Vista Service Pack 1 is coming

Rob:

First Windows Vista SP1 (Service Pack 1)in 2007 Then Windows XP SP3 (Service Pack 3)in 2008.

OR is that Windows XP SP4 (Service Pack 4)?? Considering some people refered to Vista as "Windows XP Service Pack 3 with eye candy" (DON'T TAKE THAT JOKE SERIOUSLY!!)

SIBERIANAPC:

always VISTA SP1.
it is not going to be a joke any more there are so many missing drivers around but there cant be any more missing Service Packs, Microsoft gotta release this Service Pack....

NeOXG64:

lol I must be the only person in the world that LOVES VISTA NO ISSES'S WORKS WITH ALL THE PROGRAMS, its had issess @ the beginning of the year but has been 100% 4 the last 3months 4 me, i have no idea what you ppl are talking about

PC SPEC:
AMD AM2 6000+ x2 3.0Ghz 1000FSB 1mb x2
4gig DDR2 800mhz RAM
XFX 8800GTX
1.2T HDD

n M2N32 SLi Deluxe AMD AM2 mobo

this spec is pretty much been a standard for bout 6months, as this system only cost me about $2600 custom built, there are other device like a Creative XFi XG fita1ty, LT Z-5500, 22" benq LCD, G15 keyb n G5 mouse, the list goes on.

anyways the reason for showing my spec is not to show off theres people out there with a PC 5x better then my own.

The reason is to simply show that maby you r PC can no handle such a well thought through OS, I like XP SP2 but it after like 2months would really get sluggish... i try XP x64 SP1 n SP2 and again same isses :(

Go vista 1month after official release (build 6000) and the 64bit Ultimate version NO stuffing AROUND.

I do have friend with Vista how wonts to go back to XP only cuz of sound drivers 4 his creative audigy 4 as you don't get the console control for it atm.

If you have the XFi serious sounds card you can download the console n ALchemy program to help all avialble from Creative web site.

Video card drivers, I can not say anything on (AMD's) ATi serious cards as I am byost to NVIDIA grfx cards, but the drivers for NVIDIA hav improved in the last 6months with vista a lot, tho i can only play Crysis on medium :( @ 1680 x 1050 NO AA

Still thers no FPS LAG at all through the hole game DX10 FTW.

Now if any1 would like me to talk about how DX10 works n how people have been sayign they can see the differents on detail between DX9c n DX10 leave a replay on my web site http://www.gamerscaveonline.net go into the forums n sigh up and there is a section on DX10 for you 2 post n other areas as well.

Thank you for you time how ever reads all of this.

Douglas:

We got a new Vista-ized computer yesterday. It's only a basic unit (Core 2 Duo E4400, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Vista Premium), and we like it very much! It runs smoothly, and we have had no problems with it at all (except the fact that the monitor wasn't set at the right resolution, but we fixed that in five minutes). The guy we bought it from installed everything for us (including all updates for Windows). We are very pleased with it.

It's not a gaming rig, but it is an excellent home PC.

So, if you want Vista, get it with a new computer from your local PC mob, not on a HP or whatever. It'll be loaded with c%$# that will bog it down.

McBanjo:

"....as end users test its limits thought their day-to-day activities."

Be careful, but I'll let it slip this time.

Common Errors

wow gold:

My friend recently installed Vista Home Premium on his system (2000+, 512MB RAM, Ti4200) and it runs fine. I'm installing it tonight (Ultimate, not Home Premium) on my 2500+/1GB RAM/6600GT. If I find my RAM being choked I'll buy another gig of DDR from eBay, they're only around $70-80. Of course I won't be able to run in dual channel unless I get a 2GB kit, but the performance (general - not games. The only games I play atm are CS and World of Warcraft :P) difference between single and dual won't be that big, will it?

Brad Tway:

These are AMD lines of processors, right?

Installing single channel RAM in a dual channel machine could affect sytem performance depending on what you are planning to do. If you are not careful, a game like WOW could cause your system to crash, so my advice is if you can stick with the dual channel RAM do so, so you don't have any potential snafus with your machine and Windos Vista. I don't know how unforgiving it is compared to XP, but hopefully it won's cause dozen of errors messages to pop up on your sceen. Yeah you can try going for the cheaper RAM if you don't mind a slight performace drop, but make sure that if doesn't work you can return it. And make sure your graphics are up to snuff also. As you probably realize Vista is a real hardware beast. Hopefully you don't have any problems but if you do you can probably blame Microsoft for making Vista unforgiving and unfriendly.

Anonymous:

"However, Microsoft is almost certainly aiming for a much earlier arrival, perhaps to overcome the reluctance among consumers and businesses alike to plunge headfirst into Vista."

Aka Gartner Recommendation Syndrome.

I would doubt the "aiming earlier" - i guess longhorn server is probably based on sp1, much like x64 XP was based on w2003sp1.

Anonymous:

Don't overlook that one line doozy... "meet or exceed predetermined deployment count goals for each milestone."

Test in your PRODUCTION environment, and deploy more copies at every *BETA* milestone! PAY US to have you beta test our software in your multi-million dollar production environment.

Mark:

Enough already!

GET A MAC!

Zapot8:

Macs dont play video games

krs99:

Even plays PC video games at native speeds if you're willing to load Windows XP or Vista software on the Mac.

Digital Creations:

As you just said. To play games on a mac you need to load a WINDOWS operating system. Macs CANT play games without windows. Therefore macs CANT play games.

APC administrator:

You mean a Mac running OS X can't play games. A Mac running Windows can play games as well as any other PC. 

Jordan:

"Enough already!

GET A MAC!" ?????????????????
having windows on a mac wouldnt make any diff for having vista with/without SP1 on a normaly computer and as other people say, mac's cant play all video games, just because the hardware is a mac wont completely make windows software run better

Axertion:

yea, macs have low compatibility....no video games, less programs..and everything is backwards to PC like they tried IE (confirm box has OK and Cancel buttons flipped). Macs are a good running computer, with nothing to run lol. (P.S., at least Microsoft doesn't make updates cost $$) :D

vix987:

yeah i agree with jordan. loading windows on a mac is simply useless along with performance degredation. just get a pc!!

Freddy:

Are you on crack?

Hi-Mac:

yes, the mac can play games

the_patriot07:

ummm solitaire?

Psykopath:

Neither does Vista. I tried to play a couple of old games on Vista. NO SUCCESS! It doesn't even tell me what the problem is. I do not understand... (*_*)

Try compatability:

NEither does xp. Xp can't play Final Fantasy VII unless you get an unoffical patch. But there is a way around it that microsoft made. It's compability mode *slaps forehead*. Ever thought if trying that?

macattack:

macs can play games like on your pc, but even better!!

derkaderka:

BS no MAC can play any games like my custom high end PC.

NobodyHome:

Not that simple

Getting a Mac is not always the answer, specially not for the casual user, as they cost more than such a user is willing to pay.

Getting Linux on the ther hand is an option that is much more viable. Linux distros have become a lot more friendly to the newbie, just look at Ubuntu, Fedora Core or openSUSE.

Most users need an email program (Evolution, KMail, Thunderbird), a web browser (Firefox, Konquerer) and a multi-protocal chat client (GAIM, Kopete). Some need wordprocessors and spreadsheets (OpenOffice 2.x is GREAT!!) and Internet connectivity (get a DSL, save the hassles of dialup).

All this is pretty straight forward in Linux. And if you absolutely _have_ to use Windows, run it as a virtual machine is Parallels or VMWare.

... and I'm writing this on a Mac ... ;).

derkaderka:

"... and I'm writing this on a Mac ... ;)."

and I bet your sitting inside starbucks as well.

FOREST:

MAC OS SUCKS
I'VE TURNED MORE MAC USERS TO WINDOWS THEN I'VE SEEN GO FROM WINDOWS TO MAC.
MAC OS REMINDS ME OF WINDOWS 3.11
HARD TO USE AND REALLY NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE TO LEARN TO USE. wHEN THE RESOURCES ARE MESSED UP TAKES HOURS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN IS IS NEVER RIGHT AFTER THAT. MAC ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SURF THE INTERNET AND LOOK COOL ON THE DESK TOP. ALL GLITTER AND NO GO. MAC PEOPLE REMIND ME OF BARBI AND KEN DOLLS AIRHEADS, DRUGGIES FROM THE 60'S WITH THERE FANCY SCHOOL BUSES, VW VAN'S. SO TOOT YOUR HORN SOMEWHERE ELSE.

CaptainReality:

OH MY GOD I APPEAR TO HAVE LEFT MY CAPS LOCK KEY ON AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE PUNCTUATION CONSISTENTLY IS IT BECAUSE I'M DUMB AS A SACK OF HAMMERS, INSECURE, OR BOTH. GOD KNOWS, BUT I KNOW THAT MACS SMELL LIKE FRENCH CHEESE AND THAT MAC ARE ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO LOOK COOL IN THEIR MONEY SPACES.

Yes, your post made that much sense.

Enjoy your stay in the idiot tree!

SH:

McBanjo = grammar nazi.

raindog:

Nice try by Microsoft to circumvent the long held industry practice of waiting till a service pack or two is released before giving a product consideration. I don't think too many are going to fall for a a service pack released before most vendors have shelf stock. If anything a service pack concurrent with a product release will inspire buyer caution by anyone dependent on their systems.

seaman:

If I will ever see MAC supporting millions of devices and software like Windows,I'll take my hat off,and I'll agree that is a fine operating system.
Let Linux handle the server-networking jobs,keep MAC for a handfull of people which don't have much of an ideea what a computer can do,and have Windows for all the rest.
So,lets hope Vista SP1 will make things even better than they are.

Bash:

Woah, back up. Linux on the server fields? Linux has came far beyond that my friend. Its now a viable alternative for a desktop OS too.

Everything works differently for everyone who tries it. Just remember that.

In my case, I found that Linux did things a tad better on this machine.

Gene Cavanaugh:

I run the latest version of Ubuntu on a custom machine. Pretty plain vanilla machine, though it does what I want.
My daughter has Vista and a "mongo" machine. I believe, with her machine, I would REALLY blow her away with Linux.
What I have noticed is:
1. My system boots FAR faster than hers.
2. My system is FAR more stable and error-free than hers.
3. I get weekly/monthly upgrades which I can install or not as I choose, and they take very little time to install (I always install).
4. I can run programs Windows can't. I also have Win2000Pro as an application, if I want to use it. I haven't found much to use it for; the Linux stuff such as OpenOffice and GIMP is MUCH better.
5. Down side (for me, UPSIDE!!!) I need to know a little bit about software; Linux treats me as a partner, not an idiot who barely knows how to turn the machine on. That way, I can do things that a Windows user can only wish they could do.

anti-spam:

oh really please do tell what can you do that the rest of us cant ?

Anony:

Yes, You can do those things in windows (except from gaming - but gaming isn't for everybody).

The point is: why spend hundreds of dollars for windows if you can get those things done in a free OS? Unless you are using a pirated version of windows.

Mjhieu:

Oh the rest of everything i can do with Microsoft is what you only could wish and jealous....Go with linus chicken guys....

AP:

OKay,
If you stop and take a look at the limited number of drivers available from the OEM's then this would make sense ...

Longhorn Server, (Server 2007), is due to enter public beta within the next couple of weeks, which would make sense because it should be out by mid-year ...

This would mean that Microsoft will need to release a technical update for Vista, in order to allow additional functionalities between the two OS's ...

Then finally the OEM's & AV organisations who have been sitting on their haunches for sometime now & not overtly investing the time and development into the drivers for Vista, will be releasing new drivers & blaming the lack of development time upon Microsoft (de ja vue XP !)

So that fact that Microsoft are going to be releasing a "SP1 for Vista" is of no supprise. Whilst releasing a driver database update, and interoperability update following the release of S2k7 it makes rational sense to ensure that all systems are also issued with a consolidated patch.

Sorry, but where is the problem ?

Maybe we should be shouting at the OEM's and not Microsoft, because if they had worked with MS upon Vista development instead of releasing modified XP drivers then the SP may have been out within 18 months and not the first year ...

A

Kad Mann:

> Sorry, but where is the problem ?

"the still not-yet-released Vista has 'high impact issues'"

Perhaps you missed that bit.

avjtg:

For all you people recommending Mac and Linux: get a freaking clue! The PC/Windows combo is the most successful because the average user doesn't give a crap that Linux is "safer". They don't care that Mac "looks better". They just want a cheap computer that they can turn on and that will install the latest game or tax package that they just picked up at the local CompUSA. Mac can't deliver that: it's too expensive. Linux can't deliver that: show me a single non-technical user that knows where to being looking for the open office software; and good luck finding a popular game that'll run on it. (And no, running XP in a VM doesn't count: you or I might be able to do that, but just try explaining VMs to the average person and watch their eyes glaze over.)

The average computer user doesn't care about any of these thing, and the constant sniping and "get a Mac" crap that gets posted *every* *single* *time* Microsoft is mentioned just makes you look like a bunch of immature idiots.

Austin Lazanowski:

Holy crap. Thank you. Thanks for someone actually having a brain in these forums. I hate this mac vs. linux vs. windows war. Everyone is going to like what they like and maybe 1% will actually change if ever. I want to read quality, not this banter. So thank you for pointing it out the way you did.

dude:

Stuff Microsoft, get Linux or a Mac

Vinu:

Stuff Microsoft, get pirated vista

Andy:

Unless of course you're poor, but then i just feel sorry for you. No excuse for pirating otherwise.

Roger:

Students are the ones that usually pirate. And some are not born into richness like some peoples.

raindog:

This is rich, whilst everyone has had a gutful of the fanboy "my OS is better than yours", your post takes exactly the same tact and prattles on about how your chosen OS can supposedly do something the others supposedly cannot do.
If you want to brand fan-boys from one team as "immature idiots"? Then grow up and stop your sniping which encourages their sniping add infinitum, and which entitles you to wear the same label.
These are all opinions and the sooner posters realise that their "In My Opinion" is just that, and not some crusade of honour, the sooner we have a chance for a worthwhile read.
But then if everybody did this it wouldn't
offer much scope for all the unheard bloggers like Angus to use APC as a vehicle to flog their nondescript and otherwise unread web links.

Anti-everything:

I think that the average "Joe User/Jane User" or "best Buy ripped-off my grandma" types of users don't really have a choice in that they get Windows, Windows, or some other bu115hit kind of Windows. Windows = No Choice. IOW you take it however THEY WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU. If you appreciate that then I am sure you spend most of the day on your knees for a living. LOL Whatever your choice is if all of your choices are made for you, then you really didn't make one did you, if all of the PC's are more or less made of the same components from the same component manufacturers, and the same assemblers in China, then when you buy a buy an Intel or AMD, or a Gateway or a Dell (laptop especially) are you really making a choice for something better or worse? Just remember consumers at any level at some point are devoid of choice even businesses buying things. Windows and the market it represents, and even Apple, is about the fact that there is no choice, it is simply what company A(pple), M(icrosoft), or W(homever) GIVES you. Now be a good consumer and help Microsoft slug away from its responsibility to the market for making a good and competitive product and just buy Vista because it is 'neatly cool'.

And as far as a popular game that runs on Linux there have been quite a few Quake 4, Doom 3 I think, Railroad Tycoon, among others. But I am sure you probably didn't mean that Golden Tee-like game and games like that which connect to the Internet for tracking scores that way or something without having to use anti-virus. "Sorry Sir your game is suspended while I do a virus definition check and scan my files for worms and what not. No, you wouldn't mean one of the current most popular bar games out there generating revenue for the developer(s) and end points of revenue every day.

But I went this far so I might as well go further, can Windows replace your BIOS? Can it do that and then run your virtualized servers? And then also be your virtualized servers and be free without license restriction? Or can it pump out thousands of desktops without significantly denting your budget? How many licenses do yo need for your DHCP server? DNS? other trivial networking task? How about we put Windows in your ATM, no not ass-to-mouth the way Microsoft feeds you, but where your money info is strictly checked. How about that point-of-sale terminal running without protection like a horny 13 year-old at a college sorority with a pocket full of ecstasy when you use your credit card next? Maybe the owner should have taken more care to secure it, or the application vendor, or you to demand to know before you swiped your card to find out how secure it is by default since it is running Windows. Maybe the consumer should just accept it as reality that the mono culture the same consumer produces is its own responsibility because they idolized the notion of success breeding success when in reality it is slowly leading to failure of the system as a whole. Microsoft cannot displace the Internet, Linux, MySQL, FOSS in general and everything else. Its greatest strength is Windows and it is its greatest weakness because the whole chain depends on Windows and now that Windows is at critical mass and the bot nets are really on the rise you can see the darkness on the edge. It is a beautiful sunset coming, it sure ain't no Vista of no view.

I have missed a lot of points and logic but its late and an anonymous post so take it however it is or leave it.

Todd:

Dude, settle down alright, the bloke was just tryin to say the average user just wants things to work, the way they have worked, which is why Windows is Windows, nothing much has changed (location wise, think about it) and many programs still run that were made for Win 95, dont go blame Microsoft for not supporting older software, look at what everyones precious MAC did about 5 yrs ago changing to OSX killed printers off, but it was needed so the OS could improve and change, which is what Microsoft was trying to do (I think) with Vista, sure it may only be around for 2 years before be superseded, but it looks like it will be the bridge from XP to Vienna which from reports will be completely different (different FS, layout, look, feel etc). Now to Linux, linux is a good concept, but who do you know that wishes to sort through forum after forum after news group looking for drivers for their specific make of network card, or what has already been said, use Open Office, its a good BASIC word processor, sure it can do other stuff, but so can Word, but because its free, its automatically better, I've used it and personally dont like it (MY opinion) I dont care if the next bloke love open office, wouldnt never use anything else, good for him, but back to my original point, Windows is as popular as it is because at the point there were no viable alternatives, and people got accustomed to it, so instead of blaming Microsoft for trying to change and improve itself, blame yourself and the other people flaming Vista here, for not for one learning it, two, not learning anything else (Microsoft shouldnt have to hold your hand in learning Mac or Linux) and just use it, I dont mind it, but then again Im still using FreeBSD at the moment and I suggest if you HATE vista so much, stop talkin about it and use the time it takes to read these posts to learn to use it properly or learn to use an alternative OS. Simple. You hate because you dont understand! Ha

Now that probably made no sense, but come on!! Who cares is it really gunna kill you to re-learn something? or to learn something completely new? Windows, as bloated and error prone as it is, is a decent OS, it supports countless devices, software etc, so errors are expected. Mac OSX again decent, but only because it supports a very specific set of hardware (if you build your OS to work with one peice of hardware, it will be more reliable), and Linux, good idea, but I dont care what people say, my grandma could not use Ubuntu not yet anyways

lscapa:

So everyone flies of the handle about Vista new. Whats new... MS is wanting testers to test tested software before being tested (RTM). Did that make since? What is the big deal anyway with MAC vs. PC vs. Linux vs. Vista vs. vs. vs., it all is still based on a simple electron flowing around causing havoc. Oh for you MAC users don't worry you cant get confused with one mouse button. All OS's or software packages are still limited by the 8-bit everything in a computer... Notice I siad computer and NOT PC. Though it is wierd the MAC users want to trust a CPU made for a calculator, and those Linux and UNIX guys out there, why are you still having to support code from the 1970's? By the way I support all of these technologies and softwares and still haven't reaaly seen anything in 40+ years that would ake me lean toward one vendor for all situations. The real question here is, Would you not rather have MS test these "new" SP's or just say "hey here you go, hope it works for you!!!". SO have fun tearing apart your disliked hardware and software. Just remeber all of it is as simple as 1, 0.

Mark:

i actually really like vista and use it in my career as a freelance tech writer and consultant. however, in my experience, ubuntu linux--while a little clunky looking--actually has much better supprt for peripherals than Vista does. for example, i recently bought a Vista-compatible monitor, external hard drive, printer, and wireless desktop. the monitor works, but i have to reset my configuration every time i reboot or come out of sleep. i can use the hard drive, but only after having it search for drivers every time i reboot (it never actually finds them). i can't use the printer or the Microsoft wireless desktop at all. on ubuntu, i simply booted up and every one of those products worked. the only thing i had to do was add the printer from a list and choose it as the default. 3+ hours on Vista and only partial positive results vs full functionality on ubuntu in under 5 minutes. makes you think...and yes, i know how to search for and install drivers. if they're out there, they're tough to find.

biggsdarwin:

I rarely ever reply to posts but, I have to say that I so truly appreciated your comment! Well-written, to the point and frankly, right on target. Maybe I'm a little less savvy than many here, but I use a Mac for my design work and my wife uses Windows for here daily tasks. I am not about to start sprouting off about how much better a Mac is than Windows; they are tools and as such, they used accordingly.

I SUCCESSFULLY used Windows for years and years before making the switch (and then only for Final Cut and some of the other integrated software offerings that came with the Mac). But to say that Windows is a sub-par machine, or that Macs are the "true" machines, or that Linux or any other system/OS/hardware config is the ONLY way to go, well, is not only arrogant, but misguided as well.

Stop seeing your computers as status symbols and see them for what they are; tools.

Again, avjtg, excellent post!