Offline mode is not working.

[BoycottSteem]

Offline mode is not actually offline.

I have set up my firewall to block outgoing connections for steam in order to force it to stay offline and the last time I opened steam it was in offline mode since apparently you have to go online to validate off-line mode. Which isn't very, you know off line but anyway.

Steam now refuses to start. Doesn't even pop up an error message, just doesn't do anything at all. If I try and open the game's .exe directly it does pop up an error.

I do not want steam having access to the internet unless I actively decide to do so to download a patch or game but I do not want to have to disconnect my computer from the internet every time I turn on steam to do this, especially as I want to play some games multiplayer(for games that use services other than steam for multiplayer). Granting and removing access via a firewall is the easiest way but it seems steam will not allow this.

[Black Blade]

If Steam cant start i recommend try to refresh the files:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=265037866

Abut the other things.. Steam is a DRM in the end.. it needs to be online to be sure you are not just a user that is sharing his account with many guys using many PC's over all i think the Offline mode is meant to be more for who really cant connect to the internet at all..

And sorry but what is the problem connecting to Steam?

[BoycottSteem]

I don't know why this was moved to help, I had posted it in discussion. I already know what occurred. They programmed steam not to function if it is being blocked by a firewall. I wasn't asking for help, I was looking to discuss the nature of offline mode(and how it isn't offline).

The problem with connecting to steam is that I am forced to use it in the first place. I do not wish to count in the figure as an active steam user when I use games that force me to have steam running as that statistic is used to convince game developers of the size of the steam market. I am not a steam user, I am someone who is being forced to use it against their will to be able to play games they would like to.

I also do not approve of steam collecting user data from me. I would like to be able to find out where steam stores that information when it doesn't have an internet connection so that I can delete it after every time steam is run. Although I wouldn't be surprised if they programmed steam to not function correctly if that happens as well.

[b3TM4N]

yes

[roadrage]

Hi Boycott,

For best practices, when you install a program read the EULA (End Users License Agreement) this will give you details on why and what information they can collect and use it for, you just have to read it, and they usually give you a website page to visit so you can read all the details, for here you may already given your credit card number to purchase games or something, most likely they are keeping that info on your user profile, not your card number you can edit that setting and delete after every purchase, they mostly use it to see what games you purchased and may or will give you recommendations on game they think you will like or enjoy from the previous games you have, I hear you though privacy is number one issue on my list and as well as the web, but again it goes back to the end user, you are only protected as much as you want to be, I use a little program called EUAlyzer from BrightFort to read the fine print and make a choice from there...hope this helps.

And for the offline adventure you are having, I did the offline mode then when I went back to online mode I couldn't, I have been trying to get on Steam Client for about 8 days now and still can't to download my new games.

[HLCinSC]

I use offline mode a fair amount. You have to enable once then its good to go at least in my experience. Maybe just get it enabled, then in the future if you want to launch Steam put your computer in airplane mode or disable ethernet. Then after Steam fails to connect it will ask if you want to retry or use offline mode. Select offline mode then after Steam loads re-enable your internet access. Steam shouldn't automatically connect back to the internet. I have no clue if it will allow you to use non-steamworks multiplayer components since even some of them still use your steam account info as your player profile.

[roadrage]

@HLC,

been there did there, in order for you to do that you have to be able to connect to steam client, once there yes you can, but if not, you can't, I am not able to connect period, so I can't do offline or online any suggestions ? before you say any more look at my post, Boycott and I need to get online before we can do anything, his does not start and mine does but i cant connect...tell us something other than what we have done already, i do not do the rinse and repeat,

[HLCinSC]

Originally posted by roadrage:

@HLC,
been there did there, in order for you to do that you have to be able to connect to steam client, once there yes you can, but if not, you can't, I am able to not connect period, so I can't do offline or online any suggestions ?

Do you not have internet access to connect it to or does it just not connect? I'm assuming the latter since you are able to post here.

[roadrage]

obviously he is here posting, sorry HLC, he may be using another computer, my bad

[HLCinSC]

Originally posted by roadrage:

obviously he is here posting, sorry HLC, he may be using another computer, my bad

OK you're here so let's just stick with you for a bit. I'm going to double check some info.

You cannot connect to enable offline mode, correct?

What exactly have you tried?

Have you tried the file refresh from black blade's post: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3134-TIAL-4638 ?

Have you tried running the installer to repair?

Is it possible your antivirus or firewall (Computer and access point/router) are preventing you from connecting?

Do you have an alternate connection to try (alternate network maybe a smartphone wifi hot spot)?

[roadrage]

@HLC,
I dont want to intrude in this post sorry Boycott, my bad again, this is my post below but if we get one person up and running it may help others as well.
roadrage