Sponge:

Come on now, you really think I'm that stupid? I've been in this hobby a lot longer then you, I can tell that much.

The game was installed off the DVD, and this is what the "Monitor" part of the steam screen for HL2 looks like:

"Steam is not currently updating any games"

If I go into play games, then right click on HL2's properties, I see the following:

Status: requires update
amount acquired: 100%
Offline mode: not ready yet.

I will whine all I want to, child. I know not having a job and living in mommy's basement works for you, but for everyone else, we like to have a job and a family...which means my 80 bucks for the game, plus 400 for a new Video card and, 35 bucks a month for broadband equals a god given american right to "whine", as you so eloquently put it.

I didn't even preload, so that wouldn't even apply to me. I bought the DVD collectors version. I got as far as the DC key screen and it gave me a "We cant process this now, we'll inform you later, until then play retial HL2"

Oh wait, it's too much for your tiny brain to comprehend! If only your cranium was as big as your man boobs.

BTW, your left hand doesn't count as "An other friend" sponge.