ARCHIVED NEWS
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March 2009
AutoRuns 9.40
31 March 2009
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.40, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version fixes some bugs and adds manual start Windows services.
Game Patches
31 March 2009
Logitech SetPoint 4.72
31 March 2009
Logitech has released Version 4.72 of the SetPoint software for mice and keyboards.
Realtek HD Audio 2.20
29 March 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.20 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'.
Firefox 3.0.8
28 March 2009
Mozilla has released an update for the Firefox browser, bringing it up to Version 3.0.8. This update addresses two critical security vulnerabilities found in the previous version of Firefox.
Game Patches
28 March 2009
CCleaner 2.18.874
27 March 2009
A new Version 2.18.874 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This version adds support for Internet Explorer 8, and has a range of minor improvements and fixes.
Game Patches
27 March 2009
Game Patches
26 March 2009
Nvidia Beta Forceware 182.47
25 March 2009
Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 182.47 driver for Windows XP and Vista. These drivers are a special release for GeForce 8, 9, 100, 200 and Quadro series cards, adding OpenGL 3.1 support. Since they are released on the Nvidia Developer site, they should be considered experimental.
Java Runtime Environment 6.13
25 March 2009
Sun has released an Update 13 to the Java Runtime Environment 6.
Game Patches
25 March 2009
DirectX Update
24 March 2009
Microsoft has released the DirectX March Update. It is generally recommended that all Windows users update their DirectX for optimal performance and compatibility, but it is not critical to do so.
Chrome 1.0.154.53
24 March 2009
Google has released a non-beta update of the Chrome browser, bringing it up to Version 1.0.154.53. This version has several bug fixes.
Nvidia Beta Forceware 182.46
24 March 2009
Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 182.46 driver for Windows XP and Vista. These 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.
Game Patches
24 March 2009
SoundBlaster Audigy 2.18.0010
23 March 2009
Creative has released an official 2.18.0010 driver for the majority of the Audigy series under Windows XP and Vista. The driver fixes an issue in Surround Mixer and adds Dolby Digital Live support.
Game Patches
22 March 2009
Crysis Wars 1.4 Patch
21 March 2009
Crytek has released the 1.4 Patch for Crysis Wars. This version fixes a range of bugs and has balance fixes and improvements. Importantly, the ability to select the Best Visuals (Very High) settings in DX9 mode is now allowed without requiring manual config file editing. Crytek has also released the Mod SDK for Crysis Wars. I have updated the Crysis Warhead Tweak Guide but there are no major changes.
Creative ALchemy 1.25.10
21 March 2009
Creative has released an updated Version 1.25.10 of the ALchemy software for X-Fi and Audigy sound cards under Windows Vista. Note that the ALchemy download is found under the Application link on the driver page for your particular sound card.
Game Patches
21 March 2009
Internet Explorer 8
20 March 2009
Microsoft has released Internet Explorer 8 final. It is recommended that you uninstall Internet Explorer 8 Beta/RC before installing IE8 final - note that in Vista, previous versions of IE8 are found under Control Panel>Programs & Features>View Installed Updates. I will update the TweakGuides Tweaking Companion to incorporate the changes in IE8 in the near future.
Game Patches
20 March 2009
ATI Catalyst 9.3
19 March 2009
ATI has released the Catalyst 9.3 graphics drivers. This version now officially supports both Windows Vista and Windows 7 in one unified driver, has folding@home improvements, includes the HDMI audio driver, provides performance improvements in Lost Planet: Colonies, and fixes a range of issues.
Update: ATI has also released the 9.3 Hotfix for AGP-based cards.
Realtek HD Audio 2.19
19 March 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.19 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
19 March 2009
Process Monitor 2.04
18 March 2009
The free Process Monitor utility has been updated to Version 2.04. This update includes the addition of file mapping operations in basic mode, as well as fixing a bug.
Game Patches
18 March 2009
nForce 15.25 & 15.26
17 March 2009
Nvidia has released new nForce 15.25 & 15.26 drivers for all nForce 5 and newer motherboards under XP and Vista. Note that 15.26 is for some nForce 9, 7 and 6 chipsets, while 15.25 is for the other nForce 7, 6 and 5 chipsets.
Game Patches
17 March 2009
Intel Matrix Storage Manager 8.8.0.1009
15 March 2009
Intel has released Version 8.8.0.1009 of the Matrix Storage Manager driver for those using RAID or AHCI on Intel chipset motherboards.
Game Patches
14 March 2009
Peacekeeper Benchmark
13 March 2009
Futuremark has released Peacekeeper, a free benchmarking tool designed to compare the performance of various Internet browsers on your system. Note however that Peacekeeper does not measure the security, stability, functionality or W3C conformity of browsers.
Game Patches
13 March 2009
DivX 7.1.0
12 March 2009
The DivX video codec package has been updated to Version 7.1.0.
iTunes 8.1
12 March 2009
Apple has released an update for iTunes, bringing it up to Version 8.1. This version contains performance improvements and bug fixes, and several new features.
Game Patches
12 March 2009
SoundBlaster X-Fi Titanium 2.17.0006
11 March 2009
Creative has released an official 2.17.0006 driver for the X-Fi Titanium series under Windows XP and Vista. The driver contains a range of fixes and enables 'What U Hear' recording in Vista.
Nvidia Beta Forceware 182.08
11 March 2009
Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 182.08 driver for Windows Vista. These drivers are for the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9 and 200 series. They are identical to the recently released Official 182.08 WHQL certified drivers, the only change is the addition of an SLI profile for Tom Clancy's HAWX under DirectX 10.
Winamp 5.551
11 March 2009
The free Winamp media player has been updated to Version 5.551 Build 2419. Changes include a range of fixes and improvements.
Adobe Reader 9.1
11 March 2009
Adobe has released Version 9.1 of the Adobe Reader software for viewing PDF documents. The changes include addressing a critical security vulnerability and enhanced stability.
Foxit Reader 3
11 March 2009
The free Foxit PDF Reader has been updated to Version 3 Build 1506.
Microsoft Security Updates
11 March 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 once to sort by date.
Game Patches
11 March 2009
Realtek HD Audio 2.18
10 March 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.18 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
10 March 2009
Game Patches
8 March 2009
Windows Update
7 March 2009
Microsoft has released an update to resolve an issue with MSI installer 4.5 in Windows Vista. It is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Update: The XP version is now also available in 32-bit and 64-bit.
Game Patches
7 March 2009
Game Patches
6 March 2009
Unreal Tournament 3 2.0 Patch & Titan Pack
6 March 2009
Epic has released the 2.0 Patch for Unreal Tournament 3 containing a range of enhancements, and a Titan Pack containing new maps, new vehicles and weapons, new characters and two new game types. I will update the UT3 Tweak Guide shortly.
Firefox 3.0.7
5 March 2009
Mozilla has released an update for the Firefox browser, bringing it up to Version 3.0.7. This update fixes a range of security and stability issues, adds several languages, and has some general bug fixes.
SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Beta 1.04.0079
5 March 2009
Creative has released a Beta 1.04.0079 driver specifically designed to provide support for the X-Fi Xtreme Audio series under Windows 7 Beta.
Game Patches
5 March 2009
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Release Candidate
4 March 2009
Microsoft has released a Release Candidate (RC) of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Vista. The notable changes in Vista SP2 RC are detailed here. Note that this RC release incorporates both Vista SP2 and Windows 2008 SP2 in one package, and that it also says it's still a Beta when in reality the file is the RC version. The release date for the final version of SP2 has not been confirmed but it is due before the end of June 2009.
AVG Anti-Virus Free 8.5
4 March 2009
Grisoft has released Version 8.5 of the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. This version contains a range of changes, improvements and fixes. It appears that current AVG Free 8.0 users will need to download the new version from the link above as it isn't applied via AVG's built-in updater. I recommend uninstalling any older versions of AVG first, then install AVG Free 8.5. Optimal configuration advice to reduce resource usage is the same as AVG 8.0 and is provided in the TweakGuides Tweaking Companion, although note that avgrsstx.dll may now be called avgrssta.dll, avgrsx.exe may now be avgrsa.exe, and AvgMfx86.sys is called AvgMfx64.sys on 64-bit systems.
Nvidia Forceware 182.08
4 March 2009
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 182.08 driver for Windows XP and Vista. These WHQL certified drivers are for the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9 and 200 series. They add support for the new GeForce GTS 250, add SLI support for recent games, and have some fixes. The package also includes the 9.09.0203 PhysX drivers.
Game Patches
4 March 2009
Opera 9.64
3 March 2009
The free Opera browser has been updated to Version 9.64. This is a security and stability update.
Fallout 3 1.4.06 Patch
3 March 2009
Bethesda has released a 1.4.06 Patch for Fallout 3, available via Live. This is a minor update as it only adds support for the upcoming The Pitt Downloadable Content pack. The Fallout 3 Tweak Guide has been updated but there are no significant changes.
Nvidia Beta Forceware 181.71
3 March 2009
Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 181.71 driver for Windows 7 Beta. These drivers are for the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9 and 200 series. The package also includes the 9.09.0203 PhysX drivers.
Game Patches
3 March 2009
Game Patches
2 March 2009
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