Okay, so three days after release, Steam finally let me log in so I could validate the game.

I launched the installer from the DVD, and it requested the CD-Key - so far so good - which it accepted and asked me if I'd like to print a receipt.

Then Steam produced a bar labelled "preparing fallout: new vegas files for install", which got full...and then just hung there. Tried restarting the computer again, same thing. The bar fills up, but it doesn't move on to the next step.

I tried installing the game with Steam in offline mode, and it won't let me do that - says it needs to be in online mode to install.

Since I've already validated the purchase, shouldn't I be able to just install it from the disc, not through Steam's internet connection?

It does install it through disc. If you read the menu when it's installing it says installing from Disc. It needs to be connected to steam to validate it and put it on your account...I guess.

It doesn't say anything about installing from the disc, no. And it already accepted the validation.

What the heck. I restarted my computer and tried again, and it asked for the CD-Key again, which I entered again. I got a message saying I didn't need to re-enter the key, that it was already validated and I could start my install from the Library menu...but New Vegas isn't listed in my library.

And all this because of a third-party program that doesn't add any significant functionality. I'm going to try to return this game tomorrow, and never buying from Bethesda again.

Go to Library and make sure you have "Show - All games" on so it shows all your games, even the ones not installed.
If its not there then man that s**ks. Worst part is you cant return it, you already validated its cd key onto a steam account.

Yep, it is showing all games. No New Vegas, though.