Well I agree with you on that. Even though I downloaded the vista updater out of curiosity, but refrained from using it. Instead I simply updated my Sigmatel driver from DELL website. I use Inspiron 6400 which still lists the old driver but any of the new XPS notebooks list the latest driver which i am now using. I did an MSCONFIG to disable all 3rd Party Services and disabled all startup items including the antivirus (McAfee).
I must say with the total number of running processes reduced to 27 from 53, the installation of SP1 from the offline 435MB installer was real smooth and very fast. When it first said, it could take about 1 hour i was not expecting it to take less than 25 min which it actually took. I have just 1 GB of RAM, and running Vista Ultimate OEM so must say my system is not a very high end machine but relatively well kept, with regular defragmenting and CCleaner.
Earlier I used to use Autopatcher (200MB) to install the updates. I guess keeping a 435 MB file to update the system after a clean Vista installation does not look like an issue anymore. Of course a slipstreamed DVD would have been great for running a repair, but thats OK.
I just wanted to share my experience of this install with all of you coz i must say i am really impressed and really happy. Vista SP1 update definitely comes in a great install package.

Anything run better after the upgrade? I think I might wait for SP2.

newmillenium wrote:

Anything run better after the upgrade? I think I might wait for SP2.

It runs better, well desktop responsiveness mainly --- although under the hood it's more or less the same --- but I do seem to be finding it a smidgeon less stable than the RTM...

An easier solution (which i've tested and works a beaut) is to compile your own copy of Vista with vLite:

http://www.vlite.net/download.html


Further instructions:

http://www.vlite.net/help/slipstream.html


You can integrate SP1 and it works fine. You don't even need to remove components, you can just integrate and compile a full, untouched copy...aside from SP1 being integrated.

So, a fresh install of Vista with SP1 by default.

r2rX

r2r the only method to include SP1 in a setup DVD is called the integration method, and it is not a full slipstream. I believe that the method does work, but it is possible that some differences may exist between a DVD created using this method, and an official Vista SP1 integrated DVD from Microsoft

I personally would still recommend obtaining or borrowing a copy of the official release DVD

Ah, alright.

r2rX :D

That works pretty well r2rX. The only downside I can make out is that vLite doesn't perform a cleanup of the previous data...it doesn't run Vsp1cln.exe. Not a train at all though quite honestly, as the only downside is a slightly larger ISO or DVD.

Both the "MS method" and the vLite method also have the downside of only being able to accomodate the version one has, that is if one starts with Vista Home Premium that's the install DVD one ends up without the option to install any of the other versions from that DVD. Again not a train smash and the installations using either method are complete and without any defects, despite what some hard core purists might claim.

Having said all that though, I still think the best option is to get a fresh ISO from MS with SP1 intergrated. Still not sure that MS is going to make those publicly available, although they are available from MSDN and TechNet.

In regard to the cleanup, you can run it right after a fresh install and it does the same thing. I've cleared any excess files using the 'vsp1cln.exe' command. It should, practically, be the same thing...no? I wonder what MS's copy differs in regards to this.

The downfall is that you can only apply the SP to one version of Vista; but how many go back and forward between different versions? There's usually one version that a user prefers....so, just stick with that one. But i've understood.....

If for some reason there is a deficit in functionality in a vLite'd version that doesn't occur with MS's redist of Vista with SP1, then I believe it should be fine to remain with a copy of a vLite'd install.

r2rX

ready2rumbelX wrote:

In regard to the cleanup, you can run it right after a fresh install and it does the same thing. I've cleared any excess files using the 'vsp1cln.exe' command. It should, practically, be the same thing...no?

Yes, exactly the same

Any of you tried the vLite method and proved that it works? I've made a bootable DVD with it but have yet to see if it in fact will install a full Vista SP1 without any hitches. All I know thus far is that it is bootable and the regular installation screen appears.
Microsoft have stated that they feel it is best to wait until SP2 before attempting a slipstream. I'm not quite sure why.