Every time I start the computer it says: Configurating updates: stage 3 of 3 – 0% complete. And then reboots, and reboots, and reboots. … I had it rebooting for over an hour before I stopped the madness.”

–A Vista user encounters Windows Vista Endless Reboot Pack 1

Microsoft has “isolated” another problem with Windows Vista Service Pack 1. Responding to complaints of endlessly rebooting PCs, the software giant has temporarily suspended the automatic distribution of a Windows Vista Service Pack 1 prerequisite.

“Immediately after receiving reports of this error, we made the decision to temporarily suspend automatic distribution of the update to avoid further customer impact while we investigate possible causes,” Nick White, a Vista program manager, wrote in a post to the company’s blog. “So far, we’ve been able to determine that this problem only affects a small number of customers in unique circumstances. We are working to identify possible solutions and will make the update available again shortly after we address the issue.”

A 23-year-old programmer is facing three years in prison after he Google-bombed the Web site of Polish President Lech Kaczy?ski, making it Google Polska’s top result for a search on “kutas,” the Polish word for penis. Said the programmer, “I just wanted to verify my skills and check if the software works.”

A sophomoric prank to be sure, but one that did not go over well with an administration that views insults to a head of state as a prosecutable offense. “This is not a matter of freedom of speech,” said Andrzej Holdys, a regional prosecutor in the southern town of Cieszyn, where the programmer lives. “If somebody uses a derogatory word to libel the head of state, then it’s a clear insult which violates the law.”