ARCHIVED NEWS
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November 2008
Game Patches
30 November 2008
Game Patches
29 November 2008
Windows 7 WARP
27 November 2008
Microsoft has released details of the Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform (WARP), an option to be introduced in the DirectX implementation on Windows 7 that allows full DirectX 10 rendering using software-only rasterization. In other words it lets all rendering be done by the CPU, which although much, much slower than a dedicated graphics card, means any system will be able to run basic DX10 effects under Windows 7.
CCleaner 2.14.750
27 November 2008
A new Version 2.14.750 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This version adds support for Windows 7, improves Chrome and Opera support, improves Recycle Bin and Registry cleaning and has several other fixes and improvements.
Game Patches
27 November 2008
Windows Updates
26 November 2008
Aside from the update for Media Centre posted earlier below, Microsoft has released a range of other non-critical updates for all versions of Windows. You can browse through the list here, or wait for them to become available via Windows Update.
Safari 3.2.1
26 November 2008
Apple has released an update for the Safari browser for Windows, bringing it up to Version 3.2.1. The changes include stability improvements.
Game Patches
26 November 2008
Windows Update
26 November 2008
Microsoft has released an Update for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, resolving an issue with recording from an analog TV source.
Game Patches
25 November 2008
Nvidia Beta Forceware 180.60
23 November 2008
Nvidia has released a Beta Forceware 180.60 driver for Windows XP and Vista on the CUDA site. These drivers are for GeForce 8, 9 and 200 series cards. To download them, select your OS and then click the first Download button. The change list for this driver is unclear.
SpeedFan 4.37
22 November 2008
Almico has released Version 4.37 of SpeedFan, a free utility for changing system fan speeds, measuring temperatures and voltages and adjusting clock speeds. The changes include several fixes.
iTunes 8.02
21 November 2008
Apple has released a new Version 8.02 of the iTunes software. This version fixes several bugs and improves accessibility with VoiceOver.
Site Update
21 November 2008
As of today, I have decided to close down the TweakGuides Forums - the reasons are explained here. They have been made 'read only', meaning people can browse the existing information, but no new posts can be made. Furthermore, after much thought I've decided not to invest any more time in doing more game guides in the foreseeable future. My priority at the moment has to be on finding work which is commercially viable, as I need to generate some actual income. The front page news will continue to be updated as usual, all existing guides will be updated as required, especially the TweakGuides Tweaking Companion, and I will also release some general articles and even some new system guides in the future as time permits.
Process Explorer 11.3
21 November 2008
Microsoft has released Version 11.3 of the free Process Explorer utility which is a more detailed version of Task Manager. The changes include numerous bug fixes and enhancements.
Game Patches
21 November 2008
Foxit Reader 3
21 November 2008
The free Foxit PDF Reader has been updated to Version 3. There are a range of new features and changes.
RivaTuner 2.2
20 November 2008
Unwinder has released RivaTuner 2.2. The latest version has some bug fixes and further improvements for the latest graphics cards and drivers.
Thunderbird 2.0.0.18
20 November 2008
Mozilla has released a new Version 2.0.0.18 of the free Thunderbird email client. The updated version has security fixes.
Nvidia PhysX 8.10.13
20 November 2008
Nvidia has released the 8.10.13 PhysX drivers, available as part of the 180.48 Forceware package below, or on their own, for both Ageia PhysX hardware and Nvidia PhysX-capable GPUs.
Nvidia Official Forceware 180.48
20 November 2008
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 180.48 WHQL drivers for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers are for the GeForce 8800, 9 and 200 series cards. This version contains a range of changes, including fixes and performance improvements in a range of games when compared with the 178 series WHQL Forceware drivers. Note that the package also contains the 8.10.13 PhysX drivers.
Crysis Wars 1.2 Patch
19 November 2008
Crytek has released the 1.2 Patch for Crysis Wars. The patch contains a range of fixes and gameplay balance adjustments, and adds shortcut keys for nanosuit modes. There are no significant changes to the Crysis Warhead Tweak Guide.
Realtek HD Audio 2.09
19 November 2008
Realtek has released Version 2.09 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 select 'Software'.
Game Patches
18 November 2008
Game Patches
15 November 2008
Safari 3.2
14 November 2008
Apple has released an update for the Safari browser for Windows, bringing it up to Version 3.2. The changes include a range of security and stability fixes.
SpeedFan 4.36
14 November 2008
Almico has released Version 4.36 of SpeedFan, a free utility for changing system fan speeds, measuring temperatures and voltages and adjusting clock speeds. The changes include greatly improved temperature reporting for Nvidia graphics cards, support for the latest chipsets and a range of bug fixes.
Game Patches
14 November 2008
ATI Catalyst 8.11
13 November 2008
ATI has released the Catalyst 8.11 graphics drivers. This version adds the ability to verify CrossFireX mode, HydraVision support for XP, performance improvements in Far Cry 2 and STALKER: Clear Sky on HD4000 and HD3000 series cards, as well as resolving a range of bugs.
Firefox 3.0.4
13 November 2008
Mozilla has released an update for the Firefox browser, bringing it up to Version 3.0.4. This update fixes a range of security and stability issues as well as containing some bug fixes, updating the Public Suffix list and enabling additional root certificates.
Game Patches
13 November 2008
Games for Windows Live
13 November 2008
Microsoft has updated Games for Windows Live, which is basically the PC version of XBox Live. It now has a new interface among other new features. To obtain the update, log into Live using any game which supports it, such as Fallout 3.
Update: You can now also download the Redistributable Version of the GFW Live update.
AVG 8 User32.dll Issue
12 November 2008
A recent update to the free AVG 8.0 Virus Scanner has resulted in a critical Windows XP system file called user32.dll being falsely identified as infected. Removal of this file results in not being able to bootup your system. This problem only affects Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish language versions of Windows XP, and there is an official fix available here, and here if you don't have an XP installation CD.
Microsoft Security Updates
12 November 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 individually from here.
Game Patches
12 November 2008
VLC Media Player 0.9.6
11 November 2008
The free VLC Media Player has been updated to Version 0.9.6.
Fallout 3 Tweak Guide
11 November 2008
The Fallout 3 Tweak Guide is now available. The guide is designed to complement Fallout 3 by providing a full range of resources relevant to the game, including detailed troubleshooting, tweaking, modding and gameplay information. Even though Fallout 3 has a similar game engine to Oblivion, many of the tweaks have changed, and there are also various new in-game settings to consider. To make sure you get the most out of Fallout 3, I recommend you set aside some time to give the guide a good run-through.
Game Patches
11 November 2008
Shockwave 11.0.3.470
8 November 2008
Adobe has released a new Version 11.0.3.470 of the Shockwave player plugin for browsers.
Game Patches
8 November 2008
DirectX November Update
7 November 2008
Microsoft has re-released the November Update for DirectX. The previous release was faulty but the new version may also have some problems as it did in my case.
Update: The full Redistributable Version is now available and works without any problems.
Fallout 3 1.0.0.15 Patch
7 November 2008
Bethesda has released a 1.0.0.15 Patch for Fallout 3, currently only available via XLive when you launch the game. The patch only contains three relatively minor fixes. Note that Bethesda is already apparently working on the second patch which will be more substantial.
Update: You can now also download it directly from here.
Realtek HD Audio 2.08
7 November 2008
Realtek has released Version 2.08 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 select 'Software'.
Game Patches
7 November 2008
Site Update
6 November 2008
I'm working as fast as I can on getting the Fallout 3 Tweak Guide completed, however please bear in mind that the game has a lot of settings and variables to test and document. The guide will probably be ready in around 4 days from now, maybe sooner, maybe later, so please be patient.
DirectX November Update
6 November 2008
Microsoft has released the November Update for DirectX. It is generally recommended that all Windows users update their DirectX for optimal performance and compatibility.
Update: This update appears to be problematic to install. Microsoft has removed the update.
Sandra 2009 SP1
6 November 2008
SiSoftware has released a new 2009 SP1 Build 15.60 of the free system information utility Sandra.
Game Patches
6 November 2008
Crysis Wars 1.1 Patch
5 November 2008
Crytek has released the 1.1 Patch for Crysis Wars, the multiplayer component of Crysis Warhead. The patch contains bug and exploit fixes, interface improvements, removal of online activation and the 64-bit binaries for 64-bit users among other changes. I have updated the Crysis Warhead Tweak Guide for the changes - see page 2 for details.
DivX 6.8.5.11
5 November 2008
The DivX video codec has been updated to Version 6.8.5.11.
Game Patches
5 November 2008
STALKER: Clear Sky 1.5.07 Patch
4 November 2008
GSC has released the 1.5.07 Patch for STALKER: Clear Sky. It appears the previous 1.5.06 patch was a beta and this is the final version of that patch. Since there is no specific changelist for this patch, it seems to contain the same bug fixes, renderer and gameplay changes as 1.5.06. See page 4 of the updated STALKER: Clear Sky Tweak Guide for the details.
Game Patches
4 November 2008
Game Patches
3 November 2008
Game Patches
2 November 2008
Process Monitor 2.02
1 November 2008
The free Process Monitor utility has been updated to Version 2.02. This update fixes a bug in the symbols configuration dialog.
Game Patches
1 Novembers 2008
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