Announcing Windows Vista SP2 Beta
Posted 12/2/2008 by Steve Sinchak - Total Views: 180 - Views Today: 180
Today Microsoft is releasing the Windows Vista SP2 Beta for Technet and MSDN Subscribers to download. Service Pack 2 includes dozens of improvements that will help security and performance. Among the improvements the most notable are Bluetooth 2.1 feature pack, Windows Connect Now wireless configuration, Windows Search 4 and increased reliability.
Detailed List of Changes:
Support for new technologies:
SP2 contains Blue tooth 2.1 feature pack supporting the most recent specification for Blue tooth technology
Ability to record data on Blu-Ray media
Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi Configuration to Windows Vista SP2
exFAT file system now supports UTC timestamps, which enables correct file synchronization across time zones
SP2 provides support for new form factors, such as ICCD/CCID. new form factor support --example USB form factor as opposed to PCMCIA).
Support for the new VIA 64-bit CPU
Security
SP2 includes all previously released security updates, and builds on the proven security benefits of Windows Vista
Secure Development Lifecycle process updates, where we identify the root cause of each security bulletin and improve our internal tools to eliminate code patterns that could lead to future vulnerabilities
Reliability
SP2 addresses previously released reliability updates
As well as addressing crashes, caused by Microsoft code, discovered since the launch of SP1
Performance
Resume performance when Wi-Fi connection is no longer available after resume from sleep
Inclusion of Windows Search 4 for improved indexing performance, improved relevancy in search, broader indexing scenario inclusion, as well as new Group Policy integration for Windows Search
Improvements to the RSS feeds sidebar gadget to improve update performance and responsiveness,
Application Compatibility
It is our goal that applications that run on the Windows Vista Operating System today and are written using public APIs will continue to work as designed on Windows Vista SP2.
Previously released Application Compatibility updates are included in Windows Vista SP2.
Spysweeper and ZoneAlarm now working with POP3 email accounts
Administration and Support Improvements
Customers installing .net framework 3.5 service pack 1 will notice shorter download and installation times with Vista service pack 2 or Windows 2008 service pack 2 already installed
Service Pack Clean up tool (Compcln.exe): This tool helps restore the hard disk space by permanently deleting the previous versions of the files (RTM & SP1) that are being serviced by Service Pack 2.
Single installer for both Vista & Server 2008
Ability to detect an incompatible driver and block service pack installation or warn users of any loss of functionality
Better error handling and providing more descriptive error messages where possible
Better manageability through logging in system event log
Componentization for Serviceability of the installer
Some Specific Fixes/Additions Include:
Inclusion of Hyper-V for WS08
Event logging support in SPC
DNS Server now listens over ISATAP address
Fixes DRM issues from WMP upgrades
Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless
Reduction of resources required for sidebar gadgets
Improved power settings for WS08
If you are a MSDN or Technet subscriber log in and download now. On December 4th links will be posted for the public on MSDN and Technet for non-subscribers.
If you are a MSDN or Technet subscriber log in and download now. On December 4th links will be posted for the public on MSDN and Technet for non-subscribers.
4 x 4GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (16GB)
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GTX770 Gaming OC 2GB
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition on board solution (ALC 898)
Monitor(s) Displays
ViewSonic VA1912w Widescreen
Screen Resolution
1440x900
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility 3 120GB SATA III x2 (RAID 0)
Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA II x2
Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 1TB SATA II
Iomega 1.5TB Ext USB 2.0
WD 2.0TB Ext USB 3.0
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/images/windows-service-pack-timeline-1996-2009-sp-only.jpgFrom the other side of the world comes a report that Windows Vista Service Pack 2 will be released to manufacturing in April 2009, roughly a year after SP1. The Malaysian website TechARP has a pretty good track record with this sort of prediction, and my sources tell me that schedule sounds about right.
Meanwhile, here in the U.S.A., some people are inferring more Vista doom and gloom from this schedule. My buddy Dwight Silverman at the Houston Chronicle says “SP2 is being rushed out the door” to keep up Vista’s momentum. Eweek’s Channel Insider calls SP2 a “last-ditch attempt to drum up sales for [the] beleaguered [Vista] operating system.” The Register says “Microsoft seems to be in a hurry with this release.”
They all need to dust off their Windows history books to see that the reality is exactly the opposite. If Vista SP2 does make its official appearance in April, it will mark a return to normal development and release cycles for Microsoft, which lost its way badly with Windows XP.
I’ve got the proof, in easy-to-read chart format. Here’s a timeline of every Windows service pack Microsoft has delivered since the release of Windows NT 4.0 in July 1996. Each color-coded bar represents the number of days between each service pack and its predecessor (RTM, in the case of SP1 releases). See any patterns?
There was nothing wrong with mine. Downloaded and burn uneventful.
However from later today - NOTE LATER TODAY
Vista Service Pack 2 beta goes public
If you're the type who enjoys paper cuts, tight-fitting shoes, and tax planning, you'll want to know about the public beta of Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. You can now visit this page to sign up for Microsoft's Customer Preview Program (CPP) and volunteer as a Vista SP2 tester.
According to a post on the Windows Vista blog by Windows Product Management VP Mike Nash, the CPP is intended for "technology enthusiasts, developers, and IT pros" who want to test the service pack on their networks. Nash recommends that "most customers" wait to install the final release of the service pack.
I'll go even further: most Vista users should wait until several weeks after the service pack's final release to install it. That way, you can let the early adopters work through all the service pack's inevitable glitches and incompatibilities.
You know what they say: you can tell the pioneers because they're the ones with the arrows sticking out of their backs.
Hi there, I got Service Pack 2 from the link that FrAgZoU posted and after starting the installation and one restart I got the following error: Service Pack installation failed with error code 0x800704c7.
Does anybody knows what might be the problem?
I am using some third party themes for my desktop, is this an issue?
