Heads Up: Vista SP1 Integrated & Atheros "N"

[At0mAng]

So I just recently installed Vista with SP1 integrated into the install. I do not mean slipstreamed but you may run into the same problem if you do a slipstream install. The problem I ran into was that I could not connect to any wireless networks after installing the Atheros driver from Windows Update. The driver installed fine but it would not make any connections. The IBM driver works fine though.

Thought I would give a heads up since Vista SP1 is here...

I have not run into this problem using Windows Update to install SP1 or the stand alone installer. Just using the integrated install.

So if you are asking what an integrated install is then just do the following:

Do your normal backup of important files and what ever else you do before you install an OS...

Boot of the Vista DVD as you normally would.

Install Vista has you normally would.

The screen to enter your name, password and to select a picture will pop up over some time.

DO NOT ENTER ANYTHING IN (YET)!

Press: CTRL-SHIFT F3
Your computer will reboot and enter "Audit Mode". You will be at the Vista Desktop with a SYSPREP window opened. Do not close it, just ignore it.

Install Vista SP1. Use the stand alone version of Vista SP1 to install.

After SP1 is installed the computer will reboot and you will be back at the Vista Desktop with the SYSREP Window (Ignore SYSREP again for now).

From here open a command window (window key + R and then type CMD). Then type in "vsp1cln". This will clean your SP1 install and recover ~1.5 gigs of hard drive space.

Once your clean up is done go to the SYSPREP window and select to boot into OOBE. DO NOT SELECT "Generalize". Press Reboot.

Your computer will reboot and you will be back at the Vista setup screen to enter your name, password and select a picture.

The rest of the install is as usual.

I have found this way to be the best way to install SP1.

[pae77]

Very interesting. Why do you think this is superior to simply installing SP1 over an existing installation of Vista?

[At0mAng]

Very interesting. Why do you think this is superior to simply installing SP1 over an existing installation of Vista?

After installing all my software and hardware the system just seemed snappier compared to doing a SP1 install from Windows Update or the stand alone package.

It takes up less disk space and leaves a cleaner OS. You do not need to have all the previous updates first before Windows Update will server you SP1 and they are not left around to linger taking up hard drive space.

If you already do have SP1 installed and all the updates you can browse to Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore and delete all files and folders. Also delete all files and folders in Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.
This resets your Windows Update and clears out the history too but you can go into installed updates from Programs & Features to remove any updates you wish.

VSP1CLN at the command prompt also deletes all SP1 setup filese no matter how you install SP1.

The WINSXS folder is much smaller too. It is not safe to remove anything from there so just leave it alone.

I saved close to 7 Gigs on my hard drive so that is not too shaby. I would guess having all those system files also slowed down the system a bit. If you are going to do a clean install this way of installing SP1 also saves some time.

I guess it is what you prefer and if you need to reinstall the OS. No matter which way I upgraded to SP1 all went fine and I was left with a rock solid system. The only problem I had was with the wireless card and the SP1 method I mentioned.

BTW...I am running Vista x64 Ultimate.

[pae77]

Thanks for the reply and info. I only have about 90 MB total in the two folders you mentioned after updating my existing x64 vista installation via the standalone SP1 installer. If I start running low on space I'll keep it in mind that those files can be deleted.

I may someday try to do a clean install but it is not a priority right now. Perhaps eventually a Vista installation disk that incorporates SP1 will be available for x64 based systems. I would like to get my hands on one of those.

[SHoTTa35]

umm but there is one I'm using SP1 slipstreamed x86 as i rather that much more tha upgrading. It just doesn't help performance if you ask me.