Steam quietly stops working for Windows 2000

[J T]

I run most games on my laptop with Vist 64, but I keep around an old legacy PC with Windows 2000 on it, largely because I have an old copy of Logic Audio (music sequencer) that was really expensive when I bought it back in 2000 and won't work on any OS from XP on. I also use this PC for playing old games on Steam that don't work on Vista. My laptop is in the shop at the moment, so I fired up my old PC. I get a message that says that Steam will no longer work on my machine after August 31st. It tried to update and I cancelled the update because of that message. Supposedly, if I allow it to update, Steam will no longer work on my Win2k machine. I'm kinda pissed.

If I bought these games on disc, they would always work on my Win2K machine, but since I bought them on Steam and the Steam client auto-updates with no way to turn off the auto-update (as far as I can tell, please correct me if I'm wrong) I will not be able to play my games on this machine. This seems kind of bullshit to me, since quite a few of the games you can buy on Steam won't work on Vista or Windows 7. Whenever I've bought games that didn't work on my Vista 64 machine, I could often count on my Win2k machine to play them. Now, if I don't cancel the update fast enough each time I load Steam, that may no longer be an option for me. It seems kind of crappy to me that they can stop supporting their client for older operating systems, but still sell games that don't really work without an older operating system. I'm just frustrated. Thanks for listening to me rant.

At least there is still GOG. Blessed GOG.

[thekorean12]

I know this is an expensive solution, but could you upgrade that old computer to XP?

[J T]

I could, but then I lose my Logic Audio program, which I would like to hold on to. I forget how much I spent on that, but it was several hundred dollars.

[CRTGAMER]

Damn, almost as bad as the console updates killing homebrews. Actually this is worse considering you have legit purchases.

Maybe a complaint to Steam tech support might get results or at least a refund on the now unsupported games?

[gtmtnbiker]

Microsoft end-of-lifed Windows 2000 on July 13, 2000. How can you expect Valve to continue to support that platform?

I don't know much about Steam so I suggest contacting their support for questions. What is their policy for the games you purchased when a platform is retired? Can you continue to download those games on a newer platform and install them on an older platform? Or do you need to archive the games for your own benefit?

Do you own the games purchased on Steam? Or are you only entitled to use them as long as you have an active account with them? Do you need the Steam client running or connected to play your games?

I tried to find the answers to my questions but Steam doesn't really tell you how it works.

[MrPopo]

Uhhh, JT, I don't believe any of the games on Steam that you can't get working on modern OS's actually require Steam to play. Just create a shortcut to the exe in the Steam downloads directory and you're set.

[GSZX1337]

Try going into your Steam Directory and moving/copying the files for your old games. That's what I did with Star Wars: Dark Forces.

[irixith]

I don't think you can be mad that they're ending support for 2000. The fact that they've even supported it up until now is a feat in and of itself. Most of the games you're referencing don't even require Steam to run. You can download them via the steam client on any machine supporting steam, and then move them to the computer you want to play them on. Examples: The majority of the games in the ID pack, the Oddworld games, etc etc. Basically anything on Steam that uses dosbox or something similar to run.

I understand you have your reasons for keeping your older machine around, but expecting modern-day support to continue for it is pretty outrageous. Set up an XP Virtual Machine/dual boot if you require older o/s support on a newer machine. Either that, or use XP with a netbook (that's what I do).

[J T]

Uhhh, JT, I don't believe any of the games on Steam that you can't get working on modern OS's actually require Steam to play. Just create a shortcut to the exe in the Steam downloads directory and you're set.

That's good to know. At least I can get my games that way. I'll just have to download them on the Vista machine and transfer them if I ever lose the Steam client.

[Droid party]

I understand you have your reasons for keeping your older machine around, but expecting modern-day support to continue for it is pretty outrageous. Set up an XP Virtual Machine/dual boot if you require older o/s support on a newer machine. Either that, or use XP with a netbook (that's what I do).

Didn't he say that his audio program won't work with xp onwards and that's a big reason he doesn't want to upgrade?

Anyhow, dual booting xp and vista on your laptop would be how I'd get around the steam issue. And maybe just keep your 2000 rig for your audio.