Microsoft's Windows Vista officially entered into its Service Pack 2 (SP2) phase on 26th May after releasing its second service pack for the operating system.
The software giant also rolled out a Service Pack 2 for Windows Server 2008 that supports new kinds of hardware and emerging hardware standards, and it also has all the updates offered since SP1.
The last Vista Service Pack was released in March last year and according to Microsoft; Vista SP1 is required in order to install SP2.
Here is a list of the updates included in the new Service Pack:
- SP2 adds support for the 64-bit central processing unit (CPU) from VIA Technologies, which adds the ID and vendor strings for the new VIA 64-bit CPU.
- SP2 integrates the Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless, which contains support for Bluetooth v2.1 and Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi Configuration. Bluetooth v2.1 is the most recent specification for Bluetooth wireless technology.
- SP2 improves performance for Wi-Fi connections after resuming from sleep mode.
- SP2 includes updates to the RSS feeds sidebar for improved performance and responsiveness.
- SP2 includes ability to record data to Blu-Ray Disc media.
Another important thing to note is that the beta version of the Service Pack is time limited and will expire on 1st June 2010. Microsoft strongly recommended users that are currently using the beta version, to install the upgraded version before the deadline.
According to IT Pro Microsoft has done a u-turn when it comes to charging users for Vista Installation or compatibility support with regard to Vista SP1. It says that Microsoft is now "offering free support to any Windows Vista SP1 user experiencing problems."
Quoting Microsoft MVP Brandon LeBlanc, it reports "you have a variety of options you can choose for support, all of which will not cost you any support fee."
Indeed, it would appear that the Microsoft Vista support site is now offering totally free support for SP1 installation and compatibility issues be it via email, IM or telephone to anyone enquiring during US Pacific time business hours, and the offer will run for a full twelve months.
If you have a machine with Vista pre-installed, then you no longer have to go via OEM support or pay Microsoft $59 for every support request, which has to be good news all round
Microsoft has a Knowledge Base article that goes into the issue. Here are the potential reasons :
- You are already running Vista SP1.
- Vista SP1 is not yet available for the language pack for your version of Windows.
- The Windows Service Pack Blocker tool is running.
- "You tried to install Windows Vista SP1, and the installation failed with a known inconsistency in the file or registry structure." Oops, this one sounds like you have a problem.
- A problematic device driver was installed on the system when you tried to update to Vista SP1. Windows Update can detect some of these and block SP1.
- You are running a pre-release of SP1. You must uninstall it first.
- You used vLite to configure your system and removed system components required for the installation of SP1.
- You have not yet installed other prerequisite updates before SP1.
You can visit the link for advice and solutions for these problems at microsoft technical support.
