Windows Vista SP1

[albert5268]

Windows Vista update plagued by glitches | NEWS.com.au

MICROSOFT'S first update to the Windows Vista operating system could cause even more problems for some users.
Windows Vista was released 11 months ago as the first new operating system since Windows XP came out in 2001. Users soon found that Vista suffered from speed and compatibility issues.
Even Microsoft executives complained about it, as revealed in emails recently made public during a US court case.
This week, Microsoft released Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) to improve the performance and security of the operating system.
Instead of improved performance, the update seems to be causing more headaches for Vista users.
Comments on technology websites indicate that some users could not begin the update at all. Others found that their updated systems had more problems than before SP1 was installed.

The Windows Vista SP1 website states that the update will not work if the computer uses particular devices by Intel, Symantec or RealTek AC. Users must first resolve certain software conflicts for these devices before they can begin the update.
It also states that SP1 is not compatible with particular anti-virus programs including ZoneAlarm Security Suite and BitDefender Antivirus.
On the official Windows Vista Team Blog, one user commented that the update used more memory than before.
"Isn't a service pack suppose to fix issues? (I) went from using 650mb ram idle to 1gig... I'll be switching back and a very bleak outlook for ms (Microsoft)."
Another user stated that their computer displayed the "blue screen of death" and crashed shortly into the update.
Peter Griffin, a technology blogger for the New Zealand Herald, experienced a similar crashing problem while trying to install SP1 on one of his computers. He suspected the issue was due to an incompatible graphics card in his laptop.
Those who could install the update noticed only mild improvements in speed.
Technology website Extreme Tech tested SP1 using the graphics-intensive game Crysis. The updated version of Vista was only slightly faster than Windows XP, and even fell behind XP in a high-resolution setup.
After a series of complaints on the official Windows Vista Team Blog, team member Brandon LeBlanc posted an apology.
"I apologize to all who are experiencing issues with Windows Vista SP1," he said.
"Remember you can visit Microsoft Support and get help (free of charge) if you are experiencing any issues related to the installation of SP1.

[xlr8_87]

what's new?
XP was the same...

[evil_monkey]

what's new?
XP was the same...

beg to differ, i own a computer repair shop and i never had anywere near the issues with xp than i have with vista

[xlr8_87]

i didn't say XP was bad, was just referring to microsoft being balls in general

didn't XP have problems with SP1 or 2?

[Morton]

I don't think so, not nearly as widespread as they're finding with Vista. I've been a daily user of XP, SP1 and SP2 Pro and Home edition since the day they were respectively released, and havn't had one issue with compatibility, updates or use of system resources that I can remember. XP has always been stable, fast, and above all highly user customizable. I'm running a slightly ancient 3ghz Intel CoreDuo processor, and only 1gb of ram - and my system boots in roughly fifteen seconds, and logs in within five. Much smoother and with less memory issues than OSX which I used on an almost daily basis for two years. I shudder at the thought.

For comparison's sakes, my use has been spread accross Athlon and Intel chips, a variety of ATi and nVidia graphics cards, and an ASUS and Gigabyte motherboard.

XP only generally needs a reformat on a yearly basis at worst, which I don't think is too bad for any heavily used operating system.

That said, I still wouldn't touch Vista with a twelve foot barge pole.