DayZ (mod)
A guide how to install the popular DayZ mod for Arma2
What do i need to play this mod?
- Arma 2: Combined Operations (Arma II + Operation Arrowhead) http://www.arma2.com/shops/index_en.html#a2co
- DayZ Mod Files http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/
- Balls
DayZ install tool (worrom)
This program will automatically download and install the latest version of DayZ Mod for you. You don't have to copy or extract anything.
- Download the Updater from http://www.worrom.com/
- Point at at your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead folder.
- Steam
- Go to Steam and right click Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead, go to 'Properties', 'Set Launch Options', add "-mod=@dayz -nosplash" without quotes in the target line.
- Retail
- Go to the Arma2:OA main directory and right-click on "Arma2OA.exe" and add "-mod=@dayz -nosplash" without quotes to the target line.
DayZ Install Tool thread: http://dayzmod.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2001
Steam installation
- Download both ARMA 2 and ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead through Steam.
- Run the game once before proceeding.
- Download DayZ Mod files. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/
- Make a folder named "@DayZ" in your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead directory.
- Inside "@DayZ" folder create another folder named "Addons". It should look like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons
- Unpack all DayZ Mod files in the "Addons" folder.
- Go to Steam and right click Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead, go to 'Properties', 'Set Launch Options', add "-mod=@dayz -nosplash" without quotes in the target line and click OK. You can find other launch options, like windowed mode here: http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma2:_Startup_Parameters
- Run Operation Arrowhead and select "Launch ARMA 2: Combined Operations" to play the game.
If everything is installed correctly you should see "@dayz" line under "ArmA 2" on the right side of the menu screen.
Use the filter to find DayZ servers.
Non-Steam installation
Six-Updater (automatic)
- Download and install Six-Updater from http://www.six-updater.net/
- Go to options and make sure the target path for Operation Arrowhead main folder and mod folder is correct.
- It should say at the bottom that you have A2 Operation Arrowhead (Combined Operations) installed.
- Create a 'New Preset' from the 'Preset' tab in the top menu. You can name it 'DayZ'
- Click the 'Mods' tab in the main window. In the searchbox type in '@DayZ'.
- Right click the DayZ mod in the browser window and 'add to preset'.
- Click on 'Home' tab and 'Install or Update mods'. It will automacitally download the latest version of the mod for you.
- To run the game click on 'Launch the game' through Six-Updater.
Manual install
- Download DayZ Mod files. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/
- Make a folder named "@DayZ" in your Arma2 folder
- Inside "@DayZ" folder create another folder named "Addons".
- Unpack all DayZ Mod files in the "Addons" folder.
- Make a shortcut to your ARMA2 exe file and add "-nosplash -mod=@dayz" without quotes in the target line so it looks like this "C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\arma2OA.exe" -noSplash -mod=@dayz
- Click the shortcut to start ARMA2 with Dayz enabled
If everything is installed correctly you should see "@dayz" line under "ArmA 2" on the right side of the menu screen.
Use the filter to find DayZ servers.
Mixed copy (Retail + Steam)
- Make sure you install the latest patch for the retail version from http://www.arma2.com/supply/game-updates Then follow the STEAM/NON-STEAM INSTALLATION guide.
ARMA2:FREE + ARMA2:OA
It is possible to use the free version (not the demo) of ARMA2 and combine it with ARMA2: Operation Arrowhead to create ARMA2: Combined Operations Lite and use it to play DayZ.
Steam
- Download both ARMA 2: Free and ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead through Steam.
- Run the game once before proceeding.
- Download DayZ Mod files. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/
- Make a folder named "@DayZ" in your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead directory.
- Inside "@DayZ" folder create another folder named "Addons". It should look like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons
- Unpack all DayZ Mod files in the "Addons" folder.
- Create a new shortcut to arma2oa.exe. It should look like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\arma2oa.exe
- Add behind the target: "-mod=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 free;Expansion;@DayZ -nosplash"
- Run the game from this shortcut
If everything is installed correctly you should see "ArmA 2 Free" (or "ArmA 2 Demo"), "ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead" and "@dayz" on the right side of the menu screen.
Retail
- Install ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead
- Dowload and install ARMA 2: Free from http://www.arma2.com/free
- Retrieve a CD Key from http://free.arma2.com/activation/
- Download DayZ Mod files. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/
- Make a folder named "@DayZ" in your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead directory.
- Inside "@DayZ" folder create another folder named "Addons". It should look like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons
- Unpack all DayZ Mod files in the "Addons" folder.
- Create a new shortcut to arma2oa.exe. It should look like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead\arma2oa.exe
- Add behind the target: "-mod=C:\Program Files (x86)\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Free;Expansion;@DayZ -nosplash"
- Run the game from this shortcut
If everything is installed correctly you should see "ArmA 2 Free" (or "ArmA 2 Demo"), "ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead" and "@dayz" on the right side of the menu screen.
ARMA2 Beta patch (optional)
Beta patch is backwards compatible, so you can still play on non-beta servers.
If you have previous beta patches it's suggested to unistall them before installing a newer version. You can also try deleting beta subdirectory inside ARMA 2 folder manually.
- Download and install beta patch from http://www.arma2.com/beta-patch.php (Latest patch is in the green field top of page)
- Go to the Arma2:OA main directory and right-click on shortcut "Launch Arma2 OA Beta Patch". Add "-mod=@dayz" without quotes to the target line.
- Run "Launch Arma2 OA Beta Patch" and enjoy playing!
Common errors
I get 'You cannot play/edit this mission, it is dependent on downloadable content that has been deleted.dayz_code, dayz_weapons, dayz_equip etc.'upon joining any DayZ server
- You installed the mod or the shortcut incorrectly. Make sure you add "-mod=@dayz" without quotes in the launch options and DayZ mod files are installed in the proper folder. By default: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons"
I am stuck at "Waiting for server response" or "Waiting for character to create" or "Receiving Data"
- Servers are simply being overloaded, wait a litte or try another server. If nothing works try below.
- Launch Operation Arrowhead from steam and select the option to re-install BattlEye Anti-Cheat client. If you are using retail download the latest version form http://www.battleye.com/download.html and put it in a folder named "BattlEye" in the "Expansion" folder of your Arma2:OA main directory.
- Redownload DayZ mod files and make sure you have the latest version. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/
- If nothing works try reinstalling both Arma2 and OA.
- Note: Frequent connections and disconnections on a server compound this problem. Please try to be patient before switching to another server.
I get "You can not play/edit this mission; it is dependent on downloadable content that has been deleted.cherarus" when trying to join any server
- Make sure you launch the game as 'Combined Operations' and NOT 'Operation Arrowhead' when launching from STEAM.
Invisible objects, missing textures etc.
- Right click ARMA 2 in STEAM - 'Properties' - 'Local Files' - 'Verify integrity of game cache'.
- Try changing your ingame video settings.
I get other weird graphic artifacts ingame that block my screen
- Known bug, it occurs on the barbed wire fences that players can build and should be fixed in the next patch. You can try changing your ingame video settings as a temporary fix.
How do I change my FOV (Field of View)?
- See this thread: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?100235-Setting-up-your-FOV
I get 'ARMA2 stopped working' error on launch
- Right click ARMA 2 in STEAM - 'Properties' - 'Local Files' - 'Verify integrity of game cache'.
- Redownload and make sure you are using the latest version of DayZ mod files.
- Try launching the game without DayZ mod, see if it works. If it does reinstall DayZ mod files.
- Try installing the latest beta patch (see above).
I can't use Direct Chat ingame. Mic is stuttering
- Known bug. You can install the latest beta patch for Arma2:OA (see above) or wait for the official fix.
I get "No entry 'bin\config.bin\CfgVehicles\'" or similar pop-up error message when launching the game or playing on a server
- Ignore it. It won't affect your game.
I get 'missing CBA_Main' when joining a server
- Ignore it. It won't affect your game.
Most information in this guide is copied from here: [1] Thanks to Skyrayfox