ARCHIVED NEWS
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January 2009
Windows 7
31 January 2009
Microsoft has provided details on how the Windows 7 Beta process is progressing. It has also confirmed that Windows 7 Beta 1 will be the first and last public beta for Windows 7; the next milestone is Windows 7 Release Candidate. There is no new information on a release date for either the RC or Release to Manufacturing (RTM) - it officially remains January 2010.
Nvidia PhysX 9.09.0121
31 January 2009
Nvidia has released the 9.09.0121 PhysX drivers for both Ageia PhysX hardware and Nvidia PhysX-capable GPUs.
Crysis Warhead Patch 1
31 January 2009
Crytek has released a Patch 1 for Crysis Warhead. The patch fixes several issues, and adds 64-bit binaries for the game. I've updated the Crysis Warhead Tweak Guide, see page 2 for details.
Game Patches
31 January 2009
Game Patches
30 January 2009
ATI Catalyst 9.1
30 January 2009
ATI has released the Catalyst 9.1 graphics drivers. This version adds full OpenGL 3.0 support, and resolves a range of issues.
Game Patches
29 January 2009
SoundBlaster X-Fi Beta 2.18.0008
28 January 2009
Creative has released a Beta 2.18.0008 driver specifically designed to provide support for the X-Fi series under Windows 7 Beta. Note that this does not include the X-Fi Titanium series, which received a separate beta driver last week.
Crysis Warhead Revoke Tool
28 January 2009
Crytek has released a Revoke Tool for Crysis Warhead which allows all users to manually free up any unnecessary Activations on their PC.
PerfectDisk 10
28 January 2009
Raxco has released the PerfectDisk 10 defragmentation utility. This new version of PerfectDisk has speed improvements, an upgraded interface, several new features, support for Windows 7, and provides a new cheaper Home edition as an option.
Shockwave 11.0.3.472
28 January 2009
Adobe has released a new Version 11.0.3.472 of the Shockwave player plugin for browsers.
CCleaner 2.16.830
28 January 2009
A new Version 2.16.830 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This version improves Chrome, Firefox and SeaMonkey support, and has a range of minor interface and performance improvements.
Game Patches
28 January 2009
Fallout 3 Operation Anchorage DLC
27 January 2009
The first Downloadable Content (DLC) for Fallout 3 has been released. Operation Anchorage is available for purchase via Games for Windows Live, and requires the latest Fallout 3 1.1 patch to work.
Internet Explorer 8 Release Candidate 1
27 January 2009
Microsoft has released Release Candidate 1 (RC1) of the Internet Explorer 8 browser. It is available for download for Windows XP, as well as Vista 32-bit and Vista 64-bit. Detailed installation/uninstallation information for IE8 can be found here. Note that the release date for the final version has not yet been announced.
Game Patches
27 January 2009
Site Update
25 January 2009
An update regarding the Hardware Confusion 2009 article I promised: I've been having an issue with my new graphics card which has required it to be sent back under warranty twice, hence the article will be delayed. For those asking for a list of the components, I won't do that as I don't want anyone basing any purchasing decisions on my hardware choices until they read the reasons and the range of considerations behind each choice. I appreciate your patience and I think people will find the article informative as it covers a range of important information applicable to any recent upgrade, clarifying some of the common misconceptions and poor advice which people give and receive when discussing hardware upgrades.
Core Temp 0.99.4
25 January 2009
A new Version 0.99.4 of the free Core Temp CPU temperature monitoring utility has been released. Among a large range of changes it adds support for new Intel and AMD CPUs, fixes several bugs, and now comes in a 64-bit version as well.
Game Patches
24 January 2009
SoundBlaster X-Fi Titanium Beta 2.17.0006
23 January 2009
Creative has released a Beta 2.17.0006 driver specifically designed to provide support for the X-Fi Titanium series under Windows 7 Beta.
Game Patches
23 January 2009
Nvidia Official Forceware 181.22
23 January 2009
Nvidia has released the official WHQL version of the Forceware 181.22 driver for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers are for the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9 and 200 series, are designed for use with Mirror's Edge, and include the 9.09.0010 PhysX drivers. Except for the WHQL certification they should be identical to the Beta 181.22 drivers released earlier this week.
QuickTime 7.6
22 January 2009
Apple has released a new Version 7.6 of the QuickTime media player. This version improves H.264 and AAC encoding as well as addressing security issues, among other changes.
Game Patches
21 January 2009
Ad-Aware Free Anniversay Edition
21 January 2009
Lavasoft has released a new Anniversary Edition (AE) of Ad-Aware anti-spyware, including a free version. Aside from the updated interface, Ad-Aware Free AE also adds new features including Ad-Watch Live realtime protection, and TrackSweep privacy cleaner. As always I strongly recommend disabling a range of the more resource-intensive background services and options in malware scanners, as these can and will conflict with other programs and reduce performance. Click the Settings button at the top right of the main Ad-Aware page, and under the Updates tab, select the 'Do not automatically check for Updates' option under the Information Updates section. Under the Scanning tab, I suggest unticking the 'Add Ad-Aware to the Windows right-click menu' option. Under the Ad-Watch Live tab untick the 'Process Protection' option. You might also like to right-click and select Delete for the Ad-Aware icon newly added to your QuickLaunch bar. Using something like Autoruns, disable the 'Ad-Watch'/Ad-Aware Tray Application startup item. Finally, the 'Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service' can be set to Manual, at least in Vista. That will reign in most of the unnecessary functionality and intrusive aspects of the new Ad-Aware, however after launching Ad-Aware it will still insist on opening up the Tray utility and leaving it active, requiring manual closure. Ultimately it appears malware scanners are only going to keep becoming increasingly more annoying and unwarranted in their intrusion upon our systems.
Site Update
19 January 2009
I missed posting a couple of updates in a timely manner over the past few days, though fortunately it's fairly quiet news-wise on the weekends. The reason for the delay in news is that I've been in the process of building an entirely new system after almost four years of living happily with my last one. Given my previous system served me so well for so long, I wanted to make sure that my new one is equally as robust, so researching, building and tweaking it has been long and arduous, but it's finally complete. It's a Core i7-based system and in a short while I will do a new Hardware Confusion 2009 article detailing the build and my thoughts and reasons for choosing various parts for those who are interested.
Nvidia Beta Forceware 181.22
19 January 2009
Nvidia has released a new Beta Forceware 181.22 driver for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers are for the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9 and 200 series and are specifically designed for use with Mirror's Edge. They also include the 9.09.0010 PhysX drivers which were released separately earlier last week.
Game Patches
19 January 2009
Windows 7 Tips
15 January 2009
A Microsoft employee has posted 30 Windows 7 Tips on his blog. Note that some of these also work in Vista.
Game Patches
15 January 2009
Game Patches
14 January 2009
Microsoft Security Updates
14 January 2009
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.
PerfectDisk 2008 Build 76
14 January 2009
Raxco has released a Build 76 update for the PerfectDisk 2008 defragmentation utility. This update adds compatibility between various versions of PerfectDisk.
Nvidia PhysX 9.09.0010
14 January 2009
Nvidia has released the 9.09.0010 PhysX drivers for both Ageia PhysX hardware and Nvidia PhysX-capable GPUs.
Fallout 3 1.1 Patch
14 January 2009
Bethesda has released the 1.1 Patch for Fallout 3, currently only available via Live after you launch the game. The patch contains a range of bug/crash fixes and quest fixes. I have updated the Fallout 3 Tweak Guide but there are no significant changes.
Update: It is now also available for direct download here.
Intel Matrix Storage Manager 8.7.0.1007
13 January 2009
Intel has released Version 8.7.0.1007 of the Matrix Storage Manager driver for those using RAID on Intel chipset motherboards.
AutoRuns 9.38
13 January 2009
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.38, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version fixes a bug that prevented viewing the system account's profile on 32-bit systems.
Process Explorer 11.32
13 January 2009
Microsoft has released Version 11.32 of the free Process Explorer utility which is a more detailed version of Task Manager. The changes include a bug fix.
Game Patches
13 January 2009
Site Update
12 January 2009
Just a reminder for those of you trying out the Windows 7 Beta that Windows 7 is essentially much the same as Windows Vista, so for now you should refer to the TweakGuides Tweaking Companion for Vista if you want details on all the major features and tweaks, particularly if you're an XP user who's never used Vista before. I'll be putting out a TweakGuides Tweaking Companion for Windows 7 eventually, but only after it's officially released.
Realtek HD Audio 2.14
11 January 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.14 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
11 January 2009
Windows 7 Beta 1
10 January 2009
Microsoft has now released Windows 7 Beta 1 to the general public. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available, however it's only available to the first 2.5 million people who download it. Note that the beta 1 expires on 1 August 2009. To learn more about the beta see this Windows 7 Beta FAQ.
Update: Microsoft has confirmed that they are trying to address the problems with accessing their site due to heavy demand for the beta. For the moment the direct download links for the Windows 7 .ISO files are as follows: 32-bit, 64-bit. You will still have to obtain a beta key through the main beta site once it becomes available again.
Update 2: The beta page is still down, however you can obtain a beta key directly by using a method first revealed a while ago here. It wasn't working properly for everyone but it should now if you follow these instructions: first go here, click 'sign in' at the top right and login using a valid Windows Live ID. Once signed in, right-click on the relevant beta key link here (32-bit Beta Key, 64-bit Beta Key) copy link/shortcut, then paste it into the address bar on the login page and press Enter to receive your beta key.
Update 3: The main beta page is open again and keys are being issued normally now. Microsoft has also temporarily removed the 2.5 million limit on the beta for the next two weeks.
Windows Update
10 January 2009
Microsoft has released an update for Windows 7 Beta 1, resolving several issues with media playback, including potential MP3 corruption. The update is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
STALKER: Clear Sky 1.5.08 Patch
9 January 2009
GSC has released the 1.5.08 Patch for STALKER: Clear Sky. The patch contains only multiplayer fixes and improvements. Note that saved games from 1.5.04 - 1.5.07 are compatible with this patch. I have updated the Clear Sky Tweak Guide but there are no significant changes.
Nvidia Official Forceware 181.20
9 January 2009
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 181.20 WHQL drivers for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers add support for the new GTX 295 and 285 cards, as well as supporting the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9 and 200 series. This version contains a range of fixes, as well as 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.
Game Patches
9 January 2009
Windows 7 Beta 1
8 January 2009
Microsoft has officially released Windows 7 Beta 1 to tech professionals via Microsoft Connect, MSDN and TechNet. The general public release of Windows 7 Beta 1 is due this Friday.
Game Patches
8 January 2009
DivX 7.0
7 January 2009
The DivX video codec has been updated to Version 7.0. This version adds support for H.264 video, MKV container and AAC audio formats.
Game Patches
6 January 2009
FRAPS 2.9.8
6 January 2009
A new Version 2.9.8 of the FPS measurement, benchmarking and video capture utility FRAPS has been released. The changes include several fixes and minor optimizations.
GPU-Z 0.3.1
6 January 2009
GPU-Z, a free graphics card information utility, has reached Version 0.3.1. The changes include a range of fixes and optimizations, as well as support for new drivers and chipsets.
VirtualDub 1.8.8
5 January 2009
A new Version 1.8.8 of the free video editing utility VirtualDub has been released, fixing several bugs.
7-Zip 4.64
3 January 2009
A Version 4.64 of the free 7-Zip archival utility has been released. This version fixes a bug related to decrypting .zip archives.
Game Patches
3 January 2009
Foxit Reader 3
2 January 2009
The free Foxit PDF Reader has been updated to Version 3 Build 1301. There is a printing bug fix in this version.
7-Zip 4.63
1 January 2009
A Version 4.63 of the free 7-Zip archival utility has been released.
Realtek HD Audio 2.13
1 January 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.13 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'.
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