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.[1]
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
@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.[2]
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Installer unable to detect installation folder
- This error is most likely caused by incorrectly inputting the location of your Operation Arrowhead folder.[3]
- This program can install, patch and launch DayZ.
- The officially supported method of installation listed on the DayZ website.[4]
- 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.
Manual Install
- Manual installation does not support automatic updating.
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.
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.
Microphone Skipping Issues
Game Lags Or Stutters Every Few Seconds
- This issue may be from having too many background programs running.
Error Messages
'Arma 2 has stopped working'
- Error message on startup.
- If this doesn't work, you may alternatively:
'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"
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:
'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.
'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.
'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.
'Bad serial number'
- Common issue with base game Arma 2 on Steam.[5][6]
References