install
Latest
Death Knight creation bug solution
There is a bug currently affecting the creation of Death Knights after you have installed Wrath of the Lich King.If you get an error when creating the Death Knight, and you have met the requirements of having a level 55 character on the server in which you're creating the Death Knight, just make a new level 1 character first.After that character is created, you can then create your Death Knight without any more problems.I have to wonder how the bug came to be, and why they weren't able to fix it. We probably won't know either of those answers. But at least we have a quick and dirty fix.Happy Northrending!
Dissidia will also feature Data Install
PSP is increasingly resembling its big brother, PS3. Dissidia, PSP's upcoming Final Fantasy-themed fighter from Square Enix, will feature "Data Install," an optional feature that will allow players to shorten load times by installing some key information onto the Memory Stick. Reading data off the flash drive is much faster than the UMD, and for those that can afford to sacrifice some space, this feature will be helpful. (Another game to take advantage of this feature: Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G)Players can choose three different installs, to take as little as 245MB to as much as 528MB of data. Of course, for the shortlest load times possible, players in Japan will undoubtedly want to buy the game off the PlayStation Store and have the entire game on their Memory Stick.
Xbox 360 load time comparison: DVD vs. hard drive
One of the more touted features of the upcoming New Xbox Experience is the ability to install games onto your hard drive (watch how to do it). In an effort to quantify the benefit, MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo has created three videos comparing the load times of running DVD vs. hard drive using Grand Theft Auto IV, Fable 2 and Gears of War 2. The difference is between 9 to 15 seconds for the first load, and presumably more "now loading" seconds scraped off other sections of each game. While the verdict is out on whether or not it's worth your time to install (judging by Totilo's install times and our own, it seems to be a steady 1.7GB per minute), it's worth noting that, with installation, the console is noticeably quieter and is less likely to give you the feeling that it's about to explode.
BioShock PS3 install takes 10 minutes, 4.98GB
Admittedly, it's old hat by now, but PS3 owners should expect to wait through an install when BioShock makes its debut October 21. Eurogamer reports that the 4.98GB install will take approximately 10 minutes before players are allowed to enter Rapture. To pass the time, the install has Rapture-related advertisements and music (provided you don't wander off to make a sandwich).PS3 owners will have their patience rewarded with the "survivor mode" difficulty in the game, along with the eventual release of some "exclusive" puzzle stages.[Via VG247]
Install your Xbox 360 games to the hard drive, access XBLM on the web
Major Nelson just updated and offered a bit more detail about the upcoming Dashboard update for Xbox 360. Some of the cooler things: Play from hard drive. You'll be able to copy game discs to your Xbox 360 hard drive. Installing the games will prevent wear 'n tear on the disc drive, and will shorten load times. You will still need the disc in the disc tray to prove you own the game. Hopefully, installing things on the Xbox 360 will come with sage advice, a la Metal Gear Solid 4. Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web. If you're not near your Xbox 360, you can still use this "Internet" thing to browse and purchase things from the Marketplace. Once you purchase something from Xbox.com, it will download automatically to your console while you're away. Xbox LIVE Primetime. This is a "whole new category of games" that not only supports Achievements and leaderboards, but will also offer real prizes. Games are played throughout the Xbox LIVE network and each game is "broadcast simultaneously" so that everyone is partaking in the same activity. These events can feature live hosts, "calling the shots as they happen." [Thanks, Glitch W.!]
Fallout 3 just says no to mandatory install on PS3
Mandatory game installs have become an expected burden for PlayStation 3 owners, a tax paid in time for the pleasure of playing games on Sony's latest console. And while the time spent watching the bar creep across the screen has ranged from modest to absurd, we're still not accustomed with having to wait at all. It's a sentiment echoed by the developers at Bethesda, as the company recently let slip that the PS3 version of its radioactive RPG Fallout 3 will not include any upfront installation at all."The answer to that is no, there isn't," Bethesda marketing guru Pete Hines recently told Joystiq concerning Fallout 3 on the PS3. "That doesn't mean we don't use the hard drive, just that it does it in the background as opposed to a large, upfront install." As far as how much hard drive space the game will require, the exec wouldn't say exactly. Hines did mention that the RPG will require "a similar amount" of HD space as Oblivion, making us expect to fill up the PS3's juicy interior with about 4-5 gigs of atom-splitting data when the game ships this fall.
Haze says no to HD, yes to HDD
Free Radical has confirmed that ambiguously exclusive PlayStation 3 shooter, Haze, will not be the source of standard, high-definition visuals. Speaking to Ripten, Creative Lead Derek Littlewood explained that, much like other sub-HD games, the 1024x576 resolution was chosen to ensure "a nice smooth framerate." Says Littlewood: "Well, as you develop an engine you're aiming for a certain thing, but as all the pieces slot into place, you end up realising what sort of resolution you can run it at and that's where we ended up with for Haze."Though the PlayStation 3 will upscale 576p images to 720p (1280x720), it's unlikely to provide Free Radical's penance in the eagle eyes of pixel-counting pedants. With any luck, people will be too busy complaining about geebees to notice the lack of pees, as Ubisoft also confirmed that Haze will require a 4GB installation. Look forward to discussions involving the game's more obscure features (gameplay, story, blah blah blah) once it's out on May 20.[Via Eurogamer]Read -- Not very many PsRead -- Too many GBs
Is Apple pushing Safari 3.1 on Windows users?
If you run iTunes or QuickTime on your Windows PC, but not Safari, you might have seen an uninvited guest show up in the Apple Software Update earlier this week. Yes, Apple thinks you need yet another browser. They tried to slip the new Safari 3.1 in for iTunes owners, a move that has some Windows users up in arms.Cybernet reminds us that this wasn't quite unexpected -- Steve did say that Apple had made inroads on Windows with iTunes, and that they planned to use those inroads to send Safari around. The only problem is that, while yes, the button and the text do say "Install," the program is usually used for "updating" software, and so getting new software with the deal wasn't something a lot of users expected. And users who don't do anything but the default (I can guarantee you that, since I bought my mother an iPod for Christmas, my parents now have Safari 3.1 installed on their PC, despite the fact that they still aren't quite sure how that Firefox I installed for them works), are basically getting software they didn't plan to have.Sneaky unwanted software scheme, or just a not-so-subtle hint to Windows users that they could be using a better browser? You decide. I just know that I'm going to be paying a little closer attention to exactly what my Software "Update" is updating (or "installing") from now on.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional running on an HTC StarTrek
It seemed pretty impressive when a user managed to get Windows Mobile 6 Standard up and running on a busted old HTC StarTrek -- but WM Professional 6.1 on that badboy? You had us at hello. A member of the xda-dvelopers forum named Erofich has managed to hack together an install of the touchscreen-only mobile OS for the decidedly non-touchscreen flip phone. The configuration includes a number of workarounds for using the keypad as opposed to a finger or stylus, and it looks like there aren't a ton of issues right now. We're pretty sure that this isn't the speediest or most robust implementation of the software, but it's an admirable feat nonetheless. We doff our caps to you, sir.[Thanks, maflow]
Monster Hunter 2nd G has installation option
The PSP is becoming more and more like the PS3 every day. Capcom's upcoming Monster Hunter 2nd G will include an option to install data onto the Memory Stick, effectively reducing load times. Details on the "Media Install" feature are slim for now, but let's hope it's not required like Capcom's PS3 version of Devil May Cry 4.While those that don't have space to spare on their Memory Sticks will most likely opt out of this installation, we think it's a great feature that more PSP games should consider. For example, the Memory Stick version of Wipeout Pure loads significantly faster than the UMD version. We hate load times, and we're willing to do anything to get rid of them ... for good.[Via PSPHyper]
WoW on an Eee PC, in ten (not so) simple steps
I can't say I quite understand the ultraportable thing (why not just use a real computer?), but I have to admit that the Eee PC from Asus is a slick little device. Not as slick as the Macbook Air, but not nearly as pricey, so still pretty slick. And now it's even slicker- Dan from UltraMobileGeek has figured out how to install World of Warcraft on an Eee 701.You can see in the video above that it's just barely playable-- you couldn't raid Black Temple (or even Karazhan, I'm sure), but for logging in and grinding or checking mail, it would probably work just fine. The process, unfortunately, isn't exactly simple-- you have to run modified drivers, overclock the PC, and run experimental code (plus, memory might be a problem, as you need an 8gb SDHC card and probably more RAM than you've got now)-- but if you're interested in pushing your Eee to the limit, it might be for you. One suggestion or Dan (and anyone else messing around with this): would the Wine version of WoW let you skip installing XP, since the Eee is Linux-based? Just wondering.At any rate, sounds like a fun Saturday afternoon project if you've got an Eee to play around with and want your WoW ultraportable.
Capcom on DMC4 installation: What's the big deal?
The game hasn't even been released yet and already there's a lot of online controversy over Devil May Cry 4's installation procedure. The game takes around 20 minutes to install about 5 gigabytes of data to your hard drive, during which there's a five-minute looping recap slideshow. Capcom's Chris Kramer responded to CVG with a statement regarding the issue: "If you don't want to watch the 'Previously, on Devil May Cry...' portion of the install process, go make a sandwich and grab a soda, then come on back." Kramer continues, "Wah! Have you ever played a PC game? At least we aren't making you shuffle multiple discs into a ROM drive, or continuously click 'Yes!' on a series of endless Windows dialog boxes." Wah, indeed! We agree completely with Kramer on this -- a twenty minute long installation sequence is not a big deal. It cuts down on load times, making it load faster than the 360 version despite the slower drive speed. Without the install, players would be complaining about lengthy load times. Which is better? That's a hypothetical question because we already know and, clearly, so does Capcom.
Install gOS on the ASUS Eee
We're not sure that you'd want to do it, but it's nice to know that you can do it. If you're really sick of the native OS that came with your Eee -- or you're trying to feel out what a Cloudbook would be like if you could buy one -- you can now install Everex's Google-centric gOS onto your system with little-to-no effort, simply by following this ten point breakdown. You'll need an external optical drive, a wired internet connection, and probably an hour or so, but once all is said and done, you can break free of Xandros and roll deep with the Ubuntu-based gOS. How the software performs on the miniscule laptop we couldn't say, but at least now you can show your friends how truly unique you are.[Thanks, Tom]
Impact Acoustics' rotating HDMI / DVI adapters make installs easier
It's a simple concept, but there's little doubt that the item shown above would prove mighty helpful in tight spaces. Impact Acoustics has rolled out a line of rotating AV adapters, most notably the HDMI and HDMI-to-DVI versions. As the title leads you to believe, these wee devices allow users to run their HDMI / DVI cables at any angle, enabling gear to be wired up in tighter corners without fear of damaging any of those precious cables. The adapters are available now in a number of flavors, all costing $12.99 apiece.[Via Audioholics]
The definitive iPhone native application list
The gents over at ModMyiphone -- known for all things iPhone tutorial-related -- have compiled the definitive list of all native apps for your iPhone. The page includes basic info about each application they have on file, links to the developers site, and a one page description for each. They've also been kind enough to include a handy RSS link to see what's new and if you find one they've missed, a "submit app" link to get that fixed. Nice service and it costs nothing to get involved.
Analysts: DS to have 89% Japanese install base by 2011
An analyst group called Screen Digest is predicting continued success for the DS in the future. We do the same thing, but when they do it, they use specific numbers, and people believe them. Their craziest number? They are saying that in the distant future of 2011, 89% of Japanese households will own a DS.They predict that by 2011, the DS will have an install base of 112 million systems worldwide, versus the PSP's 67 million. To put that in perspective, the Playstation sold 102 million units, the GBA has sold 79 million, and the NES sold 61 million. We personally hope the DS continues to dominate, because we love our jobs the system.
Calling the shot: mounting / not mounting flat-panel above fireplace
While the question of hanging your new flat-panel above the fireplace or mantel has been around for years, it's about time the issue was actually tackled and looked at from a safety and feasibility standpoint. Admittedly, there are literally dozens of factors that can go into making said decision, and while no answer will be right for everyone, hopefully the following will lend a hand in easing your frantic mind. Granted, the more affluent homes that are often showcased in marketing promos make hanging a TV look like child's play, and while you may be able to cough up enough dough to let an experience installer come in and handle the dirty work for you, there's quite a few things (and alternatives) to consider. Of course, safety concerns surrounding recalled TV mounts, heat generated from a raging fireplace, and the actual wall material should be inspected first and foremost. Additionally, you should certainly consider just how difficult running every last cable (present and future) from your components below through the wall will actually (not) be, and for those working sans an AV cabinet, you might want to ponder just where you'll be placing those game consoles, receivers, and media players without ruining the overall allure. Still, there's no denying the attractiveness of a flat-panel HDTV hung neatly on a living room wall, but be sure and hit the links below and do a little planning of your own before pulling the trigger.Read - HDInstallers - Safety ConcernsRead - Audio / Video Interiors mounting walkthrough
User installs Windows Vista from USB flash drive
Let's get one thing straight on this right from the start: this methodology makes little sense if you've got exactly one machine to install Vista on, as you'll probably spend more time making your USB flash drive bootable than it'd actually take to get your single machine up and running. So, to those of you who are staring down that daunting line of machines that you're fully responsible for, and can't imagine pulling yet another 18-hour day just to get Vista on every single one, here's a way to cut out early without being reprimanded. Joining the list of other high-profile applications that are better booted from a flash drive than CD / DVD or external hard drive, Windows Vista has now been figured out, and the process looks to be relatively painless; just snag a 4GB (or so) high-speed flash drive, format it, and copy Vista's DVD-ROM content over. Of course, you want to be real sure you get all the command lines right, so if you're seriously pondering doing this yourself, do yourself a favor and hit the read link for the expert's take, and watch each successive installation go from 20-minutes or more to "around 5 to 10" -- and leave it in your machine when you're finished for a bit of that ReadyBoost advantage, cool?[Via EverythingUSB]
Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 6
Every Saturday, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to andrew @ pspfanboy.com with the subject "Ask PSP Fanboy."Q: Are their any music subscribtion sites compatible with the PSP?A: Yes. It's called Connect, and it's unsurprisingly owned by Sony. It works just like Apple's iTunes Store: it's 99 cents for a single song, and usually about $9.99 for an album. One deal that you might want to look in to is the "2 for 1 Tuesdays" deal, where if you buy one album, you'll get a coupon code for another for free. Getting 2 albums of music for less than $10 is really quite a steal.
Video: How to Install Windows Vista
Just a quick little video to brighten up your dull Monday– Anthony Cumia from the Opie & Anthony Show demonstrates the correct method to ensure a successful Windows Vista installation.[via CrunchGear]
