Yesterday, while I was updating my Windows 7 for my laptop, I decided to check for online shops for Windows XP Pro. One of the google results catched my attention, Windows XP SP3 Performance Edition. So out of curiousity I checked the site since it was a part of a torrent haven (for security reasons I will not disclose the name of the site). One the features that really amazed me is the installation file which is only 178MB. That’s like around 420MB less than the original size of the legit installer.

DISCLAIMER (Please read before proceeding)
The following review has NO intention to promote, distribute or sell the operating system. The contents of this review is purely according to my own observation and analysis. I downloaded the file at my own risk and I will NOT in any way give out the link to anyone. I will not be held responsible for viruses or any malicious programs you may find in the vast world of Internet. Piracy is a crime. Always use genuine products. DOWNLOAD AT YOUR OWN RISK.

INSTALLATION
So after seeing the review, I immediately downloaded the file to check out what’s in it and what it’s capable of.  The download didn’t actually took to long since there were a lot of people who seeded the file. The comments on the file description also tells me that these people actually had tried it. On that point, it made me think a lot of people must’ve liked it. The file is actually in an ISO format which means you’ll need to burn it in a CD before you can actually install the OS. The OS requires a full installation which means you cannot upgrade an existing Windows XP Pro into this so called Performance Edition. It took me around 15-20mins to complete the installation in my desktop with minimal specs (1GB RAM, Sempron 2500+, 80GB IDE Drive). That’s 10-20 minutes difference from the original one. It passes WGA and works 100% with windows update. The serial is already included in the installation process. This is the x86 version (32 Bit)

LANGUAGE
It ONLY supports English language and and English keyboard layouts. So, I still don’t know if it has a workaround on this feature.

REMOVED FEATURES
Briefcase, Games, Internet Games, Pinball, Screensavers, Classic Windows Xp Installation Screen which includes the blue background. Also some of the following have also been removed: Drivers, Hardware Support, Multimedia (which includes Windows Media Player and default Windows Sounds), a few network applications like (Windows Messenger), Operating System Options (Web tour, File and Settings Wizard…etc), Services (Telnet and such), and Directories (Docs, Support, Valueadd)

The minimum hard disk requirement have also been lifted so you can also try installing this on whatever machine you want. The high compression of ISO saves a lot of space.

TWEAKS
Well, aside from the removed programs there’s these good stuffs they’ve improved like the Boot and Shutdown (auto end tasks immediately, auto kill hung applications and services immediately) and a whole lot more.

CONLUSION
Of 2 days of trying it out, it was pretty stable and works well with installed programs. Didn’t change my internet speed, no viruses found in the system, saved me a lot of disk space. Again, download at your own risk!

PIRACY IS A CRIME, IF YOU’RE HAPPY WITH IT, BUY THE GENUINE PRODUCT.

I decided to make this simple tutorial on how to get your own Windows 7 Product Key after getting a copy from my friend, Jericho. I actually tried installing it on my HP Pavillion dv6000 but some or my drivers are missing. So I just downloaded and installed the updates. Windows 7 will take care of the rest. Anyway, here’s the step by step guide on how to get your own LEGIT Windows 7 Product Key.

Step One
Get your copy of Windows 7. It’s mostly available in any torrent sites. Careful on worms or trojans. Or you can try getting it from HERE. (If the download doesn’t work then it’s probably not available anymore)

Step Two
Log on to technet.microsoft.com by clicking “SIGN IN”. You can find it on the upper right corner. Use your Microsoft Passport ID. (ex. Hotmail and etc)

Copy either of the links below to the address bar of the current page. Make sure you are logged on to technet.microsoft.com before this one works.

Step Three

32- Bit Key: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-32-ww&LCID=1033

64-Bit Key: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-64-ww&LCID=1033

Step Four
If you’re seeing an error just press CTRL + F5 (hard refresh). Some people told me they had to refresh around 5-10 times before they got the key. If you are redirected then you didn’t follow the steps 1-3 correctly.

Otherwise, if you followed everything correctly, you should be able to see your legit Windows 7 Product Key.

Enjoy Windows 7 Release Candidate!

Sierra Entertainment Inc, (formerly Sierra On-Line) was a Worldwide American video game developer and published founded in 1979 as Online Systems. Based in Los Angeles, California, the company was last owned by a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (a subsidiary of Vivendi SA) Sierra is best known today for its multiple lines of seminal graphic adventure games started in the 1980s (notably King’s Quest, Space Quest, Police Quest, and Quest for Glory), some of which proved influential in the history of video games.

Sierra, which moved to Bellevue from Northern California in 1994, makes video games for Windows-based PCs and hand-held devices, such as the Nintendo GameBoy. The company also makes consoles, such as the Sony PlayStation2 and Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox.

But, a sad story came out in the news. Sierra is laying off 110 employees over the next two months as part of their major reorganization at their parent company Vivendi Universal Games. The parent company has been saddled with debt for more than two years , and has been the frequent subject of acquisition rumors involving their competitors, Microsoft and Sony.

The 110 employees about to be laid off are part of the 350 manpower reduction.

Before I start my post, I would like to apologize for the delay of this next post. It actually took me awhile huh? Real life issues and some errands needs to be done. And partly, I blame World of Warcraft. LOL

Anyway, I’m back! =D

In my previous post of the Call of Duty 4 leaks, I’ve shared the spoilers. Now, ladies and gentlemen let me present to you, THE REAL STUFF.

…and it is confirmed. The game will be out this November 10, 2009. You might want to pre-order before it’ll run out. LOL

Pinoy Gaming Network, one of the fastest growing Philippine based gaming review portal, was able to exclusively review Grand Theft Auto IV in their website.

There have been many controversial game titles over the years but none, except one, have come as far as being banned in a few countries. Grand Theft Auto is one of those title series that has appeared in the news being blamed for antisocial behaviour among the youth. Yet, despite this shady outlook of the game among the elder generation, it cannot be denied that Grand Theft Auto is a game that has broken boundaries and changed the industry for the better. Rockstar Games’ fourth instalment of the game stays true to this and promises to be a game one must definitely own. – Pinoy Gaming Network

Want more details? Check out Pinoy Gaming Network now!

FOR SALE: GRAND THEFT AUTO IV ORIGINAL CD for PC (DVD)

For those who want to avail original copies of GTA IV, please drop me a line on my contact page. Only P1,150.00 per copy! HURRY! Limited stocks.

It’s been only a few weeks since I got addicted to Call of Duty 5: World at War. I couldn’t stop playing online and have the feel of World War II environment. The sound of gun shots, frag grenades, panzer bazooka, and the tank turrets firing everywhere amazed me like crazy. But what’s so special about this game that dragged me into addiction is the online ranking. Good God! I am now a Master Sergeant II. Didn’t even care about the frigging ranks. All I cared about is the thrill of camping+sniping. Hehehe.

And just a few days after I played COD5, my business partner, David introduced me to a whole new Call of Duty, the Modern Warfare. I felt like I’m back to my old Counter Strike days when I saw him playing online. With all the new modern weapons and the totally different gameplay, he even convinced me to try it out. (He even asked me to buy an original one so we can play together and own maps. What a crazy COD4 addict, bah!) I’d give the gameplay and graphics a score of 8 out of 10. 

While we were playing he discussed to me about the upcoming Modern Warfare 2 which is supposed to come out later this year. It will be a sequel to the Modern Warfare of course. So when I woke up this morning, I saw one blog page with the following leaks to the Modern Warfare 2. Isn’t it a nice preview? (David, here’s for you! Cheers! LOL)

Image Courtesy of Gossip Gamer and Game Informer

Here are some of the details:

Pretty promising, yeah? Can’t wait to play this one as soon as it comes out.

Credits to: Gossip Gamers