[How To] ArmA 2: CO + Steam Tracking and Overlay with Beta Patch

[xcryonic 1]

THIS MAY NOT WORK 100% FOR EVERYONE (INCLUDING ME) AND THE GAME MAY CRASH ON START-UP, JUST RESTART THE GAME TILL IT'S RUNNING, IT CAN TAKE MORE THAN 1-3 TRIES, SOMETIMES EVEN 1 DOES THE TRICK AND IF IT STILL DOESN'T WORK, CHECK YOUR PARAMETERS IN STEAM AND IN "_runA2CO.cmd" FILE.

In this step-by-step tutorial you will be shown how to run ArmA 2: Combined Operations with working Steam Overlay and Beta patch.

First of all, make sure you have the latest available beta patch installed, you can check it by starting game and checking it from the lower-right-corner of the menu-screen, it should be something like "1.60.XXXXX". download the latest Beta patch from here http://www.arma2.com/beta-patch.php by pressing the version number you would like to download, you can also download older beta patch to use with DayZ but it is recommended to download the latest patch for better performance and working Direct Communication and other fixes and features. Just as a friendly warning: Installing Beta patch removes Side Channel ;)

EVERY TIME YOU INSTALL NEW BETA PATCH YOU HAVE TO REDO STEP 1 OTHERWISE THE NEW BETA PATCH WILL NOT WORK!

Latest Beta patch

Older, Previous Beta patch. Changelog can be seen by pressing the second link which is ending with ".log"

STEP BY STEP GUIDE

1. After you've downloaded and installed the Beta patch of your choice, go to your ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead folder, and open the Beta folder which locates by default in;

64bit "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\expansion\Beta"

32bit "C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\expansion\Beta"

Copy&Paste the beta .exe of "arma2OA.exe" to "\arma 2 operation arrowhead\" folder but before pasting the file, make a backup of the old "arma2OA.exe" and rename it to something else, like "arma2OA.bak.exe".

2. After you've replaced the original .exe with beta .exe, open Steam and right-click ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead, choose "Properties" then "SET LAUNCH OPTIONS" and add the following parameter;

-beta=Expansion\beta;ca;Expansion\beta\Expansion -mod=@DayZ;ca

Now you're good to go, remember to open the game with "Launch as ArmA 2: Combined Operations" otherwise you will encounter problems and the mod will be unplayable.

JUST IN CASE, HERE'S MY PARAMETERS

Steam

-beta=Expansion\beta;ca;Expansion\beta\Expansion -mod=@DayZ;ca

Some people claim that the next parameter is working instead of the default parameter, which is the same parameter but in different order and without "-mod=" parameter.

-beta=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;CA;@DayZ

_runA2CO.cmd

"%_STEAMPATH%\steam.exe" -applaunch 33930 "-mod=%_ARMA2PATH%;EXPANSION;ca"

Download pre-configured _runA2CO.cmd

Download it from here: http://www.mediafire.com/?tju0d6s5md6y8r6

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: I'm trying to install the beta patch, but it stops at certain percentage and tells me that I have invalid CD-Key.

A: This is caused by the fact that the game has not registered the CD-Key to the Windows Registry, this is very easy to fix, just run STEAM as "adminstrator" and then run "ArmA 2" and then "ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead".

Q: I followed these instructions exactly and with care and successfully installed the desired beta patch, then added the parameters to STEAM but when running as "ArmA 2: Combined Operations" I get the following error message "Error Creating Direct3D 9 Graphical Engine"

A: This is caused by bad parameters either in STEAM or in "_runA2CO.cmd" or in both, this can be fixed by changing the STEAM parameter to

"-beta=Expansion\beta;ca;Expansion\beta\Expansion -mod=@DayZ;ca"

or alternatively to

"-beta=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;CA;@DayZ"

And if needed, download the pre-configured "_runA2CO.cmd" from here: http://www.mediafire.com/?tju0d6s5md6y8r6

Q: What is this "Do not follow these instructions as they will *** your game ... copy the dll files instead ..."

A: This is false, copying DLL files or ANY Beta files from the beta folder into the original game files folder can *** your game. Why? because you will be stuck with the beta version which is mixed up with the stock patch and after that is done, and you can't play on older beta patch servers nor with stock patch servers. MY method instead of replacing original files only "injects" the Beta files and works like a mod (DayZ, Project Reality) without tampering with any original files, this is the safest and the best method to play ArmA 2 with beta patch and there is NO way that my method could *** your game.

If still not working after done everything and you think you've done it right, you might want to check this out. Thanks for the tip Castun!

I finally figured out what my problem was and got this method working again. The OP might even want to take note of this and add it to the post' date=' because this may be affecting other people as well.

Seems that for some reason, every now and again Arma2 will add mods to the Arma2OA.cfg file in the \My Documents\Arma2\ such as DayZ, expansion, the beta patch, etc. This means they will [u']always get loaded, even if you’re not trying to load them in the launch parameters! I had this problem a long while back where Arma2 was always loading up the DayZ mod even though I was trying to play vanilla Arma2CO without DayZ. Removing all –mod launch parameters still would add @DayZ.

What you need to do is edit the Arma2OA.cfg file. Near the bottom is the list of mods the game loads by default. The only thing that should be listed there is BAF & PMC. Anything else should be deleted. Having a mod listed in both the .cfg file and listed in the launch parameters causes serious issues such as crashing on launch or other problems with loading.

[vekien 84]

This is nice but unfortunately did not work for me.

Even on 1.7.0 or even exact version servers, I still get stuck on loading and receiving data.

[xcryonic 1]

This is nice but unfortunately did not work for me.

Even on 1.7.0 or even exact version servers' date=' I still get stuck on loading and receiving data.

[/quote']

Try re-installing your DayZ with Worrom's DayZ Updater. You can download it from here http://worrom.com/files/DayZUpdater15.zip , it is just a one-click installer/updater.

Re-installing the mod properly should fix it and I'm almost 100% sure that the game files, the Beta patch nor my method has anything to do with such problems, after I re-installed DayZ with Worrom's DayZ updater the infinite loading and receiving data screens got fixed.

Cheers!

[valkarnitewolf999 0]

i can load fine but when i get to any servers i get message that i have been kicked i have tried 50 + servers multiple of them say open to evry one in title

[aegon 1]

Trying to install the beta patch, tells me Invalid CD Key.

Wat do.

[Ryuuga 0]

I followed these instructions exactly and installed the latest patch 93666, then I changed the command in steam but when I launch CO I get "Error Creating Direct3D 9 Graphical Engine"

Halp!

[grahamkel 0]

Is there a way to play 1.7 without the arma 2 beta patch?

I've never used the beta patches before when playing DayZ on older versions.

[boneboys 7988]

There are many 1.7.0 servers not requiring a beta.

I advise you instal the latest beta build, the game (Amar2 CO) is being constantly updated and iimproved.

This will not stop you from joining 1.7.0 non beta servers.

[xcryonic 1]

Ryuuga

I followed these instructions exactly and installed the latest patch 93666' date=' then I changed the command in steam but when I launch CO I get "Error Creating Direct3D 9 Graphical Engine"

Halp!

[/quote']

Yeah, sorry my bad. That was wrong parameter for Steam and it's now replaced with correct one, which is;

-beta=Expansion\beta;ca;Expansion\beta\Expansion -mod=@DayZ;ca

And remember to run your game as Combined Operations. :)

And if it still doesn't work, download and replace the "_runA2CO.cmd" with this http://www.mediafire.com/?tju0d6s5md6y8r6 . "_run2CO.cmd" is located in your ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead folder.

Jake Green

Trying to install the beta patch' date=' tells me Invalid CD Key.

Wat do.

[/quote']

Run STEAM as adminstrator and then start ArmA 2 and then ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead, after running both games then try installing the Beta patch again, sometimes the CD-Key will not be registered to Windows Registery due not having rights for doing such action, that's why you need to run STEAM as adminstrator to give the rights. I had the exact same problem myself too when I first bought ArmA 2: Combined Operations from STEAM.

Cheers! :D

[ludriramit 1]

-

Edited May 4, 2016 by ludriramit

[lunakhod 8]

Thanks xCryonic, worked like a dream.

[xcryonic 1]

Thanks xCryonic' date=' worked like a dream.

[/quote']

No problem, I'm glad it's working! :)

[herring (DayZ) 0]

Works for me. Thank you

btw what does the "ca" in parameters do?

[aegon 1]

snip

Thank you kindly.

[xcryonic 1]

herring

Works for me. Thank you

btw what does the "ca" in parameters do?

Good for you! :)

"CA" apparently stands for ArmA 2 (Do not ask why it's called "CA"' date=' maybe it's "Combined Arma"???), it makes it possible to run the game as Combined Operations which consists ArmA 2 and Operation Arrowhead, without enabling the CA in your parameter you will end up having the "DirectX" error and many other errors rendering the mod unplayable.

So no need to worry about that, unless you delete the it from the list :P

Jake Green

snip

Thank you kindly.

You're most welcomed! :)

[Ryuuga 0]

Yeah' date=' sorry my bad. That was wrong parameter for Steam and it's now replaced with correct one, which is;

-beta=Expansion\beta;ca;Expansion\beta\Expansion -mod=@DayZ;ca

And remember to run your game as Combined Operations. :)

And if it still doesn't work, download and replace the "_runA2CO.cmd" with this http://www.mediafire.com/?tju0d6s5md6y8r6 . "_run2CO.cmd" is located in your ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead folder.

[/quote']

Thanks! The new parameters works perfectly now!

[xcryonic 1]

Yeah' date=' sorry my bad. That was wrong parameter for Steam and it's now replaced with correct one, which is;

-beta=Expansion\beta;ca;Expansion\beta\Expansion -mod=@DayZ;ca

And remember to run your game as Combined Operations. :)

And if it still doesn't work, download and replace the "_runA2CO.cmd" with this http://www.mediafire.com/?tju0d6s5md6y8r6 . "_run2CO.cmd" is located in your ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead folder.

[/quote']

Thanks! The new parameters works perfectly now!

You're welcome!

[disciple 26]

The only way i can launch this beta is an another parameters on Steam: -beta=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;CA;@DayZ

[xcryonic 1]

The only way i can launch this beta is an another parameters on Steam: -beta=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;CA;@DayZ

Because you're not using the "-mod=@DayZ;ca" parameter. AND the game has to be running as Combined Operations which is right-click ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead and then press "Launch ArmA 2: Combined Operations"

But that parameter will do just fine because it is the same only in different form and you've added the mods AFTER the game boot, if the mods would boot before the game then it wouldn't work. :)

[JohnM15141 0]

I followed these instructions on a brand new computer, it was barraged with so much malware and spam. Wtf?

---

Thanks a lot assholes!

[xcryonic 1]

I followed these instructions on a brand new computer' date=' it was barraged with so much malware and spam. Wtf?

[hr']

Thanks a lot assholes!

Stop downloading German-Gay-Midget-Porn from download links like "Virus-free" and you'll do just fine.

There's no use to blame us for your actions.

[TheDee (DayZ) 9]

When trying to install the beta patch I get

"ArmA 2 OA is not installed on your computer or instillation is corrupted"

[kcuestag 6]

The only way i can launch this beta is an another parameters on Steam: -beta=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;CA;@DayZ

Thanks a lot for posting this, it was the only way I could launch the game without getting any errors, thank you! :angel:

This thread should be stickied, it's really helpful!

[MrBloodworth 1]

Why does every guide skip how to install the beta patch?

Where does it even go?

[kcuestag 6]

Why does every guide skip how to install the beta patch?

Where does it even go?

Because installing the Beta Patches is as simple as double clicking the executable and it will install automatically in your Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead / Expansion / Beta folder.

After that, you just have to follow the Step 1, isn't that just stupidly easy? :D