Spare me.
Any company which causes games I've installed not work due to validation
Also, since Steam support is obviously useless, anyone have the link to allow the removal of Half Life 2 et all from the Steam wrapper? I'd love to try it and show them that Steam is the issue and that they need to listen.
tl;dr summary: We don't want to help you because we're being Richards and asking you to repeat the same steps over and over then asking what you did that helped at all, then getting snippy when you remind us that we gave you those instructions in the first place.
Quote:
1 « Message by you on Tue, 18th Nov 2008 7:52 pm »
I have tried all of your suggested fixes and nothing corrects this.
I either want a fix or a refund for Orange Box.
2 « Message by you on Wed, 19th Nov 2008 5:28 pm »
Day 2, still no responce.
3 « Message by Fred on Mon, 24th Nov 2008 11:29 am »
Hello Pawk,
Thank you for contacting Steam Support.
Please follow the link below for information:
Title: This game is currently unavailable
Link: http://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4595-WEXN-6831
There has also been a recent issue with special characters in Steam installation paths that may cause these errors. If this applies to you, please re-install Steam in English with only English alphabet characters.
If you have any further questions, please let us know.
4 « Message by you on Sat, 29th Nov 2008 5:45 am »
Wow, totally grateful for that sage advise there. Apparently you didn't
actually read my post.
I did everything in that article and it still does not work. As for
reinstalling Steam, how, exactly, does one do that with only English
characters... if that's what I did in the first place.
As I said, I want a permanent fix or a refund. Provide one or the other.
And stop with the retarded canned cut and paste replies, attempt to read
something before you spit out that kind of answer.
5 « Message by Fred on Tue, 2nd Dec 2008 5:34 pm »
Hello Pawk,
We read every post and reply with articles that fix the majority of issues. Often, customers overlook the solutions presented in the articles. We understand - there is a lot of information presented.
If you wish to receive further assistance, please reply with appropriate language.
Please follow the instructions linked below to run a msinfo32 report to attach to this case so we may further diagnose the issue:
Title: How to run and submit MSINFO32 Info reports
URL: http://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1376-WTZN-9132
Note: Please make sure your operating system is updated fully before running the report.
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
6 « Message by you on Tue, 2nd Dec 2008 7:13 pm »
Here is the msifno32. As for reading and appropriate replying, if you refer
back to my original post, I stated I had tried all of that. Occasionally it
worked, occasionally it does not. Hence the request for an actual solution.
On Tue, Dec 2, 2008 at 8:34 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
7 « Message by Fred on Fri, 5th Dec 2008 12:56 pm »
Hello Pawk,
What methods have you tried that temporarily worked?
From your msinfo I see you have McAffe installed. If you are using the firewall, please disable that, then disable Windows Firewall, then verify GCF cache files for the games that you are experiencing problems with.
8 « Message by you on Mon, 15th Dec 2008 6:20 am »
- Playing the games offline
- Re-registering the client.blob
- deleting Steam and having it re-update
The rest of the steps never had any effect on the problem.
On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 3:56 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
9 « Message by Fred on Tue, 16th Dec 2008 11:12 am »
Hello Pawk,
Please exit Steam, then go to the C:\Program Files\Steam directory (this is the default with a Steam installation - if you set a different installation directory, you will need to browse to it), and delete all of the files except for:
Steam.exe
And the folder:
\SteamApps\
Restart your computer and test the issue.
Please let us know if you have further questions or concerns.
10 « Message by you on Tue, 16th Dec 2008 12:03 pm »
I have tried this and it no longer works. It's listed in the steps from the
FAQ that you originally linked to me.
On Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 2:12 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
11 « Message by Fred on Fri, 26th Dec 2008 10:38 am »
Hello Pawk,
Looking at your msinfo again I see you also have Download Maanger. Please disable this and McAfee, delete everything in your Steam folder except Steam.exe and the \SteamApps\ folder, verify GCF for the game, and then try testing the issue again.
12 « Message by you on Sun, 28th Dec 2008 6:51 am »
I went through your steps, the game launched once, and now the issue has
returned.
On Fri, Dec 26, 2008 at 1:38 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
* file-4fe24302.html (File Size : 1.7 KB)
13 « Message by Fred on Sat, 3rd Jan 2009 4:18 pm »
Hello Pawk,
If you repeat the steps, does it fix the issue again?
If so, it may indicate that either Download Manager or McAfee are intefering with your game.
14 « Message by you on Thu, 8th Jan 2009 9:56 am »
They didn't before. they never did.
And additionally... This was on a clean boot, no programs loaded. So no,
that's not the answer. So, what else can cause validation errors from
Steam?
Because that's what the issue is. The games are just fine, it's just when it
goes to check with your service when something goes wrong. that's why I'm
here asking you for answers. I can't troubleshoot what I can't access.
Now that we've eliminated other issues, can we please now refocus on what's
causing the issue? Please?
On Sat, Jan 3, 2009 at 7:18 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
* file-3c6aab69.html (File Size : 2.2 KB)
15 « Message by Fred on Fri, 9th Jan 2009 6:36 pm »
Hello Pawk,
You stated: "I went through your steps, the game launched once, and now the issue has returned."
In your last message you responded to the question if the steps fixed any issue: "They didn't before. they never did."
I am a little confused - did the game correctly launch at all?
"The game is currently unavailable" messages are caused by either incorrect/missing files or a network connectivity issue.
16 « Message by you on Sat, 10th Jan 2009 6:35 am »
So, you consider it "fixed" when I have to repeatedly do those steps to make
the game play?
I consider it not fixing the root problem. The game may launch after taking
those steps, then stops working. It might launch once, it might work for a
week. But in the end the issue returns.
They are not fixing the problem. Obviously these are treating a symptom of
the problem and not the real problem at the core of it.
So once again, can we focus on the validation portion of your Steam
software, as that appears to be where the issue lies.
On Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 9:36 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
* file-42374b23.html (File Size : 2.5 KB)
17 « Message by Fred on Mon, 12th Jan 2009 4:32 pm »
Hello Pawk,
I do not consider it permanently fixed. I suggested the process as a way to further isolate the source of the problem.
Please clarify:
What exact steps are you taking when it temporarily works?
18 « Message by you on Tue, 13th Jan 2009 7:38 am »
Why are we going around in circles?
Your team asks me to take steps, I do them, I tell you what hjappens, then
you ask me what steps I take.
Please review all of the emails, the information has already been given to
you.
On Mon, Jan 12, 2009 at 7:32 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
* file-853100dc.html (File Size : 2 KB)
19 « Message by Fred on Fri, 16th Jan 2009 4:48 pm »
Hello Pawk,
You have been unclear in your responses. I can only assist you if you are willing to let me assist you. This is a troubleshooting process in which we narrow down the issue by trying common solutions and exclude them once we verify they do not work.
Please let me know exactly what you are doing when it temporarily works, and then we can go from there.
20 « Message by you on Sat, 17th Jan 2009 4:44 am »
I'm not being clear?
I followed the instructions you gave me previously. You know, the ones on
the FAQ that I originally said didn't work to fix the problem.
Look, if you're out of answers, just say so and refund me the price of the
game.
I don't see why *I* need to tell *you* what instructions *you* gave *me* to
do.
Here, let me quote *your* earlier email:
Hello,
A staff member has replied to your question:
Hello Pawk,
Looking at your msinfo again I see you also have Download Maanger. Please
disable this and McAfee, delete everything in your Steam folder except
Steam.exe and the \SteamApps\ folder, verify GCF for the game, and then try
testing the issue again.
Anytime you wish you can view your question online:
http://support.steampowered.com/view.php?ticketref=2001-QEHZ-7562
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This message was sent by the Steam Support helpdesk.
Have a question we can help you with? Visit our knowledgebase for a list of
questions and answers:
http://support.steampowered.com/kb.php
Alternatively, ask our staff a question:
http://support.steampowered.com/newticket.php
Steam Support :: http://support.steampowered.com
On Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 7:48 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
* file-69a38dcc.html (File Size : 3.6 KB)
21 « Message by you on Thu, 29th Jan 2009 7:25 pm »
So, no more new ideas?
22 « Message by Fred on Fri, 30th Jan 2009 3:34 pm »
Hello Pawk,
Yes, you have been unclear and seemingly unwilling to fully cooperate. I need detailed feedback on what steps you have taken that have fixed the issue and what steps you have taken that do not fix the issue.
To clarify the term, "fix the issue" does not necessarily mean permanently fixing the issue. I need to know what temporarily fixes the issue so that we can work from there.
23 « Message by you on Fri, 30th Jan 2009 4:52 pm »
How, exactly, am I being unclear?
I followed the instructions your tech support provided, I state the results,
then you ask me what steps I took. Either you're being deliberately obtuse,
or you're attempting to ignore the issue.
I already copied and pasted the exact email instructions your department
provided me that created the "fix" for the issue. If you need more clarity
than that, then I have no idea how to provide it to you, since you provided
me that information.
Do you want me to re-copy it again, or will you actually review the previous
communications you've sent via that same link you sent me to review both the
original instructions and the reply in which I quoted those exact same
instructions?
>
24 « Message by you on Thu, 5th Feb 2009 9:00 am »
I see, so the only way to receive help is to repeat the same steps over and over in hopes that whatever mystic reason behind the initial problem goes away?
Honestly, if you expect me to play nice with you, at least try reading what you sent me and understanding that it's the same steps offered in the FAQ page, which I've stated multiple times in multiple ways that do not work.
And now you call be unco-operative when I follow your instructions to the letter and they fail to resolve the problem. And all because I will not re-tell you what you told me.
I have tried all of your suggested fixes and nothing corrects this.
I either want a fix or a refund for Orange Box.
2 « Message by you on Wed, 19th Nov 2008 5:28 pm »
Day 2, still no responce.
3 « Message by Fred on Mon, 24th Nov 2008 11:29 am »
Hello Pawk,
Thank you for contacting Steam Support.
Please follow the link below for information:
Title: This game is currently unavailable
Link: http://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4595-WEXN-6831
There has also been a recent issue with special characters in Steam installation paths that may cause these errors. If this applies to you, please re-install Steam in English with only English alphabet characters.
If you have any further questions, please let us know.
4 « Message by you on Sat, 29th Nov 2008 5:45 am »
Wow, totally grateful for that sage advise there. Apparently you didn't
actually read my post.
I did everything in that article and it still does not work. As for
reinstalling Steam, how, exactly, does one do that with only English
characters... if that's what I did in the first place.
As I said, I want a permanent fix or a refund. Provide one or the other.
And stop with the retarded canned cut and paste replies, attempt to read
something before you spit out that kind of answer.
5 « Message by Fred on Tue, 2nd Dec 2008 5:34 pm »
Hello Pawk,
We read every post and reply with articles that fix the majority of issues. Often, customers overlook the solutions presented in the articles. We understand - there is a lot of information presented.
If you wish to receive further assistance, please reply with appropriate language.
Please follow the instructions linked below to run a msinfo32 report to attach to this case so we may further diagnose the issue:
Title: How to run and submit MSINFO32 Info reports
URL: http://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1376-WTZN-9132
Note: Please make sure your operating system is updated fully before running the report.
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
6 « Message by you on Tue, 2nd Dec 2008 7:13 pm »
Here is the msifno32. As for reading and appropriate replying, if you refer
back to my original post, I stated I had tried all of that. Occasionally it
worked, occasionally it does not. Hence the request for an actual solution.
On Tue, Dec 2, 2008 at 8:34 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
7 « Message by Fred on Fri, 5th Dec 2008 12:56 pm »
Hello Pawk,
What methods have you tried that temporarily worked?
From your msinfo I see you have McAffe installed. If you are using the firewall, please disable that, then disable Windows Firewall, then verify GCF cache files for the games that you are experiencing problems with.
8 « Message by you on Mon, 15th Dec 2008 6:20 am »
- Playing the games offline
- Re-registering the client.blob
- deleting Steam and having it re-update
The rest of the steps never had any effect on the problem.
On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 3:56 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
9 « Message by Fred on Tue, 16th Dec 2008 11:12 am »
Hello Pawk,
Please exit Steam, then go to the C:\Program Files\Steam directory (this is the default with a Steam installation - if you set a different installation directory, you will need to browse to it), and delete all of the files except for:
Steam.exe
And the folder:
\SteamApps\
Restart your computer and test the issue.
Please let us know if you have further questions or concerns.
10 « Message by you on Tue, 16th Dec 2008 12:03 pm »
I have tried this and it no longer works. It's listed in the steps from the
FAQ that you originally linked to me.
On Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 2:12 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
11 « Message by Fred on Fri, 26th Dec 2008 10:38 am »
Hello Pawk,
Looking at your msinfo again I see you also have Download Maanger. Please disable this and McAfee, delete everything in your Steam folder except Steam.exe and the \SteamApps\ folder, verify GCF for the game, and then try testing the issue again.
12 « Message by you on Sun, 28th Dec 2008 6:51 am »
I went through your steps, the game launched once, and now the issue has
returned.
On Fri, Dec 26, 2008 at 1:38 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
* file-4fe24302.html (File Size : 1.7 KB)
13 « Message by Fred on Sat, 3rd Jan 2009 4:18 pm »
Hello Pawk,
If you repeat the steps, does it fix the issue again?
If so, it may indicate that either Download Manager or McAfee are intefering with your game.
14 « Message by you on Thu, 8th Jan 2009 9:56 am »
They didn't before. they never did.
And additionally... This was on a clean boot, no programs loaded. So no,
that's not the answer. So, what else can cause validation errors from
Steam?
Because that's what the issue is. The games are just fine, it's just when it
goes to check with your service when something goes wrong. that's why I'm
here asking you for answers. I can't troubleshoot what I can't access.
Now that we've eliminated other issues, can we please now refocus on what's
causing the issue? Please?
On Sat, Jan 3, 2009 at 7:18 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
* file-3c6aab69.html (File Size : 2.2 KB)
15 « Message by Fred on Fri, 9th Jan 2009 6:36 pm »
Hello Pawk,
You stated: "I went through your steps, the game launched once, and now the issue has returned."
In your last message you responded to the question if the steps fixed any issue: "They didn't before. they never did."
I am a little confused - did the game correctly launch at all?
"The game is currently unavailable" messages are caused by either incorrect/missing files or a network connectivity issue.
16 « Message by you on Sat, 10th Jan 2009 6:35 am »
So, you consider it "fixed" when I have to repeatedly do those steps to make
the game play?
I consider it not fixing the root problem. The game may launch after taking
those steps, then stops working. It might launch once, it might work for a
week. But in the end the issue returns.
They are not fixing the problem. Obviously these are treating a symptom of
the problem and not the real problem at the core of it.
So once again, can we focus on the validation portion of your Steam
software, as that appears to be where the issue lies.
On Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 9:36 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
* file-42374b23.html (File Size : 2.5 KB)
17 « Message by Fred on Mon, 12th Jan 2009 4:32 pm »
Hello Pawk,
I do not consider it permanently fixed. I suggested the process as a way to further isolate the source of the problem.
Please clarify:
What exact steps are you taking when it temporarily works?
18 « Message by you on Tue, 13th Jan 2009 7:38 am »
Why are we going around in circles?
Your team asks me to take steps, I do them, I tell you what hjappens, then
you ask me what steps I take.
Please review all of the emails, the information has already been given to
you.
On Mon, Jan 12, 2009 at 7:32 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
* file-853100dc.html (File Size : 2 KB)
19 « Message by Fred on Fri, 16th Jan 2009 4:48 pm »
Hello Pawk,
You have been unclear in your responses. I can only assist you if you are willing to let me assist you. This is a troubleshooting process in which we narrow down the issue by trying common solutions and exclude them once we verify they do not work.
Please let me know exactly what you are doing when it temporarily works, and then we can go from there.
20 « Message by you on Sat, 17th Jan 2009 4:44 am »
I'm not being clear?
I followed the instructions you gave me previously. You know, the ones on
the FAQ that I originally said didn't work to fix the problem.
Look, if you're out of answers, just say so and refund me the price of the
game.
I don't see why *I* need to tell *you* what instructions *you* gave *me* to
do.
Here, let me quote *your* earlier email:
Hello,
A staff member has replied to your question:
Hello Pawk,
Looking at your msinfo again I see you also have Download Maanger. Please
disable this and McAfee, delete everything in your Steam folder except
Steam.exe and the \SteamApps\ folder, verify GCF for the game, and then try
testing the issue again.
Anytime you wish you can view your question online:
http://support.steampowered.com/view.php?ticketref=2001-QEHZ-7562
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This message was sent by the Steam Support helpdesk.
Have a question we can help you with? Visit our knowledgebase for a list of
questions and answers:
http://support.steampowered.com/kb.php
Alternatively, ask our staff a question:
http://support.steampowered.com/newticket.php
Steam Support :: http://support.steampowered.com
On Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 7:48 PM, Steam Support <
email@support.steampowered.com> wrote:
* file-69a38dcc.html (File Size : 3.6 KB)
21 « Message by you on Thu, 29th Jan 2009 7:25 pm »
So, no more new ideas?
22 « Message by Fred on Fri, 30th Jan 2009 3:34 pm »
Hello Pawk,
Yes, you have been unclear and seemingly unwilling to fully cooperate. I need detailed feedback on what steps you have taken that have fixed the issue and what steps you have taken that do not fix the issue.
To clarify the term, "fix the issue" does not necessarily mean permanently fixing the issue. I need to know what temporarily fixes the issue so that we can work from there.
23 « Message by you on Fri, 30th Jan 2009 4:52 pm »
How, exactly, am I being unclear?
I followed the instructions your tech support provided, I state the results,
then you ask me what steps I took. Either you're being deliberately obtuse,
or you're attempting to ignore the issue.
I already copied and pasted the exact email instructions your department
provided me that created the "fix" for the issue. If you need more clarity
than that, then I have no idea how to provide it to you, since you provided
me that information.
Do you want me to re-copy it again, or will you actually review the previous
communications you've sent via that same link you sent me to review both the
original instructions and the reply in which I quoted those exact same
instructions?
>
24 « Message by you on Thu, 5th Feb 2009 9:00 am »
I see, so the only way to receive help is to repeat the same steps over and over in hopes that whatever mystic reason behind the initial problem goes away?
Honestly, if you expect me to play nice with you, at least try reading what you sent me and understanding that it's the same steps offered in the FAQ page, which I've stated multiple times in multiple ways that do not work.
And now you call be unco-operative when I follow your instructions to the letter and they fail to resolve the problem. And all because I will not re-tell you what you told me.
Edited, Feb 5th 2009 12:20pm by Pawkeshup