Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 is available -- if you select it manually. But Microsoft's Windows Vista service pack, which was delayed to fix problems, is getting mixed reviews from SP1 updaters. Windows Vista SP1 users have reported successes, but problems with device drivers are continuing. Windows Vista SP1 will not be available as an automatic update until mid-April.
Rarely has a service pack received as much attention as SP1 for Microsoft 's Windows Vista, officially released Tuesday. And while some users are reporting smooth installation and better performance, many are reporting problems.
Vista SP1 was completed in early February, correcting a variety of bugs or performance issues in the Vista operating system. Shortly after its completion, it was shipped to computer makers, beta testers, big customers and subscribers to Microsoft's TechNet and Developer Network services.
The software giant had said the full release of SP1 was delayed because of problems with some hardware-device drivers, and it needed time to provide new drivers or to block systems with bad drivers from installing SP1.
Available Manually
A notice on the Windows Vista blog Tuesday reported that it is now available through Windows Update -- if the user opens Windows Update and selects SP1. But if automatic downloading and installation through Windows Update is preferred, a user will need to wait until mid-April. SP1 is also beginning to be available through retailers.
Regardless of the method to obtain SP1, updaters are reporting both problems and successful fixes. A poster named huddy reported on a bit-tech.net forum that, after installing SP1, his X-F1 sound card caused his computer to crash. "At least neighbors are happy," he reported.
Another user, moshpit, said his post-SP1 computer now "runs butter smooth and has been problem-free," while someone named Akava said there were problems just downloading SP1.
Even the Vista blog has reports of problems. A user named butters286 said that, after the SP1 installation, there's now no sound and the DVD drive doesn't work. A commenter named SeppDietrich said that installing SP1 was not, "in retrospect, my finest decision," calling it "a disaster" with all the Nvidia drivers being exiled to "the Bermuda Triangle" -- that is, vanished. Afterward, SeppDietrich said, Windows Update reported there was a Nvidia update to install, which was older than the drivers that vanished.
Backward Compatibility
Laura DiDio, an analyst with industry research firm Yankee Group, agreed that the reaction so far "has been mixed." But, for the big question of whether SP1 will help Microsoft in its quest to have Vista adopted by more consumers and businesses, she said it won't address the key issue of backward compatibility.
As an example, DiDio noted that she got a new laptop with Vista, and expected to be able to transition much of her older Windows XP system. But she ran into problems, such as a six-year-old printer that worked fine with XP but not with Vista because of drivers. "Vista didn't want anything to do with this perfectly good machine," even if she changed drivers, she said. So she had to get a new printer.
"The arrival of SP1 is nice," she added, "but it won't signal a general 'tally-ho' among businesses and consumers to upgrade to Vista." DiDio said users who already have the newest Windows OS will install SP1, but it won't necessarily convince those who haven't moved to Windows Vista.
www.vista123.net, tweak and customize Windows Vista easily.
