I bought a brand new EMPIRE : TOTAL WAR SPECIAL FORCES EDITION game. once i installed steam on to my computer ( took 2 days due to being in afghanistan ) i typed in the product code to register the game and it told me that this code is already in use. it would take more then a month to send it back and get a replacement, and another month and a half to get a new one here. is there any way of getting a new product code without having to go through this hassel???

You have another account with steam.Thats why its already activated.

Hi carey_beyle,

If you purchased this game you just have to install this game with the help of serial number which is mentioned on the box or cover.Before installation check your system configuration that it is fulfilling game requirements or not.

If you find this helpful please leave the comment.

Regards,
Sandy

Have you installed Steam in your computer?If not, maybe the game need steam to be installed in your computer before you can start playing the game. If you will need to download steam. Here is the LINK.

Did the game come with more than once disc? You may have tried inserting the wrong disc.  If that isn't the case, you may need to download a crack for the game. 
Go to this link:http://m0004.gamecopyworld.com/games/pc_sw_empire_at_war.shtml
And download the file that says "Empire at War: Forces of Corruption [MULTI] No-CD/Fixed Image"
Replace the .exe file in your game directory (normally C://Program Files/"game") with the one that the crack included.
Hopefully your game will run now!

Please try this it will work (hope so ) First u need to verify integrity of game cache

1. Load Steam
2. From the My Games tab, right-click on the game and select Properties from the menu.
3. Select the Local files tab and click the Verify integrity of game cache… button.
4. Steam will verify the game cache files (GCF’s) – this process may take several minutes.
5. Once the process is completed, the Check Window will automatically exit.
6. Run The Game

And if you want to play in offline mode, you simply make sure you are not connected to the internet, run the game and a box from the STEAM program will appear with a selection box with play in offline mode, click this and you away. Biggest problem is you will need to connect to the internet on a regular basis to log in to your steam account so steam can verify your login details, so therefore it is not totally offline, which for me is **** because i havent got the internet connection at the moment and i can no longer run the game in offline mode.

I hope this will sove your problem.

Try re-installing the game.
Hope this helps yoshicarats
If you need anymore help post a comment

they have a toll free number if im not mistaken

just validate your email add so you could start playing

Empire Total War is now with the Steam Platform. Install Steam first.

I have the same problem. Some DVD drives seem to have a problem with the protection on the Empire disc (and other games). Might have to do with this Securom/Windows thing.

But here is my solution
1. Install Steam
2. Make Steam install the game from the disc, using its local EXE.
i.e. run:
"C:\Program Files\Steam\Steam.exe" -install E:

See also this article
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?s=4202d524575809db8f3d3618a3bc8d21&ref=5357-FSQM-0382

Starting Steam.exe from your HDD rather than the setup.exe from the DVD bypasses this disc protection issue.

Alternatively, you can enter the CD-KEY in Steam and download the game from the Net.

Either way, Steam saved the day although everyone was complaining about using it for Empire