[LkEHaduy]

Alright, there is always next year.

I really think the problem here is Steam.

Why does it need to update? Why do I need to verify the ****ing DRM every time I log in?

If a user does not have Internet access, but has connected hundred of ****ing times already, let them access the software that they own. Even if it was only the most recently launched games... fine. Don't ****ing force close after a circular path of stupidity.

STEAM needs to update!

No connection found, go offline? YES

Can not update in offline mode.

[Erexecike]

I really think the problem here is Steam.

Why does it need to update? Why do I need to verify the ****ing DRM every time I log in?

If a user does not have Internet access, but has connected hundred of ****ing times already, let them access the software that they own. Even if it was only the most recently launched games... fine. Don't ****ing force close after a circular path of stupidity.

STEAM needs to update!

No connection found, go offline? YES

Can not update in offline mode.

I agree with that, I said it in an earlier reply. I have tethering on my iPhone, it should work if you have iTunes installed. A cheap USB WiFi stick is nice to have around for the hell of it too.

[Bondjrno]

I agree with that, I said it in an earlier reply. I have tethering on my iPhone, it should work if you have iTunes installed. A cheap USB WiFi stick is nice to have around for the hell of it too.

I do have tons of USB sticks. My Desktop PC has NO iTunes on it. Only Steam, Matlab and a few benching programs and other games installed.

Crapware free!

[thehhhyips]

I do have tons of USB sticks. My Desktop PC has NO iTunes on it.

My gaming/MATLAB PC only has Steam, Matlab and a few benching programs and other games installed. Crapware free!

It's rare for my internet to go down now, maybe once a month in the middle of the night. If it does, I can use the USB and setup a hotspot in short order to avoid this problem. My last apartment did not have cell service though, that wasn't an option. It is a Steam problem.

[Fluivelip]

You, sir, are not worthy of Arrogant ******* Ale.

personally I think you drink too much of it

[Ufkkrxcq]

...let them access the software that they own.

You don't get ownership rights when you buy Steamworks enabled software. I'm sorry it took you $1000+ for you to finally realize that.

[Bxbhtjnr]

You don't get ownership rights when you buy Steamworks enabled software. I'm sorry it took you $1000+ for you to finally realize that.

Whatever pedantic definition of ownership you want to use is fine.

The fact is, I have the unlimited ability to play it on my local machine regardless of Internet connectivity (after activation). Due to a design flaw in the software, I am unable to play it when it needs to update.

And, this has NOTHING to do with Steamworks. It is the entire Steam client. All of the games. I tried Batman and the Witcher, both tried launching Steam.

[RerRibreLok]

You poor misguided man.

[Sukadrukanga]

If a user has successfully loggin in over a period of time to check DRM and whatever, the account should be usable for a grace period after.

[tobaccoman]

If a user has successfully loggin in over a period of time to check DRM and whatever, the account should be usable for a grace period after.

Yes! I have said this, even a few days would be perfect.

[MegaJIT]

And they wonder why people Pirate games.

Well with the Pile of sh!t that steam is, is it really any wonder, I think not.

[paydayus]

And they wonder why people Pirate games.

Well with the Pile of sh!t that steam is, is it really any wonder, I think not.

Yep, one man's complaint on here is enough to come to that conclusion.

[BCVB9SOc]

Solution?


Please note that you must connect to the Steam Network and test each of the games you would like to use in Offline Mode at least once to set up your account and configure Offline Mode on your machine.
I just pulled the nic cable out and tested it, Steam asked if i wanted to run in offline mode, i clicked yes, i was then able to play any of my games, i quickly tried running BatmanAC, FM2012, Shogun2 and Skyrim. They all started with no problems. I think Steam is trying to download the files it needs to run correctly in offline mode, try it:


Please follow the instructions below to configure Offline Mode on your PC:

1. Start Steam online - make sure the Remember my password box on the login window is checked
2. Verify that all game files are completely updated - you can see the update status for a game under the Library section (when the game shows as 100% - Ready it is ready to be played in Offline Mode)
3. Launch the game you would like to play offline to verify that there are no further updates to download - shut down the game and return to Steam once you have confirmed that the game can be played
4. Go to Steam > Settings to ensure the Don't save account credentials on this computer option is not selected
5. From the main Steam window, go to the Steam menu and select Go Offline
6. Click Restart in Offline Mode to restart Steam in Offline Mode

After doing that once, you should be able to play any game you've ran at least once, in offline mode.

[vvxtiopmx]

I feel for Will. While a lot of people have provided 'solutions', none of them are applicable to the exact problem Will is having, including the one above this.

Everyone knows you can play Steam games offline, hell you've been able to for over 10 years. However, if the Steam client decides it wants to be updated, you're doomed, even if you have played the game you want 10,000 times previously. As soon as Steam gets a message that it has an update pending, in order to be able to launch it offline, that update must be installed otherwise you can't do anything, even offline.

Steam does have far too many updates - usually they're quick, but sometimes you get 2 or 3 in a week. They should do what MS did and release updates on a predictable cycle.

[Rategbee]

I feel for Will. While a lot of people have provided 'solutions', none of them are applicable to the exact problem Will is having, including the one above this.

Everyone knows you can play Steam games offline, hell you've been able to for over 10 years. However, if the Steam client decides it wants to be updated, you're doomed, even if you have played the game you want 10,000 times previously. As soon as Steam gets a message that it has an update pending, in order to be able to launch it offline, that update must be installed otherwise you can't do anything, even offline.

Steam checks for updates when you run it, if you aren't connected, it cannot and does not check. When it does find an update, it's downloaded and installed straight away, and then asks you to restart the client. So i don't see how that could affect it, unless you don't bother restarting when instructed, or somehow stop/interrupt the update?

EDIT:

I can honestly say i've never had this problem, probably because i always keep it updated and restart Steam when it asks etc..

[assohillA]

We have been here before guys....just because something is preventable doesn't mean it's acceptable.

[royarnekara]

The best advice was given to Will early in the thread: he should move to another ISP. Losing connection for any extended period of time, twice in a year, is unacceptable, imo.

[Byxtysaaqwuz]

The best advice was given to Will early in the thread: he should move to another ISP. Losing connection for any extended period of time, twice in a year, is unacceptable, imo.

It really depends where you live though, doesn't it. What's unacceptable in the city is probably acceptable in cow town.

Plus, if the problem was caused by the telco and not the ISP then it wouldn't matter who he was with.

[pouslytut]

It really depends where you live though, doesn't it. What's unacceptable in the city is probably acceptable in cow town.

Plus, if the problem was caused by the telco and not the ISP then it wouldn't matter who he was with.

Will lives in a very affluent neighborhood in the Northeast megalopolis, not a farm in South Dakota. He has no shortage of ISP providers.

[MADwanker]

The best advice was given to Will early in the thread: he should move to another ISP. Losing connection for any extended period of time, twice in a year, is unacceptable, imo.

Didn't we go over this already?

There is a tree in my front yard. Both times this year severe weather has pulled off branches from the tree and sent them through the service lines in front of my home. The snow in October was the first time and this time was microcell in my neighborhood.

The wires were ripped off, there is no ISP that can fix this. And, for the record, most of suburbia in the US of A does not have a choice for their service provider, there is one option for cable and -sometimes- one for DSL.

iceman,

If I would have known on Tuesday (the last time that I logged on my PC) that a microcell would be over my place on Friday, I would certainly have changed it to offline mode. But, unfortunately, I did not think of it, some update was flagged and I was stuck in the loop described above.

If you look at the very first step in the instructions that you provided "Start Steam in online mode" - Not happening.

--- Post Update ---

Will lives in a very affluent neighborhood in the Northeast megalopolis, not a farm in South Dakota. He has no shortage of ISP providers.

Incorrect.

Either Comcast 24Mbps or ATT U-Verse for an unreliable 4Mbps (at twice the price).

--- Post Update ---

You poor misguided man.

Please guide me then. Where am I wrong here? I will gladly admit it.

Prove it to me. I will listen.