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My lag and ping are terrible. Can I do anything about it?
The following is from a post made by BigEye
Half Life Engine
"Three concerns to note.
One - Part of the current lagging issue with ANY platform server is gameserver browsers, specifically "hlsw" - http://www.hlsw.net With the latest half-life server release, three new server side environment variables were added that change how client side browsers can interact with the half-life server.
Two - It is quite possible that cheat detection may ALSO contribute to the lag, but only time will tell.
Three - The best part, the default config.cfg file that comes with DoD is fubard and does NOT take into account broadband access, even if you choose broadband for your connection type. I will explain this last from an article that I found. So please continue to read.
Here are the new env. variables:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
max_queries_sec . (default: 0.5) defines max queries per second per user (averaged over max_queries_window)
max_queries_sec_global . (default: 10) defines max queries per second for all queries
max_queries_window . (default: 30) defines time window to
average query rates over
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There have been numerous other write-ups about these env. variables, so I won't go into detail, but basically the half-life developers seriously underestimated (or didn't care) how many people query through outside browsers. Hence, they set ridiculously LOW values and were arrogant enough not to explain to the gaming community that leaving the defaults would cause your server to be unusable. This explains why on Day 1 of the release why so many servers had problems.
Now for the good part. You can control your gaming experience if you make appropriate choices and client-side settings (assuming the problem isn't a router or bad internet connection problem). Read on...
What to do
- Start DOD
- Type 'net_graph 3' in the console after you have connected to the server. A real-time graph will be shown in the lower right corner of the screen. Type 'net_graph 0' to disable if you do not want to continue monitoring. The graph will show you inbound packets, outbound packets, ping, loss, and choke.
- "ping" is how much time in Milliseconds (MS) it takes for a packet to travel from the server to you.
- "Loss" is how many packets that are lost during transfer from the server to you. This could be due to a bad connection, not necessarily slow, but can be due to a bad route. However, the usual culprit is a mismatch between your bandwidth and the servers. i.e. your "pipe" is smaller than the servers and in order to receive the data that the server wants to send you, you will need to reduce the data from the server.
- "Choke" is how many packets your computer is unable to upload because your connection is too slow and/or the server is requesting too much data.
Here is how you can manipulate these controls for the client-side either through editing your config.cfg or entering them in your console.
- "cl_updaterate XX" (where XX is set from the numbers below) - This sets how many updates per second to send to your machine.
Modem = 15-25
Broadband = 25-40
I found my "default" set by the DoD_v1 installation was "20", middle-of-the-road modem.
- "cl_cmdrate XX" (where XX is set from the numbers below) - This sets how many updates per second to send to server.
Modem = 25-35
Broadband = 40-50
Again, I found my "default" set by the DoD_v1 installation was "30", which is middle-of-the-road modem.
Obviously, if you have a broadband connection (Cable, DSL) then these are incorrect settings.
"rate XXXX" - This sets the data transfer rate between server and client at any given time.
There are quite a few differing opinions about this setting, but the developer set these at the following when Half-Life first came out.
28.8k = 1500-2200
33.6k = 2000-3500
56k = 3500-4000
ISDN = 4000-6000
xDSL, Cable, T1, etc = 6000-9999
NOTE on "rate"
Setting your "rate" value higher/lower than the server's can cause you to have loss/choke. Review the guideline above concerning loss/choke. This setting is in direct relationship to the loss/choke settings. Use your game-browser (HLSW) to view the rate and set yours accordingly. The variables to look for are "sv_minrate" and "sv_maxrate".
The server controls the actual amount of data that will be pumped out. It is usually best to set your "rate" according to your connection speed. If you have a 1.5 megabit connection (Cable, DSL) and the server's "sv_maxrate" is set to "9999", then you would be best to set your "rate" the same.
"sv_minrate"
The "sv_minrate" variable controls the "bare minimum" connection speed allowed by users. Using the chart above for "rate", most servers will set this value to "2500" to allow "most" modem users to be able to play. Servers can "force" lag on players by setting the "sv_minrate" variable to a number higher than dial-up modems are capable of achieving.
"sv_maxrate"
The "sv_maxrate" variable controls the "ceiling" connection speed bandwidth. Setting this too high could allow someone on a T3 connection to "steal" all of the bandwidth and lag everyone.
As a general rule-of-thumb
LOSS - controlled by "cl_updaterate"
If you have "loss", then reduce your "cl_updaterate".
If you don't have "loss", then you can try a higher "cl_updaterate" to reduce "ping".
CHOKE - controlled by "cl_cmdrate"
If you have "choke", then reduce your "cl_cmdrate".
If you don't have "choke", then you can try a higher "cl_cmdrate" to reduce "ping".
RATE
Again, try and match your "connection" speed first, then the server's "sv_maxrate" second. NEVER exceed your "connection" speed's value (from the chart above).
If you have both "loss" and "choke", then try reducing your "rate".
If you have neither "loss" or "choke", then try increasing your "rate".
Start off by setting your "cl_updaterate" and "cl_cmdrate" to a reasonable level at first, then try different rates. Increase the rate until you get loss and/or choke, then reduce your rate until the loss/choke stops. This will prevent high loss and/or choke in busy servers.
It will take a few seconds before you will see the results of the commands, so don't increase/decrease the settings too quickly.
Good luck.
My frame rates drop drastically on some maps. What can I do prevent this?
Some of the stock and custom maps have textures and high polly mapping that look great but decimate the frame rates.
Weather effects, bullet impact puffs and visual treats make DOD a very cpu intensive game.
Sgt.Silencer and chugbug ran some tests and found the following:
Silencer & Chugbug`s official requirements
"We suggest nothing smaller than this just to play:
A p4 1.5 GhZ
533 fsb
512 ram
ti 4400 (or equevalnt)
We recommend (for 100 fps)
P4 2.5 GhZ or higher (with hyperthreading)
800 fsb
1 gig ddr ram
g-force 5900 ultra (or 9800 PRO)
Our test concluded that CPU and Bus are the #1 fps culprits (provididng you have a top end video card)"
Well, you cant change the map polycounts but while you are saving up for those sweet components, you can try adding the following to your userconfig.cfg file:
fps_max "100" //sets your fps mx to 100 fps. Default is 72
mp_decals "100" // low value for the mp_decals
r_decals "200" // low value the max number of visible decals
_cl_minimap "0" // turns off minimap , still accessible with "m" key
cl_identiconmode "1" // shows icon over team mates only when crosshairs move over them
cl_weatherdis "0" // decreases the depth of weather effects
cl_particlefx "0" // turns off weather and bullet impact effects , "1" turns off just the weather
cl_dmshowmarkers "0" // shuts off map marker system
cl_bulletejects "0" // turns off bullet ejects
cl_corpsestay "0" // corpse's disappear
My ping and lag are bad . Help me before I end it all.
ISP provider, server location can definitely effect this and are out of your control.
What you can tweak is discussed in the post submitted by BigEye.
My ping and lag are awful. What can I do about it?
ISP provider and server location can definitely effect this and are out of your control.
What you can tweak is discussed in the post submitted by BigEye:
Rules of Conduct on SunLit DOD Servers
Good sportsmanship and fair play. Sounds simple but here is a breakdown.
Friendly Fire is always ON
*Do not fire while in the spawn.
Its distracting and can result in accidental team killing and team wounding .
*Do not intentionally team wound or team kill anywhere on the map.
In the name of courtesy or at least self preservation, please apologize if you accidentally tk someone.
Deliberate tks result in a ban.
*Do not fire or nade INTO the enemy spawn areas.
SunLits encourages team work, good sportsmanship and FUN.
Strategic spawn camping makes sense as your team goes for the last flag but
spawn killing is about as exciting as dry toast and just frustrating for the recipients.
*Cheating
Scripts, wallhacks, aimbots, interps, rate hacks, insta-snipe etc are lame and if Valve Anti Cheat (VAC) software doesn't catch a player, the admin will.
Spectator exploits
Respawn times aren't that long ;), have a little patience.
* Map bugs or exploits
A position is NOT a map exploit as long as:
- the player can be seen
- is not behind an invisible "bullet proof" wall and can still be killed
- didn't walk "through" a fence or wall
- did not "slide up" an incline
- did not walk in sky, tree lines, or along invisible ledges etc to reach the position
- is "in" the map on the path to the final position and at the final position
(If a player is "outside" the map. they will notice that the map textures disappear or start flashing,
an indication that the map designer didn't intend for the player to be there. )
- is not on the outside wall/perimeter of the map
*Offensive, Obscene or Hateful behaviour
Obscenities, pornography, racism and intimidation are not allowed and grounds for a permanent ban from all our servers.
This includes spray logos, links to pornographic sites, voice communications or global chat.
Names, from any historical period, that are overtly racist or glorify the extermination of ethnic or religious groups may result in a permanent ban without prior warning.
*Spamming
Cluttering chat voice with repetitive or too many messages will kick in the spam / overflow plugin and result in a kick. Voice spam such as singing will result in the same.
Why have rules for a virtual community ?
SunLits is a community of six year's standing. That's a substantial slice of time in the gaming world.
The admins have put lot of effort into running the show but it has been the entire community's support of a philosophy of fair play and fun that has kept it vibrant and ongoing.
Our youngest members are pre-teens and oldest are 60+. Our members hail from many countries and backgrounds.
The rules have evolved to ensure a safe and friendly atmosphere for everyone.
What are SunLit Game's rules ?
SunLit Games' rules are very simple.
They boil down to showing simple respect for yourself and your fellow players.
Racism, sexism, pornography and profanity are prohibited in the Forums, Chat Box, Ventrilo and in game and are grounds for a permanent ban from all our servers.
This includes spray logos, links to pornographic sites, voice communications or global chat.
Names, from any historical period, that are overtly racist or glorify the extermination of ethnic or religious groups may result in a permanent ban without prior warning.
Each game, Half-Life and HL2 Death Match, Day of Defeat, Road Rally and CounterStrike:S have specific gameplay conventions pertaining to them. You can read more about them in their respective FAQ sections.
The MOTD screens also have valuable information. Please take the time to read them when you log on.
How can you make sure the rules are heeded?
The community itself will politely point out game conventions to newcomers at SunLits.
SunLits welcomes new players and the diversity in background and experience they bring.
Sunlits has over 40 enforcers on deck to keep an eye on things.
If a player decides that they have the right to disrupt the game, the admins and enforcers will step in.
An admin/enforcer will warn, llama, slay or kick a player to get their attention. If that fails, the player will be banned for 24 hours. Persistent and malicious breaking of the rules will result in a permanent ban.
A player is being totally obnoxious and there are no enforcers around? What can I do?
Make a note of the map name , approximate time of day, server name and the player's name.
Type in the console "status" and you can record their steamids.
You can take a screenshot of inappropriate chat messages.
Send your complaint to the admins.
We can check the game logs and act accordingly on your information.
You can also Alt-tab out of game and leave a message in the ChatBox on
the main web page. If an admin sees it, they can often kick the offending player remotely.
I was banned. How long does the ban last?
Try to log on the servers again in 24 hours. If you can't , then you have been permanently banned.
I was banned and I dont know why?
Very occassionally, on a full server with a rash of tking etc, a userid may be mistyped and you may have been
caught in the fallout. Contact us with your game name, steamid, server, map and approximate time of the ban and we will look into it and correct it asap.
I was banned because I was winning.
Nope. This one won't fly. Players are never banned for being skilled. SunLits welcomes the experts.
The challenge makes us all better players.
I was banned unfairly by an admin / enforcer and want the ban reviewed.
Contact us with your game name, steamid, server, map and approximate time of the ban and we will look into it.
Ok I goofed and I'm sorry. Do I get a second chance?
Same as above. Give us a shout and we'll talk.
What is Vent ?
VenT is a scalable Voice over IP (VoIP) communications system that solves a lot of the problems associated with network latency, packet loss, uptime and administration.
Vent can be used for home / personal applications like talking to friends and family, or playing organized online games where Voice Comm can make them more exciting and productive. It can also be used in an enterprise environment as a productivity tool for conducting long distance group discussions.
Does SunLits have a Vent Channel ?
See Vent Help for info.
Requires registration.
Is there a way to use two versions of Vent on the same machine ?
Indeed there is.
The easiest method is to install the program VentriloMIX 122.
It installs Vent versions 2.14 through 3.2 and TeamSpeak2. Once installed, double
click on the VentMix icon and a menu appears from which you can select the Voice
program you wish to use at that time. VentriloMix remembers all setttings and
passwords entered.
Can I use both at the same time?
Yes . If your Push-to-talk key is the same for both versions , then it will transmit your voice to both channels simultaneously.
To transmit to one at a time only, you can (1) assign different push to talk keys for each version or (2) check "mute microphone/bind box in the vent channel you do NOT wish to transmit to at that moment.
I just installed Windows XP. My game looks awful and my mic wont work
The main issues with XP/Windows2000 are based on the following:
- XP provides drivers that override the drivers that you may prefer for your PC hardware
- Some video cards need the exact drivers for the monitors to allow the colours to be recognized.
- XP wants to limit your monitor refresh values to 60 Hz in OpenGL i.e. HalfLife and in D3D applications.
This is hard on your eyes, limits fps to a max of 60 and may affect the colour / brightness.
- The XP default drivers for some sound cards reset sound settings or can limit sound card applications.
How are monitor refresh rate and frames per second (fps) related?
CRT Only:
Monitor refresh rate is basically the rate that the image on the
screen is redrawn/refreshed and measured in Hz.
The higher the refresh rate the less flickering.
Frames per second (fps) is the rate that your game image refreshes
and is dependent upon you video card, processor speed and the game engine.
You can play (and play well for that matter) at a refresh rate of 60Hz and
40fps. However, it is healthier for your eyes to look at a monitor screen with a
higher refresh rate.
Current monitor and video cards are made to operate at higher refresh rates.
It makes sense to get the most out of your PC investment .
60Hz is the bottom end of performance and also the default refresh rate for
OGL if windows doesn't recognize your monitor and its drivers.
Enabling Vsynch forces the value of the fps of the game to match the
refresh rate of the monitor in OpenGL. This is a good thing because it gets rid of those horrid horizontal shear lines in the screen when you move your mouse/point of view.
Its a bad thing when the refresh rate of your monitor is maxed out at 60Hz
in windows XP. Then it locks your fps to 60 as well.
Where do you start to get the most out of your gaming experience?
1)Add the command fps_max "100" to your config.cfg file.
Now what is your fps while playing Half-Life/DOD?
If its 90-100fps, you can stop here.
2) What Video card/driver version do you have?
Are the drivers the latest and XP compatable ?
Find the drivers for your Monitor on line and get the ones that are XP
compatible.
My fps seem to be locked at 60 max. How can I reach 100fps?
Setting refresh rates through your video card menu
** Nvidia**
Turn the Monitor on before you power up the tower.
Right click on your Desktop. Left click on Display Properties -->Settings-->Advanced-->
You should now see something that looks like this.
Click on the Monitor tab.
Does your Monitor appear as Plug and Play or by its actual name?
If it appears as Plug and Play, Windows 2k/XP may force it to use 60 Hz refresh in OGL .
Just reinstall the Monitor's drivers, usually an *.inf file.
Under Monitor Settings, uncheck the box that says
"Hide modes that this monitor cant display" and set refresh to 100 Hz.
Apply. OK.
Check under the Color Management tab.
It should look something like this.
You want it to show the actual name of your monitor and its associated color profile *.icm.
Now go in game and see how it all looks.
What is your fps? (use net_graph 3 command in the Console)
You should be getting 90 - 100 fps.
If you are getting 60 fps, it is likely due to XP setting this as a default for OpenGl.
What is your in game Monitor's in game refresh rate?
Most monitors have a display of refresh rate. (Check you monitor's manual.)
If the in game refresh rate has dropped to 60HX, Windlows XP has reset it.
To unlock WindowsXP control:
1) Look in Display Properties-->Settings-->Advanced-->Nvidia-->
Performance & Quality-->Global Driver Settings
Select Vsynch Off by Default
If you can reach 100 fps now in game and there is no shearing, you are all set.
If you see shearing, then enable vsynch again and try the next step.
2) Game Launch Options
Works with WindowsXP SP2 and latest Nvidia drivers, version 8x.xx
Log onto DOD, HL, HL2DM and refresh rate drops to 60 Mhz.
You can overcome the default 60 refresh by :
Open Steam
Right click on the game ( HL Engine 1 Only)
Select Properties
Launch Options
Type in -freq XXX -w 1024 -h 768
Where XXX is the frequency you want
For Source and OrangeBox
Type in -refresh XXX -w 1024 -h 768
3) Refresh Force
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1847
"RefreshForce universally and permanently fixes the Windows 2000/XP refresh rate problem on ANY variation of graphics cards, monitors, or drivers."
4) Registry Edit - by hivemynd
If you have an NVIDIA card, you can use this reg tweak to open up some new dialogs in the official drivers that will let you override refresh rates for supported resolutions. No extra programs required, it's built into the drivers. Ya just gotta "unlock" it:
Create a new text file then paste this into it:
---------------------
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak]
"NvCplExposeWin2kDualView"=dword:00000001
"NvCplTvLocaleAutoDetect"=dword:00000001
"NvCplAllowForceTVDetection"=dword:00000001
"NvCplEnableActiveApp"=dword:00000001
"NvCplFirstInstallInitDone"=dword:00000000
"DisableApplyColorsAtStartup"=dword:00000000
"NvCplXMLFileChecksum"=dword:4da0c3e9
"nViewShellIsRegistered"=dword:00000001
"NoMenus"=dword:00000080
"OverlayPageState"=dword:00000000
"CinematicPageState"=dword:000000ff
"NvCplThermalSettings"=dword:00000022
"NvCplDisableRefreshRatePage"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Defaults]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Defaults\Overlay]
"OverlayColorControlEnable"=dword:00000000
"OverlayBrightness"=dword:00000000
"OverlayContrast"=dword:0000005a
"OverlayHue"=dword:00000000
"OverlaySaturation"=dword:00000072
"OverlayMode3"=dword:00000001
"OverlayMode2"=dword:00100050
"VideoBusMasterMode"=dword:00000000
"OverlayGamma"=dword:00000064
"VMGamma"=dword:00000064
"VMDVC"=dword:00000010
"OverscanFSVMLevel"=dword:00000000
"OverscanOverlayLevel"=dword:00000000
"Overscan720Level"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Devices]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Devices\VEN_10DE&DEV_0040&SUBSYS_81A81043&REV_A1&INST00]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Devices\VEN_10DE&DEV_0040&SUBSYS_81A81043&REV_A1&INST00\DisplayModes]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\Devices\VEN_10DE&DEV_0040&SUBSYS_81A81043&REV_A1&INST00\DisplayModes\Schemes]
"DEVICE00000100"=hex:00,01,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,40,27,00,00,cd,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\NVDisplayPanelServer]
"DisktopManagementServer"="{002B9E07-2E10-438F-AF1E-40E6A96F1EE4}"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\OemConfigurations]
"MediaCenterLoadPolicy"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\RefreshOverrides]
"EnableRefreshOverrides"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\RefreshOverrides\1024x768]
"RefreshRate"=dword:00000064
"Flags"=dword:00000007
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\State]
"GlobalStartupDefaults"=dword:00000001
"PageUpdateOrdinal"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\State\DTCFG]
"LastCommandResult"=dword:00000009
"LastCommandLine"="detect 2"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak\State\DXVersion]
"MSVersionFlag"="4.09.00.0904"
"CurrentNvDXVersion"=dword:00000900
-------------------------
Look in Display Properties-->Settings-->Advanced-->Nvidia-->
Refresh Rate Override
Enable "Over Ride Refresh Rates". Scroll down to the resolution you run in game.
Double CLick on the word Default to open menu of possible refresh rates. Click on 100 Hz. Save.
Now go in game. What is your fps now? You should have broken the 60fps lock
Go back to the Performance and Quality screen.
Try increasing your Antialiasing and then Anisotopic Filtering as far as you can without dropping yopur fps.
** ATI **
1) Turn the Monitor on before you power up the tower.
Right click on your Desktop--->. Left click on Display Properties -->Settings-->Advanced-->
You should now see something that looks like this.
Click on the Monitor tab.
Does your Monitor appear as Plug and Play or by its actual name?
If it appears as Plug and Play, Windows 2k/XP may force it to use 60 Hz refresh in 3D applications .
Just reinstall the Monitor's drivers, usually an *.inf file.
Under Monitor Settings, uncheck the box that says
"Hide modes that this monitor cant display" and set refresh to 100 Hz.
Apply.OK.
Check under the Color Management tab.
It should look something like this.
You want it to show the actual name of your monitor and its associated color profile *.icm.
2) Click on the 3D tab
Click on the Custom tab for each of D3D and OpenGl and select Wait for Vertical Synch Always Off
Now go in game and see how it all looks.
What is your fps? (use net_graph 3 command in the Console)
You should be getting 90 - 100 fps.
If you can reach 100 fps now in game and there is no shearing, you are all set.
If you see shearing, then enable vsynch again and try the next step.
Click on Displays tab.
Click on the primary Monitor tab.
Select the refresh rate you want for your monitor.
If DCC (Display Data Channel) is enabled you will only be able to select preset values suitable for your monitor. Click OK.
You can try unchecking DCC to open up more resolution and refresh rate values if necessary but be careful to only select values your monitor will support.
Click on 3D tab. Now click on the Custom tab for D3D.
Uncheck the Application Preference box for FSAA and anisotropic filtering and set them to 2x for now.
Set TRUFORM to Always Off. Now go in game and check your fps. You should now have successfully uinlocked the XP 60 hz lock.
If your fps is 100, you can try upping the FSAA, anisotropic filtering to improve the graphics. Repeat for OpenGl.
Smartgart. This is a program unique to ATI. It scans your system's capabilities and autosets the AGP Speeds.
Some games have problems with it and Fast Write enabled but disabling it is complicated. Read more at ATI FAQS
3) Refresh Force
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1847
"RefreshForce universally and permanently fixes the Windows 2000/XP refresh rate problem on ANY variation of graphics cards, monitors, or drivers."
How do I get rid of the Windows Messaging Pop-Ups?
Disabling this service in no way changes the functioning of MSN Instant Messenger.
To disable it in Windows XP:
Click on the "Start" button.
Right-Click on "My Computer"
Choose "Manage" from the menu that appears.
In the left column Highlight "Services and Applications"
In the right column Double-Click on "Services".
Double-Click on the service called "Messenger".
Click the "Stop" button to stop the service.
Change the "Startup Type:" to "Manual"
Click "Apply".
Click "OK".
Close "Computer Management"
How do I use the Steam backup option?
To use the built-in Steam backup option you will need to do the following:
Open your Steam "Play Games" menu, right-click on any game in your "My Games" menu, and choose "Backup Game Files..."
Next, add any games that you wish to incluude in the backup by placing a check mark next to them in the list of game, after you have selected all the files for back up click Next.
You will now need to specify a directory for the backup files to be placed, by default this is C:\ProgramFiles\Valve\Steam\Backups
Now you can name the backup file and choose to have it be sized for a CD or DVD, at the bottom of this screen it will specify how many files it will be creating. Each of these files will be sized for the media you have selected. Click next and the backup will start.
All you need to do now is wait for the backup to finish, when it is done, you will have the option to open the folder the backups were created in or click "Finish" to close out of the backup utility.
I want to move my Steam installation to a different disk or computer, how can I do this?
Steam must all be kept together, you won't be able to move only part of it.
Let's say you ran out of space on your C: disk and want to move Steam to your larger E: disk.
To successfully move Steam over to the E: drive you have to move:
C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\ <everything>
to
E:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\ <everything>
Then you need to delete this file:
E:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\ClientRegistry.blob
Any shortcuts to Steam on your desktop will need to be updated as well - you can just delete the old shortcut and drag and drop a shortcut (right-mouse button) for the moved Steam.exe on your desktop.
When you start Steam up it will do a short update, check the installation and re-create the blob file for the new location and you should be ready to play.
Same rules apply if you want to move your Steam install to a different computer, you'll have to use file sharing or burn CDs or DVDs with the content to accomplish the move.
If you use CDs or DVDs, be sure to make sure none of the Steam files become marked "Read Only" when you copy them off the CDs - all the Steam file need to be writeable.
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