Microsoft Resumes XP, Vista Service Packs

Following a conflict between the Windows updates and a piece of software that caused Microsoft to suspend download of Vista service packs, the company has developed a temporary solution and resumed downloads.

It was, perhaps, a little embarrassing, when Microsoft discovered that the much-touted service packs it had developed for Windows XP and Vista caused aconflict with a piece of software for some customers. Not just any software, but something the company had developed itself, Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS).   It was badenough that they had to suspend downloads of the service packs (SP3 for XP, SP1 for Vista). But on Tuesday the Redmond giant announced that it was resuming downloads, having come up with a filterthat stops Dynamic RMS-equipped machines from downloading either update.

Microsoft admits that by itself the filter doesn’t constitute a fix to the problem, and urged anyone with Dynamic RMS who’d downloaded the service pack to contact the company. In a statement the company said,"A fix for this issue is currently in testing at Microsoft and with customers, and we hope to make it publicly available this month. Until then, Microsoft is advising Microsoft Dynamics RMS customers to not install either service pack."

Service Pack 1 for Vista is now once again an automatic update, with SP3 for XP a Web download.