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Windows Vista update 'kills' USB devices

by Parm Mann on 17 April 2008, 09:06

Tags: Windows Vista, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)

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Kelly Fiveash of The Register reports:

The Windows Defender update was released last week, but some unfortunate Vista customers have claimed that their USB mice and keyboards among other devices refuse to work after the update is installed on their computers.

One reader told The Register that he gave up after several frustrating attempts to remove the erroneous update.

Microsoft had released the update to plug a security hole in its spyware blocker Windows Defender. The company said in a statement today:

“We are aware of concerns that a recent Microsoft update may be causing problems with USB devices. We are investigating the matter, and at this time, do not have any information to share.”

Yesterday, meanwhile, Microsoft finally pumped out Vista service pack one (SP1) in the remaining 31 languages available as a manual download via its Windows Update site.

However, the automatic version of the download remains missing in action. Redmond had chalked mid-April as the date when SP1 would start downloading onto computers across the world.

Now Microsoft has been forced to admit that it has once again missed a crucial service pack deadline.

The true trouble fun will start when computers begin receiving the automatic SP1 update, so why is Microsoft delaying getting the party started?

A spokesman at the firm told El Reg: “Microsoft wants to ensure customers have the best possible experience with Windows Vista, including installing SP1; this has always been the priority. Until SP1 is automatically distributed via Windows Update, consumers are able to download SP1 manually using Windows Update.”

Elsewhere in Microsoft land, rumours are wildly scurrying through the interweb suggesting that Windows XP SP3 could throw its anchor overboard with a release to manufacturers on 21 April followed by a general release a week later.

That's news that is likely to satisfy plenty of people who have decided to swerve Microsoft's unloved Vista in favour of soldiering on with XP until the arrival of Windows 7; the momentous occasion which some, including BillyG himself, hint could come as early as the second half of next year.



HEXUS Forums :: 15 Comments

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Sheesh. The Microsoft tomfoolery never ends!

I went from XP32 to Vista32 to XP64 to Vista64 adn back to XP64. And until MS can fix their endless issues with Vista then XP is where I'll stay.

So there :P
I have no problems with Vista x64 &/or my USB devices either before or after SP1 & recent updates.
Lord Midas;1396370
Sheesh. The Microsoft tomfoolery never ends!

I went from XP32 to Vista32 to XP64 to Vista64 adn back to XP64. And until MS can fix their endless issues with Vista then XP is where I'll stay.

So there :P

I went from Xp64 to Vista 64 about 3 months ago. Had very few issues. All drivers for Canon printer, Microsoft Webcam and stuff all worked well. SP1 works well, had no problems with recent update to defender.

I do think though that vista does need pruning when installed. Options such as superfetch need turning of. Once you've played with Vista and configured it well, it works well. XP64 was the same.

The only issue I have is transfer files over a network from other computers that aren't vista. This is dam slow and annoying. But a NAS drive will hopefully sort this.

I think Linux really needs to push it way into the commercial market and challenge Windows, before Microsoft actually care about service and getting things right. Until their is competition that will take money from them, they won't improve.
I upgraded my main rig and my laptop through Windows Update to SP1 and both are running fine before and after the update.
Brewster0101
I do think though that vista does need pruning when installed. Options such as superfetch need turning of. Once you've played with Vista and configured it well, it works well. XP64 was the same.
SuperFetch is the best feature Vista has. It's the sole reason I'm using Vista (other than needing x64 to utilise more than 2gb per process, so needed a new license anyway). What's the point in having all that memory sitting empty? It makes a hell of a difference.

Back on topic, I've no issues with USB devices here either.