Printed from www.pcpro.co.uk
Posted on May 27th, 2009 by Stuart Turton
A Vista SP2 warning
Just a quick warning for anybody thinking of updating to Vista SP2. Our very own Paul Ockenden subjected himself to this supposedly painless process only recently and discovered that when it’s done installing, SP2 automatically reboots the machine without any warning.
Now, as Paul notes “at the start of the install it does warn you that this will happen, and suggests that you don’t use the machine while the update is taking place. But it’s on one of those screens that no-one ever reads!”
Needless to say, we highly recommend that you don’t begin patching in the background if you’re halfway through writing your War and Peace rivalling masterwork.
Given the fuss Microsoft’s been making in its Windows 7 promotion about listening to the customer and making life easier for them, there’s something particularly fitting about the gnashing of teeth likely to be caused by Vista SP2. On the bright side, it looks like Vista’s going to go out in much the same way it came in, against a chorus of complaints.
45 Responses to “ A Vista SP2 warning ”
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May 27th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Hi There,
I have just sat patiently waiting while 564Mb of data is downloaded for Vista SP2 for Vista 64. Then, right at the end I find the license agreement which does not fit within the dialogue box and so therefore gives me no option of pressing a key to see the “Next” button appear. I had no option but to cancel and re-do it at a future date.
It’s just as well I am not paying for extra bandwidth as Microsoft doesn’t appear to be bothered.
Tom Brown
May 27th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
[“at the start of the install it does warn you that this will happen, and suggests that you don’t use the machine while the update is taking place. But it’s on one of those screens that no-one ever reads!”]
Is this the first computer you have ever owned because after several operating systems you should start to expect that the computer will restart when a new program is installed, Obviously, a new operating system is a fairly significant installation so the fact that you’re surprised by a sudden shutdown is odd, and possibly humorous. Clearly, your reasoning for not reading the pop up notices is because you “know everything” about computers. Perhaps the article name should be changed to “A Vist SP2 Warning – For Idiots Only.”
May 27th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
@Mike Smith
I would suggest that the fact you’re not surprised by a sudden shutdown is the odd thing here. The OS is a tool, it shouldn’t suddenly do anything you don’t want it to. It’s a relatively simple process for Microsoft to stick in one of those “restart your computer in 10, 15, 20 minutes” boxes at the end of the installation – allowing you to finish off whatever you are doing before reset. The idea that we’re on Microsoft’s schedule and must obey is intensely irritating. That’s my reasoning.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Tom – next time try using the tab key to select the hidden field, the space key to check it, and the enter key to take you to the next screen.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
@ Stuart Turton
Sorry but surely only an idiot would start working on a vital document in the middle of a major OS service pack upgrade.
And if the PC is important to your daily life, you should also do a full backup before you apply the upgrade.
It’s just common sense!
May 27th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
@Mike Smith – sure, I expected a re-boot, but a warning first would have been nice. Like Stu says, one of those “restart in 10 minutes” thingies would have been nice.
@Richard – I guess I’m an idiot then! But seriously, the SP2 install takes anything between 30 minutes and an hour, so I’m sure I’m not the only person that’ll get bored with thumb twiddling and try to sneak a bit of work in…
May 27th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Paul Ockenden clearly did not read anything while installing and blindly clicked the Next button over and over again, like any simple user does.
I’ve just installed SP2 via Windows Update on my laptop and was given the traditional “restart now” option just like after any normal Windows Update.
Also, using the standalone installer on my desktop computer, I was also given an option called “Automatically restart your computer”, although it IS chosen by default.
So, it’s only Paul’s fault, not Microsoft’s that he tried to sneak some work in (all Service Packs have taken some time to install!) and the machine rebooted. Also, the line “But it’s on one of those screens that no-one ever reads!” just shows pure laziness as with the exception of the license screen, the other screens are only a few lines long.
May 27th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
OK, so I’m a pure lazy idiot. Anyone else?
May 27th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Downloaded the update, hit the ‘install’ button, accepted the agreement and an hour later received the notice that the ‘Service Pack Installation Failed – Reverting your system.” Unfortunately it will not be reverting to a Mac.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
There were sufficient prompts warning of an iminent reboot, went through stages 1-3 of installing updates fairly quickly. What took the longest was it sitting saying it was shutting down for 40 minutes. This makes one worried the computer has hung as there is no continuing progress report during this 40 minutes.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
My SP2 install failed. I thought my pc was stuck at the ’shutting down’ phase so I shut it down myself, …but apparently I didn’t wait long enough. I went out for a bite to eat (40 min) and that wasn’t long enough.
FYI, doing what I did will screw up vista (even more). I had to completely restore the my hd from backup.
Now, windows update will not even list sp2.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Was but minutes away from mirroring your post when mine rebooted… whew.
Tried system restore to before installation beginning or possibly downloading the standalone sp2 update?
May 27th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
@Stuart T, not sure whether to laugh or cry.
Laugh – because Paul did not read the instructions
Cry – Because I subscribe to your mag…
May 28th, 2009 at 12:02 am
I don’t understand why people are “surprised” by the restart after the SP install, it is something expected after a major update to the O.S. and I wouldn’t be working on some important document while installing too. Come on… haven’t you learned? It’s almost common sense. Maybe adding some burning flames animation or a flashing red screen would be enough of a warning to the user?…
May 28th, 2009 at 1:39 am
That’s just not true. It asks again whether you want to reboot.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:46 am
i just tried vista 32 SPs – everything seemed ok, but PC will now not reboot. black screen of death and flshing cursor of misery only. i strongly suspect i’m not going to be the only one in the world today…. (PS my software is genuine: but i don’t have vista reinstall discs.
May 28th, 2009 at 2:15 am
I just updated to SP2 32 bit, no issues what so ever during the up date. Good Job Microsoft! now lets see how the updates performs. By the way there were no surprises during this update since I read the clearly visible shut down warning notices. Good day to all!
May 28th, 2009 at 7:26 am
It’s hard to make something foolproof, especially when the fools are getting complacent…
May 28th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Major OS update = Reboot, how much simpler can it be
This is simple a case of the usual Microsoft bashing the world now expects
Do us all a favour, pack your computer up in a box, and send it back to the supplier
It’s a joke that this drivel is allowed on the internet
My dog has better computer sense ….
May 28th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Mine worked fine. Total update time took around 15-20 minutes, including reboot.
When the update finished, the Windows Update window said it had finished and needed to reboot. So the one that is automatically fed through the update service seems to at least prompt before rebooting. But I wasn’t doing anything at the time anyway, having read this blog post…
May 28th, 2009 at 8:24 am
It appears that the Windows Update version gives the reboot warning, whereas the downloadable version doesn’t.
Strange how they behave differently, don’t you think?
May 28th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Installed in on my two year old laptop a couple of days ago. No problems at all.
Not started installing it on the work computers yet – that’s an exciting job for next week!
May 28th, 2009 at 9:07 am
The downloadable standalone version merely gives a box saying ‘restart automatically.’ It is for IT pros who want to automatically deploy SP2 across large numbers of machines after all.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:10 am
That’s the best wanring you’ve got … ha ha ha … it tells you something, but you don’t read it … oh man vista must REALLY suck … ha ha ha!
Actually the funniest thing is that you are willing to admit it in a blog and then ADVERTISE the blog in your e-mail newsletter.
@ Craig – cancel now while you still can!
May 28th, 2009 at 9:38 am
lol yep i’d cancel that sub. noob mistake by a pro not a good advert for the mag
May 28th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Did Update, no problems, was prompted for restart.
PC filled to the gills with software, Vista has no problems.
No, your PC will not walk your dog or peel your potatoes.
Read the flippin’ manual and stop trying to be clever.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Regarding the comment “Windows Update version gives the reboot warning, whereas the downloadable version doesn’t” – not true! I downloaded and installed SP2, and was DEFINITELY clearly advised there would be reboots during the procedure. All went smoothly.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Advised there would be reboots, or it actually stopped the process and informed you that it needed to do a reboot now? Or did it say at the start that a reboot would be needed and didn’t ask if it was convinient to reboot?
I think that is the difference Paul is on about.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:40 am
remember when desktop IT was quite a specialist job, it seems now that any old biased columnist can call themself a pro. Go and work for the News of the World
Read the instructions you idiot and stop the Microsoft bashing. If you are gonna have a pop at something, don’t try and blame something else for your stupidity you dumbass.
PC PRO – Yeah right….
May 28th, 2009 at 11:41 am
It gave a tickbox asking if one wanted it to reboot automatically. Reflecting its purpose, for IT people who want to deploy it across lots of computers, it was ticked by default. Of course, if one can’t read, that’s obviously useless.
May 29th, 2009 at 6:35 am
For what it’s worth, Apple Updates to the Mac OS X *reboot* without post-installation warning as well. They only tell you in one of those “no one reads these” screens.
Get a clue. The reason machines are automatically rebooted is so that you can walk away and leave the thing unattended during updates and do something more important, like spend time with the wife/husband and kids. Besides, isn’t this why you’re told before installation that “you should close all running applications”?
May 29th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Hmm, like the SP2 through Windows Update, OS X also prompts me to reboot when finished… :-S
May 29th, 2009 at 8:57 am
The problem with SP2 is the same reason I have automatic updates turned off. Of course you should have expected an automatic or semi automatic reboot because the oafs at microsoft are too arrogant to think about us. They think they can turn our machines off and we won’t mind. Even the reboot after a timed warning is unacceptable.
I want to control what my machine does not some techi in Seatle. I want to choose when my machine is unavailiable for hours whilst it gets updated.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I was a little surprised and concerned after I read your complaint. I performed the update last night and clearly saw the warnings and instructions. ie. the computer may flash, it may take an hour to install, (50 minutes actually) and the machine will reboot during installation. How could anyone miss those instructions?
The only problem I’ve had is that I have lost my audio. The IDT High Definition Audio CODEC no longer functions after the SP2 update. Tried reinstalling the driver with no success. Also, boot up is taking a lot longer too.
Any suggestions?
May 29th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I presume from the foregoing that:
(a) Paul was being flippant and had not actually made any of the errors he suggested – journalistic licence – and that his idea was to see how many gullible readers would submit erroneous information to ‘help’ others ‘do it right’.
(b) How many readers had nothing more to add than ‘idiot’ statements when Paul had already provided that information himself.
(c) most subscibers do not actually have anything constructive to say, actually only wishing to see their own clever comments in print.
Have a good weekend, Paul!
PB
May 30th, 2009 at 1:09 am
Just doing it now….
Installation via WU in Spanish on a Vista Home Premium SP1 shows this:
“Guarde su trabajo, cieere todos los programas y haga click en Instalar
La instalación puede tardar una hora o más y es posible que el equipo se reinicie varias veces. No podra usarlo durante la instalación.
Durante la instalación no conecte ni desconecte ningun dispositivo ni apague el equipo.”
Wich means:
“Save your work, close all programs and click Install.
Installaton can take as long as an hour or more and it’s possible that the computer reboots several times. You cannot use it during installation.
Don’t connect nor disconect any devices neither switch it off during installation”
Now any of you can blame me for my bad english but… this looks to me like a warning to not use the computer and save work before starting the install process.
Just info to know wich version warn and wich don’t. This does.
May 30th, 2009 at 3:25 am
One thing that has not been mentioned and this comes from more than 30 years with PCs is that…
Don’t be in the first wave of any major operating system or any other program Installation or Upgrade. ( Same as don’t get a new model car in it’s first year of introduction.)
I can wait a week or two, and see how it’s going.
and
Then install after I have had benefit of reading all these wonderful
reports on the Upgrade.
Ps: It is amazing how little feed back there is out there on Visa SP2 at this point !
May 30th, 2009 at 5:09 am
so, the fact that my service pack 2 is locked at file #7768 and will NOT get past it in install (and this is now pre-boot) is a noobie problem. does anyone have an idea how to get past this. stuck on pwindowsmanager.exe and refuses to get past it. microsoft hasn’t got past this.
anyway to get around this, I’ll be happy to can the install of sp2 from command prompt if anyone has any ideas
May 30th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Mine upgrade just say “preparing your computer” then after about 10 seconds say “Installation was not successful” “no such interface supported” and under “details” Error: E_NOINTERFACE(0×80004002) Any idea?
June 1st, 2009 at 9:56 am
Sorry to say my experience of SP2 is a complerte disaster! The download went OK but installation after about 45 mins ‘failed’. I had several goes at reinstalling but all failed.
Next step was to look on the www – the advice there was that SP1 should be uninstalled and then reinstalled because of some possible problem involving and update. I did that and now I can’t reinstall SP1.
Looks like a rebuild?
What a ***********
June 1st, 2009 at 3:41 pm
After upgrading my Vista Home Premium machine, I found that my Linux (PCLinuxOS to be exact) machines could no longer access my Vista shared directories. Prompts for the Samba share userid/password failed to validate for whatever reason. All of this has worked perfectly for months preceding the Vista SP2 upgrade. I fought with this new problem for 2 days before deciding to remove the SP2 upgrade. After removing SP2, this particular issue ceased to exist.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Awesome! The machine rebooted after I pressed the OK button. Now I’m in Stage 3 of 3 – for the past 16 hours! The computer just keeps rebooting and rebooting. The harddrive is about to have a metdown, the whole utin is hot, and all I get is “Shutting down…” and then a restart with exactly the same message: “Do not shut down your computer”. What a joke! Some on this blog are saying 45 minutes is a reasonable amount of time to spend when dealing with a major software upgrade. Try 16 hours of not being able to use your computer – and counting. Because this is a farily new package, there are no blogs discussing the issue I am experiencing, but I guarantee you there will be more and more people going through this.
And before anyone says the software has failsafes like restore poiints or command prompt, none work. I’ve tried going through the F8 menu, and regardless of which option I choose I end up in the same place: “Configuring updates: Stage 3 of 3 – 0% complete. Do not turn off your computer.” None of the options work – I repeat this because someone out there will have a smart solution that may work IF you can get the safe mode or command prompt. But you can’t. It’s the endless loop of death, courtesy of our friends in Redmond, WA.
June 11th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Commiserations Warren, at least I was spared your misery My Vista SP2 upgrade just wouldn’t start.
September 15th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Wish I could install SP2…However I have an ongoing problem with Vista that seems to be arround since XP-SP1 (error 0×800B0100). MS doesm’t seem to be interested in this seeing that there are thousands of hits on the web with the same problem and none with a real working solution (all MS says is: re-install Vista!!).
October 12th, 2009 at 3:36 am
I think, as soon Windows 7 will start, – nobody ever will use and read those blogs about Vista, Vista SP2 and etc. Vista will die.