Tag Archives: Software

How to Block Wallpaper Changing via Group Policy

So one of the things that pisses you off if your an admin is people changing the desktop image on computers even though you have set all the options to stop it. Well it turns out that even if you disable access to the settings you can still use a browser to change the image.

The best solution for this is to go into a group policy “User Config\Administrative Templates\Desktop\Active Desktop\Active Desktop Wallpaper” and set it to a non-valid image file. (Something none existent another words)

This should be all that needs to be done, even if the user changes the image next time they logon it’s goon again.

Removing Windows Wallpaper on 2000 and XP machines?

QuickTime Alternative 3.0.1 MSI Installer

A new version of Quicktime Alternative is available, version 3.0.1. Here is the new MSI file for deployment. If you want the normal QuickTime Alternative package it can be found at Codec Guide. The previous version was 2.92.

MSI Installer Downloads:

Details on the build process can be found here at my first MSI installer for Real Alternative 1.75, the process for producing a QuickTime Alternative MSI installer is exactly the same as a Real Alternative MSI installer. As always you should actively virus scan these files if you don’t trust them. If you have any issues please post them in the comments with the appropriate version.

Real Alternative 2.0.1 MSI Installer

A new version of Real Alternative is available, version 2.0.1. Here is the new MSI file for deployment. If you want the normal Real Alternative package it can be found at Codec Guide. The previous version was 2.0.0.

MSI Installer Downloads:

Details on the build process can be found here at my first MSI installer for Real Alternative 1.75. As always you should actively virus scan these files if you don’t trust them. If you have any issues please post them in the comments with the appropriate version.

Left 4 Dead 2 – Censored Vs Uncensored Video

The video above is a demonstration of the differences between the Uncut version of Left 4 Dead 2 and the Australian Censored version.

The details below are copied from the Youtube video description, lots of good details in this:

<Copypasta>
Video Comparison Between The Uncut version of Left4Dead2 and the Australian “Low Violence” version.

According to the classification board report, the modified version removes considerable amounts of gore from gameplay.
The board notes that the game no longer contains depictions of decapitation, dismemberment, wound detail or piles of dead bodies lying about the environment, the report said.

No wound detail is shown and the implicitly dead bodies and blood splatter disappear as they touch the ground.


EDIT: ALSO CONFIRMED (30.10.09)
But was unable to get footage of at time of making

Infected don’t actually Catch Fire in cut version (Except the Tank) however they still die in the flames.
NO Blood splatters on the screen
NO RIOT COP uncommon common in AUS release (violence against authority figures)
(and if you play with a person who has the cut version even if you dont, the riot cop will not spawn)
Pipebomb Explosion is Similar however the bodies ragdoll off and vanish in midair with out gibbing almost instantly


For those not in the know, the reason this game had 2 be modified to be released in Australia is because we don’t have a R18+ rating for games here in Australia. To have one introduced, all the states have to agree that they want one, all states have said yes to this, except SA (Michael Atkinson). So it is one man stopping the rest of us getting? an R18+ rating, So seeing as MA15+ is the highest we have got, the OFLC have no choice and the game must be modified to fit into that category if it is to be released here, otherwise its the ban hammer and the game gets Refused Classification(RC). So its not Valves Fault, Its not the OFLC’s fault its not the governments fault… its Michael Atkinson‘s Fault.

His Excuse is that he doesn’t think we need one and that if we don’t have one the? children wont get introduced into Violent Video Game, He thinks he is protecting the children, however when you think about it he is doing the opposite, by refusing to have a R18+ rating he is making it so that games that would have otherwise been rated as R18+ are being modified to? fit into the MA15+ rating therefore introducing those games to an even younger generation than would have been whilst at the same time punishing the rest of us by censoring the game and making a choice that should be ours for us.
We Should be allowed to play this as we want, in the uncensored version you have the option to disable gore if wanted.


EDIT: FIX (31.10.09)

There is a small fix for those that are fed this censored garbage, those that want to give it a try details are in the link below, HOWEVER take note of the following before you do so.

NOTE: You can only play with other people using the same ID (510). (you can only play with others who have done this fix also, limiting your possible teammates)
NOTE: this fix may not be permanent. This seems like it’ll only be temporary.
NOTE: May have an affect on your Gameplay Statistics and Achievements as this makes steam think you are playing a different game. (May Not save them)
NOTE: You’ll have to launch the game through the left4dead2.exe instead of through Steam. Steam will disconnect you immediately

</Copypasta>

QuickTime Alternative 2.92 MSI Installer

A new version of Quicktime Alternative is available, version 2.92. Here is the new MSI file for deployment. If you want the normal QuickTime Alternative package it can be found at Codec Guide. The previous version was 2.90.

MSI Installer Downloads:

Details on the build process can be found here at my first MSI installer for Real Alternative 1.75, the process for producing a QuickTime Alternative MSI installer is exactly the same as a Real Alternative MSI installer. As always you should actively virus scan these files if you don’t trust them. If you have any issues please post them in the comments with the appropriate version.

Watch the Trackbacks for the next version, or subscribe to my RSS Feed.

Battlefield 2 Update v1.50 on The 1st September

Battlefield 2 v1.50 is finally finished and will be released on Tuesday 1st September 2009 at 5pm UK time. (It’s about freakin time)

I must say though we must at least thank EA for makeing the effort to release a patch to a game thats 3 years old now, and while I havn’t played for a few months now I will probably give it another go once the patch is out and return to some more heavy play sessions over Friday nights and weekends to see how the games has improved. (or failed misurably and become worse)

List of Features, Tweaks and Bug Fixes being added to the game:

  • Additional support for Windows Vista
  • Added Highway Tampa as a required map
  • Added a new map “Operation Blue Pearl”
  • Added Euro Force and Armored Fury as free to play content for all Battlefield 2 players
  • Added Widescreen support
  • Added support for the Novint Falcon controller
  • Allowed BF2.exe to use more than 2Gb RAM
  • Changes made to both the J10 and F35B to make them more balanced
  • AA targeting tweaked to make it more effective
  • Added checks to prevent “runway grieving”
  • Various changes made to prevent cheating
  • Tweaked the hit detection, hits will be more accurate to the model
  • Occasional connection drops after being on a server a couple of minutes – Fixed
  • Prevented use of mouse wheel to provide speed boost to vehicles
  • Prevented use of mouse wheel to exploit parachutes
  • Players can now pass claymores by going prone
  • Update the HUD on TV Guided missiles to increase visibility on maps like Dragon Valley
  • Added Battlefield 2142 style prone deviation (going prone will now cause reduced accuracy for a brief period)
  • Fixed the issue where picking up a players kit would cause CTD
  • Updated BF2OpenAL.dll from version 1.1.1.0 to version 2.1.8.1
  • Updated ch_gas_station collision mesh on Dragon Valley to be consistent with other gas station buildings
  • Fixed the issue where MEC artillery piece on Operation Clean Sweep changes to the USMC’s control when they capture the Airfield flag
  • Updated the Challenger2 HUD to show the correct icon instead of the M1A2 HUD icon
  • Changed a PLA FAV to MEC FAV on Road to Jalalabad
  • Tweaked the artillery respawn time on Dragon Valley for to 360 seconds as other artillery uses
  • Included a delay after weapon switch for the Bizon (PP-19) to 0.666
  • Updated the F35B’s lock delay to 1 second instead of 1.5 seconds to match other aircraft
  • Changed the Humvee camo on Taraba Quarry to be the correct design
  • Increased the splash damage of the UH-60 (Black Hawk) guns from 0.25 to 1.5
  • Updated the G36E HUD to react the same as other weapons during sprint