DayZ (mod)

DayZ (mod)

Developers   Dean "Rocket" Hall

Engines   Real Virtuality 3

Release dates Windows January 21, 2012

DayZ

DayZ (mod)	2012
DayZ	2016

This page is for the ARMA II mod. For the stand-alone title, see DayZ.

Key points

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

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 Community Discussions

Steam Users' Forums 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 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 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. Download Day Z Updater Tool (Worrom) and install and run the program. This program can be installed anywhere. 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/non-Steam digital distribution: C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ARMA 2 Operation Arrowhead\ The game can be run by pressing the 'run' button on the utility.

Installer unable to detect installation folder

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

Instructions 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 "/". 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 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. Download and install Six Updater. Run the program and navigate to the options menu, ensuring the target path for the Operation Arrowhead installation folder is correct. Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\ Retail/non-Steam digital distribution: C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ARMA 2 Operation Arrowhead\ 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. Navigate to the 'Preset' tab in the topmost menu, before creating a 'New Preset' called it 'DayZ'. Next click the 'Mods' tab at the top and search for '@DayZ'. Right click the DayZ mod in the search results and click 'Add to Preset'. 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. 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.

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

Steam version Find Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead in your Steam Library Right-click the game name Select Properties Select Set Launch Options... Input -mod=@dayz -nosplash Press OK Launch ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead when asked by the pop-up to play DayZ.  Retail version Edit shortcut in the Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead folder. Add -mod=@dayz -nosplash 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 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. Download and install beta patch from the Arma 2 site - the latest patch is in the green field top of page). Go to the Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead folder: Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\ Retail/ non-Steam digital distribution: C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ARMA 2 Operation Arrowhead\ Right-click on shortcut "Launch Arma2 OA Beta Patch". Add -mod=@dayz to the end of the Target. 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.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type	Native	Notes
LAN play
Online play

Connection types

Type	Native	Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

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  Steam version This problem is usually caused by corrupted files, verifying your game cache should fix it, note that this is only for the Steam version of ARMA 2. Find ARMA 2 in your Steam Library Right-click the game name Select Properties Navigate to the Local Files tab Select Verify Integrity of Game Cache... This may take a while, just wait for it to finish Once it's done press OK Launch the game  Retail version 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 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 Press ⊞ Win+R and run msconfig. On the General tab, click selective startup. Under selective startup click to clear the Load Startup Items check box. 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. Click OK. When prompted, restart computer. 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 Your Game Cache Find ARMA 2 in your Steam Library Right-click the game name Select Properties Navigate to the Local Files tab Select Verify Integrity of Game Cache... This may take a while, just wait for it to finish Once it's done press OK Launch the game

If this doesn't work, you may alternatively:

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 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  Steam Launch Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead via Steam Select 'Reinstall Battleye Anti-Cheat'.  Retail Retail users can find the latest version of the client here. Then install the client to the folder \BattlEye\, located at C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead\Expansion\BattlEye Alternatively: Re-download all relevant DayZ files Re-install said files If this also doesn't work, you can use this alternative: Uninstall and re-installing the most up-to-date version of DayZ all three games, Arma 2, Operating 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

'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 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 Open regedit. 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 Your Game Cache Find ARMA 2 in your Steam Library Right-click the game name Select Properties Navigate to the Local Files tab Select Verify Integrity of Game Cache... This may take a while, just wait for it to finish Once it's done press OK If you're using 6 Launcher, run and exit ARMA 2 first. Launch the game

Windows Vista Fix Close Steam. Right click the Steam.exe from C:\Program Files (x86)\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.