By Tom Espiner, 21 February 2008 08:00
NEWS
Microsoft has stopped automatically distributing a prerequisite piece of software for Vista Service Pack 1, following customer complaints it had caused system problems.
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Servicing stack update KB937287, released last week, contained updates to Windows Vista installation software, and was billed as being "necessary to successfully install and to remove Windows Vista SP1 on all versions of Windows Vista."
Microsoft has now stopped distributing the update, according to a blog post by Microsoft product manager Nick White.
White wrote: "We've heard a few reports about problems customers may be experiencing as a result of KB937287. Immediately after receiving reports of this error, we made the decision to temporarily suspend automatic distribution of the update to avoid further customer impact while we investigate possible causes."
Vista SP1 is already available to subscribers to the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) but won't receive a formal public release until mid March.
One irate Windows Vista Ultimate user replied to White's blog post, saying the prerequisite had corrupted their PC and they had needed to reformat the hard drive, losing all of their files and programs as a result. When advised by an anonymous contributor that they could have used System Restore on their Vista installation disc, the Vista Ultimate user replied that they had purchased and downloaded their copy of Vista from the internet and so had no disc.
Two users complained that Windows Update prompted them to install the prerequisite, even after they had installed it.
According to White "this problem only affects a small number of customers in unique circumstances".
If you have experienced similar problems, let us know by submitting a reader comment below.
Comments
There are 3 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
if your going to install a major update (in beta to that fact) on a pc that has no backup dvd or cd then you are putting yourself at risk from loosing your data, how much is a dvd or a cd and a dvd-rw? (i presume that there was one fitted if the pc can support vista). As much as i dislike some of microsoft's operations i feel that the user has to take responsabilitly for his/her self, Though it confuses me that someone with the confidence & knowledge to install a beta of sp1 wouldnt have done this basic back-up. A lesson to us all.
2. David Fletcher
As a Kubuntu user at home, when I see the "Updates Available" warning appear at the bottom of the screen, what I do is start a command line window, and enter
sudo apt-get update
then
sudo apt-get upgrade
..... and that's it. Occasionally, like last night, I get the "packages held back" message so then I use the
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
command instead, and it "just works".
If there's a kernel upgrade I have to reboot the machine, otherwise it generally isn't necessary.
I mean, come on, guys, this is just laughable. A free operating system updates itself properly, and causes very little problems for its users. Pay good money for an operating system and it's liable to trash your hard drive.
So which operating system to use? Isn't that a no-brainer?
3. Matt
I had the same problem with this update, it was 18k and it kept installing time and time again. even after reboot which wasnt required.
Very annoying!