GAMING SINCE PONG

When I purchased COD4, I used STEAM to download it and have been playing it ever since, although not through the STEAM interface. But, I can not load the new 1.6 patch as it says it is not supported for digital downloaded software. I have to wait for STEAM to issue their version of the patch, which could be a while with the way things seem to be going. Thus, I can't play on the servers.

My question is, can I take a DVD version of the game (friends DVD) and use my keycode that my game runs on and install it? Will this work or does STEAM use a particular keycode?

I hate to have to go out and buy a DVD version of the game just so I can get back on.

Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure about the first part, it couldn't hurt to try to install from DVD and insert your current CD key when prompted. The direct installation does install to a different file path than the Steam installation, so it may work. Worth a shot.

As to the real issue, you can be assured that there will be a Steam update within 24 hours of the patch actually going live. There are way too many Steam users that have COD4 for them to drag their feet on this one. Watch me be wrong, but I would be shocked if you don't see Steam patched 1.6 by tomorrow night (the 1.6 patch doesn't go live until tomorrow morning).

If I am not mistaken, the key is verified when log in. If someone else is using the key, I dont think it will let you connect.

I think what he meant Brain was to use the friend's dvd to install the actual file structure to c:/program files/activision/call of duty 4, and then insert his own personal (Steam purchased) CD key when prompted.

I don't think he meant to use his friend's CD key, rather just use the cd itself to create the file structure since Steam stores COD4 files differently.

Yes, you have it correct. I will use my own keycode to install it. I was just going to use a friend's DVD to do the installation. I can't believe that STEAM has its own dedicated set of keycodes that would not function on a standard install. I guess we'll find out.

With my luck, I'll try it, it will tag me keycode and then I'll be screwed

Ah ok, you are right, I totally misunderstood.

I cant play so I just have to be a troll on the boards for now. Makes for a sad day. LOL

I also use Steam and they do install the patches quickly. I think the last patch happened within 24 hours as well.

Tried it and it did not work. It keeps detecting the STEAM version instead of the DVD version. Looks like I'll be offline until Steam releases the patch. Hopefully it won't take too long. The 1.5 patch took about a week or so last time.

I may boot up my in XP volume and install it fresh and see if it works. Maybe I'll get lucky, although it sucks to have to reboot just to play COD4. But, that is better than nothing!

Signing off for now...

GOT IT WORKING!!!! Wooo hooo!

The issue is that STEAM puts an entry in the registry that denotes the game is a digital distribution thus it essentially locks you from updating it without the digital downloader's permission. But, there is a nice work around to get it to work.

Back up your registry first in case you make a mistake. Edit the registry and look for a key called "digital distribution". Dump this key in the trash. Now, run the patch update. It will crab because it can't find the COD4 installation. Of course it can't because STEAM installs them under its own directory. Point the utility to your installation directory and let it go.

Everything should work fine. Mine came up, I logged into the pub server and saw some chaotic map where people would go 4 steps and die.

Yup I got mine from steam too. I did the registry trick by renaming the digital distribution key, got 1.6 installed, then changed it back. The installer did find my correct path. I guess we'll find out today if steam approves of the manually installed patch, or if we have to redo it all over again.