ARCHIVED NEWS
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February 2008
Unlocker 1.8.6
29 February 2008
A new Version 1.8.6 of the free Unlocker utility has been released, allowing deletion of locked files marked as in use. The changes in this version are not clear.
Game Patches
29 February 2008
Realtek HD Audio 1.87a
28 February 2008
Realtek has released Version 1.87a of its HD Audio drivers for Vista. This is an update of the original 1.87 drivers released last week.
AutoRuns 9.13
28 February 2008
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.13, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version fixes a crash when looking at the properties of third party DLLs.
Game Patches
28 February 2008
Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
27 February 2008
Mozilla has released a new Version 2.0.0.12 of the free Thunderbird email client. The updated version has security fixes.
Game Patches
27 February 2008
Windows Updates
27 February 2008
Microsoft has released an Update to improve USB driver performance on Windows XP. There is also a new Knowledgebase Article which explains how to fix problems caused by the recent pre-requisite updates for Vista SP1.
Update: Two other updates of interest include KB947506 which resolves a problem with partially installed language packs in Vista and KB940510 which detects exploits used to bypass activation in Vista.
Windows Vista SP1
26 February 2008
Microsoft has now released the Integrated SP1 installation images for Technet subscribers. These are important because SP1 cannot be 'slipstreamed' into a regular Vista install image, so the integrated SP1 install image is recommended for a clean installation of Vista SP1.
Game Patches
26 February 2008
iTunes 7.6.1
23 February 2008
Apple has released an update for iTunes, bringing it up to Version 7.6.1. This version includes several bug fixes and improves compatibility with Apple TV.
Windows Vista SP1
22 February 2008
It appears that Microsoft has released Service Pack 1 (SP1) early for Windows Vista x64 users - many are reporting that SP1 is officially available in their Windows Updates. It is currently unclear as to whether this release is accidental or not, but if you want to install SP1 this way keep in mind that there are three pre-requisite updates (KB938371, KB937287, and KB935509) which you should install before installing SP1 via Windows Update. Note that the standalone SP1 package doesn't need these updates prior to installation.
Update: It appears this loophole may have been closed now.
Update 2: Microsoft has confirmed it was an accident.
Unreal Tournament 3 Patch 1.2
22 February 2008
Epic has released the 1.2 Patch for Unreal Tournament 3, containing a large number of changes and fixes. I will update the UT3 Tweak Guide for all the changes shortly.
Update: The guide has now been updated - see pages 4, 6, 7 and 10 in particular for the changes.
Nvidia Beta Forceware 174.16
22 February 2008
Nvidia has released a new Beta Forceware 174.16 for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers are WHQL candidates specifically designed only for the new GeForce 9600GT graphics card. They also provide support for Quad SLI technology, and add new features to the Nvidia Control Panel for custom resolution, screen size and position adjustment.
CCleaner 2.05.555
22 February 2008
A new Version 2.05.555 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This version has several bug fixes, minor GUI changes, and a performance increase.
Game Patches
22 February 2008
Realtek HD Audio 1.87
22 February 2008
Realtek has released Version 1.87 of its HD Audio drivers.
Office 2007 Update
21 February 2008
Microsoft has released an Update for Office 2007 which fixes an error when installing Office 2007 SP1.
Game Patches
21 February 2008
Opera 9.26
20 February 2008
The free Opera browser has been updated to Version 9.26. The changes include stability and security fixes.
Windows XP SP3
20 February 2008
Microsoft has made available the latest Release Notes for the upcoming Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). The release date for XP SP3 final is still unclear.
Update: Microsoft has released XP SP3 RC2 to the public - again note that this is not the final version and is for testing purposes only.
Game Patches
20 February 2008
CPU-Z 1.44.1
18 February 2008
A new Version 1.44.1 of the CPU-Z information utility has been released. This version adds support for the new validator.
Game Patches
16 February 2008
Windows Vista SP1
15 February 2008
Microsoft has released Vista SP1 to MSDN and Technet subscribers. It can be found in the Top Subscribers Download section on the subscriptions home page, as well as on Connect.
Team Fortress 2 / Source Engine Update
15 February 2008
Valve has released a major Team Fortress 2 / Source Engine Update which is available via Steam. This update contains general performance optimizations for the Source Engine, as well as a range of changes, fixes and a new map for Team Fortress 2. There is no significant change to the HL2 & Source Engine Tweak Guide. Note also that Valve has finalized the Beta Steam Client which was available earlier and it has been released today as a regular Steam Update for everyone, improving the Steam Client's performance and fixing some issues.
GRAW 2 1.05 Patch
14 February 2008
Ubisoft has released the long-delayed 1.05 Patch for Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2. I've updated the GRAW 2 Tweak Guide however there are no significant changes.
ATI Catalyst 8.2
14 February 2008
ATI has released the Catalyst 8.2 graphics driver. The changes include peformance improvements in Company of Heroes DX10 on the HD2000 and HD3000 series and Crossfire configured cards, and a range of resolved issues.
VirtualDub 1.7.8
14 February 2008
A new Version 1.7.8 of the free video editing utility VirtualDub has been released. The changes include several fixes.
Game Patches
14 February 2008
Game Patches
13 February 2008
Microsoft Security Updates
13 February 2008
Microsoft has released its monthly set of Windows security updates which you can get through Windows Update, or if not there by viewing and downloading them from here.
Windows Vista SP1
12 February 2008
Microsoft has once again confirmed that Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) will not be available to the general public any sooner than mid-March as originally announced. Furthermore it has clarified that SP1 RTM is the final build, and will see no further changes. However there is one change: SP1 RTM will now be released to Technet and MSDN subscribers some time later this month.
Game Patches
12 February 2008
AutoRuns 9.12
10 February 2008
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.12, the third time this startup software identification utility has been updated in the last week. The changes for this version are not yet clear.
Steam Client Beta
9 February 2008
Valve has released a Beta Steam Client which has a range of improvements and fixes, including improved download speeds and faster launch times. If you want to try this new client, start Steam and under the File>Settings menu go to the Account tab and click the Change button under Beta participation, then select 'Steam Client Candidate' and restart Steam.
CPU-Z 1.44
9 February 2008
A new Version 1.44 of the CPU-Z information utility has been released. This version includes support for new CPUs and chipsets and fixes a Phenom detection issue.
Firefox 2.0.0.12
8 February 2008
Mozilla has released an update to the Firefox browser, bringing it up to Version 2.0.0.12. The latest version has several security and stability fixes.
AutoRuns 9.11
8 February 2008
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.11 within days of the previous version, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version corrects a minor bug.
Game Patches
8 February 2008
QuickTime 7.4.1
7 February 2008
Apple has released a new Version 7.4.1 of the QuickTime media player. This version fixes an important security issue and also addresses some compatibility problems.
Game Patches
7 February 2008
Vista Compatibility Update
6 February 2008
Microsoft has released a Compatibility Update for Windows Vista. This update improves the functionality of various legacy applications, or blocks them if they are incompatible.
Adobe Reader 8.1.2
6 February 2008
Adobe has released a new Version 8.1.2 of their PDF Reader utility. This version contains bug fixes.
vLite 1.1.1
6 February 2008
A new Version 1.1.1 of the Windows Vista installation customization utility vLite has been released. This version contains several fixes.
AutoRuns 9.10
6 February 2008
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.10, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version adds new features to the command line version of Autoruns.
Game Patches
5 February 2008
Windows Vista SP1
5 February 2008
Microsoft has announced that Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) has been officially Released to Manufacturing (RTM) today. This means that Vista SP1 has been finalized, however unfortunately it will not be available to the public until mid-March. The delay in release is due partly to allow OEMs and retailers time to update their products, and partly due to some existing device driver incompatibilities which MS prefers to have resolved before SP1's launch.
Update: Microsoft has published a document listing the notable changes in Vista SP1.
Realtek AC97 Audio 4.04
3 February 2008
Realtek has released Version 4.04 of its AC97 audio drivers.
Realtek HD Audio 1.86
3 February 2008
Realtek has released Version 1.86 of its HD Audio drivers.
Game Patches
2 February 2008
Windows Vista SP1
1 February 2008
It appears that TechARP has received confirmation from Microsoft that the final version of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) will be released on 4 February.
Update: Note that this is still not fully confirmed, furthermore a Release to Manufacturing date of 4 February does not necessarily mean a public release on that date.
America's Army 2.8.3
1 February 2008
A new 2.8.3 Update has been released for the free America's Army online game. I've updated the America's Army Tweak Guide for the changes, though they are not significant.
Game Patches
1 February 2008
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