Invalid CD Key errors

[KrisK]

We have noticed that a small number of users are experiencing an "Invalid CD Key" error when attempting to join multiplayer games.

In many cases, it seems that the problem stems from certain network settings which may prevent proper communication with Ubisoft's key servers, thus causing the error to appear.

The likely culprit is a firewall, but it may also be a router or something internal which may be blocking specific ports needed for the process.

Please see the following links for more information:


Troubleshooting Network Connectivity (http://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1456-EUDN-2493)

What Internet Ports are used by GRAW 2? (http://ubisoft.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ubisoft.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=11955&p_created=1184872560&p_sid=okgXtJqj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9OCw4JnBfcHJvZHM9ODgsMTY0MCZwX2NhdHM9JnB fcHY9Mi4xNjQwJnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vyc y5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=&p_topview=1)

Thank you very much for your patience.

[Hardwood]

Thanks for posting KrisK,

I've been working with Support trying to get a handle on this with Vista x64. I appreciate the frequent contacts form Steam support with possible solutions. With this one:

I turned off Windows Firewall, shutdown, bypassed the router and restarted.
Still the same error persists.
I then stopped the AV (AVast) and all other startup programs and their services, restarted and still the same error.

It's interesting to note, when I first bought this all of us were having the "CD key in use" error but could connect online as long as no other Steam users were present. Seeing as I bought this for the single reason of playing Coop online with my friends I was highly disappointed. After the fix for that was applied I started receiving this error about an Invalid CD Key which was fixed for a lot people with an update from Steam and the user verifying the cache. Obviously it didn't work for me and now another solution turns out to be less than useful.
I buy games from Steam to avoid this DRM crap and yet it persists. Ubisoft and Steam need to get a grip on this redundant policy of CD Key checks.

It should be noted PLAINLY on Steam Store pages which games have a redundant Key check so we can avoid them.

[Hardwood]

After much trial and error a solution was found... sorta.

My CDkey worked when Steam tried it, so I installed Graw2 on my spare computer and sure enough it worked there.

Seeing as Ubisoft has no support I decided to install a second copy of Vista x64 on a spare partition. Once it was updated and all drivers in place I installed Steam and then executed GRAW2. It went through the usual openal/Nvidia crap and then Vista's UAC prompted me to allow the command \runasadmin.vdf 13510 which I allowed. The game started I created a server and it worked.
So then I went back to the original OS and tried GRAW2 from there. Well whatdoyouknow.. it worked. No more Invalid CDkey.

[rajbagel]

Hi there. I was thinking of buying the Ghost Recon Pack so I could play online with my friends. Has this invalid CD Key problem been fixed or patched by Ubisoft?

[LeonthePro]

I don't know if anyone has tried this but it worked for me. I right-clicked on properties of the game, clicked "verify integrity of game cache", it would find any missing files, which it did, something called keyhasher.exe or something like that. I then launched GRAW2, ran multiplayer, no more cd-key error. I hope this works for you guys.

[tom0067]

I don't know if anyone has tried this but it worked for me. I right-clicked on properties of the game, clicked "verify integrity of game cache", it would find any missing files, which it did, something called keyhasher.exe or something like that. I then launched GRAW2, ran multiplayer, no more cd-key error. I hope this works for you guys.


Thanks, it works for me too :cool:

[DrastiCorz]

have proven to open the ports, "although I have Upnp enabled" I tried to verify the integrity of game cache, but I do not solve the problem, the problem still awaiting a solution to play

[tom0067]

have proven to open the ports, "although I have Upnp enabled" I tried to verify the integrity of game cache, but I do not solve the problem, the problem still awaiting a solution to play

Hi :)

if you can't find a way for play the game, then contact the steam support

[iloveplywood]

Steam support will just tell you to do everything you've read here and if that doesn't work, well, it's a third party game, try ubisoft.

I'm just going to buy the game on Amazon and then if that works I'll know it's not a bloody port problem. I've already wasted way more than $13 worth of time on this one.

[iloveplywood]

For what it's worth every time I verify the cache it re-downloads the keyhasher thingy. It just doesn't do the trick on my machine.

For the record, it's doing the same thing on my three friend's computers and our operating systems are: 2 XP home editions and 2 Windows 7 (I'm pretty sure).

[iloveplywood]

Amazon copy of GRAW 2 worked fine on my system. Steam version still does not work. I'll let everyone draw their own conclusions.

[RbLz187]

plz guys dont waste money on a new copy of the game, i had the same problem when tryin to play online.. "invalid cdkey"..

easiest way to make it work when nothing else works:

Download and install the game from steam, launch the game go to multiplayer, create account or log in if you already have a UBI account, try joining an online game to make sure your account works, u will get "invalid cdkey" error as usual so account works, close the game, delete the game from steam and your computer, download a pirate version or an ISO of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 or lend an install CD/DVD from some1, Install the game, dont use your own cdkey to install, use the one included with the ISO you downloaded or find one on the internet, when installation is done launch game go to multiplayer, login with the same account and password as you did with the steam version.
Enjoy the game !

Dont add your game to steam because it will probably mess up ur game again.
This method works 100%. The same method works for most games that have steam related issues, only the game/cdkey registration could be slightly diffrent then what we just did with Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2.

I think the problem is, steam slightly modifies most of the original game installs they offer to make them compatible with the application control their clients use, for some games it works perfectly, but some games seem to develop some bugs on some systems that way. Maybe not enough testing or not enough time, take that + all the diffrent combinations of hardware, drivers, operating systems and modems/routers people use = higher chance something will fail with steam's costum install methods.

I think there are 2 possible reasons for the "invalid cdkey" error, just guessing :p..

1.The cdkey steam gave you, is an original GRAW2 cdkey. Steam installs OEM version or some default cdkey of GRAW2 and needs keyhasher.exe to implement the cdkey in your own game, obviously keyhasher fails in doing so...

2.The cdkey steam gave you is NOT an original GRAW2 multiplayer cdkey from UBISOFT, but rather one steam uses to verify u bought a copy and to install the game. This time keyhasher.exe's job is to check if your steam cdkey is legit and send an approval to UBISOFT server.

Im just saying what i think i could be all wrong... : p
Never had any of these problems, it started since i decided to go "legal" and buy all my games from steam.. big mistake..

my advice:

Look up the game first on steam forum for common bugs before buying it on steam.

My opinion:

im going back to the good old fashioned original CD/DVD copy for my future games. the service steam offers is great sometimes (special offers, weekend deals, exclusive steam game content, client that keeps all your games up to date) but the price you pay for it is too big imo. games are always bound to steam client, gives a feeling you dont even own the games, you just payed steam to visit them everytime you want to play one of THEIR games, the client is one BIG advertising application tryin to rip ur money everyday with another weekend deal or some special offer, you get a costumized pre-installed game most of the time instead of a solid fresh install, no nice collectable covers to stack up next to ur comp ;p

Goodluck steam keep up the good work, grow bigger get better, fill those pockets, take the lead..
byebye
sorry for my crap english.

[StickyMicky200]

Hmm, i picked this up in the xmas sale, joined first game and had the cd key in use error, tried another game and it worked fine :confused: i never actually did anything.

Then i came to the forums to find out whats up.

[mutombo]

Hi,

we got GRAW1 working via VPN, seems like the cdkey check is disabled there.
We used openvpn for this, but tunngle or hamachi should work, too.

[ymaohyd]

hey guys hope this helps, let me know if the link does not work :D http://ubisoft-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/list