Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) users have slammed Microsoft on the company's own Vista blog over the requirements for downloading the update.
Angry Vista users vent over problematic drivers
Last Tuesday, Microsoft released Vista SP1 to Windows Update, giving most users their first shot at obtaining the service pack. Previously, only earlier testers, volume licensing customers and IT professionals and developers who subscribed to TechNet or Microsoft Developer Network had access to SP1.
But as it added Vista SP1 to Windows Update, Microsoft also spelled out numerous caveats, telling users that there are as many as eight different reasons why they might not find the update in the Windows Update listing on their PC. Among those reasons: any of 31 language packs, earlier installed versions of SP1, various prerequisite updates and a number of device drivers.
The service pack is being withheld from machines containing one or more of the listed drivers, because, as Microsoft put it in a support document, "these device drivers are problematic on Windows Vista-based computers when you update to Windows Vista SP1".
That made one industry analyst wonder about Microsoft's driver testing process. "When Microsoft said there were problems with drivers, I assumed it was some odd scanner or camera, or an ancient printer or something," said Michael Cherry, analyst with Directions on Microsoft. "But then I saw the list. It makes me wonder what's going on with device driver testing.
"Microsoft keeps saying that there's this vast ecosystem of device drivers, but it appears there's a much smaller number of reliable, well-tested drivers. Because if these drivers [on Microsoft's list] were tested, that calls into question the testing process."
In fact, many of the complaints posted in comments to Microsoft's Vista blog were related to drivers. For example, one user tried to plumb the depths of his PC to determine why Windows Update suppressed the service pack, but gave up.
"I'm not being offered Vista SP1 on my new Dell XPS M1530 laptop. As far as I can tell, I have two pieces of hardware in the problem list, but the driver versions I have seem to be OK," said 'markheath' on the Microsoft blog. "So my question is, is there any way of finding out exactly what is stopping me from being shown SP1 via Windows Update? I'm tired of looking at driver versions."
Others were upset at being forced to root through their PCs to find out why they couldn't update. "I have just spent 1-2 hrs figuring out that I have one of the problem drivers hence why Windows Update isn't offering me SP1," said 'scoobie' on the same blog. "Neither is it offering me an updated new driver. In my book that is not a good customer experience and a bit of a waste of my time."
But there were still others who, after identifying a blocking driver, wondered where to point fingers. "I have SigmaTel audio drivers that are in conflict with SP1. Therefore, SP1 is not available to me via Windows Update," said 'Fatalah' on the Vista blog. "SigmaTel was purchased by another company, and driver updates are solely in the hands of OEMs now (Gateway, Dell, HP etc.) I do not expect Gateway to update this driver any time soon. When will SP1 be fixed to work with my old SigmaTel drivers?"
Another user, dubbed 'Russieb', seconded the motion. "No one seems to be addressing the 'problem' drivers, specifically SigmaTel. As Fatalah mentioned any SigmaTel 'driver updates are solely in the hands of OEM's now'. [In my case] Sony don't [sic] want to know, neither do [sic] Microsoft! This is stopping a large number of users from installing SP1. Can anyone help?"
Cherry felt their pain. "I assumed in February that the drivers would be for an obscure bunch of peripherals, not drivers with this kind of usage."
To Microsoft's credit, the company has offered free support to any user with Vista SP1 issues. In several messages posted to the same comment thread as user complaints, Brandon LeBlanc, who identified himself as a Microsoft employee, directed people to the free support website.
"You have a variety of options you can choose for support - all of which will NOT cost you any support fee," said LeBlanc. "I repeat: support for SP1 will NOT cost you anything - as long as you choose the correct option for support."
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Comments
Xie Qiao said: My LiftTV Player TV card stopped working after installing SP1 It seems I have to buy a Vista-SP1-ready TV card as the current one works with Vista only
Windoze said: Korziak many people use Windows for gamingD D DPlus an OEM copy of windows is only a little more than the price of a new PS3 gameVista is complete rubbish Its windows ME v2 however I would not dismiss XP in favour of Linux
Korziak said: I am laughing my head offI just cannot understand this incredible devotion to Microsoft You pay an obscene amount of money for the use of their software which is full of bugs from day one then you have to put-up with all the agro to install the service packs and I guess this latest caper with Vista SP1 is going to cost you a packet since is very likely that quite a few of you will have to buy new printers scanners sound cards etc etc all sold as Vista ready Microsoft customers are being kicked on the teeth at every turn but never seem to realise that this company has only one aim to squeeze as much money out of your pockets in the shortest possible time but they just could not care a bit about your problems If you have any sense vote with your feet move to Linux It is not perfect there will never be a perfect OS there is a lot of free software for it it has an incredible amount of free support and a lot of other minor advantages too many to mention
Si1 said: Loaded up SP1 this weekend on my Sony Vaio bought in January - no problems at all and now seems to load up quicker
Ryan said: Ha I knew i did the right thing when i stopped it from downloading When i was reading the White paer for the release of the service pack i noticed that they had removed one of the main things that makes vista itself Id be lost if i had no search function from the start menu D But then again all a service pack is A collection of all updates bundled together to make sure your system is compleatly up-to date
Larry said: Well I bought an Acer laptop in December with Vista on it When I started it I would then head off to Tim Hortons for a coffee and doughnut return and hope it did what was necessary to boot I got to a point where I took it back and had XP Pro installed and what a difference Now it boots the same day I turn it on Therefore SP1 I do not need but am waiting for SP3Scary thought will it be like SP31 and turn off a bunch of stuff
Abe said: Microsoft have been incompetent with Vista from day 1 It wont even support earlier Microsoft softwareNow I find that I wont be able to avoid the frequent explorer restarts or Outlook problems by installing SP1 because I have a Gateway machineThis is too much Microsoft should exchange our machines amp software for ones that will work properly with Vista If there are anyAny lawyers out there that want to try a group class action
Coltch said: Downloaded and installed SP1 when it showed up on Windows Update - no problems on my PC running OEM Ultimate x86Still cant understand the amount of negativity towards Vista my main OS since RC1 - when XP SP1 was released it was an absolute pig
BillBloggs said: I have used Win 2K Pro for years with NO problem New Laptop came with VISTA Loads of problems and slow Gave up after a time and bought XP which works beutifully dont tell me the good points of VISTA its just a load of costly RUBBISH
XPLover said: Well Im sorry I just think Vista is becoming a farce To date I have found it underwhelming as a replacement for good old XP But I hoped that SP1 would turn it into something worthwhile How wrong can you be
Anthony Box said: I have 2 PCs running Vista Prem I was offered SP1 on only one This PC I put together myself with a full retail version of Vista The other PC I purchased and is over 12 months old it has the OEM version from Mesh computers I wasnt offered the update on this PC and wasnt made aware that it had even tried to update to SP1
beachhut said: I did post a question re my new HP laptop having pre installed VISTA BUSINESS along with Windows 2007I hate both but I am being told I have to get used to it Reading this current report I am inclined not to so yet again why cannot I not clean the system an revert back to the tried an trusted
Duncan said: I downloaded and installed SP1 yesterday Everything seemed to be ok until I tried to play a game I got many different errors such as Graphics Card not supported DirectX error etc Turns out SP1 doesnt like the latest nVidia Drivers Forceware 16925 with my new 512MB 8800GTS I had to install an older version to get Vista to recognise the card after trying to er-install the latest drivers several times Very annoying and I am very supprised nVidia didnt fix the issue prior to release
Duncan said: I downloaded and installed SP1 yesterday Everything seemed to be ok until I tried to play a game I got many different errors such as Graphics Card not supported DirectX error etc Turns out SP1 doesnt like the latest nVidia Drivers Forceware 16925 with my new 512MB 8800GTS I had to install an older version to get Vista to recognise the card after trying to er-install the latest drivers several times Very annoying and I am very supprised nVidia didnt fix the issue prior to release
anskyber said: People need protecting from themselves it seemsThe driver issue is not about the drivers per se clearly they work already in Vista The issue is about how they were installed a different pointIt seems to me that withholding SP1 until the install issue is resolved is perfectly reasonable even as in the blog this can cause frustration One thing is absolutely clear if MS had simply allowed the update to install without the checks and warnings the cries of anguish about MS not caring would have been loud and woeful
Helen said: I have been offered the SP1 but it will not install properly only completing stage 1 Microsoft have taken no responsibility saying it is up to HP to sort it out or of course they will charge me to help resolve the problem This is hardly free support