Other than KB93897 Windows Vista Performance Update, Microsoft also releases another hotfix called Windows Vista Reliability and Compatibility Update KB 938194. KB938194 Windows Vista update aims to resolves several hardware compatibility issues and improves reliability issues in Windows Vista. Again KB938194 Windows Vista update is not delivered via Automatic Updates, and is not selected in Windows Update. The fixes may included in future Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) released, but now users can download the standalone installer from Microsoft Download Center.

Windows Vista Compatibility and Reliability Update KB938194 fixes the following issues and bugs in Windows Vista:

  • The screen may go blank when you try to upgrade the video driver.
  • The computer stops responding, and you receive a “Display driver stopped responding and has recovered” error message. You can restart the computer only by pressing the computer’s power button.
  • The computer stops responding or restarts unexpectedly when you play video games or perform desktop operations.
  • The Diagnostic Policy Service (DPS) stops responding when the computer is under heavy load or when very little memory is available. This problem prevents diagnostics from working.
  • The screen goes blank after an external display device that is connected to the computer is turned off. For example, this problem may occur when a projector is turned off during a presentation.
  • There are stability issues with some graphics processing units (GPUs). These issues could cause GPUs to stop responding (hang).
  • Visual appearance issues occur when you play graphics-intensive games.
  • You experience poor playback quality when you play HD DVD disks or Blu-ray disks on a large monitor.
  • Applications that load the Netcfgx.dll component exit unexpectedly.
  • Windows Calendar exits unexpectedly after you create a new appointment, create a new task, and then restart the computer.
  • Internet Connection Sharing stops responding after you upgrade a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP to Windows Vista and then restart the computer.
  • The Printer Spooler service stops unexpectedly.
  • You receive a “Stop 0x0000009F” error when you put the computer to sleep while a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connection is active.

Download Windows Vista Reliability Update for x86-based Systems here.
Download Windows Vista Reliability Update for x64-based Systems here.

Want to skip those WGA validation? Check out direct links to setup file.

KB938979 update can be applied to Windows Vista Enterprise, Business, Enterprise, Home Basic, Home Premium and Ultimate 32-bit and 64-bit edition. Windows Genuine Advantage validation required so your Windows Vista must be genuine and legitimate.

The download is in Microsoft Update Standalone Installer .msu format. But it works just like a normal .exe executable, simply double click to install the update.

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