Microsoft has been forced to halt automatic updates to Vista service pack one (SP1) because of glitches with its Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS), which has already laid waste to XP SP3.

The Dynamics RMS bug delivered a nasty shiner to the software giant late Tuesday. Now it’s emerged that Vista SP1’s auto distribution was also suspended while the firm scurries to provide a fix with its point-of-sale app.

The final, long-awaited service pack for Windows XP was supposed to debut as an automatic update earlier this week, but it was pulled at the eleventh hour with Microsoft blaming a “compatibility issue” with Dynamics RMS for the embarrassing blunder.

Microsoft admitted it had no choice but to suspend its mass distribution via its Windows Update site for XP SP3 and Vista SP1 while it attempts to fix the glitch in its specialist point-of-sale (POS) app – Dynamics RMS – which is used to manage about 38,000 different small to medium-sized retail businesses worldwide.

The software package automates POS processes and store operations and integrates with Microsoft Office system programs among other apps. The fact that Redmond has been forced to halt auto download to the masses suggests the bug is a serious one.

The Register asked Microsoft if it could provide any further details on when it expects to resolve the problem and start pumping out the service packs to its massive customer-base.

We also wanted to find out more about the “compatibility issue” the firm had blamed for the cock-up. However, so far it remains tight-lipped and will not provide further comment outside of the statement the company issued earlier this week. ®

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