You really should use the DayZ Commander because it makes the process so drop-dead simple, but incase you can't get it working for whatever reason or just like doing it the old-fashioned way, here is a quick step-by-step rundown of how to install the mod manually.
1.) Install the latest Arma II beta patch. Going forward you’ll need to manually keep an eye out for new versions or expect to run into issues finding servers.
2.) Download the DayZ Mod files, and decompress the .zip file into your C:\Program Files (x86)\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons . If you aren’t using the default directory for Steam you will need to modify the path accordingly.
3.) Open your Steam games list, Right Click Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead, and select Properties.
4.) Under the General tab, click Set Launch Options, and paste the following string into the box without the quotes. “-mod=@dayz”
5.) Open File Explorer and navigate to “C:\Program Files (x86)\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\”. Find the file named _runA2CO.cmd, Right Click and select Open With then Notepad. Depending on your version of Windows, you might also see an Edit option when you Right Click the file. This works just as well.
6.) Click Edit along the top, followed by Find. Search for “:run” , and add “;@dayz” to the part of the line where you see “mod=%_ARMA2PATH%;EXPANSION;ca”. Remember to ignore the quotation marks above. Close and save the file.
7.) Double click runA2CO_beta.cmd to run DayZ. You’ll only need to use this approach the first time. From now on you can launch via Steam by double clicking on Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead. Make sure you see the DayZ icon in the upper right.
8.) Click Multiplayer, and find a server that matches your version number. The filter options are much weaker than those found in DayZ Commander, so you might need to hunt around a bit to find a compatible host.
1.) Download the latest beta patch and double click to install.
2.) Download the DayZ Mod files, and decompress the .zip file into your C:\Program Files (x86)\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons . If you aren’t using the default directory for Arma II you will need to modify the path accordingly.
3.) Open File Explorer and navigate C:\Program Files (x86)\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead. \”. Find the file named _runA2CO_beta.cmd , Right Click and select Open With then Notepad. Depending on your version of Windows, you might also see an Edit option when you Right Click the file. This works just as well.
4.) Click Edit along the top, followed by Find. Search for “:run” , and add “;@dayz” to the part of the line where you see “mod=%_ARMA2PATH%;EXPANSION;ca”. Remember to ignore the quotation marks above. Close and save the file.
5.) Right Click runA2CO_beta.cmd , and select Create Shortcut. Move and rename your new shortcut to whatever works best for you, and go ahead and launch the game.
Click the next page for the troubleshooting section
Comments are closed on this article
RUSENSITIVESWEETNESS
October 13, 2012 at 4:20am
Not interested in hours of crawling through the grass in fear punctuated by one-shot kills. Besides, the graphics suck.
Bean Bandit
October 13, 2012 at 8:08pm
The only reason why the graphics suck is that the game is more wide open then most shooters and already uses a good amount of your gpu to display it.
It's just a mod and not the actual game.
p47riot
October 12, 2012 at 3:05pm
Wow! I have no idea what rock I've been under, but this mod looks AMAZING! I'm kicking myself now for not giving Arma 2 a look when it was part of the Steam Summer Sale for like $15. After reading your install guide and promptly checking out Youtube for some gameplay videos, I am DEFINITELY going to be checking DayZ out this weekend! I think you may have just identified my next addiction!
dgrmouse
October 12, 2012 at 1:36pm
Yeah, I'm going to download SteamDayZCommander from an unknown source and run it as admin to play a game that features twenty to thirty minutes of running around in virtual isolation followed by almost instant death and a game-over screen.
This is one of those games, like Minecraft, that just aren't fun for normal adults.
captainjack
October 14, 2012 at 3:05pm
Seems to me you just lack skill and creativity. Also, "normal adults"? That's just a cop out. Why not just say you're not interested and leave it at that?
Justin.Kerr
October 12, 2012 at 5:36pm
I can vouch for DayZ Commander. They ask so little and offer you so much :)
Bean Bandit
October 12, 2012 at 1:29pm
Actually the cheapest route if that's what your looking for is to do the Arma 2 Free + Operation Arrowhead = Cheaper and you can google search it to find it.
That's if you're just instrested in the mod DayZ
Justin.Kerr
October 12, 2012 at 3:14pm
I have added a note above since you are technically correct, but since the mod creators don't recommend it, I would advise going the combined ops route.
Bean Bandit
October 13, 2012 at 8:06pm
Yea notice they don't give a reason on why it's not recommended. I really comes down to the main game I believe and not just a mod. I'm sure they don't want people to use a free version of one of the games needed.
Samuel.Aldrich
October 12, 2012 at 12:31pm
Yea, I have been waiting to get into the Day-Z mod because it seemed a mess to get going. All my friends at work are into it so I think I will do it now.
Valor958
October 12, 2012 at 10:25am
I haven't played this yet, but have referred this article to a few friends who have experienced difficulty getting DayZ set up correctly. Very informative and detailed, and addressed Steam AND Retail.
Thanks!
jimmthang
October 12, 2012 at 10:30am
Why, thank you for the kind feedback, sir!
- Online Managing Editor Jimmy Thang
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