crashes Archives

AppWizard

September 20, 2025

I’m a PC builder of 20 years. The latest games make me want to switch to console

The author has been a dedicated PC builder for nearly two decades, starting as a teenager with their mother's support. They have a strong passion for PC gaming, preferring it over consoles. However, they express sympathy for console users due to recent launch day challenges in PC gaming, particularly with the release of Borderlands 4, which faced performance issues despite high-end hardware. Other titles like Forspoken and Oblivion Remastered also had similar problems at launch. The author notes that building a PC can be daunting for newcomers due to the complexity and cost, with decent gaming PCs starting around ,000. They acknowledge the need for change in the PC gaming landscape, as the increasing costs and complexity may drive new gamers towards the simplicity of consoles.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Borderlands 4 performance patch out now with PC ‘our top priority’

Gearbox has released a new patch for Borderlands 4 to address performance issues on PC, following a previous patch that did not resolve ongoing concerns. The game currently has a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with many negative reviews citing performance problems. Gearbox acknowledged the issues, stating that updates to improve stability and performance are a top priority. The patch includes fixes for crashes related to animation states, audio, and GPU, as well as gameplay progression issues and loot pool updates. Players are advised that changes to graphics settings will require shader recompilation and to play for at least 15 minutes to assess performance changes. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has been engaging with the community, but his comments have sparked debate, with some attributing the issues to lower-spec hardware.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

Minecraft 1.21.9 Pre-Release 1

The copper age update introduces enhancements focused on copper golems, adjustments to mannequins, and various bug fixes. Key changes include: - Copper golems can now only attempt to open adjacent chests when acting as passengers. - Notifications now use the format minecraft:notification/ instead of notification:. - The Data Pack version has been updated to 87.1. - Mannequin descriptions are now configurable, and they can accept the minecraft:profile component from spawner items. - New data fields for mannequins include pose (with valid entries such as standing, crouching, swimming, fall_flying, sleeping), immovable, description, and hidedescription. - The spawnpoint command now accepts a pitch argument, and the setworldspawn command is no longer restricted to the overworld. - The fetchprofile command provides clickable text to summon a mannequin with the resolved profile. - Modified entity data for players includes required fields for yaw, pitch, and dimension. - New context values for loot functions have been added. - Multiple bugs have been fixed, including issues with copper golems, mannequins, and game crashes. Pre-releases are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and users are advised to back up their worlds before testing.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

Randy Pitchford calls Borderlands 4 “pretty damn optimal” amidst PC performance complaints

Gearbox Software's CEO Randy Pitchford addressed player concerns about the optimization of Borderlands 4 on PC, stating that the game's performance is "pretty damn optimal." He emphasized the relationship between players' hardware and software, encouraging gamers to customize settings for better performance. Pitchford mentioned that it is reasonable for developers to aim for 30fps on minimum specs and 60fps on recommended specs. He noted that Borderlands 4 has "few real issues," with any problems affecting only a small percentage of users, and assured ongoing improvements in performance. Despite this, many players reported frustrations with unstable frame rates, corroborated by Digital Foundry's analysis highlighting stuttering and frame rate drops. Since its launch on September 11, 2025, Borderlands 4 has received mixed reviews on Steam, primarily due to performance issues, yet it has surpassed 300,000 concurrent players, ranking among the most-played games on the platform.

Winsage

September 17, 2025

How to check your PC’s full specifications on Windows 10

To check computer hardware specs in Windows 10, you can use several methods: 1. Settings: - Open Settings > System > About to view processor, memory, architecture, and software specifications (Edition, Version, Installed on, OS build). 2. System Information: - Open Start, search for msinfo32, and select it. In the System Summary, view system model, processor brand, UEFI version, memory capacity, and motherboard details. 3. Create Hardware Specs Report: - In the System Information app, select specifications, go to File > Export, choose a folder, and save the report. 4. DirectX Diagnostic Tool: - Open Start, search for dxdiag, and check the System tab for processor and memory, and the Display tab for graphics card information. 5. PowerShell: - Open Start, search for PowerShell, run as administrator, and type Get-ComputerInfo to view specifications. 6. Command Prompt: - Open Start, search for Command Prompt, run as administrator, and type systeminfo to access detailed system information. For monitoring temperatures, third-party tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp are recommended. To check RAM, use Task Manager's Performance page. For network information, navigate to Settings > Network & Internet. To check FPS, access Task Manager's Performance page or use dxdiag.

Winsage

September 16, 2025

Windows 11 adds internet speed test and redesigned settings in Insider builds

Microsoft is introducing a built-in internet speed test feature in Windows 11, accessible by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray or through the quick Wi-Fi settings menu. This feature will redirect users to Bing for the speed test, indicating it relies on external services. Additionally, the Bluetooth & devices page will display all connected phones in a single view with direct management options, and the Privacy & security section will feature clearer headings and descriptions. A new AI background tasks page has also been introduced, though it is currently unstable. These updates are found in Insider builds 26220.6682 and 26120.6682 (KB5065782) in the Dev and Beta channels.

BetaBeacon

September 16, 2025

Dolphin update makes GameCube and Wii games far less likely to crash

The latest Dolphin Emulator release, version 2509, disables Dual Core mode by default on desktop to fix common crashes. Additionally, the update includes compatibility fixes for three Disney Wii games and a patch for Bluetooth Passthrough to improve Wii Remote support.

AppWizard

September 14, 2025

A new Borderlands 4 update helps its struggling PC performance, and Gearbox throws in more free skins as well

Gearbox has released its first update for Borderlands 4 aimed at improving performance issues on the PC version, addressing problems such as texture pop-in, lag, frame rate drops, and crashes. User ratings have increased to around 66% positive, although the game still holds a 'mixed' rating on Steam. The update has reportedly stabilized frame rates to an average of 50-60 fps, an improvement from previous dips. Gearbox highlighted the importance of shader recompilation when changing graphics settings, which can take up to 15 minutes. They also provided guides to optimize game settings for Nvidia and AMD users and emphasized the need for updated GPU drivers. Additionally, two new skins for the Break Free pack have been introduced, awarded based on player performance during the opening weekend. Players are encouraged to review system requirements and understand the enhancements to improve their gameplay experience.

AppWizard

September 12, 2025

Borderlands 4 is the lowest rated game in the series on Steam, but it’s not as bleak as it looks

Many players are mistakenly typing "Borederlands 4" instead of "Borderlands 4." The game currently holds a 'mixed' rating on Steam, making it the lowest-rated title in the main series, with a 60% positive review rate. In contrast, the previous three main installments had ratings of 79%, 89%, and 81%. The spin-off, New Tales from the Borderlands, has a mere 33% positive feedback. Players have reported various technical issues, including bugs and crashes, affecting performance even on high-end hardware like the RTX 5090. Gearbox Interactive has released guidance on performance expectations and is working on performance patches. Players are advised to check system requirements before downloading. Community discussions are ongoing, and a list of Borderlands 4 characters is available for exploration.

Winsage

September 12, 2025

Microsoft’s big Windows 11 25H2 update is now available to download but in terms of new features it’s a total nothing burger

Microsoft has released Windows 11 25H2 for download to Windows Insider program members, with broader availability expected in the latter half of 2025. This update does not introduce unique features; enhancements will also be available for the existing 24H2 build. A full 7 GB install ISO is available for Insider members. Both versions share the same source code, ensuring compatibility. The previous update, 24H2, was noted for its reliability. Upcoming enhancements for Windows 11 include a redesigned Start Menu, gaming performance optimizations, a new Mobile Section in the Start menu, the transition to a Black Screen of Death, and Press to Talk functionality for the Copilot+ AI assistant. The release of 25H2 resets the 24-month support clock for both Home and Pro editions, but PowerShell 2.0 and Windows Management Instrumentation command-line features have been removed.