DayZ

DayZ

Developer(s)	Dean "Rocket" Hall
Engine	Real Virtuality 3
First release date	Alpha January 21, 2012

Key points

DayZ is a modification for Arma 2 and its expansion Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead.

A standalone version has been announced, but is delayed and no release date announced.

DayZ Commander is highly recommended as the best one-stop program to install, update and browse DayZ servers - no other programs are required.

DayZ is in early open alpha stage, and is very unfriendly to install and run for new users, while many bugs, gameplay problems and rampant cheating persist.

General information

Original guide located on the DayZ Wiki.

DayZ Forum - official forum which the developer participates in and has the most active community.

Steam Forum for Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead - active DayZ discussion.

Availability

Requirements for DayZ
	Arma 2: Free	Arma 2	Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead
Arma 2: Combined Operations
Arma 2: Combined Operations Lite

@DayZ appearing means that the mod has loaded correctly.

DayZ requires Arma 2: Combined Operations, either in its full or Lite version.

Requirements can be fulfilled by any above combination of Steam, retail and digital distribution packs for Arma 2, Arma 2: Free and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead as long as each part has been run at least once before.

Arma 2: Combined Operations Lite

Arma 2: Free is downloadable via the Arma 2: Free site.

Recommended version if one solely wants to play DayZ for the cheapest price, as Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead is normally cheaper than Arma 2: Combined Operations.

5-15% performance increase due to lower resolution textures and audio.

No access to the main Arma 2 campaign content.

Installation

Manual installation of DayZ is relatively complex, with no official client or method of installing the mod easily.

Successful installations will show that when Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead is run, the @DayZ text will appear on the right of the menu screen.

DayZ Commander

DayZ Commander patching.

Launcher, mod updater, server browser, and friends listing.

Highly recommended as the most best way to patch and launch the game, as well as the only program which lists friends.

The only program that is required as long as your version of Arma 2: Combined Operations meets the requirements.

Support for installing any patch version including the beta patch.

Day Z Updater Tool (Worrom)

Screenshot of Day Z Updater Tool by Worrom.

This utility checks and downloads the latest version of the mod files, and is able to launch the game with the relevant parameters.

Latest version of Java is required.

This tool is a basic way to install, patch and launch the game.

Instructions • Link 1) Install Arma 2 or Arma 2: Free and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead. Note that Arma 2: Free must be activated on the Arma 2 website. 2) Download Day Z Updater Tool (Worrom) and install and run the program. This program can be installed anywhere. 3) When prompted, refer the tool to your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead folder. By default, this folder will be located at the following: Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\ Retail / digital distribution: C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ARMA 2 Operation Arrowhead\ 4) The game can be run by pressing the 'run' button on the utility.

Installer Unable To Detect Game Folder

This error is most likely caused by incorrectly inputting the location of your Operation Arrowhead folder.

Instructions • Link 1) Check the spelling and location of the file path you have inputted, and ensure you seperate folders using a backwards slash "\" rather than a forwards slash "/". 2) Remove any extra spaces left after the file path, and end the file path with a single backwards slash.

Six Updater

This program can install, patch and launch DayZ.

The officially supported method of installation listed on the DayZ website.

Supports other Arma 2 mods.

Six Updater has unnecessary features for those who only want to play DayZ. In which case, the DayZ Commander or Day Z Updater Tool (Worrom) is recommended.

Instructions • Link 1) Install Arma 2 or Arma 2: Free and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead. Note that Arma 2: Free must be activated on the Arma 2 website. 2) Download and install Six Updater. 3) Run the program and navigate to the options menu, ensuring the target path for the Operation Arrowhead main folder is correct. Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\ Retail / digital distribution: C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ARMA 2 Operation Arrowhead\ 4) It should say at the bottom of the tab that you have installed Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead (Combined Operations). If not, check your installation is correct. 5) Navigate to the 'Preset' tab in the topmost menu, before creating a 'New Preset' called it 'DayZ'. 6) Next click the 'Mods' tab at the top and search for '@DayZ'. 7) Right click the DayZ mod in the search results and click 'Add to Preset'. 8) Finally click on the 'Home' tab before selecting 'Install or Update Mods'. This will automatically download and install the latest version of the DayZ mod. 9) To run the game with the mod, launch Six Updater and select 'Launch the Game' each time.

Manual Install

Manual installation does not support automatic updating.

Prerequisites • Link 1) Download the DayZ mod files. 2) Navigate to Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead directory, located at the following: Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\ Retail / digital distribution: C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ARMA 2 Operation Arrowhead\ 3) Create the folders \@DayZ\Addons\ in your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead folder. 4) Extract the DayZ mod files zip folder to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons\ Retail / digital distribution: C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ARMA 2 Operation Arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons\

Steam • Link right click on Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead select 'Properties' 'Set Launch Options' add:-mod=@dayz -nosplash to the target line and click 'OK' load Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead via Steam and select "Launch ARMA 2: Combined Operations" in the pop-up to play DayZ. Retail • Link edit shortcut in the Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead folder. add -mod=@dayz -nosplash without quotes to the target line.

Beta Patch

Many servers require the use of the beta patch.

The beta patch is backwards compatible, so one can play on beta and non-beta servers.

Instructions • Link If you have previous beta patches it's suggested to uninstall them before installing a newer version. One can also try deleting beta subdirectory inside Arma 2 folder manually. 1) Download and install beta patch from the Arma 2 site - the latest patch is in the green field top of page). 2) Go to the Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead directory: Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\ Retail / digital distribution: C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ARMA 2 Operation Arrowhead\ 3) Right-click on shortcut "Launch Arma2 OA Beta Patch". Add -mod=@dayz without quotes to the target line. 4) Run "Launch Arma2 OA Beta Patch".

Target Line Parameters

A list of acceptable parameters you can add to the target line is available on the Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki.

Issues fixed

General Issues

Graphical Glitches And Artifacts

Several potential issues can cause large scale graphical glitches and missing textures.

Verify Integrity Or Change Graphics Settings • Link Steam • Link If you are using the Steam version of the game, right click on it and select 'Properties' before selecting 'Verify Integrity of Game Cache'. This will result in Steam scanning the game folder for any missing files which could potentially result in graphical errors. Retail • Link Alternatively, if this does not work or you are using the retail version of the game, attempt to lower or raise the in-game graphics settings.

Microphone Skipping Issues

Install Beta • Link Installing the Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead beta may fix these problems.

Game Lags Or Stutters Every Few Seconds

This issue may be from having too many background programs running.

Disable Services • Link 1) Win+R and run msconfig. 2) On the General tab, click selective startup. 3) Under selective startup click to clear the Load Startup Items check box. 4) Click the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All. Then find the steam service and click its check box as you will need it. 5) Click OK. 6) When prompted, click restart computer. 7) After the computer restarts, open the program and see whether the problem is fixed.

Error Messages

'Arma 2 has stopped working'

Error message on startup.

Verify Integrity of Game Cache • Link 1) Right click on the game and select 'Properties' before selecting 'Verify Integrity of Game Cache'. OR 2) Uninstall DayZ if the error persists. Try re-installing the most up-to-date version of DayZ.

'Downloadable content that has been deleted.chernarus'

Other error messages:

"Addon 'dayz_code' requires addon 'CABuildingParts'"

"No entry 'bin\Config.bin/cfgVehicles/Citizen1.scope'"

"You cannot play/edit this mission; it is dependent on downloadable content that has been deleted.chernarus"

Move Addons Folder • Link Move \Addons\ folder from the Arma 2 folder to the Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead Folder.

Constant 'Waiting for Server Response' Or 'Receiving Data'

This issue is caused by large server load, and will resolve itself over time.

If it does not resolve itself, attempt these fixes:

Reinstall • Link Steam • Link Steam users, launch Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead via Steam and select 'Reinstall Battleye Anti-Cheat'. Retail • Link Retail users can find the latest version of the client here. Then install the client to the folder \BattlEye\ at the following location: C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead\Expansion\BattlEye OR If this produces no results, try redownloading all relevant DayZ files and re-installing them, ensuring the latest version is installed. OR If this again fails to solve the problem, attempt a fresh install of Arma 2, Operation Arrowhead and DayZ.

'You cannot play/edit this mission ... .cherarus'

Caused by attempting to connect to DayZ servers from within Operation Arrowhead, rather than launching the game as Combined Operations.

Restart Game In Combined Operations • Link Restart the game as Combined Operations to fix this issue.

'You cannot play/edit this mission ... .dayz_code, ...'

This error will occur if the mod was installed incorrectly, or if the shortcut has the wrong appendage to the target line.

Target Line • Link Ensure that the target line ends in -mod=@dayz and that the DayZ mod files are installed correctly.

'missing CBA_Main'

This error is generally harmless and should not impact the game itself. Simply click OK and play as normal.

'No Entry 'bin\config.bin\CfgVehicles\'

This error is generally harmless and should not impact the game itself. Simply click OK and play as normal.

'Arma 2 is not installed on your computer or installation is corrupted'

Caused by install folder being moved from original location, or exe file being renamed.

Regedit • Link 1) Open regedit. 2) Regedit filepath in main in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Bohemia Interactive Studio\ArmA 2\

'Bad serial number'

Common issue with base game Arma 2 on Steam.

Verify Integrity Of Cache • Link 1) From the Library section, right-click on the game and select Properties from the menu. 2) Select the Local files tab and click the Verify integrity of game cache... button. 3) Steam will verify the game's files - this process may take several minutes. 4) If you are using 6 Launcher, Run and Exit ARMA 2 first. 5) Commence looting Northern Airfield!

Windows Vista Fix • Link 1) Exit from Steam. 2) Right click the Steam.exe from C:\Program Files\Steam\ or your default location and choose the "Run as Administrator" option to launch Steam. The option may not work with a Desktop shortcut to Steam so be sure to use the direct Steam.exe.