Steam - How to recognise already downloaded content

[PBaines]

So, I have got a game that I 'acquired' from the land of the pirate ship, and then have bought the game on Steam (So now I am not naughty)

 

Is there anyway to get steam to recognise that the old game content that I have can just be indexed by steam?

 

Ie, instead of REDOWNLOADING the whole entire game, it can just update the files that I have all ready installed

Whenever I move the content to the destination (the complete install) it still continues to redownload everything

 

 

(Yes, the game will be under \Steam\steamapps\common)

 

 

 

Thanks bro'skies

[Darren]

I'm guessing they base it off names and hashes of files. I suppose you can try putting assets in the folder it expects, so you'll need to know the right folder name for the game. If Steam does recognise it, right flick the game in Steam, click properties, then local files and click verify integrity. That, in theory, should work.

[Cryptonite]

So, I have got a game that I 'acquired' from the land of the pirate ship, and then have bought the game on Steam (So now I am not naughty)

 

Is there anyway to get steam to recognise that the old game content that I have can just be indexed by steam?

 

Ie, instead of REDOWNLOADING the whole entire game, it can just update the files that I have all ready installed

Whenever I move the content to the destination (the complete install) it still continues to redownload everything

 

 

(Yes, the game will be under \Steam\steamapps\common)

 

 

 

Thanks bro'skies

you're probably going to have to redownload it as pirated games have edited code and therefore steam will not detect it as said game in a lot of cases.

[Snickerzz]

Try deleteing the games exe or w.e.was cracked for it to run then try updating it

[Cryptonite]

Try deleteing the games exe or w.e.was cracked for it to run then try updating it

if it's a steam version of the game the steam.api and dll will both be edited during the crack process so he'll need original versions of those and if it wasn't a steam version chances are you're out of luck.

[Snickerzz]

if it's a steam version of the game the steam.api and dll will both be edited during the crack process so he'll need original versions of those and if it wasn't a steam version chances are you're out of luck.

oh..

@OP what game did you get

[Bonsai99]

So, I have got a game that I 'acquired' from the land of the pirate ship, and then have bought the game on Steam (So now I am not naughty)

 

Is there anyway to get steam to recognise that the old game content that I have can just be indexed by steam?

 

Ie, instead of REDOWNLOADING the whole entire game, it can just update the files that I have all ready installed

Whenever I move the content to the destination (the complete install) it still continues to redownload everything

 

 

(Yes, the game will be under \Steam\steamapps\common)

 

 

 

Thanks bro'skies

Start downloading the game so that it creates the correctly named folder in steamapps

Close steam

Delete all files in the new folder

Dump contents of cracked game folder into the new folder in steamapps

 

I did this before on the MW3 free weekend, had the "arrrr matey!" version on an external hard drive and didn't want to re-download the whole game.

if it's a steam version of the game the steam.api and dll will both be edited during the crack process so he'll need original versions of those and if it wasn't a steam version chances are you're out of luck.

It will re-download altered files that don't pass validation. It won't need to redownload the entire game.

[Cryptonite]

Start downloading the game so that it creates the correctly named folder in steamapps

Close steam

Delete all files in the new folder

Dump contents of cracked game folder into the new folder in steamapps

 

I did this before on the MW3 free weekend, had the *arrrr matey!* version downloaded and didn't want to re-download the whole game.

It will re-download altered files that don't pass validation. It won't need to redownload the entire game.

Then you had a close to legit arr arr version, since a load of the arrr versions are edited to the extent non of the files are the correct file size for steam to think of them as "correct" especially if he downloaded a blackbox version. And besides this is assuming his copy is indeed an edited steam copy and not a hard copy edition.

[meneervent]

Remove the crack files and replace them with the original. Dump the files in your steam folder through windows explorer whatever and name and index them like steam did with the other games. If it works be happy and let us know. If not be sad and do the same.

[Almercenary]

Depends how much the pirated version is edited.  Steam won't update some files, and depending on what game, added files (such as where the crack came from ect) will be seen as modifications and will boot you from the game (mp only obviously)

[Bonsai99]

Then you had a close to legit arr arr version, since a load of the arrr versions are edited to the extent non of the files are the correct file size for steam to think of them as "correct" especially if he downloaded a blackbox version. And besides this is assuming his copy is indeed an edited steam copy and not a hard copy edition.

Cracked games only usually have the executable files modified the rest of the files are usually unaltered direct rips of the game since there isn't protection on other files (maps, models,textures etc.)

Hard copy editions will still have the same files files for the most part, probably different executables but that is pretty much it.

[beebskadoo]

wrong topic

[Cryptonite]

Cracked games only usually have the .exe files modified the rest of the files are usually unaltered direct rips of the game since there isn't protection on other files (maps, models,textures etc.)

you get rebuilds that reserve less disc space, also the exe isn't the only thing altered, .dll and .api files might also get edited if it's a steam version and as stated below, if you don't get rid of all the edited files (depending on who did the crack as well since some of them actually edit less things than others) you will be booted or even banned from multiplayer action or even have your steam account at risk. I know it's possible to put your cracked files in there and save some downloading time heck I even did so with borderlands 2, the fact of the matter is that not everyone has the knowledge and one false move can cause quite the hassle.

 

Depends how much the pirated version is edited.  Steam won't update some files, and depending on what game, added files (such as where the crack came from ect) will be seen as modifications and will boot you from the game (mp only obviously)

[Cryptonite]

Print screened the desktop and hid the icons on my mom's computer. Set the print screened desktop as the background.

wrong topic mate, you're looking for the pranks.

[beebskadoo]

wrong topic mate, you're looking for the pranks.

shit, just realized that

[PBaines]

I got Grid 2 if anyone was interested,

 

 

I figured out how to do it  

 

Just copied over the original cracked (reloaded) grid 2 folder to the \steamapps folder and then proceeded to THEN install the game via steam. It said "discovering old files" and then all good!

Obviously during validation it removes and adds files that have been altered with (cracked .exe and steamapi etc) and changes them to the correct one.