UT2004 CD Key: regedit: value not set

[sabrefan84]

OK, I installed the 3369 patch and followed the instructions for regedit, but when I find the Data for UT2004, there's no cd key, and data, it says "value not set". Is there anything I can do?

P.S. I also have Mars Wars 3 (mod) installed. IDK if that would have anything to do with it, because when I start Mars Wars, I get the invalid cd key error.

[jefe]

Oddly enough, I'm having registry issues too as of late. And it's weird. If I try to run my non-steam install of UT2004, there's no CD key entry when I check regedit. But as soon as I log into Steam and launch the Steam version of UT2004, the CD key then appears on Regedit (both normal installs and Steam put the CD key in the same spot.) I suspect there might be a change to how Steam "protects" UT2004, and I don't like it.

Just for clarification, are you using the Steam version of UT2004, or a non-Steam version?

EDIT: So I've done some more testing, and rebooted my pc a few times. When I reboot, my CDKEY is in the registry, and I can run my non-Steam install of UT2004. However, when I log into my son's steam account, the CDKEY value is removed instantly. This is doubly odd because we have a shared library. The CDKEY is not restored until I start the Steam install of UT2004 from either account.

I have to assume this is something Steam is doing on purpose, and it's wrong. Before installing the Steam version of UT2004 a few months ago, I used my retail CDKEY. Installing the Steam version overwrote my old key, changing it. (This also changes your GUID, which servers use to identify you and keep RPG stats.) I was ok with that. Now the program deletes it? WTF.

[sabrefan84]

@jefe Yes, I'm using the Steam version.I KNOW for a fact that I was able to play it just fine prior to installing the 3369 patch. I know Steam doesn't always update its non-Valve games, like Quake 3 Arena, so that's why I patched it, just in case, since it's a requirement of the Mars Wars mod.

[Z.Ibrahimovic]

You can check your cd-key by clicking right-mousebutton on the game in the steam library. Then write it into the registry if it is missing.

@jefe, that explains to me why my pc gets slower and slower booting to desktop the more games I install. Often the beta versions of Steam also get flagged a virus.

Last week I have moved to Win 10 and did a Steam install instead of a cd-install for the very first time with odd results.
For the very first time I experienced the D3D error video crash on first boot, I experience that pipebinds are slow in multiplayer and experience that colors are different while using the same .ini as before. Also Geforce Experience can not hook into the game where I used that program to stream to twitch. OBS just gives a black input signal in all OS's for me for 2k4.

6 months ago I had zero issues with Win 10 vs UT, but that was with a cd-install + steam finishing install over cd installation.

[sabrefan84]

Originally posted by Z.Ibrahimovic:

You can check your cd-key by clicking right-mousebutton on the game in the steam library. Then write it into the registry if it is missing.

@jefe, that explains to me why my pc gets slower and slower booting to desktop the more games I install. Often the beta versions of Steam also get flagged a virus.

Last week I have moved to Win 10 and did a Steam install instead of a cd-install for the very first time with odd results.
For the very first time I experienced the D3D error video crash on first boot, I experience that pipebinds are slow in multiplayer and experience that colors are different while using the same .ini as before. Also Geforce Experience can not hook into the game where I used that program to stream to twitch. OBS just gives a black input signal in all OS's for me for 2k4.

6 months ago I had zero issues with Win 10 vs UT, but that was with a cd-install + steam finishing install over cd installation.

I thought of that, but there's no option to view the CD Key for UT2004.

[Z.Ibrahimovic]

w00t you are correct.

Can you confirm that you deleted the variable CDKey in regedit?

[jefe]

Are you looking in the right spot? There are two possible paths for UT2004 in the registry:

In older versions of Windows the key goes in in:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Unreal Technology\Installed Apps\UT2004
Value name: CDKey
Value Data: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (Make sure to use dashes and CAPS when entering your key)
Value name: Folder
Value Data: C:\Unreal\UT2004 (Whichever folder you put it in)

In newer versions (64 bit)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Unreal Technology\Installed Apps\UT2004
Value name: CDKey
Value Data: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (Make sure to use dashes and CAPS when entering your key)
Value name: Folder
Value Data: C:\Unreal\UT2004 (Whichever folder you put it in)

[sabrefan84]

OK, I'm in regedit, and here's what I have for ut2004.

Name Type Data
(Default) Reg_SZ (Value not set)
Version Reg_SZ 3369

I don't see any way or place for a CDKEY.

[Hobo]

I had this same issue, but was able to fix it by Running UT2004 in Windows XP SP3 Compatibility mode. I was using stand alone UT2004 in Windows 10 X64