Invalid Doom 3 CD Key

[MotoXrider757]

I recently bought the Doom pack during the sale. I started the game up and entered my CD keys for both Doom 3 and RoE, the RoE cdkey was accepted but my Doom 3 key is 'invalid'. From what I've read on the forums, you aren't even supposed to be asked for a CD key. But no matter what fixes I try I still have this problem.

tl;dr: Doom 3 is rejecting the cd key given to me by Steam. How do I fix this?

[MADDOGGE]

No, you should not have been asked for a CD-key. There is a common glich in the Steam version from day one, that requires one to play a little of RoE first, then bring up Doom3. It should work then.

[MotoXrider757]

Thanks for the quick response, but unfortunately it did not work.
RoE asked for Doom 3's CD key as well

[MauroR]

Same problem here.

[Klayton]

And same problem here as well.

I just contacted support and I'm pretty annoyed.
Any light on this?

[LilRaveGirl]

*sigh* same issue here unfortunately, the RoE key seems to be fine, but Doom 3 is still asking for a valid key..

[Klayton]

*sigh* same issue here unfortunately, the RoE key seems to be fine, but Doom 3 is still asking for a valid key..

Exactly the issue. What the hell!

[LilRaveGirl]

It's incredibly frustrating as I have tried the fixes listed here on the forums, such as starting the expansion first or validating the file cache and neither is working..

[Klayton]

It's a problem on Steams side, not ours. I recommend contacting support also and make them aware of this issue as I have. Then hopefully we can get this sorted.

[Klayton]

Still nothing from steam support.

Anyone got anything?

[lyianx]

Same issue here. Tried the fixes suggested here. I have the RoE key in, but it still keeps buggen me for the Doom3 key, even when i run the Expansion.

[Klayton]

Just thought you guys should know, I bought the ID pack and none of my f'ing games that require CD key work from it. I just tried Quake 3 arena and got the same bull about CD key.

I'm seriously angry.

[endersgame]

I bought doom packge in its deal, but doom3 and RoE are unplayable due to cd key problems. I tried every solution in this forum, and none worked.

[xx JPRacer xx]

Same problem here too. :(

[Klayton]

Well I for one am really pissed. I spent all my money last night on steam games and I can't even play any of them! Support won't get back to me and I'm going to take further action soon.I mean, this isn't preorders. I bought my games and I expect them to work and for me to play them.

[devilroshan2885]

:mad:same here too...it keeps asking regarding the valid cd key...the point is i kept entering using caps or no caps still shows invalid what the HELL Man...:mad:

[Klayton]

:mad:same here too...it keeps asking regarding the valid cd key...the point is i kept entering using caps or no caps still shows invalid what the HELL Man...:mad:

This is definitely their messup.


I'm as pissed as the rest of you don't worry, support isn't even replying either.

Looks like we just wait.

[devilroshan2885]

can i sue them for mistreating us customer

[asafgolan]

Same problem here. The only thing that worked for was disconnect my internet connection and insert the cd key manually, which made the game play. If I start the game again after that while being online it won't work.

[Sbf93]

Same problem here!

Support ticket is opened.

[corezor]

Same problem here....hope they`ll fix it soon

[GradyH]

It worked fine for me until I started a download of RoE. It's not even a complete download but now this stupid thing is asking me for the key for RoE- I'm just trying to get through D3 before I start on the expansion!!!! This thread is gonna catch fire. I'm so annoyed!

[LilRaveGirl]

I got a form letter reply from Steam support giving me the same solutions that were already offered here on the forums.

However, I did just try running Doom 3 with my internet completely disconnected from my PC and I can confirm that it does in fact work fine and does not ask for the CD key when there is no internet connection. I have no idea why that is.

Mind you, i'm not talking about Steam's Offline mode, I mean actually disconnecting the internet entirely.

[endersgame]

I have to disconnect from internet each time I want to play doom3. But this is a legit copy not a pirate one why I have to do this.

[WhiteNautilus]

Guys, I guess I've found some workarounds...
Now that you have your CD key, and game fully downloaded...

1.Go to <where steam is installed>\steamapps\common\doom 3\base folder
2.Open file 'doomkey' with notepad or other text editor
3.Copy and paste your Doom 3 CD key into the 1st line, then delete last 2 letters and a space originally sit in your CD key, you may refer to file 'xpkey' under the same folder as the key file of RoE
4.Save the file 'doomkey', and set it as read-only (right click, Properties)

Enjoy!:cool:

References:
http://www.steamfriends.com/news/643/doom-3-steam-cd-key-problems
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1027212

[Klayton]

Support got back to me with the usual "try this" stuff.

I'm waiting for a further response to have this fixed, because really? We shouldn't need "work arounds". We bought the game under THEIR system, so they should FIX IT.

[pROvIs]

Guys, I guess I've found some workarounds...
Now that you have your CD key, and game fully downloaded...

1.Go to <where steam is installed>\steamapps\common\doom 3\base folder
2.Open file 'doomkey' with notepad or other text editor
3.Copy and paste your Doom 3 CD key into the 1st line, then delete last 2 letters and a space originally sit in your CD key, you may refer to file 'xpkey' under the same folder as the key file of RoE
4.Save the file 'doomkey', and set it as read-only (right click, Properties)

Enjoy!:cool:

References:
http://www.steamfriends.com/news/643/doom-3-steam-cd-key-problems
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1027212


That didn't work for me. Still asks for the key. I reopen the file when I'm done and it still has the key in there but the game doesn't seem to accept it.

I've tried all the other fixes listed online: I verified integrity of cache over and over, manually inputting cd code in game with and without caps, inputting the cdkey into xpkey/doomkey/steam_doomkey/steam_xpkey in different combinations and same problem.

Also as others mentioned running disconnected seems to work.

[pROvIs]

I just created a ticket as well and referenced this thread.

[WhiteNautilus]

That didn't work for me. Still asks for the key. I reopen the file when I'm done and it still has the key in there but the game doesn't seem to accept it.

I've tried all the other fixes listed online: I verified integrity of cache over and over, manually inputting cd code in game with and without caps, inputting the cdkey into xpkey/doomkey/steam_doomkey/steam_xpkey in different combinations and same problem.

Also as others mentioned running disconnected seems to work.

I have to say, u r right.
It didn't work for me later...
Ask for Steam's support...

[WhiteNautilus]

Support got back to me with the usual "try this" stuff.

I'm waiting for a further response to have this fixed, because really? We shouldn't need "work arounds". We bought the game under THEIR system, so they should FIX IT.

Agree!
My 'work around' doesn't work anymore...

[Klayton]

Still no proper support response.

Forget Steam in the future, what a waste of money!

[Sbf93]

Forget Steam in the future, what a waste of money!

Lol, look at this: http://www.steamcalculator.com/id/SbfSbf/eu

Forgetting Steam isnt a solution for me anyway^^

This is the first Problem I have with licenses and Steam, dont blame Valve in general.

[Mekast]

Go to your doom3 directory (steam--->steamapps-->common). Then enter "base" folder. Do you have 4 files there: STEAM_doomkey, STEAM_xpkey, doomkey and xpkey?

[Sbf93]

Go to your doom3 directory (steam--->steamapps-->common). Then enter "base" folder. Do you have 4 files there: STEAM_doomkey, STEAM_xpkey, doomkey and xpkey?

Yes, and doomkey and STEAM-doomkey are edited and have write-protection. This "Fix" dont work anymore.

[Mekast]

You sure that your original "key" files contain cd-key given by steam and STEAM_"keys" have %CDKEY%?

[Sbf93]

Yes, im 100% sure. I (and maybe the most other posters in this thread) cant solve the problem this way.

Edit: If I remove write-protextion the doomkey-file gets resetted every time. Only the xpkey-file still contains the key (but with this key there arent any problems anyway)

[tysmod99]

I have this problem too and it won't even let me play Roe even tho the key is valid :(
I'm very.... very.... p***ed off!

[Cube1701]

I got a response from Steam



Hello, Thank you for contacting Steam Support.

-If you are running in Windows Vista or Windows 7, please completely exit Steam, and right-click on the shortcut which you use to launch Steam and select "Run as Administrator."

-If you are running in Windows XP, take the following steps (ignore these if you are using Windows 7 or Vista):
1) Exit Steam.
2) Go to the "Start" menu, select "Run", type "regedit" and click "OK".
3) Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREVALVE
4) Right click and select "Permissions"
5) Check the "Allow" boxes for "Admin" and "System" for both "Full control" and "Read".

Then verify the GCF for this game: Title: Verifying Game Cache Files (GCF) Link: http://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2037-QEUH-3335 Verifying the GCF solves many issues for most games.

If the problem persists, try launching the Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil expansion pack. Exit once it has fully loaded, and then launch Doom 3 again.

Note: You should not need to enter your CD Key to access the game

Naturally, this doesn't help in any way.

[MotoXrider757]

I got a response from Steam



Naturally, this doesn't help in any way.


Just tried that, still broken for me, too.

[Klayton]

Yea that's the first typical response they give. Its by a script. You'll have to keep replying like me until they decide to replace the keys or patch whatever the issue is.

I still haven't recieved my second response from them.

[QuattroBajeena]

I got this problem. I can wait though.

[Liquid482]

Well, it isn't much comfort but if you own a physcial copy you can just use that key. I can just seem them trying to invalidate it because I used my own and not their key.

[Klayton]

Yeah, I hear you dude.
The thing is, we paid for keys & the game on steam.

Again, it's their fault, we shouldn't have to resort to our own physical copies or workarounds. We should get what we paid for.

[andehbus]

I also have this problem -- I have tried the proposed solutions to no avail.

I have opened a ticket with Steam support and await further direction.

[KrisK]

I should have mentioned yesterday, but we're working with the publisher to find out what is going on. Hopefully this can be resolved quickly and/or simply.

[DeacStarkiller]

I hope so, I'm having the same problem. Haven't reported it yet though. In my case, the Doom 3 asks for the key on start up, and the supplied key is invalid. RoE won't start either without the Doom 3 key, though the RoE key is already entered in the required field.

Hope it's fixed soon!

[TheCoop1984]

Yup, same problem here. It accepts my RoE key but not the doom 3 one...

[GradyH]

My solution was to continue downloading RoE. Once that was completed, both worked fine =) Don't know why it's not working for other people, though...

[tysmod99]

Hey people!
I have finally found the damn solution to this, even tho steam says that it shouldn't ask for a cd-key it does need one.

1. Dissconect from the internet
2. Launch Doom 3
3. Enter the 2 codes and you are done!
4. Re-connect to the internet

EDIT:
This doesn't work as I thought it would.
When going back in with connected internet it asks for code and so on and so on.

[pcdawg0321]

Hey people!
I have finally found the damn solution to this, even tho steam says that it shouldn't ask for a cd-key it does need one.

1. Dissconect from the internet
2. Launch Doom 3
3. Enter the 2 codes and you are done!
4. Re-connect to the internet

It's been established that disconnecting to the internet will allow you to manually put in the code. The problem comes when you restart the game, you'll have to restart that whole process again. We need to figure out what it's doing differently when we disconnect to the internet, VS staying on the internet making it work. It's almost like when it says "connecting to server" even though your internet is unplugged, theres some kind of file or program that just automatically gives verification that it's real if the key is real. But when your internet is connected, it actually tries to connect to some server getting verification. And since it's an older game, for all we know, that server doesn't exist giving back a bad verification. This is definitely a longshot, but who knows. I personally just think they added something that redirects your key verification, to a file of some sort on your computer. It just messes up when your connected to the internet, and doesn't redirect to that file.

[tysmod99]

Well, I re-connected to the internet and it still says its invalid, yet when I play it with no internet it is fine but won't connect online.
I am getting sick of this, why couldn't Steam just fix it the moment it came up? By the way, is there anyway of playing Roe without putting in a code for Doom 3? One guy on Youtube found away to bypass the code, it was opening the console and putting in a command that loads a map, the map had to be specific, after you done that you can just go back to the main menu. The problem with that is I think you need to do it every time you launch the game which means A LOT of loading.

EDIT:
Going to try re-connecting the internet while in the game, maybe that will trigger something like it recognizes it can work with internet, I dunno


EDIT:
Well, that didn't work at all, it kinda worked for Roe but only asks for the code again.

[Sata]

Gosh, I'm pretty upset with this bug, apparently it's been at least 2 days since KrisK was aware of this problem.

To explain a bit, apparently our CD Keys are invalid when the game checks the online database for the CD Keys, that's what is preventing us to play it. Think of it as a way for Id to block off pirates with repeated CD Keys; but blocking legit steam game owners. If you try it offline, the game will recognise it as a valid CD Key and let you through, notice even the "apparently" the game adds in the message saying your CD Key is OK. That's because it couldn't check up the database to see if your CD key really is valid.

I tried blocking DOOM3.exe on my firewall, but it didn't work, it kept accessing the online database for some reason, I will search further to see if it runs any other app in order to check the key, and then try to block it instead.


Anyway, I hope you guys fix this fast, downloading 2gb+ on this connection was a chore and I really wanted to play it, I feel really bad about this. I trust STEAM a lot, and I hope STEAM treats me back well too.

[pROvIs]

Got a response from support. More of the same that we have been hearing but at least they are acknowledging the problem.

Message by Support Tech Robert on Thu, 6th Jan 2011 11:37 am
Hello,

Thank you for contacting Steam support.

Thank you for taking the time to report this issue.

We are aware of an issue preventing users from being able to play Doom 3 due to an "Invalid CD Key" error, and are investigating the matter further.

At this time, we are working with the publisher to find a solution.

Please note that you can view your CD Key for Doom 3 at any time by right-clicking on the game in your Library and selecting 'View Game CD Key'.

This support ticket will remain open, and will be updated once we know more, or when we have confirmation that the issue is resolved.

[WilhelmScream]

I too, am being deprived of Doom 3 goodness. It's a shame they can't just do a quickie patch for the invalid key issue and, in my fantasies, the lack of high-resolution support. A pretty half-assed job.

[tysmod99]

I too, am being deprived of Doom 3 goodness. It's a shame they can't just do a quickie patch for the invalid key issue and, in my fantasies, the lack of high-resolution support. A pretty half-assed job.

If you wan't to play multiplayer then I can't help you but if you are wanting to play singleplayer then just disconnect from the internet and then type in the code.

Apart from that I tried a few other solutions people come up with and none worked. I hope Steam get the problem fixed fast!

[JediMastr80]

I think i had this problem also last year.

I got the Id Pack Last Winter.
However, I own BOTH Doom 3 and RoE, Retail Versions of the game, just used that CD Key and it worked fine.

It sucks for everybody having problems playing this.
Hope you get it fixed. I loved playing the LMS (Last Man Standing) Doom 3 Coop Mods. Those were fun to play.

[waspbr]

I hate to pile on but I got the same problem with both doom 3 and RoE. When can we expect a proper working solution?

[Dunkelheit]

HALLLLLP! These are issues Valve needs to be prepared to deal with, and quickly! if they want to offer a digital distribution service...

[apecallum]

Give us a fecking refund.

[tysmod99]

Well, I did some other stuff trying to fix it and nothing worked... STILL...!

[PattonCommander]

you probably just entered the key wrong

[tysmod99]

you probably just entered the key wrong

What? After entering the key about 20 times you think I have entered it wrong?

[CaptainDuff]

same issue for me too

[netiaz]

I got it to work.

I opened up /steam/steamapps/apps/bins/doom/system32/noclip/ripandtear.wad and YOU ARE HUGE! YOU HAVE HUGE GUTS!

[tysmod99]

I got it to work.

I opened up /steam/steamapps/apps/bins/doom/system32/noclip/ripandtear.wad and YOU ARE HUGE! YOU HAVE HUGE GUTS!

Okay?

[tysmod99]

Soooooooooooooo.
Anything hapening with STEAM and the problem yet?

[may0nnaise]

Just wanted to chime in and say I have the same cd key problem as well. Should I bother opening a support ticket over at valve or just wait for some word of a fix in this thread?

[Nyk0n]

I've got the same problem as everyone else.

:mad:

[Arastol]

same issue here:(

Solutions written in here didn't work for me.
hope steam will fix this quickly...

[tysmod99]

same issue here:(

Solutions written in here didn't work for me.
hope steam will fix this quickly...

It's been about 7 years since the game released so I wouldn't think Steam would get it fixed fast if I were you.

I am so desperate to play multiplayer right now :(
Singleplayer is good. Multiplayer I wan't to play NOW!
Roe isn't as good as I thought it would be :(

[tysmod99]

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

This is what I'm thinking about this problem!
Me wan't fixy!

[Bonoman84]

Finally I used a CD Key from a retail version of Doom 3. Works fine.

I Hope Steam find a solution as soon as posible :)

[kkc0923]

same issue here!!!!! what the hell?!

[taxed]

SAME HERE CD KEY NOT WORKING IF NOT SORTED OUT SOON WILL TRY AND GET MONEY BACK VIA PAY-PAL. WHY IS IT STILL ON SALE? IF IT DOESNT WORK?

[DeacStarkiller]

Not really thrilled about the idea of having to disconnect from the 'net each time I want to play- it's a bit like Ubisoft's DRM in reverse. Haven't opened a support ticket yet but think I will to add to the pressure to sort this out.

[MrPickles]

Have the issue too. Like the guy earlier said, The game will accept the cd key if the computer doesnt have an active internet connection, but thats a one time thing and will not work once you turn your connection on again.

Im 99.9% positive this isnt a steam issue but an id software issue. After thee game is launched from steam, the game connects to an authorization server held by id software or whomever to verify its a legit unique key, and in our cases the auth server denies our legit keys. Yay for broken DRM!

[DeacStarkiller]

Well, I did some looking an tech support for Doom 3 seems to be handled by Activision, who now own id, so I've left a message on their support service linking. Not sure what good it'll do but they managed to help me last time I had a problem with one of their games.

Hopefully we'll be able to have working games before the NEXT Steam holiday sale!

[Awex]

Having same problem. SUPER UNCOOL, WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE!

[tysmod99]

Well, I'm kinda bored now and wish I never bought Doom 3.
Even tho I got other games with it, it kinda makes me depressed and I would have felt better if I knew I didn't even have the game to be depressed about.
If you don't get what I mean then don't even bother making a quote.

[Patorishio]

Same here, if I bought the legit stuff I don't wanna play as if it were a pirate copy. It is offensive at least.

[Axb993]

Hopefully Activision or VALVe can release a patch by tomorrow, as that's my birthday, I bought this game today as an early gift to myself.
Oh, and try right-clicking the game, "Properties\Local Files\Verify Integrity of Game Cache". It found an error for me, and said it patched it. Maybe it'll work for you?

[Nixrubin]

Hopefully Activision or VALVe can release a patch by tomorrow, as that's my birthday, I bought this game today as an early gift to myself.
Oh, and try right-clicking the game, "Properties\Local Files\Verify Integrity of Game Cache". It found an error for me, and said it patched it. Maybe it'll work for you?


Just tried that, still dosent work.

Its been about 5 days now since I got this game and since Valve was aware of this issue. I really REALLY hope they get this fixed soon.

[MattGalvatron]

got the same problem.

[DeacStarkiller]

Activision have emailed me and said that they don't handle games sold via Steam. So it's all on Valve, apparently.

[GamerSam]

Same problem here, tried all the "solutions" mentioned :(

[gkfdtx]

I too have the same issue. None of the suggested fix attempts seem to work. Except the offline gaming solution. However playing co-op and online modes were my primary motivations in buying the game off of Steam. The game has been released in 2007. One would think that Steam would have done something to prevent this from happening in the first place. But then that would have happened in an ideal world... Pity.

[lordofterror]

ok we had similar problems in retail versions of these games, this is what worked remove the expansion just install doom3 and use the cd key for it, if it accepts close the game and restart the system and play doom 3 a bit.then install the expansion and it will accept both the keys but i dont know if this would work on the steam version, in the retail it would reject if you installed both the games in go and this was the solution for install doom3 restart system then install the expansion

[firyice]

I bought the Doom pack during the steam holiday sales.

I too have the same issue. Just made a steam forum account just to chime in. I figure the more people make the issue known, the better.

anyways, I have tried every fix, and the only one that works is going offline and manually entering the key. Just to clarify, steam's "offline mode" is not enough. You literally have to disable your internet connection or remove your ethernet cord. this has to be done every time.

I'm pretty dissapointed. If I wanted to deal with crap like this, then I would have just pirated the game.

[Slugy]

Same problems as many here, tried all sorts and then blocked doom3 at the firewall: this has single player working fine for me.

Not a very good showing for Steam folks though...

[DeacStarkiller]

I took a look, and id software has no tech support available, it's all done by Activision. So Valve are the only ones apparently that can help us. I've opened a ticket stating the problem and suggest everyone else do the same.

[Genocidal]

My key that has been invalid for the past few days is now working. The problem may be fixed.

[pROvIs]

My key that has been invalid for the past few days is now working. The problem may be fixed.

Works for me now as well.

[tysmod99]

Hey guys!
Steam just fixed the problem... thought I would let you know.

Any of you guys wan't to get together and play some multiplayer?

[KrisK]

Yep. This should now be fixed.

Enjoy!

[Klayton]

Mines working too.

Had to enter CD key manually again though.

[Awex]

thanks valve <3

[asafgolan]

It works!

[MotoXrider757]

Thank you guys.

Now if only you could handle my homework too...

[Nixrubin]

Awesome. I knew VALVe wouldnt let us down

[tysmod99]

I am happy that you fixed the problem :)
There is only one problem left...... VALVEGUY CREEPS ME OUT!

[Dunkelheit]

Thank you Valve for taking care of the issue! Just in time for the snow day! :D

[Arastol]

Thank you so much!!
Now I'm gonna bring the demons down. Wow!

[DeacStarkiller]

Thanks for fixing this Valve! Now do I dare play it at night...?

[tysmod99]

Thanks for fixing this Valve! Now do I dare play it at night...?

I have...... well....... played this at night and........ the result was never ending fear.......

[Sata]

Thankyou.

[devilroshan2885]

is it working already??you guys dont bluff me man

[tysmod99]

is it working already??you guys dont bluff me man

Yep. working.

[may0nnaise]

I had totally forgotten about this problem (moved onto other games for the time being) -- checked back just now and found out my Doom 3 is now working =D. I wanted to say thank you to KrisK and to Valve for solving this issue! Hooray!

[Cloudy69]

Steam <3 u DA MAN! AND WOMAN!

[Axb993]

Hopefully Activision or VALVe can release a patch by tomorrow, as that's my birthday, I bought this game today as an early gift to myself.
Oh, and try right-clicking the game, "Properties\Local Files\Verify Integrity of Game Cache". It found an error for me, and said it patched it. Maybe it'll work for you?

Since then I have bought RoE, and the game works fine. I just think it's ridiculous that I need to buy another game to play one I have already bought. I wouldn't be surprised if this drives people to pirate the game.

[breakerofdusk]

Im having the CD Key problem... how is it fixed?

[Rickgren]

Here it is april and still having this issue,how does one go about getting a refund from steam?

[breakerofdusk]

the issue resolved itself, probably because I was to impatient to let RoE download.

[realityengine]

Im having this issue as well, im on windows 7.. my keys do not want to work, the game is asking for some roe code and another line of code..

[geardoom3]

Hey we are in 2011 I just bought the Doom 3 pack and it says RoE invalid CD key and when I try to get the cd key from steam it's not there, What should I do to play the game I paied for ?

[FusedCore]

Hey we are in 2011 I just bought the Doom 3 pack and it says RoE invalid CD key and when I try to get the cd key from steam it's not there, What should I do to play the game I paied for ?

if u bought both games then run roe and it'll auto enter the key for you then you can play doom3.

-FusedCore

[JediMastr80]

You can also look in:

(If your using 64 Bit OS) - C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\doom 3\base\

(If your using 32 Bit OS) - C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\doom 3\base\

And look for the file "xpkey"

Open it in Notepad and the CD Key will be in that file.

You should also be able to Right Click on Doom 3: RoE in your Steam Library and click View CD Key.