XP and Vista service packs still in limbo

Tue May 6, 2008 12:49PM EDT

See Comments (22)

Gone searching for a service pack for either Windows Vista or Windows XP? If you've looked for either on Windows Update in the last few days you'll have come up empty handed, as Microsoft has pulled the service packs from distribution due to incompatibility problems with Microsoft's retail management software.

The problem was announced last week and Microsoft immediately withdrew the updates. You won't find either in the Windows Update system for the time being, though you can still find the Vista update online for manual download if you know where to look. (Hint: here.) XP SP3 is, for now, nowhere to be found (at least in legal channels).

Microsoft has not announced a timetable for a fix, but it reportedly revolves around making sure computers with the Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System don't see the update in Windows Update rather than repairing whatever the incompatibility is with the service packs.

Meanwhile, all customers are waiting it out while Microsoft figures out a solution.

In a related issue, users who found they could not download Vista Service Pack 1 due to driver conflicts should find that those problems are largely resolved now. If you still haven't installed Vista SP1, the trick is to download all driver updates by selecting "Optional Updates" in the Windows Update system. Most hardware drivers aren't updated automatically, and after the offending driver is given a makeover, SP1 should install just fine. Note that you'll still have to download the service pack manually (that is, outside the Windows Update system) for the time being (see link above), but you shouldn't experience problems once you install it.

All new hardware that I'm seeing is all shipping with SP1 preinstalled as well.

UPDATE: Maybe this post did the trick. XP Service Pack 3 is back up and ready for download. Get it by running Windows Update (it may not show up immediately; give it a day or two) or by downloading a burnable CD version manually here.

Comments on XP and Vista service packs still in limbo

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  • 6 Posted by sciencetroll@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    ok you freaks really have to stop with the linux stuff. yes i have a computer that i dual boot with linux and its really nice but once you have used windows for many years you just cant let it go. were addicted to the windows smoke!

  • 7 Posted by collarncuffsboy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    I was just able to install XP SP3. The first thing I noticed different was the address toolbar that I had at the bottom of my screen is gone. When I went to open it again, it wasnt listed as a toolbar.

  • 8 Posted by scottiecordes on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    Apparently it is not in limbo. Auto updates wants me to install it. I think I will wait on this for now.

  • 9 Posted by bmorton66 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    Driver conflicts are NOT resolved. My version of Sigmatel stwrt.sys audio driver in a Gateway laptop still blocks Vista SP1, and there is no update for it at Microsoft, Sigmatel, Integrated Device Technology, Inc.(which bought Sigmatel audio business), or Gateway. Thanks to all.

  • 10 Posted by meganmckechnie on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    i just installed XP SP3- no problems at all and my computer is running much,much faster and more efficient!

  • 11 Posted by alexgannis on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got window vista sp1 the first day it came out my graphic is 100% better window vista rock I grew up and left window xp a long time ago, I'm not scared of change.

  • 12 Posted by edgustavson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'll take so carefully the new SP for any windows, usually cause more problems that solutions. If Microsoft put off the market Windows XP that means that the users of a lot of computers that doesn't have enough hardware to support Windows Vista will going to put throw aways their computers or change to Linux.

  • 13 Posted by wildwingduck on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    I could have installed SP3 yestday, but decided not to and told my windows update not to show me the update again. I wont be installing it until it a sure thing that I wont have a repeat of what it was like to install SP 2.

  • 14 Posted by mikeataamp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    I downloaded SP3 last nite (5/6) at home. No problems at all except for 13 registry errors to clean up. Download states 24 minutes but did take just over 1 hour....

  • 15 Posted by c22gold on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    Downloaded "official" SP3 today. Could not reboot. Had to go into Safe Mode and do a Restore. What friggin' pain in the butt! What the heck does it take to get a !@#!$# SP3 install!

  • 16 Posted by ka7aok831 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    We were having problems with our personal network and their "Help" page said that XP SP3 was available and critical and gave us a link. When we installed it, the PC CRASHED. It was only with a great deal of effort and angst that we were able to remove and reverse it. Now our primary (desktop) is working and back to normal(?) but we still don't have our personal wireless working. Maybe tomorrow. Do BACKUP before installing.

  • 17 Posted by boozie515 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    I was able to download MS/SP3 on 05/07/08 from Windows update without a problem. Take note: this is a large download and install. Some users may well want to consider ordering this on a CD; for later install, or have a friend download the files and burn them to a CD for you to install.

  • 18 Posted by pb_enial on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    Downloaded SP3 2 days ago. Could not reboot. Went into Safe Mode and did a restore. Now it wants me to do it again even though my update history states it was done successfully.

  • 19 Posted by atenaglia@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just down loaded xps service pack from microsoft update i don,t understand that you say it is in limbo. please explain

  • 20 Posted by gregfountain on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    Pretty bad when your software fix needs to be fixed. I'm done with Microsoft......

  • 21 Posted by c22gold on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    Okay- I'll go this far... can I run Linux without throwing away XP? When version of Linux is most recommended? *places XP SP3 in sock drawer*

  • 22 Posted by flatiron69200 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    SP3 also crashed my windows on startup and caused a great deal of problems from renaming my drives to making them dissapear (this after i unistalled it thru safe mode) The "HELP" I got from microsoft would have been humerous if it wasn't so sad. To 21 Unbuntu 8.04 "Hardy Heron" it is the most popular and supported version of Linux. you can download it for free. it offer much greater stability than windows a great deal less resources. And yes if you have dual hard drives install i on your non windows hdd, if you don't have dual hdd add a partition your hdd and install it their the download off the net or you can request a free boot disk will have a dual boot program on it. Join the Revolution! DOWN WITH MS!!!

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