Microsoft offers free support for Vista SP1 installs

Vista users encountering problems when they upgrade to Service Pack 1 can breathe out: the company is giving away free support for those installing the service pack.

The transition to the service pack has not been problem-free for many users, with issues such as computers falling into endless reboot cycles and broken applications rearing their head.

Normally, only Vista users who bought the retail product would be eligible for free support but, for SP1 installation, even users with an OEM copy of Vista on their computer can get Microsoft's help, according to the official Vista blog.

"We are offering free-of-charge support to anyone who is having issues installing Windows Vista SP1," Microsoft blogger Brandon Le Blanc said.

Unlimited installation and compatibility support is available at no charge until 18 March, 2009, according to the Microsoft Service Pack 1 (SP1) support site.

There are three options available under the free support plan for US users: email support, which will be answered within one business day; online chat, which has a current waiting time of around 40 minutes; and call, only available for users who have a software-assurance agreement, professional contract, TechNet subscription, MSDN subscription or come under the Microsoft Partner Program.

Support will be handled on a case-by-case basis, a Microsoft spokesperson said, and the user will always be advised if costs are to ensue.

Whether enterprise customers will also receive support without cost will depend on their agreement, the spokesperson added.