ARCHIVED NEWS
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August 2009
Site Update
30 August 2009
Given many people use widescreen monitors, I've tinkered with the site layout such that it now has a maximum fixed width. Press CTRL+F5 to force reload the new layout, and you may notice that the site no longer stretches the full length of the screen at widescreen resolutions, making it easier to read.
FRAPS 2.9.9
30 August 2009
A new Version 2.9.9 of the FPS measurement, benchmarking and video capture utility FRAPS has been released. The changes include a large number of bug fixes.
Game Patches
29 August 2009
Nvidia Forceware 186.81
28 August 2009
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 186.81 driver for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. These WHQL certified drivers are for most GeForce 8M, 9M, 100M, 200M, Quadro NVS and Quadro FX series notebook graphics cards. The drivers include several application compatibility fixes. The package also contains the 9.09.0428 PhysX drivers.
Game Patches
28 August 2009
CCleaner 2.23.993
27 August 2009
A new Version 2.23.993 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This version adds Taskbar Jump List cleaning for Windows 7, improves 64-bit support, and has a range of other improvements and bug fixes.
CPU-Z 1.52.2
27 August 2009
A new Version 1.52.2 of the CPU-Z information utility has been released. This update fixes a Core i7 clock bug.
Game Patches
27 August 2009
Nvidia Beta Forceware 190.57
26 August 2009
Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 190.57 driver for Windows XP, Vista and 7. These drivers are a special release for GeForce 8, 9, 100, 200 and Quadro series cards, providing OpenGL 3.2 and GLSL 1.50 support. Since they are released on the Nvidia Developer site, they should be considered experimental.
Windows Updates
26 August 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.
Chrome 2.0.172.43
26 August 2009
Google has released Version 2.0.172.43 of the Chrome browser.
Game Patches
26 August 2009
Neverwinter Nights 2 1.23 Hotfix
25 August 2009
Obsidian has released a 1.23 Hotfix update for Neverwinter Nights 2. The main changes in the patch are bug fixes, and importantly, include removal of the disc check component of SecuROM. I have updated the NWN2 Tweak Guide but there are no significant changes.
SoundBlaster Audigy Beta 2.18.0011
25 August 2009
Creative has released a Beta 2.18.0011 driver for the majority of the Audigy series under Windows XP, Vista and 7. The driver fixes a bug affecting detection of a Sound Blaster audio device in the Encoder tab of the Creative Audio Control Panel.
Mass Effect 1.02 Patch
25 August 2009
BioWare has released the 1.02 Patch for Mass Effect after over a year since the last patch. The patch contains a large number of important bug fixes. I've updated the Mass Effect Tweak Guide but there are no significant changes.
Update: While not listed on the main 1.02 Patch page's change list, it appears BioWare has changed the activation requirements slightly and added an activation revoke ability as well - see the update on Page 4 of the guide for details.
Update 2: It also appears that the 1.02 Patch disables Dynamic Shadows by default now through a change in the DepthBias value in the .ini file. See the updates on Pages 5 and 7 of the guide for more details.
Realtek HD Audio 2.31
25 August 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.31 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'.
Foxit Reader 3.1
25 August 2009
The free Foxit PDF Reader has been updated to Version 3.1.0.0824.
Sandra 2009 SP4
23 August 2009
SiSoftware has released a new 2009 SP4 Build 15.124 of the free system information utility Sandra.
VirtualDub 1.9.5
23 August 2009
A new Version 1.9.5 of the free video editing utility VirtualDub has been released, fixing several bugs.
Site Update
23 August 2009
In response to many inquisitive emails I've been receiving, I want to publicly clarify a few things in more detail.
Firstly, I am planning on releasing a Windows 7 version of the TweakGuides Tweaking Companion pending my taking possession of a final copy of Windows 7, which Microsoft has generously promised to provide shortly. However I can't give a due date for the TGTC for Windows 7; it will be released when it's ready.
Secondly, as I have announced several times in the past, I no longer write game tweak guides - none will be produced in the future. Aside from the fact that most PC games are now simply console ports with greatly reduced tweaking potential, it simply isn't viable for me to invest any time into writing free game guides regardless.
Thirdly, for those constantly requesting new features and guides, please bear in mind that the site is provided 'as is'. It's not exactly fancy, but it is a very clearly laid out, quick-loading and unobtrusive site with minimal advertising and a focus on unbiased information. If this isn't enough for you then I recommend you find a site better suited to your needs. I also urge you to consider, before requesting anything of me or any other webmaster, whether you are currently using an adblocker and also whether you have ever donated or contributed anything useful to the sites you like to visit.
Finally, I want to give genuine thanks to the people who support this site - by spreading the word about it; by using the guides and articles intelligently; by providing constructive feedback; and by generously contributing either via a donation or by purchasing a Deluxe Edition of the TGTC. It is because of these people alone that I endeavor to continue updating the front page with timely news updates, and aside from the TGTC for Windows 7, I'll also try to come up with some interesting and hopefully useful new articles in the future.
Nvidia Forceware 190.62
22 August 2009
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 190.62 driver for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. These WHQL certified drivers are for all GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200 and ION series cards. The drivers add WHQL support on Windows 7 for Microsoft’s new DirectX GPU Computing API: DirectCompute, improve performance in the latest PhysX titles such as Batman: Arkham Asylum and Darkest of Days, and have a range of bug fixes. The package also contains the 9.09.0814 PhysX drivers.
Game Patches
22 August 2009
Logitech SetPoint 5.20
21 August 2009
Logitech has released Version 5.20 of the SetPoint software for the G9 and G500 mouse series.
DivX 7.2.0
21 August 2009
The DivX video codec package has been updated to Version 7.2.0.
Game Patches
21 August 2009
ATI Catalyst Hotfix
20 August 2009
ATI has released a Hotfix driver which resolves potential problems with several games, including Resident Evil 5, Company of Heroes, Ghostbusters and Sims 3.
Windows Live Updates
20 August 2009
Microsoft has released a new version of the free Windows Live Movie Maker application for Windows Vista and 7, providing a range of new features. Microsoft has also updated the other applications in the Live suite, including Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Photo Gallery, all of which are available for free from here.
WinRAR 3.90
20 August 2009
The archival utility WinRAR has been updated to Version 3.90. The changes include a range of new features and bug fixes.
Games for Windows Live 3.0
19 August 2009
Microsoft has released an Update for the Games for Windows Live client. To obtain the update either log into GFW Live or download the redistributable version from the link above.
Game Patches
19 August 2009
RivaTuner 2.24b
18 August 2009
Unwinder has released RivaTuner 2.24b. The main change is support for the latest Nvidia drivers.
Game Patches
18 August 2009
Nvidia PhysX 9.09.0814
15 August 2009
Nvidia has released the 9.09.0814 PhysX drivers for Nvidia PhysX-capable GPUs and Ageia PPUs. This version provides optimal performance in the PhysX-capable titles Terminator Salvation and Batman: Arkham Asylum.
ATI Catalyst 9.8
15 August 2009
ATI has released the Catalyst 9.8 graphics drivers for the HD2000 series and newer. However they are not yet available on the main AMD Support site - they can be downloaded via the links at the bottom of this post on the Official AMD Blog. This version contains OpenGL 3.1 support, as well as potential performance improvements in games such as Crysis, Far Cry 2, Battleforge, and World in Conflict.
Update: These drivers are now also available from the regular ATI Support Site.
Game Patches
15 August 2009
Game Patches
14 August 2009
Intel Matrix Storage Manager 8.9.0.1023
14 August 2009
Intel has released Version 8.9.0.1023 of the Matrix Storage Manager driver for those using RAID or AHCI on Intel chipset motherboards.
Windows Update
14 August 2009
Microsoft has released an Update which resolves an issue in MSI Installer under Windows XP 64-bit.
AutoRuns 9.53
13 August 2009
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.53, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version fixes a bug related to the file open and save dialogs on 64-bit systems.
Game Patches
13 August 2009
Realtek HD Audio 2.30
12 August 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.30 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'.
Logitech SetPoint 4.80
12 August 2009
Logitech has released Version 4.80 of the SetPoint software for mice and keyboards.
Safari 4.0.3
12 August 2009
Apple has updated the Safari browser to Version 4.0.3 for Windows. This update includes compatibility, stability, security and bug fixes.
Game Patches
12 August 2009
Microsoft Security Updates
12 August 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.
Java Runtime Environment 6.16
11 August 2009
Sun has released an Update 16 to the Java Runtime Environment 6.
Game Patches
11 August 2009
SpeedFan 4.39
10 August 2009
Almico has released Version 4.39 of SpeedFan, a free utility for changing system fan speeds, measuring temperatures and voltages and adjusting clock speeds.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
8 August 2009
A Demo for Batman: Arkham Asylum has been released. Based on the comic book version of Batman, this is the most visually impressive Unreal Engine 3-based game I've ever seen. I've prepared two HD enabled videos on YouTube showing all of the demo's gameplay at maximum possible settings, including maximum PhysX: Batman (Part 1) and Batman (Part 2). Please note that I won't be preparing a tweak guide for this game.
Game Patches
8 August 2009
Game Patches
7 August 2009
Windows 7 RTM
7 August 2009
Microsoft has released Windows 7 RTM to Technet and MSDN subscribers. The public retail release of Windows 7 is October 22.
Games for Windows Live 3.0
5 August 2009
Microsoft has released for Update for the Games for Windows Live client. To obtain the update either log into GFW Live or download the redistributable version from the link above.
Java Runtime Environment 6.15
5 August 2009
Sun has released an Update 15 to the Java Runtime Environment 6.
Windows XP Mode RC
5 August 2009
Microsoft has released the Release Candidate (RC) of Windows XP Mode. Windows XP Mode is a virtual Windows XP environment which can only be run under Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate editions, allowing older applications designed for XP to be used in Windows 7 without any compatibility issues.
Game Patches
5 August 2009
Nvidia Beta Forceware 190.56
4 August 2009
Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 190.56 driver for Windows XP, Vista and 7. These drivers are a special release for GeForce 8, 9, 100, 200 and Quadro series cards, adding OpenGL 3.2 support. Since they are released on the Nvidia Developer site, they should be considered experimental.
Firefox 3.5.2
4 August 2009
Mozilla has released Version 3.5.2 of the Firefox browser. This version fixes several security issues, and also fixes ICC profiles.
Game Patches
4 August 2009
SoundBlaster X-Fi Titanium 2.17.0007
2 August 2009
Creative has released an official 2.17.0007 driver for the X-Fi Titanium series under Windows XP, Vista and 7. The driver adds new Silencer and VoiceFX features, improves compatibility and resolves several bugs.
Adobe Reader 9.1.3
2 August 2009
Adobe has released Version 9.1.3 of the Adobe Reader software for viewing PDF documents. The changes include addressing a critical security vulnerability. Note that this latest version of Reader may not be available from the link above, however you can update using the Help>Check for Updates function in your current version of Reader.
Game Patches
2 August 2009
Game Patches
1 August 2009
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