hmmm I have tried to check for new updates on win update but it says "no new updates" odd? any ideas?

if you have drivers which are known to cause problems with SP1, it will not be shown. Update your drivers or wait and see if MS releases a fixed one.

ok JBennet thanks a lot, will probably just wait- I am considering reverting back to XP anyway

Yes I am aware of the 32bit limitations. That was a poor attempt at humour on my part about the 'cosmetic' fix.

Windows Update on my system also did NOT pick up on the availability of SP1 so I downloaded directly from Microsft Downloads. I think it checks for incompatible drivers during the install but I'm not 100% sure.

dont

i was involved in the beta/rc testing

on those machines that had the driver issues, they were usually rendeered tyotally unbootable, hence the block

In my case, Windows update offered a driver update under "optional updates" before offering the new service pack.

Just thought I'd share that.

here is an interesting read for those (like me) who are unable to download SP1 for vista

After reading all the posts, I still don't understand why you all are having such a tough time downloading and installing sp1. it took me about 15min to get it and bout 20min and 1 restart to install? Are you all having driver problems? My pc said that my display driver needed to be updated but it didn't tell me until after i got sp1? Which I didn't really understand that at all!

no, ms block the update for people with blacklisted drivers

SP1 made my vista a lot faster now. I am still checking out what imporvements this has made to my system.