Installing SP1 -- need a little advice

[Hank]

The 1.2GB SP1 32/64 file is downloading now. It
obviously includes more than I need for this fast and
stable Vista Business installation on my T7700 4GB
laptop. The grass is always greener...

The plan is to use Acronis to do a disk image, and then
install SP1. If all goes well, fine. If not, it's back
to perfection.

Is there a method for checking the validity of that
download?

Any competent suggestions are welcome, but for the
record I tried Linux before it was called that
(Stallman), have been in computing since vacuum tubes,
and have had success with almost everything from uSoft,
so please don't tell me how bad Vista is or why I should
wait for the Google OS.

Thanks!

 

[Previously Tiberius]

Since you are so happy why dont you stay without sp1?

Something about your fan boy attitude gives me the creeps...

you freak me out kiddo!

if you dont have SP1 vista is not "fast and stable" rather its fat and
belongs in a stable

back to perfection.

Back to horrible Vista you mean...

Vista before SP1 was crap....

 

[John Barnett MVP]

As far as I know there is no way of validating the download. Just make sure
it comes from the official Microsoft download site, TechNet or msdn. Some
pirate sites are, I believe, already allowing downloads but the file, in
many cases, is somewhat larger than the official version, so ask yourself
what malware/spyware has been added by the pirate sites?

I'm using Vista Ultimate and SP1 is running fine on my machine. I agree that
it is wise to image the drive prior to installing; this is something I would
do as a matter of course with any service pack update.


--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Mike Brannigan]

The 1.2GB SP1 32/64 file is downloading now. It obviously includes more
than I need for this fast and stable Vista Business installation on my
T7700 4GB laptop. The grass is always greener...

The plan is to use Acronis to do a disk image, and then install SP1. If
all goes well, fine. If not, it's back to perfection.

Is there a method for checking the validity of that download?

Any competent suggestions are welcome, but for the record I tried Linux
before it was called that (Stallman), have been in computing since vacuum
tubes, and have had success with almost everything from uSoft, so please
don't tell me how bad Vista is or why I should wait for the Google OS.

Thanks!

What you are downloading is NOT just SP1 as you have surmised.
It is a slipstreamed DVD of the 32 and 64 bit products (all regular
editions).
So you cannot just "install" SP1 from it it is for doing OEM clean installs
with - this is why it was on the system builders' site.
The real SP1 package you will see later this month (dependent on what
programs you are on) are available as stand alone packages for 32 or 64 bit
to apply to a currently running machine.
So you either wait for these or the Windows Update release (mid March) or
you do a clean install with your OEM DVD you have made from the ISO, or you
try an "upgrade" using the DVD.

 

[alexB]

Prejudiced, vitriolic, rude, obnoxious, envious, hateful, self-centered,
low-life troll. A real Tiberius reincarnation.

 

[Gary Mount]

"it is wise to image the drive prior to installing"

Is the Vista Ultimate complete pc backup an image?
The folder created is labeled "WindowsImageBackup" which suggests that it
is.

 

[AlexB]

Yes it is.

"it is wise to image the drive prior to installing"

Is the Vista Ultimate complete pc backup an image?
The folder created is labeled "WindowsImageBackup" which suggests that it
is.

 

[Hank]

Thanks a lot. I mind waiting because, as mentioned, the
grass is always greener. Ah, well. I'll just have to
settle for the best computer and OS I've ever used.

I wonder what makes some of these folks tick. They don't
use Vista, hate Microsoft, and compute with a wooden
abacus. Some use derivatives of Linux, on which
approximately 1% of useful software will run. Others use
Apple, which costs approximately 150% of a PC for the
same functionality, and Apple software choices are
reduced by about 90%.

Some of these passionate but misguided people seem to
subscribe to a belief system that is a cross between
Islam and Scientology.

It would be great if everyone in this Vista discussion
group actually used Vista, and helped each other solve
problems and fully exploit that excellent OS. I, for
one, would promise never, ever, EVER to hassle them in
their Linux discussions...

 

[Guest]

My Advice Is To Wait Until It Ends Up On Microsoft Windows Update And Not
Try To Download It From A Non Microsoft Source, Just FYI. P.S. Microsoft
Windows Server 2008 RTM Is Also A Good Choice as Well (It's Much More Stable
Than The Beta Version's Of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 That I Was Able To
Test), Just FYI.

 

[AlexB]

This is an incredibly insightful narrative but only if those people could be
influenced by your or similar arguments! They are so screwed up that no
amount of medication or brain surgery could help.

 

[thetruthhurts]

Vista RTM is perfection? Let me guess you read email via OE and surf
the net a bit.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Yes it is, Gary but it is not available on Home and premium editions.
Personally, though, I much prefer Acronis for imaging rather than Complete
PC Backup.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[AlexB]

May I ask why? What are the technical detail that entered in your decision?

 

[David F]

I installed SP1, the 6001.18000 by using Windows Update by modifying the
registry which is what I'd recommend. It was very easy and it took about
1 - 1.5 hours....

1) press windows key (for start menu), type "cmd" w/o quotes, then right
click and "Run as Administrator"

2) copy and paste the following three commands at the command prompt:

reg delete
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\VistaSp1
/f > NUL 2>&1

reg delete
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\VistaSP1
/f > NUL 2>&1

reg add
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\VistaSp1
/v Beta1 /t REG_SZ /d dcf99ef8-d784-414e-b411-81a910d2761d /f

3) Reboot (the following steps may vary, my machine was ready for the
update).

4) Run Windows update, you will find an update, install then reboot again.

5) Run windows update, you find another update, install then reboot.

6) Run Windows update, you will find the final version of SP1

 

[John Barnett MVP]

The main area is compression. For example, 23GB to image takes 3 to 4 DVD's
with Acronis (on standard compression) 4 DVD's if you use Paragon Hard Disk
Manager Suite 2008 and 4 to 6 if you use Vista's Complete backup.

Acronis also allows you to install Acronis (Basically DOS type) onto the
first image disk, so all you have to do is boot your machine, insert the
first DVD and then acronis boots and you have access to your image backup.
The Vista DVD is too long winded before you arrive at the Repair function to
enter the Restore image function.

I also prefer to be pretty loyal to brands that have worked well for me
before, hence my recommendation of Acronis. You will also find that many
other MVPs recommend Acronis too. However, I'm not trying to convert anyone.
If you find the Complete PC Backup option works for you, then stick with it.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Brian W]

What you are downloading is NOT just SP1 as you have surmised.
It is a slipstreamed DVD of the 32 and 64 bit products (all regular
editions).

How come then the download is only 1.13GB, when the 32-bit Vista DVD is
2.5GB, and the 64-bit one is big as well? And one ISO image will not work
for two different DVD editions.

 

[Guest]

It's The Stand Alone Update Edition, Just FYI.

How come then the download is only 1.13GB, when the 32-bit Vista DVD is
2.5GB, and the 64-bit one is big as well? And one ISO image will not work
for two different DVD editions.

 

[Guest]

http://blogs.technet.com/technetplu...et-plus-vista-sp1-available-for-download.aspx

 

[RA]

The main area is compression. For example, 23GB to image takes 3 to 4
DVD's with Acronis (on standard compression) 4 DVD's if you use
Paragon Hard Disk Manager Suite 2008 and 4 to 6 if you use Vista's
Complete backup.
Acronis also allows you to install Acronis (Basically DOS type) onto
the first image disk, so all you have to do is boot your machine,
insert the first DVD and then acronis boots and you have access to
your image backup. The Vista DVD is too long winded before you arrive
at the Repair function to enter the Restore image function.

I also prefer to be pretty loyal to brands that have worked well for
me before, hence my recommendation of Acronis. You will also find
that many other MVPs recommend Acronis too. However, I'm not trying
to convert anyone. If you find the Complete PC Backup option works
for you, then stick with it.

AlexB has recently stated several times, in several different ways, that
Acronis True Image and Ghost are scams run by crooks and are possibly the
same software running different GUIs. Anyone who has used either of them
knows this to be ridiculous but he is quite abusive to anyone who disagrees
with him.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Acronis and Ghost are two different and unconnected companies. Of course
AlexB is entitled to his opinion, so long as he too is prepared to accept
the opinion of others. We all have our preferences for software, mine
happens to be Acronis (personally I don't like Ghost, but that is my
preference). As for being 'crooks' well that is something that AlexB needs
to take-up with the companies concerned. Libelous remarks without
substantial evidence to backup your claim can be extremely dangerous.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..