The Steam version of Bioshock 2 requires a 2-part activation process. When launching Bioshock 2 for the first time, Steam will supply a small gray pop-up window with a code. This same code acts as both the Serial Number for SecuROM activation, and the product key for Games for Windows Live activation.
To simplify the process, when Steam give you the product Key pop-up, click "Copy to Clipboard" and then click "Launch Game".
Before the game launches, you will see a Securom pop-up screen. Place the cursor in the "Serial Number" field, and type Ctrl+V on your keyboard to paste the key into the field. Alternatively, you can type the key into the field.
Click next, and the game should launch.
Upon launching the game, you should gat a overlay pop-up from Games for Windows Live with 5 fields for a product key activation. Again, place the cursor in the first field, press CTRL+V on the keyboard for paste, and the key should be entered on the screen. Press Activate.
Games for Windows Live may require an update. Click Yes to update.
If the progress bar is not moving, press Alt+Tab to return to the desktop. Windows Firewall may be blocking the download. Press "allow" and then return to the game.
Once the download has completed, you must exit the game, and the go through the GFWL installation screen to complete the update installation. Once this is complete, relaunch Bioshock 2 and it should be ready to play. Normally it will relaunch automatically once the installation is complete.
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To simplify the process, when Steam give you the product Key pop-up, click "Copy to Clipboard" and then click "Launch Game".
Before the game launches, you will see a Securom pop-up screen. Place the cursor in the "Serial Number" field, and type Ctrl+V on your keyboard to paste the key into the field. Alternatively, you can type the key into the field.
Click next, and the game should launch.
Upon launching the game, you should gat a overlay pop-up from Games for Windows Live with 5 fields for a product key activation. Again, place the cursor in the first field, press CTRL+V on the keyboard for paste, and the key should be entered on the screen. Press Activate.
Games for Windows Live may require an update. Click Yes to update.
If the progress bar is not moving, press Alt+Tab to return to the desktop. Windows Firewall may be blocking the download. Press "allow" and then return to the game.
Once the download has completed, you must exit the game, and the go through the GFWL installation screen to complete the update installation. Once this is complete, relaunch Bioshock 2 and it should be ready to play. Normally it will relaunch automatically once the installation is complete.
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There has been some confusion about the difference between the "Serial Number", and the "Activation Key". These are just two separate terms meaning the same thing. With product activation, an Activation Key,
Activation Code, a Product Code, or a Serial Number, all mean the same thing.
Activation Code, a Product Code, or a Serial Number, all mean the same thing.