Vista SP1 - Is it out?!?! I've heard yes and no...

I'm interested to know if the final release of Vista SP1 is ready yet. I've read that it is complete and will start showing up in less than a month, but I've also read that its available via Bit Torrent.

Whats the deal? Can I get a non-beta version of SP1 yet to try and fix my 8700M garbage driver issue?

 

It is also available by WU update is you have the correct registry bacth file.

The Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2 turned to RTM and was relaesed to testers and manufacturers some time ago.
Take a read below and if you still have troubles getting it through Windows Update just drop me a PM.

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=106832
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=107402
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=107594

Enjoy. Overall my system seems quite stable. And I am absolutly lovin this M15x.

 

I recommend waiting though.

 

Sadly enough i also rather wait for the official release or at least until there's been enough feedback from users that have tested it thoroughly.

 

This is the final release. I don't believe there will be any changes made. The good thing about Vista is that you can Uninstall SP1 at anytime. If a different build is relased uninstall the old build and update with the new build.

The Current build I believe is 6001 1840.

 

Cnet has a review for it. They said to wait for SP1 to hit your automatic update as it will automatically install the components necessary for your version of Vista, nothing else. Faster download and no extra stuff that you don't need.

I'd wait.

 

Right now I'm using the SP1RC and it runs fine on my computer. All I see is improvements and no negatives.

 

Yes, it is out. You can install it with the hack in my signature (it's confirmed as the RTM version).

 

I must admit I have had no complaints with Vista SP1.
Thanks Fade to Black for posting the linky with Batch file.

 

No problem mate.

 

I may have missed something, but I didn't see anything in the list of improvements/fixes that addresses the Vista SLI issue. Can anyone confirm this?

 

Heh Fadetoblack. I wouldn't call it a hack. I would more call it going on google and searching for (Vista SP1RC) and then going to the Microsoft site and downloading the standalone package

 

It is a rumor, but if they did make changes for SLI, it wouldn't make headlines. SP1 includes all those hotfixes and updates that were released throughout the year. It should include all of the Vista SLI patches that Nvidia recommends.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/windows_vista_hotfixes.html

Or any other hotfixes that were not released through Windows Update.

 

So did SP1 fix your driver issues Gecko or haven't you tried it yet?

 

I just checked my Windows Update history (last updated today) and there is no update that addresses the SLI issue. So either the official release of SP1 will have it and it is not documented or there is no SLI patch

 

I don't think any of the hotfixes Nvidia Recommends were ever released on Windows Update. Only 2 Deal with SLI, 2 are compatibility and reliability, and 1 memory. Anybody running an 8700 may want to install these compatibility and reliability fixes anyway with or without SP1. It may stop the crashes.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/windows_vista_hotfixes.html

 

Stone825, the standalone hasn't yet been released officially and my hack downloads it through Windows Update and only downloads what's needed.

 

The reg hack, is what was sent out to most Beta Tester's. This was how MS was able to slipstream it out quickly. No need to log onto website with credentials and then download. It was simplier and easier to test using the WU.

This isn't the first time it has been done for vista. Heck the SP1 testing started before October.

 

I have just tested the Vista hotfix that supposedly fixes the SLI problem with Vista. No improvement, at least in my 3dMark06 scores. I haven't tried it with games yet, but I don't expect any improvement there either. I am currently using the latest AW Vista driver-it may be that the hotfix might work with another driver. Anyone else try the hotfix? Any improvement?

 

Try installing SP1 Loggie.
newfiejudd, yes that was sent to beta testers. But the hack also downloads the RTM (since the second refresh went RTM actually after a few days). Slipstreaming doesn't work anymore, unfortunately. The only real way to have SP1 out of the box is if you find a torrent image (not completely illegal) or if you buy it from Microsoft for a small price (shipping fee + probably the price of the DVD itself, a few bucks) if you already have a license.

 

Already have the standalone insaller. Works great on three of my machines at home.

 

I tried using the registry fix that Fade to Black posted but I guess Microsoft caught on because SP1 did not show up in my updates.

Although I did install the latest nVidia drivers that were posted in another thread. 173.25 I believe. Since the install of those drivers I have not had UT3 crash on me a single time. Gameplay is smoother and less twitchy, although I still am not getting the kind of performance I paid for with this computer.

Using the UT3 benchmark program at all standard settings with resolution at 1920 x 1200 I am only getting 11-17 fps, which is pathetic. I don't get any decent framerates until I drop the resolution down a bit.

Am I wrong to think that a $4484 computer should be able to play a $60 game at max resolution?

 

It will show up, but before you install it (disable UAC before or run it as an administrator; to do that you right click on the file and select that command) you will also have to install two more updates. Windows Update will download them for you. You may also have to press the Check for Updates button a few times. Try to restart if it doesn't show up. It will finally show up.
You're not wrong about the game.

 

Exactly as Fade to Black has described. And remeber you will need to rstart after all the updates are installed before the SP1 will show up.

 

OK. my computer had 3 updates to get through and restart before SP1 was visible but it did work. Took me about 20 minutes to download SP1 and another 5-10 minutes for it to install and reboot.

By adding SP1 and nothing else I gained 15 fps in my UT3 benchmark. I just about fell out of my chair when I saw the results. Needless to say, I like SP1.

Thanks Fade to Black and everyone else who pointed me in the right direction.

 

You're welcome. I hope you will be very satisfied of your current -> future gaming experience with SP1.

 

Tokaygecko, What driver are you running? 173.65? If so, good. I thought I was going crazy.

 

Yeah, I just installed 173.xx this weekend. It helped a lot but framerates weren't what they should be. With the SP1 and 173 drivers things are much smoother.

 

Cool, I'm running SP1 too. The new driver and SP1 must be why I got those incredible gains.

 

I just noticed something about SP1, instead of only registering 2.5 GB of RAM now it shows that I have 4 GB of RAM. Nice.

 

OK-I am not clear on how to install SP1 through Windows Update. Obviously I don't have that update yet so I want to know what I need to do to download SP1 through Windows Update and install it. Can anyone help me?
Fade To Black?

 

While it's nice that you see it now, sadly enough you're still not using it.

 

Loggie- Follow the link in Fade to Black's signature about SP1. You download a zip file and run it. It modifies your registry to allow your computer to get access to SP1 via Windows Update. Once you run Fade to Black's registry file you need to run windows update. I don't know if it requires a reboot first but I did just in case.

SP1 will not show up right away in Windows Update. You need to do all the Microsoft recommended updates and restart in order to get SP1. I had to install 3 seperate updates and restart 3 times before I got the prompt for SP1 in WU. Once you see SP1 in WU, its just a matter of following the prompts on the screen.

 

I was hoping that wasn't the case

 

It reports all the RAM installed, not available.
tokaygecko, that would be right, that's what you need to do to actually be able to install it.