Hey guys - it's me sSpadE!

Now, I've read that with Steam you are able to play the game on a different computer (as long as you have already "connected" a game to that steam account) by downloading it.
A friend of mine would like to buy a "hard disk" copy but his PC has been playing silly lately and won't read anything.

I suggested 3 ideas (in order of best to not so best)

1. Get the game and maybe I can activate the game using HIS steam account on my house and therefor you are able to "download" it on your PC without the need for putting in the DVD.
2. Get it from Steam (He likes DVDs though).
3. Buy the "hard disk" and torrent the game installation and use the key as you connect it to Steam (not to advertise pirating of some sort because he still is going to buy the game for the key)

Now - is 1 possible or did I not comprehend the idea behind that function?

I'd suggest just letting him get it on his own Steam, as the DVD key will be linked to which ever account you apply it to, and you have to have Steam running in order to play the game. That, and the online portion of the game runs through Steamworks anyway, so it'll install and link your DVD key to a Steam account irrespective of whether he buys the DVD copy.

This. Simply click "Activate product on steam" and then type there his CD key on his PC with his STEAM account

Oh so are you guys saying, just enter his key and he will be able to download it?

Well, If your friend makes his own steam account and you buy a disk version of it you can then register the key from the disk on his account. I don't see why Steam wouldn't then allow him to just download it from the steam store afterwards. People do lose their game disks.

Yep that was the plan.

You owe us some turtles and cookies mister

:turtle: :turtle: :turtle:
<3 you all.

The PC version is Steam-only, and requires you to log in on a Steam account (with Brink activated on said account) in order to play at all.

Steam accounts can be used on any number of computers freely. The only catch is that, every time you log in on a yet unrecognised system, the Steam account owner will be sent a mail by Steam support. This mail will contain a (usually 4-digit) code. This code changes constantly, but it really isn't much of a hassle.

1. Once your friend obtains a disc copy of Brink, make sure he owns a Steam account, or just have him create one.
2. Have your friend log in on his Steam account, using your computer.
3. You should get an error, stating the system is unrecognised. Don't worry; simply have him log in on whatever he uses for mail, there should be an e-mail from Steam support (as mentioned earlier). Click "I have received the mail" on the error popup, and enter the code. Your friend should now have access to his Steam account, on your computer.
4. Pop in the Brink disc, enter the activation serial that came with it, and Brink should now be activated on your friend's Steam account.
5. In case you are planning to get Brink for PC yourself as well, feel free to install Brink. By doing so, you will save a lot of time when you install your own copy of Brink (especially if you purchase off Steam, as you'd have to download the game then).
6. Log out of your friend's Steam account.
7. Once your friend is home, he can log in on his Steam account, and download Brink. Note that, since his PC doesn't read discs properly, he will have to download the entire game, so this may take a while.
8. Once Brink finishes downloading and installing, your friend can play Brink. Note that Brink, or any other steam game, does not require a disc to run.

:wub:

Holy gwuak. That was as detailed as a human anatomy book. :turtle:
Thanks for the step by step!

No worries. If you need any further assistance on anything Steam-related, or about the human anatomy, feel free to ask.