problem solved

[Bglad]

OK, last weekend I built a computer for my brother. We often play CS together. I loaded my copy of CS onto his computer to test the new vid card. Then I uninstalled my copy and shipped the machine to him. When he got it, he installed his copy of CS. WE BOTH PURCHASED AND OWN OUR OWN COPY OF THE FULL RETAIL VERSION OF THE GAME... so don't accuse me of trying to pull a fast one here because I'm not.

Anyway, when he installed his copy, it didn't ask for his CD key. Now when we try to play together it says my cd key is already in use. Obviously it stored my cd key somewhere and is still using it.

How can we force his version to ask for the cd key so we can put in his number instead of mine?

Thanks

 

[minendo]

you have to do a registry edit to remove the old cdkey and swap it with the new one

 

[Bglad]

Ya I figured that but I can't find it in the registry.

 

[minendo]

there used to be a program around that would retrieve your current cdkey and let you change it, but i cant find it as of right now.

but im still looking

 

[vash]

Here is where to look:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Half-Life\Setting]
"Key"="enter your key here"

This is from a install of Half-Life, not Counter-Strike, but I'm pretty sure it is similar.

vash

 

[minendo]

If you're one of those people who: installed a pirated Half-Life version, or borrowed your friend's Half-Life copy, and then went out and bought your own copy of Half-Life, and now want to use your own CD Key, or trying to recover your CD Key, then here's a way to remove the old CD Key: Start Menu -> Run -> Type in: regedit -> Go to this registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Half-Life\Settings -> Look for the header KEY -> Delete this registry data -> Run Half-Life again, and it'll ask you to enter in the CD Key.

There may be another place for the CD Key than the above's location. You can check to see if it is in this location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\.default\Software\Valve\Half-Life\Settings

try that

 

[Bglad]

well minendo, you could have left out the admonishment "for those people who...". I swear this situation occured exactly as I described and we really do have two legit copies of the game.

But anyway, I just walked him through the registry edit over the phone and it worked like a charm so thanks for the quick reply.