ARCHIVED NEWS
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April 2009
GPU-Z 0.3.4
30 April 2009
GPU-Z, a free graphics card information utility, has reached Version 0.3.4. The changes include a range of fixes, and support for new drivers and chipsets.
CCleaner 2.19.889
30 April 2009
A new Version 2.19.889 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This version improves support for Google Chrome 2, Flash cookies, and adds a new tool to manage system restore files, as well as a range of minor improvements and fixes.
Fallout 3 1.5 Patch
30 April 2009
Bethesda has released a 1.5 Patch for Fallout 3. This patch prepares the game for the upcoming Broken Steel DLC, and has several bug fixes. I have updated the Fallout 3 Tweak Guide but there are no significant changes.
Crysis Wars 1.5 Patch
30 April 2009
Crytek has released a new 1.5 Patch for Crysis Wars. The patch contains a range of fixes and improvements. I have updated the Crysis Warhead Tweak Guide but there are no significant changes.
Game Patches
30 April 2009
STALKER: Clear Sky 1.5.09 Patch
29 April 2009
GSC has released a 1.5.09 Patch for STALKER: Clear Sky which contains a range of bug fixes and some changes. I will update the STALKER: Clear Sky Tweak Guide when I have the chance.
Microsoft Office 2007 SP2
29 April 2009
Microsoft has released Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the Office 2007 suite. Details of what Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 contains can be found in this Microsoft Article.
CPU-Z 1.51
29 April 2009
A new Version 1.51 of the CPU-Z information utility has been released. This update includes support for new chipsets and now comes in both installer and non-installer versions.
Windows Updates
29 April 2009
Microsoft has released a range of non-critical updates for various versions of Windows. You can wait for them to become available via Windows Update, or you can view and download them individually from here - click the 'Released' column header once to sort by date.
Game Patches
29 April 2009
Firefox 3.0.10
28 April 2009
Mozilla has released an update for the Firefox browser, bringing it up to Version 3.0.10. This update addresses a major stability issue, as well as a security issue.
Game Patches
28 April 2009
SoundBlaster X-Fi Beta 2.18.0013
26 April 2009
Creative has released a Beta 2.18.0013 driver specifically designed to provide support for the majority of the X-Fi series (excluding the Titanium) under Windows 7 Beta.
SoundBlaster USB Beta 1.01.0092
26 April 2009
Creative has released a Beta 1.01.0092 driver specifically designed for USB-based SoundBlaster audio cards under Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 Beta.
Games for Windows Live
26 April 2009
A hotfix has been released for Games for Windows Live, resolving a major stuttering problem in GTA IV which occurred due to a recent GFW Live update. To obtain the hotfix log into GFW Live.
Windows 7
25 April 2009
Microsoft has posted a clear confirmation that Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) will be available to Technet and MSDN subscribers on April 30, and to the general public on May 5.
Game Patches
25 April 2009
Chrome 1.0.154.59
24 April 2009
Google has released a final Version 1.0.154.59 of the Chrome browser.
Game Patches
24 April 2009
Sandra 2009 SP3
24 April 2009
SiSoftware has released a new 2009 SP3 Build 15.96 of the free system information utility Sandra.
SpeedFan 4.38
23 April 2009
Almico has released Version 4.38 of SpeedFan, a free utility for changing system fan speeds, measuring temperatures and voltages and adjusting clock speeds.
Game Patches
23 April 2009
Winamp 5.552
22 April 2009
The free Winamp media player has been updated to Version 5.552. Changes include a vulnerability fix.
Firefox 3.0.9
22 April 2009
Mozilla has released an update for the Firefox browser, bringing it up to Version 3.0.9. This update addresses several security and stability issues and has a range of bug fixes.
Realtek HD Audio 2.22
22 April 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.22 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'.
Adobe Media Player 1.7
22 April 2009
Adobe has released Version 1.7 of its free flashed-based ad-supported media player.
Game Patches
22 April 2009
Games for Windows Live
21 April 2009
Microsoft has reelased a new version of Games for Windows Live, which is basically the PC version of XBox Live.
Game Patches
21 April 2009
Windows 7
19 April 2009
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) is going to be released to Technet and MSDN subscribers shortly, and will be available to the public on May 5. The MS page where this confirmation occurred is here, however it has changed to remove references to the RC. A snapshot of the page as it originally was, with relevant RC information, can be found here.
Game Patches
18 April 2009
Game Patches
17 April 2009
Office 2010
16 April 2009
Microsoft has provided official details regarding the next version of the Office suite. Office 2010 as it will be called will be released in the first half of 2010. Ars Technica is also reporting that Microsoft has confirmed that Office 2010 will be the first MS Office suite to come in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. On a related note, Office 2007 SP2 is scheduled for release soon, reportedly on April 28.
Game Patches
16 April 2009
Game Patches
15 April 2009
Microsoft Security Updates
15 April 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
14 April 2009
Nvidia PhysX 9.09.0408
11 April 2009
Nvidia has released the 9.09.0408 PhysX drivers. These are for Ageia PhysX hardware and Nvidia PhysX-capable GPUs.
Update: Nvidia has changed the link and fixed the version number - this has all been updated in the information above.
Game Patches
10 April 2009
ATI Catalyst Hotfix
10 April 2009
ATI has released a Hotfix driver which resolves 'Error Code 43' problems when enabling CrossFire mode. It also provides a WHQL certified driver for the new HD4890 graphics card.
ATI Catalyst 9.4
9 April 2009
ATI has released the Catalyst 9.4 graphics drivers. This version includes a new ATI OverDrive auto-tuning overclocking application, and a range of bug fixes. Note that these drivers now only support the HD2000, HD3000 and HD4000 series; older cards are no longer supported.
Game Patches
9 April 2009
Nvidia Beta Forceware 185.68
8 April 2009
Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 185.68 driver for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers are for the GeForce 9, 100 and 200 series and are specifically optimized for The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. The package also contains the 9.09.0203 PhysX drivers.
AutoRuns 9.41
8 April 2009
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.41, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version fixes a bug with the hide-Microsoft images options when the signature verification option is enabled.
Game Patches
8 April 2009
iTunes 8.1.1
7 April 2009
Apple has released an update for iTunes, bringing it up to Version 8.1.1. This version adds support for renting HD movies and has a range of bug fixes.
TweakGuides Tweaking Companion
6 April 2009
The new versions of the TweakGuides Tweaking Companions (TGTC) for both XP and Vista are now available. All versions of the TGTC, both the Regular and Deluxe Editions, e-book and hardcopy, have been updated. This is a reasonably major update given the last time the Companions were revised was over 6 months ago. The most significant change is the Internet Explorer chapter which has been completely updated for Internet Explorer 8, however there are a range of other changes as well. Note that although a Windows 7 version of the TGTC is not yet out - and hopefully will be released if I am able to devote the time to it - for now Windows 7 users can utilize the TGTC for Vista as most of it applies to Windows 7 as well.
Game Patches
6 April 2009
PerfectDisk 10
4 April 2009
Raxco has released a new Build 104 of the PerfectDisk 10 defragmentation utility.
VIA Hyperion Pro 5.23A
4 April 2009
VIA has released the Hyperion Pro 5.23A chipset drivers for VIA-based motherboards.
Nvidia Beta Forceware 185.66
3 April 2009
In a somewhat strange move, Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 185.66 driver for Windows XP and Vista a day after releasing the Beta Forceware 185.65. In fact the 185.65s no longer appear on the Nvidia site, so it seems the 185.66s replace them. These drivers have identical product support and change list to the 185.65 driver (see below). It is likely given the small incremental change in the version number that this is a bug fix release.
Nvidia Beta Forceware 185.65
3 April 2009
Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 185.65 driver for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers are for the GeForce 9, 100 and 200 series. They add support for the new GeForce GTX 275, add an Ambient Occlusion option, provide CUDA 2.2 support, have a range of performance improvements over the Forceware 182 series in games such as Far Cry 2, Crysis: Warhead and Fallout 3 and contain a range of bug fixes. The package also contains the 9.09.0203 PhysX drivers.
Game Patches
3 April 2009
iTunes 8.1.0.52
3 April 2009
Apple has released an update for iTunes, bringing it up to Version 8.1.0.52.
VLC Media Player 0.9.9
3 April 2009
The free VLC Media Player has been updated to Version 0.9.9.
Nvidia Forceware 182.50
2 April 2009
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 182.50 driver for Windows XP and Vista. These WHQL certified drivers are for the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9 and 200 series. They optimize single and multi-GPU support for upcoming games, and have a range of fixes. The package also contains the 9.09.0203 PhysX drivers.
Realtek HD Audio 2.21
2 April 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.21 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 April 2009
Site Update
1 April 2009
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the opening of TweakGuides.com back in 2004. There's no cause for too much fanfare, but it's a good opportunity for me to let you know that I'm busy revising the TweakGuides Tweaking Companion - both XP and Vista versions - with a range of changes. The new versions should be released in the next week or so.
Conficker Worm
1 April 2009
A reminder that the highly malicious Conficker Worm is now officially 'active' as of 1 April. So far there are no reports of any major problems caused by the worm, and systems kept up to date with this Windows Patch released by Microsoft back in October 2008 are protected from it. However to make sure you do not have the worm, or to remove it if you do have it, you can use the latest Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, or the free Conficker removal tools found at Symantec or McAfee. If you find and remove Conficker on your system, be sure to at least apply the Windows patch above afterwards; better yet, run Windows Update and make sure you install all available critical updates immediately.
EA Game Authorization Management Tools
1 April 2009
Electronic Arts has released De-authorization Tools which allow users of EA games with activation limits to de-authorize a computer for a particular game, freeing up an activation. The tools work for most popular EA games such as Crysis Warhead, Mass Effect, The Sims 2 and Spore - the full list can be found here.
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