Is there a no-cd patch for Half Life 2?

zewone

zewone

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I just got HL2 for Christmas and was wondering if a no-cd patch is out for it? If so can someone point me in the direction of obtaining one? Thanks.
 
I assume you have the retail version? I don't know if it works this way, but there is an option to back up all the HL2 files through STEAM after you install the game. This may let you play it without inserting the disc, but I can't be sure.
 
Yes, there's a backup feature...but that has jack to do with a no-cd patch. A few weeks ago, Valve released a patch that nixed the need to have the CD in the drive to play because DVD-RW drives were having issues with Securom.

Of course, you could always just buy it through Steam like the other smart people if you don't believe me. The Steam version of course never required a CD...since it didn't come on a CD.
 
I'm actually interested in this as well, and have done some research in the past. Here's what I remember from when I looked shortly after release.

If you installed from the CD, no, you cannot use a NO-CD. I believe they exist, but if steam connects, you're screwed. It does an exe check each time apparently.

If you installed from a steam Download, there is a way to play offline and this is effectively the No-CD way. I have read of a way to convert your CD install to a steam install (something about copying certain folders around) but I don't remember the specifics. It's definitely been posted on other gaming websites so a search should turn it up. Search for "offline mode" when doing so.

Other than that, there is no straight NO-CD.
 
[quote name='zewone']I have the retail version that is not installed yet. Any suggestions?[/quote]

Read my post.
 
I think that if you just get steam, go to browes games, then click the register my games button, and put in the cd key for the game, you can just download and play it through steam and you wont need a cd for it.
 
[quote name='Methane'][quote name='zewone']I have the retail version that is not installed yet. Any suggestions?[/quote]

Read my post.[/quote]

I read it. I was mostly refering to HYDE's post because he said there might be a way if I haven't installed it yet. Thanks for the advice though.
 
[quote name='zewone'][quote name='Methane'][quote name='zewone']I have the retail version that is not installed yet. Any suggestions?[/quote]

Read my post.[/quote]

I read it. I was mostly refering to HYDE's post because he said there might be a way if I haven't installed it yet. Thanks for the advice though.[/quote]

"Advice"? They removed the cd protection like a month ago in a mandatory update. That's a fact, not advice.
 
[quote name='Methane'][quote name='zewone'][quote name='Methane'][quote name='zewone']I have the retail version that is not installed yet. Any suggestions?[/quote]

Read my post.[/quote]

I read it. I was mostly refering to HYDE's post because he said there might be a way if I haven't installed it yet. Thanks for the advice though.[/quote]

"Advice"? They removed the cd protection like a month ago in a mandatory update. That's a fact, not advice.[/quote]

Oh. I see. I must have misread. Thanks. I'll see what I can do once I install it.
 
[quote name='zewone'][quote name='Methane'][quote name='zewone'][quote name='Methane'][quote name='zewone']I have the retail version that is not installed yet. Any suggestions?[/quote]

Read my post.[/quote]

I read it. I was mostly refering to HYDE's post because he said there might be a way if I haven't installed it yet. Thanks for the advice though.[/quote]

"Advice"? They removed the cd protection like a month ago in a mandatory update. That's a fact, not advice.[/quote]

Oh. I see. I must have misread. Thanks. I'll see what I can do once I install it.[/quote]

It will update as soon as you log into Steam. You won't have to do anything.
 
Zewone:

Per Methane's post, which was news to me... I just ran HL2 so it would grab the latest updates (which for me, was anything past Thanksgiving when I beat HL2). After it updated, I ran the game and no cd was required in the drive.

The question is now whether or not you can play "offline". Since steam connects everytime you launch, must you be online to play? The Steam install doesn't require you to be, but as far as I'm aware, the CD install still does. True still?
 
Go into Offline mode and find out. You just have to be online one time to play. That validates the game and gets all the updates you need. Then you can play in Offline mode all you want...though I don't know why you'd want to...can't get updates that way ya know.
 
Its not a huge problem to me since I'm always connected with my broadband connection, but I can see how it could be. Thanks everyone. Seems like my question was more than answered.
 
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