CD Key not vaild

[[SLS]TOPSGT]

I bought the game last night from steam and on first start the game say invalid cd key. What can I do?

[Z.Ibrahimovic]

Start with number 3.


Three things to try:

1. go to the ut2004/system folder and try the following:
https://forums.epicgames.com/threads/391797-UT2004-Opengl-mode

2. go to the ut2004/system folder and move user.ini and ut2004.ini to some other folder OR erase them if you don't mind losing your settings. Booting the game will restore default settings. The content of these ini files do not get validated as they are always variable.

3. Re-install the 3369 patch: http://www.gamershell.com/download_11747.shtml

[GamingWithSilvertail]

Originally posted by Z.Ibrahimovic:

Start with number 3.


Three things to try:

1. go to the ut2004/system folder and try the following:
https://forums.epicgames.com/threads/391797-UT2004-Opengl-mode

2. go to the ut2004/system folder and move user.ini and ut2004.ini to some other folder OR erase them if you don't mind losing your settings. Booting the game will restore default settings. The content of these ini files do not get validated as they are always variable.

3. Re-install the 3369 patch: http://www.gamershell.com/download_11747.shtml

All these things got nothign to do with CD key's being invalid. ITs likely your registry got screwed up.

The reg fix in my guide may be your solution, but if you really got a cd key invalis you need to contact Valve.

[Z.Ibrahimovic]

For many re-installing the 3369 patch turned out to be key for many weird things.
If it turns out not to be the solution, it doesn't do any harm.

Here the link to the registry check: http://www.utzone.de/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=3465

True about 1 and 2 not being on-topic. That's why I said, start with 3.
I just keep copy and pasting the 3 main items in the repeat as 'things to try' don't get pinned

[Z.Ibrahimovic]

I didn't know there have been CD versions with the 3369 patch. Mine for sure doesn't have it.

Anyway, Steam already has the 3369 patch applied, but there are a few issues which are Steam copy specific. The most simple solution is to wipe out those issues by replacing the UT2004.exe for example by re-applying the 3369 patch released by Epic many years ago.

The keys given by Steam are unique and are different from the guids of which a few posess indeed a great amount. The registry key however is something different.

One of the vague things with the 3369 Steam version which people don't know is that multiple connections are made to servers instead of a single one. xming of Wojia Gaming, previously Titan, told me that I connect with 1, 2 or even 4 connections to the server and suspected/suspects me of using cheats as an old known cheat is known to be doing the same to cause lag. A so called ♥♥♥♥♥♥. I now play with my cd-version patched up and don't hear him anymore about it. While nowadays servers sometimes even handle over 100 connections, having 4 shouldn't cause lag, but it stays a strange happening which seems not to occur with the original patched version.

[[SLS]TOPSGT]

TY everyone who has responded. I am in a gaming clan "San Luis Snipers" , http://slsnipers.enjin.com/. and we just started a UT2K4 server. I had a brand new copy of UT and I was having problems over and over with messages saying that the cd key on that was bad and that was a brand new never used copy. So I got a steam copy and the first time I tried it the game gave me a invaild game key........grrr. What i did was go to steam support and follow the links to the ut page. There they had me delete the ut2004.ini and go to the registry page and remove the game key there and close. Restart steam and the game vaildate cache and the new files worked. So far no issues. TY everyone who responded or viewed this thread. Come visit our website and play on our servers.

[Z.Ibrahimovic]

Cool to hear it works and i'll keep the solution in mind for the next who experiences it.

[jefe]

Originally posted by Z.Ibrahimovic:

I didn't know there have been CD versions with the 3369 patch. Mine for sure doesn't have it.

The Unreal Anthology DVD (also includes Unreal 1 + Na Pali, UT and Unreal 2) comes pre-patched to 3369.

[[SLS]TOPSGT]

Back again and mad / disappointed as ever. As I said before we are trying to get a sniper server among others off the ground. I bought a steam version to stop all the hassles with the cd key. This is really the only game I have ever had an issue with. I followed the instructions as I stated above. The invalid msg please check with Atari is back. I have do the regedit and .ini removal a couple of times. Still the problem perists. At this window the game tried to validate with some master server and after some time says ready. Sometimes I can join my server for a bit and sometime I get a quick kick. I am so near the point of not going on with these servers. If anyone has any more ideas I would love to hear them. If as one guy said there are people out there with thousands of keys, it seems that Steam would know that and issue a know valid Key. As I said I just got the game from steam. Please if anybody has an idea. Cause you know Steam never gives a refund.

[Z.Ibrahimovic]

Are you able to join any public server without getting kicked?

[jefe]

Originally posted by SLSTOPSGT:

Back again and mad / disappointed as ever. As I said before we are trying to get a sniper server among others off the ground. I bought a steam version to stop all the hassles with the cd key. This is really the only game I have ever had an issue with. I followed the instructions as I stated above. The invalid msg please check with Atari is back. I have do the regedit and .ini removal a couple of times. Still the problem perists. At this window the game tried to validate with some master server and after some time says ready. Sometimes I can join my server for a bit and sometime I get a quick kick. I am so near the point of not going on with these servers. If anyone has any more ideas I would love to hear them. If as one guy said there are people out there with thousands of keys, it seems that Steam would know that and issue a know valid Key. As I said I just got the game from steam. Please if anybody has an idea. Cause you know Steam never gives a refund.

Are you trying to run a dedicated server with your steam key? O_o It's best to run it from a separate machine. You can request a server key from epic for free.

http://www.unrealtournament.com/ut2004server/cdkey.php

Of course if you're using a server rental service like gameservers.com, you won't need to request one.

[[SLS]TOPSGT]

This is a client account. The server has it's own key. On a server.

[[SLS]TOPSGT]

No, it catchs me right when I click on the browser. I have noticed that when I follow the steam instruction to delete the key in the registry the same key is replaced.

[mp2]

I have an original ut 2004 dvd special edition and the serialnr is also not accepted here at steam whats up? Withj other games i bought in shops i just type in the serial and steam downloads the game?

[AN BIFFED ELF!!!!]

Retail UT2004 serials are not activatable on Steam.

[nedd]

The CD Key error message told me to reinstall. I first tried a manual patch install but no go. I then deleted and reinstalled the game. This however also didn't work, same message showed up.

Long story to short story.. I removed UT2004.ini from
Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Unreal Tournament 2004\System,
restarted the game and all good again. That's what worked for me. Hope this helps someone as it's an annoying issue to have.