82 If you have it, flash it

Bigger may be better when you play Flash-based Web games such as Bejeweled Blitz or Raiden X.

Try installing the plugin Flash Game Maximizer (current version 1.3.6) for the Firefox browser from Mozilla's add-on site at https://addons. mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ addon/9631.

Then, restart Firefox and look for a blue G icon at the bottom right corner. Click on it to play a Flash game or for content minus ads and other clutter.

83 Get that game shot

When you have achieved something cool in a game, share it using the Print Screen button on your keyboard (usually next to Scroll Lock).

While still in the game, hold down Alt and hit Print Screen to capture your game screen and store it temporarily on Windows' clipboard.

To save it, access Paint in Windows (Start>All Programs>Accessories>Paint) to paste and save the screenshot.

Warning: Print Screen saves one screenshot at a time. So if you hit Print Screen more than once, it saves only the latest screen.

This works only for certain games. Otherwise, try applications such as SnagIt (download at www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.asp).

84 Install Xbox 360 games on hard drive

Can you hear the game disc spinning noisily on your Xbox 360?

Or does the screen take forever to load especially when you play titles in the role-playing genre?

The problem: there are tons of data like game stages, character models and location details to be read in such games.

The console must constantly spin the game disc to get all that information each time you play.

The solution: Park the data in the hard drive.

First, do a check. Go to the System Settings menu and check the memory available on your hard drive. You may need to delete existing game data if you are out of space - just follow the onscreen instructions to do so.

Next, load the game disc. The game logo will appear in the My Xbox section onscreen. But do not launch the game yet - you want the data installed in the hard drive first before you begin to play.

Instead, press the Y button on your controller to open the Game Details.

A new list of options appear: simply scroll down and highlight the Install To Hard Drive option, then press the A button. Have a cuppa as this step will take a few minutes.

Once the game information is on the hard drive, you will still need to insert the game disc to start playing. But all game data will be read off the hard drive from now on, so say goodbye to the noise.

This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.

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