SP1 or KB938194 = a Ferarri PC!

Even before SP1 hit the official launch on March 2008, people were downloading beta editions of the much awaited service pack in a bid to quell their Vista woes such as slow file transfers, intermittent lock-ups and application incapabilities. I was one of those fellas so I moved heaven to snatch a secret beta SP1 (v165) into my vista machine.

The effort was worth it. Slow loading ceased. Graphic display problems vanished. And best of all… large file transfer times dropped. For instance, copying a 2GB file from C: to D: accelerated by 50%. Before, I can make a cup of coffee and heat a sausage before my Core2Quad finished. Yesiree. Things looked up for Vista users- particularly now that KB938194 hit the market.

Microsoft is obviously aware of reliability issues. The new KB938194 boasts the following description:

“This update resolves some compatibility issues and reliability issues in Windows Vista. By applying this update, you can achieve better reliability and hardware compatibility in various scenarios,” reads Microsoft’s description of KB938194 which is offered in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions for the respective editions of Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

Late last year, the Redmond company issued two Vista compatibility, performance and reliability update packs that eventually found its way into ervice pack 1. There was a hitch. Microsoft informed that some users cannot implement the service because of minor issues, but mainly incompatibility problems. For them, the KB938979 and KB938194 update packages were reissued. Users of Windows Vista SP1 need neither of the packs.

At Microsoft’s website you’ll discover that KB938194 will resolve the following problems:

• The computer stops responding, and you receive a “Display driver stopped responding and has recovered” error message.
• The computer stops responding or restarts unexpectedly when you play video games or perform desktop operations.
• The Diagnostic Policy Service (DPS) stops responding when the computer is under heavy load or when very little memory is available. This problem prevents diagnostics from working.
• The screen goes blank after an external display device that is connected to the computer is turned off.
• There are stability issues with some graphics processing units (GPUs). These issues could cause GPUs to stop responding (hang).
• Visual appearance issues occur when you play graphics-intensive games.
• You experience poor playback quality when you play HD DVD disks or Blu-ray disks on a large monitor.
• Applications that load the Netcfgx.dll component exit unexpectedly.
• Windows Calendar exits unexpectedly after you create a new appointment, create a new task, and then restart the computer.
• Internet Connection Sharing stops responding after you upgrade a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP to Windows Vista and then restart the computer.
• The Printer Spooler service stops unexpectedly.
• You receive a “Stop 0×0000009F” error when you put the computer to sleep while a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connection is active.”

Woah! That sounds like a LOT of my friends. Especially friends who love to game (come on, raise your hands and say ‘aye’)

Since this KB update and SP1, I’ve nary to hear a Vista machine grinding down at the office’s workstations and gaming lounges. All I see are smiles.

Good work Microsoft. You’ve done something right!

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