Can't play Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Online with 1.04 Patch [Solution]

If you're having problems with C & C Generals Zero Hour online whereby you can connect after applying the 1.04 patch but you cannot play against other players due to having a "different version"; it is more than likely you have applied a no cd crack.

The solution to this is to ...

1) Uninstall C & C Generals Zero Hour (not Generals, just Zero Hour).

2) Then visit the EA Games folder where you installed Zero Hour (default is C:\ Program Files \ EA Games \ Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour) and delete the entire directory "Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour". If you cannot delete it due to write permissions or access denied; simply reboot your computer and then you should be able to.

3) Re-install C & C Generals Zero Hour. After installation apply the 1.04 patch (either by downloading it yourself from here, or by going in-game, then online and applying it that way).

4) To apply the no cd crack correctly so you can play others online download the no cd crack from here (the one named "C&C Generals: Zero Hour v1.04 [ENGLISH] No-CD/Fixed EXE").

Once downloaded copy across the 'generals.exe' only to your Zero Hour directory and over-write once prompted.

Do not copy across the 'game.dat' (about 6.2mb); simply delete it as this is the file which caused the initial problem.

5) Load Zero Hour and you should be able to play online against other users now.

Cannot download Flight Plan in vroute? [Solution]

Hi all,

Not sure if any of you out there are flight sim enthusiasts; probably some of you are!

If like me you've recently had problems whereby you've chosen a flight; selected export, chosen your flight time and aircraft, date etc ... then clicked on the button which creates the FP ... only to have internet explorer open and suddenly close ... there is another way to download the flight plan :)

Simply right click on the link within vroute and select 'Save target as ...'; then save the flight plan to your flight plan folder and away you go as normal.

hope this helps someone because it irritated me for hours today.

Recommended PC Gaming Headsets [Plantronics Only] Comparison

Hi all,

Today I'm doing a post on PC Gaming Headsets by Plantronics; including a basic comparison.

I've listed these in order of lowest price to highest price.

Firstly though let's confirm the technical jargon and what the differences are:

1) Difference between Closed-ear and Open-ear

In general, closed ear designs cup closer to the ear and block out more noise (and arguably better bass), although some users find the open ear designs, which allow more air flow, to be more comfortable.

So, in summary:

Closed-Ear Headsets:

• Fit closer to the ear (reducing air flow)
• Block out more background noise
• Prevent others from hearing your headphones
• Provide better bass

Plantronics Closed-Ear Headsets: Gamecom 367

Open-Ear Headsets:

• Allow air-flow around the ears
• Many find the air-flow more comfortable (though it's matter of taste)
• Allow you to hear some background noises
• Allow others to partially here your headphones

Plantronics Open-Ear Headsets: Gamecom 380 and Gamecom 780

2) Difference between USB and Audio Jack connectivity

There are two types of connectivity to your PC / Mac. There is USB and Audio Jack.

USB you should be easily aware of by now because majority of peripherals such as printers, scanners, joysticks etc tend to connect to your PC / Mac this way.

Audio Jack is a connection which you use for microphones and speakers or headphones. As a headset includes both a microphone as well as headphones, you find that there are two audio jack connectors with a headset. I.e. one for the microphone which plugs into your microphone port on your soundcard (or PC case front panel); coloured pink. Then one for the headphones which plugs into the stereo output port on your sound card (or PC case front panel); coloured green. Note on some sound cards or PC front panels the ports may not be coloured (i.e. just plain). In such a case consult your manual as to which is the stereo output and which is the microphone port.

3) The comparison Table

Google Shopping Link	Open / Closed-ear	Wired / Wireless	Connection Type	Features	Controls	Price (£)
Gamecom 307	Open-ear	Wired	Audio Jack 3.5mm	Rich studio-quality audio, 40mm stereo speakers, soft swivel-mounted ear cushions for comfort and easy storage	volume and mute on wire	16+
Gamecom 367	Closed-ear	Wired	Audio Jack 3.5mm	Enhanced for Gaming, 40mm stereo speakers, soft swivel-mounted ear cushions for comfort and easy storage, padded headband for comfort, noise cancelling mic, strengthened cords for durability	volume and mute on wire	16+
Gamecom 380	Open-ear	Wired	Audio Jack 3.5mm	Enhanced for Gaming, 40mm stereo speakers, soft swivel-mounted ear cushions for comfort and easy storage, padded headband for comfort, noise cancelling mic, strengthened cords and joints for durability	volume and mute on left ear	18+
Audio 655 DSP	Open-ear	Wired	USB	Rich studio-quality audio, 40mm stereo speakers, soft ear cushions for comfort	volume and mute on left ear	23+
Audio 995	Open-ear	Wireless	USB	Rich studio-quality audio, 40mm stereo speakers, soft ear cushions for comfort, noise cancelling mic	volume and mute on left ear	25+
Gamecom 780	Open-ear	Wired	USB	Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound, Enhanced for Gaming, 40mm stereo speakers, soft swivel-mounted ear cushions for comfort and easy storage, padded headband for comfort, noise cancelling mic, strengthened cords and joints for durability	volume and mute on left ear	33+
Official Plantronics Product List - If the product isn't listed use the search bar to find the product page for specific details.

Cheapest place to buy printer ink?

This is one very good place to get printer ink cartridges:

http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/

http://www.inkntoneruk.co.uk/

Turns out cheaper than Cartridge world as well.

Thanks to my friend Dan Seager for this great saver.

Updated Sept 2015.

Transform Windows XP / Vista into Windows 7 =)

Have you ever wanted to have Windows 7 features for Windows XP / Vista?

Features such as: aero snap, aero peek, aero shake, Windows 7 boot screen, Windows 7 login screen, Windows 7 sounds, Windows 7 cursors, Windows 7 taskbar, Windows 7 wallpaper, Windows 7 sidebar, Windows 7 progress dialogue box, Windows 7 shutdown / log off / restart dialogue box, Windows 7 about windows box, Windows 7 system properties dialogue box, Windows 7 volume control window PLUS loads more mods!

Well here is a post which can help you do just that !

You can pick what features you have. I personally only use a few.

To learn how, follow this XP tutorial / Vista tutorial by VG. I take no personal credit for this tutorial and did not see the need to do my own as the latter is just that good =)


IMPORTANT NOTES:

You can install Tuneup Utilities to easily apply the login and boot screens; then once applied you can uninstall Tuneup Utilities and the screens will stay ... however best test that they work / you want to keep them before uninstalling Tuneup Utilities ;)


ISSUES / FIXES:

1) QT Addressbar does not work well with the Windows 7 themes due to activation of the x-mouse features ... read below to understand and even fix this issue.

There is a bug in which the QT Addressbar does not work correctly when installed along side the Theme(s) ... i.e. When you select the first option and then scroll over the drop down menu for the directories, the mouse pointer 'focuses' the window and brings it to the front (i.e. activating it).

TO FIX this install Microsoft PowerTool Tweak UI and under the mouse settings; X-Mouse ... untick 'Activate follows mouse (X-Mouse). Click 'Apply' and the setting should be instant; if not simply restart =)

This then allows you to have the proper functionality of the QT Addressbar.

You can always use the ALT + TAB feature to change focus to a window of choice =)