MeleeMonk
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
Part-time gamer, full-time environmentalist, and member of PAPO (People Against Palm Oil)
Posts: 3,651 
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Post by MeleeMonk on May 27, 2017 5:58:31 GMT
I'm thinking about installing Steam on my new computer, which would be the first time I've used the service in over 5 years (since 2011). I'm not a big fan of buying games on Steam, since Valve's DRM is far too stingy for my money. BUT, since Team Fortress 2 is FREE TO PLAY, I figure "what have I got to lose"?
So yeah, I would like to download Steam just for TF2. But that leads me to a question I've had since I first used the service for online multiplayer years ago:
Am I at risk of getting viruses by visiting certain servers/in general while playing online with Steam?
I know that sounds like a stupid question, but I can't stress enough how important it is that my computer stay as free of viruses as possible, because I wouldn't have the money to fix an infected computer.
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Dan E. Kool
Walking Trash Can Robot
Now With Extra Pulp!
Posts: 3,325
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Post by Dan E. Kool on May 27, 2017 8:07:40 GMT
Here's how to make sure your computer never gets a virus:
1. Disconnect from the internet
2. Turn it off
3. Never use it again.
There's no way to avoid it. The risk is always there. That said, Valve is a big company that needs its customers to trust it. You can bet they are protecting their servers to the best of their ability, if only to make sure you keep giving them your money.
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Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,818
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Post by Cervantes on May 27, 2017 12:17:04 GMT
MeleeMonk - Nah mate, you won't get any viruses. Go for it.
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Post by winnersdontusedrugs on May 28, 2017 1:15:50 GMT
Probably not. If you're that concerned just get a free antivirus like Avast or something and run a scan on your computer every now and then.
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MeleeMonk
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
Part-time gamer, full-time environmentalist, and member of PAPO (People Against Palm Oil)
Posts: 3,651
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Post by MeleeMonk on May 28, 2017 2:24:22 GMT
Cervantes & anyone else here I need your help!
I just installed Steam on my computer and created a shortcut on my desktop, but I can't access it for some reason. Even when I left click the shortcut and select "open", it still doesn't open up! WTF? Has anyone else had this problem? What do I do? I was considering asking this question on the official Steam forums, but for some BS reason you need at least 5 dollars in your Steam account to use the forums. Please help.
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Post by winnersdontusedrugs on May 28, 2017 3:26:08 GMT
MeleeMonk Check the task manager and see if it's open there. If it is, just right click -> end process and start it up again. edit: to get to task manager just press ctrl+alt+delete.
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Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,818
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Post by Cervantes on May 28, 2017 4:57:57 GMT
Try creating a new shortcut, that may solve it.
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MeleeMonk
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
Part-time gamer, full-time environmentalist, and member of PAPO (People Against Palm Oil)
Posts: 3,651
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Post by MeleeMonk on May 28, 2017 5:39:08 GMT
Cervantes winnersdontusedrugs Neither of your advice worked (I tried both). Regarding Cervantes' tip, it wouldn't even open when I tried accessing it from other places (like program files, etc.). So I just uninstalled it and am going to reinstall it again, but first I must ask: where on my hard drive should I save it to when I reinstall it? Could it be that I saved it to a wrong location? I went with program files before. I mean, where do you guys typically install your games to? I will await your replies before I start installation again.
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Dan E. Kool
Walking Trash Can Robot
Now With Extra Pulp!
Posts: 3,325
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Post by Dan E. Kool on May 28, 2017 14:39:29 GMT
Have you tried turning the computer off and on again?
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Balder
Supreme Overlord
Trying to cut down the amount of movies I watch
Posts: 6,822
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Post by Balder on May 28, 2017 15:24:18 GMT
Have you tried turning the computer off and on again? No? *callsenter guy hangs up. Shit still doesn't work and you have to call them again and wait 30 minutes (again) to tell them that. |
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MeleeMonk
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
Part-time gamer, full-time environmentalist, and member of PAPO (People Against Palm Oil)
Posts: 3,651
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Post by MeleeMonk on May 29, 2017 1:33:11 GMT
It turns out that uninstalling then reinstalling Steam fixed the problem. But I still can't enjoy the game because my ping is so atrociously high for whatever reason, and it's not like my internet is that slow. I mean, I used to play TF2 just fine back in 2011, and our internet has only improved since then, so I'm bemused. And I would like to note that I'm using a wired connection, even though our house has full wireless support. I don't think my computer has built in Wifi though.
Does anyone have any advice on how to fix the problem?
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Balder
Supreme Overlord
Trying to cut down the amount of movies I watch
Posts: 6,822
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Post by Balder on May 29, 2017 3:59:23 GMT
Better internet.
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Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,818
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Post by Cervantes on May 29, 2017 5:11:00 GMT
I rarely ever play online, so I wouldn't know any recommendation... But here is one: ping is also affected by your distance from the servers, so, if you can choose servers in this game, try choosing ones that are closer to you (or just keep testing different servers until you find one that gives you a lower ping).
I never played Team Fortress, so this is just a general hint.
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MeleeMonk
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
Part-time gamer, full-time environmentalist, and member of PAPO (People Against Palm Oil)
Posts: 3,651
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Post by MeleeMonk on May 29, 2017 5:29:08 GMT
Cervantes I had no idea. Thanks! I just tried playing TF2 a few minutes ago, and I had a ping of over 900, which is something like 9x what a normal ping should be I think. It was so laggy that I was actually glitching through the levels and shit. Downright unplayable. I suspect the server was being hosted in Australia, cause there were a few aussies chatting, but there were also many americans chatting, too, none of which had bad ping, so I'm still not sure what to make of the situation...
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billspreston
Cheru Wing
I wrote Max Reebo's first 3 hits
Posts: 336
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Post by billspreston on May 29, 2017 15:20:01 GMT
It turns out that uninstalling then reinstalling Steam fixed the problem. But I still can't enjoy the game because my ping is so atrociously high for whatever reason, and it's not like my internet is that slow. I mean, I used to play TF2 just fine back in 2011, and our internet has only improved since then, so I'm bemused. And I would like to note that I'm using a wired connection, even though our house has full wireless support. I don't think my computer has built in Wifi though. Does anyone have any advice on how to fix the problem? Is anyone else using the modem while you're trying to play? Also if you're using Windows 10 open up task manager and tab over to Performance>Ethernet and check to see if any background programs are sending/receiving before starting up Steam. |
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