ALARM Group ALERT - click for a description of ALARM, The Computing Alert System

Alert Number: 032008-01
Alert Date: 03/20/08
Alert Title: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Available
Update-to: None.
OS/Platform/Application: Microsoft Windows Vista
Category: ALERT
Severity: Medium
Attention: Vista Users/Administrators


Summary: Microsoft has made Vista Service Pack 1 ('SP1') available to all users via its Windows Update service.  According to the vendor, SP1 "contains changes focused on addressing specific reliability and performance issues, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards. Windows Vista SP1 also addresses some management, deployment, and support challenges."  In the context of security, SP1 incorporates all previously-released updates as well as several new security enhancements.

Although Service Pack 1 is available now, computers configured to use the Automatic Update service will not begin automatically downloading SP1 until mid-April.  Vista users interested in taking advantage of the security and functionality enhancements offered by SP1 ahead of this deployment schedule will need to download the service pack directly from the update service or from the Microsoft Download Center.

Several technology resources (in addition to a percentage of SP1 early-adopters) are reporting a range of installation issues associated with Vista Service Pack 1.  The majority of these issues appear to be related to the presence/absence of prerequisite packages and certain device drivers.  In addition to the previously-mentioned issues, some applications have been observed to work improperly following successful installation of SP1.  The list of affected applications includes a variety of 3rd-party Antivirus and Firewall programs.  Microsoft is acknowledging these issues and keeping track of them via a number of knowledge base articles, blog entries, etc.


Recommended Actions:   Vista users who wish to download and install Service Pack 1 ahead of the mid-April automatic deployment schedule are encouraged to read the resources provided below for more information regarding the Service Pack as well as its associated benefits and caveats.


Readers are encouraged to share this alert with family, friends, and associates who may use Microsoft Vista on their home PCs.


ITS Actions: N/A; ITS does not currently support Microsoft Windows Vista on University-owned systems.


Resources:

Microsoft Vista SP1 basic information page:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/sp1.mspx

Microsoft Vista PS1 detailed information page (includes release notes, etc):
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/bb738089.aspx

Microsoft Windows Vista Blog Entry (provides good overview of installation issues):
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/03/18/windows-vista-sp1-released-to-windows-update.aspx

Microsoft Knowledge Base article 948343 (provides list of installation issues and fixes):
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=948343

Microsoft Knowledge Base article 935796 (provides list of applications affected by SP1 install):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935796

CNET article on SP1 post-installation issues:
http://www.news.com/Microsoft-Vista-SP1-will-break-these-programs/2100-1002_3-6231449.html?%5E$

ZDNet blog article on SP1 Installation (in general):
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1543