Microsoft has stopped automatically distributing a prerequisite piece of software for Vista Service Pack 1, following customer complaints that it had caused system problems.
Servicing stack update KB937287, released last week, contained updates to Windows Vista installation software, and was billed as being "necessary to successfully install and to remove Windows Vista SP1 [Service Pack 1] on all versions of Windows Vista."
Microsoft stopped distributing the update on Wednesday, according to a blog post by Microsoft product manager Nick White.
"We've heard a few reports about problems customers may be experiencing as a result of KB937287," wrote White. "Immediately after receiving reports of this error, we made the decision to temporarily suspend automatic distribution of the update to avoid further customer impact while we investigate possible causes."
Vista SP1 is already available to subscribers to the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) but won't receive a formal public release until mid March.
One irate Windows Vista Ultimate user replied to White's blog post, saying the prerequisite had corrupted their PC and that they had needed to reformat the hard drive, losing all of their files and programs as a result. When advised by an anonymous contributor that they could have used System Restore on their Vista installation disc, the Vista Ultimate user replied that they had purchased and downloaded their copy of Vista from the internet and so had no disc.
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Two users complained that Windows Update prompted them to install the prerequisite, even after they had installed it.
Another user, S Marusic, wrote: "New Dell Inspiron PC stuck on the update loop as well. Any ETA from Microsoft on when/how to fix it? My client has valuable data that I need to consider stripping off the [hard drive] unless a patch/fix comes out soon... Help!"
According to Microsoft's White: "This problem only affects a small number of customers in unique circumstances".
If you have had any problems with this update please let us know using the Talkback facility below.
Talkback
My Dell laptop, which is running Vista, was also caught in a never-ending and repeating update (3 of 3) loop on Sunday. The percentage completion stayed at 0%; then the system automatically re-boots and the same message re-appears in a never ending cycle.
I switched the computer off and restarted it in both normal and safe mode (both with and without network and with the command prompt option). Every time it went back into this repeating update loop.
In the end I had to configure the machine to boot from the CD and use the Vista System disk that came with the machine to get Vista back to a previous restore point (and, for some reason there were only a couple of very recent restore points offered - of which one didn't work). Fortunately the restore worked. I've now switched off the automatic update function on all of my machines, XP and Vista.
From the number of messages I've seen posted on the internet I believe this problem has been far more widespread than Microsoft would have us believe.
I emailed their technical support on Sunday but have not yet received any response.