Microsoft windows vista beta now available

NICK ADSL UK · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2006, 12:55 PM

Get Ready for Windows Vista
Getting ready for Windows Vista, available in early 2007, means choosing the edition that's right for you and ensuring that you have the right PC to enjoy the experiences you want.

Windows Vista Beta 2 Customer Preview Program
Windows Vista Beta 2 is now available for you to install, test, and enjoy. Here's the information you need to try it now.

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System Requirements
We recommend that you consult the Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PC specifications for system requirement guidance on running the core experiences and advanced features of Windows Vista.

Get Windows Vista Beta 2
Windows Vista Beta 2 is available as a download or on DVD. It's time for clarity—try it now!
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Once you have installed Windows Vista Beta 2, be sure to visit the Resource Centre to download the Windows Vista Product Guide, find anti-virus software for Beta 2, and discover more information that will help you get up and running quickly.

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Windows Vista Editions
From home entertainment to business productivity and everything in between, there's an edition of Windows Vista that's right for you.

To order the CD for installing or for download then please see here. Please also note that this is a beta and will expire on June 1st 2007
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...y/preview.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...y/default.mspx

jephree · #2 (**permalink**) 13-06-2006, 07:33 AM

Well I just installed it on an formatted hard drive.

First reaction: another layer of eye candy. I don't mean that as bad in any way: it looks really cool!

Just another visual step like from 2K to XP to Vista. If you were pleased going from 2K to XP you will be pleased going from XP to Vista. If the visual experience is what you desire.

But this Beta is not fluid. At least not at first. My system goes beyond the requirements but still the Beta is extremely slow.

Plus it has IE7 so you can't see D-A-L

Anyway just after all the time I spent in downloading and loading I thought I'd add this little comment. I will try to work with it further and let you know what I think.

This is definitely not for anyone that is not into Beta testing. This is far from a complete Operating System. IMHO

jephree · #3 (**permalink**) 20-06-2006, 02:38 AM

As last weeks install was so slow I reformatted my experimental hard drive and reloaded VB2.

Went better this time but strangely the install never finished (like the last time). What I mean is you go thru all the Copying Files; Expanding Files; Installing Applications; Installing Updates; (this all takes like 45 minutes just like XP). The last figure: Finalizing Configuration never finalizes.

The first time I watched a Black screen with Vista Beta in the corner for an hour then shut down manually. On restart I had a sluggish OS. This time I left the Black screen for about an hour then it went to a white screen for a while (15 minutes) then appeared what appeared like a Vista Screen Saver. I left that for an hour with no change then shut down manually.

On reboot this time I had a functional Vista (as fluid as XP).

Anyway I have no clue as to this install glitch.

Now I do have a dual boot XP | Vista machine.

Again the most striking thing on the surface is the surface. If you thought that going from 2K to XP was like going from 2D to 3D then going from XP to Vista is like going from 3D to 3D cubed. Very nice look!

I have no sound as I guess I need Vista drivers. As well AVG Free would not install indicating non-compatible. Microsoft recommends TrendMicro's free Trial.

I installed Firefox to avoid running IE without an Anti-Virus. And of course IE7 won't load D-A-L

Another thing one notices right off the bat is that you cannot take 3 breaths without being asked if you are certain that you want to breathe. I'd read about this earlier but it is really overwhelming how many times you need to verify your actions. Perhaps there are some settings I will find to lower this Security.

Will post more as I use it more: Fair Warning

jephree · #4 (**permalink**) 20-06-2006, 05:02 AM

FREE eTrust® EZ Antivirus for Windows VistaTM Beta Users

jephree · #5 (**permalink**) 22-06-2006, 05:22 AM

Vista Beta 2 & IE 7 now run D-A-L

jephree · #6 (**permalink**) 25-06-2006, 03:54 AM

I found with help from the Vista Newsgroup:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/com...s/default.mspx

A solution to my booting as well as install issues. It appears to be Graphics Drivers.

I had first tried to load the ATI Vista drivers but that did not help as I could not reboot outside of Safe Mode. Subsequently I went to the Device Manager and completely uninstalled my Graphics Card there and voila it boots straight away. This has also cleared up many other hanging issues. I would suggest uninstalling any Devices in the Device Manager that have yellow exclamation marks as well as any "Other Devices" which are unknown devices.

Anyway Vista is becoming a fairly regular OS as I learn to use it

jephree · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2006, 12:55 AM

Microsoft releases Windows Vista RC1 to millions of testers

Quote:

September 01, 2006 (Computerworld) --

Microsoft today released Release Candidate 1 (RC1) of Windows Vista, a significant milestone on the road to the launch of the new operating system, which has been in the works for five years.

The RC1 version of Vista offers a long list of operational and performance improvements over the Beta 2 version, including faster performance, improved driver support, an easier-to-use networking interface and a variety of changes to the "fit and finish" of the operating system, said testers.

http://computerworld.com/action/arti...&intsrc=kc_top

jephree · #8 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 10:39 PM

Inside Microsoft Windows Vista Release Candidate 1

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2011603,00.asp

surjer · #9 (**permalink**) 16-09-2006, 02:35 PM

jephree - Are you trying the 32 bit version or 64 bit version?

jephree · #10 (**permalink**) 18-09-2006, 01:25 AM

32 bit. Now that you mention it I don't recall having the option for the 64 bit.

I am still having driver problems. ATI has issued a Vista driver but my Audio as well as other motherboard drivers will not work.

Vista says my motherboard is compatible but ASUS disagrees. I loaded the latest BIOS but my board's BIOS has not been updated to handle Vista.

I can function perfectly well in Safe Mode with Networking but booting normally loads a very slow Operating System.