ARCHIVED NEWS
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December 2009
Realtek HD Audio 2.40
31 December 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.40 of its HD Audio drivers. Note if you have problems with the link, click the 'High Definition Audio Codecs' link at the top of the page and then select 'Software'.
Happy New Year
31 December 2009
The year is almost over, and 2010 will shortly be upon us. I hope you had a successful year, and may the next be even more prosperous and enjoyable for you. For me, 2009 has been relatively good, culminating in the stressful but ultimately satisfying completion of the TGTC for Windows 7. As for TweakGuides in 2010, the site will continue along much the same path. I'm still passionate about writing in one form or another. What exactly I'll write about however is something I'll have to think about carefully.
Sandra 2010
29 December 2009
SiSoftware has released a new 2010 Build 16.26 of the free system information utility Sandra.
VirtualDub 1.9.8
29 December 2009
A new Version 1.9.8 of the free video editing utility VirtualDub has been released, fixing a range of bugs.
Game Patches
29 December 2009
Intel Turbo Boost Technology Monitor 1.03
28 December 2009
Intel has released Version 1.03 of the Turbo Boost Technology Monitor utility. This utility is a Sidebar Gadget for Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs under Windows Vista and 7, displaying increases in processor frequency through Turbo Boost.
Merry Christmas
24 December 2009
A very Merry Christmas to all TweakGuides readers. I hope you get the opportunity to have a good break, and hopefully also catch up with some gaming and spend some quality time with your PC!
Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility 9.1.1.1025
24 December 2009
Intel has released Version 9.1.1.1025 of the Chipset Software Installation Utility, the main motherboard driver for Intel chipset-based motherboards.
Game Patches
24 December 2009
CCleaner 2.27.1070
23 December 2009
A new Version 2.27.1070 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This version adds support to wipe MFT free space, adds an option to turn off Jump List tasks in Windows 7, and has a range of improvements and fixes.
Game Patches
23 December 2009
Intel SSD Toolbox 1.2
22 December 2009
Intel has released Version 1.2 of the SSD Toolbox, which includes a range of applications for managing the health and optimal performance of 34nm Intel Solid State Drives. This version fixes problems with unusable system restore points, as well as improving functionality.
Winamp 5.571
22 December 2009
The free Winamp media player has been updated to Version 5.571. This minor revision fixes a range of bugs.
Game Patches
22 December 2009
CPU-Z 1.53
21 December 2009
A new Version 1.53 of the CPU-Z information utility has been released. This update provides support for new chipsets, has a new HTML report, and fixes DirectX 11 detection.
Game Patches
20 December 2009
Game Patches
19 December 2009
ATI Catalyst 9.12 Hotfix
18 December 2009
ATI has released a Catalyst 9.12 Hotfix graphics driver. This hotfix is essentially a beta which is newer than the recent Official 9.12 Catalysts. Specifically it resolves the mouse being enlarged under Windows 7, improves the performance of OpenGL games, provides support for CrossFireX on Eyefinity setups, OpenCL and DisplayPort Audio support, and has several other fixes.
ATI Catalyst 9.12
18 December 2009
ATI has released the Catalyst 9.12 graphics drivers for the HD2000 series and newer. This version includes support for DirectCompute 10.1 and OpenGL 3.2, contains performance improvements in 3DMark Vantage and STALKER: Call of Pripyat, as well as a range of fixes.
Chrome 3.0.195.38
18 December 2009
Google has released Version 3.0.195.38 of the Chrome browser. This version contains two crash fixes.
Game Patches
18 December 2009
Winamp 5.57
17 December 2009
The free Winamp media player has been updated to Version 5.57. The changes include a large number of fixes and improvements.
Game Patches
17 December 2009
Games for Windows Live Games on Demand
16 December 2009
As part of the recent update for Games for Windows Live covered further below, Microsoft has launched the Games on Demand service, similar to Valve's Steam online content delivery service. As an added bonus, the Tinker puzzle game, previously available only as a Vista Ultimate Extra, is now available to Windows XP, Vista and 7 users for free via Games on Demand.
Firefox 3.5.6
16 December 2009
Mozilla has released Version 3.5.6 of the Firefox browser. This version contains several security and stability fixes.
Realtek HD Audio 2.39
16 December 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.39 of its HD Audio drivers. Note if you have problems with the link, click the 'High Definition Audio Codecs' link at the top of the page and then select 'Software'.
Games for Windows Live 3.2
16 December 2009
Microsoft has released an Update for the Games for Windows Live client. To obtain the update either log into GFW Live, check Windows Update, or download the redistributable version from the link above.
Game Patches
16 December 2009
WinRAR 3.91
16 December 2009
The archival utility WinRAR has been updated to Version 3.91. The changes include several improvements and bug fixes.
Nvidia Beta Forceware 195.81
15 December 2009
Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 195.81 driver for Windows XP, Vista and 7. These drivers are for GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200 and ION series cards. They are identical to the recent WHQL 195.62 drivers, but include fixes for Adobe Flash 10.1 Beta 2 and 3D Vision detection on CRT and DLP displays, and add new SLI and multi-GPU profiles for Avatar, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, and Wings of Prey. The package also contains the 9.09.0814 PhysX drivers.
Game Patches
13 December 2009
Game Patches
12 December 2009
Game Patches
11 December 2009
Game Patches
10 December 2009
Flash Player 10.0.42.34
9 December 2009
Adobe has released Version 10.0.42.34 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers.
Realtek HD Audio 2.38
9 December 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.38 of its HD Audio drivers. Note if you have problems with the link, click the 'High Definition Audio Codecs' link at the top of the page and then select 'Software'.
Game Patches
9 December 2009
Microsoft Security Updates
9 December 2009
Microsoft has released its monthly set of Windows security updates which you can get through Windows Update. Alternatively you can view and download them individually from here - click the 'Released' column header once to sort by date.
Game Patches
8 December 2009
Sandra 2010
7 December 2009
SiSoftware has released a new 2010 Build 16.11 of the free system information utility Sandra.
Google Personalization & Dictionary
6 December 2009
Google has made their Personalized Search service available to all users, including those not signed in to a Google account. This feature can alter the search results which appear when you use Google based on your previous search activity, however if you wish to turn it off, see the instructions here. Google has also created a Dictionary page which provides definitions in various languages drawn from a range of sources.
Game Patches
6 December 2009
Google DNS Service
4 December 2009
Google has launched a free Public DNS service. Using this DNS service may provide improved browsing performance and security. Full instructions on how to switch to this DNS service on your machine are provided here.
Game Patches
4 December 2009
Game Patches
3 December 2009
AutoRuns 9.57
3 December 2009
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.57, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version now reports more group policy script entries.
Microsoft Security Update Black Screen Issues
3 December 2009
As suspected, reports earlier this week claiming that recent Microsoft security patches cause systems to boot up to a black screen have been proven as false. Microsoft confirms that any such issues have nothing to do with their patches, and that these black screen issues are not widespread among Windows users. The security company Prevx which identified this problem earlier has now issued an apology to Microsoft. I'm making a special point of highlighting these facts, because several readers asked me why I did not post about this issue earlier. The simple answer is that I do not post unsubstantiated and/or sensationalist stories on this site.
Dirt 2 Demo
2 December 2009
A Demo has been released for the racing game Dirt 2. The PC version runs in either DirectX 9 or DirectX 11 mode, and a comparison between the two can be found here. In practice, the difference between DX9 and DX11 is similar to that between DX9 and DX10; quite subtle. I've prepared an HD enabled YouTube video to demonstrate gameplay from the demo.
Game Patches
2 December 2009
GPU-Z 0.3.8
2 December 2009
GPU-Z, a free graphics card information utility, has reached Version 0.3.8. The changes include added sensors to monitor GPU load percentages on Nvidia cards, the ability to stay in front of all open windows, and a range of fixes and improvements.
SpeedFan 4.40
1 December 2009
Almico has released Version 4.40 of SpeedFan, a free utility for changing system fan speeds, measuring temperatures and voltages and adjusting clock speeds.
Game Patches
1 December 2009
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