This is an update to the sp1 info. Susan Bradley in the latest windows secrets newsletter said there are 2 new updates to do to prepare for sp1 if you have not done it yet, this is to help prevent some of those issues that were listed above. from her article Quote: "Microsoft released two patches to fix problems with Windows 7's infamous first service pack. Both should be installed before updating to Win7 SP1. KB 2533552 corrects a flaw that produces a failed SP1 update, leaving users with a cryptic error code (shown in Figure 1) and a difficult recovery. Systems that received SP1 through Windows Software Update Services were hit particularly hard, as noted in a TechNet blog. KB 2534366 fixes an issue with multiple language packs; some systems would hang at a black screen after SP1 was installed. If you haven't already successfully installed Windows 7 SP1, install both KB 2534366 and KB 2533552 first. And if Win7 SP1 is already installed, accept KB 2533552 for future service packs. Yes, it's true; I'm finally ready to give the all-clear for Windows 7 SP1 but only after you've accepted KB 2533552 and KB 2534366, as noted above. Rather than using Windows Update, I urge you to download and install the SP1 update manually to make sure it's successfully added." and the latest list of her recommendations for windows patches list Regularly updated problem-patch chart and the link to sp1 direct download SP1 she mentions to allocate about an hour for this.

It may only be water flow issue. If you know it couldn't be that, you should call a servicer.

Hollysprings: I was not asking them to do more than their trade. I asked them what I needed and followed their advice. If I knew a GC was needed when I hired a company to install granite, I would have hired a GC. I had 2 people from their company who came to my home to take measurements and was told supports were not needed. Even after asking them a couple times, one guy said if you really really really want it, go ahead and get a bracket for a the small piece - you don't need it. The day before my install, I spoke to them and said we may need to reschedule because I think I need support brackets and will need to order them because I could not find any locally. My concern was based on info I found here stating anything over an 8" overhang needs support. At that point, I thought my overhang was 10". He said it's not needed because it was an L-shaped piece and the base of the L supported the length. Like I said earlier, he even sent a text to me the next morning saying only the small piece needs support. This is not a matter of making myself GC - if I was told I needed one, I would have hired one. I went to a company that specializes in flooring, counters, etc, not a one-man shop. Maybe it's just me, but I find it odd that anyone would install something that's unstable. It was during my phone call with him the night before the install that he said we could not cancel the install but he'll have his guys bring 2x2s the next day that way I have something until I get someone to install the brackets. Like I said, I don't want to be unreasonable. The work was done on Thursday(has not been completed) and I wanted to get advice on what's normal. 1. If the sink cutout is to be expected, fine. It's not ideal and it won't be perfect, but I can live with it. 2. I've seen posts here saying the seam should be hard to detect. Prior to the installation, he said the seam would be very hard to detect especially with the stone I have - black galaxy. Well, it's not. This seam width is 1/16" and it's not smooth at all. You can see this seam from anywhere in the room. Not only is it visible, it's very rough and one end is more raised that the other. I even had to call him when they were still here because this did not look right. The final product is nothing like I expected. 3. Based on this site and info online, I know I need support brackets. According to the rep, I only need one. According to their installers, I need 7. According to Trebuchet, I need 4 or 5. Looking at the picture posted, I think that's because the brackets are about 3 feet apart not 2 feet. If they'll have to remove the slabs to fix the seams, then I can have a carpenter install Centerline hidden brackets. If they don't need to remove the slabs, I'll go with L-brackets. Not ideal, but I can live with those. I'm not a fan of corbels or those decorative pieces are only good for banging your knees - I'm 5' 11. The less obstruction, the better.

We had no damage, either, with a humongous island top and four counter runs. I didn't do anything at all to protect the cabinets, either (never even thought to do that!) but the crew (our granite was fabricated by the same yard where we bought it) was extremely careful and didn't so much as bump the (somewhat narrow) door frame coming in. (Of course, full disclosure: they had already cut the sink opening for the island sink wrong the first time around -- fortunately, we saw the error before they ever took the piece off the truck, and they didn't argue for a second (not much grounds for argument as they'd done the templating, too!), just took it back to the yard, we went and chose a new slab, and they redid it!) But damage to the cabinets... no. To be honest, the only damage we had was when our contractor drilled a couple of the cabinet drawer fronts incorrectly for the pulls and had to order new ones. I am sure if the damage is just scratches and dinged paint, it can easily be fixed. Hopefully the damage is mostly cosmetic -- no deep gouges that will have to be filled.