Multiple Characters, Steam overwritten my original CD Key.

[vladdie 0]

I bought a second copy of Combined Operations from BI's website for Steam so I could have two characters on DayZ (as my brother can't play as much as me so I need an alt to play whilst he is away) but now I appear to be stuck with the new character (as I assume the Arma 2 cd keys were changed in the registry when I opened the Steam version (my original copy is retail).

So I need a way to easily switch between the two cd keys or have some way to stop the two installations (retail and steam) to stop conflicting with eachother and I can easily play on either. If I switch back to my old cd key will my old character come back, or is that one lost?

Thanks!

[[email protected] 40]

When I got it right, the actual key is a steam key. Write down your steam CD key -> Arma2 rightklick -> show key.

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Bohemia Interactive Studio\ArmA 2\KEY

save the reg.entry to something like "Arma2steamcdkey.reg"

2. delete the entry

3. start arma2 retail -> start MP (you will be asked for a cd key) -> enter RETAIL CD KEY

4. save reg.entry to "Arma2retailkeyBROTHER.reg"

!!!Dont start Arma2 via steam (quit steam), you don´t have to!

Starting via steam will overwrite the cd key in the registry, because steam verifies it!!!

Before starting the game, choose your .reg and doubleclick and confirm the reg.entry

Your brother should doubleclick on his, before starting the game.

I didnt test this, but i should work this way.

BUT, dont play with 2 characters alone, because you can store things in your 2nd char and use it as a "bank" and thats not the way it should be played, because you brake the immersion.

AND buy a computer for your own!

Regards

[vladdie 0]

When I got it right' date=' the actual key is a steam key.

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Bohemia Interactive Studio\ArmA 2\KEY

save the reg.entry to something like "Arma2steamcdkey.reg"

2. delete the entry

3. start arma2 retail -> start MP (you will be asked for a cd key) -> enter RETAIL CD KEY

4. save reg.entry to "Arma2retailkeyBROTHER.reg"

Dont start Arma2 via steam (quit steam), you don´t have to!

before starting the game, choose your .reg and doubleclick and confirm the reg.entry

Your brother should doubleclick on his, before starting the game.

I didnt test this, but i should work this way.

BUT, dont play with 2 characters alone, because you can store things in your 2nd char and use it as a "bank" and thats not the way it should be played, because you brake the immersion.

AND buy a computer for your own!

Regards

[/quote']

Thanks alot, this seems very helpful and I'll try it asap.

[[email protected] 40]

Aunt Edit says: When I got it right, the actual key is a steam key. Write down your steam CD key -> Arma2 rightklick -> show key. ;) I forgot that hint.

.. and this:

!!!Dont start Arma2 via steam (quit steam), you don´t have to!

Starting via steam will overwrite the cd key in the registry, because steam verifies it!!!

[vladdie 0]

Just confirming this works perfectly, prior to reading this I was in the process of reinstalling Arma 2 retail, this replaced the Steam keys that were in the registry. I Exported the the Key reg files (now retail) from the registry and saved them (you only need Operation Arrowhead key I think). Then I opened the Steam game and loaded it up which replaced the key in the registry, I exported that new Key reg file (steam) and saved it. So now all I have to do is double click the .reg files for the corresponding game (steam/retail) when I want to play, which replaces the key in the registry and then play the game normally.

[Blasty 0]

I also use this method... works like a charm!

[[email protected] 40]

Nice to hear, I never tried that, but from my knowing of OSs and logic thinking ;) ;) ;) I came to that idea.

Glad that it helped you.