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Wednesday 23 May 2012

DayZ - How to get on a server


DayZ has gone from unknown to massively popular in a very short time and there aren't many servers, so it can be quite tricky to get on one and it's hard to know exactly what to do to ensure success.

Once you've read this article, there's also:
How to install DayZ (with ArmA 2 Free, Operation Arrowhead or Combined Ops)
How to play
How to stay alive for more than five minutes
DayZ offline single player / practice / training / (not really) cheating

The developers of DayZ have to approve all new servers and they've been inundated with offers recently, but have still only approved a few. The servers all communicate with a central database which means that your inventory and location remain consistent across servers - switch to another and you'll have the same kit and be in the same place. The lack of servers can mean it takes a long time to find one that you can actually join, so be patient - it is worth it.

It may seem a little odd to have all the game servers need approval but this is in order to prevent abuse. There's already been one server where the admins hacked in weapons that aren't supposed to be in DayZ and there was a case of another where players were being kicked just for killing the admin or any of his friends. So a tight rein is being kept on all servers to make sure they're fair and consistent for all. Servers are required to have SQL installed as, in the future, they will be running their own localised databases.

So how do you get on a server? More after the jump...





This is the main menu screen. If you haven't created a profile, do so now. The username you choose will be the one that appears in-game. If two players have the same username, a number will be appended. With profile created, click on the Multiplayer button and it'll take you to the server screen.


Okay so here's the list of servers. You'll find that there are loads of them, but most are actually running ArmA 2 and not DayZ. So here's what you need to do to only see DayZ servers.


Click the Filter button down at the bottom and this little box pops up. Down at the Mission box, type in DayZ (with the correct capitalisation). You should make sure that Expansions box is set to Show. You can also set it to hide full servers if you want to narrow the list down a bit.


Have a look at the list of server names. You can click where it says Host at the top to have the servers sorted by name. The servers are all named according to their (rough) location. UK servers are in the UK, NY servers are in New York, etc. It's not a great idea to try and join a far off server with a high ping and many servers will kick you above a certain ping level.

Also note that servers run in real time. There's 16 hours or so of daylight and 8 hours of darkness so you'll have to try to judge which servers are likely to be dark. What with resets and stuff, servers don't accurately track the local time, but they do tend to be around that by default. Also notice that some servers have a little key icon which means they're passworded (and you won't know the password). Some servers may also have a little padlock which means they're locked ad you can't get on - this is normally when a server has had to be reset or has crashed and they're preventing players from hammering it whilst it restarts.


The server's status will show if it's up and running. Anything other than Playing will not work for you. Look along the list and you'll see the number of players on a particular server. The default maximum is 50, but some are less than this and some are a bit more. If you see only a handful of people on a server, chances are it's crashed (and some player names are stuck on there) or it's night-time. And the night is very, very dark (you might not be able to tell the sky from the ground) and turning up the brightness on your monitor or in the game settings isn't likely to help very much at all.

Servers with a high number of players on them are very likely to be daylight and more players equals more potential enemies (or friends). Servers with a medium amount of players are either likely to have just restarted or to have a number of player who actually like night-time.

Although you might care about your ping in most games, it really doesn't matter too much here. Servers with a green ping are preferable, but an orange coloured ping won't be noticeable. If it's red, you're not going to be able to connect anyway. Some servers have a ping limit and you'll be kicked if you exceed it - not immediately though (you'll get on for a minute or two).

When you've chosen a server, take note of the name - it won't be mentioned again and if you want your friends to join you, you'll need to be able to tell them the name.

When you've chosen a server either double click on it or click on the Join button.


This screen will pop up next. You'll see a list of all the player on the server. At this point you don't need to worry about whether you're able to get on or not, you're now counted as having joined the server, even though you haven't actually spawned in.

Once you're ready, click the OK button in the bottom right. You're not going to need to click anything else to get on the server now so don't try to click anything else on the screens that follow.


Don't get too excited by this screen. There aren't any tanks and APCs in the game.


When you see this screen, it might look like things have gone wrong and you've been dumped back to the lobby and that you need to click other buttons. You don't. Everything is fine and it's progressing normally. The Receiving data bar in middle of the screen may stick for a while, but bear with it. If it hasn't moved within a minute or two, things are broken and you'll have to press Escape and quit out.


This is the screen you're most likely to get stuck on. The Waiting for server response message might be up for a while. When you're waiting here, you'll be able to see message from other players. Green ones like that RETURN TO FORMATION one are a part of ArmA 2's comms system and nothing to do with DayZ - people like to press those buttons whilst they're waiting. Sigh. Take note of the messages to see if any of them are from players within the game talking to each other. If you don't see anyone talking like they're actually in-game, then chances are the server isn't loading.

You might be stuck at this screen for quite a while. Generally you won't be here for any more than a couple of minutes at worst.

Also take note of that little yellow broken chain icon. I don't actually know what it means specifically, but it seems to relate to the server losing communication with your game client, but it's not a big deal. There's a red one as well, but it's equally harmless. The server passes your save data to the database every minute or so, so losing connection for a while isn't  a big deal.


This is the next screen. Once you see this, you're definitely going to spawn in the game. It might take another minute or so to finish connecting, but you're in.


You're in and... crikey, it's dark. Actually it gets much darker than this. If your character has a watch (and you won't if you haven't played before), then you can take it out and look at it (default key O) and try to judge whether it's about to get light or not. Sunset is around 7pm and sunrise around 5am, although your watch can't distinguish between am and pm, so use your judgement. If it's too dark for you to play, then just quite out and pick another server.

You might notice a few messages in the chat window thing. If it mentions that you have modified files or something, that's fine. If it says you have a deleted file, that means you haven't installed the game properly (usually it's because you need to copy the addons folder from your ArmA 2 folder to your Operation Arrowhead folder).


You might see errors like this one either whilst you're loading, shortly after you've loaded or even half an hour into the game. You can just click Continue and ignore them - it's not a problem.

Well done you! You've managed to install the game and even get onto a server. Come back tomorrow I'll tell you how to play.


111 comments:

  1. Nice guide kodabar

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  2. i could play first, but now ive updated to 1.7.1 and i got bad version error now, -.-
    ive used dayzupdater from www.worrom.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've had various reports of Worrom's updater not doing the job properly at the moment. When I updated to version 1.7.1 it didn't work for me either. In the end, I deleted my @DayZ folder and manually downloaded the mod files. That went without a hitch - so I'm recommending that (it's not as hard as it seems).

      Rocket himself is recommending that players use Six Updater. I've never liked that one myself, but a lot of people do:
      http://dayzmod.com/su.php

      You might also make sure that you're using the latest beta patch:
      http://www.arma2.com/beta-patch.php

      For details of manual installing, you can check my (updated today) install guide:
      http://kodabar.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/how-to-install-dayz-with-arma-2-free.html

      Delete
  3. I'm having the problem that when i try to join it says battleye initilization failed and when i should go to the ingame screne it kicks me and i get "waiting for host" followed by server list (i'm using arma 2 free and OA, installed dayz with sixupdater)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This can be an odd error. Some servers throw it up constantly and some never do. I've never come up with a successful strategy for fixing that every time.

      Try a wide variety of servers (sometimes the server config mucks up BattlEye)

      Run Steam as an administrator and reinstall BattlEye through Steam (right click on OA in Steam library and select "Reinstall BattlEye whatever..."

      Donwload the latest version of the BattlEye DLL and follow the instructions on the page to manually paste it into both the ArmA 2 Free and OA folders (a pain the arse I know)
      http://www.battleye.com/download.html

      Delete
  4. Hi, I usually get stuck at the Loading... screen for about 15 minutes, before I have to start Task Manager, and end Dayz. Is there a way to fix this?

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    Replies
    1. When you say "usually", is this all the time or just since 1.7.2 came out?

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  5. HELP! I INSTALLED EVERYTHING CORRECTLY BUT I JOIN A SERVER AND THE SCREEN FLASHES BLACK. IT GOES BLACK FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS THEN GOES TO THE NORMAL GAME FOR 1 SECOND THEN BACK TO BLACK FOR 10 SECONDS AND REPEATS. HELP!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't write in capitals - it makes me dislike you and then I'm not so keen to help.

      The blackness is normal. What's happening is that you and the server are running different versions of DayZ. There ought to be some white text in the middle of the screen explaining this, but it's not always there.

      When a new version of DayZ is released, it normally take a few days for the servers to all be updated. 1.7.2 came out a couple of days ago and yesterday 1.7.2.1 was released and then today we've had 1.7.2.2 and apparently 1.7.2.3 came out a few minutes ago. I even notice that some servers are still on 1.7.1.5.

      Try a few different servers and see if you get this error on them. Either they need to update their files or you do.

      Delete
    2. Okay thank you, and sorry for writing in capitals. I needed someones attention to get this fixed. I baught the game yesterday and baught it for the reason to play DayZ. I then recieved this error and I diddnt want to of wasted my money on the game.

      I have been on quite alot of servers and I cannot seem to find one that works. I'll search again for the next few days and i'll come back if I need any further help.

      Thanks.

      Delete
    3. Writing in capitals does not get help to you any more quickly. I reply to everyone who posts comments here. But when I see capitals and exclamation marks it just makes me sigh in exasperation and wonder if I should just ignore you.

      Anyway, never mind all that. You're still having this problem. Well the 1.7.2.3 update is rolling out across all the servers now. About half of them have updated to that. What version are you running?

      I will help you to get this working. No one goes leaves here without a working game.

      Delete
    4. I am using version: 94945 (Oh btw I diddnt realise I had an account on google so I shall be replying using this account ^^).

      Delete
    5. They don't have to be the same version. But you need to have at least the same version as the server or higher. I don't like to use the very latest version of the patch, I always use the second most recent one. So I'm currently using 94876 and no server asks for a more recent version than that.

      Delete
    6. New error = " Arma 2 OA has stopped working " (I would be able to join a game if I got rid of this error. Any ideas?) >.<

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    7. That a more general Windows error. When it says that, there should be an option to display more information or details. Can you tell me what that says?

      Delete
    8. Problem signature:
      Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
      Application Name: arma2oa.exe
      Application Version: 1.61.94.876
      Application Timestamp: 4ffef77f
      Fault Module Name: BEClient.dll
      Fault Module Version: 0.0.0.0
      Fault Module Timestamp: 50001d06
      Exception Code: c0000005
      Exception Offset: 00003925
      OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
      Locale ID: 2057
      Additional Information 1: 0a9e
      Additional Information 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
      Additional Information 3: 0a9e
      Additional Information 4: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789

      Delete
    9. This is only the second time I've seen this problem and I don't have a solution for it. Although Windows is reporting an error in the BEClient (BattlEye), it might not be where the fault is occurring, but just where Windows is noticing it.

      The only solution I have is the following (offered by another user):
      Go to your arma 2 oa folder > open Expansion > open BattlEye and run the uninstall.exe
      Go to your arma 2 folder > open BattlEye and run the uninstall.exe (if it isn't there, don't worry about it)
      Run the game with (the beta should still be installed - doesn't matter what one)
      Try to join a server - you should get stuck at either Loading or Wait for Host - this is normal
      Close the game and go back into your arma 2 oa folder > Expansion and delete the beta.
      Download and install beta patch 94700
      It will ask you to install BattleEye, do so.
      Go into your arma 2 folder > go into BEsetup and run the .exe
      Go back into your arma 2 oa folder > Expansion> beta and copy the BattleEye folder (DO NOT CUT OR DELETE IT - YOU ARE MAKING TWO COPY'S OF IT).
      Paste the BattleEye folder in the main arma 2 oa directory.
      Open arma 2 oa and join a NORMAL arma game. Any will do, as long as it is NOT DayZ and it has BattlEye active.
      Once in, abort and close the game.
      Download and install beta patch 94876 and install it.
      Open arma 2 oa and join a DayZ game.

      This isn't a DayZ error, but one with ArmA 2/OA and I don't know what's causing it for sure and I can't reproduce it. Can you try this and let me know if it works?

      Delete
    10. I got abit confused where you said go to your Arma 2 oa folder > Expansion > beta and copy the battleye folder. Do I go inside the beta folder? because theres no Battleye inside there. Or do I copy the beta and Battleye folder?

      Delete
    11. Just copy the BattlEye folder. It might be inside the beta folder or it might be inside the Expansion folder. I didn't write those steps - I got them from another chap and I can't test it out as I can't reproduce the error. You'll just have to try to follow it as best you can.

      Delete
    12. Omg! Thanks! It worked! I can play DayZ again! I love you man! (No homo)

      Delete
    13. When i try to join a server with DayZ commander it says waiting for host and it never connects. plz tell me what to do i just got this game today and have benn trying for hours. this is getting old and i finally just came here for help

      Delete
    14. There are so many things that can go wrong that it's hard to know where to start without knowing more about your situation. But I also know just how frustrating it can be when you try and try to get this working and nothing seems to help.

      We could save a lot of time if you just email me. Send me a message via kodabarATgmailDOTcom and I'll talk you through it. Tell me from where you got ArmA 2 and Operation Arrowhead and whether you've installed a beta patch. I'll guide you through the rest of the process. Or, if you're really sick of it, I can install it for you through Teamviewer (if you're okay with that).

      I've had over a million people use my guides and I've manually installed it for over a hundred people, so I'll do everything I can to help you get this sorted.

      Delete
  6. I get a error, 24/7 that says I'm failing to connect to server, and it's not becouse my internett. can you please help?

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    Replies
    1. Can you tell me from where you got your game files (Steam, Gamespot, retail, etc)? Also what kind of computer are you running. What steps have you taken so far (have you updated the game files, installed the beta patch, etc)? Have you ever been able to connect to a server at all?

      Delete
  7. I get a loading screen but it just stays blank for ever. Never been on a server before (if that helps)

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  8. The version I am using is: 94945. I diddnt realise the servers had to be the same version as mine. I'll check over the next few days and i'll reply if I still continue to get this screen.

    Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. They don't have to be the same version. But you need to have at least the same version as the server or higher. I don't like to use the very latest version of the patch, I always use the second most recent one. So I'm currently using 94876 and no server asks for a more recent version than that.

      Delete
    2. I'm now recieving another error saying " Waiting for host " and that message doesent leave the screen. Any help? (I'm the same person as the comment i'm replying to btw)

      Delete
    3. Waiting for host is the first stage of joining a server. It means that your game client has sent a message to the server saying that it wants to join, but the server hasn't replied yet. It should only be up there for a few seconds, but some servers get stuck or just don't like you and you get stuck at that screen forever.

      I would try joining as many servers as you can. You're not getting up anything that indicates something is wrong. Tonight, I didn't play on my normal servers and it took me quite a lot of tries before I found one that would let me in. I think I tried about ten or twelve before I got in. This is quite normal.

      So keep trying multiple servers and see if any of them work for you.

      Delete
  9. hi, ive installed everything the way you explained on your installation guide, however, whenever i join a game, it gets past all the loading screens(after many bug fixes) and as soon as the game starts, my moniter says no signal from PC. am using version 1.61.94876 if that helps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crikey, this is a bit of a tricky one. What's happening is that the game's resolution is outside of what either your monitor or graphics card can display. Now, given that you cant see anything on the screen, it's a little difficult to go in and change the resolution.

      What you need to do is set it manually. In your "My Documents" folder is another folder called "ArmA 2" and inside that is a file called "Arma2.cfg". Open this in Notepad or something and you can edit it to set your resolution to something that's more likely to work.

      Delete
    2. thank you for your help, i tried that but it dosent work still, it will load if i keep the task manager open over the arma2OA window, but then when i am in game, if i turn around too quick or look up too quick it completely crashes and i have to restart the computer again.

      Delete
    3. I think your problem lies with your graphics card driver. I'd suggest downloading the latest version and completely uninstalling your current one - use DriverCleaner to make sure:
      http://www.drivercleaner.net/

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    4. ive updated the driver, set it to the lowest graphics setting, and yet the screen still goes off if i try and play it, do you think it could be the screen itself? im using a technika 20" television mounted on the wall. When the screen goes blank, i can still hear sound through my headphones but no visuals. please help as its been hurdle after hurdle and am comtemplating burning down my computer.

      many thanks, Brownstains

      Delete
  10. hi, i'm stuck on the black loading screen. the white bar fills to the end and nothing happens after that. tried on several servers and never get past that screen.

    please, give me some hope :)

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    Replies
    1. Try using a lower version of the beta patch. Rather than 94700, try 94876. I've heard of several people who get stuck at the loading screen and in fact the latest beta patch didn't work for me. I pretty much always use the second latest one. Try that and see what happens. There's no need to uninstall whatever patch you have, just install 94876 on top.

      Here's a link if the beta patch servers aren't working (which happens with surprising frequency):
      ARMA2_OA_Build_94876.zip
      http://www.mediafire.com/?78nj378bsb5g8iv

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    2. Thx a lot! downloaded and installed as you said. the installation said sth. about a wrong cd key but installed anyway and now i'm in. perhaps that's the way for some other guys with problems. thx again.

      Delete
  11. I'm not sure what's wrong exactly, but every server I see on the list either has a red x or a red circle besides it. I am running beta 94945 as the latest gives me a DirectX error. The server that have red x's do not let me join at all (I click join and nothing happens whatsoever), and the server with red circles next to them just stall at 'Waiting for host'. Please can you help me Kodabar, as this is really annoying and I want to play DayZ ASAP so my parents don't think I've wasted £25 on a game I don't play.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, the beta patches have moved on a bit since you checked. I'd recommend you install 94876. Then I reckon you won't get as many red X's. Let me know if this solves it for you - I will make sure you're able to play, no matter what.

      ARMA2_OA_Build_94876.zip
      http://www.mediafire.com/?78nj378bsb5g8iv

      Delete
    2. Ahah! It lets me reply to posts now, strange :/ But anyway, there's still a very very limited amount of servers that I can join with this beta update, but it's better than none, eh? :D

      Delete
    3. Better than none indeed.

      I had to update my beta patch yesterday and I'm not on the latest one - 95054. And that's working just fine for me and I've played on several servers for several hours with it. It's maybe worth giving it a go.

      Version 95054 is available here:
      http://www.mediafire.com/?jv5cm7e6qvy5n4j

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  12. It worked a bit, out of all of the DayZ servers there was around 20 that I could join without getting 'waiting for host'.

    BTW, just in case anyone else posts as anonymous, I'll sign my post
    -Jay

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for signing your posts. I allow anonymous comments because I don't like having to sign up for things either. But it is a bit confusing when several people are posting as anonymous, so it's jolly helpful if you leave a name or identifying word.

      Anyway I'm glad it's working for you now. Have a look at the server names - they often specify which beta patch they require. The beta patches get updated with surprising regularity, so try the next one up from whichever you're now using. I have to update mine probably about once a week.

      Delete
  13. Oh great, I can't sign reply to posts again >:(
    Anyway, this is Jay again, I tried to update to a later beta patch and I have to type in a User and Password, why is this here now? Also, beta-patching did show more servers I can join, but all of the other ones I can't join are actually the same beta patch as mine or lower so I don't know what else is wrong.
    -Jay

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    Replies
    1. The username and password thing appears if the beta patch servers are overloaded and don't work. Despite being pointed to by a web page, they're actually on an FTP server, so your browser presumes a username and password is needed if it doesn't respond in time.

      I try to copy the beta patches over to a different host when I can. I copied 95054 (the latest and one with which I've had no problems nor heard of any) to mediafire, here:
      http://www.mediafire.com/?jv5cm7e6qvy5n4j

      Delete
  14. help me please i get a black screen saying loading and it stays like that for about 10 minutes go back to menu then goes back to the black screen please help me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're going to have to give me more information than that. Which games are you using? ArmA 2 full, Free, Operation Arrowhead, Combined Operations, Anniversary edition, etc. And from where did you get them? Steam, Gamestop, Sprocket (Bohemia's own download system), retail, etc. Did you install any updates? What beta patch have you installed? Have you ever been able to join a server? Have you tried joining several servers? Etc, etc.

      Delete
  15. After installing the beta patch you recommended, I am now back to no servers available to join.

    -Jay

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    Replies
    1. Beta patches move on all the time. In the last 48 hours there have been two new ones. I've moved over to 95168 and have tested it pretty thoroughly on a variety of servers. When I installed it yesterday, only three servers supported it. By the end of testing thirty were running it. I often use the Filter button at the bottom of the server list to enter the beta patch number so I just see a list of servers supporting that beta patch.

      Version 95168 is available here and is the one I recommend at the moment:
      Warning: 95168 will say that it is upgrading to 1.62 (all the others have said 1.61). If you install this, you cannot install an earlier version over the top (like you can with all the others). So there's no going back once you install it.
      http://www.mediafire.com/?e3yn1lnx9n4wrbl

      Delete
  16. okay, ive tried it on a different screen and the same happens, the whole computer crashes, ive updated the driver on my graphics card, uninstalled and reinstalled both arma 2's and the DayZ mod using 6 updater, i can join a world for about a minute before it randomly crashes again, any advice?
    lots of love,
    -Dan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is really going beyond the bounds of what I can advise on from a distance. That the crashes are random doesn't suggest to me that it's anything to do with DayZ. If I had to guess, I'd either say something is wrong with your Windows installation (either in the drivers or in the way that it handles drivers) or that the RAM on your video card is a bit suspect. Perhaps try changing the amount of video memory used (it's a setting in the graphics options) and perhaps try running ArmA 2 (without DayZ) to see if the crashes still happen.

      Delete
  17. i get that msg and get no guns

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What message? And spawning without guns is normal now. Early on in DayZ, you spawned with a revolver. Later they changed that to a Makarov pistol. But now you spawn with no weapon.

      Delete
  18. pleas help the game crash every time i join a server !!!
    and i tried everything , it was working last night and now i cant join any server even from sixluncher :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Step 1: Close steam, and launch it again as Adminstrator.

      Step 2: Right click on Arma 2 in your steam library, then click on Properties, after that click on the Local Files tab, the click Verify integrity of game cache. Then wait for that to finish

      Step 3: Repeat Step 2 but instead of Arma 2 Verify the Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead.

      Step 4: After you have gotten that done, launch Arma 2, close it, then launch AO, then close it.

      Step 5: Now launch Sixlauncher or whatever you use, and you should be able to connect!

      Delete
    2. tried that and it didn't work
      I also tried reinstalling battle eye but no luck , i think i'm just gonna delete everything and re-installingc the game
      thanks anyway

      Delete
    3. and it didnt work too :(
      oh well , i'm glad i got this game as gift

      Delete
    4. Go to my install guide and read than and the comments to see if there's anything there that can help you:
      http://kodabar.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/how-to-install-dayz-with-arma-2-free.html

      Delete
  19. Hello! After an update of Arma 2:OA from my Steam completed I can't seem to find/see any server when I hit Multiplayer. Any ideas how to fix this? Thanks! :)
    - Leb

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    Replies
    1. Ah, it's actually an error with Gamespy who host the server browser. Their system is down at the moment for what they call "emergency maintenance", so it's not a problem at your end - everyone is stuck, unable to get a list of servers.

      Those who are already playing at the moment, will be able to continue, but no one else will be able to get on a server in the meantime. Ouch.

      It'll be fixed in a couple of hours. But worryingly, this also happened the other day.

      Delete
    2. Ohh okay I thought it was just at my end. Thanks for the info man I appreciate it :D
      - Leb

      Delete
  20. I keep getting an Error while trying to connect to any server ''Battleye not responding'' I'll connect to a server and I'll see Multiplayer setup page and in the text area it will say ''Initialized v1.164'' for BE then a couple seconds later it will give me that damn error. I'm running 1.7.2.4 & 95417

    I've googled the issue but all I get are dead ends about reinstalling and what have you.

    I'm running the Steam version. I even got as far as the actual loading screen 1 time and it just sticks on that page for 10 minutes. I read your earlier reply to someone about reverting to an old Beta version, but when I try and download the older one it gets stuck on my downloads and basically stops wanting to download all together.

    Any help would be awesome since I'm getting tired of seeing the Battleye not responding error.

    - Steam

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    Replies
    1. Before I go any further, I have to say that I'm concerned that you can't download the beta patch. Although the beta patch servers are frequently down, you either should be able to download one properly or not at all. This prompts the idea that it may actually be your internet connection that's the problem, but it's hard to tell.

      Before trying anything else, I'd suggest downloading a slightly earlier patch from a different source. Let me know if this works.

      95389 is available here and is the one I recommend at the moment:
      http://www.mediafire.com/?rinerqzsrxgc0jg

      Delete
    2. I reset my router after having download patch issues again with the link and it downloaded fine after that. I installed it, went back to DayZ and it still gives me the error of Battleye not Responding. I tried a couple different servers to see if there was any difference and I got another error on one server saying ''Client not responding'' other than that I've not been able to get into playing the game at all.

      -Steam

      Delete
  21. I am stuck in the black loading-screen since 15 minutes oder so?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Is there any way to lower ping or fix kicks? Everytime i logon a server i get kicked by Battleeye or w/e saying my ping is high..and i dunno why its even high in the first place

    ReplyDelete
  23. Please help i downloaded the arma 2 operation arrowhead off steam i did as the site said and ran both games and started it up *using 6 launcher* and got on to a server no problem. now today when i try to get on it takes me to a loading screen *just a black screen that says loading* and it just stays there ive only waited about 2 mins before i restarted plz help!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Two minutes isn't a lot of time to wait. I've waited much longer before getting on a server. Often, getting stuck on a loading screen is because you're not running the same beta patch as the server.

      Try installing an earlier beta patch (six launcher is a bit trigger-happy with updates which is why I don't use it). But also try joining a variety of different servers and being a bit more patient at the loading screen.

      Delete
    2. sorry i forgot this part but ive as so waited about 15mins after you said that and still no change

      Delete
  24. so should i not use 6 launcher? whats an alternative? and where can i find the past versions of updates

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Six Launcher is fine, but it does insist on using the very latest beta patches as soon as they're available. It even jumped the gun on an earlier version of DayZ and upgraded a ton of people to a version that wasn't supposed to be for general release. You can downgrade your beta patch by simply installing an older one over the top. Get one from here:

      http://www.arma2.com/beta-patch.php

      Have a look at the server names and they'll usually specify which version of the beta patch they require. I usually caution against going to the latest beta patch too soon as it takes a few days for servers to switch over and beta patches are released without any testing so they could break or alter existing game behaviour.

      Delete
  25. thanks ill try this right away

    ReplyDelete
  26. Umm witch one do u recamend there is quite a lot :/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just choose one of the more recent ones. Try one down from the most recent and see if that helps. If not, the next one down and so on. Have a look at the names of the servers on which you want to play and they will feature the number of the beta patch that they're running in their name - try to match that

      Delete
  27. im having trouble with the charecter loading screen can anyone plz help me this is on dayz game and when i load up my own host game i load up war welcome game and it shows me flying a bird in the air!!! not a person just a bird. plz help me with this situation!!! yes this was downloaded

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Disable all mods in the "Expansions" entry on the main menu. If you have DayZ enabled, when you try any of the OA missions, you'll be a bird.

      Delete
  28. Please help:
    Today I installed DayZ but I am stuck at the loading screen (after I connectet to a server). After 10 Minutes I killt Arme and tried to get another connection. I tried this for 2 hours and now im am very diapointed.

    I installed arma free (and Patch) + Operation arrowhed (and Patch) + Beta Patch 192 + BattlEye 2 dlls for 1.9.2 - NO steam - + DayZ Komplett 06.August.2012 - German Version - everything manually no tools...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Try using DayZ Commander. Once it loads, click "Version" and get it to update where necessary.
      http://www.dayzcommander.com/

      A lot of people seem to be getting stuck at the loading screen for no good reason at the moment.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for your advice!!
      I took to much pride in doing everything myself.
      I used the Commander and now I am ingame in only one minute.
      Thumbs up!

      Delete
  29. Max from Luxembourg12 September 2012 at 17:23

    Hi there and first off thank you very much for everything! you are great!

    I have a problem becaue i do not have the box on the right corner... there is nothing,and I don't get attaked by zomies.

    Firstly i thought it could be because of the addons but I have redone what you said (copy/paste) in the right folder.I saw a error "message" on the chat while loading saying something like "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\AddOns\..." and i do not have a 64-bite computer, i checked the path and everything seems ok...

    I'm using play withSIX and after first installing day Z, there was a bar just underknees saying
    support diagnose uninstall

    so i thought there might be an error because they want me to diagnose... but i also get the same bar when installing the bundeswehr mod.

    I downloaded the ARMA free version and bought the operation arrowhead
    then i updated ARMA 2 free with your link
    I put battle eye in the arma 2 free folder
    ran oth games once and put the addons as you said

    and i see @DayZ
    Expansion
    beta

    so what shall I do to get attaked and see the box on the right top?
    sry for so much text and bad english i hope i could explain my problem and you'll know what to do ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll deal with the easy bit first.

      The brown box in the top right corner of the screen is now missing for everyone. DayZ 1.7.2.6 was released yesterday and it has removed the brown box.

      Now you say that zombies don't attack you. This seems quite unusual. You are able to connect to a server, walk about and observe zombies, but they don't attack? Have you tried various different servers?

      PS Your English is fine, probably better than my French and definitely better than my German and Luxembourgish.

      Delete
  30. Hi, thank You for Your nice guide, but I have a problem. I used the arma 2 free version and I think I have done everything right but when I go to filter in game as You said and type in "DayZ" there are no servers that appear so I can´t join any server. I don´t know who I check or shift the verison of the game but I think I have the latest verison (ARMA2_OA_Build_98866.zip). I also tried to use DayZ Commander (I have it installed), it shows me a sign "it seems like you havent bought the arma 2 combined operation, would you like to do that?" but I have started the both games (arma 2 free and operation arrowhead). The Commander shows me plenty of servers but I cant join/acces them, they are just blank and I cant double click on them.

    Regards
    Hamasaki

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ignore what DayZ Commander says about not buying Combined Operations - it doesn't detect the games properly unless you bought them as one package.

      I'm not sure what's wrong with your installation, but there's a few things you can try (which will help narrow things down).
      1. Install the update for ArmA 2 Free - amazingly, the version you download might not be the latest one.
      http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=15833
      2. Install the update for Operation Arrowhead (I don't know where you got your copy, but if it wasn't from Steam, then it won't be the latest version)
      http://www.arma2.com/index.php?option=com_rokdownloads&view=file&Itemid=20&id=756%3Aarma-2-combined-operations--operation-arrowhead--reinforcements-patch-1&lang=en
      3. Install the beta patch again. Although the beta patch contains the latest version of the OA files, it doesn't patch all of them. You need to apply the main update first, then install the beta patch.

      Let me know how you get on.

      Delete
    2. Hi, I did all that exept from the second because I downloaded Operation Arrowhead from Steam.

      But still, now I got plenty of servers comming up but when I connect from in-game as You showed me and not from commander I´m kinda "in-game" for a split-second or something then I´m kicked back to the server list with the message "You cannot play/edit this mission; it depends on downloaded content that has been deleted.chernarus"

      Meanwhile whn I try to connect with the Commander server list, I can now click on servers but immediately there comes up a sign "Addon `dayz_anim`requiers addon CA_Dubbing_Counterattack" but when I press "ok" (DayZ "logo" comes up as it loading - and thats new) but after that a new error code says "No entry, bin/config/bin.Cfg.Vehicles.Citizen1.scope´." :/

      Thanks for your fast help!

      Delete
    3. P.S. What I mean when I´m in game for a split-second it´s like I can see a buttom where it stands "group channel" or something!

      Delete
    4. The CA error is because it can't find the Addons folder. As you're using ArmA 2 Free, you need to copy the "Addons" folder from inside the ArmA 2 Free program folder (probably C:\Program files (x86)\Bohemia Interactive\arma 2 free\Addons\) to the Operation Arrowhead program folder (probably C:\Program files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\).

      Full details in Step 4 of this article:
      http://kodabar.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/how-to-install-dayz-with-arma-2-free.html

      The "deleted content" error means that either you don't have the DayZ files in the right place or because the shortcut is incorrect - you can't launch DayZ just by using the OA shortcut in Steam.
      Step 7 in the above article link will show you how to make a shortcut (and Step 8 will show you how to make a Steam shortcut)

      Delete
    5. Well, I see that my folders is a freaking mess, I have put stuffs like an idiot... Should I just uninstall stuffs and re-install them because I´m not getting it as it should be :S..

      Delete
    6. If I were you, I'd start again. Just uninstall everything and delete the program folders they leave behind.

      1. Install ArmA 2 Free
      2. Install the update for ArmA 2 Free
      3. Run ArmA 2 Free
      4. Install Operation Arrowhead
      5. Run Operation Arrowhead
      6. Copy the Addons folder from ArmA 2 Free to Operation Arrowhead
      7. Install DayZ Commander
      8. Run DayZ Commander and select the Update/Install option on the top menu
      9. Update ArmA 2 (this installs the beta patch)
      10. Install DayZ

      Done.

      If you get completely stuck, give me a shout. I have on many occasions installed DayZ for other people (using Teamviewer to control their computer remotely).

      Delete
    7. Ok, I will do that now, but when I "transfer" the addons map to operation arrowhead should I delete it from arma 2 map? And also, do my maps need to be EXACTLY as yours (execpt for the things I need to do with new folders)?

      Delete
    8. Don't delete the Addons folder from ArmA 2. Just copy it over and leave the original alone. Don't worry about anything else - you don't need to make everything look the same as mine (even mine don't look like that any more).

      Delete
    9. Thank you very much for your time and all the help I got, I´m now playing and it works quite well!

      Delete
  31. Does anyone know why I keep getting kicked off every server, even though everything installed correctly and its my first time playing?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You say it's installed properly, but I bet it's not. It would be helpful if you gave some information so I can work out what could possibly be wrong.

      Which games are you using? (Combined Operations, ArmA 2 + Operation Arrowhead, ArmA 2 Free + OA, ArmA 2 Anniversary edition, etc)
      From where did you get the game? (Steam, Sprocket, retail boxed copy, etc)
      Did you download and install the updates for the games?
      How did you install DayZ? (Manually, DayZ Commander, Six Updater, etc)
      Have you installed the beta patch?
      How are you launching DayZ? (own shortcut, Steam, DayZ Commander, Six, etc)
      When the server kicks you off, at what point is that? (won't let you connect to the server, you get in but it kicks you out immediately, after a couple of minutes playing, etc)
      What error does it give (if any)?

      I suspect that answer is going to be that you have the wrong beta patch, didn't update the games or have an incorrect shortcut. But until you give a bit more information, it's difficult to say.

      Delete
  32. Hello there my friend is having troubles playing this he keeps getting 'You cannot play/edit this mission; it is dependent on downloadable content that has been deleted.chernarus'
    We tried ALOT of stuff reinstalling hes game reinstall dayz / beta patch/ and battle eye any help?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Generally it really helps if you include a lot more detail (where the games came from - Steam, retail, etc? OA + Arma 2 or Combined Ops? using a launcher? etc). But the "deleted.chernarus" error only comes up in limited circumstances.

      DayZ uses ArmA 2 (Free or full) and Operation Arrowhead. It gets the game engine and most stuff from OA, but gets the Chernarus files from ArmA 2. If your friend has bought Combined Operations (ArmA 2 and OA in one package), then it should pick up on that automatically. But I suspect he hasn't and is using a combination of ArmA 2 and OA.

      He should copy across the "Addons" folder from the Arma 2 program folder to the Operation Arrowhead program folder. That'll force OA to pick up on the Chernarus stuff when DayZ is launched.

      Fuller details and screenshots are in this article (step 4 cover the "Addons" folder)
      http://kodabar.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/how-to-install-dayz-with-arma-2-free.html

      If that doesn't help, write back letting me know what games he's using (Combined Ops, ArmA 2(Free or full) + OA, etc), where he got them from (Steam, Sprocket, retail, etc) and what he's using to launch the game (DayZ Commander, Six, self-made shortcut, etc)

      Delete
  33. Hey I realized I posted my problem on the wrong page, sorry.

    I've installed dayz with arma2's free version and original arrowhead, both are non-steam. I installed dayz manualy, installed the updates and beta patch from your how to install dayz guide and launched the game through the shorcut. But when I tried to join a server it said battleye initialization failed. Then I downloaded the "newest" battleye files from their official website and replaced the files. Now I keep getting this error

    "Battleye Client: Initialized (v1.190)
    Registration failed: SSL connect error (schannel: failed to setup extended errors)
    Battleye Client: Server requiring version 1.190. Up-to-date."

    No matter what server I join I keep getting that.
    Any tips to help me solve this problem?

    Thanks

    Reply

    ReplyDelete
  34. Okay, I accidentally copied the reply button from my previous post, I didn't mean to write reply on the bottom. Sorry!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not to worry. Did you see my reply to the earlier comment?

      Delete
    2. Yes sir and I replied again thanks

      Delete
  35. Excellent support Kodabar i got all the way from not having any of the arma games to running dayz in hours.
    I must say though the dayz commander really helped the last hurdle i had of no servers showing up.
    /man hugz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers, glad to hear it. It can be a bit of a nightmare getting it all going, but it's well worth it. When I first played back in May there were hardly any servers and it was difficult to get on. Now there are loads of them and it's hard to find a decent one. DayZ Commander helps a lot. I use it myself.

      I maybe ought to update this article to reflect some of the recent changes though.

      Anyway, I'm happy to hear you got everything working and are able to play. Good luck with the game!

      Delete
  36. Hi Kodabar !

    I would need your help. Just bought ArmA2-Combined Operations only to play DayZ. I installed everything and patched it. ArmA2 is version 1.11 and OA is 1.62 + beta patch. Updated Battleye files, too.

    At the start screen of AO it shows @Dayz / Expansion / beta. So everything is correct. I choose multiplayer and see a lot of ArmA2 + OA servers. I go to filter and type DayZ in Mission field.

    But there are NO DayZ servers ! Not one ! Nothing, zero, null !

    Why can I see ArmA2 servers but not a single one DayZ server ???

    I´m looking forward to your reply !

    Thanks in advance !

    Best regards,

    Major Tom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First, I must apologise: this article is a little out of date. The information is still accurate, but not quite so necessary these days. When I wrote this a year ago, there were very few servers and it could be difficult to get onto one, sometimes with incredibly long waits. All that's changed now and there are hundreds of servers out there, so this article is probably a bit redundant.

      However, none of that helps you with your quite unusual situation. Your game is installed properly and it sounds like your shortcut is okay (given that it shows the beta as an expansion), so you should be able to see DayZ servers. Even running OA without DayZ installed will show DayZ servers (even though one can't join them).

      The only thing I can think of is that there is something else in the filter box that is preventing it from showing DayZ servers. I think the most likely culprit, if that is the case, is the "expansions" field. If that is set to 'hide' then you won't see any DayZ servers.

      I'll just go through all the fields in the Filter box so you can check to see what they ought to be:
      Host: the name of the server. Should be blank
      Max ping: hides servers below a certain ping level. Should be 0 (zero)
      Min. players: hides servers below a certain number of players. Should be 0 (zero)
      Max. players: hides servers above a certain number of players. Should be 0 (zero)
      Mission: the name of the mission. Should be "DayZ" (without the quotation marks)
      Type: lets you view servers with specific game modes. Should be blank
      Expansions: allows you to hide all servers that require mods. Should be "show"
      Full servers: allows you to hide servers that are full (so you can't join them). Should be either "show" or "hide"
      Passworded: shows or hides servers with a password. Best to be set to "hide"
      Battleye required: some servers don't use BattlEye. Should be set to "default"

      Check all those to make sure they're set to something like that and have another go. The server list is provided through Gamespy which is sometimes unavailablem, which will prevent anyone from seeing servers, but that's relatively rare, so quite unlikely in this case.

      If none of this helps, I'd suggest trying DayZ Commander. It's not an ideal answer as it would be be better to solve your problem than work around it. But try installing DayZ Commander and finding a server through that.

      If DC can see servers, then the problem lies somewhere with the way OA is finding servers. If DC can't see any servers either, then there's a good chance that there's something about your firewall, anti-virus or your internet connection itself that is preventing the server data from coming through. That seems unlikely given that you can see ArmA 2 servers and there's no difference in the way that server info is supplied by them or DayZ servers.
      http://www.dayzcommander.com/

      Delete
    2. Thanks for your fast reply !

      I set up the Filter Box as you have mentioned. But still no DayZ servers !

      Could it be the lastet beta patch ? I have installed version ARMA2_OA_Build_106400.

      Maybe it is to "new" ? Can I install an older version of the beta patch over it ?

      If nothing helps, I will try DayZ Commander.

      Thanks again for your help !

      Delete
    3. That's bloomin' odd. The beta patch shouldn't make any difference. You can install older versions over newer ones, but I've certain that it won't make any difference.

      I'd very much suggest you try DayZ Commander. Knowing whether that works or not will determine what could be tried next.

      Delete
    4. DayZ is working now and I can see many DayZ servers !

      Yeah, you´re right, it has nothing to do with the beta patch. The solution is that the DayZ files were in the wrong folder ...\ArmA 2 OA\@DayZ\addons\@Dayz\Addons

      But they have to be in ...\ArmA 2 OA\@DayZ\addons

      As a newbie to DayZ that was not clear to me. Because it says, copy the content of the DayZ archive to folder addons. And in the archive are the two folders DayZ (with folder Addons) and keys.

      And what is the right place for the file "dayz.bikey" from folder "keys" ?

      Thanks again for your help !

      Major Tom

      Delete
    5. Ah, good stuff. Glad to hear you got it sorted. It's annoying the way the folders are structured and the sheer amount of them called "Addons" makes for quite a lot of confusion. I recommend using DayZ Commander to keep DayZ up to date as it always puts the files in the right place. The much-vaunted PlayWithSix (ghastly name) puts the files in My Documents\ArmA2 which is just weird and annoying. It's odd that Bohemia recommends it when it defies their own guidelines on mod folders.

      The original plan was that mods and stuff could be shoved in the Addons folder that sits in your OA program folder. As it became obvious that a lot of mods were going to use the same files or filenames, to save them being over-written, Bohemia suggested that each mod be placed in its own @whatever folder that would contain its own Addons folder and that the mod would then be loaded with a -mod=@whatever in the game shortcut. It works well as a system, but only if you're used to using several mods. If you're just using the one (like the vast majority of DayZ players) then it's just an odd and confusingly arcane system.

      The keys can be safely ignored. They're really just for server owners. They contain checksum data. When you connect to a server, it gets your game to run a checksum calculation on your DayZ files and compares it to the results it has in the bikey (love that name) files to make sure they're the same size and thus the right version. So you don't need them at all. If you want to keep them for whatever reason, stick the "keys" folder in the @DayZ\Addons folder. But you really don't need them at all and the game will never use them.

      Delete
  37. my dayz like when ever i go into my multiplayer selection i keep getting servers marked with a red x if you could please help me it would mean alot as i have waited to get this game for awhile, ive tryed almost everything im running a retail version of arma 2 and arma 2 oa so its not run through steam its installed through installation disks i brought so yeah (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When you see a red cross beside server names, it's because your version of the game doesn't match the one they're running.

      As you've bought the game as a retail edition, it won't be up to date. What you need to do is install a couple of updates and a beta patch.

      Update for ArmA 2:
      http://www.arma2.com/index.php?option=com_rokdownloads&view=file&Itemid=20&id=777%3Aarma2-patch-1&lang=en

      Update for Operation Arrowhead (quite large):
      http://www.arma2.com/index.php?option=com_rokdownloads&view=file&Itemid=20&id=756%3Aarma-2-combined-operations--operation-arrowhead--reinforcements-patch-1&lang=en

      Operaton Arrowhead beta patch:
      http://www.arma2.com/beta-patch.php


      Download and install these updates and see how you do. If you're still having problems, drop me a line via kodabarATgmailDOTcom and I'll guide you through it.

      Delete

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