Steam Purchases

[Faceofjoe421]

If I were to buy a game on Steam now on a slow computer and not play it and instead just uninstall it and keep it in my Steam Library, then when I get another computer is there anyway I can redownload Steam and sync that game for free onto my new computer? - It doesn't matter about losing gamedata.

 

[fseal]

Yes you can re-download games from your account to a new machine (After reinstalling steam and logging into your account)

Or you can actually "move" the games and their save data from one machine to another using the client on your current machine.

Most of the time you can have the same game installed on multiple machines (But only playable one at a time) but some games have other restrictions like only X downloads or something, but that is up to the individual game and you would have to read the details for a particular game to know what is allowed for certain...

 

[Wishmaster]

Steam will let you play any game you ouwn, anywhere, at anytime .. on any PC.
Your games are tied to your personal account.



There are a few minor exceptions. A few games may havea 3rd party DRM that only allows them to be installed on any 1 PC at any given time. But it will be made clear on the store page if thats the case.



Also, you can back up your games to a external HD, or a burn them to a DVD with Steams Backup so you always have a hard copy of the game.
You may need to patch to the l;atest version if you re-install in the future, but you will have still have a hard copy of the main game. just like a retail disc shoulf you choose to go this route.



Also, I would highly recommend keeping SteamGuard on ...

....and if new to Steam please remember ...
Do not give anyone your password or account name. Even if they email or msg you you claiming to be a Valve employee.
Steam clearly states they weill never, ever ask you for a PW of any kind, and anyone who does is NOT them.

 

[Faceofjoe421]

Ok, tried to activate SteamGuard, got an e-mail sent to my new e-mail Address, got this error:

   Information

Error 503 Service Unavailable

Service Unavailable
Guru Meditation:

XID: ---------

Varnish cache server

Edit: It worked the fifth time.

 

[fseal]

Heh yeah a bit of "ugh" there.

I've gotten Service Unavailable just trying to load my library and launch a game.

Being xmas and having these insane sales like they are right now, they are obviously pretty tapped out. (Unfortunately)

I like the positive aspects of steam, but the whole tied to the internet thing just blows when it fails on you

 

[Wishmaster]

Yea. especially from around 1PM Easterns untill around 3 or 4PM during this sale.

Thats when wll the new dailies go up, and the servers are really hammered. This isnt a normal thing though. Just the sale ATM.

 

[Faceofjoe421]

Do you have to have internet to play games downloaded by Steam then?

 

[Wishmaster]

Yea and no.

You need it obviously to download the game ... but you also need the connection to install and activate the game. But just the first time.

After you launch and activate the game that first time, you can then put Steam into offline mode and your internet connection is no longer needed.



So basically, you must be connected to the internet to install and activate a game the 1st time. But thats it.


If you plan on using Offline Mode, make sure Steam is set to store credentials on your PC. (It does so by default) as well as remember your password.

 

[Faceofjoe421]

What about if I download say a 6GB game from Steam from one computer, and pop on another computer. Will I have to redownload it or will it already be in my Library?

 

[Wishmaster]

What about if I download say a 6GB game from Steam from one computer, and pop on another computer. Will I have to redownload it or will it already be in my Library?

If you install Steam on another PC, and log into your account, your games will be avaialable.
yes, you will have to download the game(s) to that PC, or restore the game from backup. (I/E if you backed it up to DVDs).
Again, you will need to be online to install and activate the game on that new PC as well before going into a silent offline mode.


Its also worth mentioning, that Steam will block access your account on any new PC that doesn't have specific permissions if you have Steam Guard On.
To authorize additional PCs, just follow the On Screen prompts (and you will need access to the email account your registered to)

Although it may be a minor inconvienence, this is a good thing. only PCs you have personally authorized can access your account.


Also, if this is a PC you do NOT want to have access to your account anytime they choose, do not let Steam Store creditials and do not remember password. You'll need to change this manually. This will make Steam prompt for a user name and password before allowing anyone to play anything.

 

[M1GU31]

i believe you just need a connection to install them and play online steam has a offline mode so you can play them offline ,thats what i ended up doing when my ethernet broke and order a ethernet on my dads computer so i just played offline while i waited for the cord to come in the mail