Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) has been released to the masses as of the early hours of this morning. It’s been a long time coming and long expected.
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Compaq / HP has released a processor patch for users running Windows XP. Users who are either waiting for installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3, or are about to install SP3 on their PC should take urgent action now.

This patch is only for PCs with an AMD processor on board, not Intel. Users who choose not to install this patch will find that their machine may not start-up correctly, and will not allow access to Windows in its normal environment. (more…)

This posting is really for business customers who use a VPN to get through to work.

This issue had me scratching my head after a customer grumbled that their VPN connection would randomly drop out or disconnected on them, resulting in a complete restart of their PC in order to get back on. (more…)

Late last Tuesday night, GMT time, Microsoft met its self imposed deadline and has started shipping the hotly anticipated Windows Service Pack 1 for Vista. It’s mostly bug fixes and performance tweaks, but the sheer volume of ‘em is something to behold. Users are advised to download and install when prompted. Alternatively read on for an idea of some fixes covered, known issues, things to check before you install and pictures to guide you along…
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A little news on some good updates for Windows XP users. Microsoft said last Tuesday (19th February 2008) that it is releasing a test version of (more…)

**UPDATE** A proper Windows Service Pack for Vista (SP1) is now available -
click here for details and guide to installation

Microsoft has released a second ‘Vista Performance and Reliability Patch’. The original one was first posted back in August, and it certainly did address some issues.

This time round the following issues are being addressed, focusing on compatibility, reliability, and stability. It is available for Vista 32, and 64:- (more…)

Microsoft has released a Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Microsoft Office 2003. Office 2003 SP3 adds some evolutionary fixes and additions in security for Office 2003. Microsoft also says “it further hardens the Office suite against potential attacks and other security threats” .

The Service Pack also includes fixes that have been previously released as separate updates for Office 2003.

Some of the changes in Service Pack 3 modify the behaviour of Office 2003, including changes that disable some features by default and increase control for computer administrators. Changes include:

• Office 2003 can no longer open or save certain file formats. For more information
• MAPI forms do not run in public folders and user folders. For more information
• Office 2003 can now be configured to allow or deny specific COM components
• Some COM components with unusual characteristics may not function as expected
• Changes have been made to the behavior of Microsoft Office Document Imaging
• Attachments with the .gadget extension can no longer be opened in Outlook
• Access add-ins can no longer be configured for use by all users
• The Fast Save setting in Microsoft Office Word has been removed
• Documents saved in certain formats no longer contain the version number of Office
• Certain macros in older Excel file formats have increased security

Click here to download Office SP3 now

Just a bootnote
Make sure you close all programs (Office ones at least) before you start the install process, standard restart is also needed after the installation.

**UPDATE** A proper Windows Service Pack for Vista (SP1) is now available -
click here for details and guide to installation

This morning, I was delighted to read that Microsoft has released an ‘unofficial’ service pack for Windows Vista. I would assume that this is really a Service Pack (Alpha) for Vista, but then again, the marketing department at Microsoft is calling it a “Vista Performance and Reliability Pack”, or for a minority of users a plaster over a fairly big wound! Could we get some gauze please? (more…)