ArmA 2 Game Launcher

[ArgusC]

Wonderful with the last version!
Instant startup compared to the (very) slow old one. I like it a lot, thank you!

[SpiritedMachine]

I'm glad to see that this worked for some of you that were having problems.



1.3.3 won't add my AddOns to the parameters window no matter what I click... It seems them, I can click on them and add them to groups, but it won't add them to the line.

I don't know what to tell you on that. All I can say is just make sure the topmost box in the Groups tree-structure is checked, as well as all the mods you intend to use.


Thanks for this great launcher!
I would like to be able to change the row of the mods to be started.
Like mod3 -> mod6 -> mod1
Is this possible ?

Do you mean change the order that the mods load? In the Addon Options tab you can either use the arrow buttons or drag and drop. If you mean reorder them in the "Groups" tree-structure, you can drag and drop items anywhere you want, including groups.


I've recently switched to this launcher and I really like it. Is there a way to auto-load TrackIR for those times when I stupidly forget to manually start it?

That's something I've been meaning to add, but haven't yet. You can see on the External Apps tab I have included Ventrilo, Teamspeak, and FRAPS. I'm going to get rid of those three things and instead allow you to add any external application you want, as well as command-line parameters. I assume starting TrackIR is just as simple as starting up an executable?

[Muecke]

do you mean change the order that the mods load?

thx ;)
;)

[Tankbuster]

allow you to add any external application you want, as well as command-line parameters. I assume starting TrackIR is just as simple as starting up an executable?

That'd be cool. Yes, TIR starts without any parameters, it loads up the default profile when it starts.

Here's another program I would like to have started automatically at the same time as the game..
http://electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm
(allows me a comms transmit key on my joystick.)

[touristo]

Hi SpiritedMachine,

I tried your launcher today and found it useful and easy to manage. Just one little thing disturbs me: if I create any profiles with it, your launcher goes to the Arma2 other profiles folder on the system partition ("C").

I do not want to clutter my system partition with the big savegames of A2 campaigns and missions and therefor have a commandline parameter added to my manually created shortcuts pointing to a profiles folder WITHIN my game directory for A2. It's named Profiles and the shortcut parameter is accordingly like this: -profiles=Profiles.

I cannot add this parameter to the commandline in your launcher, but would very much like to. If you think it's possible to choose a profiles location in the next version of your otherwise great working launcher, that would be cool!

keep up the good work,

touristo

[SpiritedMachine]

Hi SpiritedMachine,

I tried your launcher today and found it useful and easy to manage. Just one little thing disturbs me: if I create any profiles with it, your launcher goes to the Arma2 other profiles folder on the system partition ("C").

I do not want to clutter my system partition with the big savegames of A2 campaigns and missions and therefor have a commandline parameter added to my manually created shortcuts pointing to a profiles folder WITHIN my game directory for A2. It's named Profiles and the shortcut parameter is accordingly like this: -profiles=Profiles.

I cannot add this parameter to the commandline in your launcher, but would very much like to. If you think it's possible to choose a profiles location in the next version of your otherwise great working launcher, that would be cool!

keep up the good work,

touristo

If you add "-profiles=Profiles" in the Additional Parameters box, does that do what you want? If not, I'm afraid I don't follow what it is you're trying to do.

[kylania]

I don't know what to tell you on that. All I can say is just make sure the topmost box in the Groups tree-structure is checked, as well as all the mods you intend to use.

They are. :(

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/2896/nomodsshowing.jpg

Update: Total reinstall seemed to fix this. When I clicked on the Profiles option I'd received an Unexpected Exception thing with references to the profiles XML.

[SpiritedMachine]

Update: Total reinstall seemed to fix this. When I clicked on the Profiles option I'd received an Unexpected Exception thing with references to the profiles XML.

You mean when you click on profiles now it shows you an exception, or it was before you reinstalled?

If you continue to have problems you can clean up your data files by clicking on "Save Data Cleanup" under the help menu. If one of your data files is corrupted it may be causing problems.

[JojoTheSlayer]

I've recently switched to this launcher and I really like it. Is there a way to auto-load TrackIR for those times when I stupidly forget to manually start it?

Just FYI.
If you forget to pre load Track IR5 software you can still get it going after the game has started. All you have to do is alt tab, start Track ir software, go back into the game and just enter the key bindings window in options. The moment you enter that window track ir will reactivate. So you just close it again and start playing.

[DMarkwick]

Just FYI.
If you forget to pre load Track IR5 software you can still get it going after the game has started. All you have to do is alt tab, start Track ir software, go back into the game and just enter the key bindings window in options. The moment you enter that window track ir will reactivate. So you just close it again and start playing.

Nice one, thanks :)

[GROM64]

I found a bug.
In Addons Tab -> Addons Groups window
If i right-click an addon and select Move Up/Move Down - i'm getting unhandled exception.
It works, if i try to move the whole group.
Drag and drop works fine.

Thank you for this great mod, since i'm on steam i find it invaluable.

[JojoTheSlayer]

Any planes making a update to take into account official DLC?
Launch with DLC, yes no, or something like that?

[SpiritedMachine]

I found a bug.
In Addons Tab -> Addons Groups window
If i right-click an addon and select Move Up/Move Down - i'm getting unhandled exception.
It works, if i try to move the whole group.
Drag and drop works fine.

Thank you for this great mod, since i'm on steam i find it invaluable.

Thanks, I'll work on that this weekend.


Any planes making a update to take into account official DLC?
Launch with DLC, yes no, or something like that?

I haven't been in the loop lately when it comes to Arma, I don't know anything about it. It doesn't run like a normal mod? I'll have to take a look this weekend.

[AnimalMother92]

It works like any other mod and your launcher picks it up just fine. I don't think there's much need for a special button.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q295/macmeister92/baf.jpg

[Raserisk]

Has there been any work to fix the Launcher working with the STEAM Version? Now that the 1.54 patch is out, my beta is outdated and I want to use all those goodies with my mods :\

[SpiritedMachine]

Has there been any work to fix the Launcher working with the STEAM Version? Now that the 1.54 patch is out, my beta is outdated and I want to use all those goodies with my mods :\

That's something you'd have to ask the BIS team, it has nothing to do with my launcher. It's all about whether or not they still use Steam security with Operation Arrowhead.

[Jonn]

Has there been any work to fix the Launcher working with the STEAM Version? Now that the 1.54 patch is out, my beta is outdated and I want to use all those goodies with my mods :\
This launcher works with steam, I have ArmA2, ArmA2:OA and BAF-DLC from steam and it all works with this launcher.

[AnimalMother92]

This launcher works with steam, I have ArmA2, ArmA2:OA and BAF:DLC from steam and it all works with this launcher.

Same here, no problems at all. Even with the latest beta.

[Raserisk]

Weird, everytime I set it to CO or OA and try to use the launcher it opens up the Steam dialog box you know... "Preparing to Launch Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead"

And it will just stay there. HOWEVER it works fine if I just launch Arma 2 with my mods. Gah!

[Mandrake5]

sorry if it's obvious, but can I use this launcher to run Arma2 as Administrator in Windows 7?

[Bushlurker]

Weird, everytime I set it to CO or OA and try to use the launcher it opens up the Steam dialog box you know... "Preparing to Launch Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead"

And it will just stay there. HOWEVER it works fine if I just launch Arma 2 with my mods. Gah!

I've noticed this sometimes too... I think it's something to do with "maximum allowed command line length" or something like that... I've noticed that if I shorten the total command line by unticking certain stuff - like "no splash screen", or simply by activating less modfolders, it works fine... too many, it hangs like you describe...

My setup is DVD A2, and Steam OA - so two different main directories means enormous commandlines...

B

[Raserisk]

I see what you mean, I have 25 addons, and was able to launch it with CO, and just using 1 addon. With the beta, i could run all of them. Meh.

[kylania]

I've noticed this sometimes too... I think it's something to do with "maximum allowed command line length" or something like that... I've noticed that if I shorten the total command line by unticking certain stuff - like "no splash screen", or simply by activating less modfolders, it works fine... too many, it hangs like you describe... Running it with all the extra crap beta adds in and most of my options wouldn't even load.

My setup is DVD A2, and Steam OA - so two different main directories means enormous commandlines...

B

Yup, I had this problem as well. I had Steam ArmA2 installed to E:\Steam\steamapps\common\arma2\arma2.exe or something and OA was in E:\arma2\bohemia interactive\operation arrowhead\arma2oa.exe so basically I could add one mod folder and options before I couldn't add anything else.

Initially I investigates subst'ing a drive letter to the root install folders, but eventually just bought the DVD of CO and installed it all to E:\CO and now i have no problems at all. :)

And yes, running the launcher as admin runs the game as admin. If you make shortcuts, just run those as admin.

[Jonn]

Hey SpiritedMachine,

Can you add an option to turn on TrackIR (like the fraps option) when you start the game, Please :pray: ?

Thanks

[Bushlurker]

I've noticed this sometimes too... I think it's something to do with "maximum allowed command line length" or something like that... I've noticed that if I shorten the total command line by unticking certain stuff - like "no splash screen", or simply by activating less modfolders, it works fine... too many, it hangs like you describe...

My setup is DVD A2, and Steam OA - so two different main directories means enormous commandlines...

B





Originally Posted by Bushlurker
I've noticed this sometimes too... I think it's something to do with "maximum allowed command line length" or something like that... I've noticed that if I shorten the total command line by unticking certain stuff - like "no splash screen", or simply by activating less modfolders, it works fine... too many, it hangs like you describe... Running it with all the extra crap beta adds in and most of my options wouldn't even load.My setup is DVD A2, and Steam OA - so two different main directories means enormous commandlines...

B


Yup, I had this problem as well. I had Steam ArmA2 installed to E:\Steam\steamapps\common\arma2\arma2.exe or something and OA was in E:\arma2\bohemia interactive\operation arrowhead\arma2oa.exe so basically I could add one mod folder and options before I couldn't add anything else.

Initially I investigates subst'ing a drive letter to the root install folders, but eventually just bought the DVD of CO and installed it all to E:\CO and now i have no problems at all. :)

And yes, running the launcher as admin runs the game as admin. If you make shortcuts, just run those as admin.

eeh... I didn't actually say the bit about the beta, Kylania... you shouldn't really "edit" peoples quotes - I've not actually been trying the betas - too busy working on my terrain project, but from the way this quote reads someone might think I have, and ask me questions about it, and I'd wonder why...:rolleyes:


B

[kylania]

:confused::confused:

Umm.. I didn't edit your quote. No idea what happened with that, but I didn't add it. :)

[Bushlurker]

multiple copy/paste/quote/edit/glitch... no big deal mate - stuff happens... just thought I'd mention it - I get more than enough PMs and questions as it is without people thinking I might know about betas as well! :D

B

sorry about the brief off-topic there Spirited Machine! - on with the show...

[SpiritedMachine]

Hey SpiritedMachine,

Can you add an option to turn on TrackIR (like the fraps option) when you start the game, Please :pray: ?

Thanks

Version 1.4 is available now. (http://forums.bistudio.com/showpost.php?p=1480904&postcount=1)

I changed the way you deal with external applications. The External Applications tab has a list of applications that allows you to add whatever you want, and choose when they start.

Enabled - Starts every time you start ArmA II with the launcher.
Singleplayer - Only starts when you have 'Play Online' unchecked.
Multiplayer - Only starts when you have 'Play Online' checked.
Disabled - Doesn't start with ArmA II.

[DMarkwick]

Brilliant :) Thanks very much.

[Jonn]

Nice, Updating NOW! :)

Thanks

[AnimalMother92]

Cool, thnx for the update.

[WillaCHilla]

Great addition!-Thx for that!

[Foxhound]

Updated version frontpaged on the Armaholic homepage (http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=8242).


http://www.armaholic.com/datas/users/news_download_a2_4.png (http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=8241)
SpiritedMachine's Game Launcher v1.4 (http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=8241)

[Rak]

Looks like great program, but I can't get it to work properly.

My problem is that on the Addons screen, I drag and drop the addons into Groups but nothing happens. I can't get them to show up on the right side. I have the groups and Addonds/Mods ticked on the right. It's really frustrating.

Anyone knows a solution?

[SpiritedMachine]

Looks like great program, but I can't get it to work properly.

My problem is that on the Addons screen, I drag and drop the addons into Groups but nothing happens. I can't get them to show up on the right side. I have the groups and Addonds/Mods ticked on the right. It's really frustrating.

Anyone knows a solution?

Sorry, I haven't had anyone have this happen before as far as I know. It sounds like you're using it properly, but I'd like to see a little video of your desktop to know for sure. Sounds strange, especially if there are no error messages.

[Cerber]

Yes it's true , same problem for me too :(
I can drag only names without "@<hidden>" and with "@<hidden> cannot :(

---------- Post added at 10:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:20 AM ----------


Yes it's true , same problem for me too :(
I can drag only names without "@<hidden>" and with "@<hidden> cannot :(

Ok i found where was problem. I have deleted all groups and leave only "group 1" then everything works

[Peterson]

I can't get this to launch my addons with steam. I have added to groups and also under the addon options tab. Nothing is working. It just loads vanilla.

http://gyazo.com/b7964ebd41ef2e4a2c13ead096406246.png
http://gyazo.com/85367dab79e4f5d258584c79b74b5e7e.png

[kdjac]

^^ in Launch options where have you pointed to the EXEs?

[Bushlurker]

I can't get this to launch my addons with steam

Try with just ONE modfolder activated - see if it actually launches OK... Steam seems to require some enormous paths to be added to the command line - quickly running it out of characters... With standard A2 and Steam OA, I find that when using Combined Ops I can only have about 3 modfolders active, or the game starts to launch - then just hangs permanently at the wee initial steam popup and never goes any further.... dropping a modfolder, or removing the tick on "skip splashscreen" or "cpu count" is usually enough to drop the commandline below the maximum and the game then launches fine...
Not sure if anything can actually be done about this by Spirited Machine... it's an irritating Steam-induced limitation...

B

[SpiritedMachine]

Not sure if anything can actually be done about this by Spirited Machine... it's an irritating Steam-induced limitation...

Bushlurker is correct. There's nothing I can do about that, it's a part of the way Steam handles startup parameters. I wish I could solve it on my end somehow, but until OA is treated like A2 and does not require Steam to run, we will continue to have this problem.

[Peterson]

The game launches fine with no hangups. But it doesnt load any of the mods. Yes I have pointed to the .exe's

[SpiritedMachine]

The game launches fine with no hangups. But it doesnt load any of the mods. Yes I have pointed to the .exe's

I just looked at your screenshots more closely. I see what you mean now, I can't figure out why that would be happening. I'll look into it.

[Peterson]

Should I set anything special in the Steam cmdline? via Steam -> Library -> A2OA -> Properties -> Launch Options..

I removed my normal parameters from the cmdline because it was loading them and not from the launcher. Even with it removed it still loads vanilla.


EDIT: Fixed I removed Expansion from the visible addons to hidden and it loads up the mods now.

[Carl_D]

Hi

Thanks for your work - the launcher looks great & the layout/structure is very logical & clear.

Unfortunately I also am finding that the game - A2 or the latest A2 beta, standalone - will only start as vanilla, i.e. no mods loaded.

Another issue is that the launcher seems not to detect some mods, specifically LandTex.

Hmm - while writing this I was checking in the launcher & decided to set up another test addon group. I added @<hidden> and @<hidden> but after that I could not add CBA/CBA_A2 into the group. Some other mods also 'refused' to be dragged e.g. GIB_Copy_Stance. An earlier version of CBA (V123) could be dragged (folder is named @<hidden>, & works properly if loaded from the command line),

What is particularly odd about this is that in my first attempt yesterday I set up a group called zeu_ai according to The.D's guide on BIS which included ACE, ACEX, CBA [0.6], CBA_A2 [0.6] & GIB_Copy_Stance plus various others without any problems - other than launching the game gave me only vanilla A2.

Hope you can resolve these issues because the design of this launcher is by far the best I've seen. In the meantime I'll uninstall/reinstall & let you know if that makes any difference.

Ciao

Carl

---------- Post added at 09:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:38 AM ----------


In the meantime I'll uninstall/reinstall & let you know if that makes any difference.

No change at all, still doesn't work. :(

One point to note - after the uninstall/reinstall, when I opened the launcher the groups I had created were still there. Where does the launcher store data/config/whatever files? I want to try a full unistall/reinstall including the deletion of all stored group data, etc.

(I'ld recommend that the uninstall should offer this option anyway).

BR

Carl

[SpiritedMachine]

Hi

Thanks for your work - the launcher looks great & the layout/structure is very logical & clear.

Unfortunately I also am finding that the game - A2 or the latest A2 beta, standalone - will only start as vanilla, i.e. no mods loaded.

Another issue is that the launcher seems not to detect some mods, specifically LandTex.

Hmm - while writing this I was checking in the launcher & decided to set up another test addon group. I added @<hidden> and @<hidden> but after that I could not add CBA/CBA_A2 into the group. Some other mods also 'refused' to be dragged e.g. GIB_Copy_Stance. An earlier version of CBA (V123) could be dragged (folder is named @<hidden>, & works properly if loaded from the command line),

What is particularly odd about this is that in my first attempt yesterday I set up a group called zeu_ai according to The.D's guide on BIS which included ACE, ACEX, CBA [0.6], CBA_A2 [0.6] & GIB_Copy_Stance plus various others without any problems - other than launching the game gave me only vanilla A2.

Hope you can resolve these issues because the design of this launcher is by far the best I've seen. In the meantime I'll uninstall/reinstall & let you know if that makes any difference.

Ciao

Carl

---------- Post added at 09:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:38 AM ----------



No change at all, still doesn't work. :(

One point to note - after the uninstall/reinstall, when I opened the launcher the groups I had created were still there. Where does the launcher store data/config/whatever files? I want to try a full unistall/reinstall including the deletion of all stored group data, etc.

(I'ld recommend that the uninstall should offer this option anyway).

BR

Carl

Under the help menu there is an option called "Saved Data Cleanup". You can delete those files using the dialog that pops up.

I'm really confused about these problems because I can't seem to recreate them at all. I use the launcher pretty often and I've never had anything like that happen. I believe you, because I've heard similar things from a few people. But I also know that many people use it with no problems at all. That makes it very difficult to track down the issue.

[Carl_D]

Under the help menu there is an option called "Saved Data Cleanup". You can delete those files using the dialog that pops up.



Hi

Thanks for the reply. I got the pop-up, checked the only box which was labelled
" 1.4.0.0 - current", hit the clean up button, got the warning, hit proceed & got confirmation. Burt the entries are still there and the clean data box still appears with the same entry - after 5 repetitions :(

Maybe it's something odd like XP Pro setting the file to read-only?

Please would you where is it stored? I have a number of programs that can force file deletion.

LaterI FYI I've looked in Documents & Settings -

...\Application Data\Spirited Machine\ArmA II Launcher - folder is empty

...Local Settings\Application Data\Spirited_Machine\ARMA2_Launcher.exe_Url_3zstfca3jipdh4z40epcdwgp3u4luxrt\1.3.3.0 - folder has one user.config file, contents are:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<configuration>
<configSections>
<sectionGroup name="userSettings" type="System.Configuration.UserSettingsGroup, System, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089" >
<section name="ARMA2_Launcher.My.MySettings" type="System.Configuration.ClientSettingsSection, System, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089" allowExeDefinition="MachineToLocalUser" requirePermission="false" />
</sectionGroup>
</configSections>
<userSettings>
<ARMA2_Launcher.My.MySettings>
<setting name="winwidth" serializeAs="String">
<value>507</value>
</setting>
<setting name="winposy" serializeAs="String">
<value>284</value>
</setting>
<setting name="winposx" serializeAs="String">
<value>872</value>
</setting>
<setting name="winheight" serializeAs="String">
<value>590</value>
</setting>
<setting name="treeviewduplicates" serializeAs="String">
<value>False</value>
</setting>
</ARMA2_Launcher.My.MySettings>
</userSettings>
</configuration>

Can't find any other folders for Spirited Machine.

There's nothing in the game folder other than the files as per installed.

I installed to

G:\ARMA II\sm_ArmA II Launcher

(the "sm_" is to avoid confusion with another launcher for which I had named the folder "ArmA II Launcher". Don't know if the location or folder name is affecting the program.


TIA

Carl

[SpiritedMachine]

The files should be located in documents and settings/application data/roaming/spirited machine or something similar. I can't remember what it is in XP.

In Windows 7 it's C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Spirited Machine

[Carl_D]

@<hidden> Machine:

Thanks for the reply. I did find the 2 folders as posted (probably should have sent a separate message rather than editing, apologies for any comfusion).

I've found that after closing the launcher & re-opening it, the groups have indeed been deleted. Unfortunately it still behaves oddly. I started setting up 2 new groups only to observe that any mod I had added to the first group could not be dragged to any other group. Gave up & turned off machine. Later after a restart I found that effect had disappeared & now I could add a mod to more than one grroup. But... it still only launches vanilla A2/vanilla A2beta, & still does not detect @<hidden>

Willing to spend some time investigating this. Could you post a list of all the registry entries that installation should have created?

Ciao

Carl

[SpiritedMachine]

@<hidden> Machine:

Thanks for the reply. I did find the 2 folders as posted (probably should have sent a separate message rather than editing, apologies for any comfusion).

I've found that after closing the launcher & re-opening it, the groups have indeed been deleted. Unfortunately it still behaves oddly. I started setting up 2 new groups only to observe that any mod I had added to the first group could not be dragged to any other group. Gave up & turned off machine. Later after a restart I found that effect had disappeared & now I could add a mod to more than one grroup. But... it still only launches vanilla A2/vanilla A2beta, & still does not detect @<hidden>

Willing to spend some time investigating this. Could you post a list of all the registry entries that installation should have created?

Ciao

Carl

It should not make any changes to your registry.

[Carl_D]

It should not make any changes to your registry.

Thanks. I don't see what else I can do to help as I have no coding skills other than a bit of bash, etc., to keep my Linux boxes in shape (with O'Reilly's invaluable help).

Ciao

Carl

[Mack.]

Just wanted to say thanks for making the launcher.

I use it all the time, saves having endless shortcuts on my desktop.

Thanks again

[SpetS15]

Thanks, its a very very usefull tool, I have like 30+ addons in the arma folder o.O

Awesome!

[Mac_Spliff=ISK=]

Hello folks,

Enjoying the Launcher..?
It rock's very handy this one, and i have something to ad in this launcher...

Is it possible to get the editor launched also with this Tool...?
I mean, instead of launching the game, you make a feature that launches the Editor??

With the mods and all that, Makes life easy for the Editor guy's, and me 2 :)

So, The finishing touch, Make a litle feature that it launches the editor the same way as it launches the game or the host game feature...???

Is that possible..?

U have a brother in arms over here buddy!!!

Thanks for this cool thing, at last i can play all that i want, edit all that i want on the fly
No more needs for getting the startup string on...

Just missing that Editor thingy that save's time...

Mac out...

[Carl_D]

Hi

Decided to uninstall completely including deleting both folders, then reinstall. Heh, it now [mostly] works, no idea why :)

However ther still seems to be one or two issues with how the launcher detects modfolders.

Firstly, it does not detect some modfolders at all - @<hidden>, @<hidden>, @<hidden> for examples. Has anyone else encountered this?

Secondly - I don't know if it's related - the launcher lists mods only in semi-alphabetical order; for example @<hidden> & the BMD-1 pack which is @<hidden> both appear at the bottom of the list after @<hidden> & @<hidden>

By the way, you might want to update the first picture in the manual - there isn't a "Load addons" check box any more & emphasise in the text that the top-level box
"Addons / mods" must be checked or the game will launch as vanilla irrespective of what boxes are checked lower in the hierarchy.

Again, thanks for all your work on this. Launching almost all combinations is now vastly easier than any other solution I've tried :)

Now, if only there was a way to automatically detect what addons a mission or campaign absolutely required to run - e.g., sap_everon or Namalsk - life would be perfect... ;-)

BR carl



Hi again

Found a workaround for the 'missing' addons issue, in case anyone else has the same problem.

Close the launcher & go to the folder (in XP Pro 32, no idea where it would be in W7, etc.):

C:\Documents and Settings\User name\Application Data\Spirited Machine\ArmA II Launcher\1.4.0.0\Profiles\Default

& look for the file Addon_Order.xml

&, (after backing it up) use Notepad to open the original file.

This starts:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<AddonOrder xmlns="urn:addons-schema">
<Visible>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii">arma ii</Addon>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>

& goes on to list all the addons the launcher has detected, ending

<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
</Visible>
<Hidden />
</AddonOrder>

NB: there are actually 4 spaces at the start of each line but the BI Forum editor removes them. To be safe, ensure any lines you insert/edit have those spaces.

I couldn't 'persuade' the launcher to find @<hidden> so I inserted a line thus:

<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
<Addon Path="g:\arma ii\@<hidden>">@<hidden></Addon>
</Visible>
<Hidden />
</AddonOrder>

saved the file (as .xml, not .txt!), closed it, & restarted the launcher.

Hey presto, @<hidden> is now in the list, can be added to groups, and functions properly.

If anyone is fussy enough (not me!), it would be simple - but tedious - to cut & paste in the list so addons appear in true alphabetical order.

This is indeed a really excellent launcher :yay:

Cheers

Carl

[Rak]

After reformatting, I though I'd give this one a try again. To my surprise I still cannot drag and drop addons into groups. When I do that, nothing happens.

I have Steam OA, and DVD ArmA 2. I really want to use this launcher as it's the best one for CO. Any help is appreciated.

[Bushlurker]

Launcher still working just fine for me after the patch Spirited Machine!

I noticed this amongst the new patch changelog items...


New: Expansions possibly registered in Windows Registry (by some future setups) are loaded and available through ModLauncher. When used with -mod commandline the prefix '%' should be used, such as -mod=%someInstalledMod.


Haven't found any further documentation about that so far... doesn't seem to be affecting things launcherwise tho...


B

[Spectator6]

Thanks for the great addon! I've set it up with one of my friends who's new to computers/arma2 and it's definitely made it life easier!

I do have one quick issue to point out though. I'm running the Steam versions of Arma2 and Arma2OA+BAF (each purchased separately, etc) and here's what happens.

If I have installed a beta patch and set the launcher up to run the beta, the game loads just fine outside of steam. Which it great, because this means I can deactivate steam if I don't need to use it for something else and save on resources.

HOWEVER, when I set the launcher to *not* run the beta, the launcher starts steam and attempts to launch the game in steam. And what happens is the game never actually starts. I see the Steam dialogue box that says "Preparing to launch Arma 2:Operation Arrowhead..." The cancel button is grayed out and I have to close the window by hitting the X in the top right corner. I've waited for 5 minutes and the game never actually starts, I remain at the desktop with the notification.

Does this happen to anyone else? Ideally, I'd like for the launcher to still launch the game separately from Steam (as it does w the beta patch) if at all possible.

Thanks again for all your hard work! =)

[AnimalMother92]

You can't run the non-beta exe w/o Steam. Just run the beta.

[SpiritedMachine]

Thanks for the great addon! I've set it up with one of my friends who's new to computers/arma2 and it's definitely made it life easier!

I do have one quick issue to point out though. I'm running the Steam versions of Arma2 and Arma2OA+BAF (each purchased separately, etc) and here's what happens.

If I have installed a beta patch and set the launcher up to run the beta, the game loads just fine outside of steam. Which it great, because this means I can deactivate steam if I don't need to use it for something else and save on resources.

HOWEVER, when I set the launcher to *not* run the beta, the launcher starts steam and attempts to launch the game in steam. And what happens is the game never actually starts. I see the Steam dialogue box that says "Preparing to launch Arma 2:Operation Arrowhead..." The cancel button is grayed out and I have to close the window by hitting the X in the top right corner. I've waited for 5 minutes and the game never actually starts, I remain at the desktop with the notification.

Does this happen to anyone else? Ideally, I'd like for the launcher to still launch the game separately from Steam (as it does w the beta patch) if at all possible.

Thanks again for all your hard work! =)

Unfortunately that's the way it is for everyone. Until they get rid of the Steam copy protection on OA like they did for ArmA 2, it will be a pain like that. Just have to use the beta for now.

I'm glad you like it, I had a lot of fun creating it.

[This is Bosnia]

Thanks for the useful tool.

[phertiker]

Unfortunately that's the way it is for everyone. Until they get rid of the Steam copy protection on OA like they did for ArmA 2, it will be a pain like that. Just have to use the beta for now.


You know what's weird? I'd swear to you that it worked for OA just a few weeks ago, but now I get a Steam load app error. I'm almost positive I wasn't running the beta because a buddy of mine was and I remember talking about WANTING to run the beta...

Twilight zone, man.

**Dammit, I forgot: Thanks for the launcher. Between this and Addon Sync I almost never use the actual Arma menu interface...

[SpiritedMachine]

You know what's weird? I'd swear to you that it worked for OA just a few weeks ago, but now I get a Steam load app error. I'm almost positive I wasn't running the beta because a buddy of mine was and I remember talking about WANTING to run the beta...

Twilight zone, man.


Well that could be, actually. What causes the hanging problem is that Steam only accepts the mod parameter string up to a certain length. If its under that maximum length, it will work. You may have had only a couple mods running, or maybe none at all.

[kdjac]

HOWEVER, when I set the launcher to *not* run the beta, the launcher starts steam and attempts to launch the game in steam. And what happens is the game never actually starts. I see the Steam dialogue box that says "Preparing to launch Arma 2:Operation Arrowhead..." The cancel button is grayed out and I have to close the window by hitting the X in the top right corner. I've waited for 5 minutes and the game never actually starts, I remain at the desktop with the notification.




only when i run ACE complete , my fix is run the game from Steam, exit out and then run it from arma launcher.

Pain in the ass but i only get "preparing" when i load ace in arma launcher.

[phertiker]

Well that could be, actually. What causes the hanging problem is that Steam only accepts the mod parameter string up to a certain length. If its under that maximum length, it will work. You may have had only a couple mods running, or maybe none at all.

Hmm, interesting. I removed all the mods; I still get the error, but the game loads. I didn't actually try to play.

I CAN get it to work just fine, however, by choosing the Steam executable rather than the OA exe, and using this in the "Additional Paramaters" field:


-applaunch 33930

The launcher puts that option at the end of the variables but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm trying it with ACE2 and a zillion other mods enabled; I think it would work fine, except that PMC is screwed up through Steam and it causes other mods to be disabled as well.

** Nope, lies. The launcher won't detect any addons if you change the exe path that drastically.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4008598/arma-launcher-steam_thumb.jpg (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4008598/arma-launcher-steam.jpg)

[SpiritedMachine]

I have been away from this game for a few months now, so I'm not sure when the latest update for the game was released. But today Steam downloaded updated versions of both A2 and OA, and now OA appears to have the Steam protection removed. Now, using my launcher, it is possible to start Operation Arrowhead or Combined Operations without ever seeing a Steam dialog.

The hanging Steam dialog issue should be no more. At least that is what I am experiencing this afternoon.

[Taktik]

Hello. Can add additional languages? German, Russian, Polish and other... (with Russian I can help)

[Bushlurker]

I have been away from this game for a few months now, so I'm not sure when the latest update for the game was released. But today Steam downloaded updated versions of both A2 and OA, and now OA appears to have the Steam protection removed. Now, using my launcher, it is possible to start Operation Arrowhead or Combined Operations without ever seeing a Steam dialog.

The hanging Steam dialog issue should be no more. At least that is what I am experiencing this afternoon.

Noticed that too SM!
Disk A2 and Steam OA here, and the launcher worked just nicely - with certain limitations such as hanging popup when the commandline was too long, etc - still a lot less fuss than all those .cmd files, etc... But with the latest update all those little picky issues seem to be gone... fully working now, plus I've been able to turn on commandline extras like "maxmem" and "nosplash" without "going over the limit" with modfolders too...

Brilliant.....


B

[Baz]

I get an error message from .NET framework saying that root element is missing... Strange thing is the launcher was running fine before until I bought and installed PMC...

I tried reinstalling and I get same error message still whenever I start the launcher.


See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.Xml.XmlException: Root element is missing.
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Read()
at System.Xml.XmlLoader.Load(XmlDocument doc, XmlReader reader, Boolean preserveWhitespace)
at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(XmlReader reader)
at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(String filename)
at ARMA2_Launcher.Main.Load_OrderList(String Filename)
at ARMA2_Launcher.Main.Update_Addons()
at ARMA2_Launcher.Main.loaddata()
at ARMA2_Launcher.Main.MainForm_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.EventHandler.Invoke(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3615 (GDR.050727-3600)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
ARMA2 Launcher
Assembly Version: 1.3.3.0
Win32 Version: 1.4.0.0
CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/Spirited%20Machine/ArmA%20II%20Launcher/ARMA2%20Launcher.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3614 (GDR.050727-3600)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
Accessibility
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Accessibility/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Accessibility.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3082 (QFE.050727-3000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Deployment
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Deployment/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Deployment.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

[SpiritedMachine]

I get an error message from .NET framework saying that root element is missing... Strange thing is the launcher was running fine before until I bought and installed PMC...

I tried reinstalling and I get same error message still whenever I start the launcher.


Somehow the file that stores the load order of your mods has been corrupted.

Automatic Fix (All settings will be lost.) : Open the Help menu and click on Saved Data Cleanup. Check the current version, then restart the launcher.


Manual Fix (Only Mod Load Order settings will be lost.) : Go to your Application Data folder. (C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming on Windows 7) Find Spirited Machine folder -> ArmA II Launcher -> Version Number -> Profiles -> Your Profile. Delete Addon_Order.xml.

Hope this solves your problem.

[A.D.]

Hi there !!!

First i'd like to say the Arma Launcher is such a great tool !!! It would be nice, if doubleclicking a server from the browser would directly start arma with the servermods activated. Another wish i have is if the serverbrowsers windowsize could be restored when opening it... especially if the gridfields of the list could be restored automatically ... that would be awesome !!!

Good work and thank you for sharing and developing !!!

Bones

[blazjeren]

Hi SpiritedMachine and everyone else.

This is really great launcher for managing addons, etc.
But I have one question about it:

Is it possible to directly join a multiplayer game from the server browser, which is included? Because when I want to join a server that requires only Arma 2, Arma 2 OA, BAF lite and PMC lite, the launcher gives me multiple messages, that:
Arma 2 mod is missing
Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead mod is missing
Arma 2 BAF mod is missing and
Arma 2 PMC mod is missing

I have all of those installed (I also have full versions of BAF and PMC).
I have disc versions of Arma 2 and Arma 2 OA and they are installed in seperate folders

Can you help me with this problem?

Thanks in advance

[SpiritedMachine]

Hi SpiritedMachine and everyone else.

This is really great launcher for managing addons, etc.
But I have one question about it:

Is it possible to directly join a multiplayer game from the server browser, which is included? Because when I want to join a server that requires only Arma 2, Arma 2 OA, BAF lite and PMC lite, the launcher gives me multiple messages, that:
Arma 2 mod is missing
Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead mod is missing
Arma 2 BAF mod is missing and
Arma 2 PMC mod is missing

I have all of those installed (I also have full versions of BAF and PMC).
I have disc versions of Arma 2 and Arma 2 OA and they are installed in seperate folders

Can you help me with this problem?

Thanks in advance

When the serverbrowser compares your mods against the server's mods, it compares the names of the modfolders. If they are not named exactly the same, it will claim that you are missing the mod, while you may have it installed, just with a slightly different folder name. It is not a very accurate way of comparison, but there is no other way for me to compare.

You can still activate the appropriate mods manually rather than having the launcher try to do it for you. If it asks you if you want to activate server mods, say no, and then manage the mods yourself.

I may remove that feature because it seems to cause more confusion rather than make things easier.

Hope I explained this ok.

[blazjeren]

When the serverbrowser compares your mods against the server's mods, it compares the names of the modfolders. If they are not named exactly the same, it will claim that you are missing the mod, while you may have it installed, just with a slightly different folder name. It is not a very accurate way of comparison, but there is no other way for me to compare.

You can still activate the appropriate mods manually rather than having the launcher try to do it for you. If it asks you if you want to activate server mods, say no, and then manage the mods yourself.

I may remove that feature because it seems to cause more confusion rather than make things easier.

Hope I explained this ok.

Thanks for the answer and explaining this SpiritedMachine

I will try to fix this when I get home (this weekend), but if I fail, I hope I can contact you again.

[[APS]Gnat]

Nice work SM.
This little gem has finally replaced my Kegetys launcher I'd been using for years :D

[twisted]

this launcher has become the first launcher i use all the time. thanks very much for such functionality made so easy to use.

only thing i may suggest is ability to have 2 trees under the same profile - where an entire tree of addons may be enabled/disabled at the click of a button without having to use a new profile. if this feature does exist it is perhaps the one thing i cannot easily find in this launcher.

very good work. thanks again.

[Lorca]

Hi, I heard that the proper shortcut load order is for example:

nosplash -mod=

But in this launcher nosplash is placed at the right. For example:


-nosplash -showScriptErrors -maxMem=2047 -cpuCount=2

[Mosh]

Hi, I heard that the proper shortcut load order is for example:

nosplash -mod=

But in this launcher nosplash is placed at the right. For example:


-nosplash -showScriptErrors -maxMem=2047 -cpuCount=2

The order you put most things doesn't matter. The way the launcher does it is correct.

[Lorca]

The order you put most things doesn't matter. The way the launcher does it is correct.

What? You mean the this launcher places the mods in the right order automatically?

[AnimalMother92]

No, it means it doesn't matter..

[Mosh]

Yes I think you are a little confused... understandable if your just getting into mods and stuff for Arma II. :)

I'll try to explain it a little better.

-nosplash -mod=@<hidden>;@<hidden> -skipIntro etc... those are all startup parameters and do not matter what order they go in.

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA:_Startup_Parameters

The actual -mod=@<hidden>;@<hidden> parameter CAN control what order a specific mod is launched... I believe it loads last mod as priority (so let's say you have 2 sound mods, I believe the last one listed would be read last and therefore would be used).

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-Mod-Folders-in-Arma-2

If I confused you even more I'm sorry. The search (http://forums.bistudio.com/search.php) feature really is your best friend here.

Good luck and have fun.

As far as this launcher goes, without it there's no way I'd be able to manage the amount of stuff I play with.

[Lorca]

Yes I think you are a little confused... understandable if your just getting into mods and stuff for Arma II. :)

I'll try to explain it a little better.

-nosplash -mod=@<hidden>;@<hidden> -skipIntro etc... those are all startup parameters and do not matter what order they go in.

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA:_Startup_Parameters

The actual -mod=@<hidden>;@<hidden> parameter CAN control what order a specific mod is launched... I believe it loads last mod as priority (so let's say you have 2 sound mods, I believe the last one listed would be read last and therefore would be used).

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-Mod-Folders-in-Arma-2

If I confused you even more I'm sorry. The search (http://forums.bistudio.com/search.php) feature really is your best friend here.

Good luck and have fun.

As far as this launcher goes, without it there's no way I'd be able to manage the amount of stuff I play with.

Thanks buddy for your explanation and links, you explained it very well:bounce3:
Btw, you were correct in assuming i am new. (joined in 2 days ago) I noticed you joined in in 2002, wow. I thought i was a veteran in my forum(Elder scrolls) I joined there in 2003. I believe Arma2 is becoming my new obsession. Amazing and unique military game. The most serious game of any genre out there I believe.

[Lorca]

Sorry, for the double post. I was wondering if the launcher is capable of writing down in notepad for example the script errors in the game when "show script errors" is enable? I'm trying to write down on a piece of paper those game errors but they fly so fast.

[Mosh]

Check your error report file:

C:\Users\YourWindowsUsername\AppData\Local\ArmA 2 OA\arma2OA.RPT

[Lorca]

Check your error report file:

C:\Users\YourWindowsUsername\AppData\Local\ArmA 2 OA\arma2OA.RPT

Ah, thanks buddy.

[j rock]

i have a suggestion for ur next update. plz plz plz do it

since these there r so many mod out there and every server love to run their own selection of modsssss, almost every bloody server does it. (thats great, all those excellent mod won't go to waste but also very annoying)

trying to match their mod isn't the worst part, to make it worse every bloody server keep every things in 1 mod folder like say (@<hidden> or @<hidden> or @<hidden>) u can't tell whats inside!!!!!!!!! just by looking at it.

its frankly a bitch to follow, lucky we hav your spirited machine arma luncher and yoma addon sync...


first:
i use yoma to find out what inside (@<hidden> or @<hidden> or @<hidden>) or other mods they using.

then:
i use your arma launcher to build up a profile run certain mods just for that server.

so i don't hav to DL the same mod over n over n over n over, normally these (@<hidden> or @<hidden> or @<hidden>) share atleast 50% or more identical mods. thats where your arma launcher really come in handy.


!!!!!!!!!!!skip the trash talk above here is the main point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

its very hard to pick out the necessary mod to build up a profile to match a the server mods. when you have 80+ mods in your arma folder.

i just wonder if u could add the group directory function to the (available addons) side too. for quicker access and better organizsastion.
though it must be share by all profile, or else it is just pointless doing so. since it only come in handy when u create a new profile.

so u won't need to spend whole day to build up a profile because u need to pick out that 1 mod from that endless list.

visual explanations:
http://img21.imageshack.us/f/mysuggestion.jpg

[TangoCharlie]

Spirited Machine - a little help please if possible. I have just downloaded and installed your launcher (v1.4.0) and configured it with my Steam-based Combined Ops installs and mods.

However, despite the summarised launch line at the bottom looking fine, it insists on loading Arma2 (not OA engine / combined ops) no matter what I do. I even changed the "Arma II" path from the A2 executable to the OA one to trick it, yet somehow it is still loading arma 2 1.08?!? I am at a loss as to 1/ why it is doing this, and 2/ how does it even know what/where to load arma2 having reconfigured it and hidden the path?

Is this a known issue for the latest steam versions? Any workarounds? Unfortunately the launcher and its handy grouping features are rendered useless to me as it plain refuses to work. :(

[SpiritedMachine]

Spirited Machine - a little help please if possible. I have just downloaded and installed your launcher (v1.4.0) and configured it with my Steam-based Combined Ops installs and mods.

However, despite the summarised launch line at the bottom looking fine, it insists on loading Arma2 (not OA engine / combined ops) no matter what I do. I even changed the "Arma II" path from the A2 executable to the OA one to trick it, yet somehow it is still loading arma 2 1.08?!? I am at a loss as to 1/ why it is doing this, and 2/ how does it even know what/where to load arma2 having reconfigured it and hidden the path?

Is this a known issue for the latest steam versions? Any workarounds? Unfortunately the launcher and its handy grouping features are rendered useless to me as it plain refuses to work. :(

Do you have the correct version selected in the dropdown menu just above the start button?

[TangoCharlie]

Yep, CO is definately selected. And as i say, the modpath looks as I would expect (having familiarised myself with the necessesary CO'fication of Steam OA):

Presently, at the bottom it shows:

"-mod=D:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2;Expansion;ca;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>" "-name=TeeCee" -nosplash -maxMem=2047 -cpuCount=4 -exThreads=7

...with "D:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\" being my steam app root.

Testing further, even selecting "Arma II - OA" it STILL loads Arma2!?!

I have:
- Uninstalled, and ensured c:\progra...\sprited machine\.. was wiped clean.
- Cleared out C:\users\<me>\appdata\local & roaming of "sprited machine" saved data files
- Reinstalled using download from your site in 1st post
- Re-setup the app double-checking exe location paths etc
- Identical behaviour - any option loads Arma2 irrespective of dropdown choice (and even if I point the arma2 exe at the OA one...).

The main app claims to be v1.4.0.0, but despite the clean reinstall I can see that in:
- "Help - About", it reads 1.3.3.0
- <appdata>\local\spirited machine\ , it reads 1.3.3.0
Is that normal?

Are there any registry entries that need clearing?
Why / how else is this application finding my arma2.exe, even when I trick it?

Can I provide any form of debug / error / test files, or further info?

[SpiritedMachine]

...
Are there any registry entries that need clearing?
Why / how else is this application finding my arma2.exe, even when I trick it?

Can I provide any form of debug / error / test files, or further info?

It doesn't do anything with registry. The only thing it knows is what you provide it. I've never run into a problem like this myself, and no one else has reported it.

The only thing I could look at would be your settings files and/or screenshots of the app. But it sounds to me like you know what you're doing, so I'm not sure what I could tell you.

[TangoCharlie]

Okey. Probably useless to you at this point, but I have assembled what you requested anyway, not that it seems to show much.

You can grab a screenshot and the user-profile config files from my latest clean install HERE (http://www.fussake.com/arma/launcher_issue/).

Other info: Vista 64 SP2, Steam based Arma2 + OA installs.

Very, very odd issue or bug for sure. :confused:

[SpiritedMachine]

Okey. Probably useless to you at this point, but I have assembled what you requested anyway, not that it seems to show much.

You can grab a screenshot and the user-profile config files from my latest clean install HERE (http://www.fussake.com/arma/launcher_issue/).

Other info: Vista 64 SP2, Steam based Arma2 + OA installs.

Very, very odd issue or bug for sure. :confused:

The issue had to do with an error in my code when the launch delay timer was used. It has been fixed in version 1.4.1, which is available now by the built-in updater, or on the original post of this thread.

[R0ogie]

Im having trouble launching. cant even launch getting NET framework error.



See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: Configuration system failed to initialize ---> System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: Invalid character in the given encoding. Line 1, position 1. (C:\Users\damon\AppData\Local\Spirited_Machine\ARMA2_Launcher.exe_Url_gmdmynthavifqkudqwj42kxvph0u2asf\1.3.3.0\user.config line 1) ---> System.Xml.XmlException: Invalid character in the given encoding. Line 1, position 1.
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(String res, String arg)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Int32 pos, String res)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.InvalidCharRecovery(Int32& bytesCount, Int32& charsCount)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.GetChars(Int32 maxCharsCount)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ReadData()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.SwitchEncoding(Encoding newEncoding)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseXmlDeclaration(Boolean isTextDecl)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Read()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReader.Read()
at System.Configuration.XmlUtil..ctor(Stream stream, String name, Boolean readToFirstElement, ConfigurationSchemaErrors schemaErrors)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.InitConfigFromFile()
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationSchemaErrors.ThrowIfErrors(Boolean ignoreLocal)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ThrowIfParseErrors(ConfigurationSchemaErrors schemaErrors)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ThrowIfInitErrors()
at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.OnConfigRemoved(Object sender, InternalConfigEventArgs e)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.OnConfigRemoved(Object sender, InternalConfigEventArgs e)
at System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigRoot.OnConfigRemoved(InternalConfigEventArgs e)
at System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigRoot.RemoveConfigImpl(String configPath, BaseConfigurationRecord configRecord)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSectionRecursive(String configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission, Boolean getRuntimeObject, Boolean requestIsHere, Object& result, Object& resultRuntimeObject)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSection(String configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSection(String configKey)
at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.System.Configuration.Internal.IInternalConfigSystem.GetSection(String sectionName)
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.GetSection(String sectionName)
at System.Configuration.ClientSettingsStore.ReadSettings(String sectionName, Boolean isUserScoped)
at System.Configuration.LocalFileSettingsProvider.GetPropertyValues(SettingsContext context, SettingsPropertyCollection properties)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertiesFromProvider(SettingsProvider provider)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertyValueByName(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.GetPropertyValue(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
at ARMA2_Launcher.My.MySettings.get_winwidth()
at ARMA2_Launcher.Main.MainForm_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.EventHandler.Invoke(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4952 (win7RTMGDR.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
ARMA2 Launcher
Assembly Version: 1.3.3.0
Win32 Version: 1.4.0.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files/Spirited%20Machine/ArmA%20II%20Launcher/ARMA2%20Launcher.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

[SpiritedMachine]

Im having trouble launching. cant even launch getting NET framework error.


Looks like you have .NET Framework 2, you need 3.5.

[R0ogie]

Looks like you have .NET Framework 2, you need 3.5.

I downloaded 4.0 AND 3.5

edit: Its been working fine and for some reason stopped working.

[R0ogie]

Any reply dude?

Ive been using the launcher for ages, I downloaded NET 4.0 and it still isnt working...

[Mosh]

I downloaded 4.0 AND 3.5

edit: Its been working fine and for some reason stopped working.

If all else fails unistall/reinstall the launcher?

[R0ogie]

If all else fails unistall/reinstall the launcher?

Done, 3 times.

Deleted NET 4.0 and 3.5, Reinstalled, Nothing.

Ive done pretty much everything, Are there any other launchers than control mods and let you launch CO?

[Mosh]

Not sure about other launchers... haven't used anything else since this was released, did you delete any files left over from program?

Look in


C:\Users\YOU\AppData\Local\Spirited_Machine

I once had an issue where deleting the old files and reinstalling helped... only reason I suggested that.

[R0ogie]

Not sure about other launchers... haven't used anything else since this was released, did you delete any files left over from program?

Look in


C:\Users\YOU\AppData\Local\Spirited_Machine

I once had an issue where deleting the old files and reinstalling helped... only reason I suggested that.

Im using W7 and In my user folder for me, There is no AppData.:butbut:

[Mosh]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/394-hidden-files-folders-show-hide.html

You need to show hidden folders.

[R0ogie]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/394-hidden-files-folders-show-hide.html

You need to show hidden folders.

You fucking legend, It worked!

[[General Nuisance]]

I can't get the programme to work properly. When I select to go to an online server, I check the box for the appropriate addons and then start the game. However, the server will kick me off since it says I do not have the required addons. Furthermore, if I double-click on the server in the launcher and it asks whether I want to "activate server mods" I click yes and it says I don't have the mods in question!

See here:

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/9735/armaiilauncher.jpg (http://img707.imageshack.us/i/armaiilauncher.jpg/)

I've made sure the addons are activated. So when I attempt to join the XR-DAO server for instance. The parameter line reads: "-mod=Expansion;g:\bohemia interactive\arma 2;@<hidden>" -nosplash -world=empty -connect=178.63.21.198 -port=2300

Then when I tried to run the game, I received this message:

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5228/armaiilauncher2.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/armaiilauncher2.jpg/)

I've encountered the message before when I first tried ArmA II Launcher 3.1.1 by alpinestars. However, the mod order was to blame there as the "Expansion" folder wasn't the first to be loaded. However, the mod order is correct here.

[SpiritedMachine]

;1847602']I can't get the programme to work properly. When I select to go to an online server, I check the box for the appropriate addons and then start the game. However, the server will kick me off since it says I do not have the required addons. Furthermore, if I double-click on the server in the launcher and it asks whether I want to "activate server mods" I click yes and it says I don't have the mods in question!

Having the launcher activate server mods rarely works, unfortunately. It compares the modfolder names instead of the contents, because I don't have access to the contents of the server modfolders. For example @<hidden> compared to @<hidden> They may be the same mod in reality, but the launcher sees a difference in the names.

As far as the error message thrown by the game itself, I've seen it happen when the startup parameters string was formatted incorrectly, had a semicolon at the end, etc. But yours appears to be fine, so I'm not sure what it causing that. I don't know that it has to do with the launcher at all.

[[General Nuisance]]

I've figured out the problem. I have a desktop shortcut for "ArmA II: OA". In its target line, it reads: "G:\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead\arma2OA.exe" "-mod=G:\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2;G:\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead\Expansion" -nosplash -world=empty

Firstly, I receive the above error messages when the "ArmA 2" folder is loaded before the "Expansion" folder. Now with me, the first mod to be loaded is the first one on the right part of the ' mod string' not the left. It doesn't make sense to me but that's how it's working for me. The problem is with your launcher, the parmeter line reads: "-mod=Expansion;g:\bohemia interactive\arma 2;expansion" -nosplash -world=empty

The "Expansion" folder only activates for me if the full target path is specified. I added the "Expansion" folder to the addon groups (hence why it appears twice in the above parameter) but its target line still reads simply as "Expansion" and not "G:\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead\Expansion" as it should on my system.

Addendum -- I didn't realise that I needed to select my game version as "ArmA II - CO". I started the game up, however when I check my expansion menu in-game. I have two entries of "ArmA 2"? My parameter line reads: "-mod=G:\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2;Expansion;ca" -nosplash -world=empty . Regarding being able to join servers. The ones I tried did work so all the mods folders have loaded properly.

[routakiila]

Server browser cannot find 1.57 servers. It lists only 1.08 arma servers. Is this normal?

[routakiila]

Ok.. today it shows all servers again... strange..

[Posta]

Ok.. today it shows all servers again... strange..

Haha, I used this launcher for a while now and I never noticed the Server Browser. :) Shame on me. I haven't done much MP though. This will help.

[galzohar]

If my silly friends can get mods running with this launcher, using various combinations of Arma 2 and OA distributions (Steam A2 + OA, disc A2 + Steam OA, sprocket, etc) - It's a sign that this launcher is awesome! :thumb:

[routakiila]

Today again, two games normally, and then only 1.08 and older games. Im playing with 64 bit windows, and seems its something to do wit ping timeout. 108 servers come almoust as quick when I open the list, but when it works properly it finds many servers more.

[MrWesley]

it is a great tool when it works, but when i try to run it it starts up but the actual window doesnt come up when i double click it to run it. anybody know how to fix this???

[SpiritedMachine]

it is a great tool when it works, but when i try to run it it starts up but the actual window doesnt come up when i double click it to run it. anybody know how to fix this???

Right-click on the icon in the system tray and click reset window position if you can't see the window.

[MrWesley]

ive tried it but didnt work, but ive found how to solve it. i went right click on the desktop icon and go to properties, than go where it says Run (not sure if its that one, language is in dutch) and then click on maximized and that worked for me so far. hope it stays like this aswell :D

[Morhoo]

Hi, i adore your launcher, i really do, but i cant use it, because need to run arma2.exe with higher process priority and i didnt find such an option. Is it planned to the future? :)

Thanks.

[zeep]

I have windows XP SP2 and can't install because it's missing .NET 4 or something. Normally i like to install as less MS software possible, apart from the OS. What else will .NET4 do to my OS when installed?

Currently i have .NET v2 installed.

[galzohar]

I don't know exactly, but it is definitely used by more than just this launcher. In any case this launcher works with all versions of the game perfectly, so it is highly recommended for anyone who has difficulty writing a working command line.

[SpiritedMachine]

I have windows XP SP2 and can't install because it's missing .NET 4 or something. Normally i like to install as less MS software possible, apart from the OS. What else will .NET4 do to my OS when installed?

Currently i have .NET v2 installed.

.NET is more or less a part of the OS. It's not a running application or anything that will clog your system. The launcher requires 3.5, but 4 should work also, it is the most recent version that MS has released. And especially if you have .NET 2 installed already, there is really no reason to avoid a newer version simply because it's a Microsoft product.

[routakiila]

Launcher crashes when trying to start arma2 and run beta checkbox is selected.
Of course when I don't have beta for vanilla arma2.



************** Exception Text **************
System.InvalidOperationException: Cannot start process because a file name has not been provided.
at System.Diagnostics.Process.Start()
at ARMA2_Launcher.Main_Form.StartButton_Click()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework64/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
ARMA2 Launcher
Assembly Version: 1.4.1.0
Win32 Version: 1.4.1.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/Spirited%20Machine/ArmA%20II%20Launcher/ARMA2%20Launcher.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Deployment
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Deployment/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Deployment.dll
----------------------------------------

[orlok]

hello

I started to have issues a week or so ago also. Before that this was fine and ive not found another launcher as useful.

Shame as Ive only just got back into Arma2.

Steam Versions (a2 + OA)
win 7 x64


Edit:

hold on something strange gas happened.... seems to be funcitioning again, after a week or so of net errors. odd.

Ill post any info i find.

rgds

L

[SpiritedMachine]

hello

I started to have issues a week or so ago also. Before that this was fine and ive not found another launcher as useful.

Shame as Ive only just got back into Arma2.

Steam Versions (a2 + OA)
win 7 x64


Edit:

hold on something strange gas happened.... seems to be funcitioning again, after a week or so of net errors. odd.

Ill post any info i find.

rgds

L

The error message said that access was denied to a particular folder. I don't think it was a problem with the launcher but there must have been some kind of issue with file/folder permissions on your system, maybe to do with being logged in as an administrator.

[DMarkwick]

Hi SM, I use your launcher all the time and it's always worked fine, so thanks for that :)

Only one issue so far, that I came across last night. I fitted an SSD drive and migrated the ArmA2 folder across to it, and then tried to arrange the launcher to point all the paths to the relevent new locations, which in practise simply meant changing E: drive for S: drive. I quickly found that I couldn't simply change that with the keyboard so I manually browsed to the new location, but then found that the locations are not saved unless the game is actually started.

Also, the mod locations don't seem to have changed unless I then quit the game and restart again.

It's just a little thing, and possibly has already been fixed (I think I'm possibly using an older version) I mean how often do people migrate their installs? But I thought I would report it :)

[galzohar]

As far as I noticed you need to remove the folders from the "right" side and re-add them after you re-locate the game folder, or else stuff won't work...

But other than that, an awesome launcher indeed. I think it's the only one that actually works pretty much flawlessly for all versions of the game.

[HunterTX]

GREAT app, thank you....Question
What would cause addons/mods from not showing up at all?

I use the Steam version, under the Operation Arrowhead folder I have folders called
MODS_ISLANDS
MODS_AIRCRAFT ect...
I just down load the mods, put them in these folders based on what they are
The mods are in folders like @<hidden>(1.1) and then under Addons
Many of these I see with in the launcher just fine then I have many that dont show up at all? What am I doing wrong?

[SpiritedMachine]

Only one issue so far, that I came across last night. I fitted an SSD drive and migrated the ArmA2 folder across to it, and then tried to arrange the launcher to point all the paths to the relevent new locations, which in practise simply meant changing E: drive for S: drive. I quickly found that I couldn't simply change that with the keyboard so I manually browsed to the new location, but then found that the locations are not saved unless the game is actually started.

Also, the mod locations don't seem to have changed unless I then quit the game and restart again.


As far as I noticed you need to remove the folders from the "right" side and re-add them after you re-locate the game folder, or else stuff won't work...

But other than that, an awesome launcher indeed. I think it's the only one that actually works pretty much flawlessly for all versions of the game.

That's something I wasn't aware of/didn't think about. I'll look into fixing that. Thanks for letting me know.

---------- Post added at 05:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:55 PM ----------


GREAT app, thank you....Question
What would cause addons/mods from not showing up at all?

I use the Steam version, under the Operation Arrowhead folder I have folders called
MODS_ISLANDS
MODS_AIRCRAFT ect...
I just down load the mods, put them in these folders based on what they are
The mods are in folders like @<hidden>(1.1) and then under Addons
Many of these I see with in the launcher just fine then I have many that dont show up at all? What am I doing wrong?

Could you show a screenshot of your file structure, down to where these addons are? Sounds like maybe the file structure isn't quite right.

The launcher searches inside of your arma 2 or arma 2 operation arrowhead folders for addon folders that contain a subfolder called "Addons". The PBOs, etc would be contained in that folder. If it doesn't contain a subfolder called "Addons", it doesn't get added to the list.

Like this:
http://download.spiritedmachine.com/images/AddonFileStructure.png

[HunterTX]

Here is one, at 1st 3 of the Units were missing, I checked and 2 did not had the addons folder fixed those..one had Addons folder with a CAP A, changed to LOWER A and it showed up..still have the one hold out I cant figure why its not showing up?
http://myinternetservices.com/tournaments/attachment.php?attachmentid=11524&d=1303432548

[SpiritedMachine]

Here is one, at 1st 3 of the Units were missing, I checked and 2 did not had the addons folder fixed those..one had Addons folder with a CAP A, changed to LOWER A and it showed up..still have the one hold out I cant figure why its not showing up?

That's strange. Whether Addons is capitalized or not shouldn't matter, I know I have some capitalized and some not, but they all show up. I'll try to recreate those folders on my machine and see what happens.

[NoBrainer]

Hey, downloaded your little tool and it looks great.
Got some issues with it.

I think -maxmem was increased some time ago. To 4096 with A2OA, but not sure on that one.
-exThreads= should also be implemented.
I can't choose a profile from some other place. I got my profiles under "C:\A2F" folder.
With A2:OA v1.59 you don't need to add BAF and PMC as an addon. Just so you know.

I diden't get how you added addons to the groups, but I haven't read the manual yet.
Keep up the good work mate!

[Kevaskous]

Here is one, at 1st 3 of the Units were missing, I checked and 2 did not had the addons folder fixed those..one had Addons folder with a CAP A, changed to LOWER A and it showed up..still have the one hold out I cant figure why its not showing up?
http://myinternetservices.com/tournaments/attachment.php?attachmentid=11524&d=1303432548

Lose the versions numbers like1.4whatever and that should clear it up.

[Rough Knight]

Gday SpiritedMachine,

I use your launcher exclusively, thanks for making my life much easier. I have some questions and possible problems however.

1). Running game as administrator. Is it possible to do this with your launcher. The issue I have is that battleEye doesn't seem to update unless you launch the game as administrator? I have been kicked from at least one server due to battleEye not being able to be updated.

2). In the favorites server section, if you try arrow down your favourites before it has pinged the server and listed the information, it throws an unhandled exeption error on my machine. If you select 'No' or Cancel' it bombs you out of the launcher. Not sure if this is specific to my machine. See the spoiler below for error details.

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.InvalidOperationException: This BackgroundWorker is currently busy and cannot run multiple tasks concurrently.
at System.ComponentModel.BackgroundWorker.RunWorkerAsync(Object argument)
at System.ComponentModel.BackgroundWorker.RunWorkerAsync()
at ARMA2_Launcher.Main_Form.FavoritesList_SelectedIndexChanged(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ListView.OnSelectedIndexChanged(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ListView.WmReflectNotify(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ListView.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5444 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
ARMA2 Launcher
Assembly Version: 1.4.1.0
Win32 Version: 1.4.1.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Games/Bohemia%20Interactive/Spirited%20Machine/ArmA%20II%20Launcher/ARMA2%20Launcher.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Deployment
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Deployment/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Deployment.dll
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System.Data
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_32/System.Data/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Data.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.



http://members.iinet.net.au/~j_frost/pics/error2.jpg

Once again, thanks for the great work, perhaps these issues are specific to my machine somehow. Anyway, your help would be much appreciated.

System Spec:
Windows 7 Enterprise
E8400 Core 2 Duo
HD5850
4 Gb ram
1Tb Sata HD

Thanks

Frosty

[Fruity_Rudy]

Here is one, at 1st 3 of the Units were missing, I checked and 2 did not had the addons folder fixed those..one had Addons folder with a CAP A, changed to LOWER A and it showed up..still have the one hold out I cant figure why its not showing up?
http://myinternetservices.com/tournaments/attachment.php?attachmentid=11524&d=1303432548

In the launcher i see that you got @<hidden> & co. , where are these folders located on your computer??

[HunterTX]

they are in the base folder for Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead\
Look at the top of the image you can see the path

[Fruity_Rudy]

they are in the base folder for Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead\
Look at the top of the image you can see the path

Why don't you put the other addons also in the main arrowhead folder instead of doing MODS_units or MODS_island.. i don't know about steam, but normally @<hidden> (name of addon) MUST be in main arma2/arrowhead folder , as you can see the launcher recognizes your ace stuff, cause its located in the main arrowhead folder.. do that also with the other addons, and create your island and unit groups in the launcher itself ..

if you do righclick under your 21 cw group in the launcher, do a new one, rename it to island for example, and the drag and drop the @<hidden> , @<hidden> (example) into that group. that should work..

i think the launcher can't handle it, if you have a parent folder like your MODS-units and in there you got @<hidden> or whatever.. try that out


EDIT: somebody who is familiar with launching steam addons should raise the finger, i can only tell about non-steam...just for your info

[HunterTX]

I had it that way before and had the same issues, it has nothing to do with Steam at all. Its just for what ever reason some mods dont show up in this launcher, I downloaded another launcher that has less features than this one has and all mods show up in that one...got me :)

[Fruity_Rudy]

I had it that way before and had the same issues, it has nothing to do with Steam at all. Its just for what ever reason some mods dont show up in this launcher, I downloaded another launcher that has less features than this one has and all mods show up in that one...got me :)

well i link you to that thread, which explains the addon thing in 3 videos..maybe check that out http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=116501

I always do it that way, and it always works for me. And his launcher is really good

[Steakslim]

make sure your mod folders have an "addons" subfolder in them.

They will not be recognized otherwise.

[galzohar]

You can have mods in any folder. Of course anything that should be in "addons" needs to be in an "addons" folder inside the mod folder you are running with the launcher/shortcut, which fore most addons is true for all pbo files.

You can even have mods outside the game folder and activate them with direct path, but that's really just over-complicating things with no real benefit. But if you really want, you can easily have mod folders inside mod folders and afaik the launcher will recognize them just like any other mod folder.

[TheLastTucker]

Quick question.

I have the non-steam (boxed) version of arma2 CO, so i installed both arma2 then OA in the same folder. I then installed your launcher and selected "ArmA II CO" in the combobox "Game version"... It launch fine but i get multiple arma 2 in the expansions sub-menu. Will it cause problems ? Do i need to select CO as the game version or am i already in CO mode by just starting OA?

Sry for the dumb question, i guess i expected "combined operation" to be written somewhere in the game...

Tucker

[Mosh]

Quick question.

I have the non-steam (boxed) version of arma2 CO, so i installed both arma2 then OA in the same folder. I then installed your launcher and selected "ArmA II CO" in the combobox "Game version"... It launch fine but i get multiple arma 2 in the expansions sub-menu. Will it cause problems ? Do i need to select CO as the game version or am i already in CO mode by just starting OA?

Sry for the dumb question, i guess i expected "combined operation" to be written somewhere in the game...

Tucker

I just select OA and it loads CO as well... should work fine for you as well.

[TheLastTucker]

alright! thx Mosh.

[SpiritedMachine]

It launch fine but i get multiple arma 2 in the expansions sub-menu. Will it cause problems ? Do i need to select CO as the game version or am i already in CO mode by just starting OA?

For whatever reason, it is normal for Arma 2 to show up twice. For me the expansions menu reads this way if I have no mods selected and run with CO selected:

Arma 2: British Armed Forces (Lite)
Arma 2: Private Military Company (Lite)
arma 2
Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead
Arma 2


Long story short, you don't have to worry about it. When you play with mods by using a launcher, the expansions menu in the game is disabled.

------


I just select OA and it loads CO as well... should work fine for you as well.

I would like to see how you have the launcher set up. What does the mod string show if you have all mods turned off and game type set to OA? Normal operation shouldn't load Arma 2 content if OA is selected. I just tested it here and it only loads OA content.

[Mosh]

I would like to see how you have the launcher set up. What does the mod string show if you have all mods turned off and game type set to OA? Normal operation shouldn't load Arma 2 content if OA is selected. I just tested it here and it only loads OA content.


"-mod=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion" -nosplash -showScriptErrors
"-mod=Expansion" -nosplash -showScriptErrors It's always worked like that for me. DVD/Sprocket installs...



EDIT - Why would it just load OA anyways? For example just clicking on the arma2oa.exe loads CO. I would have to have separate install folders to separate Arma II and OA... right?

Long day, this is processing slowly in my brain...

[SpiritedMachine]

"-mod=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion" -nosplash -showScriptErrors
"-mod=Expansion" -nosplash -showScriptErrors It's always worked like that for me. DVD/Sprocket installs...

Hmm, same as what mine shows. And you're saying that loads Arma 2 content, like Chernarus and Utes maps? That's odd.

The launcher has never really proven to be bug-free, so maybe it's not that odd after all. lol

[Mosh]

Yep Chernarus, Utes...



EDIT - Now don't you run off and fix anything! I like the way it works now... :)

[galzohar]

Launcher or no launcher, Is it even possible to load OA standalone if you have A2 and OA installed into the same folder? As far as I know it's kinda like you just threw a mod into your addons folder - You can't disable it no matter what launch parameters you use...

Maybe that's also why A2 is showing twice? One time because it's part of the default game folder and another because you ran it as a mod on top of everything?

[SpiritedMachine]

Launcher or no launcher, Is it even possible to load OA standalone if you have A2 and OA installed into the same folder? As far as I know it's kinda like you just threw a mod into your addons folder - You can't disable it no matter what launch parameters you use...

Maybe that's also why A2 is showing twice? One time because it's part of the default game folder and another because you ran it as a mod on top of everything?

Yeah I didn't think about that. I have A2 and OA installed in different directories, both from Steam. If you have everything in one folder that would do it.

[noor van]

The GUI doesn't show up ,it keeps in minimized condition , althought i already click it
, i don't know why , but i already use this & works perfectly , any suggestion ?

[galzohar]

Friend of mine had that problem. Reinstalling the launcher seemed to have fixed it.

[Mr.Peanut]

Norton tags the launcher as trojan Suspicious.Cloud.2
Anyone else get this in other antivirus products?

edit: Christ any way to get this thing to load the non-lite versions of BAF and PMC? Selecting OA causes it to load expansions... or maybe I am just confused?

edit2: Nevermind. Just set the ArmAII exe as OA and it's good. Stupid, but works.

[Fruity_Rudy]

The GUI doesn't show up ,it keeps in minimized condition , althought i already click it
, i don't know why , but i already use this & works perfectly , any suggestion ?

it's a bug, but in the new versions of the launcher, you can right-click on the tray icon, and hit restore window or something like that. That'll fix it :)

[Mach2Infinity]

For me, it's simply the most efficient and intuitive launcher I've ever used. The mod folder organiser is fantastic. The fact you can launch "ArmA 2" and "Operation Arrowhead" separately or "Combined Operations" makes things very handy. In addition you have a server browser which is quite useful.

[Tanker]

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p293/invertedombligo/Armalauncher.jpg

Whenever I try to launch any of the Arma versions (2, OA, or CO) with the launcher and @<hidden> and @<hidden> as mods I get this:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p293/invertedombligo/Arma2launcherserial.jpg

[galzohar]

Run A2 and OA separately from steam at least once, then use the launcher.

[Tanker]

I had the CBA and The I44 mods in both the ARMA2 and the ARMA2 OA folders. I deleted the ones in the OA folder and it worked.

[Dealz]

Hello, Your launcher is great i think its the best I've tried.. been using it for a while now.

However i have just moved my modfolders to a different HDD to try and improve load times by splitting the load on my HDD but i have run into what feels like a solid wall which i have tried to get past.

Before when i had my modfolders in my OA folder my mod line in the launcher would look something like this.

"-mod=D:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2;Expansion;ca;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>

now it looks like this...

"-mod=D:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2;Expansion;ca;F:\ArmA Addons\@<hidden>;F:\ArmA Addons\@<hidden>;F:\ArmA Addons\@<hidden>;F:\ArmA Addons\@<hidden>;F:\ArmA Addons\@<hidden>

as you can see the mod line is now considerable longer cause it keeps repeating the path before the @<hidden>

*Is it possible for you to make it so that it like the first way again?

Having the path repeated there leads to the launcher crashing with an error message when i try and launch the game, i have shortened the path down to the bare minimum (@<hidden> in the HDD drive doesn't work i get a error message when i try to select the HDD *F:\@<hidden>* @<hidden> has to be in a folder) but even at the minimum once the @<hidden> build up its wasting lots of characters that can be used.

I might be missing somethings here but i use Six-updater, now its a great software too for keeping things up to date etc but it makes you have loads of single @<hidden> and they can't be altered or Six wont recognize them/can't update them so you can't make @<hidden> like @<hidden> @<hidden> @<hidden> etc where you can bundle up some of your mods.

If you could fix/update your launcher so that it makes the mod line like this "-mod=D:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2;Expansion;ca;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden> regardless of where the mods are located that would be great as i like that i can group up the @<hidden> in your launcher and pick which @<hidden>/groups to run via the check box.

Thanks in advance.

[SpiritedMachine]

Before when i had my modfolders in my OA folder my mod line in the launcher would look something like this.

"-mod=D:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2;Expansion;ca;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>

now it looks like this...

"-mod=D:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2;Expansion;ca;F:\ArmA Addons\@<hidden>;F:\ArmA Addons\@<hidden>;F:\ArmA Addons\@<hidden>;F:\ArmA Addons\@<hidden>;F:\ArmA Addons\@<hidden>

as you can see the mod line is now considerable longer cause it keeps repeating the path before the @<hidden>

*Is it possible for you to make it so that it like the first way again?


If the mods are somewhere other than the Arma2 or OA directory, the entire path has to be there, or the game doesn't know where to look to load them. It has nothing to do with the launcher itself, that's just the way it has to be.

[Tanker]

Very nice launcher Spirited, well done.

[Dealz]

If the mods are somewhere other than the Arma2 or OA directory, the entire path has to be there, or the game doesn't know where to look to load them. It has nothing to do with the launcher itself, that's just the way it has to be.

Is it possible for you too fix the error message when the modline reaches a certain characters in length? (The whole modline is still all there in the launcher).

Also the error when trying to select the HDD (X:\) for the location of the mod folders? as this will lead to the shortest path possible.

Thanks in advance

[Rough Knight]

Hi SpiritedMachine,

Do you know of any reason why MSI afterburner does not detect ARMA2 running when launched with your launcher. If I launch directly from the .exe or a direct shortcut to it, it works fine as it should. Just doesnt in my case at least through the launcher?

Here (http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=118677) is another thread detailing the problem more or less.

Thanks

Frosty

[DMarkwick]

I'm getting a new problem. My addons are not being used in the game any more, note the addon selection list, the parameters that do NOT list the addons, and the reported locations of the addons:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v15/DMarkwick/ArmALauncher1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v15/DMarkwick/ArmALauncher2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v15/DMarkwick/ArmALauncher3.jpg

I note that this problem started after I renamed my old ArmA2 folder yesterday after migrating my install to another drive a few weeks back. I had some doubts when I couldn't see any evidence of removing one or two PBO files from addon suites (SLX) but that the whole addon suite would go if I deselected the entire folder within ArmA 2 Game Launcher. It seems that, despite the app telling me where the addons are, it's still using the old ones in the old location.

S: is the correct drive location BTW :)

Odd thing is: I can edit the mod folders in the S: (correct) location and see that reflected in the mod folder list in the app. It's just not adding the mods to the parameters any more.


*EDIT*

Removing them manually from the Addon Groups list then adding them back again seems to have woken them up :)
The problem must remain however that the old addon locations must have been referenced and that I lost them when I renamed the old install folder. For several weeks I must have been playing with the old mod folder locations being used on the right hand side Addon Groups list, while the left hand Available Addons seemed to reflect the new location.

[galzohar]

This problem was posted before and he said he might fix it in the future. Until then if you move/rename your files you need to delete and re-add the mod folders into the mod groups.

[DMarkwick]

This problem was posted before and he said he might fix it in the future. Until then if you move/rename your files you need to delete and re-add the mod folders into the mod groups.

Rgr dat :)

[Hellfish6]

I'm having a weird problem with the launcher all of a sudden. I launch it, but it never comes up. It's showing as an active program in my Win7 launch bar, but when I click on it to maximize it, nothing happens. I can see a preview of it though.

I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling several times now, as well as repairing it from the installer. Not sure what I did to screw this up.

Any help?

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/4013/errorhz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/862/errorhz.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[Exikutioner]

Really simple fix. click on the arrow in the bottom right corner, in the start bar. You will see Arma launcher listed as a running program. Right click the program icon and "reset window position". Should fix your problem.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d23/uvalax236/Arma%20Crap/6-2-20119-11-35PM.png

[Hellfish6]

Ah, okay. Awesome. Works. Thanks!

[Fruity_Rudy]

One of our mates has arma2 and OA as steam version. I have no clue about launching addons with steam version. Dear SM , is it possible to launch them also with this launcher? And is it also working, like for stock DVD Version, if you put @<hidden> into the arma directory and it works? Any help appreciated

[SpiritedMachine]

One of our mates has arma2 and OA as steam version. I have no clue about launching addons with steam version. Dear SM , is it possible to launch them also with this launcher? And is it also working, like for stock DVD Version, if you put @<hidden> into the arma directory and it works? Any help appreciated

Yes it works for any type of installation as long as you select the correct executable when it asks you the first time you run it.

[JojoTheSlayer]

I have no issues with the launcher, but I have a question or feature request.
I am running the Steam version of the game (A2, OA, DLC) and the launcher works as it should, but Steam works (Shift+Tab) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcOVemvfqKc) ingame do not work when I use the launcher to start the game.

When I tell steam to create a desktop icon for, eg, Arma 2 its put up as a shortcut with the info linking to Web documents tab and
URL: steam://rungameid/33910

Is there any way I can manipulate the launcher so that "Steam works" works ingame again?



--------------------------------
Edit:

I can "sort of" do it now. It dosent work with mods, but its possible to adapt the launcher to do it.

What you have to do is to link the exe files to Steam.exe instead of the Arma2 or OA exe files.
Then in addition options, which are different to each game you add -applaunch 33930 (OA).
Dont know if the betas have a Steam launch id, if not its not possible I would recon.

Anyway, the issue is that the -applaunch 33930 needs to be in front of the rest, while the launcher ads it at the end.
A proper normal Steam works desktop shortcut with mods would read something like:
Target line in Shortcut: "C:\Program Files\Steam\Steam.exe" -applaunch 33930 -nosplash -mod=Expansion;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>

OA:
-applaunch 33930

A2:
-applaunch 33910

CO:
-applaunch ?????

[zeep]

Just make a link to the launcher in Steam.
Gameslist > Add a game .. etc

[galzohar]

CO:

-applaunch 33930 (same as OA), but:

"-mod=C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2;Expansion;ca;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>"

Keep in mind that if A2 is not on steam, you need to adjust the path accordingly.

Also note that steam has a limit to how long the command line can be, while the launcher does not, and there is no workaround for that, other than what zeep suggested, but it'll show as if you're playing Arma Launcher rather than actual Arma, which may or may not be what you're looking for. Your command line, though, should be short enough so you can just use the mod line I wrote.

Some more useful parameters that you should probably run: -world=empty -showscripterrors -skipintro

[JojoTheSlayer]

Just make a link to the launcher in Steam.
Gameslist > Add a game .. etc

Thanks, thats the result I wanted.
At first I didnt understand what you meant. So I will just plot it down in simpler terms as well for others. :)


Steam window_Games tab_Add a none Steam game to my Library
There you just add the Arma 2 Launcher. When you run that from Steam Libraries you start the launcher as normal where you can select stuff, but once you start the game via the launcher Start button you will keep Steam works ingame (Shift+tab).

[tony1977]

was a manual ever released for this very useful launcher?

im having problems joining servers. i have a combined arms installation but the servers keep saying bad version.

when i click on server i get the activate mods option. i click yes and it says arma2+OA executable not found even though i have the exe files listed in the launcher.

also,

my understanding of installing mods is this. i place the mod folder in my arma2 folder. i then open the launcher, open the addons tab and drag the mod over to the group folder. when i then tick the mod box it alters the shortcut, clicking the start button will load the game with mods? do i have that right?

if this is correct then whats the create shortcut option for?

ps,

lol ok my head is fried now. im tryin to install the ASR AI mod and it has a keys and user config file. do i just dump them in the main arma 2 folder as well and enable with the launcher?

[Tonci87]

The userconfig goes into your Userconfig folder inside your Arma mainfolder. Keys are only important if you host a server. Create shortcut creates a shortcut on your desktop with the current mod setup.

[TheCapulet]

[feature request]
Hey SM, is it possible to get the launcher to look for and launch the TOH community preview as well?
[/feature request]

[Sgt Gul]

my Arma Launcher does not see all the addons? I miss something?

[kylania]

my Arma Launcher does not see all the addons? I miss something?

Make sure you click over onto the 2nd tab to refresh the list there, then any new addons should be options on the first tab.

[tony1977]

is it normal to be unable to use the steam overlay or even alt tab out while using this launcher? after i tried to alt tab the only way out was a hard boot.

im running CO.

[Lorca]

Hi, I was wondering if this is a sound load order taken from the parameters of this launcher:

"-mod=Expansion;expansion;@<hidden>;@<hidden>;@<hidden>" -nosplash -maxMem=2047 -cpuCount=2

I'm using Arma 2CO for which I'm using only one CBA as recommended.

[tony1977]

does everyone else crash while alt tabbing using this launcher or have i screwed something up?

[GROM64]

does everyone else crash while alt tabbing using this launcher or have i screwed something up?

I use this launcher since,... well,... long time, never had any problems with it.
I'm alt-tab'n all the time, no problem.

[Mosh]

does everyone else crash while alt tabbing using this launcher or have i screwed something up?

I would say you screwed something up...

maybe saved data cleanup might help (upper right in Help menu) but no idea, never had any issues and I use the launcher every day

[Rojas]

Fantastic tool.
Thank you.

[Rough Knight]

Alt tabs no problem here either sorry mate.

[BAXXter]

Any chance you can sort the order of mods in the boot parameters?

---------- Post added at 08:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:23 PM ----------


Salah ad Din;1481539']heh, why don't you try and cooperate with the maker of "ArmAII Launcher". Maybe you could combine your proggies so we have the best of two worlds?

http://arma2.ar.funpic.de/That's a great pospect.

[SpiritedMachine]

Any chance you can sort the order of mods in the boot parameters?[COLOR="Silver"]

You can sort the load order under the "Addon Options" tab, either by drag/drop or using the up/down buttons.

[Wastelander]

Running Launcher 1.4.1.0 :yay:

Windows 7 64bit

Launcher has suddenly stopped allowing me to add mods when pressing the refresh button (I have been using for quite a while) :j::confused:

Is their a limit to mods? :confused:

I have tried creating another profile. When pressing the refrech - No mods display? :o

Thanks

[solidsnake2384]

When I download a mod and its not in a folder when its done downloading I cant put it in the launcher. Even when I make a folder and put the mod in it, it still wont show up in the launcher. How can I fix this? Im using Steam for Arma.

[HyperU2]

When I download a mod and its not in a folder when its done downloading I cant put it in the launcher. Even when I make a folder and put the mod in it, it still wont show up in the launcher. How can I fix this? Im using Steam for Arma.


Are you sure you put a folder titled "addons" containing the mod files into the @<hidden> folder? It won't show otherwise.

[Wastelander]

Fixed my issue!!

Looks like one of the Addons folders was currupt.

I deleted the mod and re-added it.

All worked fine.

[solidsnake2384]

I got to program files(x86), steam, steamapps, common, arma 2 operation arrowhead and put all of my mods there. The ones that come in folder when done downloading work with the launcher but the ones that only have the files dont work. I end up having to put it in another mod folder thats working with the launcher.

[solidsnake2384]

I created an addon folder insie the @<hidden> folder and it worked! :D Thx

[jolteon00]

Hey, I need some help, I installed this back in august, stopped playing for a month, updated it, And whenever I try to open the darn thing, it shows up in my taskbar, But nothing on screen, Any help?

[Tonci87]

Reinstall?

[LAxemann]

Hey, I need some help, I installed this back in august, stopped playing for a month, updated it, And whenever I try to open the darn thing, it shows up in my taskbar, But nothing on screen, Any help?

I'm currently getting exactly the same problem.
Reinstalled it 10 times in different locations each, cleanded every uninstallation with CCcleaner, didn't help.

Jolteon, did you find a solution?

[Mjolnir66]

This is how I did it on Win 7.

Mouse over it on the taskbar so the prieview shows up, right click on that preview and select maximise. After some indeterminate amount of times opening like this, it should revet to opening normally.

[LAxemann]

This is how I did it on Win 7.

Mouse over it on the taskbar so the prieview shows up, right click on that preview and select maximise. After some indeterminate amount of times opening like this, it should revet to opening normally.

Oh god, thank you so much!

[Alderman]

It you right click on the icon itself there is a reset window position built into the program for this exact reason.

[msy]

Will the launcher still be updated for the new CO patch?
I like this launcher very much.
Start from this beta patch, the old launcher can cause d3d error due to wrong beta launching arrangement.
http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=130153

[Kremator]

I used -beta=blahblah in the additional parameters box to sort that problem.

Improvements in the handling of betas would indeed be welcome (but it works pretty well presently - its the ONLY launcher I use)

[strac_sapper]

Yes, I really like this; it has simplified things immensely in the mod department. Thanks much for making this! :)

I too have had the window disappear. I suspect it is off screen somewhere. Thanks to others for the input on how to fix it.

[Mach2Infinity]

Are you sure you put a folder titled "addons" containing the mod files into the @<hidden> folder? It won't show otherwise.

This is hugely important. I was scratching my head wondering whether there was a mod limit! You just have to make sure there's an addons folder within the @<hidden> folder. Cheers :).

Fantastic programme by the way SpiritedMachine. I love how I can place my mods into various groups and select which ones to load. The addition startup parameters are very handy too.

[NightmareUS]

Alright, I have a question, I have the steam version of the game, where would I add my mods to to be able to enable them with the launcher, I have tried the AddOns file in the ARMA 2 Directory and they didnt show up on the launcher, please help :confused_o:

[Orcinus]

Alright, I have a question, I have the steam version of the game, where would I add my mods to to be able to enable them with the launcher, I have tried the AddOns file in the ARMA 2 Directory and they didnt show up on the launcher, please help :confused_o:

Never put anything in the default "AddOns" folder in the game directory. Apart from possibly borking the installation, each & every mission you create will require anyone attempting to play it to have all of your addons.

You need to create new folders in the main game directory with appropriate names preceded by the @<hidden> symbol, e.g., @<hidden>mod1, @<hidden>mod2, etc. See this excellent tutorial on Armaholic:

http://www.armaholic.com/plug.php?e=faq&q=18

BR

Orcinus

[NightmareUS]

Alright, I figured it out, silly Nightmare had put the wrong selection path for the launcher so it couldnt find the mods, I just had to add an additional search path

*Edit* Does I44 work with this launcher? or is it abnormal when you press start game it brings up the launcher again

[themaster303]

any chance to have this also working with the new takeon helicopter-rearmed beta ? would be great. also the the comiing soon takeon patch 1.06.

liek the launcher. thx for your work.

[Kremator]

Like it ? I LOVE IT ! I couldn't possible work without it. Being able to change all my mods at a single click is indispensable.

[BAXXter]

I have just one problem with this launcher.

When I start it up. I get it on the task bar yet if I click it nothing shows up. Just the icon representing the launcher is happening on the task bar. Nothing else. I tried bring to front and stuff on Windows Task Manager to no avail.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Clarkey1]

*Edit* Does I44 work with this launcher? or is it abnormal when you press start game it brings up the launcher again

Yes I44 works with the launcher. As long as it's in an @<hidden> folder in your game dir the launcher will automatically find it.


I have just one problem with this launcher.

When I start it up. I get it on the task bar yet if I click it nothing shows up. Just the icon representing the launcher is happening on the task bar. Nothing else. I tried bring to front and stuff on Windows Task Manager to no avail.

Anyone have any ideas?

Try right clicking the icon in the system tray and then click "Reset window position".

[BAXXter]

Yes I44 works with the launcher. As long as it's in an @<hidden> folder in your game dir the launcher will automatically find it.



Try right clicking the icon in the system tray and then click "Reset window position".I love you man.

Thanks!

[solidsnake2384]

Im having issues with the mod launcher. I use it all the time but now whenever I try to launch arma 2 and error pops up saying "arma 2 OA has stopped working" even though I was JUST playing it 2 minutes ago.

EDIT: It might be an OA issue since I cant launch it standalone. Dafuq?

[mihikle]

When i open it, it starts minimized and i cannot get it out of bieng minimized, i have totally uninstalled and reinstalled three times and still no joy. Any ideas? Worked flawlessly until about twenty minutes ago!

[Rhamka]

this addon launcher is not working completely for me. I had to write each addon folder in the path! Same thing happens each time I add a new addon. It is not very problematic cuz I only run a group of addons. But this only works with either Arma2 o Arma2:AO/CO, if I add the path for arma2 the path is set for AO, and viceversa. So I use another launcher for Arma2 and this one for OA/CO. The problem is that sometimes when addin a new addon or I don't by which reason the path is erased for the mod folders. To make it clear: clicking on each addon folder in the addon group does not add the given addon folder to the path automatically, as I've seen in this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3dsH5xA16w).

I've seen some ppl saying in fact they have the same problem (once I looked for arma tutorial videos and some guys installed this launcher and you can see they had problems making it work). So, I suspect that this launcher works for some PCs but not others (what it be the reason). So, I cannot find another launcher for CO (yes there are for OA but not CO), seems it is the only one, or is there another? Or is there a solution for my problem?

I hadn't this problem in my old computer, now I have a new computer (6 months old) I run windows 7 and i have Steam
I expect BIS makes an official arma3 launcher as since arma2 part of the community has issues on this matter.

[Rhamka]

this addon launcher is not working completely for me. I had to write each addon folder in the path! Same thing happens each time I add a new addon. It is not very problematic cuz I only run a group of addons. But this only works with either Arma2 o Arma2:AO/CO, if I add the path for arma2 the path is set for AO, and viceversa. So I use another launcher for Arma2 and this one for OA/CO. The problem is that sometimes when addin a new addon or I don't by which reason the path is erased for the mod folders. To make it clear: clicking on each addon folder in the addon group does not add the given addon folder to the path automatically, as I've seen in this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3dsH5xA16w).

I've seen some ppl saying in fact they have the same problem (once I looked for arma tutorial videos and some guys installed this launcher and you can see they had problems making it work). So, I suspect that this launcher works for some PCs but not others (what it be the reason). So, I cannot find another launcher for CO (yes there are for OA but not CO), seems it is the only one, or is there another? Or is there a solution for my problem?

I hadn't this problem in my old computer, now I have a new computer (6 months old) I run windows 7 and i have Steam
I expect BIS makes an official arma3 launcher as since arma2 part of the community has issues on this matter.

Im sad to say that this launcher ERASES your addonfolders... I thouhgt to erase all settings including addon folder links to make it work, but it erased addon folders not just the links of this launcher to the addon folder (which is what I wanted)... well seems Im downloading again those 40 addons again... This has become annoying... Not blaming addon makers for filling a gap, but BIS does need to realease an *official* launcher

[RedSnt]

The only version available on Armaholic is 1.4.0 but the latest version is 1.4.1. Anyone have the link for the newest version? The authors domain seems to be expired :(

[Snake Man]

Found this on google's first page: http://www.onlineklubben.com/filer/arma/

[RedSnt]

Thanks. All I got was a lot of shady sites.

[Tankbuster]

I can't the game to automatically load up ACR using this launcher. I've done the trick detailed below

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?135429-Army-of-the-Czech-Republic-DLC&p=2213118&viewfull=1#post2213118

And sure enough, if I run the game from the exe in the root directory, it loads the ACR in the same way it loads the other DLCs.

But with this launcher, it doesn't. Not a real problem as ACR is shit at the moment, but hopefully when it's patched and good, we'll want to use it.

[OMAC]

With Launcher 1.4.1, if you select Arma II - CO + beta to run, this is the modline:

"-mod=C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2;Expansion;ca;Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion"

This runs A2 as a mod, which is incorrect; you will get Arma 2 showing up twice in the expansions list after you start the game (otherwise everything runs fine, I think).

If you select Arma II - OA + beta to run, the modline is correct for CO:

"-mod=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion"

In addition, shouldn't the modline for the beta now be "-beta" instead of "-mod"? Here is the correct beta modline:

"C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\Expansion\beta\arma2oa.exe" -beta=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion ...

ACR must be selected as a mod with the Launcher for it to run properly, due to its new registry-based origin.

[L3TUC3]

Arma 2 showing up as a mod is fine. That is how CO is supposed to work as all it does is tell the exec to look for content A2 folders at the specified location.

The beta exec is ran as a mod to override the original, but also be able to easily switch back with a simple removal of the \beta.

Here's my full vanilla + all DLC + beta line:

"-mod=S:\Steam\SteamApps\common\arma 2;Expansion;ca;Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;baf;pmc;acr"

It looks weird with all the beta folders, but that's because there's files in all of them that are required for launch.

Here's without the beta:

"-mod=S:\Steam\SteamApps\common\arma 2;Expansion;ca;baf;pmc;acr"

[OMAC]

Yes, CO works fine if A2 is loaded as a mod of OA, but you get A2 showing twice in the expansion list. See shot below, which uses the launcher to launch CO, and I've selected ACR as a mod:

http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/21255/85de5f212542581.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/85de5f212542581)


"-mod=C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2;Expansion;ca;Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;acr" -nosplash -winxp -world=empty -maxMem=2047

With the above, everything will work fine, I believe, but it's annoying that A2 shows up twice (not a big deal though, obviously).

The issue is that the default CO shortcut, straight from BIS, uses this:


"C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\arma2OA.exe"

So, loading A2 as a mod of OA is not necessary to get CO to work perfectly; just run OA alone, and all is well (assuming that CO is installed properly).

Below is a shot of the expansions menu after using the launcher to start OA (NOT CO) with this modline:


"-mod=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;acr" -nosplash -winxp -world=empty -maxMem=2047

http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/21275/37f4d2212741302.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/37f4d2212741302)

Note that CO is loaded perfectly, even though A2 was not loaded as mod to OA.

The solution for the launcher is simply have two game versions available to start, A2 and OA, omitting CO. That is the functionality of alpinestars' launcher (http://arma2.paro-technology.com/).

[GreyCardinal]

I can't understand how to enable DLC(PMC & BAF) full versions, i always get lite versions.
I have steam versions of ARMA 2, ARMA 2 OA, BAF and PMC.

[SpiritedMachine]

Hello,
I am the author of this software, it has been a long time since I've checked these forums. I just wanted to check in and say hello, but also to apologize that the software has not been maintained. I haven't played ARMA2 for over a year, and the launcher has been out of development for about that same time. It's hard to believe that it is almost 3 years old already. I didn't imagine that so many people would still be using it to this day.

It was working well at the time that I quit updating it, but since then I'm sure several things have changed. Judging by what I have read in more recent posts it doesn't behave the way it should. Use it at your own risk. Unfortunately I do not have the time to make updates/fixes right now, and it is probably unlikely that it will be developed any further. I may post the source code if anyone wants to continue its development. If I do, be aware that the code is messy because it was one of my first hobby software development projects.

[[APS]Gnat]

Still my favourite launcher thanks SpiritedMachine !
Posting source would be appreciated!

[GreyCardinal]

Hello,
I am the author of this software, it has been a long time since I've checked these forums. I just wanted to check in and say hello, but also to apologize that the software has not been maintained. I haven't played ARMA2 for over a year, and the launcher has been out of development for about that same time. It's hard to believe that it is almost 3 years old already. I didn't imagine that so many people would still be using it to this day.

It was working well at the time that I quit updating it, but since then I'm sure several things have changed. Judging by what I have read in more recent posts it doesn't behave the way it should. Use it at your own risk. Unfortunately I do not have the time to make updates/fixes right now, and it is probably unlikely that it will be developed any further. I may post the source code if anyone wants to continue its development. If I do, be aware that the code is messy because it was one of my first hobby software development projects.

It's a pity. But the program is still very good, though it needs a few fixes. Thanks SpiritedMachine!

[Major_Shepard]

I may post the source code if anyone wants to continue its development. If I do, be aware that the code is messy because it was one of my first hobby software development projects.

Much appreciated. Is it C#? I was actually thinking to do a rewrite. What's your plan with ArmA 3?

[Tankbuster]

Even 3 years down the line, this is still the best launcher. It'd be cool if development could carry on.

[SpiritedMachine]

Much appreciated. Is it C#? I was actually thinking to do a rewrite. What's your plan with ArmA 3?

It was written in VB.NET, but in the past year or so my language of choice has become C#. Hearing from all of you is making me want to rewrite it in C# myself.

I'm not sure about ArmA3, I haven't given it any thought before now.

If I were to update the launcher, a list of things that aren't working correctly would be very helpful. Do most of the problems have to do with the latest DLC? (All I have is Operation Arrowhead, I never ended up buying BAF or PMC before I quit playing. I didn't even know about ACR until this morning.)

[GreyCardinal]

It was written in VB.NET, but in the past year or so my language of choice has become C#. Hearing from all of you is making me want to rewrite it in C# myself.

I'm not sure about ArmA3, I haven't given it any thought before now.

If I were to update the launcher, a list of things that aren't working correctly would be very helpful. Do most of the problems have to do with the latest DLC? (All I have is Operation Arrowhead, I never ended up buying BAF or PMC before I quit playing. I didn't even know about ACR until this morning.)

That could have been great! This launcher has almost every needed function. IMHO only dlc support is needed and it will be perfect!)

[[APS]Gnat]

I don't understand peoples problem DLC, even after reading prior threads here and doing some research

Yes, the ACR DLC doesn't loading into ArmA2(OA) like PMC and BAF
But it DOES come up on SpiritedMachine's launchers list, so you CAN switch it on like any 3rd party Mod

The difference between the DLC seems to be this;
Current ArmA2OA populates;
Example: E:\Data1\Users\Name.PC\Documents\ArmA 2\ARMA2OA.CFG
like this;


class ModLauncherList
{
class Mod1
{
dir="ca";
name="Arma 2";
origin="NOT FOUND";
};
class Mod2
{
dir="baf";
name="Arma 2: British Armed Forces";
origin="GAME DIR";
fullPath="E:\Data1\GamesW7\ArmA2\baf";
};
class Mod3
{
dir="pmc";
name="Arma 2: Private Military Company";
origin="GAME DIR";
fullPath="E:\Data1\GamesW7\ArmA2\pmc";
};
class Mod4
{
dir="Expansion";
name="Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead";
origin="GAME DIR";
fullPath="E:\Data1\GamesW7\ArmA2\Expansion";
};
};


if you MANUALLY add;


class Mod5
{
dir="ACR";
name="Arma 2: Army of The Czech Republic";
origin="GAME DIR";
fullPath="E:\Data1\GamesW7\ArmA2\ACR";
};

and run the ArmA2OA EXE direct, you get get ACR DLC switched on (and ALL other mod folders listed too, but switched off)

BUT, BUT if you you SpiritedMachine's launcher with no mods switch on (which should be same as above), you don't get any mods (except PMC & BAF), and no ARC DLC !

Root Cause
This doesn't work;
E:\Data1\GamesW7\ArmA2\arma2oa.exe -mod=Expansion -nosplash
This seems to BLOCK all mods except PMC and BAF

This does work;
E:\Data1\GamesW7\ArmA2\arma2oa.exe -nosplash
ARC is on (with above manual CFG change) and all other Mod folders are also list and available to be switched on inside the games own Expansion menu.


EDIT
Weird ArmA2OA EXE behaviour ......... :confused:
PMC and BAF can be moved up and down in the in-game Expansions list, but can't be disabled
ACR acts differently, it can be "Disabled", like all other User mods

After running the exe direct, with -nosplash only and with the above CFG, I get a new CFG afterwards that says just;

class ModLauncherList
{
class Mod1
{
dir="ACR";
name="Arma 2: Army of The Czech Republic";
origin="REGISTRY";
fullPath="E:\Data1\GamesW7\ArmA2\ACR";
};
};


*sigh*

@<hidden>'s
I guess I'm not 100% on whats happening here, but I think by removing your mandatory "-mod=Expansion" it may remove the blocking action the launcher seem to have.
Hopefully someone can comment.
I might start a separate thread to get to the bottom of this.

[OMAC]

It was written in VB.NET, but in the past year or so my language of choice has become C#. Hearing from all of you is making me want to rewrite it in C# myself.

I'm not sure about ArmA3, I haven't given it any thought before now.

If I were to update the launcher, a list of things that aren't working correctly would be very helpful. Do most of the problems have to do with the latest DLC? (All I have is Operation Arrowhead, I never ended up buying BAF or PMC before I quit playing. I didn't even know about ACR until this morning.)

SpiritedMachine,

Thank you for creating this AWESOME LAUNCHER, and for replying lately. As you can see from this thread, MANY people still use and love your launcher, and would greatly appreciate any updates. In these posts:

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?89731-ArmA-2-Game-Launcher&p=2225769&viewfull=1#post2225769
http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?89731-ArmA-2-Game-Launcher&p=2230977&viewfull=1#post2230977

I have mentioned a few minor items that could improve the launcher. Many others have also mentioned some of these items.

1) try "-beta" flag to launch the beta
2) remove CO game launch option (not needed, A2 and OA options are fine, like alpinestars' launcher)
3) optional: detect presence of ACR and load it automatically (like PMC and BAF) so that it doesn't need to be selected as mod to run

We hope that the well-demonstrated community appreciation of your work will inspire you to update the launcher! :)

Best regards,
OMAC

[SpiritedMachine]

I have mentioned a few minor items that could improve the launcher. Many others have also mentioned some of these items.

1) try "-beta" flag to launch the beta
2) remove CO game launch option (not needed, A2 and OA options are fine, like alpinestars' launcher)
3) optional: detect presence of ACR and load it automatically (like PMC and BAF) so that it doesn't need to be selected as mod to run


I'm not sure what you mean in item 1. Has the beta functionality changed so that the existing 'Run Beta" checkbox doesn't work anymore? If BI has changed the way the beta exe's are handled, I will have to do research on that. Back when I was still playing, I played the beta and the launcher handled it fine.

I guess number 2 is self explanatory, I can do that. I guess the reason it is not that way now is I seem to remember that it was possible to play 3 different ways. ArmA2 vanilla, OA standalone, or OA with ArmA2 content.

I'm confused by the whole ACR situation. I have no code in the launcher now that detects BAF or PMC. It must have more to do with the way the OA executable detects them. I think that is what Gnat is getting at above.

[OMAC]

Oh yes, the beta works perfectly in the launcher right now, but since about 1.60 BIS introduced the -beta flag to run the beta, in contrast to the old -mod flag for mods. BIS updated beta/mod launching to make better use of the in-game Expansion menu. I don't think any research on your part is required, just use -beta for the beta and -mod for mods.

Here is the shortcut target I usually use (outside of launcher) to start CO + beta:


"C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\Expansion\beta\arma2oa.exe" -beta=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion

As far as I can tell, to run CO, there is no functional difference between running the OA exe with or without using A2 as a mod to it, as long as CO has been installed properly (meaning A2 installed first, then OA). But using your CO option (OA + A2 as mod) results in A2 being displayed twice in expansion menu.

Unlike PMC and BAF, ACR uses a registry-based system for mod loading (note REGISTRY-based origin; PMC + BAF have "GAME DIR" origin):


class ModLauncherList
{
class Mod1
{
dir="ACR";
name="Arma 2: Army of The Czech Republic";
origin="REGISTRY";
fullPath="C:\Program files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\ACR";
};
};

This is unfortunate in that launchers need to load ACR as a mod for it to run, but PMC and BAF are always loaded by default. Note that even using the in-game Expansion menu, PMC and BAF cannot be disabled, but ACR can, and that ACR is enabled by default by the registry, even with no "class ModLauncherList" section in arma2oa.cfg.

The launcher could detect the presence of the ACR folder under Arma II folder, and then automatically load it using "-mod=acr". Very simple. Future releases (and A3) will most likely use the registry-based DLC system.

[SpiritedMachine]

I did some testing with my launcher and Alpinestars'. This testing was to decide whether 3 game modes are necessary. Here is what I found:

If you launch Operation Arrowhead without any "-mod=" parameter and you have ArmA2 vanilla installed (probably 99% of users), it will load the ArmA2 vanilla content. (I checked this by going to the editor and seeing which maps were available)

If, however, you launch Operation Arrowhead with mods and you do not include vanilla ArmA2 as a mod (which is what my "ArmA 2 - CO" option does) it will not load the vanilla content. There was no way for me to use Alpinestars' launcher and play Operation Arrowhead with vanilla ArmA2 content loaded. Am I missing an option somewhere, or a workaround? Was this a complaint from people?

http://download.avidesk.com/images/arma2launcher/arma2launchdata.png (164 kB) (http://download.avidesk.com/images/arma2launcher/arma2launchdata.png)

From my testing, it seems to me that it is either worth keeping the Combined Operations option, or have some kind of auto detection to add the "-mod=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2" command line parameter automatically if vanilla A2 is installed. But, that would prevent the user from playing Operation Arrowhead without vanilla content. Maybe it's a non-issue, but I don't like hard-coding things that could be an option, forcing the user to do things a certain way.

What I did discover, is that I can get rid of "-mod=Expansion" when Operation Arrowhead is selected. It doesn't seem to do anything except tell the executable that mods are being run, and thereby preventing vanilla A2 content from being loaded.

I spent way too much time on this, I hope I at least got my point across. Please let me know what you think..

[[APS]Gnat]

What I did discover, is that I can get rid of "-mod=Expansion" when Operation Arrowhead is selected.
As I said, that definitely generates a negative effect for me.


It doesn't seem to do anything except tell the executable that mods are being run, and thereby preventing vanilla A2 content from being loaded.
Not sure why you are getting vanilla ArmA2 content not being loaded. I've never found a mode (using the arma2oa.exe ) that excludes that content.

[OMAC]

Gnat;2241470']Not sure why you are getting vanilla ArmA2 content not being loaded. I've never found a mode (using the arma2oa.exe ) that excludes that content.

Same here. If OA is loaded, A2, PMC, and BAF content is always loaded, using this launcher or alpinestars'. I think it can be assumed that if A2, OA, PMC, BAF, and ACR content is installed, there would never be a situation where a user would NOT want ALL of the content to be loaded. More in a minute...

---------- Post added at 09:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 AM ----------



If, however, you launch Operation Arrowhead with mods and you do not include vanilla ArmA2 as a mod (which is what my "ArmA 2 - CO" option does) it will not load the vanilla content. There was no way for me to use Alpinestars' launcher and play Operation Arrowhead with vanilla ArmA2 content loaded.

I do not find the above to be true. The converse is true, namely that, using either launcher, there is no way to get A2 NOT to load if OA is launched.

I have no idea what is going on about launching OA with "-mod=Expansion". I have never used that, and the default BIS shortcut doesn't either.

[[APS]Gnat]

Same here. If OA is loaded, A2, PMC, and BAF content is always loaded, using this launcher or alpinestars'. I think it can be assumed that if A2, OA, PMC, BAF, and ACR content is installed, there would never be a situation where a user would NOT want ALL of the content to be loaded.

PvP seems to have described why they CAN be separated

4 When A2 and OA in the same folder, they are merged automatically


His full post here;
http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?141555-Mod-Launch-launchers-expansions-and-shortcuts-Challenge

1 -mod disables registry loading
2 A2/BAF/PMC are loaded from the registry when no -mod is specified
3 ACR is missing/broken in registry, therefore -mod=ACR is needed
4 When A2 and OA in the same folder, they are merged automatically
5 Otherwise you need to specify the location of A2 to get CO, like -mod=x:\arma2

use procmon to learn what the game loads and in what way etc (doesn't show registry loading)

[SpiritedMachine]

Aha, that is the answer. All of my ArmA 2 purchases were through Steam, so I really don't have much control over how they are installed. How about you guys?

[[APS]Gnat]

Non Steam. DLC was via Sprocket. Not controlled after install. Everything of mine was installed in the ArmA2 game folder

[SpiritedMachine]

Just FYI I am in the process of re-writing the launcher in C#. I am making improvements to the interface as well as the code behind the scenes. I hope to have something released in the next few days. If you have any suggestions for changes that haven't been mentioned earlier, now is the time to let me know.

[Tankbuster]

I'm a massive fan of your work so please accept my comments not as insults, but as feedback. :)

At the risk of giving unhelpful feedback, the server browser is rather confusing.

The favourite server pane at the top is nice and simple, although it would be good if it showed the number of players in a column next to the password, rather than having to right click and requesting player list.

BTW, sometimes, requesting number of players gives an unhandled exception. "System.IO.IOException: The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\Spirited Machine\ArmA II Launcher\1.4.0.0\Profiles\Default\serverinfo.xml' because it is being used by another process."

The little pane underneath that seems to show the details of the last favourited server. What should it show? Can the server it shows be changed?

Also, further down that tab, the server browser button. Why does it have an IP address, port and password box next to it?

The server browser itself is confusing to use. When would we need to use the refresh button? How does one use the saved filters? Could it have a "hide DayZ" function. :)

Using the search on the server browser gives an unhandled exception too. "System.InvalidCastException: Conversion from type 'DBNull' to type 'String' is not valid."

[[APS]Gnat]

Suggestion:
In the right hand side panel of the "Addons" tab ( Addon Groups) show a hint if the mouse pointer hovers over a group. The hint is the directory location (like as happens in the left hand panel)
Why: Because with tools like the "PlayWithSix" you can end up with 2 copies of the same Mod folder, ones in MyDocuments, ones in game directory.

[domestar]

I enjoy this launcher very mutch, its great! I just have a weird problem, when the armaII launcher i launched, i dont see the content, only the launcher icon at the bottom of windows7. The program worked 2 days ago, and there is no reason why it should stop working. Ive tried several uninstall and reinstall with the same result.

Is this a known bug or anyone have suggestion of how to solve this?

EDIT: Solved in registery! Looking forward to the upgrade :)

[OMAC]

Aha, that is the answer. All of my ArmA 2 purchases were through Steam, so I really don't have much control over how they are installed. How about you guys?

Yes, that's it. My comments were all regarding non-Steam (DVD and Sprocket) installs of A2 and OA into the default location chosen by the installer (C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2). If A2 and OA are installed separately into different locations, then A2 must be loaded as a mod to OA for CO to run. I have no idea how the launcher would work with Steam installs, but I think you've got a handle on that.

See this also:

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?141727-ARMA-2-OA-beta-build-98220-(1-62-MP-compatible-build-post-1-62-release)&p=2242468&viewfull=1#post2242468

[SpiritedMachine]

I enjoy this launcher very mutch, its great! I just have a weird problem, when the armaII launcher i launched, i dont see the content, only the launcher icon at the bottom of windows7. The program worked 2 days ago, and there is no reason why it should stop working. Ive tried several uninstall and reinstall with the same result.

Is this a known bug or anyone have suggestion of how to solve this?

EDIT: Solved in registery! Looking forward to the upgrade :)

If you right-click on the icon in the taskpane there is an option called 'Reset Window Position'. I added that because this problem is fairly common, but I have never been able to track down what causes it. Hopefully I can eliminate it in the re-write.

[kylania]

With regards to this registry stuff, is that what's enabled via the in game Expansions menu? I load A2 and all the DLC (except for ACR that is...) via the Expansions, so no matter how I start the game all of that is included.

[SpiritedMachine]

Does anyone use the Description/Comments field? I thought it was a good idea at the time I created it since a lot of addons have acronym names, but I personally haven't used it. Should I get rid of it for version 2.0?

Screenshot of current progress:
http://download.avidesk.com/images/arma2launcher/v1_5_0_0a-ss1.png

[OMAC]

The screenshot looks great! :)

I've never used it, but now that you mention it, the field could be nice for entering version #'s, mod name, and other comments. It does take up some room, but what else would go there? I think it adds a nice touch, and it works perfectly, with comments auto-saved.

If you decide to keep the CO launch option for the (rare?) situations where A2 and OA aren't installed in the same default directory, could you disable that option if A2 and OA are detected to be installed in the default location?

[SpiritedMachine]

The screenshot looks great! :)

I've never used it, but now that you mention it, the field could be nice for entering version #'s, mod name, and other comments. It does take up some room, but what else would go there? I think it adds a nice touch, and it works perfectly, with comments auto-saved.

If you decide to keep the CO launch option for the (rare?) situations where A2 and OA aren't installed in the same default directory, could you disable that option if A2 and OA are detected to be installed in the default location?

You're right, the comments section will stay.

I have decided to auto-detect whether A2 and OA are in the same directory or not, and adjust the startup parameters automatically. If game mode is set to OA and A2 is installed in a separate location, it will be automatically added as a 'mod'. I will cut it down to only 2 game options this way. I might add another checkbox that overrides that behavior in case someone REALLY doesn't want to load A2 content for some reason.

[[APS]Gnat]

I might add another checkbox that overrides that behavior in case someone REALLY doesn't want to load A2 content for some reason.

Yeh, think that would be a really good idea, just incase BI change something too. Hate to have your great tool side-lined because of some future change by BI or others.
No, dont use comments, but as suggested, good to be there.

[OMAC]

You're right, the comments section will stay.

I have decided to auto-detect whether A2 and OA are in the same directory or not, and adjust the startup parameters automatically. If game mode is set to OA and A2 is installed in a separate location, it will be automatically added as a 'mod'. I will cut it down to only 2 game options this way. I might add another checkbox that overrides that behavior in case someone REALLY doesn't want to load A2 content for some reason.

Excellent! :cool:

I especially like the olive green highlights in the new GUI!

[Bushlurker]

Hi Spirited Machine!!

Great to see you back!! and - an update for my all-time favourite launcher!!??

:yay:

I've used this launcher exclusively since it first appeared! Brilliant!
Simple, no-nonsense, no frills - actually does the job!!! Tremendous!!

I have one of those "awkward" installs...

DVD Arma 2 - Steam OA - Steam BAF & PMC, Sprocket ACR... "core" mods on the SSD with the game files, a "catchall" bucket on a separate drive with "all the other mods"...

Oh - and just for good measure, I run triplescreen - sometimes - via Kegetys' SoftTH - other times I'd like a singlescreen in windowed mode for quick mod-testing...

This launcher does it all! - Even my seriously "non modder" friends with similar setups can cope..... :)


Absolutely delighted to see you back and working on an update! Thanks very much!!! - and looking great so far too!


B

[SpiritedMachine]

The re-write is taking longer than I expected. I'm basically re-writing from scratch, so the code is much cleaner but of course it will take much longer than a copy/paste conversion. I'm going to have to take back my statement about releasing the updated build this weekend.

It's a little hard to keep myself motivated considering I don't play anymore, but your kind words are nudging me along! :D