Windows Vista SP1: So now mid-March becomes mid-April...

I found this on MS's site, and it talks about mid-April???

Even though most of us can not only get it now, but have been running it ever since the RTM version came out, it seems that "mid-April" means the official release has been pushed back for over a MONTH. And in Microsoft speak, mid-April really means anywhere from the end of April to late summer haha...

And how sneaky they did that. Calmly, without any announcement of delay, basically cutting and pasting April over March...

They're shooting themselves in the foot right and left. Does anyone know why Microsoft has pushed it back another whole month without even giving a specific date???

 

It this is correct then why did it prompt me and let me install it thru windows update? Did I get the final version or a preliminary version of sp1 and why do they do this?

 

Ooops...I'm so sorry for confusing you, Marv6...It says that the version is 6.0.1.6001.17028, digitally signed by MS on 1/31/08. I thought 17028 was the RTM version...???

Hmm...Well, the file I downloaded is called Windows6.0-KB936330-X64-wave0.exe. Is that the FINAL release of SP1? I was also wondering as to why there wasn't a bit more fanfare about it, even though it's only a Service Pack. I figured they'd do the release up a bit more since it was so highly anticipated, and so many Vista users were so angry about its delay. It's not like Microsoft hasn't delayed almost every release of any of its OS's, and very much including this one, Vista. lol...

I was also struck by how it was the exact file size as the RTM version of SP1, so combine all these factors together, along with its "record ", I wouldn't put it past MS to once again **** off its customer base...

At any rate, I apologize. Apparently I was totally wrong. I hope someone can clarify the above for me, Thanks!

 

Arie and CrunchDude,

Thanks for the clarification. I feel better about this now. I am always concerned when I try to install windows updates since I have had problems since using Vista. I no longer allow auto update, but install each update, one at a time, after googling each to see if there might be problems. I also disable my virus protection before downloading and installing. With SP1, it installed after three attempts. So far I seen no improvement as far is startup is concerned. But, I already had all of the previous updates.

Marv

 

Arie...That's strange though. They identified several issues with a few apps with the RTM version that are apparently NOT remedied then, since they made NO adjustments to the final release. I posted the list, which is on Microsoft's site, in I forget which forum, and I'm not sure if it was here. I can find it if there is anyone is interested. It didn't bother me much, as I don't happen to use any of the software that was listed. I do remember that the virus scanner BitDefender is on the list, because my dad uses that.

It also looks like a half-ass job, as in one place they say not to use the full installer if it's just for one machine, and in another section, they say to go through Windows Update for a smaller, and faster way to upgrade to SP1. Could it be that Microsoft rushed it out, as they knew that one more delay might have, and in my opinion would have, turned away many prospective, as well as current, Vista users, who are angry at MS and Vista for whatever reason. I've read many posts where people have said things to the effect of "I'm giving Microsoft one more chance with this SP1, otherwise, count me out ", etc., etc.

I've loved pretty much everything about Vista ever since ITS RTM days (12/8/06-1/31/07), and I am so surprised as to the magnitude of the number of people who seemingly have so many problems with it. And the fact that Vista, an entire OS, made the Top 10 list of worst software in 2007 (it was # 10 lol) was incredible to me. Did MS forget to write a check or something?

 

Cruchdude, I have to agree with you. I'm not sure why so many people are unhappy with Vista. I had reservations about it as well, but it came preinstalled on my HP Pavilion dv9410us notebook and I love it. Sure it might be a tiny bit slower, and I'm unhappy with the huge increase in system requirements (more ram, better performance video card, etc) but this is what keeps the hardware industry moving (they both push each other if you think about it).

But anyway I love Vista, I find it stable and it runs well. I did turn off the Aero interface though..I found it slowed down my computer too much and I didnt see what the big deal was about it anyway.

Vista has some great features, like a much better firewall, built in partition managing software, etc.

 

Hi Broni,

I don't think that we can blame SP1 on its own for all the reported problems, there must be some tie in with individual machine set-ups. Like Arie I have done three installs of SP1, on two retail installations, and one OEM install to change from French Vista to English - no problems at all.

If you needed a 434 MB download you must have been way behind on recommended updates or hot fixes - I think my full downloads were around 66MB only.

The biggest difference that I have experienced between XP and Vista IS the reliability of update installation. After being very wary for a few months, and installing one update at a time, I now let Vista get on with downloading and installing the updates that I select from the available downloads - so far no problems at all. The installer creates its own restore point before installing.

I have never had a BSOD (Quick touch of wood!) and I am a bit of a software junkie, in fact I find Vista so reliable as to be a bit boring!

Hope your problems are over,

Roger

 

Well, I downloaded the darn thing again, as I thought there would be SOME kind of difference between the RTM and final release of SP1, and I got about 500kb/sec of the x64 736MB SP1 standalone installer. 434MB ---> 32-bit, 736MB ---> 64-bit. This was before I started this thread, and the servers were just fine. I did it through the Download Center, NOT via Windows Update. It doesn't matter how you do it at the moment, as you cannot get the incremental updates yet anyway.

Kevin...yea, of course you're right about its enormous size, although, 80GB used to be thought of as enormous. I'm now shopping for a 750GB monster. haha...

What are the specs of your system? I would never turn off Aero. I love that thing. Also, post your Vista scores.

Vista and stability: I never understood that either. It's virtually uncrashable, and I do a lot of multi-tasking. I push it. And then 64-bit came along. I'm still waiting....................waiting I tell ya, folks, because I cannot seem to find ONE app, just one, that is not only compatible, but even though it may be a 32-bit app, kit runs FASTER under 64-bit, than it did on my old x86 setup, which I deleted last week. Even if I come across something now, there is NO WAY that I'm going back to Vista x86, or 32-bit anything.

Vista and 64-bit architecture...now there's a reason to live...

 

Hi Crunchdude,
My HP Pavilion dv9410us has an amd turion 64 processor (dual core running at 1.8 ghz) 1gig of ram, nvidia geforce go 6150 (integrated graphics) 160 gb hd. I know the ram is a little low, I want to upgrade that at some point. But I love the 17" screen

My needs are different than most since I'm legally blind and use a software app called ZoomText to enlarge the display (I look at a screen 14x's the size you see ). I'm used to this though. But anyway, I believe zoomtext uses a lot of video memory, so I wish it had a dedicated graphics card, but I couldn't afford the laptops that had them.

My overall index score is a 3.0. I turn off the Aero interface because zoomtext is so ram/video card intensive that it improved performance to do so. I also have turned off UAC, becuse believe it or not, that slows down a system too.

 

Arie,

Alright, I am convinced, as you always back up yours answers with professional insight. So I could have just left the RTM on my system, huh? lol...I actually re-installed it and put the one from MS's site on, thinking that there has to be at least ONE thing that was changed, but apparently not.

Thanks dude!

 

There's a lot of nonsense circulating the Internet, period! The stuff I read about when it comes to cellular technology is mind boggling at times. Other times it's downright hilarious, and yet other times, it's just plain sad.

And then the nay-sayers. "Should I go for the T7600?" I asked a few months ago. Mostly what I heard was "OMG, Crunch, no, you can't. It's too dangerous, and you'll likely mess up your motherboard, and it's not compatible ". Christ, why did I even bother asking. It was a snap.

"Should I go for Vista x64?" Again... "You had better stick with x86...too many applications are unusable. Take it from me, I've tried it for half a day and I went back to 32-bit. It was horrible "...HAHAH...wow, really...you used it for half a day? Alright, let's see...so 24 hours is one day...12 hours would be half, but you gotta sleep, so half of 8 hours is 4, which brings us down to a possible maximum 8 hours. You gotta eat, and maybe go to work. So let's just say 3-4 hours were spent, of which 1 hour was spent on installing it. So now we're down to 2-3 hours of actual usage, although I am convinced it was more like 15 minutes, as at the first sign of trouble, you BAILED...LOL...who am I talking about? Well, you know who you are, so save it, and enjoy Vista x86 without SP1...

Oh, and the people who tried to talk me out of Slingbox, because how on Earth could the signal travel 8,000 miles over the Internet!??

Well, I set up the Slingplayer and every possible improvement setting was set to FULL POWER, baby. The San Francisco morning news came in crystal clear on my BOE panel. And I get my NBC Nightly News on NBC, all my Laker games on KCAL9, ESPN, and TNT. Woohoo! And if I am not home, there's Tivo for the 6 HBO's, 3 Showtime, and 5 Cinemax, on top of CNN, MSNBC, all the networks, and whatever else. By CNN, I don't mean the BORING CNN International that everyone gets outside of the U.S. (and Canada I think?). Oh, and the HD Connect works awesome, too.

Now I REALLY feel at home, with my Bluray movies, and the 300+ channels in all from Comcast in San Fran...The Internet. What would I do without it.

But I digress...as usual...

P.S.: If any Americans, as well as anybody who simply want access to their channels at home, chat me up, and I'd be glad to help you set it up!