Vista SP1 doesn't significantly boost performance, slows down certain tasks
 

We heard a lot of different performance claims about Vista SP1 in past few months, and now that it's finally (sort of) here, it's time to bust out the stopwatches and see what's what. According to CNET, early tests of SP1 indicate that while there are some performance enhancements to be had, they're mostly driver related -- so if you've been updating all along, you won't see much of an improvement. What's worse, certain tasks like copying files to USB 2.0 hard drives have gotten around 50 percent slower, a speed hit that overshadows the other filesystem improvements in SP1. All in all, though, it looks like SP1 is a worthwhile update -- just don't expect anything to get noticeably faster.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/13/v...slows-down-ce/

Let's give it another year.:)

nor 2000 nor XP ever got faster after release from RC FYI;)

SP1 installed, PC still boots, that's a good sign. Still random CPU spikes though, will report back in a week on how it evolves, but no high hopes here.

Good to hear your system still boots. :D

Thanks for the info on the CPU spikes... at least I don't have to wonder now if SP1 fixed that.

Lets just forget it and stay with XP SP3 (it's great for fresh installs).

Now Windows own Wireless Network Manager disappears if it detects a third party tool, before it was running alongside the Acer Wireless Network manager.

Well XP SP2 is no better there.

I can still randomly I boot up my laptop and the Intel PROSet Wireless drivers get locked out by XP's own wireless drivers, forcing a reboot to clear the problem. Once or twice was forced to remove then reinstall all networking drivers.

also audio mixer has been replaced by Realtek's, I love the simplicity of the standard audio mixer, can't find it anywhere now

So M$ took control of your PC and didn't even asked you?