Category Archives: The Technology World

Everything tech. Even how-to’s, tutorials and shit like that.

My Kindle Fire


I’m a bit old-fashioned — not too hyped about Androids or whatever. I still have my LGCU500 flip phone and it doesn’t have texting, video calling, etc. It just answer and receive calls and I’m fine with that. I decided that my first purchase into the new touch-activated world will be a Kindle Fire. I figured if I’m going to buy a pad of some sort, it’s going to do something besides listen to music and record video/take pictures. The Kindle Fire is perfect for me because I love reading. Although touch panels are something I need to get used too, I think I can adjust.

The Kindle Fire is a bit heavy and a little on the bulky side; downloading Pandora takes up a lot of space but I don’t necessairly need that. The browser though is fantastic and finding and joining a network is very easy.  The battery life is decent, so no complaints there. Best of all, I can play games on it (like Angry Birds) and to me that’s a plus. I didn’t want to make this blog out to be a review but I had to put what I think of the Kindle Fire out there, just in case someone wants to buy one. All in all, the Kindle Fire is very easy to use and you’ll like using it. Oh, by the way, I can go to the library with my Kindle and borrow books with it instead of taking out actual books. That really sold me when I found that out.

Cheers!

Console Gamers are so Judgmental

Sometimes I wonder if people think before they speak. It’s okay to be a console only gamer but to be judgmental towards PC gamers with no prior knowledge is pretty insulting to me. It’s always the ones that never owned a gaming PC a day in their lives — never saw one either that always have something to say. “PC gaming is dying”, I rather use a controller than a mouse and keyboard”, blah, blah, blah! One, PC gaming isn’t dying, and two, you can use a controller on any and every game; you can even use a controller to browse your computer. I didn’t want to end this year blogging about this subject again but enough is enough. Yea, I know I’m wasting my time but ‘my time’ are the operative words. I would like to see beautiful graphics and processing speeds on a console of 2012 on a 2005-2006 consoles — without upgrading that is. People think you have to upgrade your computer specs every time something new comes out. That’s not true, if you do it right the first time, you shouldn’t have to upgrade your computer for the next 3-4 years. The money people wasted on a Blu-ray player that just so happens to play video games I can buy the parts to make a cheaper gaming rig. I’d prefer to sit down and relax to play video games than flailing my arms, risking punching someone else or myself in the throat with my hand. Let’s not get on the accidents people have caused from playing the Wii. Low and played out blows to consoles I know but they are very valid. After awhile there’s only so much kicking someone in the shins or watching over-priced DVD‘s you can do before you’re no better than playing them on a PC.

I believe “PC gaming is dying” is a cop-out; scapegoat for those who are naïve on the subject. The foolishness needs to stop. Knowledge is power and once you get in the know, then you can have an opinion on PC gaming. A lot of games which at first were PC exclusives were influenced for consoles, yes that’s where most gamers are at the moment, that because people think you have to use a mouse and keyboard (which is in fact the worst way to play a video game besides Minecraft) for all the games, or the fact that what’s on the console is more enticing than what’s on the PC.

If it wasn’t for PC’s, you wouldn’t have console games. Which brings me to my next part of my rant. These console ported pieces of crap these developers is doing; let me just say, I’m not happy about that. Make the damn PC game first and THEN the console game, why do things ass-backwards?

Anyway, if you’re going to be a PC gamer bashing console fan-boy/fan-girl, at least be educated and bring the facts to the table and not some biased opinion because you’re too lazy to think outside of the box for once in your life. Give PC gaming a try before bash PC gaming, otherwise, you’ll look stupid.

Also, before I close…Alieware and the like does not count as far as “expensive gaming” goes. Only a dummy would buy them pieces of over-priced crap — especially now that Dell took over.

Dead Island: My Game Crashes At Loading Screen

First how many items did you give Jin? If your game save file is over 10260 then Houston, you have a problem. That’s usually the cause behind your Dead Island gaming crashing to desktop without an error message. Well below – first let me say this is for advanced users only. As of this moment until this glitch is fixed and you’re impatient this is the only solution to getting your game back in working order.

This is a complicated fix and worked. Make sure you back-up your original save file some where outside of the games save folder.

Programs needed:

  1. Winrar or Winzip or something similar to these programs.
  2. Any free hex editor.
  3. Gzip [to zip back up].

Start new game with the same character you used in your crashed game. (ACT 1). Remember which save game is which.
‘save_0′ is the first game created. ‘save_0.sav’ is just a zipped file extension. Win-rar will unzip ‘save_0.sav’ into ‘save_0′ [with no file extension].

In this example [actual save numbers may be different in your case].
save_0: Original save.
save_1: New game you made.

What you need to do now is as follows:

  1. Open save_0 and save_1 in a hex editor.
  2. You will see a bunch of zeros toward the end. After the mob of zeros you will see an 18 followed by more characters.
  3. In the original save delete 18 and everything afterwards.
  4. In the new save, take the hex from the same area and copy and paste where it was in the original. What this does is resets your quest but the file size should be small enough to run the game.
  5. Remember take info from the new game to the original and make sure you have a copy that hasn’t been touched
  6. Use Gzip to zip the save_0 to save_0.gz.
  7. Rename save_0.gz to save_0.sav.

Dead Island: Can’t See Any Servers [Solution]

Hi I have recently discovered a way after hours on end trying to solve my problem of Not being able to see any servers in the Game Lobby. If you’re reading this I’m assuming you have already followed all the how to play Dead Island  Co-Op guides and have update 3 installed.

FAQ

  • Q: Why is my Game Lobby greyed out? I can’t click it.
    • A: That is because your steam_appid.txt isn’t on read only. To fix this go to where you installed Dead Island, in my case it’s C:\Program Files (x86)\Dead Island find steam_appid.txt → Right Click it → Properties → tick read-only → press okay. Make sure the appid is 57940.

If you started a profile already and would like to keep the save file, what you’ll have to do is go to your steam install directory.

For me it’s C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\. Click the folder ‘userdata’. For me it’s C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata. Next, click each folder and find the one with your previous appid. If you changed from 13140 → 57940 and would like to keep the save files you had you find 13140 in the folders. After you click into it you should see remote\out\.

Before migrating the files you need to finish ACT 1 and save a character. After you do that then you copy the folders profiles and saves and paste it into 57940\remote\out run the game and you should be able to click Game Lobby.

Note: Make sure you select LAN and not Internet.

  • Q: I can’t see any games in Game Lobby.
    • A:
      1. Go to your steam install dir. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\.
      2. Delete clientregistry.blob.
      3. Go to your Dead Island install dir. C:\Program Files (x86)\Dead Island\.
      4. Find steam_appid.txt Right Click → Properties → Untick Read-Only.
      5. Edit steam_appid.txt and change whatever 5 digit number in there to 57940.
      6. steam_appid.txt Right Click → Properties → tick Read-Only.
      7. Go to Network and Sharing click change adapter settings press ALT click Advanced → Advanced Settings then change your Wireless or Local Area Connection to the TOP.
      8. Restart your computer, boot up Tunngle join Dead Island channel, boot up smart steam, boot up Dead Island, press ESC click Game Lobby and you’re good to go!
  • Q: I have done all of that and I still can’t see my friends game or vice versa.
    • A: You should be able to see other players’ game on Tunngle, tell your friend to make a new character and see if you can see him or he can see you.

Dead Island: How to Play in Co-Op Mode via Smart Steam & Tunngle

Please have in mind that there is a very small chance to be VAC banned because u have made changes to these files so I recommend using a new Steam account and choose in-game options → Online VAC secured game to NONE and when you play co-op play it with people who are also disabled this option!

Camera FOV Mode:

This mod changes camera degree [default is 62.5] to 82.5 for better view!

Installation:

  1. Go to: Dead Island → DI and find file “Data0.pak”, open it using Winrar than open Data folder and find ‘skills’ folder, inside find file called ‘default_levels.xml‘ and un-pack it to desktop.
  2. Open this file using notepad, than scroll a little down and find string “< prop n=”CameraDefaultFOV” v=”62.5″/ >” and change number to 82.5 and save it.
  3. Go to Dead Island → DI → out and create a folder named ‘data’.
  4. Inside this folder, create another folder called ‘skills’ put the file ‘default_levels.xml‘ you was edited.

Strong fists MOD + Fists skill experience bonus:

    • Very funny mod, with this you don’t need any weapon.

Installation:

Go to: Dead Island → DI and find file ‘Data0.pak’, open it using Winrar.

Open Data folder and find the ‘skills’ folder; inside find the file called ‘default_levels.xml‘ and unpack it to desktop. Open this file using notepad, than scroll a little down and find these strings:

<prop n=”FistsAnalogFight” v=”1″/>

<prop n=”FistsDamageMul” v=”0″/>

<prop n=”FistsForceMul” v=”0″/>

<prop n=”FistsAttackSpeedMul” v=”0″/>

<prop n=”FistsCriticalChance” v=”0″/>

<prop n=”FistsCriticalDmgMul” v=”0″/>

<prop n=”FistsCritSevereLimbProb” v=”0.2″/>

<prop n=”FistsKillExperienceBonus” v=”0″/>

Changes need to look like this:

<prop n=”FistsAnalogFight” v=”1″/>

<prop n=”FistsDamageMul” v=”100″/>

<prop n=”FistsForceMul” v=”1000″/>

<prop n=”FistsAttackSpeedMul” v=”400″/>

<prop n=”FistsCriticalChance” v=”40″/>

<prop n=”FistsCriticalDmgMul” v=”0″/>

<prop n=”FistsCritSevereLimbProb” v=”0.2″/>

<prop n=”FistsKillExperienceBonus” v=”1000″/>

Next, go to Dead Island → DI → out and then create a new folder named ‘Data’, inside create another folder called ‘skills’ and put the file called ‘default_levels.xml‘ you just edited.

Some interesting thing I found, a program called ‘Dead Island Helper v.1.5‘ you can see more on here: click here to see more

Download Dead Island Helper v.1.5

Install Notes:

  1. Simply extract it any where its convenient [It doesn’t have to be your Dead Island folder], and run the program.
  2. Run program.
  3. Right click on the icon in the task-bar and choose ‘Change your Dead Island Game Folder‘ and choose where you installed the game.
  4. Tweak game.

Program Fixes:

  • Tweaks have been split up and categorized. The result is a cleaner interface and an easier time finding the tweaks you want.
  • Alternate settings folder support. You can now switch between My Documents and your game folder, if you’re finding that the tweaks aren’t working
  • Added the following tweaks:
    • Disable event logging.
    • Disable in-game voice.
    • Enable simple shadows.
  • Video.scr is read-only or writable and the ability to easily switch between these settings.
  • The program should now prompt the user for administrative privileges.
  • Renamed the keystroke repetition feature to make its usefulness more obvious.
  • Corrected a typo with the field of view settings.
  • Added a close menu option along with exit program.
  • Various checks and balances for missing files and directories.
  • Added a passive check for the micro-stutter fix so it only limits keyboard repetition while Dead Island is running.
  • Fixed a potential memory leak in the file extraction routine.

If you want to further improve graphic settings:

Go to your game installation folder open DI → out → settings and with notepad open file called ‘Video.scr’.

Here u can tweak settings:

  • Resolution: [choose your resolution].
  • Monitor: [0].
  • BPP: [24].
  • FSAA:[16].
  • TexBPP: [32].
  • Texture Quality: [High].
  • Filtering: [Anisotropic Trilinear].
  • Fullscreen.
  • Shadows: [High]
  • Shadow Map Size: [409]. You can choose from 512-1024-2048-4096.
  • Spot Shadow Map Size [4096]. You can choose from 512-1024-2048-4096.
  • Light Maps.
  • Gamma Float: [1.00].
  • Max Refresh: [60].
  • Material Quality: [Low].
  • FX Quality: [High].
  • FX Fade Level: [Low].
  • Water Quality: [Low].
  • Grass Quality [Low].
  • Env Quality: [Static] – FullDynamic, RareDynamic, Static [your choice].
  • Shader Path: [5] – 0 – 1.1, 1 – 1.4, 2 – 2.0, 3 – 3.0, 4 – x360, 5 – 4.0, 6 – ps3.
  • Display Device Type: (0,0.000000,1.000000,1.000000,1.000000).

Update 1

click here to download files

Steam, Smartsteam, Files to replace .exe file, Tunngle setup, Multiplayer fix and update and readme file.

click here to download files

Please follow instructions below:

  1. Install game.
  2. After that open “Dead Island_Update1_SP_COOP.rar” folder and un-rar files and copy them to your installation folder where u installed the game and replace files.
  3. Install Steam from ‘Steam’ folder, let it update and create new account [If u already don't have any].
  4. Open “Smartsteam” folder and copy all files to: C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam and make a shortcut of Smartsteam on your desktop [because you will use Smartsteam and not the original steam].
  5. Run Smartsteam and go to games.
  6. Add a non-steam game → browse and find your deadisland.exe in installation folder, check the box and go “add selected programs”.
  7. [If you're in a different region - follow this step] Go to steam settings → downloads → cloud and pop up ‘download region’ menu and choose your region, after that minimize smart steam; don’t close it.
  8. Install Tunngle, create account [if u already don't have one], then go to search network ‘Dead Island’, when u find it just double-click to open it.
  9. Create desktop shortcut of deadisland.exe from your game directory and run it as administrator, when u start game in lower right corner u will see Steam logo.
  10. To be able to play co-op mode, go to settings

While in-game:

  • Game Type: Cooperative
  • Game Visibility: LAN
  • Public Slots: Make your choice.

11. Go to ‘Play’ and when u finish the first level (Act 1 ) you will be able to play co-op mode, just press ESC [or start] button and choose game lobby to find people to play with.

IMPORTANT:

If u are already played game and wasn’t able to play coop after patching game with this files i give u , u will lost all saves so u need to start all over again.

If u have problems with save game after restarting Smartsteam try:

  1. Completely uninstall Steam.
  2. Delete what was left in the folder.
  3. Clear registry with CCleaner.
  4. Create new account on Steam.
  5. Install Steam again and copy SmartSteam files.
  6. Add Dead Island to Non-Steam games.

Update 2 [remember with changing updates u will probably lost your save progress] – u need to have Update 1 first, than apply Update 2!

I found this update and really don’t know how it works and if it works, but people saying that co-op working and some want next updates so…

Click here to download update 2 password: SALFARK

Install Notes:

  1. Extract to game installation folder and overwrite when ask.
  2. Start Smartsteam → Steam [Blank new account or existing one].
  3. Start the Game with → DeadIslandGame.exe [Right click as admin].
  4. Play.

CHANGES [Not tested]:

  • Fixed co-op LAN issues and weird text problems..

Update 3

[Remember with changing updates u will probably lost your save progress] – you need to have Update 1 and Update 2 first, than apply Update 3!

I found this update and really don’t know how it works and if it works, but people saying that co-op working.

Click here to download update 3

Install Notes:

  1. Extract to game installation folder and overwrite when ask.
  2. This archive doesn’t have steam_appid.txt file [you have it with previous update] but if you don’t have it create one using notepad and put number 57940 and save it as steam_appid.txt [make sure you right-click and deselect 'read-only' THEN change the number to 57940 then go back and cut 'read-only' back on so Steam doesn't overwrite the file].
  3. Start game with → DeadIsland.exe.
  4. Play.

Dead Island: Can’t See Any Servers [Solution]

Shame on MagicISO

I’m doing a service to anyone who truly hates trying to open .uif files…

The Chinese program called MagicISO has created the .uif format in the 2006 and, exactly like PowerISO already did at the beginning of that year, this format has been slowly started to be used to re-diffuse copyrighted material through BitTorrent… with the right effect that anyone hates this format (which is totally useless and, being closed, it should be NOT used on file sharing networks).

This is a shameful marketing strategy made by the same author of MagicISO (a certain Gang JiaPing) for forcing the users who download these torrents to buy and use his program.

These facts have been confirmed just recently due to the introduction of various senseless encryption mechanisms in the UIF files released on BitTorrent, all encryption which have nothing to do with the .uif format but have been inserted only for trying to avoid the usage of my UIF2ISO alternative without success.

For example the recent 5.5.272 version of MagicISO has introduced well “8″ customized encryption algorithms plus other modifications JUST with the target of making the .uif format unreadable [again without success, look at UIF2ISO 0.1.6] and has also introduced support for the .daa image format.

Unfortunately most of the code used by MagicISO for handling the .daa format has been “taken” from my other open source DAA2ISO tool violating my GPL license and showing how “unprofessional” is the author of that program: HERE.

Luckily that code which was copied was old and not compatible with the newer versions of the DAA format so it fails to handle these files correctly. My best suggestion is to spread the voice about the shameful actions of MagicISO and its author and avoiding to download or keep the seeding of torrents of .uif or .daa images.

And remember that UIF2ISO has been created only for supporting the .uif format and not for playing “cat and mouse” with an idiot who modifies this stupid zipped format each time for becoming the only program able to read it.

Do not download MagicISO!

MotionJoy Controller Emulation

By Adam

Gamepads For PC Games That Only Support 360 Controller

I’ve seen a lot of people who have had problems with using the joystick of there choice working in games that only support the 360 controller. Previously I used the Xbox 360 Controller Emulator ( x360ce ) however support has disappeared.

MotionJoy is the best choice here is a list of Gamepads that i’ve personally tested

Microsoft Brand Xbox Controller S Type

Generic Brand Xbox Controller S Type

Sony PS3 Controller

Generic PS3 Controller

Sony PS2 Controller

Generic PS2 Controller

I’ve heard Logitech, Dreamcast and other console controllers work comment to let know about anyother controller you get working with MotionJoy.

MotionJoy’s Drivers are signed so 64 bit users dont need to disable driver signature enforcement.

Click here to download Motionjoy Emulator

For more blogs like this, visit my husbands website.

The Sims 3 Unleashed [Pets] Features

Hello fellow simmers. Asilee.com has redirected this blog to the official Sims blog.
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Asilee Sims

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The Sims 3 Unleashed [Pets] Trailer

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Asilee Sims

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The Sims 3 Generations Patch

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Asilee Sims

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The Sims 3: Generations Glitches, Bugs, & Errors

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Asilee Sims

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The Sims 3: Official EA Download Links for *Cumulative* Manual Updates

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Asilee Sims

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The Sims 3: Generations [New Expansion Pack - Out May 31st]

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Asilee Sims

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2010 in review [Asilee.com]

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog [Asilee.com] did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

Healthy blog!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

Featured image

A helper monkey made this abstract painting, inspired by your stats.

The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed over 2,000,000 times in 2010. If it were an exhibit at The Louvre Museum, it would take 86 days for that many people to see it.

In 2010, there were 136 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 532 posts. There were 93 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 19mb. That’s about 2 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was March 4th with 46,078 views. One of the most popular posts that day was The Sims 3: Ambitions Expansion Pack [Trailer].

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were search-results.com, reddit.com, stumbleupon.com, forum.thesims3.com, and google.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for sims 3 glitches, sims 3 teenage pregnancy cheat, sims 3 problems, left 4 dead 2 weapons list, and the orange splat.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

The Sims 3: Ambitions Expansion Pack [Trailer] March 2010
3 comments

2

The Sims 3: Teen Woohoo, Pregnancy, Marriage Mod [Available for 1.4 Updated Patch] September 2009
64 comments

3

List of The Sims 3 Glitches & Bugs June 2009
1045 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,

4

The Sims 3 Issues, Glitches, Patches, Mods June 2009
699 comments

5

The Sims 3: Type of Plants, Where You Can Get Them, Value, & Tips & Tricks June 2009
52 comments and 2 Likes on WordPress.com

Hanns-G Monitors and Windows XP Help

I recently bought me a 25″ Hanns-G monitor. It works great and I’m currently using XP. When I hooked up the monitor to my graphics card, my computer was still on. I restarted the computer and it came on when the computer loaded up. If you have a graphics card and you’re using Windows XP, and your monitor isn’t working, try restarting the computer. XP should automatically configure your new monitor. The disc that the latest models come with are usually for Windows 7 and Windows Vista, use that only if you have that OS. It will not work for Windows XP. You shouldn’t need to do anything.

The only thing now is to tweak the contrast settings [I had to do that]. If your monitor have speakers you can use your HDMI to DVI cable then go into the volume settings and switch it back from [said audio drivers] to the one you’re familiar with. It should be in the drop down menu.

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