Cannot install COD Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

[Kory]

So I have just bought a COD MW2 in its original state (I have the case, 2 DVDs, even the manual with the serial number) at a local flea market, it is likely from Austria. It has changed the language of Steam to German, but I speak the language, so I don't really care. What is important is that whenever I try to install it with the first disk, it says the following:

https://imgur.com/a/CNW8EF4

The disk is in the tray, so I have no idea what the problem is. Can someone please help?

[J4MESOX4D]

Have you activated the game on your account? Second hand PC games will not work if the key has been consumed by a previous owner. The installation discs merely hold the data but you will need to activate the game first.

[DarkPlayer84Tv]

try to reboot pc, and after go to start, write cmd, open cmd with administrator priviledge, write: sfc /scannow , after if show error again after reboot pc, this is the command to fix windows problemis in many cases :)

[Kory]

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

Have you activated the game on your account? Second hand PC games will not work if the key has been consumed by a previous owner. The installation discs merely hold the data but you will need to activate the game first.

I have just tried to do it and it says it is already activated. Is there anything I can do? I have the Steam username of the buyer, it is also here. Can he hand it over to me? Or shall I give up?

Thank you very much for your response!

[J4MESOX4D]

Originally posted by Kory:

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

Have you activated the game on your account? Second hand PC games will not work if the key has been consumed by a previous owner. The installation discs merely hold the data but you will need to activate the game first.

I have just tried to do it and it says it is already activated. Is there anything I can do? I have the Steam username of the buyer, it is also here. Can he hand it over to me? Or shall I give up?

Thank you very much for your response!

I'm afraid not. PC games that have an attached DRM like Steam, Origin, uPlay etc... can only be activated once. The discs themselves only hold partial installation data and are about as useful as a tea coaster if the game is already activated on another account. All you can do is try and get your money back from where you bought it. The seller probably wasn't acting maliciously and wasn't aware that such physical games can only be used this way.

Never buy second hand PC games that require any 3rd party activation.

[Kory]

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

Originally posted by Kory:

I have just tried to do it and it says it is already activated. Is there anything I can do? I have the Steam username of the buyer, it is also here. Can he hand it over to me? Or shall I give up?

Thank you very much for your response!

I'm afraid not. PC games that have an attached DRM like Steam, Origin, uPlay etc... can only be activated once. The discs themselves only hold partial installation data and are about as useful as a tea coaster if the game is already activated on another account. All you can do is try and get your money back from where you bought it. The seller probably wasn't acting maliciously and wasn't aware that such physical games can only be used this way.

Never buy second hand PC games that require any 3rd party activation.

Thank you! Well, it was only 1 euro, so I will consider it the price of study. I will be careful next time. It is very useful information.

[J4MESOX4D]

Originally posted by Kory:

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

I'm afraid not. PC games that have an attached DRM like Steam, Origin, uPlay etc... can only be activated once. The discs themselves only hold partial installation data and are about as useful as a tea coaster if the game is already activated on another account. All you can do is try and get your money back from where you bought it. The seller probably wasn't acting maliciously and wasn't aware that such physical games can only be used this way.

Never buy second hand PC games that require any 3rd party activation.

Thank you! Well, it was only 1 euro, so I will consider it the price of study. I will be careful next time. It is very useful information.

Ah that's not too big of a loss then thankfully! The game is currently in the sale for £15 on here which is still quite pricey but worth it if you wanted to complete the collection or just want to experience the game. It's not for sale in many places now and even then, it doesn't go cheap sadly.