New Performance And Reliability Updates For Vista Sp1

[Guest Reimar]

New Performance and Reliability Updates for Vista SP1

A reliability and performance update is available for download for Windows Vista Service Pack 1. This specific release targets all Windows Vista editions, provided that they have the first service pack integrated.

The update comes with the promise of improving the performance and reliability of the gold version of Vista SP1, and is not addressed at the RTM SKUs of the latest Windows client. Two updates are up for grabs for both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista SP1. "This update resolves issues that may affect some Windows Vista SP1-based computers. These issues have been reported by customers who use the Error Reporting service or Microsoft Customer Support Services," Microsoft informed.

The Redmond company softened all the rough corners of the RTM build of Vista, including problems related to stability and speed. However, while some issues survived, others were introduced specifically by SP1. The current update is designed to tackle performance, responsiveness, and reliability issues affecting Vista SP1 in a variety of scenarios. At the bottom of this article, you will find the complete list of improvements that the update will deliver to Windows Vista.

The Vista SP1 reliability and performance update signals that a practice started with Vista RTM is turning into a tradition for Microsoft. When SP1 was in the early stages of development, the Redmond giant started serving bits and pieces of the service pack for Vista RTM as performance, reliability, and compatibility releases through Windows Update and the Download Center. The end purpose is, of course, to decrease the level of reliance on service packs, and put the Windows Update infrastructure into the limelight.

The advantage of WU over service pack releases is that end users get much more rapidly resolves and enhancements for their operating system. As far as Microsoft is concerned, the evolution of Windows platforms in sips rather than in big gulps is preferred due to the flexibility it introduces, along with the obvious benefits for users. Still, the dependency on service packs in corporate environments is a factor which will continue to force Microsoft to focus on service pack releases, even though the company is slowly moving Windows Update to the centerstage.

According to Microsoft, "this update includes the following improvements on a Windows Vista SP1-based computer:

• This update improves the stability of Windows Vista SP1-based computers by addressing some crashes that may occur when you try to check e-mail by using a POP3 e-mail client such as Windows Mail or Mozilla Thunderbird. The crashes may occur on a Windows Vista SP1-based computer in the following scenario incoming POP3 and outgoing SMTP traffic monitoring is enabled.

• Both a third-party antivirus application and an antispyware application are installed, such as the following applications: ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite by Check Point Software Technologies and SpySweeper by Webroot Software.

• This update improves the reliability of the Windows Vista SP1 based-computers by addressing some problems that occur when you delete user accounts by using the User Accounts item in Control Panel. When this problem occurs, the system may stop responding (hang).

• This update improves the reliability of Windows Vista SP1-based computers that experience issues in which large applications cannot run after the computer is turned on for extended periods of time. For example, when you try to start Excel 2007 after the computer is turned on for extended periods of time, a user may receive an error message that resembles the following: EXCEL.EXE is not a valid Win32 application

• This update improves the reliability of Windows Vista SP1-based computers by reducing the number of crashes that may be caused by the Apple QuickTime thumbnail preview in Windows Live Photo Gallery.

• This update improves the performance of Windows Vista SP1-based computers by reducing audio and video (AV) stuttering. Such AV stuttering may occur when the audio or video component is streaming high definition content from a Windows Vista SP1-based computer that has a NVIDIA network adapter nForce driver version 67.5.4.0 that is installed to a Windows Media Center Extender device."

The reliability and performance update for 32-bit Windows Vista SP1 is available for download here.

The reliability and performance update for 64-bit Windows Vista SP1 is available for download here.

[PattayaDavid]

Reimar,

I clicked on your the link you provided and was going to install the update, but hesitated when I was redirected to the Genuine Windows Advantage page requring that I run the validation tool before I can install this update. What gives? I have a genuine OEM Vista 64 installed and registered with Microsoft and receive Windows Updates automatically almost daily, so why must I run this validation tool? If I choose not to run the validation tool at this time, will this update eventually be available for automatic download? I've done some reading concerning the pros and cons of installing the Genuine Windows Advantage Validation Tool and at this point, I am still undecided as to whether to install it. What is your take on this?

Also, I understand that the OEM version of Vista 64 is locked to a single motherboard. Does it become locked to my motherboard at the time of installation, at the time of initial registration or does it not become locked to the motherboard until after running the Genuine Windows Advantage Validation Tool? In other words, until I run the validation tool, can I remove my Vista 64 operation system from my present computer and move it to a different computer?

Pattayadavid

PS. I'm still updating my computer and reloading programs following the clean install of Windows Vista 64. When I finish completing this effort, I plan to give you a call and discuss issues of Raid Storage and memory upgrade as we have touched on through our PM's.

[Guest Reimar]

Reimar,

I clicked on your the link you provided and was going to install the update, but hesitated when I was redirected to the Genuine Windows Advantage page requring that I run the validation tool before I can install this update. What gives? I have a genuine OEM Vista 64 installed and registered with Microsoft and receive Windows Updates automatically almost daily, so why must I run this validation tool? If I choose not to run the validation tool at this time, will this update eventually be available for automatic download? I've done some reading concerning the pros and cons of installing the Genuine Windows Advantage Validation Tool and at this point, I am still undecided as to whether to install it. What is your take on this?

Also, I understand that the OEM version of Vista 64 is locked to a single motherboard. Does it become locked to my motherboard at the time of installation, at the time of initial registration or does it not become locked to the motherboard until after running the Genuine Windows Advantage Validation Tool? In other words, until I run the validation tool, can I remove my Vista 64 operation system from my present computer and move it to a different computer?

Pattayadavid

PS. I'm still updating my computer and reloading programs following the clean install of Windows Vista 64. When I finish completing this effort, I plan to give you a call and discuss issues of Raid Storage and memory upgrade as we have touched on through our PM's.

I don't think that this update will available in Automatic Updates. So if you want to install you need to run the Genuine Windows Advantage Validation Tool. There wouldn't be an problem, only if you use an pirated version of windows.

And here we go. The OEM version is bundled to Hardware but you're able to buy that version freely in Thailand and those version are NOT bundled to specific Hardware. Even if you need to re-install and later re-activate while changing hardware, there isn't any problem.

You can use your Windows Version on any computer you like but after the first activation you maybe need to reactivate via phone which isn't a deal because you can use the Toll Free 800 number. Just need to give them a reasonable hint why you need to re-install and you may just tell you changed some hardware because of power problem or so if they ask.

Cheers.

[PattayaDavid]

Reimar,

I clicked on your the link you provided and was going to install the update, but hesitated when I was redirected to the Genuine Windows Advantage page requring that I run the validation tool before I can install this update. What gives? I have a genuine OEM Vista 64 installed and registered with Microsoft and receive Windows Updates automatically almost daily, so why must I run this validation tool? If I choose not to run the validation tool at this time, will this update eventually be available for automatic download? I've done some reading concerning the pros and cons of installing the Genuine Windows Advantage Validation Tool and at this point, I am still undecided as to whether to install it. What is your take on this?

Also, I understand that the OEM version of Vista 64 is locked to a single motherboard. Does it become locked to my motherboard at the time of installation, at the time of initial registration or does it not become locked to the motherboard until after running the Genuine Windows Advantage Validation Tool? In other words, until I run the validation tool, can I remove my Vista 64 operation system from my present computer and move it to a different computer?

Pattayadavid

PS. I'm still updating my computer and reloading programs following the clean install of Windows Vista 64. When I finish completing this effort, I plan to give you a call and discuss issues of Raid Storage and memory upgrade as we have touched on through our PM's.

I don't think that this update will available in Automatic Updates. So if you want to install you need to run the Genuine Windows Advantage Validation Tool. There wouldn't be an problem, only if you use an pirated version of windows.

And here we go. The OEM version is bundled to Hardware but you're able to buy that version freely in Thailand and those version are NOT bundled to specific Hardware. Even if you need to re-install and later re-activate while changing hardware, there isn't any problem.

You can use your Windows Version on any computer you like but after the first activation you maybe need to reactivate via phone which isn't a deal because you can use the Toll Free 800 number. Just need to give them a reasonable hint why you need to re-install and you may just tell you changed some hardware because of power problem or so if they ask.

Cheers.

Hi Reimar,

I bought my OEM version through NewEgg.com in the United States and had it mailed to me; it was also not bundled with specific hardware.  I was informed that when installed it would be locked to my computer's motherboard, however I was told that it may possibly, not definitely, be moved to another computer same as you said above by contacting Microsoft.

My question concerns the point at which my OEM version initially becomes tied to the computer motherboard.  Does it occur during the initial activation of Windows Vista following installation or will it occur after installation of the Windows Genuine Advantage Tool after it completes a scan of my computer?

Pattayadavid

[A_Traveller]

To the best of my understanding though for obvious reasons MS don't disclose fully, tagging occurs during initial installation.

Regards

[Guest Reimar]

Let's try to tell with this words:

If you register with MS after installation, MS will keep your complete registration on it's database. (If you didn't register but activate only instead, they keep the known data as well but not personal on.

To re-activate a unregistered Version of Windows is less hassle than an registered one.

As I wrote in my post before, just give them a reason why you need to reactivate. There shouldn't be any problem.

Once I had the same version of Windows Server 2003 Web Edition activated 6 times on one day just to find out how far I can go. All 6 times went OK with 4 times calling. and all installations on different hardware as well.That's 1 1/2 year ago.

Cheers.

[PattayaDavid]

Let's try to tell with this words:

If you register with MS after installation, MS will keep your complete registration on it's database. (If you didn't register but activate only instead, they keep the known data as well but not personal on.

To re-activate a unregistered Version of Windows is less hassle than an registered one.

As I wrote in my post before, just give them a reason why you need to reactivate. There shouldn't be any problem.

Once I had the same version of Windows Server 2003 Web Edition activated 6 times on one day just to find out how far I can go. All 6 times went OK with 4 times calling. and all installations on different hardware as well.That's 1 1/2 year ago.

Cheers.

Thanks Reimar,

I guess I will go ahead and run the validation tool and register.  I'm assuming that this update will make a significant improvement in my Vista 64 function.  Does Microsoft offer a lot of updates in this manner that don't qualify as automatic updates?  In addition to the above update, are there other Windows Updates that you highly recommend for Vista Home Premium 64-bit SP1 integrated?

[Guest Reimar]

What you mean with qualifying? I think that has nothng to do with that. But some Updates MS will never run via the automated updates. May it's just to be as much sure as possible that the used Version is a genuine one or whatever reason.

As long as the used version is original there wouldn't be any problem.

One think I've found is that if you do a clean installation of Vista include all required drivers and than SP1 and the rest of available Updates, the system runs much better and very stable.

I had done that now with 4 computers with a huge improvement. And that even with the exact same software installed, after the above described one, and even more applications.

Cheers.

[PattayaDavid]

What you mean with qualifying? I think that has nothng to do with that. But some Updates MS will never run via the automated updates. May it's just to be as much sure as possible that the used Version is a genuine one or whatever reason.

As long as the used version is original there wouldn't be any problem.

One think I've found is that if you do a clean installation of Vista include all required drivers and than SP1 and the rest of available Updates, the system runs much better and very stable.

I had done that now with 4 computers with a huge improvement. And that even with the exact same software installed, after the above described one, and even more applications.

Cheers.

Reimar,

What I mean by qualifying, does Microsoft offer a lot of these type updates that can only be downloaded via their download website versus via the automatic download function?  If so, should these downloads be installed in the order as they were made available.  I'm feel sure that not all of the available downloads will be necessary for me to download, however i am interested particularly in the ones that increase speed and reliability.  My Vista 64 version came with SP1 integrated with the operating system instead of being a separate application so I was unable to install SP1 at a later time.

[Guest Reimar]

What you mean with qualifying? I think that has nothng to do with that. But some Updates MS will never run via the automated updates. May it's just to be as much sure as possible that the used Version is a genuine one or whatever reason.

As long as the used version is original there wouldn't be any problem.

One think I've found is that if you do a clean installation of Vista include all required drivers and than SP1 and the rest of available Updates, the system runs much better and very stable.

I had done that now with 4 computers with a huge improvement. And that even with the exact same software installed, after the above described one, and even more applications.

Cheers.

Reimar,

What I mean by qualifying, does Microsoft offer a lot of these type updates that can only be downloaded via their download website versus via the automatic download function? If so, should these downloads be installed in the order as they were made available. I'm feel sure that not all of the available downloads will be necessary for me to download, however i am interested particularly in the ones that increase speed and reliability. My Vista 64 version came with SP1 integrated with the operating system instead of being a separate application so I was unable to install SP1 at a later time.

No, not to much and if I come across them, I'll post them here as have done in the past.

If you want more infos about that special Upgrades, you need to go the MS Website and read the detailed description about that upgrades which you find on the download page.

Cheers.