After Microsoft made the Vista SP1 public a lot of users had encountered serious problems with SP1, including machines that refused to reboot, botched installations and ongoing driver support issues. Microsoft has responded to numerous complaints about its new service pack for Windows Vista with an offer of free support for anyone having trouble installing or running the update. According to Microsoft’s support Web site "unlimited installation and compatibility support" for SP1 free of charge until next March. Microsoft normally only offers free support to customers who’ve bought retail versions of its software.

Only customers who have a Software Assurance Agreement, Professional Contract, TechNet subscription, MSDN Subscription or belong to the Microsoft Partner Program qualify for free telephone support. Rest will be offered email support via the Microsoft Support site, within next working day after the support request.

The service pack will not install on computers that use device and system drivers that Microsoft has deemed incompatible. The list includes audio and display drivers made by Realtek and Intel, as well as drivers from several other manufacturers. Microsoft already issued press release that they are working on, to resolve the issue ASAP. Well this isn’t new; I remember when Windows XP Service Pack 1 was made available on 2002 that wreaked thousands of host computers and Microsoft fixed many of the problems with subsequent patches.

This free support for Vista SP1 is just more than essential for Microsoft, especially since the company preparing to remove Windows XP from sale this June. The last thing Microsoft want is to alienate any potential Vista switchers by raising further doubts over the reliability of the Vista’s new patch.

So far as I experienced, you shouldn’t have to face any earth shattering issues only if you follow, "Things to know before you download Windows Vista SP1" and also not only read but as keep in mind "Notable Changes in Windows Vista Service Pack 1". Well after all that if you encounter trouble than,"Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) Support Forum", might be a good place to start looking for answers.