Platform Update for Windows Vista Disappears in Vista to Vista Upgrades
Last Updated on Thursday, 17 December 2009 01:15 Written by Mire_B Thursday, 17 December 2009 01:15
When upgrading from one Vista edition to another Vista edition, the functionality in KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista” may be lost. This scenario occurs when the original Vista edition had KB 971644 installed.
When upgrading from one edition of Windows Vista with KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista” to another edition of Windows Vista (for example, upgrading from Professional to Ultimate), the registry keys added by KB 971644 will be removed from the registry and pre-existing binaries which were updated by Windows 7 IP will be replaced with the non-updated versions provided by the new edition of Vista. New binaries introduced by KB 971644 that did not previously exist in Windows Vista will remain but without their corresponding registry key entries.
To resolve this issue, reinstall the KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista” update after upgrading to the new edition.
The following scenario is provided as an example of this behavior.
Steps:
1. The user has installed Windows Vista Home Premium edition with appropriate service packs
2. The user then installs KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista”
3. Later, the user upgrades to Windows Vista Ultimate edition with appropriate service packs
Result:
· KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista” is overwritten on the system
o All KBs related to KB 971644 under “Installed Update” entries are removed
o Pre-existing Vista binaries that were updated by KB are replaced with the pre-KB 97164 versions provided in the Vista upgrade.
o New binaries introduced to Vista through KB 971644 will remain unchanged in the system folders
o All registry keys for all binaries in KB 971644 are deleted
· Upgraded Windows Vista functions normally but KB 971644 functionality is no longer available.
Required Steps to restore functionality:
1. Re-install the KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista” update .
Result:
All KB 971644 updates are applied and KB 971644 functionality is available to the upgraded system.
Learn MoreMicrosoft Mentions Windows 7 SP1 and Vista SP3
Last Updated on Monday, 12 October 2009 10:05 Written by Mire_B Monday, 12 October 2009 10:05
This fell in my lap over the weekend, but I didn’t have time to cover it last week: An update is available that allows for a potential power saving in an AMD multicore processor that is running an x64-based version of Windows Vista SP2, of Windows Server 2008 SP2, of Windows 7, or of Windows Server 2008 R2.
The update in itself is worth a download and an install, to make post-Vista 64-bit platforms play nice with Enhanced C1 state (C1E) for lower power consumption for an AMD multicore processor. But what is interesting is that under Hotfix Support for Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2 it says SP1 (Service Pack 1) and SP3 for Vista.
Could the first service pack for Windows 7 already have started shaping up, when the product will only be offered to customers on October 22nd? Considering the July 22nd release to manufacturing date, I would say yes. Microsoft is not releasing hotfixes to all Windows users, but it is traditionally including the bit in the next service pack. The x64 Windows 7 C1E hotfix can be deployed in the RTM build of the operating system, but it won’t see a wide release until it will be included into Windows 7 SP1.
And of course Vista SP3 is already in the making. SP2 was released to manufacturing on April 28th. I would dare say that at this point in time, the RTM of Vista SP3 is less than a year away, and that it will a minor service pack release, just like SP1 and SP2.
The local Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC) timer is programmed to count even when it is not being used. Therefore, the local APIC timer runs in the C1 sleep state continuously at a constant rate regardless of performance state (P-state) transitions. This behavior causes the computer to consume unnecessary power. However, AMD processors support an inactive state for when the CPU APIC timer is not being used. Therefore, an AMD processor can enter the low-power C1E state. This low-power state saves up to an additional 10 percent in power.
If your processor supports the C1E state, you can apply this update to allow for the potential power savings of the C1E sleep state.
Learn More
Look to WU for Browser Ballot Screens for Windows 7, Vista and XP
Last Updated on Wednesday, 7 October 2009 10:53 Written by Mire_B Wednesday, 7 October 2009 10:47
Expect the Browser Ballot Screen from Windows Updates anytime soon. You just have to be running Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. Microsoft has touched up the Browser Ballot Screen to please the European Commission, and received the OK to start the testing phase of the update/app that will make the European antitrust regulators shift their focus away from the Windows-Internet Explorer bundle.
Brad Smith, Microsoft General Counsel: We welcome today’s announcement by the European Commission to move forward with formal market testing of Microsoft’s proposal relating to web browser choice in Europe. We also welcome the opportunity to take the next step in the process regarding our proposal to promote interoperability with a broad range of our products.
Today’s announcement follows our publication of earlier drafts of these two proposals in July and broad feedback from across our industry to the Commission in August. Microsoft then engaged in extensive discussions with the Commission over the last month, during which we agreed to make numerous changes to improve these proposals. For Microsoft, today’s decision is a significant step toward closing a decade-long chapter of competition law concerns in Europe.