TV with DVR & Internet: $89.90/mo
Community Newsletter: Q&A: Should I download Windows Vista SP1 patch?
- 9/25/08 1:01 PM
Should I download Windows Vista SP1 patch?
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 9/25/08 1:01 PM
Question:
I have a HP Pavilion with Vista Home Premium. I know that the
SP1 patch for Vista came out back in May, but I have not
downloaded it yet. I tried to read all of the articles about
the SP1 patch, and basically came to the conclusion that
there were good reasons to download the patch, but also that
the patch could compromise my PC. I've also read that you
need to make sure that your PC is up to all requirements by
the manufacturer of your PC before downloading this patch.
My questions are: Am I being foolish in not downloading the
SP1 patch? What steps should I take before download this
patch? If I download and have problems, will I be able to do
a system restore to a point prior to downloading the patch?
I have been helped many times by using this forum, and I want
to thank all of the contributors that take the time to help
us with our questions and problems.
--Submitted by Mary R.
Here are some featured member answers to get you started, but please do read up on all the advice and suggestions that our members have contributed to this member's question.
Installing Windows Service Packs --Submitted by waytron
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=304866&messageID=2839607#2839607
Definitely download Windows Vista SP1 --Submitted by TechFleur
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=304866&messageID=2834803#2834803
Vista SP1 upgrade --Submitted by rkinne01
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=304866&messageID=2835329#2835329
Thank you note from Mary R.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=304866&messageID=2861818#2861818
If you have any addition advice or recommendations for Mary, please click on the reply link and submit it. Please be as detailed as possible in your advice. Thanks!
SP1
by vicpf - 8/15/08 6:36 PM In reply to: Should I download Windows Vista SP1 patch? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Everything i've read points to NOT downloading the SP1 patch. It will only cause more problems than it will solve. If it ain't broke don't fix it!!
It Almost Caused Me To Reformat
by wes1111 - 8/22/08 8:18 PM In reply to: SP1 by vicpfIt messed everything up and I was told by tech support to reformat the hard drive. I didn't want to lose all my work and saved files so I did a system restore. he PC has been almost back to normal since.
Don't Do It!!!!!!!!!!!
by darow1 - 8/15/08 6:52 PM In reply to: Should I download Windows Vista SP1 patch? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I to have an Hp laptop and I installed the patch. My machine was 2 weeks old. It made the machine unacceptable to use. Iis no longer functioned booring was extremely slow opening notepad took forever let alone a real app and my number of errors logged was verfy high. I made the mistake of trusting Microsoft instead of checking online how it had worked for others. Now I checked and found a common thread most people had the same problems. Net result I had to rebuild the machine from scratch which is not easy with a laptop but no choice as the HP recovery disks did not work. Stay away form this SP.
Windows SP1
by martin4now01 - 8/23/08 12:37 PM In reply to: Don't Do It!!!!!!!!!!! by darow1I have to say I have a Dellintel Centrino Duo when it came to download the service pack. I did everything by the book what a mess my computer would not work It caused so many problems i now have no hair left. So eventualy I did something I should have done a long time ago I took the the whole Vista of my computer and went back to XP Windows and What a relief to have a system that works as it should. I even managed to sell the Vista home CD to someone else so I only lost £20.00 pounds.. AS far a I am concerned you can keep vista and shove it into a dark cupboard. I will keep a tried and trusted system In XP Windows. So for the sake of your computer never download the SP1 Download. This is my opion but I will leave it up to you eitherTry something that is not tested propally or stick to a tried and trusted system. Yours, Martin..
argh!
by puma - 8/24/08 7:25 AM In reply to: Windows SP1 by martin4now01i totally agree with you that vista is garbage. i too "upgraded back down" to xp. sadly, ms no longer has the vision or desire to make produce a decent product
Easy and Safe
by ocmurdock - 8/15/08 7:10 PM In reply to: Should I download Windows Vista SP1 patch? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hello Mary!
Well I have no problem with the Vista SP1. I Bought my laptop not that long ago, and it didnt come with the vista SP1. I had a major issue with my computer that had me formating the drive and installing EVERYthing again, including all the manufacturer's drivers, and everything went fine. I installed the SP1 and my system is still running smoothly. So, the answer for your question is YES, you can install the patch and recover from it. The first steps that you have to take is set up your computer as you would recover it to this state. So organize your data, drivers and everything that you want to be recovered and after that, go and create a system restore point. (system restore window.>open system protection>select the disc (usually c:) and press "create"> name it and save it). After that you are ready to install your SP1. Make sure that save the files in another media if you are instill unsure of whether keep the SP1. After that you will be fine if you want to restore it.
Also, if you really want to make sure that all your data will be recovered. Simply create a full backup of your disc.
I hope it helped.
Orison Murdock
www.ocmurdock.wordpress.com
Tech Stuff
why?
by puma - 8/24/08 7:36 AM In reply to: Easy and Safe by ocmurdockmurdock,
a home user should just be able to click here or there and be able to be productive. you being a microsoft techy is just re-enforcing the notion that the average user needs to be a rocket scientist to make vista work like a Linux box or Mac system... i do not work for my OS, my OS works for me!!!
...no vista means no headaches
Absolutley
by lifelonglego - 8/15/08 7:37 PM In reply to: Should I download Windows Vista SP1 patch? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
SP1 is not a patch, but an update that includes all of the security patches from the past year, and new security, feature, stability, compatability, and speed enhancements. It will not open up your system, but it will improve just about every area of Windows Vista.
Definitely download Windows Vista SP1
by TechFleur - 8/15/08 7:37 PM In reply to: Should I download Windows Vista SP1 patch? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Mary,
While it's possible that you'll see little difference in how your computer functions between your current version of Vista and Vista SP1, there are some "under the covers" changes that should have positive impacts on the reliability, security, performance, and usability of your system.
I can say from personal experience that, having been unable to install Windows XP SP2 on my older computer, I was also unable to install some of the software updates/upgrades that relied on XP SP2 features and improvements. XP SP2 was required.
I don't know if that would be true for you but, for example, Vista SP1 now supports the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) and the Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT)for flash devices, so there are/will be devices and software that require Vista SP1.
You've probably already gone to Microsoft's Vista SP1 web page:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=39B802EA-B2CF-4585-8CEA-2CC6A6247CB3&displaylang=en
which has a downloadable file that provides an overview of Vista SP1, including a description of reliability improvements, performance enhancements, support for new standards and interfaces, etc.
KnowledgeBase (KB) article 936330 provides information you need to know before downloading Vista SP1. You're right that you should check the HP web site for any HP-specific information or cautions for your computer model.
If you're still concerned about the installation or have specific problems, the following Microsoft web page:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?prid=11274&gprid=500921
states that you can get free technical support for installation and compatibility issues:
"Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for Windows Vista, but only for Service Pack 1 (SP1). This support for SP1 is valid until March 18, 2009. . . . For customers residing in North America or Canada, chat and e-mail support is available.
Some issues may require more advanced support for which there is a charge."
If you need to uninstall Vista SP1, you should have KB article 948537 at hand. You might want to read it before you install Vista SP1 to be sure you have everything you need in case you have to perform the uninstall procedure.
Of course, the ideal situation is if you have a "techie" friend who can help you with the installation and make sure that all your favorite software and frequently used devices are still functioning after installation.
And, although you sound like you're able to perform the installation yourself, sometimes it's easier or less stressful to hire a professional to do it. Your local computer store may offer this type of service for a fee.
Regards
Dilemma
by quickrick - 8/15/08 8:59 PM In reply to: Should I download Windows Vista SP1 patch? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Mary, you do indeed have a dilemma. The question is, are you currently having problems running Vista?
All of the people I know who are running Vista without having problems only use their computer for relatively simple tasks and don't run a lot of specialized software programs.
The power users find it impossible to use. It's full of bugs. Like any Microsoft Operating System, it will take years to get all the bugs out. So, if you're not having problems then back up your system and try the SP1. If your having problems, it is unlikely that the SP1 is going to fix your problems. The choice then becomes change to another operating system. Your choices are Windows XP-Pro or a Windows 200x. The latter is a very good OS with ultimately more power. For a basic PC user the XP-Pro simply works.
Good Luck.
quickrick is right
by puma - 8/24/08 7:55 AM In reply to: This post is a joke by jlldslquickrick nailed it right on the head!
also, microsoft needs to rework the OS kernel as right now it is spaghetti code. hopefully when win7 ships, yes ms is developing another OS before fixing vista, win7 will be unix based
Just wondering.
by Kees Bakker - 8/24/08 8:00 AM
In reply to: quickrick is right by puma
How did you know it's "spagghetti code"? Did you work on it? Or are you one of the privileged outsiders allowed to study it?
Kees
Hey, QuickRick is RIGHT ON!
by belzaroli - 8/25/08 7:36 PM In reply to: This post is a joke by jlldslSorry, but I have Vista Home Premium 32 bit and three of my most used and most necessary programs for graduate school do NOT work on Vista as well as they did on XP pro, even with their Vista upgrades. So I have a gorgeous HP Pavilion dv2660se laptop, great LCD, 2gb RAM, 250 gb hard drive, six hour battery, and with all that, it was easier to buy a used laptop off of EBay that was made for XP pro, something that would let me use my programs for research as I need to use them. And I've been using laptops since DOS days, before Windows 95, so I'm no novice. So I say, down with Vista! QuickRick does know what he's talking about--his reply matched my problem with Vista exactly! I am so frustrated with Vista, but I don't have the time to search forever for XP drivers that HP will not provide for a machine they sell as a Vista machine (even when slightly older models of it sold as XP machines). I'm waiting for someone to sell a CD with XP drivers on EBay for an HP Pavilion dv2660se. Then I'll happily "downgrade" to XP pro and be rid of this blasted Vista OS forever!!!! Curses upon you, Microsoft, for making our lives harder instead of easier!!!
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
