Andre Da Costa

Internet Explorer 7 x64 Release Candidate 1 - Now Available

2006-08-24T15:06:00Z

Overview

Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) Release Candidate 1 (RC1) has been designed to make everyday tasks easier, provide dynamic security protection and improve the development platform and manageability. End user improvements include a streamlined interface, tabbed browsing, printing advances, improved search functionality, instant feeds (RSS), dynamic security protection, and more.

Visit the Internet Explorer site for more information on IE7 RC1.

Download Internet Explorer 7 x64 here

You can download the x86 Editions here

A Closer Look at Windows Vista Build 5472 x64

2006-07-27T20:54:00Z

Starting in early 2007, Microsoft will launch the release of Windows Vista, its first major operating system upgrade since Windows XP (2001). The BETA 2 release of the OS I tested has shown tremendous improvements in areas such as stability, allowing for the ability to use it on a daily basis. Like its predecessor Windows XP, Vista has improved deployment options and device driver detection; these options have proven to be very user friendly and reduced the time it takes to get Windows up and running. Of course, Windows Vista is still rough around the edges and there is a lot to be said about the performance which is no where near that of Windows XP. A new feature User Access Control is sure to cause more annoyance than its intended purpose which is to protect users; Windows Vista will be available in six editions. ...(read more)

VistaBootPro 1.0 for Windows Vista

2006-05-16T05:19:00Z

VistaBootPRO is the first tweak-ware to be released for Windows Vista, but it's more than just that. When Microsoft first announced that they would not be providing anything easier than bcdedit.exe (a CLI-only tool with nested options and embedded tags) for the modification of the boot loader, we knew something had to be done, and now we're proud to announce that together with PROnetworks and months of hard work, planning, desiging, and researching have come to test with the initial release of VistaBootPRO.

Download HERE

I have been using this to edit and clean up my Windows Boot Manager and its been such a lifesaver, its graphical and you are gonna love it. Spread the news everyone. Thanks Computer Guru for developing this wonderful utility! :)

Extended64: Microsoft Windows XP x64 Edition: Year in Review

2006-04-27T00:40:00Z

Windows XP Professional x64 was released to market April 25^th, 2005. It has been one year since its release, how is it faring so far?

Adoption is a bit difficult to determine, but based on the strong newsgroup activity from persons in the Windows 64-bit General newsgroups, I would say it’s healthy. A majority of persons though will encounter issues when it comes to application and device driver compatibility. This continues to be ironed out as developers have gradually released updated drivers and workarounds to support existing applications and hardware devices.

A few enthusiast and help sites have popped up on the net also, catering to this release of Windows XP, all have been playing an important role in helping users with issues that they may encounter transitioning to or using the operating system.

The question posed by many about Windows XP x64, is it ready for the mainstream yet? My answer of course would be no. The release is probably a defining transition in Microsoft’s history, proving the Company’s agility and the ability to move with the times and conform to changes in the Computer industry. What some users must realize is, with those moves come a certain responsibility and sacrifice that needs to be made while transitioning to a new platform and developing to take advantage of a new architecture.

Read the rest here

ATI Driver Windows x64 Updates

2006-04-03T20:54:00Z

ATI has just released a new set of x64 driver for its graphic cards.
Download here

Navigate through the proper menus (start with x64 on the left pane) in order to download the drivers.

Thanks Carlos Atashian

Realtek Windows XP Professional x64 Drivers for Audio Chipsets

2006-04-03T20:51:00Z

Realtek has just released a new set of drivers (Win 98 all the way to x64) for their audio chipsets embedded in many popular mainboards.

Download here

Thanks Carlos Atashian

64-Bit Application availability and Updates - CPU Identification and Vedit Text Edition

2006-04-03T20:33:00Z

Crystal Dew World - CPU identification x64 version

Crystal Dew World (http://crystalmark.info/?lang=en) has released a newer x64
version of its CPU identification (and a bunch of other things) utility.
You can download it here

Vedit Text Editor Update

Vedit (http://www.vedit.com/) has released a new x64 version (v6.15.1) for
its text editor.
You can download it here

Thanks to Carlos Atashian for these.

Acronis True Image 9.1 Workstation - Now with 64-bit Windows Support

2006-03-19T22:00:00Z

Thanks to Paul M from the Windows 64-bit newsgroups for this notice.

"The complete disk imaging, system disk backup, and bare-metal restore solution for workstations

Acronis True Image Workstation provides your business with the most comprehensive, reliable, and cost-effective workstation protection. You can 1) backup an entire hard disk, including all the computer data, the operating system, and applications and 2) backup key files and folders on a system. With support for both 64-bit Windows and 32-bit Windows, you can rest assured that both old and new systems are protected."

Learn more about Acronis True Image 9 here

(BW) Winners of AMD-Sponsored '64 Second Film Contest' Demonstrate 'Waitlessness' is Possible

2006-02-16T23:30:00Z

From Chron

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2006--AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor-Based Digital Video/Audio "Dream System" and Other Prizes Awarded to Winners

AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the three winners in "The 64 Second Film Contest," a test of creativity and digital media development skill sponsored by AMD. The contest challenged contestants to express the concept of "Waitlessness" in a 64-second short film to help showcase how AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 dual-core processors "shatter the hourglass," by taking content creation and multimedia performance to a new level. Today's digital content creators are using AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processors to create more, while spending less time waiting for their computers to render videos and perform other multimedia tasks.

Read the rest here

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-007 - For Windows x64

2006-02-15T08:20:00Z

Vulnerability in TCP/IP Could Allow Denial of Service (913446)

Summary

Who should read this document: Customers who use Microsoft Windows

Impact of Vulnerability: Denial of Service

Maximum Severity Rating: Important

Recommendation: Customers should apply the update at the earliest opportunity.

Security Update Replacement: This bulletin replaces a prior security update. See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section of this bulletin for the complete list.

Caveats: None

Tested Software and Security Update Download Locations:

Affected Software:

•	Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 – Download the update
•	Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition – Download the update
•	Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 – Download the update
•	Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems – Download the update
•	Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition – Download the update
•	Note The security updates for Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition also apply to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2.

Open Zone Alarm 64-bit BETA Program

2006-02-15T00:34:00Z

Thanks to Patrick in the Windows 64-bit General Newsgroups for this.

"Hello Beta Testers,

Zone Labs is proud to announce our newest beta, designed specifically for 64 bit Operating Systems. Please note that this version should NOT be installed on a 32 bit Operating System!!!

This is an early look at our 64 bit version. This version is not fully stable, and you should not run it in a production environment.

I'm giving you the link now, but it won't be live for a few hours yet:

http://www.zonelabs.com/beta

This is an open preview version, so feel free to share the link with anyone else who would like to test it.

Marcus & Claus
For the Zone Labs Beta Team"

Windows Defender BETA 2 for Windows x64, now available!

2006-02-14T17:16:00Z

From Microsoft Downloads

Qoute:

"Brief Description

Windows Defender (Beta 2) is a free program that helps you stay productive by protecting your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

Overview

This release includes enhanced features that reflect ongoing input from customers, as well as Microsoft’s growing understanding of the spyware landscape.

Specific features of Windows Defender Beta 2 include:

A redesigned and simplified user interface – Incorporating feedback from our customers, the Windows Defender UI has been redesigned to make common tasks easier to accomplish with a warning system that adapts alert levels according to the severity of a threat so that it is less intrusive overall, but still ensures the user does not miss the most urgent alerts.
Improved detection and removal – Based on a new engine, Windows Defender is able to detect and remove more threats posed by spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Real Time Protection has also been enhanced to better monitor key points in the operating system for changes.
Protection for all users – Windows Defender can be run by all users on a computer with or without administrative privileges. This ensures that all users on a computer are protected by Windows Defender.
Support for 64-bit platforms, accessibility and localization - Windows Defender Beta 2 also adds support for accessibility and 64-bit platforms. Microsoft also plans to release German and Japanese localized versions of Windows Defender Beta 2 soon after the availability of the English versions. Use WindowsDefenderX64.msi for 64-bit platforms.

Download Windows Defender for Windows XP x86 (32-Bit) HERE
Download Windows Defender for Windows XP x64 (64-Bit) HERE

Microsoft IT Showcase: Microsoft.com Moves to x64 Version of Windows

2006-02-13T19:49:00Z

Brief Description

How Microsoft.com Upgraded Its Web Servers to the x64-based Hardware and Software Platform Technical discussion describing how the Microsoft.com operations team became an early adopter of a 64-bit version of Windows Server 2003, greatly increasing virtual memory allocations among other benefits.

Download here (Word Doc)

Why 64-Bit Is Good For E12

2006-01-26T22:21:00Z

Recently Microsoft announced that the next generation of Exchange server, codename E12, would ship in a 64-bit version only. This article will explain what 64-bit is, the benefits of moving E12 to the x64 architecture and what to look for when purchasing new hardware so that it will support E12 when it RTMs.

Read the rest here

Windows Vista x64 To Require Signed Drivers

2006-01-22T01:51:00Z

From Microsoft WHDC via OSNEWS

Quote:

For Windows Vista and later versions of the Windows family of operating systems, kernel-mode software must have a digital signature to load on x64-based computer systems.

This paper describes how to manage the signing process for kernel-mode code for Windows Vista, including how to obtain a Publisher Identity Certificate (PIC), guidelines for protecting keys, and how to sign a driver package by using tools that are provided in the Windows Driver Kit (WDK).

What this means for Windows Vista. To increase the safety and stability of the Microsoft Windows platform, beginning with Windows Vista:

•	Users who are not administrators cannot install unsigned device drivers.
•	Drivers must be signed for devices that stream protected content. This includes audio drivers that use Protected User Mode Audio (PUMA) and Protected Audio Path (PAP), and video device drivers that handle protected video path-output protection management (PVP-OPM) commands.
•	Unsigned kernel-mode software will not load and will not run on x64-based systems. Note: Even users with administrator privileges cannot load unsigned kernel-mode code on x64-based systems. This applies for any software module that loads in kernel mode, including device drivers, filter drivers, and kernel services.
•	To optimize the performance of driver verification at boot time, boot-driver binaries must have an embedded Publisher Identity Certificate (PIC) in addition to the signed .cat file for the package. Read the rest here