Tag Archives: Steam

Technology

Steam Disk Write Error: Explained and Resolved

If you encounter the disk write error in Steam and the usual fixes don’t work, you may need to make changes to the files using Windows Explorer.

Before making any changes, start by closing Steam and reopening it with administrator privileges. This can often resolve unusual errors. You can do this by right-clicking on the Steam executable or desktop shortcut and selecting “Run as administrator.” It’s also worth temporarily disabling any antivirus or firewall software to see if it is causing the issue. If this resolves the problem, consider adding an exception for Steam in your security software.

If the issue persists, it’s possible that your Steam directory is set to Read-Only, preventing new data from being written to it. To address this, navigate to your C: drive and locate your Steam folder in either the Program Files or Program Files (x86) directories. If your games are stored on a separate drive, locate the Steam folder there as well. Right-click on the Steam folder, select Properties, and uncheck the Read-Only box under Attributes.

Steam folder propertiesDaniel Trock/SlashGear

As a last resort, consider moving your Steam folder to a different storage drive. If you have a second internal drive or a fast external drive, close Steam, move the Steam folder out of the Program Files directory to the other drive, and then relaunch Steam and attempt to install a game.

Gaming, News

Valve Reduces Price of Steam Deck in Celebration of Steam’s 20th Anniversary

As of now, Valve’s online store shows that the estimated delivery time for Steam Deck orders is between seven and fourteen days. Shipping is already included in the purchase price, and for customers in the United States and Canada, Federal Express will handle the deliveries from a warehouse in Carol Stream, Illinois. Customers in the United Kingdom and European Union will have their orders shipped by either DHL or GLS from a warehouse in Waalwijk, the Netherlands.

In terms of specifications, the Steam Deck is equipped with an AMD APU that consists of a Zen 2 CPU, featuring four cores and eight threads. The CPU operates at a frequency range of 2.4GHz to 3.5GHz, delivering up to 448 GFlops FP32. Additionally, it includes a Van Gogh GPU running at 1.0GHz to 1.6GHz. The system also offers 16GB of RAM, which is shared between the GPU and the system itself. The storage capacity varies depending on the model, with the 64GB model having PCIe Gen 2 x1 storage, while the other models come with either PCIe Gen 3 x4 or PCIe Gen 3 x2 storage.

Gaming, News, Technology

Valve Now Offers Affordable Certified Refurbished Steam Decks

One of the major criticisms of the Steam Deck is its limited battery capacity. Many reviewers and gamers have reported that the console can only last for around 90 minutes of gameplay (varies based on the game). With batteries being one of the first components to show aging, concerns arise about the battery life of a refurbished Steam Deck.

However, Valve assures that each device undergoes rigorous testing before being certified and put up for sale. This testing includes assessing battery health to ensure proper functionality and longevity. In addition, every refurbished device goes through a total factory reset and receives the latest operating system update.

Valve claims that each Steam Deck is subjected to over 100 tests at their facilities. These tests cover various aspects such as the screen, audio system, controller inputs, and other internal hardware. The company even states that refurbished units meet or exceed the performance standards of new retail units. Essentially, the only difference between a refurbished Steam Deck and a new one may be some light cosmetic wear-and-tear. Refurbished Steam Decks will also come with a carrying case and Quick Start guide.

Gaming

How To Find Your Hidden Steam Games

Whether you’re tired of looking at a particular Steam game and want to banish it to the ether, you can do so easily from your Steam library menu.

Steam game hide
Daniel Trock/SlashGear

  1. Open the Steam client.

  2. Switch to the Library tab.

  3. Find the game you want to hide in your game list.

  4. Right-click on the game’s name to open its options.

  5. Highlight or select “Manage.”

  6. Select “Hide this game.”

With that quick click, the game is hidden from sight, relegated to the Hidden collection. It’s still technically in your library, but it won’t appear in your game list or in library searches. If you visit the game’s store page, though, it will still show you owning it, just in case you were worried about purchasing it twice by accident.

If you want to restore a hidden game to the regular library, it’s equally simple.

  1. Open the Steam client.

  2. Switch to the Library tab.

  3. Click the View button in the top taskbar.

  4. In the drop-down menu, click “Hidden games.”

  5. In the Hidden collection, right-click on the game you want to unhide.

  6. Highlight or select Manage.

  7. Click “Remove from hidden.”

With that, the game is restored to its prior spot in your library, once again in plain sight and easily accessed. You can hide and unhide games as much as you like, so don’t hesitate to banish a game if it’s annoying you.

News

Oben Rorr Electric Motorcycle Deliveries to Start in July 2023

Electric motorcycles are gaining popularity in the European and Asian markets due to their affordability and practicality. In terms of performance, manufacturers are striving to maintain the traditional motorcycle experience. Oben Electric, an Indian company, has developed a sporty and performance-focused electric motorbike called the Rorr.

Previously, the Oben Rorr was mostly a concept and prototype, but now the company has announced that deliveries of the first batch of Rorrs will begin this month. Customers can expect to receive their sporty electric motorcycles as early as the first week of July.
Oben Rorr Electric Motorcycle Deliveries To Begin In July 2023

Prior to the delivery announcement, Oben Electric opened an experience center in Bangalore. These centers aim to provide potential customers with a better understanding of the technology behind electric vehicles. Given the differences between electric and traditional motorcycles, it is essential to educate customers about how the technology works.

The Oben Rorr has received over 21,000 pre-orders, highlighting its popularity in the EV motorcycle segment. Its key features include a 10-kilowatt IPMSM electric motor developed in-house, 13.4 horsepower output, and 0 to 25 miles per hour acceleration in just three seconds. The top speed is limited to 62 miles per hour.
The Oben Rorr Is a Sharp Electric Naked Bike From India

Oben Electric takes pride in the Oben Rorr’s 95% domestic component-level localization. This means that 95% of the bike’s parts are sourced from Indian manufacturers, with many of them being developed in-house. The battery, for example, is a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) unit, the first of its kind developed by Oben Electric. LFP batteries offer more recharge cycles, improved heat resistance, and faster charging capabilities. According to Oben, the battery can be fully charged in just two hours.

Despite the long waiting list of 21,000 orders, the Oben Rorr is priced at Rs 149,999 (approximately $1,827 USD), making it an attractive option in India’s growing EV two-wheeler market.

News

Volkswagen plans to release affordable electric ‘ID 1’ hatch for under £17,000

Volkswagen is moving forward with the development of an electric hatchback called the ‘ID 1’, which is expected to be priced at under £17,000. This is part of a larger effort by car manufacturers to produce affordable electric models.

The ID 1 will serve as a successor to the e-Up city car and will offer a combination of compact design and simple technology.

It will be built on a new electric platform that will also be used for similar models by Volkswagen’s sister brands Cupra and Skoda. The ID 1 will be positioned below the production version of the recently unveiled ID 2all concept, which is expected to be priced at around £22,500.

Volkswagen Group’s chief financial officer, Arno Antlitz, believes that the company can achieve this price point for electric cars, thanks to advancements in battery materials and production methods.

“We’re confident that we can achieve that price point,” he said. “There are many technological innovations on the horizon. This car will feature the first in-house battery cells from our Valencia plant. We’re expanding our production capacity, which will allow us to achieve better economies of scale.

“We’ve also seen a decrease in raw material costs. For example, the cost of lithium and nickel has come down. So we’re confident that we can reach our target of €25,000 [£22,500] and still maintain a decent profit margin.”

While Antlitz’s comments specifically refer to the production feasibility of the ID 2, these developments could also have significant implications for the rumored ID 1.

Specific details about the architecture of the ID 1 have not been revealed yet, but it will be a separate platform from the MEB Entry platform that will be shared by the ID 2, Cupra Raval, and Skoda’s compact crossover. These models will all be manufactured in Spain starting from 2025.

The Volkswagen Group will develop the new platform, with Skoda playing a key role, and it will be designed for vehicles with interior space similar to that of the VW Polo.

Technology

10 Things The ASUS RoG Ally Can Do Better Than The Steam Deck

The ASUS RoG Ally has several advantages over the Steam Deck, starting with its favorable form factor. It is lighter, weighing only 1.34 pounds compared to the Steam Deck’s 1.47 pounds. The RoG Ally is also less cumbersome, with a thickness that is less than half of the Steam Deck’s.

Furthermore, the RoG Ally has a more comfortable design. Unlike the Steam Deck, it doesn’t have trackpads, which allows for a better layout of the analog sticks, d-pad, and buttons. This results in a controller-like feel that console gamers are familiar with, resembling an Xbox One Controller. The Steam Deck, on the other hand, had to compromise the d-pad and buttons’ size to accommodate the trackpads.

Overall, the RoG Ally’s form factor makes it not only more portable but also the preferred choice for console gamers in terms of comfort.

Gaming

Is It Safe to Leave Your Steam Deck Plugged In Overnight?

Valve, the company behind Steam Deck, has not provided any clear guidelines on whether it is safe to leave the device plugged in overnight. However, users on the Steam Deck forums generally advise against making it a habit.

Similar to other portable electronic devices, the Steam Deck’s battery charging process involves reaching 100% charge and then internally disconnecting the power cable. The connection remains disabled until the battery percentage drops to 90%, after which the charging process restarts. Keeping the Steam Deck plugged in like this for prolonged periods, such as overnight, leads to repeated charging and discharging cycles. This can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the battery, reducing its overall lifespan.

The battery usage will vary based on your activities with the Steam Deck. If you are actively using it while plugged in, the console will draw power from the outlet, and the battery will not be affected. However, if you plan to leave the console unused for several days, it is recommended to unplug it and completely power it down. If you intend to use your Steam Deck continuously for multiple days, it is advisable to leave it in sleep mode overnight. Although it may lose some charge, you can easily recharge it while using it.