maybe the sticky title should be changed to a title like "1.2.2/1.2.3 Setup Problems" so people get the title and question answered quickly rather then having heaps of threads about it , i'd say this is about the 10th time this week this sorta answer has been given a question too ?
1.Install half-life on steam. Register it through Steam by clicking on Browse Games and go to register a game i already own , type in your Half-life cd-key and that let steam gather the nessacary files for half-life
2.If this is the first time you are running half-life , run the half-life hazard course
3.Install esf to your steam\Steam Apps\Account name\half-life.
4. (if using an older installer) the current version of esf is version 1.2.3 , let's say you use an older installer such as 1.2 full , ontop of that you will have to install patches in their ascending order (in this case 1.2.1 > 1.2.2 & then 1.2.3)
I really think though that the stickies this is based on should add a hint because people always ask for help going "PLZ HELP ME ESF WON'T INSTALL
" when a little hint in the title could give them the message that this is the answer to their problem