid=T_BWHKsh&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0yNzQmcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=

IF THIS IS NOT A NEW PURCHASE

CD keys are special serial numbers printed on retail copies of Half-Life and other games in the Half-Life family.

Before Steam came online, the CD key was used as an anti-piracy measure, and was used to generate a player's unique ID code when playing the game online.

With Steam, the CD key is used as a "proof of purchase" code to grant your Steam account access to that game. For these reasons, each CD key can be used with only one Steam account.

Once a CDKey has been associated with a Steam account, it is permanently registered to it and cannot be transferred to another account.

If you registered your CDKey to a previous account, you must log into that account to use that CDKey.

If that account has a name that is an old email address, Steam doesn't care if you don't have that email address any longer, just log into that account name and use it.

You will want to make sure however that you update the contact email address to your new email address so you can maintain it.

If you are unable to remember the password and the contact email address is no longer valid (so you can't recover your account data) and you are unable to access your account, you will have to send your physical CDKey in to Valve to get reset to a new account.

Some Keys Double Printed by Sierra/VUGames
Unfortunately, Sierra (not Valve) double printed some CDKeys. Only Sierra knows which CDKeys were duplicated.

VUGames is the parent company of Sierra - the publishers of the games, and printer of the CDKeys. They are a different company from Valve.

If you purchased your Game more then 90 days ago, you will be unable to get a free replacement from Sierra/VUGames if you have a duplicate CDKey.

Only Two Choices
Your only two options at this point are to send in your physical CDKey to Valve to be reset or to purchase a replacement Game.

Option 1: Purchase a Replacement from Sierra
As an option, you can contact Sierra/VUGames and purchase a replacement CDKey, please explore this as an option:

SIERRA/VUGAMES CDKEY REPLACEMENT


Option 2: 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.

This will remove it 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 access to your current account).

You will need to mail us the following items to reset 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.

- The original CD for the Valve product (NOTE: DO NOT SEND HALF-LIFE 2 CDS ONLY SEND THE CDKEY!)

- Your email address 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 will be accepted.

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 banned by the Valve Anti-Cheat system for a cheating violation.

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 attached form for submitting your CDKey to be reset.

Originally posted by Shintock
Blame the pirates.

Originally posted by Wolfy
And they'll blame Steam for being so unfair and requiring them to actually BUY the game. Evil Steam! Evil Valve!

Originally posted by Brian
I posted about this issue a long time ago. Valve sucks, requiring YOU to pay ten bucks because someone else STOLE or keygened YOUR cd key!? That's insane. The service should be free and immediate.