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Vista SP1 goes live on Automatic Updates, but gradually

By Scott M. Fulton, III, BetaNews

April 23, 2008, 6:06 PM

It's apparently safe to try this now: Microsoft stated this afternoon it's going forward with plans to deploy Windows Vista Service Pack 1 via Automatic Updates.

But today's go-ahead won't mean that users will wake up one morning and suddenly find themselves upgraded (or not), or even that SP1 will find itself deployed all in the same morning.

Beginning today, according to Microsoft's Chris Flores this afternoon, some Vista users with Automatic Updates turned on will begin to see SP1 downloaded automatically. Apparently distribution is being staggered in order to prevent a mass occurrence of driver incompatibility, or a situation where tens of thousands of users find themselves stuck in an endless reboot cycle.

"While Microsoft is beginning automatic distribution today, it's important to note that customers might not see the update download right away since Microsoft is distributing the Service Pack in phases to ensure a seamless download experience," another Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews this afternoon.

Although SP1 may download automatically, it will not install itself automatically, according to Flores: "After Windows Vista SP1 downloads, [Windows Update] will let you know that 'new updates are available.' You'll then be asked to make a few clicks before the installation of SP1 will begin."

A post to the Microsoft Update Product Team blog last week advises administrators whose offices use Windows Update -- Microsoft's manual download service -- that they can deploy a device called the Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit, to disable individual users' ability to select, download, and deploy Vista SP1 before admins are ready for it.

A separate SP1 upgrading procedure for enterprises using Windows Server Update Services -- which deploys upgrades from in-house servers -- was posted last month.

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By tscar13

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 3:59 PM

one final note on the bias of the BN writers. Here's a link to a financial article about Apple:
http://dailybriefing.blo...ple-board-on-backdating/

If you need to understand backdating of options and why Apple and Dell got into trouble over this , just ask.

Score: 0

By tscar13

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 2:00 PM

A little financial news:
""Apple's earnings were good, even if the forecast wasn't and Microsoft is after the bell and that's supposed to be a blowout quarter."

I guess MS isn't dead:)

Score: 0

By cranbers

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 7:48 PM

I don't understand why the process of installing vista sp1 is so complicated and it takes 45 mins and you can't even use your computer.

I mean xp sp3, you do a few clicks, it copies some files, it says to restart, you do and your done. 15 mins tops AND you can even use your computer while its doing this.

So what gives? Someone installs sp1, to find they can't even use their computer for an hour, and if a newbie user gets into that endless reboot cycle? Good luck with dell or whoever's tech support on that one. All they can do is ask you to reload the os from scratch or something.

Microsoft, I gotta tell you. Vista is a mess, even rolling out a service to fix existing issues is a mess.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 8:56 AM

don't understand why the process of installing vista sp1 is so complicated and it takes 45 mins and you can't even use your computer.

kernel update.

I mean xp sp3, you do a few clicks, it copies some files, it says to restart, you do and your done. 15 mins tops AND you can even use your computer while its doing this.

Patches.

Clearer?

Score: 0

By tscar13

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 1:48 PM

Pc once again show his knowledge which is better than mine. Good answer to the ignorant ones.

Score: 0

By irdepesca572

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 1:54 AM

Yes, SP1 for Vista updates the kernel to the same as that of Windows 2008 server.

Score: 0

By lvthunder

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 11:11 PM

Vista and XP are different. XP SP3 is just a roll up of patches. Vista SP1 changes a lot of stuff. XP SP3 doesn't speed up copying files for instance. Also Microsoft has programmed Windows Update to not offer SP1 to those who have bad drivers so you shouldn't see people get caught in those reboot loops. That's what Beta tests are for is to catch problems like that.

Why do you say SP1 is a mess. Have you heard of anyone who is using the released version of SP1 have any problems installing it. Nope. If you remember that wasn't the case with XP SP2. Maybe Microsoft learned something there and made service packs install different. You shouldn't be doing anything while installing a service pack anyways.

Score: 0

By marrix

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 11:55 AM

I have spent 21 days since delivery of my Dell XPS M1530, let's ignore the tm's & stuff for a moment, trying to get a "Futuremark Pass" on this, geez they will only acknowledge it is the slowest machine, running Vista, they have attempted a benchmark on!
This rig is a Code Red BTO, Intel T9300, Nvidia GS8600M GT, 4GB ram, 7200rpm 200GB, and so it goes!
At first blush, a wonderful rig running Vista Ultimate, yet 'twas so bad "Futuremark" could not score it.
Indeed, so terrible, that Vista Service Pack 1, would not, and still will not install.
Error code "0x80070002", support link "go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=101139",
Don't, bother searching for this link it has been changed in the past 2 hours, the new link is "http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947366"!
What the error code means is that your product key is not recognized, hence SP1 will not install, mind you have to wait for 20-30 minutes before this little blessing arrives.
I cannot believe it, in this day & age wherein quality of product and support are deemed to be paramount, we get "b**** slapped by one stevie ball my ass".
And, yep you ME aficionados who think Vista is the greatest, check Stevie's word's, geez he's even on "You Tube" admitting this.

Score: 0

By artsaz0

edited Jun 19, 2008 - 1:02 PM

Dear Sir(s),
Thank you for your hard and relentless work,the only problem is I have not been able
to install Lets say KB935509 for exactly since
I bought the Vista.God bless you,Best Regards.

Score: 0

By tscar13

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 1:56 PM

At least he has the balls to admit problems. Can you see Jobs doing the same? I think not.

Score: 0

By mancubs

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 7:34 AM

dont know what planet you are on but vista sucks

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 9:50 AM

I see we have landed on planet troll, how does it suck? Vista runs great on new hardware, old hardware not so much. AT LEAST if you are going to troll try and be a bit more creative. You could always use the tired its "xp with a shiny gui"

Score: 0

By tscar13

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 1:52 PM

Good reply Term and, if you missed my post I am sorry about the things I said. You and PC have much more knowledge about the inner working of software than I do.

Have a nice day:)

Score: 0

By DigitAl56K

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 2:04 AM

"Vista and XP are different. XP SP3 is just a roll up of patches. Vista SP1 changes a lot of stuff. XP SP3 doesn't speed up copying files for instance."

That is one of the most technically incompetent statements I've read. Ever.

"If you remember that wasn't the case with XP SP2."

XP SP2 began enforcing DEP. This caused a lot of apps to break. They broke because they were accessing memory in ways that were not legal, but were not guarded under XP SP1 and earlier.

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 2:10 AM

The latest service packs for Vista and XP are different. Vista SP 1 is a whole new version of Vista. SP 3 for Windows XP is nothing more than a convenient way to install the hundreds of security updates on Windows Update all at once.

Score: 0

By DigitAl56K

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 8:55 AM

You are wrong.

Please visit this page and download the pdf. There are a handful of new features, as well as updates not previously deployed through Windows Update.

Also note that updates affecting the XP kernel, even if they are only for security purposes, are by definition a new version of Windows XP.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 8:57 AM

XP SP3: Patching the kernel.

Vista SP1: replacing the kernel.

See the difference?

Score: 0

By ladylust

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 7:48 PM

Got it.. works great..

Score: 0

By preinterpost

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 8:40 AM

Yeah but wait until that recession hits you ;-)

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 8:55 AM

*laughs*

Score: 0

By DraconPern

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 7:34 PM

Installed yesterday without any problems.

Score: 0

By lvthunder

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 6:27 PM

Or more likely they are staggering it so they don't kill their own servers with the download.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 7:08 PM

Scott was accused quite a while ago of being soft on MSFT. Apparently he took it to heart and has done a 180 if the last few months are any indication.

This:

Apparently distribution is being staggered in order to prevent a mass occurrence of driver incompatibility, or a situation where tens of thousands of users find themselves stuck in an endless reboot cycle.

...could have been left out. There's no MSFT source claiming this is the reason, in fact, they *do* quote a MSFT source giving the very reason you suggested. The only reason he throws those quotes in there is to start flame-wars. :)

What can I say? He's good at it.

Score: 0

By tscar13

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 2:10 PM

I'm sorry but Fulton strikes me as a creep:) and goes with the flow of money.

Score: 0

By SMFulton3

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 8:33 AM

You've gotta be kidding me.

I have covered Microsoft as a professional journalist for 24 years. I've been accused of being a paid Microsoft shill and being a blind, enraged Microsoft basher...sometimes by the same people. After about the one millionth accusation, your skin starts to get pretty thick and it doesn't matter any more.

Sometimes the news from Microsoft is positive for Microsoft; sometimes it's negative for Microsoft. And that's not always proportionate to whether the news is bad or good for Microsoft's users. But for over two decades, I've heard folks on both sides of each new wave of news that comes along from Redmond say my interpretation of the wave going this way or that is slanted or biased or somehow distorted by my personal view. From their perspective, they have no idea how, after all this time, it all evens out.

Basically, there are much bigger things in the world to be biased about than little ol' Microsoft.

One more thing, and here's a little insider information for you: Anyone who thinks that BetaNews seeds little sentences in its stories as a way to start flame wars in order to attract readers, is living in a fantasy world. In my job, I have to know who our readers are. And if we could, by some miracle, excise every reader who was interested in the flame war aspect of these stories, the immediate impact on our readership base, by my estimate, would be no worse than 8%.

And the long-term impact, judging by our reader feedback, would be that our readership base would swell in just one quarter, because more people are turned _off_ by flame wars than turned _on_ by them. In short, if _I'm_ the one starting the flame war, then I'm the one sawing off the limb I'm standing on.

No, sir, I'm the one starting the _discussion_. Someone else is the one with the gasoline.

-SF3

Score: 0

By tscar13

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 2:54 PM

You are a creep and just a hack writer that know who pays your check. Why not write for one of the "litterbox" newspapers- better suited to your talents or lack of as a journalist.

Oh.. and have a nice day:)

And it's not just about "hits". The revenue stream flows into BN is more than that. One thing to look at is the ads at the top of pages. BN gets paid everytime someone clicks on them. Finally, maybe readers think your "news" is slanted because of the words you use and the provocative headlines you run.

added note #1-" Ads by Google
XP

MS Vista

Windows Vista Crack

Network Security

Network Server
This is an example of revenue stream at the top of pages. I especially like the one about Windows Vista Crack. What reputable site would run an ad like that?

added note #2- "No, sir, I'm the one starting the _discussion_. Someone else is the one with the gasoline." this statement implies you start the fire. Correct me if I'm wrong on the "slang" part but isn't there something about pouring gasoline on fire cliché?

Score: 0

By robmanic44

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 12:12 PM

Most of the flame wars I've seen have involved OSs. I consider BN to be generally fair-minded. I don't know of anyone who gets it right every time. I've posted my share of ignorance in my time. Opinions are, by their very nature, subjective.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 8:52 AM

Then support the reasoning behind adding that little tidbit?

...because saying it ain't so doesn't cut it.

It's pure and simple supposition on *your* part, and had nothing to do with the release other than *your* implication.

And FYI: If you think you're getting paid to write stories, you're deluding yourself. You're here to generate hits...and you know it. :) Like I said, you're good.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 10:25 AM

If you think you're getting paid to write stories, you're deluding yourself. You're here to generate hits...and you know it. :)

If he does, why are you telling him?

I agree with you on most issues, PC_Tool, but it sure seems like you do try to make as many enemies as you can when you post sometimes.

Do not interpret this as an attack. I respect your comments more than most here in BN. Just sayin'.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 11:12 AM

If he does, why are you telling him?

Because he seems to be in denial.

I agree with you on most issues, PC_Tool, but it sure seems like you do try to make as many enemies as you can when you post sometimes.

Do not interpret this as an attack.

No problem. I speak (or type) my mind. Some people have a problem with that. I see that as their problem, though, not mine. :)

I'd really like to see the reasoning for the portion of the article in question though. If there's something *other* than the implied negative, if it, at least in his mind, provides some added *factual* and *useful* context (from a valid source), I'd be fine with it. Really. But it was submitted as fact when no MSFT employee or spokesperson would have ever said such a thing.

Hell, he could have even added a ";)" and it would have been fine with me. Anything to suggest he was trying to pass that off as hearsay, not factual content.

Score: 0

By preinterpost

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 8:51 AM

8% is an interesting estimate. Being a statistics kind of guy I was wondering...

However, I do share the same suspicion that some BN articles are meant to fan the fire. Of course this would officially be denied but some head lines are just too obvious - otherwise the editor would moderate the tone.

Anyway, I do wish there was some form of intelligence test to be allowed to post. Not just on this site...

Score: 0

By tscar13

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 3:31 PM

First of all Pre, I have nothing against you where as I have been known to make stupid remarks and will probably make a few in the future.

But being a statistics kind of guy, do a statistical analysis of the number of anti-MS stories versus other companies and do one comparing the dates of the articles and how long anti-MS articles stay on the front page and how BN then brings back these same articles from their netherworld to put on their front page. The results will confirm your suspicion.

Score: 0

By sjc001

posted Apr 23, 2008 - 7:55 PM

Like you, the tool?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 8:54 AM

Sure.

He posts relevant information quite frequently, and often backs up his statements with sources and "fact".

I'm closer to him than say, someone like you, who's only posts consist of insults, baseless accusations, and flat-out misinformation. you couldn't back up your BS if your life depended on it.

...sometimes I wish it did. :)

Score: 0

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