You can now play by creating a server by typing commands in console after you open the game.
Edit: Added a how-to on Updating to the latest version. See below the guide.First of all you will need to have L4D downloaded already, and a patched/cracked steam. Next you'll need the
L4D_Online.11.30.2008.rar from a link below and extract it to
steamapps\common\left 4 dead replacing everything it asks.
L4D_Online.11.30.2008.rar http://www.sendspace.com/file/34ihtgMirror :
http://www.badongo.com/file/12292624To host a local host server, follow these instructions :1. Open L4D with the provided
Left 4 Dead.bat (If you applied the files correctly it will be in
steamapps\common\left 4 dead)
2. Make sure you have port 27015 open, as this is the port everyone will connect to you by (To check your port visit
http://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/open-ports/)
3. Most of the commands to run a server will be already done with the
Left 4 Dead.bat so all you need to do is open console and type "map (map name)" and it will load.
4. Join to a irc chat (Or another means of communication) and post your I.P in this format: connect XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX:27015 (Go to
http://www.whatismyip.com to find out your I.P)
5. Optional: To change the difficulty open console while the sever has been made and type "z_difficulty (The mode you want)"
To Host a Dedicated Server, follow these Instructions :1. Download Left 4 dead Dedicated server from steam with a cracked steam.
2. Edit server.cfg to your liking before running the server. Located in
steamapps\common\left 4 dead\left4dead\cfg.
3. Make sure you have port 27015 open, as this is the port everyone will connect to you by (To check your port visit
http://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/open-ports/)
4. Open L4D dedicated server by launching
srcds.exe (Located in
steamapps\common\left 4 dead)
5. Join to a irc chat (Or another means of communication) and post your I.P in this format: connect XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX:27015 (Go to
http://www.whatismyip.com to find out your I.P)
6. Optional: To change the difficulty, type "z_difficulty (The mode you want)" in the Console tab. To change the map, type "changelevel (map name)"
To join a game, follow these instructions :1. Join a IRC channel, or another means of communication
2. Wait for someone to post their connect info.
3. Once you've gotten that info, start L4D with
Left 4 Dead.bat and copy and paste the connect info into your console and you'll join.
4. Optional: Add all the cracked servers to your favorites by typing "openserverbrowser" in console and clicking add under favorites. Use this for ease of finding servers to play on.
Basically the biggest problem for this method I've found is that once the campaign is done, the server will disconnect everyone to bypass the lobby. Simply just rejoin to the server to continue playing. There are other problems to be explored, but this is what I noticed so far.
Updating L4D for December 5th (2nd) patch1. Download CF Toolbox from here
http://cs.rin.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=467242. Once installed, open it, and select the Preferences tab. Beside
Folders click
... for both
CGF / NCF and
OutPut and navigate both to your
\steamapps folder.
3. Select the
GCF/NCF Files tab, and you should see a list of your .NCF files (If it doesn't appear, try closing and reopening toolbox).
4. Right click each of the follow files:
left 4 dead base.ncf;
left 4 dead binaries.ncf;
left4dead win32 dedicated server.ncf and select
Download >
Resume. The Dedicated server.ncf will only update to 99.96%, don't worry this is normal and fine.
5. Download the package from one of the links below that will update your
left 4 dead client binary.ncf and your
engine.dll.
6. Extract the files to your
\steamapps folder. After this, you should be able to play.
L4DClientV3_Engine.rarhttp://www.sendspace.com/file/5xhr5bMirror :
http://www.badongo.com/file/12371148To join/add servers, and find players:To find and add dedicated servers visit
http://l4d-free.tk/. I highly suggest following the guide on how to use HLSW (A powerful game server browser) It'll make your life a lot easier.
For finding players or posting your connect info, join
#L4D-Free on
QuakeNet.org.
If you experience any problems, please PM me or reply to this thread with the following:
1. What is the problem?
2. How often does this occur?
3. What
engine.dll are you using? (Please state if you're not using a
engine.dll that I did not post)
For your safety make sure you use a blank account, as there is a possibility of that account being disabled.Special thanks to csmania for the Dedicated Server files. Wickeddd for the !ip script, and all the people hosting dedicated servers.[/b]