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No update from Microsoft on Vista SP1, Media Center problems

Following reports of installation problems by some users attempting to deploy the final version of Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 1, Microsoft is still not saying much. It's not clear how many users are affected by either the endless-reboot-loop glitch or the Vista SP1 prerequisite-update issues that users are reporting. And there's still no word on how or when Microsoft plans to address these problems.
Written by Mary Jo Foley, Senior Contributing Editor

Following reports of installation problems by some users attempting to deploy the final version of Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 1, Microsoft is still not saying much.

Microsoft officials are not discussing publicly how many users are affected by the "endless reboot loop" problem that users are reporting on Microsoft's TechNet Forums. Microsoft officials also are not saying when or if they will issue new fixes that alleviate the problems.

The problem seems to affect both users who are using the SP1 Release Candidate (RC) 1 Refresh 2 bits (that came out in late January), as well as those using the SP1`bits marked as "RTM" (that went live in early February). Vista SP1 RC 1 Refresh 2 and the RTM build of Vista SP1 are the same. even though their build numbers are different, Microsoft officials have admitted.

Some users also are reporting problems following the installation of new Vista-related updates that Microsoft distributed via Windows Update last week. The updates included some patches labeled as "Vista Service Pack (SP) 1 prerequisites," along with a cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista. Users are reporting on the Vista Team Blog various system problems following the installation of both sets of Vista updates.

It is not clear whether the newer Vista updates released last week have anything to do with the endless-reboot-loop problems. Microsoft seems to be bundling all of these reported probelms into a single, catch-all category of Vista "issues."

A Microsoft spokeswoman issued the following statement, when asked on February 18, about the various Vista problems users are reporting on TechNet and the Vista Team blog:

"We are currently looking into this (issues users are having) but have no additional information to share at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing our users."

Update (on February 19): Microsoft is temporarily halting the distribution of the Vista SP1 prerequisites in an attempt to determine what's causing the endless-loop-reboot problem.

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