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Harry Waldron - IT Security

Security Developments, Software Updates and Best Practices

Microsoft offers free support for Vista SP1 installs

Star It's important to keep up-to-date with the latest Service Packs, as support for Vista "Gold" will eventually expire several months from now.  Usually, service packs are also beneficial in enhancing performance or correcting functional issues.  Service Packs also ensure that the PC is up-to-date from a security standpoint, although hopefully most folks have automatic updates enabled or are keeping up-to-date otherwise.

Most users will not experience issues during SP updates.  However, as Service Packs represent major changes there have been a few issues reported as noted below.  As it's beneficial to be on the latest binaries, Microsoft is offering free support for any Vista SP1 issues discovered (even outside the original guidelines).   This program seems to apply to home users, as existing service channels would be used for corporate users.   

Microsoft offers free support for Vista SP1 installs
http://msn-cnet.com.com/Microsoft-offers-free-support-for-Vista-SP1-installs/2100-1016_3-6235475.html

QUOTE: Vista users encountering problems when they upgrade to Service Pack 1 can breathe easier: the company is giving away free support for those installing the service pack. The transition to the service pack has not been problem-free for many users, some of whom have seen their computers fall into endless reboot cycles and struggled with broken applications after installing the upgrade.

Normally, only Windows Vista users who bought the retail product would be eligible for free support but, for SP1 installation, even users with an original-equipment-manufacturer copy of Vista on their computer can get Microsoft's help, according to the official Vista blog

Some additional resources are noted below:

Windows Vista SP1 - Ready for Download
http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9896820-56.html

Windows Vista SP1 - Release Information
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/03/18/windows-vista-sp1-released-to-windows-update.aspx

Windows Vista SP1 - Solution Center
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/11732

Windows Vista - How to obtain SP1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935791

How to obtain Microsoft support files from online services
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/119591/

Windows Vista Blog - Home Page
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/default.aspx

Posted: Mar 25 2008, 03:51 PM by Harry Waldron | with 3 comment(s)

Comments

Mark said:

Yikes! Why would any sane person buy into this Vista can of woms?

# March 25, 2008 4:30 PM

Jason said:

Just bought a new PC a few weeks ago that has Vista Home Premium, and have two other PCs with XP.  Vista is performing well.  There have been a couple of hiccups now and then, but not sure that I can attribute the to Vista itself.  I'm very pleased with the functions and features of Vista.  Not sure why there are so many "anti-Vistites" out there!  I think it's great!  Way to go MS!  

# March 27, 2008 1:32 PM

Sandra said:

I purchased a Toshiba Laptop about a year ago with Vista Home Premium installed

on it. I have had not 1 problem with Vista yet. The only problems I've had are programs that I installed and there were some conflicts with those programs which

have been taken care of. "Anti-Vistites" stop the  attacks. Vista is fantastic!

Remember history: XP had it's problems when it was first released. Mac's have their

problems too!

Happy computing!

# March 28, 2008 10:13 AM