Fedora 12 was released today. I’ve been so busy I missed the openSUSE 11.2 release. Lots of new features in these releases.
Downloads and info:
openSUSE.org
Fedora Project
Tags: Linux, openSUSE
Cat 9.11’s are out for XP, Vista, and Windows 7. Get’em here
These are also available for Linux at the main ATI driver page.
Tags: Computer Hardware
Just saw this updated statement in the Intel SSD forums:
Intel Solid-State Drive Firmware Update — Nov. 16, 2009
Intel has confirmed an issue with the firmware update process for 34nm (G2) Intel® X25-M SSDs (80GB and 160GB). This predominantly affected Windows* 7 (64bit) users during or immediately after the upgrade process to 02HA firmware using the firmware update tool (version 1.3). Intel plans to release a fix for this issue by the end of November 2009.
Please see below to decide what you should do:
– If you have not upgraded to 02HA but using 02G2 or 02G9 – then use new tool when available to upgrade to new firmware to get Trim support and better sequential write performance (160GB)
– If you have successfully upgraded to 02HA – then continue using the SSD, there are no known issues.
– If you have received a SSD with 02HA pre installed – then continue using the SSD, there are no known issues.
– If you have unsuccessfully upgraded to 02HA – then contact Intel Customer Support for instructions on how to recover the SSD via secure erase or return SSD to Intel for replacement or refund.
http://communities.intel.com/community/tech/solidstate?view=discussions
Tags: Computer Hardware
I’m about 2/3 of the way done with writing the Windows 7 tweak guide. I’ve come across an issue that I need some help with. It applies to SSD’s. During my research I found these 2 statements:
“In Windows 7, SuperFetch is automatically enabled for disks that have a low Windows Experience Disk Score and disabled for disks that have a high score.”
Performance Testing Guide for Windows
and
“If the system disk is an SSD, and the SSD performs adequately on random reads and doesn’t have glaring performance issues with random writes or flushes, then Superfetch, boot prefetching, application launch prefetching, ReadyBoost and ReadDrive will all be disabled.” Engineering Windows 7 – Support and Q&A for Solid-State Drives
One problem with the above 2 statements. I have an SSD disk (specifically the Intel X25-M Generation 2). My Windows Experience score for Primary hard disk is 7.7 (out a possible 7.9). This was a clean install to this disk, not a clone or image. According to the above statements Windows 7 should have disabled Superfetch. Windows 7 did not disable the service nor adjust the registry settings. It is visable via Task Manager (SysMain) and is actively using system resources.
I’m interested if anyone has had Windows 7 disable this as they claim.
I would also like to know what qualifies as a high “Windows Experience Disk Score” according to Microsoft. (not really expecting an answer on this)
Tags: This Site, Windows 7
My favorite file backup tool has been updated (source). Be sure to read the instructions on the download page before using. Download SyncToy 2.1.
Tags: Cool Tools, Freeware
Updates for 2K, XP, Vista, 2K8, Office. No security patches for Windows 7 this month.
Tags: Windows
Firefox 3.5.5 “Fixed several stability issues”. Download
Tags: Cool Tools, Freeware
Paul Thurrott has got all the workarounds for doing a clean install from Upgrade media:
Paul Thurrott – Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media
Tags: Windows 7
Acronis True Image Home 2010 Updated to Build 6029. TI 2010 is what you’ll need for Windows 7.
Log in to your account to get the update. Acronis Product Updates
Buy Acronis True Image 2010 Now ($49.99 U.S.)
Upgrade To Version 2010 Now ($29.99 U.S.)
Got a Netbook? You’ll want the Acronis True Image Home 2010 Netbook Edition ($29.99 U.S.)
Tags: Software
About iTunes 9.0.2
iTunes 9.0.2 adds support for Apple TV software version 3.0, adds an option for a dark background for Grid View, and improves support for accessibility.
System Requirements
* Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later, 32-bit editions of Windows Vista, or 32-bit editions of Windows 7
* 64-bit editions of Windows Vista or Windows 7 require the iTunes 9.0.2 64-bit installer
Download iTunes
Be sure to see: Ed Bott – Slimming down the bloated iTunes installer
Tags: iTunes
Mozilla Firefox 3.5.4 has been released.
v.3.5.4, released October 27th, 2009
* Several security issues.
* Fixed several stability issues.
* Added the ability to re-submit crash reports (bug 378528)
* After using Clear Recent History some SSL sites would not load all images and styles without pressing reload (see bug 480619)
Tags: Freeware
