ArmA: Troubleshooting Vista

Unofficial, unsupported troubleshooting page for Windows Vista 32-bit and Windows Vista 64-bit.

This information is until now current with Patch: **v1.08hotfix**

# Getting ArmA to run properly on Vista

* Install all updates available from Windows Update
* Install DirectX9/10 Redistributable (Links: Guru3d)
* Install one of the latest ATI or Nvidia drivers available (Links ATI, NVIDIA and Guru3d)
* Install Vista SP1 (when released) OR pre-SP1 hotfixes 940105, 936710, 938194 and 938979
* Adjust ArmA shortcut to include -maxmem=512

# Known Issues and Resolutions

## 64-bit Windows with 4GB RAM, black loading screen

This issue should be fixed in ArmA Beta Patch 1.15

If you are not comfortable installing beta patched and you prefer to wait for a regular patch released, you can try following workarounds meanwhile:

* You can run windowed mode with the -windowed switch. (or use ArmaLauncher)
	+ The resize arrows for the window do not appear but you can still adjust the size.
	+ If you have issues adjusting the size or wish to manually set the windowed resolution, open your Arma.cfg file and manually set the values for winW and winH. Arma.cfg is located in %userprofile%\Documents\Arma\Arma.cfg
* Fullscreen mode: Limit your System Memory to 3GB by a simple change of settings and a reboot:
	+ Press windowskey+R, and run msconfig
	+ At the boot tab, pick advanced options and put maximum memory to 3072
	+ Reboot
	+ You can also revert the setting by above method to get your full 4GB back
* More methods might be listed soon, together with a method to get a selection screen at system boot up to pick "Normal Operation" and "Limited to 3GB"
* You could add this selection by using command-line tool (administrator-privileges needed) BCDEdit with following commands:
	+ bcdedit /copy {current} /d "Limited to 3GB"
	+ bcdedit /set {Insert given new entry ID here} truncatememory 3221225472
* More info on boot parameters available below, in the section Related Links

## D3DX9\_30.dll Not Found

* Check above for the DirectX9/10 redistributable, this resolves this issue.

## When shutting down the game, you get a bluescreen "Process has locked Pages"

* This is a problem confirmed with X-Fi cards and their drivers. Driver Release 2.15.0004 or 2.15.0002 resolves this issue
* Otherwise, You can add the startup parameter -dsound to ArmA Shortcut but other weird sound problems might arise in that case.

## After a shortwhile I get weird textures and models

* Make sure you have adjusted your startup shortcut to include -maxmem=512, in some cases it might be necessary to tweak it further back. Try 384.

## Unable to connect to any servers, or game locks up when going to multiplayer list

* Make sure your Windows Firewall allows ArmA.exe
* Make sure that (if installed) other firewall applications allow ArmA.exe access
* Make sure that your router/modem also allows ArmA's outgoing UDP ports towards the internet

# Related Links

## Current Forum Discussion Thread

* BIS Forums Vista Troubleshooting thread, the one and only

## Resources

* Windows XP & Vista Boot parameters explained

## Old Forum Discussion Threads

**Note:** Most of these are outdated and the proper information has been substracted and processed in this wiki

* Vista Black load screen?
* Vista Compatibility
* Instant crash, game does not even load (Vista 64)
* Got my ArmA working properly on Vista/8800GTS
* Connection issues in Vista
* Hotfix for Vista related to out of memory errors
* Nvidia drivers 163.44 and Vista 32/64 bit Hotfix
* Vista64 w/4gig of ram black screen \*\*FIX\*
* Any Fix for Black Screen Vistax64
* To help all Vista & 8800 users read here!
* No problems with Vista
* Windows Vista with ATI Graphics Card
* Vista 32 bit Problems
* Vista and Sound Issues
* 8800 ultra vista 64 problem
* Vista x64 + Radeon X1900XT unplayable
* Microsoft releases Vista performance fix packs
* FIX Memory errors back to desktop (VISTA)
* Vista 64Bit
* Armed Assault Vista X64 issues
* TrackIR 4 Vista
* Speed up SATA Hard Drives in Windows Vista
* Vista Performance Tip
* Windows Vista or d3dx9\_30.dll
* 8007000e Error in Vista
* Vsync and Vista
* Vista or Patch issue when trying to launch?