[H]ard|OCP

FREE OCZ Z Series: Z850 Power Supply

OCZ has been kind enough to give a new Z850 to an [H] reader! Post in this thread to enter.

Latest MS Update Causing Black Screen of Death

There are reports that the latest round of security patches from Microsoft are causing a black screen of death for some people. Thankfully the problem only seems to affect Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 users running certain security programs. A third party fix is available to anyone experiencing this issue.

Microsoft apparently made changes to the Access Control List (ACL), a list of permissions for a logged-on user. The ACL interacts with registry keys, creating visible desktop features such as a sidebar. However, the latest patches appear to make some changes to those registry keys. The effect is that some installed applications aren't aware of the changes and don't run properly, causing a black screen.

Comments

[H] Reader is an Unlock Xbox 2009 Top 8 Finalist

Longtime [H] forum member Jonah "ManCannon" Massey has been selected as one of the top 8 finalists for his original game idea "The Artifact." Jonah needs your vote to move on to the next stage and, as an added incentive, you can even win an Xbox 360 just for voting. Go vote!

I've been selected as one of the Top 8 in this year's Unlock Xbox contest. What this means is that out of 1500 entries, my game idea, The Artifact, has been selected as one of the eight best. Now it's up to America to vote in the Top 3, through Xbox Live and the Unlock Xbox website. So that's the short version. If you'd like to vote for me.

Eyefinity Not Using Active Adapter

I saw this post in the HardForum pointing to this WideScreenGaming forum thread. It is interesting because the OP is discussing using a passive DisplayPort to SVGA adapter in order to get 3x1 Eyefinity working. As we all know, an active adapter is required for successful DisplayPort to DVI Eyefinity. But it does certainly seem a less expensive passive adapter can be used for an SVGA connection. We pointed out the thread to Eyefinity Godfather Carrell Killebrew at AMD and this is some of what he had to say.

The capability was built-in to SunSp*t but as things got closer and closer to launch we had to focus on what we knew we could deliver (within that time-span). Where things ended up w.r.t VGA was that there were so many possible resolutions, refresh rates, older displays, etc. that we punted and declined to specify scenarios that could use VGA. There are modes in SunSp*t that are useful, but the number of possibilities vastly exceeds our ability to verify they all work.

There are "opportunities" to experiment and discover what does and doesn't work.

So while SVGA is not exactly what many Eyefinity users will find to be preferred due to technical limitations, it might get you into Eyefinity at a lower price point for the time being. Remember this is not officially supported by AMD, so your mileage may vary.

And yes, "SunSp*t" is Eyefinity's internal code name.

Ongoing Discussion.

[H]ardware Round-Up II

Cases & Modding

Fractal Design Define R2 System Enclosure @ Metku

In Win Maelstrom Full Tower Computer Case @ Tweaknews

NZXT Tempest EVO @ techPowerUP!

ETC.

Building a New PC Tutorial and Walkthrough (video) @ PCPer

Chrome Detailing: Previewing Google's New OS @ HotHardware

Using Thinkpads as Bus Seats

What is the best way to market a tough laptop? Install them in buses…as folding seats. Insert your own "takes an ass-beating" jokes here.

Comments

How NOT to Shop During The Holidays

Walking through the store with your arms out like Frankenstein smashing TVs as you murmur "hammer, hammer, hammer" repeatedly is not the best way to get your holiday shopping done.

A shopper reported seeing Eberle smashing TVs while saying "hammer" in a monotone. Another witness said Eberle was "walking like Frankenstein." Eberle led police on a chase through the store, taking swings at officers with the hammer.

Comments

People Complain More Online

And the "no duh" study of the day came to the conclusion that consumers complain more online than they do offline. The study also found that close to half of the people surveyed agreed with the statement "Online socializing is for sad, antisocial types."

"The more interactions happen online, with no direct offline contact, the more likely they are to tilt toward extreme behavior. It’s important to blend both online and offline elements," according to the "Social Life and Social Media" white paper.

Comments

Black Friday Sales Higher Online Than in Stores

It seems that Black Friday sales were higher online this year than they were in retail stores. Kinda makes you wonder how Cyber Monday sales totals will be this year.

Across all product categories, including electronics, spending at stores and Web sites from Nov. 26 to No. 29 rose a scant 0.5 percent to $41.2 billion from the year before, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). The biggest sales gains seem to have sprung up online, particularly for consumer electronics products.

Comments

Best Site of the 2000s

What kind of "best website list" doesn’t have the [H] listed? Sheesh!

Comments

eBay Fined $2.5M in French Perfume Case

Just to be clear, this perfume isn’t for sale on eBay for $2.5 million…it actually cost them that much. At least they didn’t have to pay the $61 million the perfume company was originally asking for.

The auction giant and its European unit were fined 1.7 million euros on Monday by the Commercial Court of Paris, which ruled that the company violated a 2008 court order by not preventing the sale of legitimate LVMH perfumes and cosmetics. LVMH's brands include Christian Dior, Guerlain, and Givenchy perfumes.

Comments

Gaming [H]eadlines

Aliens vs. Predator Trailer Talks Multiplayer @ Shacknews

Bill Gates' Future Of Computing Sounds Natal-y @ Kotaku

LittleBigPlanet Wins Big at the BAFTAs @ Joystiq

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands Announced @ VE3D