If you have CD KEY issues for S.T.A.L.K.E.R Shadow of Chernobyl

[Chase M]

Hey everyone! If you are experiencing any CD KEY issues with STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, please see the following:

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:
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_USER\SOFTWARE\VALVE
4) Right click and select "Permissions"
5) Check the boxes for "Admin" and "System" to "Full control" and "Read".

First, verify the GCF Cache for the game:
If you're new to that: http://support.steampowered.com/kb_a...2037-QEUH-3335

Verifying the GCF Cache solves most CD Key issues for most users.


If it still doesn't work, please try deleting your STALKER registry entries:

Go to the "Start" menu, select "Run", type "regedit" and click "OK".

Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\GSC Game World\STALKER-SHOC
Note: In 64-bit operating systems, this path may begin as: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\

The contents of the registry entry "InstallCDKEY" is your CD Key. Please write this key down for future reference.

Right-click on the entry "InstallCDKEY" and select "Delete".


Exit regedit.

Load Steam.

From the Library list, right-click on "STALKER - Shadow of Chernobyl" and select "Properties" from the menu.

Select the "Local files" tab and click the "Verify integrity of game cache..." button.

Steam will verify the game cache files (GCF's) - this process may take several minutes.

Once the process is completed, the "Check" window will automatically exit and you should be able to launch your game.

You may also try using the key previously found in your registry if STALKER asks for a CD Key again.


Hopefully that is comprehensive enough for everyone!