Showing posts with label Fixes and Patches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fixes and Patches. Show all posts
The Final Nights mod was to release on Sunday and while the unofficial patch has been gaining updates and fixed galore, this mod adds enough content that the creators consider VtM a whole new game now. Each faction is now a new clan with new abilities and there are new quests to embark on. The Final Nights mod is a expansion on the Camarilla Edition series of mods and has been in development for some time now. The changelog is extensive so I will not repost it here but suffice to say, I'm amazed that such an ambitious mod seen completion at all.
and it's about time... No seriously, I've been waiting to start this game since I bought it, oh, forever ago. Now that artistpavel has put his fantastic spin on the game, I can begin. Anyone who owns any one of the series and is not using these mods are simply depriving themselves of a much better gameplay experience.
Battlefield 2142 is a much maligned addition to the Battlefield series, it did poorly in sales and the community gave up on it rather quickly. A beta for the 1.51 patch has been around for a while but the complete package has apparently arrived.
I first mentioned this in 2009, it's 2011 now for those who have short attention spans and that's a long gestation period for a game that, I for one, have not played since 2006 when it was released. It's great that support is still ongoing for their product but I have to wonder, from their point of view, why?
I first mentioned this in 2009, it's 2011 now for those who have short attention spans and that's a long gestation period for a game that, I for one, have not played since 2006 when it was released. It's great that support is still ongoing for their product but I have to wonder, from their point of view, why?
I don't like limited installs for a game I own, it's ridiculous, barbaric and only serves to stop sleepless nights for game publishers. In Gamers Gates defense, they state that any install limit can be reset with an email to them, which is great, but I've never tested this and have to take them at their word. Also, plenty of games on GG have no DRM and I laud them for it but Darkness Within 2 is not such an animal. Ok, I say to myself, I'll just patch and look for a protection crack so I don't have to worry about the whole damned thing.
Say what you want about using cracks, I use them to bypass headaches, not protection. Having to locate and then put disks into a drive or limiting the number of times I can install and play something I paid for is simply unacceptable. Many gamers publicly loathed Assassin's Creed 2 and it's dreaded online DRM scheme - they were perfectly fine for me. I'm always online and my game was never interrupted by a loss of connection. Your experience may vary.
So I buy and as the game is downloading I check out the usual places for those industry destroying game cracks that only thieves use. It seems there isn't one available, stranger still is the line Protection: None. The retail is protection free but the digital copy isn't? How is that fair? While I continue to research this annoyance my game finishes downloading, I install and search on. Still no information on the SecuRom protection or a crack for it. The installation finishes and I start the 1.02g patch.
Darkness Within 2 cannot be found.
Huh? Ok, maybe the game has to be run so a registry entry can be triggered. I execute the game and SecuRom pops up for me to enter my code, I do so and continue to the game. Everything works fine, the game loads up and I am one install closer to having to send that email. I start and play for a bit, saving my preferences and progress in case the patch looks for that as well. Quitting, I run the patch a second time.
Same issue.
Ok, off to the website, obviously there must be another patch or at least a forum post concerning the GG edition. The patch not only fixes some game stopping bugs but adds anti-aliasing and additional resolutions, so it's really a must overall. I go through all of the suggestions but the patch will still not apply. I uninstall, re-download and reinstall the game running it again afterwards and very likely remove another install in the process. Since there is no way for me to know how many I have left, I just assume it's gone.
Again, same issue.
Time for a return to the roots; Pull out that old black book and dial the ex for a quick romp. In short, download a copy semi-illegally. Only semi as I own the game, legally, and who am I to say that everyone else in the peer list isn't suffering the same headache. I bought the damn thing, I want to play it and I paid for the right to do so. After the torrent completes downloading, I disconnect - seeding is good form but screw the lousy pirates!
I install and run the game once, there is indeed no protection of any kind and I contemplate just keeping this one. Morals gets the better of me and I continue with the plan. I quit out and start the patch up - everything completes successfully. I run the game once again and there is still no protection of any kind, pluses across the board. I copy the install to another location, uninstall and then reinstall the GG version and do a quick file compare. A few large files but mostly small files are different, the patch is actually pretty minimal and my idea for a solution can forge ahead.
Using a freeware version of the Clickteam Patchmaker, I create a patch for the Gamers Gate edition that is twofold: It updates the version I paid for and removes the copy protection using legitimate files. Is it legal? I don't know, some lawyer will say yes and another will say no and it will ultimately fall on who pays them more. I feel that the product I purchased was not supported by the company who made it due to the packaging I chose to buy it in, regardless of the fact that it was their choice to package it thusly.
While there may be a working patch in the future, my workaround, legal or otherwise, was the only real solution available to me at the time and I begrudgingly have to thank pirates for providing me with the resources. It's ridiculous to think I had to break the law in order to fix a legally purchased product that wouldn't have been broken had I stole it in the first place.
Oh, and, good game!
*UPDATE* The patch has been re-issued through the forums and now works with the Gamers Gate edition, so long as you copy it into the game folder first. What's even better is that the patch removes the SecuRom protection, just patch before you run and your install limits are gone.
*UPDATE 2* The forums have completely disappeared and I have been unable to find a valid link for the update. Here instead is my created patch that will update the Gamers Gate version of DW2.
I don't know how many people wanted GTA IV to be a FPS. I for one was fine with the 3rd person while I ran around mowing over hookers, but this video convinces me I was wrong.
Full press release here.
Futuremark's Shattered Horizon gets a free DLC update called the Firepower Weapons Pack Which adds the following:
New content:
You choose your primary weapon before you spawn and carry that weapon until you are killed. You can select the weapon for your next spawn at any time by pressing the F1 key. All primary weapons and the pistol have sights you can use by pressing MIDDLE MOUSE BUTTON for greater aiming precision. Regardless of which primary weapon you choose you always have access to your sidearms: a pistol, grenade pistol and a melee weapon.
You can read more about the different weapons and their characteristics by downloading the updated game manual from here.
Changes:
New content:
- Five primary weapons: Railgun, Machinegun, Assault Rifle, SMG and Shotgun
- Three sidearms: Pistol, Grenade Pistol and Moon Mining Pick
- Three new grenades: Flare, Pulse and Decoy
You choose your primary weapon before you spawn and carry that weapon until you are killed. You can select the weapon for your next spawn at any time by pressing the F1 key. All primary weapons and the pistol have sights you can use by pressing MIDDLE MOUSE BUTTON for greater aiming precision. Regardless of which primary weapon you choose you always have access to your sidearms: a pistol, grenade pistol and a melee weapon.
You can read more about the different weapons and their characteristics by downloading the updated game manual from here.
Changes:
- Bullet flight time is now accurately modeled for each weapon meaning you will need to lead targets that are far away.
- Tracers now accurately show where your bullets are going.
- Reloading animation can now be interrupted by other actions such as melee, boost or switching weapons.
- Added a range meter on the HUD when using the Grenade Pistol.
- Changes to HUD layout to accommodate new weapons.
- Changes to default key bindings.
- Added options in sh.settings file to change filtering and pingback in server browser.
For those not owning this little gem, it is currently $14.99 (25% off) and comes with guest passes.
In less than an hour, Modern Warfare 2 will bust open a free weekend of play for all Steam users. I'm hoping to run through the single player game in that time and maybe get some MP in before Monday. It should be good exercise for my new SteelSeries Merc and Logitech G9X that I just wasted money on.
Just Cause 2, as if it needed more stuff, has added free DLC in the form of a Chevalier Ice Breaker - a hot rod ice cream truck. Uhhh, really? At least it's not a 99 cent download ftw.
Red Faction Guerrilla had finally added a new patch to address the Windows 7 / Vista speed up issue that made the game difficult to play. The patch is automatic but you can read the full details here.
Edit: It's multiplayer only. Damn yooooou!Next up, Shattered Horizon has announced a free FirePower weapons pack that will add new weapons and grenades. Not much is stated on what this will entail, but it's free and fantastic to see FutureMark still adding value to their game.
Just Cause 2, as if it needed more stuff, has added free DLC in the form of a Chevalier Ice Breaker - a hot rod ice cream truck. Uhhh, really? At least it's not a 99 cent download ftw.
Red Faction Guerrilla had finally added a new patch to address the Windows 7 / Vista speed up issue that made the game difficult to play. The patch is automatic but you can read the full details here.
A minor update to DVD Executor fixes the Daemon Tools v4.35.x compatibility issue where the executable was renamed to DTLite.exe, also DT's own MDX extension was added to it's default image detection. I am still renaming the executable back to daemon.exe for YASU compatibility though, feel free to make your own choice.
After much ado, the Fallout 2 Restoration Project has reached v2.0. Currently it will only work for English versions of Fallout 2, which you can find on both Steam and GoG (better choice imho) also don't forget to grab the patches from the forums to update it to 2.02b. This patch tries to restore lost content that was originally intended for FO2 and the change log is extensive, also a technical wiki is available for those wanting to give it a go.
For those wanting only the bug fixes can grab the 1.02.26 patch by itself, though I can't imagine anyone not wanting more content for free.
For those wanting only the bug fixes can grab the 1.02.26 patch by itself, though I can't imagine anyone not wanting more content for free.
The original Stalker: Shadows of Chernobyl was not left in a perfect state. Many mods and hacks arrived to fix the problems that plagued the game, but picking and choosing the right ones was hit and miss. Along comes Artistpavel to solve that for us with a Stalker Complete Mod that encompasses the best of whats available and after sampling it, going back to vanilla is out of the question.
The sequel Clear Sky is also unfortunately in a mess, albeit less so that SoC, but Artistpavel has come to the rescue again with Clear Sky Complete. The list of changes is currently not available on the website, but if it is even half as extensive as the SoC mod it will be a must have as well.
Owners of these games cannot afford to miss these, they should be official patches as far as I'm concerned.
The sequel Clear Sky is also unfortunately in a mess, albeit less so that SoC, but Artistpavel has come to the rescue again with Clear Sky Complete. The list of changes is currently not available on the website, but if it is even half as extensive as the SoC mod it will be a must have as well.
Owners of these games cannot afford to miss these, they should be official patches as far as I'm concerned.
After an uncomfortably long period, a patch for the PC version of Red Faction Guerrilla has hit. Currently the only way to get the patch is via Windows Live and if you are using the Steam version, it won't work without modification.
As a quick workaround for the impatient, you can locate the rfg_updater.exe with windows search and run it with the parameter /F followed by the path to your Steamed Red Faction Guerrilla folder. Alternatively you can download an unpacked version via RapidShare, either way this does not hinder Steam's association with the game and it works as expected. Details on the patch can be found here.
As a quick workaround for the impatient, you can locate the rfg_updater.exe with windows search and run it with the parameter /F followed by the path to your Steamed Red Faction Guerrilla folder. Alternatively you can download an unpacked version via RapidShare, either way this does not hinder Steam's association with the game and it works as expected. Details on the patch can be found here.
Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows has some great info on trying to clean install Windows 7 using the cheaper upgrade disc. Yes, I said trying. It seems that the methods don't work for everyone, but Paul is confident that a fool-proof solution will come about. I would say I have to agree with him.
The SMB vulnerability has finally been fixed in Windows 7 via a patch that can be obtained through Windows Update. Fixed also was the Internet Information Service (IIS), the Media Runtime exploit, an ActiveX issue (ok exploit) and apparently a GDI+ vulnerability as well.
If you disabled the SMB service previously, the update does not reset its status. You will have to do so manually and some instructions to do so can be found here.
Anybody with too much time on their hands can read the October Security Bulletin from M$.
If you disabled the SMB service previously, the update does not reset its status. You will have to do so manually and some instructions to do so can be found here.
Anybody with too much time on their hands can read the October Security Bulletin from M$.
ZDNet has a piece on recognizing the various fake AntiVirus software out there dubbed thusly Scareware. It goes on to explain how to recognize them in the wild via screen grabs of the most encountered villians which is great, but that's not the title of the article is it?
What the piece is lacking most is the reason people clicked on it to begin with, Protection, of which there is next to nothing mentioned. Disable scripting? Really, that's your solution? Go tell someone about it? Why, are they going to pay to get it removed? I realize that ZDNet can't suggest and therefore endorse products (without being paid to do so of course), but it's misleading and fails to deliver on what it promised. So here are some real suggestions:
Avast Antivirus: Free to home users, only requires a valid e-mail address for a serial number and is good for a year before you have to send another e-mail for another free serial number. My only suggestion here is to do a custom install, selecting only the virus scanner, the rest just impedes your network. Kept updated, this program even catches JavaScript Malware before your browser has a chance to execute it.
MalwareBytes: This is for the neophyte, a decent little one click hammer that kills and removes a ton of Malware. It does not stay resident so it has to be run manually, but it was built intelligently. The updater re-downloads and reinstalls the entire program so Malware can't just disable all or part of it. I recommend this to anyone who knows little about their machine, or more importantly knows someone who knows little about their machine and is tired of fixing it for them.
SmitFraudFix: SmitFraud is a nasty little Malware program that cannot be removed by popular programs such as SpyBot or Ad-Aware (which is why they do not appear on this list). It usually resides in the taskbar, constantly displaying a popup about infection and running a random fake Virus scan. This fix is specific to the SmitFraud Malware variant.
ComboFix: A new crop of RootKit Malware that will kill known AntiVirus/AntiMalware solutions such as HiJackThis, MalwareBytes and Avast, stopping you from even executing said programs. The link provided is a how-to as well as a download.
I will not take responsibility for anything the above software does, use it at your own risk. Having said that, I have personally used everything mentioned with no serious adverse affects.
As ComputerWorld reports, Server Message Block 2 (SMB2), a service that allows file and print sharing on Windows, may not only be vulnerable to BSOD attacks but possibly hijacking.
If the status is Running, here is the solution:
Once Microsoft has fixed the problem, this will enable it:
Check out Petri for a more complete rundown and a Server 2008 solution.
Microsoft is working on a patch but has released a Fit-It Tool for those who don't want to get their hands dirty. I for one like to know what's happening underneath so for those more technically inclined, here's a more expanded solution:
To ensure that you even need to disable the Service, open a CMD prompt and type the following:
sc query mrxsmb20If the status is Running, here is the solution:
sc config lanmanworkstation depend= bowser/mrxsmb10/nsi
sc config mrxsmb20 start= disabledOnce Microsoft has fixed the problem, this will enable it:
sc config lanmanworkstation depend= bowser/mrxsmb10/mrxsmb20/nsi
sc config mrxsmb20 start= autoCheck out Petri for a more complete rundown and a Server 2008 solution.
A demo for the new Need for Speed: Shift and been released, looking pretty interesting for a closed circut racer. Also a new 1.6 Patch for Call of Duty: World at War has been issued which includes new MP maps.
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