Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista was first and foremost designed to soften all the rough edges of the RTM version of the latest Windows operating system. However, this does not mean that SP1 has made Vista perfect, far from it in fact. Even with the first service pack integrated, Windows Vista has problems playing well on machines with multiple processors. According to Microsoft, the issues are related to scenarios in which computers simply run multiple processors and Vista SP1 is restarted.

The Redmond company revealed that restarting a computer with multiple processors installed and running Windows Vista SP1 can throw the machine in a non-responsive state, blocking the reboot at Windows Start screen. Windows Server 2008, which shares the same codebase as Vista SP1 is also affected by the problem. Microsoft has so far failed to identify the specific processors impacted.

"Consider the following scenario: you have a computer that is running Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2008. the computer has multiple processors installed. you restart the computer. In this scenario, the computer may stop responding at the Windows Start screen," are the only details provided by the Redmond company.

Microsoft is offering a hotfix for download, but Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 users have to request it from Online Customer Services, as it is not available for download to the general public. The company explained that the hotfix requires additional testing, and then pointed to the next service pack for both operating systems as the ideal solution.

Since at this point in time, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are labeled as SP1, the next service pack is, of course, SP2. "If you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2008 service pack or Windows Vista service pack that contains this hotfix," Microsoft advised.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the operating system is available for download HERE.