Windows Vista SP1 (Not yet. Wait for it.. wait for it...)

Some of you who read my previous post about upgrading your copy of Windows Vista to Service Pack 1 have since emailed me or asked about the upgrade's feasibility. As time grows nearer to the update being released, more and more hype is being mentioned on the Net about how people can't wait to go get it. Even my co-workers are greedy to get some of their new features and don't want to wait. (I can't blame them there... I want to try the new features out too.) However, it should be remembered that nothing significant has changed on the Microsoft back end since I wrote that last post.

 

As a Microsoft Development Partner and a Technet Partner, we already have access to the new Vista SP1 Prerelease Candidate through official channels, yet I still maintain abstinence for those who are concerned about their computer's stability. Web sites frequented by the techno-gurus are already filling up with people asking how to fix problems with the new service pack, one of which is an unending reboot cycle that you can't stop.

 

As of today, there are at least 12 programs that were unable to work with Vista SP1 when it became available to us earlier this week. In a rare self-effacing moment and with the intent of maintaining full disclosure (read that as: Microsoft is tired of being yelled at, so they are trying to be up-front about it for a change) Microsoft has made available a Knowledge Base Article (#935796) detailing the current programs that are having problems with the new service pack. Though mostly security related, and therefore sadly not affecting most of you since most people don't actually want to USE security software, there are some more common programs that you have that might be affected. As you can see in the article, the manufacturers have already created fixes for most of their application, however some yet remain sans patch.

 

In an effort to avoid the flaming barrage of "Microsoft Sucks" litanies, it bears repeating that most of these issues are not Microsoft's fault. Many of the hardware and software manufacturers have yet to comply with the deadline released by Microsoft, which would allow their programs and hardware to be addressed during the patch process.

 

Full details about the Microsoft Vista SP1 problems are copied below, with comments from me on certain sections. For those of you who get bored with the geek-speak, stop reading here.

 

Information about programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality when they run on a Windows Vista Service Pack 1-based computer

 

INTRODUCTION

Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista is an important update for Windows Vista. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) contains many security, reliability, and feature updates for Windows Vista. A program may experience a loss of functionality after you install Windows Vista SP1. However, most programs will continue to work as expected after you install Windows Vista SP1.
This article lists programs that have been reported to experience a loss of functionality when they are installed on a Windows Vista SP1-based computer.
Notes

•This article should not be considered a comprehensive list of programs that experience loss of functionality when they run on a Windows Vista SP1-based computer.
(Microsoft gets the understatement of the year award for this comment!)

•If you are using a program that appears in this article, you may have to contact the software vendor for more information.

MORE INFORMATION

The following tables contain programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality when they are run on a Windows Vista SP1-based computer.
If an application that is not mentioned in this article has a change in functionality after you install Windows Vista SP1, perform the following actions:

•Restart the computer at least one time after you notice that the program is not working correctly. This may let services or pending functions finish to correct the problem.

•Contact the software vendor. For example, visit the support area of the software vendor Web site. You may be able to find an application update that mentions Windows Vista SP1 or a newer version of the program that was released after Windows Vista SP1. (Short of being a geek like us, you're most likely going to just get frustrated trying to do this. If you can't get it to work, let me know by posting in the comment section and and I'll try to help by finding you the patch/upgrade you need for your program.)

•Report the problem to the software vendor. You may be able to use a contact link on the software vendor Web page to report the problem and to request an updated version of the application.

 

Programs that are blocked from starting after you install Windows Vista SP1

The programs in the following table have known compatibility problems with Windows Vista SP1. For reliability reasons, Microsoft blocks these programs from starting after you install Windows Vista SP1.
Note These programs are blocked from starting with the approval of the third-party software vendor. (This means "We know they won't work, so we're NOT going to let them run and potentially hurt your computer. I applaud this statement from Microsoft! Further, I would suggest that if you have any of these programs listed below and you plan on installing the patch yourself, you should uninstall the affected programs  first, as you might not be able to cleanly uninstall them after the patch is applied.)

 

BitDefender AV or Internet Security Version: 10
Made By: BitDefender
http://kb.bitdefender.com/KB400-en--What-to-do-if-BitDefender-10-cannot-be-installed-on-Vista-SP1.html

A supported version (2008 or a later version) is now available.

 

Fujitsu Shock Sensor Version 2.1.0.0
Made By: Fujitsu Limited
http://www.fujitsu.com/
Current information about this issue is posted on the vendor Web site.

 

Jiangmin KV Antivirus Version 10
Made By: Jiangmin
http://dl.jiangmin.com/download/kv2008.htm
A supported version is now available.

 

Jiangmin KV Antivirus Version 2008
Made By: Jiangmin
http://dl.jiangmin.com/download/kv2008.htm

A supported version is now available.

 

Trend Micro Internet Security Version 2008
Made By: Trend Micro
http://esupport.trendmicro.com/support/enterprise/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=PUB-en-1036628

A supported version (16.1 or a later version) is now available.

 

Zone Alarm Security Suite Version 7.1.078
Made By: Zone Alarm
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/vista.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en

A supported version (7.1.218.0 or a later version) is now available.

 

Programs that do not run after you install Windows Vista SP1

The programs in the following table do not run after you install Windows Vista SP1. The following table may include either a suggestion for how to resolve the issue or a Web site where you may find a solution for the issue. If a solution currently does not exist, contact the software vendor. Or, visit the software vendor Web site for a recommended solution.

 

Iron Speed Designer Version 5.0.1
Made By: Iron Speed
http://www.ironspeed.com/products/VistaSP1.aspx

A supported version (5.0.2 or a later version) is now available.

 

Xheo Licensing Version 3.1
Made By: Xheo
http://www.xheo.com/myaccount
A supported version (3.1 R17024 or a later version) is now available.

 

Free Allegiance Version 2.1
Made By: Allegiance
http://www.freeallegiance.org/FAW/index.php/How_do_I_fix_error:_%27Application_failed_to_initialize_properly._Error_0xc000007b%27

Current information about this issue is posted on the vendor Web site.

 

Programs that have a loss of functionality after you install Windows Vista SP1

The programs in the following table have a major or minor loss of functionality after you install Windows Vista SP1. We recommend that you contact the software vendor. Or, visit the software vendor Web site for a recommended solution or program update.

 

NYT Reader Version 1
Made By: New York Times
New York Times Reader stops working when the right mouse button pressed.
http://www.nytimes.com/timesreader (http://www.nytimes.com/timesreader)
A supported version is now available.

 

Rising Personal Firewall Version 2007
Made By: Rising
Rising Personal Firewall disconnect functionality does not work in Windows Vista SP1
http://www.rising.com.cn

A supported version (2008 version) is now available.

 

Novell ZCM Agent Version 10.01
Made By: Novell
ZCM 10.0.x is not supported in Windows Vista SP1
http://www.novell.com/support/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=3486285&sliceId=&dialogID=53482286&stateId=0%200%2053484693

Current information about this issue is posted on the vendor Web site.

For information about how to contact a software vendor, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: