Vista SP2: RTM DVD ISO, Installation Issues
The second service pack for the Vista operating system has reached RTM (release to manufacturing) status as of late April – at the time Microsoft was announcing that Windows Vista, as well as Windows Server 2008, reached the RTM milestone in their development process. The news about Vista SP2 is that RTM DVD ISO images have been made available for download, but only to TechNet and MSDN subscribers.
"Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 are updates to Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 that address feedback from our customers and partners. By providing these fixes integrated into a single service pack, which will be thoroughly tested by Microsoft and by industry partners and customers during the pre-release cycle, Microsoft provides a single high-quality update that minimizes deployment and testing complexity for customers. SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 represents Microsoft’s continuing commitment to quality. While most updates contained in SP2 are available as individual downloads, the roll-up convenience of SP2 is a major benefit for administrators,” explains TechNet.
The annoying thing is that the regular user has yet to get his hands on Vista SP2, despite the obvious advantages of doing so:
- You will get faster and more relevant searches thanks to Windows Search 4.0.
- Support for the most recent Bluetooth technology via Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack.
- Seamlessly connect to WiFi networks thanks to Windows Connect Now (WCN).
- exFAT file system with UTC timestamp support for correct file synchronization across various time zones.
- Vista SP2 comes with a single installer for Vista and Server 2008, meaning it will be easy to manage, deploy, and support (from an IT pro point of view).
There is one other piece of news regarding Vista SP2 that has recently come to light: if you have cloned disks or partitions, it will fail to install on your PC (error 0x80004005). The explanation provided by Microsoft is that “the Vista SP2 installer must update the system boot files. If third-party disk management tools are used to "clone" disks or partitions, the SP2 installer will be unable to uniquely identify the correct system boot files.”
"Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 are updates to Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 that address feedback from our customers and partners. By providing these fixes integrated into a single service pack, which will be thoroughly tested by Microsoft and by industry partners and customers during the pre-release cycle, Microsoft provides a single high-quality update that minimizes deployment and testing complexity for customers. SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 represents Microsoft’s continuing commitment to quality. While most updates contained in SP2 are available as individual downloads, the roll-up convenience of SP2 is a major benefit for administrators,” explains TechNet.
The annoying thing is that the regular user has yet to get his hands on Vista SP2, despite the obvious advantages of doing so:
- You will get faster and more relevant searches thanks to Windows Search 4.0.
- Support for the most recent Bluetooth technology via Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack.
- Seamlessly connect to WiFi networks thanks to Windows Connect Now (WCN).
- exFAT file system with UTC timestamp support for correct file synchronization across various time zones.
- Vista SP2 comes with a single installer for Vista and Server 2008, meaning it will be easy to manage, deploy, and support (from an IT pro point of view).
There is one other piece of news regarding Vista SP2 that has recently come to light: if you have cloned disks or partitions, it will fail to install on your PC (error 0x80004005). The explanation provided by Microsoft is that “the Vista SP2 installer must update the system boot files. If third-party disk management tools are used to "clone" disks or partitions, the SP2 installer will be unable to uniquely identify the correct system boot files.”
