Virtualization, Cloud, Infrastructure and all that stuff in-between

There are probably a number of reasons for this, but I’ve come across a number of people recently that have installed Vista Service Pack 1 from the Microsoft Web site (note: not via Windows Update) following articles on the web about its availability (like mine) and have since had problems with sound or other devices not working.

If you read this KB article you’ll note that cause 5 says if you have some particular devices you will not be offered SP1 by Windows Update as there are not yet SP1 compatible drivers.

I don’t know for certain as I don’t have any of these devices on my laptop by I would think even if you downloaded it manually the SP1 installer would warn of this; so maybe those people just chose to ignore it – none of them could remember 🙂

To be fair to Microsoft I think this is a good idea, previously there would have been no check mechanism for known incompatible drivers, this is definitely a step in the right direction to protect people from themselves 🙂

Pasted from the KB article…  some of the problematic devices are listed below;

To help ensure a positive update experience, Windows Update will temporarily not offer Windows Vista SP1 to systems that have the following device drivers. In some cases, these device drivers are problematic on Windows Vista-based computers when you update to Windows Vista SP1. By installing updated device drivers, you will resolve the issue and enable Windows Update to offer Windows Vista SP1.

Audio drivers
Realtek AC’97

•For x86-based computers: Alcxwdm.sys – version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier

•For x64-based computers: Alcwdm64.sys – version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier

SigmaTel

•For x86-based computers: Sthda.sys – version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier

•For x64-based computers: Sthda64.sys – version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier

SigmaTel

•For x86-based computers: Stwrt.sys – version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier

•For x64-based computers: Stwrt64.sys – version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier

Creative Audigy

•For x86-based and x64-based computers: Ctaud2k.sys – version 6.0.1.1242 or earlier

•For x86-based computers: P17.sys – all versions (This was originally a Windows XP-based driver.)

Conexant HD Audio

•For x86-based computers: Chdart.sys – version 4.32.0.0 or earlier

•For x64-based computers: Chdart64.sys – version 4.32.0.0 or earlier

Biometric (Fingerprint) Sensors

•AuthenTec Fingerprint Sensor with the Atswpdrv.sys driver file – version 7.7.1.7 or earlier

•UPEK Fingerprint Sensor with the Tcusb.sys driver file – version 1.9.2.99 or earlier

Display drivers
Intel Display

•For x86-based computers: Igdkmd32.sys – versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403

•For x64-based computers: Igdkmd64.sys – versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403

Other drivers
Texas Instruments Smart Card Controller with the GTIPCI21.sys driver file – version 1.0.1.19 or earlier
Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 with the Watcher.exe application – version 3.4.0.9 or earlier (This application is located in the AirCard 580 Program Files folder.)
Symantec software driver for Symantec Endpoint Protection and for Symantec Network Access Control clients

•For x86-based computers: Wgx.sys – versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier

•For x64-based computers: Wgx64.sys – versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier