Why it is going to take Microsoft more than a month to deliver Windows Vista Service Pack 1 over its digital distribution network, Windows Update, from release-to-manufacturing date is beyond the capacity of my understanding. Although notably the Mardi Gras is in March, maybe that has something to do with it.
Update: Some have pointed out that the delay is in fact due to some driver problems on existing Windows Vista computers that prevents a flawless upgrade. The bizarre thing is that they’re not spending a month working around the problem, assuming they can. They’re going to spend a month working out which drivers are problematic, and when March comes around, Windows Update is only going to alert and prevent those users with faulty driver installs from installing SP1. They’re delaying a benefit to potentially millions of users because some driver programmers made a boohoo.
Still begs the question why advanced users can’t download it from Microsoft.com Downloads today. What difference does it make in March?
Having installed SP1 RC Refresh 2 flawlessly, I can vouch for the improved Vista experience even if it’s a unmeasurable amount. There is no reason not to install it, and everything you gain is a bonus.
38 Comments
Jason Cox
It’s confusing to say the least considering we got Vista on the day it RTM’d…
Long Zheng
Just as a clarification for Jason, Vista RTM was available on MSDN (digitally as an ISO) the same day it RTMed.
Chakkaradeep
Atleast we beta testers should get the copy…waiting for it….hmmm
TraumaPony
I don’t fucking get what they did.
They’re waiting until they can detect that you’ll have to reinstall a few drivers so that they -won’t- offer it to you?
Raymund Dobay
Due to driver installation issues you have to wait, sorry folks!
Read this:
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/02/04/anno uncing-the-rtm-of-windows-vista-sp1.aspx
TraumaPony
Yes, but that doesn’t make sense. Why not just realease it on Microsoft Download, instead of pushing it, until they can nail that bug?
Long Zheng
Just because a pinhead number of drivers were installed incorrectly, and might take a whole driver reinstall to correct, all the other millions of Vista users have to suffer?
TraumaPony
Exactly my point.
Raymund Dobay
Those who can’t wait can get it via windows update using sp1 refresh2 reghack.
It installs az a final version (6001.18000.080118-1840)
no expiry date, no version number, no watermark (evaluation copy)
I guess it is not RTM just because of the driver related bug.
If anyone experiences a driver issue after installation of SP1 RC refresh 2, this can be easily resolved by reinstalling the specific driver.
Rafael
I guess I need to patch that Uxthem… oh wait, I did weeks ago.
RL
Mardi Gras in March??? Thought it was tomorrow…….oh well I guess I’ll just have to drink all that beer anyway. On a side note only the x64 version of Server 2008 is available now for download with the x86 coming down the road.
Fabeme
Apparently, MS France declared that the update would be available as download in 2 weeks or so…
Link of the info…
http://www.pcinpact.com/actu/news/41595-Vista-SP1-disponible-telecharg ement-DVD.htm
dabreaka
those that suffered have probably already switched to XP
Marcus
I was looking forward to formatting today and installing SP1, but nooooooooo MS has to hold out the standalone installer for another damn month. VERY stupid, IMO.
Wictor
This is bizarre! I can understand why they dont push it on Windows Update, but not releasing it on MS Downloads or at least for MSDN/TechNet subsribers is ridicoulus!
vasudev
Waiting for SP1 RTM.
I also think SP1 RC ref. is almost the same as SP1 RTM. Have been running it without any prob.
http://vasudevg.blogspot.com/2008/02/windows-vista-service-pack-1-wind ows.html
Raymund Dobay
I’m running RC 1 refresh 2 as well. It’s easy to get via MS Update using refresh 2 registry hack. After the installation you’ll get a version number
(6.0.6001.18000-1840) same as the official RTL. It’s all about the driver bugs. If you install it you have SP1 final.
wojtekmaj
okay, I’m satisfied with v.668. I couldnt care less about rtm. ;]
Arron
C’mon, are you guys really surprised that Microsoft picked the worst possible way to handle this situation? REALLY?
This is par the course for Microsoft — nothing more, nothing less.
Also, Long, this comment form sucks. Try to make a comment without an email address, then hit the back button when you get the error.
It is very Web 1.0 / Microsoftish.
Bazooke
Just wait for a leak version. I am pretty sure it will leak… I mean Window 7 M1 got leaked. *Laugh*
Shawn Oster
At first I was confused as well but honestly it makes sense. If just anyone can grab RTM then that puts zero pressure on the hardware vendors to update their drivers. Since you can only get it via Update then vendors will be scrambling to make sure they’re not on that list of SP1 blockers and if they are then people will become very vocal about wanting SP1.
Makes sense to me, plus since I’m running Refreh 2 it’s not really that big a deal if I get RTM today or a month from now.
Chad
So, any updates on the effect this has on the OEM crack phase?
Which goes along with Long’s “you have nothing to lose and everything to gain” segment.
Martin Ennemoser
Why would they declare it RTM’ed anyway? As far as I understand, it’s not yet finished. Why announce it finished now and not in a month? I don’t get it…
fiji
WHAT, WHAT, WHAT. I was waiting for Service Pack 2 but no Microsoft had to move it into to March cause of needle-brains driver problems. Replace your hardware crap or go to Mars. You’ll mind as well fit in with them, after all you’re an alien
. Anyways when is Service Pack 3 for Windows XP coming out, it better come out soon. OR ELSE 
Jay
Hey Long …
I know how frustrating it is.. but we will get SP1 soon .. you have SP1 RC2 refresh so why do you care about SP1 ?
I have SP1 v.658 and I’m not worrying that much about SP1.. it will comes in due time.
You are right when saying that advanced users should be able to download it .. but there are too many people waiting for a failure.. to jump on it right now!
Rafael
@Chad – Works fine, I thought they said they’re were combating it? What -did- Microsoft do?
gary
with all of the stupid things they changed in vista, why should this dumb idea surprise you?
Ryan
Hey Long, if this RTM is somehow leaked, be sure to give us a heads up, ok!
Chad
Rafael, the thing only went into effect with the RTM version of SP1. So we have to wait til March to see.
phillippe
i dont understand..
it’s released or not?
Where i can find it?
Ryan
http://www.torrentportal.com/details/1695738/Vista+6.0.6001.18000+
that is the RTM, its running on my system, and here is the properties screen:
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7637/systemyf0.png
Stephen
Ryan,
Can you run this command from a cmd.exe prompt and post back the build number returned.
reg query HKLM\Components\DerivedData\Components | findstr /i /c:”ntdll_” |findstr 6001.1
Ryan
Well here is what I got,
…Components\x86_microsoft-windows-ntdll_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.1800 0_none_58d6de41fc2dac16
Ryan
BTW I have this: http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1541/aboutwindowskj1.png
As opposed to this: http://www.milbits.com/archivos/2007/08/windows-vista1.png
Stephen
This is mine:- http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4016/winver01zz5.jpg
And x86_microsoft-windows-ntdll_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.18000_none_58d6d e41fc2dac16
I only have the RC2 Refresh the same build Long posted above, so either the RTM SP1 is the same build number of NTDLL as the RC2 Refresh build or you downloaded the RC2 Refresh.
Time will tell I guess.
fiji
I’m afraid to download a TORRENT. SPOOKY. but i want SP1 now
Gr1zz
Bad driver could be deadly. I remember Vista Beta had a warning that it was missing fan drivers for some laptops and provided a danger. Wasn’t that the first patch for the vista beta?
BadBoy
Hey Guys,
I found a site containg step by step guide for installation of windows vista Sp1 rtm. It workd flawlessely. I have tried it
http://windowsforums.org/index.php?showtopic=154
Get it in the above link
-bad Boy
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