Half-Life2: Safe to uninstall?

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Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

After playing through HL2 twice now, I want to reclaim some drive
space (the thing takes up quite a bit). With most games, I think
nothing of it. I need the space, I uninstall the game. If I want to
play it later, I install it again at some later date when I have more
space available.

However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
re-install it later.

---------------------------------------------

MCheu
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

MCheu wrote:
> After playing through HL2 twice now, I want to reclaim some drive
> space (the thing takes up quite a bit). With most games, I think
> nothing of it. I need the space, I uninstall the game. If I want to
> play it later, I install it again at some later date when I have more
> space available.
>
> However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
> myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
> re-install it later.
>
> ---------------------------------------------
>
> MCheu

I uninstalled Steam and HL2 and reinstalled it with out any problems.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

"MCheu" <mpcheu@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:9t13v054fsgsm8qcbb3hv10c9gvdg7vu7s@4ax.com...
> After playing through HL2 twice now, I want to reclaim some drive
> space (the thing takes up quite a bit). With most games, I think
> nothing of it. I need the space, I uninstall the game. If I want to
> play it later, I install it again at some later date when I have more
> space available.
>
> However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
> myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
> re-install it later.
>
> ---------------------------------------------
>
> MCheu

I uninstalled and re-installed Steam and HL2 without a hitch.

Peter
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

"MCheu" <mpcheu@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:9t13v054fsgsm8qcbb3hv10c9gvdg7vu7s@4ax.com...
> After playing through HL2 twice now, I want to reclaim some drive
> space (the thing takes up quite a bit). With most games, I think
> nothing of it. I need the space, I uninstall the game. If I want to
> play it later, I install it again at some later date when I have more
> space available.
>
> However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
> myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
> re-install it later.
>
> ---------------------------------------------
>
> MCheu]

Make a backup of HL2. Just open steam, click "Play Games", right click on
Half-Life 2 and select "Backup". It will automatically chop it into CD or
DVD size chunks for backup. Then when done, right click on game again and
select "Remove local game content". Then if you want to play again, just
restore your backup (double click on it, as it is self installing if you
have Steam on your PC) and then it may download the latest updates, then
you're good to go. Quicker than downloading the whole thing again IMHO.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

FYI: I restored from scratch from my retail CD after wiping directory
clean. It took me just shy of an hour of online time (56k) to download and
unlock whatever files were needed by HL2 and Steam to get the game going.
Because I already had an account (from the first time I installed) I didn't
need to create one and that saved a little time.


"MCheu" <mpcheu@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:9t13v054fsgsm8qcbb3hv10c9gvdg7vu7s@4ax.com...
> After playing through HL2 twice now, I want to reclaim some drive
> space (the thing takes up quite a bit). With most games, I think
> nothing of it. I need the space, I uninstall the game. If I want to
> play it later, I install it again at some later date when I have more
> space available.
>
> However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
> myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
> re-install it later.
>
> ---------------------------------------------
>
> MCheu
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 22:11:53 -0500, "JoeSmooth" <f@ke.70053> wrote:

>FYI: I restored from scratch from my retail CD after wiping directory
>clean. It took me just shy of an hour of online time (56k) to download and
>unlock whatever files were needed by HL2 and Steam to get the game going.
>Because I already had an account (from the first time I installed) I didn't
>need to create one and that saved a little time.

An hour to get a game going that you bought retail? Effing
unbelievable. HL2 to me is like buying a virus - no thanks.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

MCheu wrote:
> After playing through HL2 twice now, I want to reclaim some drive
> space (the thing takes up quite a bit). With most games, I think
> nothing of it. I need the space, I uninstall the game. If I want to
> play it later, I install it again at some later date when I have more
> space available.
>
> However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
> myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
> re-install it later.
>
> ---------------------------------------------
>
> MCheu

Do you have a broadband connection? If so the easiest thing to do is go
to 'play games' in Steam, right-click on the game you want to uninstall
and choose 'delete local game content'.

You can leave Steam as it is - doesn't take up much space. When you
next want to install it just let it d-load through Steam (hence the BB
question).

Do the same for all Steam games. Shaun

--
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and
conscientious stupidity."

Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 17:57:52 -0500, MCheu <mpcheu@yahoo.com> wrote:

>After playing through HL2 twice now, I want to reclaim some drive
>space (the thing takes up quite a bit). With most games, I think
>nothing of it. I need the space, I uninstall the game. If I want to
>play it later, I install it again at some later date when I have more
>space available.
>
>However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
>myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
>re-install it later.
>
>---------------------------------------------
>
>MCheu


After you uninstall it all.. check your registry for lots of steam
keys and such.

Pluvious
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

HockeyTownUSA wrote:
> "MCheu" <mpcheu@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:9t13v054fsgsm8qcbb3hv10c9gvdg7vu7s@4ax.com...
>
>>After playing through HL2 twice now, I want to reclaim some drive
>>space (the thing takes up quite a bit). With most games, I think
>>nothing of it. I need the space, I uninstall the game. If I want to
>>play it later, I install it again at some later date when I have more
>>space available.
>>
>>However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
>>myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
>>re-install it later.
>>
>>---------------------------------------------
>>
>>MCheu]
>
>
> Make a backup of HL2. Just open steam, click "Play Games", right click on
> Half-Life 2 and select "Backup". It will automatically chop it into CD or
> DVD size chunks for backup. Then when done, right click on game again and
> select "Remove local game content". Then if you want to play again, just
> restore your backup (double click on it, as it is self installing if you
> have Steam on your PC) and then it may download the latest updates, then
> you're good to go. Quicker than downloading the whole thing again IMHO.
>
>
>

Nice one Hockey. Have the DVD version here so forgot all about the
backup option.


--
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and
conscientious stupidity."

Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 16:48:54 -0700, "Hank the Rapper"
<xflopgoon@REMOVEyahoo.com> wrote:

>MCheu wrote:
>> After playing through HL2 twice now, I want to reclaim some drive
>> space (the thing takes up quite a bit). With most games, I think
>> nothing of it. I need the space, I uninstall the game. If I want to
>> play it later, I install it again at some later date when I have more
>> space available.
>>
>> However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
>> myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
>> re-install it later.
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------
>>
>> MCheu
>
>I uninstalled Steam and HL2 and reinstalled it with out any problems.
>

Thanks. What version? Most of the replies seem to have dealt with
the online purchase of the game. Mine is the retail CD version
(didn't even know they sold it on DVD).
---------------------------------------------

MCheu
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

"Bass" <fish@no.email> wrote in message
news:3gi3v059o9rj5itgi0e7g0e0omi7d6tr7m@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 22:11:53 -0500, "JoeSmooth" <f@ke.70053> wrote:
>
> >FYI: I restored from scratch from my retail CD after wiping directory
> >clean. It took me just shy of an hour of online time (56k) to download
and
> >unlock whatever files were needed by HL2 and Steam to get the game going.
> >Because I already had an account (from the first time I installed) I
didn't
> >need to create one and that saved a little time.
>
> An hour to get a game going that you bought retail? Effing
> unbelievable. HL2 to me is like buying a virus - no thanks.

That's not counting the actual install from CD. The first time I installed
was release day so it actually took considerably longer because steam was
backed up and due to other non-steam problems I had. (I ranted about this
in this group some time ago). This time through, it went pretty smooth, but
yes, I think an hour is ridiculous. Maybe I'll try to backup the game on
media so I won't have to wait the extra hour next time I want to reinstall.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005, MCheu wrote:

> However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
> myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
> re-install it later.

with hl2 you don't control the installation process, valve does
let me repeat cause its important
its valve who controls the installation process, you only watch
so in theory this can happen:
.. you uninstall today
.. tomorrow valve closes
.. you will never be able to play hl2 again
just think about it

ps: i didn't even talk about backups so i wouldn't make you more
depressed and worried as you already are

--
post made in a steam-free computer
i said "NO" to valve and steam

please sign petition "Say NO! to Steam!" available at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/nosteam/petition.html
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005, Shawk wrote:

> Do the same for all Steam games. Shaun

you pay 50 bucks for a game and you don't keep anything...
no backups... nothing...
you just RELY on valve...
basically you RELY on valve when it comes to installing and playing games
and how about also RELYING valve with your own computer? give them your
passwords and full access to your computer, this way anything about your
own computer you will ALSO RELY ON VALVE!

this submissive attitude valve gamers have is absolutely sickening!

--
post made in a steam-free computer
i said "NO" to valve and steam

please sign petition "Say NO! to Steam!" available at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/nosteam/petition.html
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005, "Hank the Rapper" wrote:

> I uninstalled Steam and HL2 and reinstalled it with out any problems.

so mr "no problem" hank spoke! unfortunately he didn't read the question

the guy doesn't own the dvd version you have! we bought via steam! so his
question is related to not having a BACKUP copy of hl2!!!!

ok we all know you are totally mesmerized with valve but next time try to
not make it so obvious, your servanty is extremely embarrassing!

--
post made in a steam-free computer
i said "NO" to valve and steam

please sign petition "Say NO! to Steam!" available at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/nosteam/petition.html
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 10:06:46 +0000, difool
<john.difool@mail.telepac.pt> wrote:

>On Fri, 21 Jan 2005, "Hank the Rapper" wrote:
>
>> I uninstalled Steam and HL2 and reinstalled it with out any problems.
>
>so mr "no problem" hank spoke! unfortunately he didn't read the question
>
>the guy doesn't own the dvd version you have! we bought via steam! so his
>question is related to not having a BACKUP copy of hl2!!!!
>
>ok we all know you are totally mesmerized with valve but next time try to
>not make it so obvious, your servanty is extremely embarrassing!

Um... No. I bought the retail version. I never said anything about
buying it via Steam, though I guess I should have specified.

It seems that guys like me that bought from the store bore the brunt
of the Steam hiccups early on -- the pre-installs and Steam installs
were a bit smoother. My concern was that some people were saying that
the authentication features of steam might prevent people from
re-installing the game later, regardless of which version you have.
Is that still an issue with the game?


---------------------------------------------

MCheu
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

MCheu wrote:

>> the guy doesn't own the dvd version you have! we bought via steam!
>> so his question is related to not having a BACKUP copy of hl2!!!!

> Um... No. I bought the retail version. I never said anything about
> buying it via Steam, though I guess I should have specified.

ROFL difool is really losing it.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005, "HockeyTownUSA" wrote:

> Make a backup of HL2. Just open steam, click "Play Games", right click on
> Half-Life 2 and select "Backup". It will automatically chop it into CD or
> DVD size chunks for backup. Then when done, right click on game again and

how do you know if he has a DVD RECORDABLE DRIVER?
how do you know if he's whiling to WASTE EVEN MORE MONEY in buying a dvd
recordable and dvd blank media with an already very expensive game?
how do you know if he has the TIME to burn a dvd backup of a game which
should had been already distributed in a physical medium version
how do you know if he's whiling to take the chance of burning a home made
backup and finding out later that its FAULTY!

--
post made in a steam-free computer
i said "NO" to valve and steam

please sign petition "Say NO! to Steam!" available at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/nosteam/petition.html
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005, Shawk wrote:

> Nice one Hockey. Have the DVD version here so forgot all about the
> backup option.

we notice... you steam lovers bunch FORGET A LOT OF THINGS!
it must be playing hl2 too much give you guys memory problems
or probably is just you relying too much on your precious steam, you
think it will fix any problem in your life!

--
post made in a steam-free computer
i said "NO" to valve and steam

please sign petition "Say NO! to Steam!" available at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/nosteam/petition.html
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005, Bass wrote:

> An hour to get a game going that you bought retail? Effing
> unbelievable. HL2 to me is like buying a virus - no thanks.

isn't it completely unbelievable!!! how can someone accept it! its insane!!
and this is one month after hl2 was released... just wait 6 more months and
instead of having to be online ONE hour you will have to be online ONE day!
cause for now on new patches will get even bigger and bigger and bigger!!!
its really so sad... seeing how evil valve is HUMILIATING so many gamers
sad! sad! sad! really so sad!

--
post made in a steam-free computer
i said "NO" to valve and steam

please sign petition "Say NO! to Steam!" available at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/nosteam/petition.html
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

"difool" <john.difool@mail.telepac.pt> wrote in message
news😱p64v01g0t7atisibo9p6h3n74uqdjfina@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 21 Jan 2005, Bass wrote:
>
> > An hour to get a game going that you bought retail? Effing
> > unbelievable. HL2 to me is like buying a virus - no thanks.
>
> isn't it completely unbelievable!!! how can someone accept it! its
insane!!
> and this is one month after hl2 was released... just wait 6 more months
and
> instead of having to be online ONE hour you will have to be online ONE
day!

During the 1960's in the US, the government, feeling threatened by the
counter culture tried to crack down on drug use, specifically marijuana.
(see "reefer madness") They lauched an add campaign showing (among other
things) that people who smoked pot would actualy go insane. Well, what
happened of course is that people smoked weed anyway (for whatever reason)
and surprise surprise, they didn't go insane. Even though long term studies
show that chronic marijuana use can be detrimental, and even though there is
a moderate element of psychological addiction and other short term
detrimental effects, this information was never conveyed because the
governement was over-the-top in their anti-drug message and so lost all
credibility.

> cause for now on new patches will get even bigger and bigger and bigger!!!
> its really so sad... seeing how evil valve is HUMILIATING so many gamers
> sad! sad! sad! really so sad!
>
> --
> post made in a steam-free computer
> i said "NO" to valve and steam
>
> please sign petition "Say NO! to Steam!" available at:
> http://www.petitiononline.com/nosteam/petition.html
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

"HockeyTownUSA" <magma@killspam.comcast.net> wrote in message
news:CNydnQ75O4lFN2zcRVn-jg@comcast.com...
>
> "MCheu" <mpcheu@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:9t13v054fsgsm8qcbb3hv10c9gvdg7vu7s@4ax.com...
>> After playing through HL2 twice now, I want to reclaim some drive
>> space (the thing takes up quite a bit). With most games, I think
>> nothing of it. I need the space, I uninstall the game. If I want to
>> play it later, I install it again at some later date when I have more
>> space available.
>>
>> However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
>> myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
>> re-install it later.
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------
>>
>> MCheu]
>
> Make a backup of HL2. Just open steam, click "Play Games", right click on
> Half-Life 2 and select "Backup". It will automatically chop it into CD or
> DVD size chunks for backup. Then when done, right click on game again and
> select "Remove local game content". Then if you want to play again, just
> restore your backup (double click on it, as it is self installing if you
> have Steam on your PC) and then it may download the latest updates, then
> you're good to go. Quicker than downloading the whole thing again IMHO.
>
>
I have tried this and restoring from the backup failed. I tried several
times and each time it asked for the next disc even though I backed up to a
DVD. Fortunately I made another backup by just compressing the files with
WinRAR to one big file on a DVD and this worked fine.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

MCheu wrote:
> On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 10:06:46 +0000, difool
> <john.difool@mail.telepac.pt> wrote:
>
>
>>On Fri, 21 Jan 2005, "Hank the Rapper" wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I uninstalled Steam and HL2 and reinstalled it with out any problems.
>>
>>so mr "no problem" hank spoke! unfortunately he didn't read the question
>>
>>the guy doesn't own the dvd version you have! we bought via steam! so his
>>question is related to not having a BACKUP copy of hl2!!!!
>>
>>ok we all know you are totally mesmerized with valve but next time try to
>>not make it so obvious, your servanty is extremely embarrassing!
>
>
> Um... No. I bought the retail version. I never said anything about
> buying it via Steam, though I guess I should have specified.
>
> It seems that guys like me that bought from the store bore the brunt
> of the Steam hiccups early on -- the pre-installs and Steam installs
> were a bit smoother. My concern was that some people were saying that
> the authentication features of steam might prevent people from
> re-installing the game later, regardless of which version you have.
> Is that still an issue with the game?
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------
>
> MCheu

Hiya, I see you met difool. I cant see his posts anymore as they have
become less amusing and more cringeworthy. Guy really needs medication.

I haven't uninstalled/re-installed completely but I guess that if you
did that then you would need to verify again. Best bet is to either do
what I suggested above (if you have broadband) or backup the game first.
Re-installing from a backup would then include the verification files
and you wont have to do it again.

Just FYI the DVD version was released in Europe AFAIK and I haven't
heard of many folk that have had an issue with that version (except for
not liking Steam of course)

Shaun

--
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and
conscientious stupidity."

Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

difool wrote:
> On Fri, 21 Jan 2005, MCheu wrote:
>
>> However, after my original installation snarls with STEAM, I find
>> myself wondering if it's safe to uninstall it and be able to
>> re-install it later.
>
> with hl2 you don't control the installation process, valve does
> let me repeat cause its important
> its valve who controls the installation process, you only watch
> so in theory this can happen:
> . you uninstall today
> . tomorrow valve closes
> . you will never be able to play hl2 again
> just think about it
>
> ps: i didn't even talk about backups so i wouldn't make you more
> depressed and worried as you already are

yawn

--

You're not a God, you're a birthday cake!
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

MCheu wrote:
> of the Steam hiccups early on -- the pre-installs and Steam installs
> My concern was that some people were saying that
> the authentication features of steam might prevent people from
> re-installing the game later, regardless of which version you have.
> Is that still an issue with the game?
>

No : and it never was.

--
Walter Mitty
-
Useless, waste of money research of the day : http://tinyurl.com/5fqgb
"Underground cities increase risk of flood danger". Nice.
http://www.tinyurl.com
 
Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (More info?)

MCheu wrote:

> Thanks. What version? Most of the replies seem to have dealt with
> the online purchase of the game. Mine is the retail CD version
> (didn't even know they sold it on DVD).

The DVD version only came on the rip-off Collectors Edition. I have the DVD
version. The install was faster the second time because the game's
information was already saved to my steam account.
 
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