"Wong CD key" following windows reinstall

[Barrance]

Hi there,

I recently reinstalled windows on my PC (following some pretty devastating viruses)
I have a poor internet connection, so rather than redownloading Arma2OA through steam again, I copied the files from the steamapps/common folder onto my second hard drive. I then reinstalled windows, and redownloaded steam, and copied the folders (Arma2 free and Arma2OA) into the same folder as before in the new steam folder. I then installed Arma2OA again through steam (which only took minutes as it found the folders I copied across)

I then tried to launch the game through the 93160 beta launch icon as I did before, but got an error pop up saying "The program can't start because X3DAudio1_6.dll is missing from your computer"

I figured I might have to run the patch installer again, and tried, but after the extraction process got a message appear saying "Wrong CD key". I then tried downloading the newest beta patch and installing that but got the same "Wrong CD key" message as before.

Im assuming this is something to do with my download of the game being registered to my old windows installation, and not being found as the right computer on my new install. I was really wondering how I can get it to recognise this new windows installation as the same computer again? Hoping there isnt some small print somewhere steam that says that each download is only licensed for one windows installation.

Anyway, I hope i was fairly clear. Would love to know what I need to do!
Thanks in advance

[Foxhound]

Regarding the dll error, did you install DirectX 9? It is required for this game. Having a higher version does not matter, you need DirectX 9 installed as well.
As for the key, I think it is due your copied install of Arma 2: free, reinstall that as how it should be installed instead of copying the files into your clean windows install.

[GossamerSolid]

You can't just copy files and expect them to work on a new installation. ArmA 2 (like many programs) uses registry keys, which contain your cd key. When you re-installed, I'm assuming you didn't back those up.

You're only solution is to re-install the game.

[TonyGrunt]

Download and run DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer and wait for setup to finish. Reboot if asked.
Exit steam, make sure it is closed then right click the steam icon and select "Run as Administrator".
Verifying Arma2 free and Arma2 OA game cache. Wait for downloads to finish if necessary.
Start once Arma2 free and exit when done.
Start once Arma2 OA and exit when done.
Start Arma2 CO, hopefully it works.

I hope I didn't forget anything.

[[FRL]Myke]

Download and run DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer and wait for setup to finish. Reboot if asked.
Exit steam, make sure it is closed then right click the steam icon and select "Run as Administrator".
Verifying Arma2 free and Arma2 OA game cache. Wait for downloads to finish if necessary.
Start once Arma2 free and exit when done.
Start once Arma2 OA and exit when done.
Start Arma2 CO, hopefully it works.

I hope I didn't forget anything.

You did, you forgot the last and most important step:

- pray to the almighty BI Gods.


Sorry, couldn't resist.



On a more serious note, go with Tonys advice, this should generally do the trick.