[Question] New Computer -- do I really have to re-download all games?

[Six_Ten]

Just bought a new machine today. I'm transferring all my files over via my network. I've installed Steam and it shows RO RO2 etc in my Library.

How do I get Steam to recognize my files so I don't have to download them all again?


Edit: I might have found the answer here:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2838123&highlight=computer+re-download

 

[GrimReality]

You may also need to Verify the Integrity of the Game Cache.

 

[Six_Ten]

It worked easily. Verifying caches now.

 

[Sensemann]

@Six_Ten

Please let me know if this works out for you. I will have to send my computer for repairs when I am on holiday end of next week. In the process, they might need to delete everything on my hard drive and it's a pain in the a@@ if I had to redownload everything...

I would highly appreciate your feedback. Thanks

 

[tixhal]

just copy your steam folder to an external drive and move it back once your system is installed again. there will be some minor stuff redownloaded when starting a game, but otherwise it works very nicely.

 

[Six_Ten]

@Six_Ten

Please let me know if this works out for you. I will have to send my computer for repairs when I am on holiday end of next week. In the process, they might need to delete everything on my hard drive and it's a pain in the a@@ if I had to redownload everything...

I would highly appreciate your feedback. Thanks

Worked fine. I used my home network to move the files, but you could put them on disc or whatever. I actually downloaded and installed Steam fresh on my new machine, then move the files and merged them into that installation. After that, verified cache for my games, and it was ready.

 

[Sensemann]

Thanks tixhal and Six_Ten. That would really help me a lot.