Several folks had specific questions about how I went about setting up my laptop.
For those who do not want to click on the link above here is where this starts:
[Read more…] about How I Set Up My Laptop
Computer News
Thursday Random Stuff…
Samsung Magician 4.6 Released, Sort Of
I mentioned last week that v4.6 had somehow found it’s way to the internet. It now appears on their download page. But…
The update shows but when I try and download I get an error page:
We apologize for your inconvenience
Please try again within 24 hours
From April 23-April 27, 2015, there is a daily limit on the number of Magician 4.6 downloads.
Unfortunately, the download limit for the day has been reached, please try again within 24 hours.
We apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused you. Thank you.
What is this, amateur hour at Samsung?
I’ve also noticed that the Samsung EVO Performance Restoration Software has disappeared (as of this writing). I suspect an update is forthcoming.
Samsung SSD Software Page
Samsung Magician v.4.6 Introduction and Installation Guide PDF
Major Geeks has had the download since the same day I had mentioned it (April 14th).
*I have no way to tell if the version that appeared on the internet last week is the actual final version until I get the download straight from Samsung.
*edit – I finally got through to the official download. The files that hit the internet last week are the same as this one.
CCleaner 5.05
Piriform has released it’s monthly update of CCleaner.
Download
Version History
***Pay attention during install. May attempt to install unwanted programs.
I’ve Bought A Laptop!
I purchased a used laptop. I’ll post more when I get it setup. 😛
Win10 July Release
I was watching Windows Weekly and Mary Jo says her sources say the July release date is correct.
However her, Paul, and Leo were debating what “release” means.
You know like, “It depends upon what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” 🙄
Tuesday Morning News
Windows Updates Out Today
Lots of optional Windows updates will be released today.
“Install this update to resolve issues in Windows…” grrrrrr
See here for a full listing: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/894199
source
*edit, 1310hrs. Optional Updates now live.
Sysinternal Autoruns and Process Monitor Updated
See: Sysinternals Site Discussion – Update: Sysmon v3.0, Autornus v13.3, Regjump v1.1, Process Monitor v3.11
Weekend News
Exploits Du Jour
SPEAR – Redirect to SMB
Operation RussianDoll: Adobe & Windows Zero-Day Exploits Likely Leveraged by Russia’s APT28 in Highly-Targeted Attack
Software
Expect Firefox 37.0.2 soon. I’ve already got it on openSUSE and Android.
Etc.
11 images that capture the incredible vastness of space
Ghacks
Martin over at Ghacks has posted a follow-up to his Ghacks is dying article:
2 Months later: Ghacks is still dying, but there is hope
His dilemma is one I share. The page rank, web hits, and ad revenue to TweakHound.com aren’t what it used to be. So…
***Please help TweakHound.com continue to help you!***
– Donate. Button over in right sidebar —–>>>>
– Buy a Tweak Guide.
– Spread the word. Tell your frienda and family about TweakHound.com.
– If you use an ad blocker, please white-list TweakHound.com
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Official Teaser #2
Tuesday News
Adobe Flash Updated
Patch Tuesday usually means Flash updates too. Today is no exception:
APSB15-06 Security updates available for Adobe Flash Player
Flash for IE
Flash for other browsers
Main download page
Windows 8/8.1 users check Windows Update. As of this writing Microsoft hasn’t posted the update.
Google Chrome Updated
When Flash gets updated, Chrome does too.
Download or update from within the program.
The Chrome team is overjoyed to announce the promotion of Chrome 42 to the stable channel for Windows, Mac and Linux. Chrome 42.0.2311.90 contains a number of fixes and improvements, including:
– A number of new apps, extension and Web Platform APIs (including the Push API!)
– Lots of under the hood changes for stability and performance
– The answer to life, the universe and everything 😆
New Nvidia Drivers
GeForce 350.12 WHQL Game Ready Driver for Grand Theft Auto V
Release Notes
AMD Catalyst 15.4 Beta Driver
While Nvidia has been cranking out drivers at a record pace, AMD hasn’t had an official driver release in over 4 months. I feel like something is wacky over there. Admittedly, I’m out of the loop. Can someone school me on what’s happening with AMD as far as graphics cards / graphics drivers?
Download AMD Catalyst 15.4 Beta Driver
Samsung Magician 4.6
Someone, somewhere got hold of version 4.6 of Samsung Magician SSD software. I never saw it on the official site. If it ever was officially released it has been pulled. I did download and install it from unofficial channels. The only difference I noticed was I could no longer manually run trim from within the program. Uninstalled it (program is NOT needed for max performance).
Time To Run Windows Update
Updates available for all currently supported versions of Windows. Lots of updates this month folks.
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for April 2015
Windows 8 also has an Optional update that has bee re-released you may want to check out: KB3013769
If you don’t want MS phoning home every day looking for Windows 10, see my post:
GWX – Get Windows 10
Midweek Random Stuff…
Surface 3
In general, I don’t get the tablet movement. I guess if you wanna web surf /email from the couch it’s OK but beyond that I dunno. One tablet has me curious and that is the Surface 3 Pro, mainly because with a couple hundred dollars in add-ons you can basically use it as a laptop. As you may know Microsoft now has cheaper version the Surface 3. This one I REALLY don’t get. Neowin shows it predictably getting spanked by the Pro in early benchmarks.
Adobe Reader Dead
Got ya! It just got renamed to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (Document Cloud).
Now featuring “touch-enabled interface and powerful companion mobile apps”. :rolleyes:
Download
Linux Laptop
The new Dell XPS 13 is now available with Ubuntu pre-installed. See: New XPS 13 Developer Edition
Not having to pay the “Microsoft tax” looks to save you about $50.
Fail Defined:
When the headlines for your major OS announcement contains the words “Emoji Updates“.
Random Weekend Stuff…
Intel 750 SSD
Remember the Intel countdown page that said, “The next revolution in solid-state drives is coming…”?
That page now redirects to their new 750 Series SSD
Prices:
400GB at Newegg & Amazon = $469.99
1.2TB at Newegg & Amazon = $1,199.99
Sooooo, I won’t be getting on of those!
GeForce Hotfix driver 350.05
Download & Info
This is a GeForce Hot Fix driver, version 350.05 that addresses the following issues:
– Battlefield Hardline – crash with Direct X error message on some systems
– Dragon Age: Inquisition – TDR crash
Looking For A Laptop Suggestions, Continued…
– Asus ROG
– Dell Precision M4800 Mobile Workstation
– “I don’t know if you are still looking around for a laptop but if you are check out this site: http://www.xoticpc.com/
My wife and I are avid pc gamers and I had purchased 2 laptops for us from this site. I found it to be really great because you can customize the type of laptop that you choose from them. I also found their customer service to be excellent.”
Original post and all suggestions here: Looking For A Laptop
Software
Firefox 37.0.1 – Download and Release Notes
EMDB 2.33 (Eric’s Movie DataBase) – Download & Info
Fun With Audio Players – 2015
“Everyone talks about rock these days; the problem is they forget about the roll.” Keith Richards
4 years ago I wrote a popular article called Fun With Audio Players. That version contained a variety of audio player programs. Since folks asked about my Winamp setup from here I thought I would re-do that article. This version only contains the 2 audio players I use for listening to music:
AIMP3
Winamp
[Read more…] about Fun With Audio Players – 2015