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Thread ID: 25114	2002-09-26 09:41:00	thursday news	tweak'e (174)	Press F1

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83475	2002-09-26 09:41:00	Improve system performance in XP/2000 Here's a handy performance tip sent in by a regular reader Ross. If you have a CPU that has secondary cache, you are probably not getting the benefit of it as it is not enabled in Windows. The reasons for this from the Microsoft Knowledge base are as follows: If it were to be enabled on a system where a non secondary cache CPU is used, it could cause problems. The amount of secondary cache varies from 32kb up to 512kb so a defined amount can't be enabled. Ross enabled his and found a definite improvement. Here's how to boost your performance: Enable L2 Cache for Windows 2000/XP Run Regedit Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Session Manager\Memory Management Double click on "SecondLevelDataCache" and select "Decimal" and type "???" (This being your Level 2 cache amount for your CPU) Re-boot and bingo! your away. Thanks for the tip Ross. AMD Launching XP 2700+ and 2800+ October 1 The Inquirer has reported (www.theinquirer.net) that AMD will be launching the 2700+ and 2800+ AthlonXP processors on October 1. Here's a cut from the meat of the report: AMD IS SET launch some new-flavour Athlons on October 1st. The chipmaker will unveil its long-awaited 333MHz frontside bus in the 2700+ and 2800+ Athlon XPs, on that date, our sources tell us, pointing to a revival of the chip wars between AMD and Intel in the run-up to the pre-Christmas buying binge. Tasty stuff can't wait to get some 333FSB goodness. Official Audigy 2 Website Creative have officially opened up the SoundBlaster Audigy 2 website (www.soundblaster.com) to give you a comprehensive rundown on the new generation in sound cards. Microsoft unveils new licensing plan Vnunet (http://www.vnunet.com/) has posted details of Microsoft's new licensing schemes for small businesses and volume licenses. Here's a brief description of the new plan: Microsoft has unveiled a new licensing scheme for small businesses, offering three-year licences with payment spread over the course of the contract. Multi-Year Open Licence is available for firms looking to buy Microsoft product licences for at least five PCs. Users can receive software upgrades during the three-year period. "The idea is to help smaller businesses to better plan their cash-flow and remove the need to pay up front," said Sue Page, Microsoft UK's group licensing manager. At the end of the period, users can renew the Software Assurance part of the licence, which provides free upgrades, on 12- or 26-month terms. Companies that choose not to renew will retain the right to carry on using the software. You can read the full details here (www.vnunet.com). Daemon Tools 3.20 released Version 3.20 of Daemon Tools has been released for download with the following changes: This new version should solve all problems with the latest version of ProtectCD 5© used in Port Royale© Patch 1.3 together with the updated MDS-File for Port Royale you can download here (www.daemon-tools.net). The updated MDS-File is already out for a few days and it seemed to work for most people but as VOB blacklisted DAEMON Tools in the latest ProtectCD 5© version we also needed to update DAEMON Tools again. VeNoM386 also added another feature to DAEMON Tools - you can now change the drive letter of the virtual drives on the fly inside the DAEMON Tools menu (right click D-Tools try icon and select 'Virtual CD/DVD-ROM' --] [/url] 'Device 0....' (for example) --] [/url] 'Set device parameters' to access this new option. For those that aren't sure what Daemon Tools is, read this explanation: DAEMON Tools is an advanced application for multiprotection emulation. It is further development of Generic Safedisc emulator and incorporates all its features. This program allows running BACKUP copies (web590.server16.y-w-s.de) of SafeDisc (web590.server16.y-w-s.de) (C-Dilla), Securom (web590.server16.y-w-s.de) or Laserlock (web590.server16.y-w-s.de) protected games. Also included is a Virtual DVDROM drive (GENERIC STEALTH DVDROM) enabling you to use your CD images as if they were already burned to CD! DAEMON Tools works under Windows9x/ME/NT/2000/XP with all types of CD/DVDROM drives (IDE/SCSI) and supports nearly any CD protection. You can get more info at their homepage here (www.daemon-tools.net). Daemon Tools (www.daemon-tools.net) WinZip Internet Browser Support Add-On Beta Build 5239 (www.xp-erience.org) released A new build 5239 of the Winzip browser add-on has been released for download with the following changes: The add-on dialogs now display properly under Windows XP when ClearType is used Fixed: When downloading files with very long URLs using Netscape, the file would not be moved to the download folder Fixed: In some Windows desktop configurations, the add-on build number was truncated in the configuration dialog title bar Minor improvements and corrections in setup/installation The WinZip Internet Browser Support Add-On automates much of the work normally associated with downloading compressed files from the Internet. When you click on a Zip file using Netscape Navigator/ Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, this add-on will enable WinZip to take over when the download is completed. WinZip automatically moves the downloaded file to your download folder and then opens the file. Winzip browser add-on (fileforum.betanews.com) Mozilla Phoenix browser CNet News is reporting that the Mozilla Project group has launched a new swifter Web browser than it's Mozilla browser with a codename called Phoenix. Phoenix 0.1 was launched on Monday and it was designed to improve on the Mozilla 1.1 browser which has only received a luke warm response since its launch in August. The latest browser, which is based on much of the Mozilla code, includes a customisable toolbar, new design, improved bookmark manager and loads in nearly half the time of Mozilla 1.1. Here's a bit more info on Phoenix from the CNet report: Phoenix is similar to other offshoots of the Mozilla project, including Galeon, K-Meleon and Chimera, according to the site. But the browser is written using XUL (Extensible User Interface Language), and it's designed to be cross-platform. It works on Windows and Linux operating systems. Like its predecessor, Phoenix comes with some bugs, however. The browser doesn't allow people running Linux to tab through forms, for example. The development group is already working on a successor to Phoenix, which will include an updated wallet feature and download manager, among other improvements. "Phoenix was designed with performance as a primary goal," reads the site. "The XUL experts built a browser that starts in nearly half the time of Mozilla and its commercial derivatives. New windows also snap into existence almost twice as fast as Mozilla and commercial derivatives You can read more over at CNet news (news.com.com). DOOM: The Movie Warner Bros movie studios has signed a deal to the rights for a feature film based on the popular FPS game DOOM. The deal gives Warner 15 months to complete the film before all rights go back to iD software the owner of the game. here's what Warner had to say about the deal: "Given how important the franchise is to us, we wanted to make sure that we didn't miss out on the opportunity to make a movie again," Hollenshead said. " 'Doom' is our baby, the crown jewel of our intellectual property franchises, and Warners' interest in it was more than just talk. It actually puts on paper that if they don't move at a satisfactory pace, we can take it somewhere else. We're just a little game developer here in Texas, not a big movie company, so we were more interested in a commitment to make a movie rather than talk about how excited someone was about it." You can read more over at Yahoo News (dailynews.yahoo.com). TRIBES 2 patch version 25026 Sierra Entertainment has released a patch for TRIBES 2, bringing it up to version version 25026. The patch has a large number of additions and changes, including the Team Rabbit 2 and Tribes 2 Classic mods, a mission editor, numerous bug fixes. Mirror 1 (www.3dgamers.com) Mirror 2 (ftp://ftp3.sierra.com/pub/patches/pc/tribes2/si_tribes2_update_25026.EXE) BootXP version 2.25 Final out BootXP 2.25, the final version in passing the beta test process successfully is out for download with the following list of changes: Full compatible with palette change and progress bar reposition in Service Pack 1 Kernel. Now will "zero index" the Bitmap palette to avoid display problems at boot time. Fixed a Shareware Window bug when clicked in "Click Now". Now the BootXP window is resizable. Now if you have selected the option of change the boot screen automatically when the system starts BootXP will automatically exit after do it (for zero footprint). Added a "Reset Your Kernel File" button in options page that will be overwrite your LOGOOS.EXE file with a fresh copy of NTOSKRNL.EXE file (useful in case of kernel corruption). Updated all the URLs to point to "www.fvip.net/bootxp". (www.fvip.net) BootXP version 2.25 Final (www.fvip.net) IE Opera 6.5.1 released A new version (6.5.1) of the IE Opera browser has been released with the following changes: Font bugs have been fixed Error creating window device context has been fixed IE Opera is a hybrid browser that combines Opera and Internet Explorer to provide a a fast, stable, user-friendly, versatile multi-window browser. IE Opera allows user to browse multiple Web sites simultaneously and block all unwanted pop-up pages. All opened pages can be easily stopped, refreshed, closed or arranged with one click. The integrated cleaner helps user to clear all traces and keep privacy. Built-in Google search engine enables user to search for web pages and images in Internet. IE Opera 6.5.1 (www.ieopera.com) RivaTuner Version 2.0 Release Candidate 12 The guys over at Guru3d (http://www.guru3d.com/) have posted a report on the status of the new version of RivaTuner. The latest version has been delayed in anticipation of the new nVidia detonator drivers coming out tomorrow. Here's the word on the program: Last week some other websites posted that a new update of Rivatuner was due this week. That is fact was the plan, however due to the new detonator drivers the release has been delayed a few more days to ensure that RT works correctly with 40.52. Also, rumour is that NVIDIA plans to release new official 40.xx drivers tomorrow (Thursday US), if that's the case then we need to integrate support for them into RivaTuner also. Here's What been added so far! Full Detonator 40.xx support including the latest Detonator 40.52 Added databases for the Detonators 30.82 Updated 40.xx compatible patch scripts including popular AnisoBoosterOGL. Revised NVStrap v1.2 driver for both Windows 9x and Windows 2000/XP Added NVIDIA compressed modes format v2.0 support Improved 60Hz refresh rate fix uninstaller Added custom display modes / refresh rates wizard for Windows 2000 / XP Fully Detonator 40.xx compatible driver level overclocking manager. Extended Direct3D anisotropic filtering optimization settings Added ATI RV250 and ATI R300 GPUs support. Now RivaTuner can diagnose and overclock ATI RADEON 9000 Pro/9700/9700 Pro boards Added VIA KT400 to the list of supported northbridges Added GTA ]I[ troubleshooting preset for Windows XP Stay tuned. New KXProject Drivers 5.00.3524 BETA released Version 5.00.3524 BETA KXProject drivers have been released. The KXProject is the Omega equivalent of the sound card set. The drivers give you a better driver choice for SBLive owners who want to use low lateny ASIO capabilities and more. The following changes are in the new release: Fixed bug with kX Notification (BSODs when plugging in headphones). Fixed bug with StandBy/Hybernation and BSODs. Fixed bug with Recording (BSODs). Fixed bug with StandBy/Hybernation mode (related to DigitalOutputOnly mode). 'Downmix' effect added. Initial support for non-administrator priviledged accounts for Win2k/WinXP. Recent save/restore folder is now saved. Epilog effect re-written using temp registers (allows direct FXBUS-Epilog connections). Fixed 'Reset All Controllers' MIDI handling. Complete support for custom fonts. Improved 'kxskin.kxs' searching algorithm for kxsetup. Added 'tweak' option for 'Peak' microcode (ALPHA, buggy). Spanish, Romanian, French translations added. New KXProject Drivers 5.00.3524 BETA (www.kxproject.spb.ru) Nvidia Detonator 40.52 Coolbits hack Technology Vault has provided a guide on how to enable the coolbits tabs in the latest leaked 40.52 detonator drivers. Here's their explanation: How do I enable the overclocking utility in NVIDIA Detonators 40.52 and how do I enable the Direct3d settings?! And before I forget the refresh rates tab's do work! If it's greyed out click on the override refresh rates, then choose the resolution you want. Double click that and it should open a tab with all the available refresh rates mine goes upto 120hz then press apply, then ok! But remember if you try and set it back to applications control refresh rates it will set them back to your default setting. Tested on Widows 98SE. Grab the reg files from the link below. Nvidia Detonator 40.52 Coolbits (www.technologyvault.co.uk) UT2003 Demo Benchmarking Utility released HardOCP have released a UT2003 benchmarking utility to help you to benchmark the Demo. Here's their description of the utility: All of the utilities needed to benchmark with the UT2K3 Demo were already in the demo, all we did was create some files that will ease the process of benchmarking to make it easier for the reviewer and end user. Most importantly this scripting utility will allow for people with DX8 compliant VidCards to compare results on a "fair" basis. The creators of UT2K3 explain that vertex and pixel shaders use in the game minimal at best. So comparing cards that are pre-GF3 and pre-8500 might be considered, but we are not going to argue that here and now. By using the same ut2003.ini file in each quality test ensures that the game is setup the same for each test making comparative reviews a reality. Of course writing the batch files was not an issue but a certain amount of subjectiveness creeps in when we start defining the quality levels utilized. I had to figuring out what D3D settings needed to be adjusted and to what values. I looked at how they effected the game on an IQ and performance level to judge what needed to be set for a High Quality setting, a Medium Quality setting and a Low Quality setting. Then I edited the appropriate lines in the ut2003.ini file for each quality setting. The last step was to make batch files that made it all work. Grab it from the link below and benchmark away. UT2003 Demo (www.hardocp.com) ZoneAlarm Free and ZoneAlarm Plus version 3.1.395 released Following on from yesterdays release of version 3.1.395 for ZoneAlarm Pro, the same revision has been released for the Free and Plus versions of the software. The new version has the following changes: - Improved interoperability with proxy server applications - Improved user interface with new maximize/minimize button ZoneAlarm Plus (www.zonelabs.com) www.zonelabs.com ( [url) Free[/url]	tweak'e (174)
83476	2002-09-26 22:20:00	> The amount of secondary cache varies from 32kb up to > 512kb so a defined > amount can't be enabled. > Ross enabled his and found a definite improvement. > Here's how to boost your performance: > Enable L2 Cache for Windows 2000/XP > > Run Regedit > > Navigate to > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Se > sion > Manager\Memory Management > > Double click on "SecondLevelDataCache" and select > "Decimal" and type "???" (This being your Level 2 > cache amount for your CPU) > Re-boot and bingo! your away. > Thanks for the tip Ross. So how do I know if my CPU has L2 cache (my old CPU did, but not sure about this one), and if it does have L2 cache, how much? Mike.	Mike (15)
83477	2002-09-26 23:07:00	Hey Mike, found a utility that gives the info your looking for... www.h-oda.com go to the downloads section look for a proggie called.. wcpuid.exe gives you the l2 cache size and a whole lot more... hope it helps cheers	Ferroshus (842)
83478	2002-09-26 23:08:00	LOL thanks Ferroshus - I've just run that program about 2 minutes ago :) good spotting :D Mike.	Mike (15)
83479	2002-09-26 23:10:00	And then I spotted the post further down lol........must be friday!	Ferroshus (842)
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