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    Steam games and new OS installation

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by ElSerch, Apr 7, 2011.

  1. ElSerch

    ElSerch Notebook Consultant

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    I want to have a new fresh OS installation on my computer, but I don't want to download again games from steam web site.
    Any recommendations?

    Thank you

    Regards
     
    ElSerch, Apr 7, 2011
    #1
  2. TomTom2007

    TomTom2007 Notebook Deity

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    Back up your games to external hard drive, CDs, DVDs.
     
    TomTom2007, Apr 7, 2011
    #2
  3. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    yep right click the game on steam and click the back up option
     
    Karamazovmm, Apr 7, 2011
    #3
  4. InfectedSonic

    InfectedSonic Notebook Evangelist

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    if all the games you have installed now are currently installed on your comp then just backup you entire steam folder. once you get your comp reinstalled put the folder back where you want it then make a shortcut for the steam exe where you like it and run. (ive done this several times since it saves such a massive amount of time) much faster then the backup feature found in steam also
     
    InfectedSonic, Apr 7, 2011
    #4
  5. crash

    crash NBR Assassin

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    crash, Apr 7, 2011
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  6. ElSerch

    ElSerch Notebook Consultant

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    ok, I can back up to external HD, but I have to copy the entire steam folder?
     
    ElSerch, Apr 7, 2011
    #6
  7. TomTom2007

    TomTom2007 Notebook Deity

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    Steam does it automatically, just follow this:

    Launch Steam -> Steam -> Backup and restore games...
    Select the games you wanna backup
    Choose backup destination
    Since you are going to use EHDD, for "File size", choose "Custom...", then put something like 50000 in the MB field.

    Then done, it's gonna take a while.
     
    TomTom2007, Apr 7, 2011
    #7
  8. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    That's the best way to do it. The backup feature is slow as and takes forever. Backup your steamapps folder, and restore it once you install + sign into steam on the new installation.
     
    ronnieb, Apr 7, 2011
    #8
  9. bks1987

    bks1987 Notebook Evangelist

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    Don't bother with the steam backup option. Just copy and paste steamapps folder to external HD and then copy and paste it back to Steam folder after you install steam.
     
    bks1987, Apr 7, 2011
    #9
  10. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Thirded on the steamapps. I've moved apps between installs, and copied them from my laptop to my desktop via the steamapps method. Much easier.
     
    Pitabred, Apr 7, 2011
    #10
  11. Phistachio

    Phistachio A. Scriabin

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    The steam backup feature needs work and bug-fixing. I tried once = didn't work. After then, I would rather let it download while I study piano, than have the buggy steam restore feature.
     
    Phistachio, Apr 7, 2011
    #11
  12. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    I backup my Steamapps folder. Then copy it over to the new Steam folder, then install Steam into that Steam folder and it will set it up. One thing you'll lose is Start menu items for those games, but IMHO not a big deal.
     
    HTWingNut, Apr 7, 2011
    #12
  13. Kingpinzero

    Kingpinzero ROUND ONE,FIGHT! You Win!

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    For some reason steam backup feature never worked good here, mixed results.
    So what i always do is to backup the whole steam folder, reinstall the os, copy the folder back but before launching steam just go into steam folder and delete the file called clientregistry.blob and fire it up.
    It always works like a charm.
    Oh and dont forget to backup saves either located in Documents, user>saved games or c:\users\yourname\AppData or Roaming.
     
    Kingpinzero, Apr 8, 2011
    #13
  14. lozanogo

    lozanogo Notebook Deity

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    Yep, its far better than the slow backup.
     
    lozanogo, Apr 8, 2011
    #14
  15. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    Thanks to all cont. in this thread, I am about to reload windows and have a slow DSL connection. This will save me days of downloading!
    GR8 hint about blob file, etc. You guys rock!
     
    JOSEA, Apr 8, 2011
    #15
  16. LaptopNut

    LaptopNut Notebook Virtuoso

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    I also recommend the Steamapps folder method. I have just used that method for after my new laptop arrived. Ideally you want the source and destination to be USB 3.0, saved me a whole lot of time. You might also want to see if data is saved elsewhere too.
     
    LaptopNut, Apr 9, 2011
    #16
  17. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    I've always used the built-in backup feature, and never had any trouble with it.
     
    Mastershroom, Apr 9, 2011
    #17