PCs from Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, Lenovo, and other major
computer makers that contain a widely used Intel chipset can't be
upgraded to Windows Vista Service Pack 1 if they're running certain
drivers.
Microsoft has said that Vista SP1 won't work with "a small number
of device drivers." The list, however, includes drivers for an
Intel chipset that's found in thousands of PCs and laptops.
The affected chipset is Intel's 945G Express series, which is used
in computers from virtually all major system vendors. It's also
found on standalone motherboards sold by Asus. The 945G Express
chipset driver versions between numbers 7.14.10.1322 and
7.14.10.1403 won't work with Vista SP1, according to
Microsoft.
Chipsets provide a connection point for all key subsystems within a
PC.
The 945G Express chipset includes Intel's GMA 950 graphics core,
which also won't work with Vista SP1 if those drivers are
used.
Microsoft is urging Vista users to update all of their hardware to
the latest drivers before even attempting to install SP1.
The service pack also won't work with computers that use certain,
widely-deployed audio drivers from Realtek and certain drivers for
security devices manufactured by Symantec. Microsoft has published
a full list of drivers that are incompatible with the service
pack.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is continuing to receive reports from computer
users who say Vista SP1 is wreaking havoc on their systems.
A user going by the name "Apolauf" said the upgrade caused the
mouse cursor on his tablet PC to disappear. The "right-click circle
and the special pen mouse cursor ... are no longer functional" as
well, said Apolauf, in a post on the Vista team blog.
Bob Rife, a user from Canada, said in an e-mail to InformationWeek
that SP1 caused one of his computer's two hard drives to become
invisible to Windows Explorer and Acronis Disk Director. Rife said
he complained to Microsoft, but has yet to receive a
response.
Others reported having no problems. A user named "Zandor" said on
the Vista team blog that his company successfully upgraded 614
computers to Vista SP1. "Great job, Windows team," wrote
Zandor.
Microsoft made Vista SP1 widely available for the first time on
Tuesday. The update includes more than 300 hot fixes designed to
improve the operating system's speed, security, and stability.
sigh, no updates for my finger print reader