Cant play my old half life 2 game of the year edition box

[YoshiBoshiPoshi]

I know this discussion has been brought up by other users who have the same problem as I. Im only posting this because it may get steam support's attention.

I purchased a physical copy of half life 2: Game of the Year Edition about 9-10 years ago at a local retail shop. I installed on my computer and it worked great. I know that Valve's terms of agreement were different back then when I installed it. With that, I do not know if I was obligated to have a steam account connected to play this game. I created one anyways.

A few years later down the line my computer died or something bad happened to it, so I had to get it reformatted.

Now we come to present day and I want to play my half life 2 again like old times because I got my computer working again. I've made a new account with steam. Unfortunately, since this new account wasn't associated with my old account I cannot play it. I forgot my email address associated with my old account. Yes I know. Its my fault. Bad memory. Whatever. But I have two things going for me. I have the original cd key and the original box. ATM, I am trying to search my old credit card transactions, as well, to further support my ownership. (Cant log in to my old bank account either)

I've gone through the usual steam support channels. I told them my ordeal, so they asked for my old email address associated with the game, and the cd key with my john handcock of my steam support ticket number somewhere around the vicinity of the cd key. I was able to complete the 2nd task. Sadly, I cannot upload it. It kept saying that the server timed out. I did it multiple times that day, the next day, the day after that, etc. Even did it on another computer. Even tried to do it today. I even made a new ticket regarding this matter, telling valve support that I cannot upload my proof of ownership. Guess what, not only did I not get a reply, they completely deleted my ticket without notice.

Im sure you can guess I am infuriated. Yes I know its my fault I forgot my old email address. I don't even know if I put a legitimate email address. I didn't care. I just wanted to play the game back then. I didn't think about the repercussions 9-10 years later down the line. Steam was optional 9 years ago when I first purchased it.

All in all, I purchased a game. I should be able to play it. I am doing everything in my power to do it the right way. Yes I can buy it again, but its the principle of the matter. I made an analogy to steam support trying to gain a little empathy. This is what I wrote:

How would you like it if you bought a movie, and you pop it in and it says, "Oh you cant play that even though you bought it because it is associated with another dvd player. Please retrieve the dvd information that you owned 10 years ago and proof of purchase that's impossible to send to us because our busted service times out every time you legitimately try to send proof of ownership. Have a nice day. PS... we also love ignoring you"

Yes boo who, WhoTF cares right? Still, I believe when you purchased something, no matter how old, you should retain the RIGHTS to use it. This is my stupid story.

Ps: If I forgot my steam account I should be able to use this route: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=5421-QTFB-3090#cd-keys

(no email required)

//edit...yes email is still required (DAMN)

But like I said before, I cant upload my cd key to them for some reason. Turn off my firewall, virus thing... etc.

//edit successfully uploaded it

Ill keep you guys posted =) my lovely neckbeard community

[Snapjak]

If you can't upload it to the support system you could always use another image host service to do so. Just make sure you keep it private.

But I'm not sure they'll accept that since it's not on their system. Worth a shot though I'd say.

At any rate, HL2 goes on sale every single major sale, so even if you can't get it back you can get it on the cheap at least during the summer if not sooner. $2.50 the last sale in Feb.

[Better|Off|Bob]

Howdy OP,

I'm sorry you're having trouble. I can't see this as being intentional. Just things not running smoothly for some reason or another.

Have you tried updating your original ticket explaining your upload issue?

Probably not worth getting too worked up over given you haven't actually been wanting to play HL2 in a bit? ;)

[YoshiBoshiPoshi]

Originally posted by Snapjak:

If you can't upload it to the support system you could always use another image host service to do so. Just make sure you keep it private.

But I'm not sure they'll accept that since it's not on their system. Worth a shot though I'd say.

I was actually thinking about doing this but i figured they wouldn't accept it.

[YoshiBoshiPoshi]

I did get it uploaded finally. Just waiting for valve to provide steam............support

[Better|Off|Bob]

Glad to hear.

I'm sure support will be in touch soon.

[YoshiBoshiPoshi]

It is now the next day still haven't heard from them. Valve. Pls PLs improve your support if your gonna DRM the %#$! out of us. Im DRM'ing out of my nose ova heee. Im sorry I dont remember my email. I gave you my last steam account. What more do you want?

http://i.qkme.me/3qrf6e.jpg

[YoshiBoshiPoshi]

//Update

So steam finally answered the call! Yay! Since I couldn't remember my old email address linked to my Half Life 2 GOTY edition and my other old steam account didnt allow me to play my Half life 2 game, I told steam support that someone must have hijacked my cd key for my game. (I kinda authentically believed this because my other old account didn't let me play) But apparently, I actually made 2 accounts back in the day. (yea go figure) So support correspondence went like this:

• Me: i cant play my half life game of the year edition. This included cs source, hl2 dm, and hl source. I bought it 11 years ago. I probably associated it with another steam account called ******yo****. but It doesnt work there either. I purchased this game fair and square. I have a copy of the cd key. I DEMAND to get this game working. I will not purchase it again! This is not a question.
  
  //Yes i sounded like a baby. I was upset. Still doesn't excuse my actions. I apologize to steam support
  
  
• Support: If you have purchased a used/second hand CD key, please contact the seller to discuss a refund or exchange. Steam Support cannot assist with used CD keys.
  
  
• Me:this is not used. i bought this at a ************. your support sucks by the way. get a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ phone number
  
  //still sounded like a baby
  
  
• Support:Hello ********,
  
  Thank you for contacting Steam Support.
  
  In order to assist you with this issue, we must verify your ownership of the software and associated Steam Account(s).
  
  Please provide as much of the following as possible:
  
  The first email address that was used on the Steam account.
  
  If you registered software purchased at a retail location, please handwrite your Support Ticket Number **************** on the quick reference card or sticker above the CD Key (the number should not be written on a separate piece of paper or inserted with an image editor) and reply with a digital photo or scan of the CD Key in .jpg format. Please ensure that you submit a full-color image, rather than a photocopy.
  
  If you have any difficulty locating the CD Key on the packaging, please see the following link:
  URL: http://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7480-WUSF-3601
  
  Example scans:
  http://support.steampowered.com/images/faq/2347-QDFN-4366/cdkey1.jpg
  http://support.steampowered.com/images/faq/2347-QDFN-4366/cdkey2.jpg
  
  After verifying your proof of ownership we will gladly assist you with this issue.
  
  
• Me: my upload keeps timing out; Reference #***********
  my email address might have been associated with my ****** one. not sure. its been over 10 years. but that would be *********** or ********* something like this. like i said its been over 10 years. since i m not in the ******* anymore i cant use this email. If not that then its associated with ********@ymail.com for the steam account *********
  
  -ok i have to upload the photo another time. it keeps timing out. i already did it like 10 times already.
  
  -is there another way to send the photo because this is not working
  
  -my email might have been ************
  
  -Reference #**************
  
  -are you guys gonna help.#@%$ this is getting ridiculous. i cant upload your stupid *&^%. How would you like it if you bought a movie, and you pop it in and it says, "Oh you cant play that even though you bought it because it is associated with another dvd player. Please retrieve the dvd information that you owned 10 years ago and proof of purchase that's impossible to send to us because our busted service times out every time you legitimately try to send proof of ownership. Have a nice day. PS... we also love ignoring you"
  how do i even escalate this.
  
  //the different tabs indicated different times i posted messages over a span of a week
  
  -this is related to ticket number # *****. I want to send an attachment to provide proof of ownership. this includes the original cd key registration sheet and my ticket number but your server keeps timing out. Is there another way to upload this or another solution? Also please don't have Support Tech ****** help me. He/she/bot has not been helpful. Here is proof. Request Timeout. The server timed out while waiting for the browser's request.Reference #************* //put this on a different ticket
  
  
• Support: I'm sorry, the email you have provided does not match the first email used when the account was created - we require this information before we make changes to the account.
  If you cannot remember what the original email address was, please reply with a list of possible addresses.
  
  
• me:here it is finally //finally uploaded the cd key
  is it ****************@****.com or ***********@*****.com. If my past ******* account did not have my half life game of the year edition. Maybe someone stole my cd key. Please shut down whoever stole my cd key's account.
  
  
• Support: We have reset your account password and sent the new login information to the email address associated with this support account. If you do not receive the e-mail, please check your spam or trash folder. Note: The new password consists of all numbers.As a security precaution, your account will be unable to trade or use the Community Market for a period of time after a Steam Support assisted password reset.
  
  
• me: thank you. Sorry for my rudeness.

Now I have 3 accounts. Its all good. Fam shared em all. Atleast now I can play my game. I hope me publishing this can help people with the same problem, and to give hope to ppl that your physical copies will not be lost in vain, unless of course, you lost your cd key. If anything, hopefully my &^$%#made attitude was entertaining. I think now im going to play some hero of the storm.