Microsoft is finally talking about the much-anticipated first service pack for Windows Vista and will release the first beta to a select group of about 15,000 customer and partner testers within the next few weeks. The software maker will release the beta for Windows XP Service Pack 3 at the same time. Microsoft acknowledged Aug. 29 that it has already shared beta previews of Windows XP SP3 and Vista SP1 with small group of testers, a fact it refused to admit until recently despite numerous leaks on the Internet.
I’m kinda worried about this kind of update – I’m sure its reliable and all, but I do have a paranoid feeling that something is bound to go wrong. Its good that they are going to provide, however, a stand alone update which will make me happy – allow me to retain a backup copy of it if I need to reinstall Windows Vista.
What I do hope, however, is that Microsoft is being quiet about ‘performance issues’ because they’re being addressed in the Windows Vista. I understand a huge amount of work was done with Windows Vista, so I hope that that the work they’ve done with SP1/Windows 2008 have been on improving the performance and reliability will be addressed.
As for application compatibility, I’m running StarOffice 8 on it, and haven’t experienced any compatibility issues yet. I’m sure there are those who have experienced problems. Rather than blame Microsoft I think the venting should be to those companies refusing to release updates. SP1 will be beta testing for 4-5 months – clearly enough time for companies to test their software.
I’m more then a little worried. The success of an SP2 install was anyones guess on XP unless it was on a vanilla install, or even better, slipstreamed.
Vista really showed us both the dedication of MS to backwards compatibility, and the overall lazyness of windows software development houses. If people used the APIs they should have since 2k, there would have been no problems.
Its success or failure had less to do with Microsoft and more to do with the software/hardware/driver combination that exists on the end users computer.
I find it humorous when people are willing to ride shotgun on the Microsoft hating bandwagon whilst ignoring computers a bloody complex machines with various points of failure – many outside the operating system vendors control.
True. I think the biggest problem is how willing Microsoft is to hand out the ‘Windows Vista’ sticker to software vendors; Windows Vista shouldn’t just mean ‘it runs’ it should mean ‘does not use any old/depreciated system calls’ and ‘does not use any compatibility shims to get things working’.
When you set the bar low, the software vendors will only ever do enough to meet that bar, and nothing more.
I think it mostly had to do with software and the general cruft that xp would accumulate over time. My point was that back when SP2 came out, I had to reinstall windows, and I really hope vista sp1 doesnt require the same thing.
I’m sorry, I couldn’t help laughing at this. I used to get accused all the time of being on the microsoft hating bandwagon in places like this. Since Vista came out and I actually liked it, the exact opposite has been happening.
We all know that big updates can trash a machine, no matter what OS you use. However, XP SP2 did it fairly consistantly.
I have to say, I have been nothing but impressed by HP. Bought a pavilion dv9000 a few weeks after the Vista launch, and I have had absolutely none of the problems that seem to constantly been plaguing the general population. Performance, stability, and responsiveness are all far beyond what I was expecting from an OS a week out of the gate.
hmm, for me, I have found that with alot of operating systems; old settings hanging around for example, that need to be cleared out. I’m sure Sp1 will be alot easier; as long as you haven’t fiddled with the default OEM drivers which were included. For me, if the drivers aren’t provided by Microsoft or HP, I don’t install them.
Same. I purchased this HP dv6209tx just around a month after Windows Vista was released; it is preloaded with Windows Vista Business. I hated it from the beginning but thanks to the recent updates for performance and reliability, I’ve got no complaints.
Windows Vista problems seem to be only plaguing those whose machines whom are upgrading the existing operating system – even then it seems that those who do complain seem to complain because its the ‘in thing’ to do rather than anything close to reality.
I had a look at the white paper of SP1 and things should be improving once released.
I’m more then a little worried. The success of an SP2 install was anyones guess on XP unless it was on a vanilla install, or even better, slipstreamed.
Huh? I’ve installed SP2 so many times in the past couple years it’s impossible to count, and I’ve encountered problems maybe 3 or 4 times max.
I tried a Sudoku program that I bought for my aunt and uncle for their brand new laptop with Vista on it.
It installed fine.
It crapped when trying to run it.
Sudoku, man…freaking SUDOKU wouldn’t even run on it!
My GOD…how can you make an OS that doesn’t even let the simplest of puzzle programs run on it without having a fit!?!?!
I concur – if a simple Sudoku program won’t run on it, what makes anybody think SP1 is going to fare any better?
Excuse me Warpkat, but what has that got to do with the price of fish. How is it Microsofts fault that the two bit company who wrote the software couldn’t be bothered properly maintaining their application.
Maybe instead of posting spam on this board about your tale of woes, you actually contact the company who makes it and blast them and their laziness.
Dude, sorry, but so far of the mark it hurts.
Sure, your having issues with software but, does the application state clearly on the package that it works with Vista? I doubt it.
As much as I’m unimpressed with what MS has done with Vista, as apposed to what they could have done, I’ll be the first to back them up vis a vis lazy developers.
When I first installed Vista, I was certain that most of my apps would not run. Since then, every application that I was running under XP has released updates that enable me to utilize them with Vista.
Sure, they may not be quite up to the same standard but then I don’t expect a new OS to have the same maturity as a seven year old OS.
From a realistic perspective, I can’t see how you could possible expect anything else.
On my system Vista is at the point it took xp several years to attain, and although people should be leary of any major update/service pack, sp1 is most likely going to be a huge improvement to most users. And although it took a few months, (creative, nvidia,my microsoft keyboard-mouse set not allowing the screen saver to come on) there isnt anything I lost from switching to vista from xp, 64 bit at that! It even communicates with my gentoo box flawlessly, where as it was hit n miss in xp. kudos microsoft!
Thats all very well that it works for you, and others here, and even myself….
But, I still feel that Microsoft are rushing the service pack out. I got a letter from Microsoft saying my beta will be here next week, but there was no paperwork about what will be included/enhanced/revised/repaired.
I think they should have held off until everything works properly, rather than to get it on the streets.
The push for that was caused by a lot of journalists telling people not to touch Vista until SP1……
Considering that SP1 is pretty much Windows 2008, its just a matter of ensuring that there are no regressions in terms of compatibility.
I doubt it is being rushed. Beta means that it is feature complete, its just a matter of hammering out bugs; I mean, if they were truly rushing it, they would be targetting before the end of this year. So far all the information so far has been that it will be released at the beginning of next year.
As for the white paper as to what will be covered, it’ll be released at the same time. No need to flap your hands about in excitement – its all under control. Take a deep breath and some valium, and relax 🙂
Is with lazy developers still expecting to have Administrative priviledges to the fn OS. Come on. We are no longer in the world of Win95 and it is time to take seriously being able to run apps un User priviledges instead of fn Administrative.
I try to help out people to make Win XP a workable/secure environment but when they rely on specific apps and the app developers are a bunch of lazy smucks, it pisses me off.
Agreed 100%! People always bitch and whine on Microsoft, but most of the time it’s cocky developers who are at fault here.
Wake me up when the real SP1 is out. Maybe then Vista is worth considering for my customers when it comes to deploying new Windows boxen.
Honestly though, XP SP3 would be more interesting and beneficial.
The service pack is about 6 months away, in that timeframe more people will alienate themselves by the time SP1 comes around. Too little too late. Now granted XP had it’s problem in it’s beginning and Im sure Vista will be a great OS, oh…in about 4 to 5 years, but right now I am personally going to wait a few years before I upgrade. I’ve seen first hand the “genius” of vista and know people personally who turned Vista into a household curse word…and these were seasoned IT Pros. LONG LIVE XP!!