Windows Vista, both the RTM and Service Pack 1 versions, can lose installed drivers in scenarios in which the computer is started via the Last Known Good Configuration feature. According to Microsoft not only Vista RTM/SP1 is affected, but also Windows Server 2008 RTM/SP1. Machines booted with the Last Known Good Configuration feature can have some .inf files removed from the %windir%inf folder. In this context, the operating systems will also lose the installed drivers associated with the .inf files.

"These .inf files correspond to the drivers that are included with Windows. If you try to install a new device that uses an .inf file that has been deleted, you may receive an error message that resembles the following: "Driver not found." If you try to reinstall the same version of driver that was originally serviced, the devices that use that .inf file may not work correctly," Microsoft informed.

The Redmond company is offering no less than five updates designed to tackle these specific issues. The releases have been available for download since the end of the past week, and are tailored to both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Vista RTM/SP1, but also to the x86, x64 and Itanium-based Systems variants of Windows Server 2008. The updates will bring the platforms out of the inconsistent status generated by starting the computer with the Last Known Good Configuration feature.

"It's a Windows startup option that uses the most recent system settings that worked correctly. Every time you turn your computer off and Windows shuts down successfully, important system settings are saved in the registry. You can use those settings to start your computer if a problem occurs. For example, if a new driver for your video card is causing problems, or an incorrect registry setting is preventing Windows from starting correctly, you can restart your computer using Last Known Good Configuration," the Redmond company explained.

The updates can be accessed through the links below:

- Update for Windows Vista (KB953631)
- Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB953631)
- Update for Windows Server 2008 (KB953631)
- Update for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB953631)
- Update for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems (KB953631)