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Just upgraded to the latest version of the NVIDIA driver (285.62) for my media center (Asrock ION 330HT), and it certainly improved flash performance, but suddenly some of the AVI files would not play anymore. Instead it gave an error message about it cannot play the video, because it cannot open the file.

I tried to restart Windows 7 (64 bit), but it didn't fix the problem. I was able to play the files directly in the Windows Media Player, but it still failed when using Windows Media Center (MCE).

I tried to google it, but there was no direct hits. But suddenly I found a forum post about a similar problem and reverting to version 196.21 of the NVIDIA drivers solved all problems.

After downgrading to 196.21 then all my AVI files worked again, and flash performance was still good.

Microsoft have released the first service pack for Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2. It should be available through Windows Update.

There are the following notable changes for the Windows 7 users:

• Improved HDMI Audio Performance.
• Support for Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX), which allows use of 256 bit registers on newer processors.
• Improved Support for Advanced Format (512e) Storage Devices

More Info Documentation for Win7 and Win2008 R2 SP1 (KB976932)

Note after having installed SP1, then one can perform a Disk Cleanup and Clean up System files, and remove RTM versions of files that have been replaced by SP1. This will save space, but also remove the ability to uninstall SP1 again.

1. Right-click the drive where Windows 7 is installed and choose Properties
2. Press the "Disc Cleanup" button
3. Press the "Clean up System Files" button
4. Tick "Service Pack Backup Files"

Created a new website SnakeNest.com, where I'm planning to release the different small projects I'm working on.

Have now released the tail utility SnakeTail, that is also able to tail Windows EventLogs. No administrator rights are needed and it has faster startup than the standard Windows EventLog Viewer.

Have now put up a Windows 7 Service Guide, with a lot of help from the BlackViper.com website. It is pretty much the existing Vista Service Guide with some extra services (19 services in total).

Also added two small Win7 tips:

• Configure the taskbar in Windows 7. Credits WinGeek.com
• Make sidebar and gadgets work with UAC disabled. Credits MyDigitalLife.info

Btw. if using AVG 8.5 and is tired of the nagging popup-offer about upgrading from the free version to the full version, then it can be removed with the following steps:

1. Go the install folder of AVG and browse to the Notification folder:

   C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Notification

2. Create a new sub-folder called upgrade-oportunity-avg85:

   C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Notification\upgrade-oportunity-avg85

3. Move all files newer than the 1 July 2009 from the Notification folder to the upgrade-oportunity-avg85 folder. This should include files like:
   • style.css
   • upgrade-oportunity-avg85-message1.html
   • upgrade-oportunity-avg85-message2.html
   • upgrade-oportunity-avgavf85.gif
   • upgrade-oportunity-avgis85.gif

I guess the market for low price antivirus packages will disappear, when Microsoft release their own free product Security Essentials (Currently in beta stage).

First the important news, exactly one month ago (22 april) my girlfriend gave birth to my beautiful daughter Kia. Now most of the things in my life have a different priority than before.

In other news Microsoft have released the second service pack for their infamous Windows Vista. Right now it is only available for MSDN and Technet subscribers, but it will soon be available at Windows Update. Looked through the list of hotfixes included in the service pack, and it is mostly fixes to rare bugs, but there are some few interesting fixes:

• Faster reconnect to wireless networks after waking from power saving sleep mode.
• Support for recording data to Blu-Ray media.
• Support for Bluetooth 2.1 features.
• Faster file transfering between Windows Vista machines on high bandwidth network.
• Less audio stutter when playing music, while performing file transfers on high bandwidth network.
• Windows Media Center now work better with TV tuners.
• Removed limit of only 10 half open TCP connections simultaneously. More Info MS KB 969710

Note after having installed SP2, then one can run Compcln.exe to remove RTM and SP1 versions of files there are replaced by SP2. This will save space, but also remove the ability to uninstall SP2 again.

More Info Notable Changes in Windows Server 2008 SP2 and Windows Vista SP2
More Info Hotfixes and Security Updates in Windows Server 2008 SP2 and Windows Vista SP2

Update 26 May 2009 -The service pack is now freely available for all.