CD key from old account

[Nomad]

First of all I would like to apologize since I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but recently I tried activating a CD key for Half Life 2 which was already in use from my old account from 2004 or something. I don't remember even what email I used back then. Steam wasn't so widespread back then and the game wasn't working for me. Maybe my PC was too bad or the CD had physical damage to it. Now I was hoping if I activated my CD key I would have access to a digital version so I wouldn't need the damaged CD. I have the box here with all the 5 CDs and it's activation key as proof of ownership.

[Ogami]

Steam serial keys can only be used once. After that they are forever linked to the account you activated it on. So you either need to recover that old account or buy the game again on your current account. That are the only options.

[FPS]

If you still have the box, you can restore access to your old account even if you don't remember the email used (make a ticket to support).
You cannot, however, move the game to another account.

[Nomad]

@FPS yes I figured that I needed to contact Steam Support, but I don't know how to submit a ticket. The Steam Support link is just like talking to a bunch of prerecorded messages, like it is just a troubleshooter, no humans to talk with.

[ReBoot]

https://help.steampowered.com/de/wizard/HelpWithLogin
You know, not being able to log inti your old account, the account recovery path is the logical one.

[Nomad]

Yes thank You, I will try to do that then. I just didn't know if I should connect this issue to the product key or the account.

[Nomad]

The only thing the troubleshooter accepts is phone number, email address, or account name, none of which I remember.

[LeveL]

NO problem

[Nomad]

Look I just have the box here with me with all the stuff it came with. But its contents are locked to an account I don't have any information of, except that I made it more than five years ago. I can't even submit a proper ticket since it prevents me of going futher because I don't remember the name or email of the account it was linked with. No automated troubleshooter can help with this issue, so I hope someone from the support staff gets in contact with me.

[ReBoot]

Then input your current email and the troubleshooter will allow you to proceed with email once you click "I can't receive the email"

[76561198218426745]

Originally posted by Nomad:

Look I just have the box here with me with all the stuff it came with. But its contents are locked to an account I don't have any information of, except that I made it more than five years ago. I can't even submit a proper ticket since it prevents me of going futher because I don't remember the name or email of the account it was linked with. No automated troubleshooter can help with this issue, so I hope someone from the support staff gets in contact with me.

That's not how support works. You will need to open a ticket, they don't contact users.

Try to redeem the key again. Steam will tell you the key is duplicate. There will be a button to send an email to the account owner. Use that button, check all your email addresses.