Error 1324 Invalid Character Program Files(x86) - Solution

for the 1324 error see the note about Steam below

Downloadable games are a great idea. However there are some problems. Especially with PCs.

I just got Metro 2033 from Gamersgate, thus far the experience has been horrible.

First the downloader just downloads to the directory in which you received the installer.
You have to move it to another directory ( possibly drive if you are using a small SSD ).

Next you will get this login with an awful flaw : changing fields using the mouse instead of the typical TAB key. Therefore you have to manually click the fields and the login button to advance.


Next you must install STEAM. This was causing me the error 1324 Invalid Character. To resolve the problem
- Start Menu -> Run -> regedit
Search "steam.exe" -> Delete the key -> F3 etc.
You must remove every single key with reference to steam.exe and the reference directory that Steam was originally installed.
Here are some more instructions from Steam

Exit Steam.
Navigate to your Steam directory. (Typically C:\Program Files\Steam or C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam
If you wish to save your game files for a future installation of Steam, copy your steamapps folder outside of your Steam directory.
Delete all of the contents of your Steam directory.
Go to Start > Run and type in regedit.
For 32-bit operating systems:
In the left-hand column of your registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Valve\.

Right-click on Valve and select Delete.

For 64-bit operating systems:
In the left-hand column of your registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Valve\.

Right-click on Valve and select Delete.
In the left-hand column of your registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Steam.
Right-click on Valve select Delete.
Close your Registry Editor.


After you manage to get Steam installed, you will then be required to enter the serial. It seems like all of this would have been easier with a game purchased in a retailer...

24/08/2011 update : I finally managed to get the game working. A 2.2GHz Dual Core CPU is not enough. My Nvidia Quadro FX 570M GPU is barely under any load. Steam will download other things for a couple hours.