ARCHIVED NEWS
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October 2008
Windows Updates
31 October 2008
Microsoft has released an Update for Windows XP which resolves a Stop error caused by a recent security update.
Game Patches
31 October 2008
Opera 9.62
31 October 2008
The free Opera browser has been updated to Version 9.62. This is a security update.
Far Cry 2 and Fallout 3 SecuROM Fix
30 October 2008
If you are having problems launching Far Cry 2 or Fallout 3 due to a SecuROM error relating to the presence of emulation tools, and you have disabled such tools and still get the error, you can download this fix directly from SecuROM.
STALKER: Clear Sky 1.5.06 Patch
30 October 2008
GSC has released the 1.5.06 Patch for STALKER: Clear Sky. The patch contains bug fixes and gameplay changes, as well as adding DX10.1 support and new rendering options. I will update the STALKER: Clear Sky Tweak Guide shortly for these changes.
Update: The guide has been updated, see in particular pages 4,5 and 6 for the changes.
ATI Catalyst Far Cry 2 & STALKER: Clear Sky Hotfix
30 October 2008
ATI has released a new Hotfix driver which improves performance in both Far Cry 2 and STALKER: Clear Sky on X1000, HD2000, HD3000 and HD4000 series cards.
Game Patches
30 October 2008
Site Update
29 October 2008
As mentioned earlier, I will be doing a tweak guide for Fallout 3. However it should be noted that Fallout 3's engine is much the same as Oblivion's, so while you're waiting for the Fallout 3 Tweak Guide, you should refer to the Oblivion Tweak Guide for all the relevant tips and tweaks for Fallout 3. Also note that because I don't yet have Far Cry 2, I will complete the Fallout 3 guide first before moving on to doing a Far Cry 2 guide.
Windows Updates
29 October 2008
Microsoft has released three non-critical updates for Windows Vista. The first is the most important, as it is a general update to improve reliability and stability, available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The other two updates are more specific, one being to extend the File Management APIs to enable discovery and recovery of deleted files from both non-encrypted and Bitlocker encrypted volumes, available in 32-bit and 64-bit; the other being an update designed to resolve latency issues with certificates where the SIA extension is installed, again in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Game Patches
29 October 2008
Game Patches
28 October 2008
CCleaner 2.13.720
28 October 2008
A new Version 2.13.720 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This version adds support for Firefox 3.1, allows right-click analysis/cleaning options for individual items, adds cleaning for Windows Error Reporting files, and has a range of fixes among other changes.
Site Update
26 October 2008
In the coming weeks, I will hopefully release guides for both Far Cry 2 and Fallout 3. Beyond that, there are no plans for any further game guides in the foreseeable future, primarily due to viability issues.
Windows Vista Service Pack 2
26 October 2008
Microsoft has released more details on Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2). Currently in beta, the release date is unclear, however the link above notes some of the features it will contain.
Intel Matrix Storage Manager 8.6.0.1007
25 October 2008
Intel has released Version 8.6.0.1007 of the Matrix Storage Manager driver for those using RAID on Intel chipset motherboards.
Nvidia Beta Forceware 180.43
25 October 2008
Nvidia has released a new Beta Forceware 180.43 driver for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers are for GeForce 8800, 9 and 200 series graphics cards. They appear to replace the potentially troublesome 180.42 Betas which were released a few days ago, otherwise they seem identical as the main change again appears to be improved performance in Far Cry 2.
Game Patches
25 October 2008
Microsoft Security Update
24 October 2008
Microsoft has released a critical Security Update for all versions of Windows. You can download the Vista 32-bit, Vista 64-bit or XP 32-bit, XP 64-bit version as applicable, or wait for it to appear on Windows Update. This security update comes outside the normal 'Patch Tuesday' Windows security patch cycle because of its urgent nature.
Game Patches
24 October 2008
Game Patches
23 October 2008
Nvidia Beta Forceware 180.42
22 October 2008
Nvidia has released a new Beta Forceware 180.42 driver for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers are for GeForce 8800, 9 and 200 series graphics cards. The most significant feature is that they are designed to provide improved performance in Far Cry 2.
Opera 9.61
22 October 2008
The free Opera browser has been updated to Version 9.61. This is a security update, and also contains some interface fixes.
Game Patches
22 October 2008
Game Patches
21 October 2008
VIA Hyperion Pro 5.21A
21 October 2008
VIA has released the Hyperion Pro 5.21A chipset drivers for VIA-based motherboards.
SoundBlaster X-Fi 2.18.0006 Beta
19 October 2008
Creative has released the Beta 2.18.0006 driver for the majority of the SoundBlaster X-Fi series under Windows XP and Vista. These drivers fix several bugs, and also add Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect functionality, however these new features require the purchase of the Dolby Digital Live Pack.
ATI Catalyst Far Cry 2 Hotfix
18 October 2008
ATI has released a Hotfix driver which improves performance in the upcoming Far Cry 2 game on X1000, HD2000, HD3000 and HD4000 series cards.
mIRC 6.35
18 October 2008
A new Version 6.35 of the chat client mIRC has been released. This version fixes a security issue as well as several bugs.
Realtek HD Audio 2.07
18 October 2008
Realtek has released Version 2.07 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 October 2008
AutoRuns 9.35
17 October 2008
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.35, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version adds additional autostart locations, and fixes several bugs.
nForce 20.08 Driver
17 October 2008
Nvidia has released a new nForce 20.08 driver under both XP and Vista for most nForce 6 and 7 series motherboards.
Game Patches
17 October 2008
CPU-Z 1.48
16 October 2008
A new Version 1.48 of the CPU-Z information utility has been released. This version includes support for new chipsets.
Java Runtime Environment 6.10
16 October 2008
Sun has released an Update 10 to the Java Runtime Environment 6. This is not an essential update but if you run Java-based applications it is recommended.
ATI Catalyst 8.10
16 October 2008
ATI has released the Catalyst 8.10 graphics drivers. This version adds fan speed control and the ability to force Component Video detection, as well as resolving a range of bugs.
Nvidia System Tools 6.03
16 October 2008
Nvidia has released Version 6.03 of the Nvidia System Tools, a collection of system monitoring and adjustment utilities.
Nvidia Official Forceware 178.24
16 October 2008
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 178.24 drivers for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers are for all GeForce 6,7,8,9 and 200 series cards. The driver package also contains the 8.09.04 PhysX drivers which were released with the 178.13 Forceware last month. The only changes in this driver over the previous 178.13 are some bug fixes.
Game Patches
16 October 2008
Flash Player 10
15 October 2008
Adobe has released Version 10 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers.
Windows Vista Service Pack 2
15 October 2008
This Knowledgebase Article confirms that Microsoft is planning to release a Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Vista at some point in the future, though no specific details are known as yet.
Game Patches
15 October 2008
Microsoft Security Updates
15 October 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.
Silverlight 2.0
15 October 2008
Microsoft has released the final Version 2.0 of Silverlight, a cross-platform plugin similar to Flash which allows you to view Silverlight web-based rich media in your browser.
Windows 7
14 October 2008
Microsoft has confirmed that the next version of Windows will be officially called 'Windows 7'. Initially this was only the codename given to it, however it is now also the final name for it. Microsoft cites simplicity as the major reason for this decision.
Site Update
12 October 2008
Unfortunately we're experiencing some issues and the site has been slow or down for the past few hours. This will hopefully be resolved shortly.
Update: It has now been resolved, apologies for the earlier problems.
Game Patches
11 October 2008
Game Patches
10 October 2008
Game Patches
9 October 2008
Opera 9.60
8 October 2008
The free Opera browser has been updated to Version 9.60. This is a security and stability update, and also contains a range of new features and settings.
System Update Readiness Tool
8 October 2008
Microsoft has released a new version of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista. This update resolves an issue which could prevent some users from successfully installing future Windows Updates. If your system requires it, it should be displayed in your Windows Updates shortly.
VLC Media Player 0.9.4
8 October 2008
The free VLC Media Player has been updated to Version 0.9.4.
Realtek HD Audio 2.06
8 October 2008
Realtek has released Version 2.06 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
8 October 2008
Game Patches
7 October 2008
CCleaner 2.12.660
5 October 2008
A new Version 2.12.660 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This version primarily improves support for Google Chrome, as well as some minor tweaks.
Game Patches
4 October 2008
FRAPS 2.9.6
4 October 2008
A new Version 2.9.6 of the FPS measurement, benchmarking and video capture utility FRAPS has been released. This version addresses several bugs.
iTunes 8.0.1
3 October 2008
Apple has released a new Version 8.0.1 of the iTunes software. This version primarily fixes bugs related to HDTV support as well as the Genius playlists feature.
TweakGuides Tweaking Companion
3 October 2008
The TweakGuides Tweaking Companions for Windows XP and Windows Vista have both been revised to Version 4.2 and 2.2 respectively. This is a relatively minor revision with a range of updates as specified at the bottom of the TGTC download page.
Realtek AC97 Audio 4.06
3 October 2008
Realtek has released Version 4.06 of its AC97 audio drivers. Note if you have problems with the link, click the 'AC'97 Audio Codecs' link at the top of the page and select 'Software'.
Game Patches
3 October 2008
Realtek HD Audio 2.05
2 October 2008
Realtek has released Version 2.05 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
2 October 2008
Process Monitor 2.0
1 October 2008
The free Process Monitor utility has been updated to Version 2.0. This is a major update that adds real-time TCP and UDP monitoring.
Game Patches
1 October 2008
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