Tag: installing

NASA says engine controller failure not a roadblock to first SLS test flight

AerospaceFebruary 22, 2022

NASA says a faulty memory chip was the cause of a problem that forced technicians to swap out an engine control computer on the first Space Launch System rocket late last year, but the issue is not a constraint for an upcoming SLS fueling test or launch later this spring.

Hidden Costs of a Data Breach

Cyber SecurityFebruary 22, 2022

Don't consider just the initial costs. Hidden factors include remediation, revenue loss, reputational harm, national security — even human life.

‘Minecraft’ Comes to Quest in Unofficial Java Edition Port

AR/VRFebruary 22, 2022

Minecraft has been available on basically every VR headset outside of Quest up until now, but that’s changing with the beta release of ‘QuestCraft’, the unofficial Quest port for Minecraft Java Edition. The project was thought long dead, however the QuestCraft team has just released its first public build of the standalone Minecraft port for Quest 2. […]

The post ‘Minecraft’ Comes to Quest in Unofficial Java Edition Port appeared first on Road to VR.

Are Water Softeners a Good Investment? Weighing the Facts

Real EstateFebruary 22, 2022

Before your purchase a water softener check out these pros and cons to determine if a water softener is right for you.

How to download Free Fire APK for Android devices

GamingFebruary 22, 2022

There's more than one way to download the battle royale.

The post How to download Free Fire APK for Android devices appeared first on Dot Esports.

GOG Will Not Offer Official Steam Deck Support

GamingFebruary 21, 2022

GOG, CD Projekt's digital storefront, will not offer official Steam Deck support. GOG revealed the news in a Twitter announcement earlier today, writing that while there will be no "official support," users can install Windows and try playing GOG-bought games on the Steam Deck that way.

There's no official GOG support for SteamDeck. But since the device has an open architecture, as we understand, you can install Windows and as such also run GOG games.
— GOG.COM (@GOGcom) February 21, 2022

This news isn't a big surprise, as GOG and Steam are competing digital storefronts. It doesn't make sense for GOG to offer support for its biggest competitor's new device.

Another option players have for playing GOG games other than installing Windows, is an open-source platform called Lutris. Lutris can launch games from GOG, Epic Game Store, and other digital storefronts for Linux platforms. It should theoretically work on Steam Deck's native SteamOS that's built off of Linux, if it doesn't, I'm sure some intrepid developer will find a way to eventually get it to run on Steam Deck.

It is interesting to note that GOG customers have clamored for Linux support for a long time. If CD Projekt does create a GOG Galaxy client for Linux--a project that is marked as in-progress on the community wishlist page--then that should also be another way for GOG games to run on Steam Deck.

Valve will indicate the compatibility of individual Steam games with the Steam Deck through a system called the Steam Deck Verification Program. There's also a fansite that shows you all the Steam Deck Verified games so far.

The first wave of Steam Decks are scheduled to ship on February 28. For more information, here's everything we know about the Steam Deck.

New Android Banking Trojan Spreading via Google Play Store Targets Europeans

Cyber SecurityFebruary 21, 2022

A new Android banking trojan with over 50,000 installations has been observed distributed via the official Google Play Store with the goal of targeting 56 European banks and carrying out harvesting sensitive information from compromised devices. Dubbed Xenomorph by Dutch security firm ThreatFabric, the in-development malware is said to share overlaps with another banking trojan tracked under the

DGCA Asks Airlines to Implement Child Restraint Systems in All Aircraft

AviationFebruary 21, 2022

According to the latest directive issued by the aviation watchdog, The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the airlines operating in India have to install a child restraint system in the aircraft. The restraint system comprises a harness and […]

Windows 11 Pro will soon force you to have a Microsoft account for installation

GamingFebruary 21, 2022

A minor inconvenience for some. Downright infuriating for others.

In the UK, 70% of Boxed Horizon Forbidden West Buyers Paid More Than They Needed To

GamingFebruary 20, 2022

British problems.

And this, dear readers, is why companies are so cunningly ambiguous! Early physical sales data for Horizon Forbidden West has arrived in the UK, and with it comes confirmation that “almost a third of sales” were on the PlayStation 4. That means roughly 70 per cent of people paid £10 extra to own the PS5 version of the game – despite it offering a free upgrade on Sony’s previous platform, for the lower price of £59.99.

There are no real advantages to buying the £69.99 physical PS5 edition, aside from some minor changes to the labelling on the boxart. Some may argue that the free PS4 to PS5 upgrade process that Sony provides isn’t particularly reliable, annoyingly installing PS4 data when it’s not needed – but this is a firmware flaw that the company really should have solved by now, and £10 still seems like a high price to pay for some potential inconveniences.

Read the full article on pushsquare.com

Google’s free Chrome OS Flex can turn an old PC into a Chromebook

GamingFebruary 19, 2022

Google has released Chrome OS Flex, a way to take older Windows and Mac hardware and replace the operating system, turning them into Chromebooks. It's an interesting development given Windows 11's strict hardware requirements, which could leave legions of older PCs stranded when Windows 10 goes end-of-life in 2025.

Although Google is calling Chrome OS Flex an “early access” and “unstable” project, the concept is intriguing: Instead of disposing an old PC that's nearing the end of its life, you can turn it into a Chromebook instead. Google has launched the new operating system on its dedicated Chrome OS Flex site, though you'll have to sign up with an email to receive download instructions.

Google appears to be positioning Chrome OS Flex for a dual purpose: a way for consumers to try out the benefits of Chromebooks, and a way for enterprises to evaluate how well they can be managed. For example, a Chrome OS Flex “fleet” can be managed with Chrome Enterprise Upgrade, Google says. If this all sounds familiar, you're right: Google bought CloudReady a few years ago, and used that company's work as a way to turn laptop PCs into Chromebooks. Google describes CloudReady as a “previous version of Chrome OS Flex.” “Google will automatically update CloudReady devices to Chrome OS Flex, when Chrome OS Flex is stable,” the company added.

Traditionally, DIY PC enthusiasts would either leave an older PC running, scavenge it for parts, or replace the Windows operating system with a resource-light version of Linux. Now, Google is offering them an additional option: Replace Windows with Chrome OS, and enjoy the benefits of that streamlined operating system. And that's a point to be reiterated: Chrome OS Flex doesn't offer the ability to run Chrome OS in a window or a virtualized environment, a la the new Android apps for Windows. Instead, it replaces Windows, and all of its files.

On a support page, Google says that Chrome OS Flex will be a more limited version of CloudReady, at least for now: “Chrome OS Flex will not allow some system-level access currently available on CloudReady Home Edition, including: command line access via shell and command line access via teletype (TTY),” Google says.

Don't expect things to go smoothly, either. “This operating system is still in early access on the dev channel—you may experience some instability,” Google says.

Lenovo Chromebook Keyboard Closeup — Google warns that adding Google Chrome OS Flex to an older PC may mean that you'll be using Chrome with a keyboard that wasn't explicitly designed for it, so certain functions may not work or may behave erratically.

Matthew Smith / IDG

Installing Google Chrome OS Flex looks similar to installing Windows 11 via installation media on a new PC. You'll need a USB key with 8GB or more. PCs will need at least 4GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The CPU restrictions are more lenient: You'll need a 64-bit CPU, period. Which is basically any processor made after the year 2000. There are GPU restrictions, though: Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics hardware do not meet Chrome OS Flex performance standards, Google says.

The real gotcha, however, appears to be simply in the diversity of compatible PC hardware, and how it will interact with Chrome OS Flex. Google has published a list of “certified models” that are either currently certified or planned to be certified with Chrome OS Flex, and many, many of them are listed with the caveat “minor issues expected” next to them. (“Models are likely to support at least basic functionality, but are still being worked on by our team,” Google says rather circularly, in describing what “minor issues” might mean. “You might run into minor issues.”)

The certified models include both PCs and Macs.

So why wouldn't you want to install Chrome OS Flex on an older PC? Well, there is the substantial list of caveats that come with the installation. For one, forget Android apps, Google Play, or Parallels Desktop support—that's out, Google says. Google can't manage firmware updates on Chrome OS Flex devices, nor can it provide verified boot capabilities. ARM PCs? Nope.

All this makes it seem like adding Chrome OS Flex to an older PC is very much a “use at your own risk” type of project—but one that can still turn your older PC into a Chromebook, for free. It's worth checking out before you toss it out.