As you may have been aware having certain drivers installed on Vista will prevent SP1 from installing.  Microsoft had not exactly been forthcoming on which drivers but has now made the list available to the public.

The company listed the affected drivers in a support article.  It consists of mostly audio and display drivers but there are warnings for fingerprint readers as well.

Audio drivers

Realtek AC’97
For x86-based computers: Alcxwdm.sys - version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Alcwdm64.sys - version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier

SigmaTel
For x86-based computers: Sthda.sys - version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Sthda64.sys - version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier

SigmaTel
For x86-based computers: Stwrt.sys - version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier             For x64-based computers: Stwrt64.sys - version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier

Creative Audigy
For x86-based and x64-based computers: Ctaud2k.sys - version 6.0.1.1242 or earlier
For x86-based computers: P17.sys – all versions (This was originally a Windows XP-based driver.)

Conexant HD Audio
For x86-based computers: Chdart.sys - version 4.32.0.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Chdart64.sys - version 4.32.0.0 or earlier

Biometric (Fingerprint) Sensors
AuthenTec Fingerprint Sensor with the Atswpdrv.sys driver file – version 7.7.1.7 or earlier
UPEK Fingerprint Sensor with the Tcusb.sys driver file – version 1.9.2.99 or earlier

Display drivers
Intel Display
For x86-based computers: Igdkmd32.sys – versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403
For x64-based computers: Igdkmd64.sys – versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403

Other drivers

Texas Instruments Smart Card Controller with the GTIPCI21.sys driver file – version 1.0.1.19 or earlier
Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 with the Watcher.exe application – version 3.4.0.9 or earlier (This application is located in the AirCard 580 Program Files folder.)

Symantec software driver for Symantec Endpoint Protection and for Symantec Network Access Control clients

For x86-based computers: Wgx.sys – versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Wgx64.sys – versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier

Additionally, users are warned against using vLite to strip features out of a Vista installation and install using it.  Microsoft says that could also prevent the installation of Vista SP1.  The previous support article lists possible causes and solutions.

Some companies, Symantec, for example are aware of the issues and have provided free updates to registered users.

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Related:

vLite software tool reduces footprint of Vista

Windows Vista finally made to play nice with Dell printer

Vista isn’t the worst OS Microsoft produced nor is it the best

Vindictive fingers now point at Nvidia in Vista-capable lawsuit

Website states that using Mac OSX Leopard is the same as using Vista

Entry was posted on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 at 7:27 am under Microsoft, Upgrading, Vista.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.