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19 Mar 2008
Few people realise but Windows Vista was released as a public beta way back in Summer 2006, then installed on new PCs from the end of December the same year. However, since the original release there have been a few critical updates, security fixes and product enhancements, but no new features or a combined service pack. Install the original Vista now and you may find some of your more recent drivers may have a few issues with the operating system.
For this, and many other reasons, the entire Vista community has been eagerly awaiting the Service Pack 1 release. This package combines a number of the updates and fixes – along with some improvements and enhancements – since the original release. It’s worth downloading for any Vista user and should improve productivity as well as speed up your PC. Well, slightly.
There aren’t many new features in Service Pack 1, so don’t get too excited. However, the new update improves the security and adds impressive enhancements to the speed you can move and copy files between your local system and also a remote server. File transfer speed gains of up to 50% could be found by installing the new Service Pack. There is support for emerging and recent technologies. For instance, the wireless 802.11n standard is included as default in Windows Vista Service Pack 1.
Note that the download here is for the 32-bit version of Windows Vista.
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Is Microsoft the same after Bill Gates' exit?
Bill Gates now has little say in the technical side of Windows. That is now largely in the marketing department's remit. Their ability to foul things up is obvious from the technical flakiness of both Vista and its first service pack. A close colleague used Vista on his new laptop for a few months before reverting to XP SP2 Pro. He is one of the most technically tolerant people I know - I beta test most of my Win32 software on him and his colleagues! I feel that Microsoft does not have long to "live".
Posted by: Mark Jacobs 03 May 2008
Works well
I installed it. It took about 2hrs, and it does seem to work faster and smoother.
Posted by: Evan Alexander Montgomery 20 Mar 2008
Here we go again
Let's see how many comments we get from every self-appointed computer science wiz who say they fouled up the install and than tout that they should have bought Linux or Mac.
Posted by: No Spam 20 Mar 2008
Download problems
I have Windows Vista Home Premium and have received update notices from Microsoft for SP1. I have tried a number of times and have downloaded it, but it won't install. From checking on VistaHead website, it is clear I am not the only one having this problem. Why doesn't MICROSOFT FIX IT? We certainly paid enough for Vista! vnunet.com comment: although we downloaded fine, we've had problems installing on our Vista-based PCs. One installed fine, the refuses. Simply reboots back in to a non-SP1 installation.
Posted by: John 20 Mar 2008
I disagree with this article
Vista had many new features, some albiet were underlying, but still great new features none the less. That is also not to say there were no big new features, as there were. vnunet.com comment: no-one said there were no big new features in the original release. However, it definitely wasn't compelling and, for business users, has resulted in more expense upgrading software to 'support' Vista.
Posted by: Nathan 20 Mar 2008
VISTA is watching you
Take a look through http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.html. A cost analysis of Windows Vista Content Protection. Everyone should read it.
Posted by: Nuke Waste Software 19 Mar 2008
Try this for advice.
Try visiting this Microsoft page for good advice concerning difficulties encountered when installing Vista SP1. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=948343#method5 I suggest you do this before trying to Install SP1 to save heartache
Posted by: Julian 19 Mar 2008
PC runs smoother and more responsive
I bought a SP1 DVD off the Internet a few days before the release. Installed it and took around 50mins to an hour. As soon as I came back on the PC I noticed a difference. It just felt a lot smoother to navigate around and copying files is much quicker now as well. There are a lot less of the hangs when opening things and when browsing the Internet.
Posted by: Jigswa 19 Mar 2008
It's not for everyone - be prepared
Yesterday, after thoughtfully preparing a backup image of my Vista drive, I went ahead and fought my way through three aborted installs of SP1 as provided through the automatic update feature of Vista. Each time the install aborted, rolled back, rebooted and I found my machine stacking up windows wanting to know how to reinstall dozens of devices including, com1, com2, lpt1, the DVD drive, one of my printers, and several called "unknown device". The first time, I duitifully pointed each request to the System32 folder, where it found and installed the needed drivers. Of course when the dust settled, my machine was acting quite queerly, So I used the disk image to restore the disk to just before the update, and all was well. Being foolish, I tried two more times to update, and each time after a long wait, it failed during the reboot phase 1, and then automatically rolled back, leaving me with more devices to install. At that point I didn't bother to install any of them, but simply rebooted on my image recovery disk, and put it back in time to before the update. Each attempt at updating got a bit farther before failing. In the end, I have not installed, but rather hidden, SP1, reverted my machine with the image to prior to installing SP!, and have decided to begin climbing the linux learning curve. Be careful when you install SP1. I'm sure for most it works fine, but if it does not succeed, your machine will be in a mess. Have a way back before beginning the install. By the way, till now, I have been delighted with Vista, and had encountered few problems once I learned how it does things. Now, I'll learn Linux as I keep runing without SP1.
Posted by: Wandering 19 Mar 2008