# How do i get the retail HL2 GOTY Edition to work without Steam? **URL:** \ **Category:** Half-Life 2\ **Created:** [March 20, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://forums.sourceruns.org/t/how-do-i-get-the-retail-hl2-goty-edition-to-work-without-steam/3614 "2020-03-20T17:37:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![yoshi](https://b-cdn.sourceruns.org/user_avatar/forums.sourceruns.org/yoshi/32/571_2.png) [@yoshi](https://forums.sourceruns.org/u/yoshi)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://forums.sourceruns.org/t/how-do-i-get-the-retail-hl2-goty-edition-to-work-without-steam/3614/1 "2020-03-20T17:37:48Z")
Recently, i’ve started lurking around in the SourceRuns wiki and got really interested in archiving and playing old HL2 versions. I decided to dust off my GOTY edition disc (engine 2459, according to the Game Versions page) and rip it to try it out and play it. I could extract all the files from the GCFs just fine, but where i hit a roadblock, was getting the damn thing working. I have tried: - Using shortcuts and batch files with the “-steam” parameter - Getting old 2004 cracks (i was kinda desperate and thought it would work) - Running the game as a Source SDK 2006 mod - Downloading the old 2005 filesystem\_stdio.dll - Googling and going through every single page that mentioned a crack/fix NONE of these potential solutions worked. I would either get “Can’t load filesystem\_steam.dll” (-steam), SteamStartup() failed (Using a cracked bin folder from 2004, but not replacing the existing files) or get to Loading… but then crash the game (Using a cracked bin folder from 2004 and overwriting all the files). Also, for some reason, the GOTY version lacks any steam.dll, and some other files from the 2004 bin folder. I have no idea if the game works without those files or if you had to download the files through Steam. I have pretty much almost given up at this point, but i’m so determined over running an old version of a game i own digitally, that i decided to try one last thing, which is consulting this forum. (If my thread is in the wrong section or something, then i’m sorry, i’m a n00b here) ---
**Author:** ![yoshi](https://b-cdn.sourceruns.org/user_avatar/forums.sourceruns.org/yoshi/32/571_2.png) [@yoshi](https://forums.sourceruns.org/u/yoshi)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 1:17pm UTC](https://forums.sourceruns.org/t/how-do-i-get-the-retail-hl2-goty-edition-to-work-without-steam/3614/2 "2020-03-22T13:17:51Z")
The issue has now been resolved. BitRain sent me a fix for Filesystem\_Steam.dll for this particular version and the game now works flawlessly! ---
**Author:** ![Xcape](https://b-cdn.sourceruns.org/user_avatar/forums.sourceruns.org/xcape/32/671_2.png) [@Xcape](https://forums.sourceruns.org/u/Xcape)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://forums.sourceruns.org/t/how-do-i-get-the-retail-hl2-goty-edition-to-work-without-steam/3614/3 "2020-11-19T18:08:59Z")
Could you send it to me? I have the same problem ---
**Author:** ![rutaboo](https://b-cdn.sourceruns.org/user_avatar/forums.sourceruns.org/rutaboo/32/683_2.png) [@rutaboo](https://forums.sourceruns.org/u/rutaboo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://forums.sourceruns.org/t/how-do-i-get-the-retail-hl2-goty-edition-to-work-without-steam/3614/4 "2020-12-26T21:29:49Z")
I received a CD copy of HL2 for Christmas and I’d love to play the way it was originally intended. After following a guide I’ve hit this issue. Could you please share this .dll as well? Thanks!!! ---
**Author:** ![rutaboo](https://b-cdn.sourceruns.org/user_avatar/forums.sourceruns.org/rutaboo/32/683_2.png) [@rutaboo](https://forums.sourceruns.org/u/rutaboo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2020, 7:38pm UTC](https://forums.sourceruns.org/t/how-do-i-get-the-retail-hl2-goty-edition-to-work-without-steam/3614/5 "2020-12-29T19:38:26Z")
Occurred to me that I might as well tag @yoshi and @BitRain Thanks to you both in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Suboptimalsubmarine](https://b-cdn.sourceruns.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Suboptimalsubmarine](https://forums.sourceruns.org/u/Suboptimalsubmarine)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2023, 3:51am UTC](https://forums.sourceruns.org/t/how-do-i-get-the-retail-hl2-goty-edition-to-work-without-steam/3614/6 "2023-04-30T03:51:50Z")
Terribly sorry for the graveyard post but is there a public place where we can access this file that way anyone could get it without the need for one individual to send it to everyone?