Hmmm .... Borderlands Australia???

Drac · Oct 23, 2009

8Gb down... 112GB left to burn through, bwhahaha!

Thermal Ions · Oct 23, 2009

Had someone pm me to see how I'd scheduled install / pre-load for off-peak, so figured I may as well post it here too.

This uses the basic Windows XP system, but you can get 3rd party applications that may provide a cleaner interface or options for scheduling a start and stop time and maybe bandwidth limiting settings. I've never gone looking to any great degree.

There's 2 ways I've achieved this - depending upon the game. The below is for Windows XP, although I've done similar on Windows 7 and presume Vista would work too (don't have it to test).

The simplest (usually works):

Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> Scheduled Tasks, then Add Scheduled Task

Go through the wizard, selecting Steam as the program to Run.

I usually set it to perform the task one time only

Set the start time and date to match the beginning of your next off-peak time (in my case 3am the next day).

Leave default or set the Username and Password

Click box to open advanced properties when finished

You may get an error about login details if you haven't entered a password in previous step, just click through this for now.

I then select "Run only if logged on". This works for me as my system isn't set to power down / suspend if unused, and doesn't automatically throw me back to the login screen if it has engaged the screensaver. If yours does then you'll need to have a password on your login and have filled the username and password in correctly, along with selecting the Wake computer to run this task on the settings tab.

Before finishing with Steam for the night, start your install / pre-load in steam (going through the wizard if there is one and ensure the game is starting to download).

Without pausing the download first, shut down (exit) steam from the notification bar.

Leave the PC running, and at the allotted time, steam will be started and it should automatically continue the download it was doing.

The other way I've done it, when steam's been problematic in continuing the download upon opening at the scheduled time, is to setup a batch file to run the game itself and then have the batch file selected as the program to run (rather than steam). This second way doesn't work if the game wants you to acknowledge a CD Code, click continue on a preload screen or something first before recommencing the download. An example batch file would be (get the application number from the game shortcut properties):

D:
CD "\WinXP Programs\Steam\"
Steam.exe -applaunch 500

Occassionally, you get stuffed up because steam fails to open properly or something, so your download doesn't start, in which case I just edit the scheduled task to run the following night.

Hope this helps balance your bandwidth a bit more.
Click to expand...

Oh to be on a plan / ISP that doesn't have this peak/off-peak rubbish or a decent range of free local steam content hosting.

Mixa... · Oct 23, 2009

Top Work TI...I'd give you a bluey but I need to spread the love first

Thermal Ions · Oct 23, 2009

Mixa... said: ↑

Top Work TI...I'd give you a bluey but I need to spread the love first
Click to expand...

Well get to it then

Jigoku · Oct 23, 2009

If you haven't paused the preload (or any install for that matter) before closing down, then it should automatically resume when Steam restarts. The -applaunch option shouldn't be necessary.

Thermal Ions · Oct 23, 2009

MrWizard said: ↑

Pre-load Complete woohoo Im ready, now they just need to release the game early ... dreaming
Click to expand...

Don't worry too much, those who got it early AND got ripped off at retail can't play yet either.

You might be able to snag an early copy of the PC version of Borderlands from street-date ignorant vendors, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to play it.

Forum threads are popping up on Gearbox and publisher 2K Games’ forums from indignant fans who purchased the PC version of Borderlands at stores either accidentally or purposefully breaking the street date of October 27th, upset that the game won’t be playable until October 26th, even in single-player mode. One such purchaser, a Twitter user in Germany with the handle Crimvel, posted the following tweet to Gearbox:

I own a legal PC-copy of Borderlands, and we can’t even play the Singleplayer cause of the shitty Securom-protection

A few hours later, Gearbox responded:

The PC version won’t be playable until the 26th – your retailer broke the street date

Click to expand...

Snag An Early PC Copy Of Borderlands? Good Luck Playing It | Kotaku Australia

wHiTeRaSTa · Oct 24, 2009

Thermal Ions said: ↑

Had someone pm me to see how I'd scheduled install / pre-load for off-peak, so figured I may as well post it here too.

This uses the basic Windows XP system, but you can get 3rd party applications that may provide a cleaner interface or options for scheduling a start and stop time and maybe bandwidth limiting settings. I've never gone looking to any great degree.

Oh to be on a plan / ISP that doesn't have this peak/off-peak rubbish or a decent range of free local steam content hosting.
Click to expand...

Fantastic TI It works! Now to use my off peak every month...yeeeehaaaaaa

I'll rep you when it will allow it. Cheers.

Mixa... · Oct 24, 2009

ditto 100%

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Hmmm .... Borderlands Australia???

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