BurnAware is a program for burning files to CD/DVD.

It can burn DVD Video discs and Audio CD’s as well. Supports multi-session and can save (not from discs in the freeware edition) and write ISO images.

There is a Home Edition available which has more features but is a bit expensive is you ask me.

Look at this comparison table to learn about the differences between freeware and paid versions.

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Yesterday Realtek released a minor update of it HD audio drivers.

This is very unusual since they normally release major versions only. Maybe there was something buggy in the previous Vista release.

Unattended usage:

setup.exe -s -f2<path\LogFile> -z[-rp<path\LogFile>]
example:
setup.exe -s -f2C:\mylog.log -z[-rpC:\RHDSetup.log]

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Microsoft published today a list of some applications that currently are having problems with SP1 installed.

Most notably, this list includes Trend Micro Internet Security, Zone Alarm Security Suite and BitDefender Internet Security. However the knowledge base article KB935796 states that there are newer versions on the developer’s websites.

If you use some of the applications, verify that you are running the latest version before installing SP1 in order to avoid incompatibilities or lost of functionality.

This is not the first time i post about this great little program.

It can help you clean your computer from temporary files, browser’s cache and other useless files. Comes with a registry error fixer and program uninstaller.

Note:

Remember to choose other builds in the downloads page in order to avoid the setup that comes bundled with Yahoo! toolbar. I recommend to download the portable build.

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Defraggler is a freeware utility from the developers of CCleaner and Recuva. Its a defragmentation tool for hard drives.

It can defragment individual files as well as entire hard drives.

Website Download

Another update for Realtek HD Audio.

Unattended usage:

setup.exe -s -f2 -z[-rp ]
example:
setup.exe -s -f2C:\mylog.log -z[-rpC:\RHDSetup.log]

Download

A week ago i got the RTM release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1. Its the stand-alone installer.

Today i made some backups in my laptop to install it but things got frustating enough. First, the setup ran for about 3 housr and in the end, i got this error code: 0xC004F013.

I unplugged my external hard disk drive and my wireless mouse, stopped some services of programs i use and tried the SP1 setup again. The installation ran for about 80 min and i got the same error code at the end: 0xC004F013.

After thinking this over and searching Microsoft KB for some information i ended without any hint of a solution.

I also ran Vista’s System File Checker tool and Vista’s Memory Diagnostics but nothing was wrong with my system.

Then, i read here that some guy was having the same problem as me. He uninstalled Update KB941649 and reported that the installation of SP1 went smoothly afterwards.

I read the installation logs and figured that the same update was preventing SP1 from installing correctly.

I uninstalled i tried the SP1 setup again. After almost an hour (average installation time according to numerous reports) the setup ended successfully.

Now that i have SP1 installed will make some benchmarks, try some programs and will post my experience.

After i return to my home (im visitting my parents this weekend) i will install it on my desktop computer but from a fresh install without updates being installed first to streamline the whole experience.

So, if you encourter this same error code, try uninstalling that update first and then try the setup again.

According to Microsoft release notes for SP1, there are a total of 551 fixes.

Here’s a list of the updates included in the service pack separated by category:

Fixes Category
75 Internet Explorer
41 Sleep/Hibernation & Power Management
38 Storage
35 Hardware and Drivers
35 Networking
28 Desktop and Shell
25 Printing & Scanning Technologies
25 .NET Framework, Data Components, Development Tools
24 Setup, Deployment, Backup, and Activation
24 Windows Media Center
23 International/Localization
20 Computer Management, Administration, and Tools
19 Application Compatibility
19 Multimedia
16 Performance and Reliability
16 Startup/Shutdown
13 Time Zone/Daylight Saving Time
13 Windows Media Player and Related Technologies
12 Security
12 Remote Access, VPN
8 IIS and WebDAV issues
7 Wireless Networking
7 Offline Files
6 Windows Mail and Web-based Software
5 Windows Sidebar and SideShow
5 Windows Portable Devices