Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Q&A

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Q&A on XboxGamers is a conversation with Bethesda Softworks that took place before the recently announced delay to the RPG sequel to early 2006. Many of the questions focus on their console system of choice and how the Xbox360 version will differ from the PC edition: "The differences will be pretty minimal. We like to create the game we want to make and put it on as many platforms as possible without changing the game. So, same quests, same functionality, etc. We’ll have downloadable content for both versions so you can add new things to your existing game. The big thing for the Xbox 360 is that it’s a known level of performance, whereas the PC could be any of 10,000+ combinations of hardware, OS, etc. But the game itself will be the same."

CPU-Z 1.31 Released

CPU-Z is a diagnostic tool that provides information on your CPU, including: processor name and vendor, core stepping and process, processor package, internal and external clocks, clock multiplier, partial overclock detection, processor features, supported instructions sets, L1 and L2 cache information, location, size, speed, and technology.

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool 1.10

The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom—and helps remove any infection found. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. Newly added detection and cleaning capabilities for the following malicious software:

•Bugbear
•Codbot
•Mabutu
•Opaserv
•Swen

Microsoft November Patchday

As previously announced Microsoft has released one security hotfix for Windows 2000, XP and Server 2003. The bulletin rating is critical and is titled: Vulnerabilities in Graphics Rendering Engine Could Allow Code Execution (896424). The update fixes 3 security issues.

Microsoft Core XML Services (MSXML) 6.0 Released

The Extensible Markup Language (XML) was originally envisioned as a language for defining new document formats for the World Wide Web. XML is derived from the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), and can be considered to be a meta-language: a language for defining markup languages. SGML and XML are text-based formats that provide mechanisms for describing document structures using markup tags (words surrounded by '<' and '>'). Web developers may notice some similarity between HTML and XML, which is due to the fact that they are both derived from SGML.

MSXML 6.0 (MSXML6) has improved reliability, security, conformance with the XML 1.0 and XML Schema 1.0 W3C Recommendations, and compatibility with System.Xml 2.0.

Nvidia Launches GeForce 6800GS For The Holiday Season

Nvidia Corporation yesterday announced the immediate availability of the new NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GS graphics processing unit (GPU), the latest addition to the Company’s award-winning line-up of GPUs. Just in time to power the holiday’s hottest gaming titles, the new GeForce 6800 GS has astonishing horsepower and dramatically shifts performance expectations for graphics cards at midrange price points. The 6800GS was launched as a counterpart to ATI's Radeon X1600XT.

Based on the award-winning GeForce 6 architecture, the GeForce 6800 GS GPU features advanced gaming technologies—including Shader Model 3.0, high-dynamic range (HDR) lighting, and NVIDIA Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) multi-GPU technology. The GeForce 6800 GS GPU also has a 256-bit memory interface and a dedicated video processing engine that delivers high-definition video playback. The card has 5 geometry and 12 pixelprocessing pipelines. It is clocked at 425/500Mhz which places it between the vanilla GeForce 6800 and the GeForce 6800GT. GeForce 6800 GS-based graphics cards are available for immediate purchase at approximately $249 USD from many of the world’s leading add-in card makers.

Below a list of launch reviews for the GeForce 6800GS:

The Tech Report's GeForce 6800 GS Review
Driver Heaven's GeForce 6800 GS Review
Hot Hardware's GeForce 6800 GS Review
Firing Squad's GeForce 6800 GS Review
Anandtech's GeForce 6800 GS Review
Bit Tech's GeForce 6800 GS Review

Troubleshooting When Windows XP Hotfix Installations Fail

Microsoft has released a new knowledge base article which describes how to troubleshoot hotfix installations. I experienced this behaviour four weeks ago and could not find a solution. The problem arises due to a file permission misconfiguration. Here are the details:

The installation may fail in the following scenario under Windows XP Or Windows Server 2003:

• You are using a computer that is running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or Microsoft Windows XP.

• You try to install a hotfix package by using a version of the Update.exe program that is earlier than version 6.1.22.0.

Additionally, you may experience the following symptoms:

• During an attended installation, you receive the following error message:

Setup cannot copy the file branches.inf.

The message prompts you to retry or to cancel the operation.

• During an unattended installation, the Update.exe program fails and displays error code 0x1603. Error code 0x5 is displayed if you used the /er switch.

Cause: This problem occurs because the %windir%\Inf\Branches.inf file is set to read-only.

By default, the Branches.inf file is in the extracted installation package. If the read-only flag is set on the Branches.inf file, installations always fail. The only way to verify the cause of the error is to open the %windir%\KB######.log file for the package and see whether the file contains the following text:

DoInstallation: LoadOrInstallBranchesInf failed to install;
error=0x00000005.

Resolution: To resolve this problem, remove the read-only flag from the Branches.inf file on the computer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
2. At the prompt, type attrib –r %windir%\inf\branches.inf, and then press ENTER.

Alternatively, you can use Windows Explorer to remove the read-only flag. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the %windir%\Inf folder in Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click the Branches.inf file, click Properties, and then click to clear the Read-only check box.

After you remove this read-only flag, the hotfix package installs correctly.

Microsoft's AntiSpyware Rebranded 'Windows Defender'

Microsoft Corp.'s Windows AntiSpyware technology has been renamed "Windows Defender" and has been expanded to detect and remove rootkits, keystroke loggers and other forms of malware. The revamped application will be bundled into the Windows Vista operating system, but users will be free to choose a competing spyware protection product from a redesigned Windows Security Center.

Jason Garms, group program manager for Microsoft's anti-malware technology team, made the announcement in a blog entry that also included confirmation that rootkit detection will be fitted into the product.

As previously reported, Microsoft will use rootkit detection technology from its Strider Ghostbuster research project. Strider Ghostbuster is a prototype tool developed by Microsoft's Cybersecurity and Systems Management Research Group.

The revamped product will be fitted with a new user interface and a significant change to the way malware signature updates are delivered. "The engine is now moved to a system service, and signatures are delivered over Windows Update. The detection mechanisms have also been radically improved by applying to spyware threats all the great detection technology we use in our anti-virus engine," Garms added.

Although the changes are being geared for Windows Vista, Garms said the enhancements will also be available to existing Windows XP users via a software refresh.

Tweak Windows Media Center Edition PowerToy 2.0

Tweak MCE gives you access to systems settings and options not normally exposed in the Windows XP Media Center Edition user interface, including remote control settings, Skip and Replay time customizations, user interface options, and more. It also helps you to optimize Media Center Extender for plasma and non-CRT displays.

New Windows XP SP2 Update (KB898439) - Unofficial

A new unofficial hotfix is now available for Windows XP SP2. Unofficial means that this hotfix is not yet officially downloadable from the MS Download Center or Microsoft Update. It is however 100% genuine.

Title: If you set the ATA_FLAGS_48BIT_COMMAND ATA flag, the returned PreviousTaskFile member is incorrect in Windows Server 2003 or in Windows XP

Symptoms: You can use the IOCTL_ATA_PASS_THROUGH structure or the IOCTL_ATA_PASS_THROUGH_DIRECT structure to send raw ATA commands to disk drives in a program. The ATA_FLAGS_48BIT_COMMAND ATA flag is introduced to enable 48-bit Logical Block Addressing (LBA) support in these structures. However, if you set the ATA_FLAGS_48BIT_COMMAND ATA flag in these structures, the returned PreviousTaskFile member in the ATA_PASS_THROUGH_DIRECT structure or in the ATA_PASS_THROUGH_EX structure is incorrect in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or in Microsoft Windows XP.

Cause: This problem occurs because of a bug in the Atapi.sys file. The bug causes the PreviousTaskFile member to be populated with incorrect data.

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes: Atapi.sys v5.1.2600.2714. Get the download via the headline link at Rapidshare. Click on "Free" and wait a few seconds for the download link to appear. It's free. Use this hotfix at your own risk.

Nero: Urgent Virus Warning

Ahead Software has issued the following warning to customers: Criminals are currently sending virus contaminated e-mails which appear to originate from Nero (e.g. register @ nero.com or sales @ nero.com ). Please delete such e-mails immediately and do not under any circumstances open the attachments.

Nero does not send any e-mails with attachments concerning registration.

Test Post

This is a test for expandable posts (the read more option). I am curious...

Now if you clicked on the read more option you should be able to read this:

SUCCESS!

World Of Warcraft Hackers Using Sony BMG Rootkit

World of Warcraft hackers have confirmed that the hiding capabilities of Sony BMG's content protection software can make tools made for cheating in the online world impossible to detect. The software--deemed a "rootkit" by many security experts--is shipped with tens of thousands of the record company's music titles.

Blizzard Entertainment, the maker of World of Warcraft, has created a controversial program that detects cheaters by scanning the processes that are running at the time the game is played. Called the Warden, the anti-cheating program cannot detect any files that are hidden with Sony BMG's content protection, which only requires that the hacker add the prefix "$sys$" to file names.

Despite making a patch available on Wednesday to consumers to amend its copy protection software's behavior, Sony BMG and First 4 Internet, the maker of the content protection technology, have both disputed claims that their system could harm the security of a Windows system. Yet, other software makers that rely on the integrity of the operating system are finding that hidden code makes security impossible.

New Matrox Graphics Drivers Available

Matrox has released new WHQL certified drivers for their Parhelia and Millenium P650 and P750 graphics cards running on Windows XP and 2000.

Lavasoft Launches Personal Firewall Solution

Lavasoft, the world leading anti-spyware vendor has established a partnership with Agnitum, the leader in security and privacy software for home and office PCs. Lavasoft will integrate Agnitum’s Outpost Firewall Pro engine – re-branded as Lavasoft Personal Firewall.
Lavasoft’s strategy is to forge and establish strong, significant alliances to deliver better protection to existing and new customers. For Agnitum, the partnership is a strategically important supplement to their existing and extensive product range.

Lavasoft Personal Firewall, is targeted for small and medium-sized business organizations and home users, providing seamless and powerful protection for both. This firewall product comes with simple configuration, "tick in the box" options and powerful, easy to use controls. Coupled with Ad-Aware SE Plus or Ad-Aware SE Professional, it is a great help to keep the home PC and small office free from intrusive Internet worms, Trojan horses, hijackers, cyber thieves, online extortionists, and more.

The Lavasoft Personal Firewall is now available as a standalone product and bundled with Ad-Aware.

Mozilla Thunderbird Email Client 1.5 RC1 Released

Thunderbird is Mozilla's next generation e-mail client. Thunderbird makes emailing safer, faster and easier than ever before. It features intelligent spam filters, built-in RSS reader, quick search, and much more. Thunderbird 1.5 RC 1 is meant for the early adopter community, and Extension developers. Here's what's new in Thunderbird 1.5 RC 1:

• Automated update to streamline product upgrades. Notification of an update is more prominent, and updates to Thunderbird may now be half a megabyte or smaller. Updating extensions has also improved.
• Sort address autocomplete results by how often you send e-mail to each recipient.
• Spell check as you type.
• Saved Search Folders can now search across multiple accounts.
• Built in phishing detector to help protect users against email scams.
• Podcasting and other RSS Improvements.
• Deleting attachments from messages.
• Integration with server side spam filtering.
• Reply and forward actions for message filters.
• Kerberos Authentication.
• Auto save as draft for mail composition.
• Message aging.
• Filters for Global Inbox.
• Improvements to product usability including redesigned options interface, and SMTP server management.
• Many security enhancements.

Microsoft Patch Day November 2005: 1 'Critical' Bulletin Planned

Next Tuesday, the Redmond, Wash.-based software maker plans to issue a solitary bulletin to cover a "critical" flaw in the Windows operating system. As is customary, the company is not releasing details on the vulnerability until Nov. 8.

Socket M2 Processor Roadmap; FX-62 And Athlon 64 X2 5200+

Socket M2, the 940 pin DDR2-ready Athlon 64 Socket, will launch a little bit later than we originally expected with mass production just starting in late April. However, even though the launch has been slightly delayed from the original March timeframe, there is still good news for those on DDR1; Socket 939 will stick around well into Q1'07 on the performance desktop - and well beyond that for Sempron. In fact, AMD's latest roadmap goes all the way to Q2'07 with Socket 939 Sempron. The new Pacifica enabled DDR2 processor code names expected to launch during the end of Q2'06 will be:

• Windsor: Dual Channel DDR2, Pacifica enabled Socket M2 dual core
• Orleans: Dual Channel DDR2, Pacifica enabled Socket M2
• Manila: Dual Channel DDR2 Sempron, Socket M2

The new chips will debut on NVIDIA's recently announced M2 platform, complete with MCP55 and C51XE.

Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX 512 MB Pictured

Our colleagues at MVKtech.net forums managed to get the picture of Nvidia's upcoming Geforce 7800 GTX 512 MB card. But Nvidia made the site take it off. However, you can find the original thread and the picture via the headline link.

The card has a monstrous cooler and we believe we have seen this card before, someone leaked it before but Nvidia has categorically denied it and said that this is a Quadro cardbut we now know it is not.

The same chaps managed to grab a BIOS from an XFX Geforce 7800 GTX 512MB and the chaps learned that XFX card obviously clocked even higher than the specs, it's working at 580MHz core and 1730MHz memory in 3D, the throttle frequency is 500MHz core and 1730MHz memory while in 2D card, you switch to a 275MHz core and 1730MHz memory. Since you can already download that BIOS here this means that XFX cards are almost available and that the company is just waiting for Nvidia's whistle to start selling them in retail. A week or two from now anyway.

Source: The Inquirer

Sony Unit To Distribute Software Patch For Hidden "Rootkit"

We reported earlier about Sony Music and their cloaking music CD copy protection that installs on Windows PC's when Sony Music CD's are played here. Now after a chorus of criticism, Sony Corp.'s music division said Wednesday it is distributing a free software patch to reveal hidden files that automatically installed to hard drives when some of its music CDs were played on personal computers. The offending technology was designed to thwart music piracy. Sony BMG Music Entertainment and its partner, UK-based First 4 Internet, said they decided to offer the patch as a precaution, not because of any security vulnerability, which some critics had alleged.

The controversy started Monday after Windows expert Mark Russinovich posted a Web log report on how he found hidden files on his PC after playing a Van Zant CD. He also said it disabled his CD drive after he tried to manually remove it. Russinovich made the discovery while running a program he had written for uncovering file-cloaking "RootKits." In this case, the Sony program hid the antipiracy software from view. Similar technology also has been used by virus and worm writers to conceal their code.

The copy protection technology, which limits how many times a CD can be copied, was included on about 20 titles, including discs from The Bad Plus and Vivian Green, among others. Gilliat-Smith and Sony BMG spokesman John McKay said the technology had been on the market for about eight months and there had been no major complaints prior to Russinovich's blog post. Still, a newer, similar technology was in the process of rolling out before the latest controversy erupted.

The patches that reveal the hidden files are being made available to antivirus companies as well as customers who visit the Sony BMG site. They do not remove the copy protection software, however. McKay said customers can request a program to safely uninstall everything by visiting the Sony BMG Web site at http://cp.sonybmg.com/. That site, however, requires a form to be filled out and submitted.

Users can download the anti-cloaking patch at this location.