How to Install Call of Duty 4 on a PC

The first in the series to feature a modern theatre, "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" is a military-based shooter game based on modern weapons and conditions. Unlike previous "Call of Duty" titles where the games were split into multiple story sequences, "Call of Duty 4" is based completely on a single storyline involving terrorists and nuclear weapons. Multiple venues are available to purchase and install on a PC.

DVD-ROM

Insert disc 1 in the DVD drive on your computer. The installation file should automatically load. If it does not load, click “Start” and “Computer," and double-click your DVD drive icon to start the program.

Click the “Install” button. This takes you to a license-agreement screen. Agree to the terms of the license and click the “Next” button.

Click the “Next” button at the bottom of the “Welcome to Setup” screen. If you want to change the location the game will install to, click the “Browse” button to choose a new location. This brings you to the “Install Punkbuster (optional)” screen. This anti-cheat utility is necessary for playing on most multi-player servers. Choose whether you want this utility and then click “Install.”

Insert Disc 2 into the DVD drive when prompted and click the “Continue” or “Retry” button to continue installing.

Click the “Finish” button on the “Installation Complete” dialog. Double-click the shortcut on your desktop to launch the game.

Direct2Drive

Navigate to the Direct2Drive website (see Resources). Click the “Sign In” link at the top to login or create an account.

Type “Call of Duty 4” in the “Search" box at the top of the page. Click the magnifying-glass icon to initiate the search

Click “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” in the results list. This loads the purchase page for Call of Duty 4. Click the “Buy” button and follow the instructions to make a payment. After successful payment you are taken to the game download page. This page also includes your serial key and other information specific to the game.

Click the “Download” button to download the game after purchase. This will launch the “Direct2Drive Download” utility. If you do not have the Direct2Drive Game Manager Tool, you will be redirected to download that utility first. The utility will notify you when the download has completed.

Press the “Install” button. Click the “Next” button on the “Welcome to Setup” screen. This brings you to the “Install Punkbuster (optional)” screen. This anti-cheat utility is necessary for playing on most multi-player servers. Choose whether you want this utility and then click “Install.”

Double-click the shortcut on your desktop to launch the game.

Steam

Visit the Steam store (see Resources).

Click the “Login” link at the top to sign in or create an account.

Type “Call of Duty 4” in the “Search the Store” box at the top of the page. This brings you to the “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” game page.

Click the green “Add to Cart” button. This takes you to the purchase page. Enter your payment information. The game download is sent to the Steam client after purchase. If you do not have the Steam client click the green “Install Steam” button.

Click “Library” on the Steam client. This loads a list of games and media in the left pane. Click “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.” This loads the information for the game in the center window. Click the “Play” button to launch the game.