Windows Vista Beta 2 - Get Your's!

[congo]

OMG!

Read the text in the link..... MS are recognising and offering Vista Beta2 to Enthusiasts! Not sure if this is a first in their official hype.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/

What's more, I instantly recognised the location in the background shot on that page from my flying in MSFS even though I have never been within 1500 miles of it!

Clue: It's always been in MSFS scenery since I can remember........ the early editions.

Clue 2: There is an airport behind the hill on the right and on the other side of the river.

Anyone else get it straight off the bat?

[flyboy 28]

Clue: It's always been in MSFS scenery since I can remember........ the early editions.

Clue 2: There is an airport behind the hill on the right and on the other side of the river.

Anyone else get it straight off the bat?

Well the background looks like Mt. Rainer, which only makes sense because Microsofts main headquarters are in Seattle.

[congo]

And the exact location?

[EirePlane]

Not sure on the location in the pic but I just got the beta this evening and I love it already.

So far everything has gone without a hitch and although I can't use the aero interface (my pc isn't good enough to even try) it's still great looking.

the actual download page is at http://download.windowsvista.com/previe ... wnload.htm
you will need a DVD burner or some emulation software to install it as well as at least a 20GB empty partition.

The installer does most of the work by itself and the whole thing has been really simple so far. I even decided to start blogging about it earlier on today. It's on the website in my sig.

Vista will work on most PCs and although mine it low end by today's standards, it is workign fine on the standard interface.

Good luck to anyone who gets it because it's a 3gb download and all one file. If anyoen wants help installing they can Email me at londondude89@googlemail.com and I will be happy to try and help.

Damn I sound like a MS Rep

Thanks
Mitchel

[NicksFXHouse]

he he he he

I see you guys found the public release


Have fun... but remember, the graphics driver support is horrible.

[EirePlane]

I read that some people had problems with their graphics drivers but mine has been working ok. no problems at all.
I would recommend starting the install in XP first though because if you are connected to the internet, it looks for updates or something before copying the files to your hard drive.

[NicksFXHouse]

I read that some people had problems with their graphics drivers but mine has been working ok. no problems at all.
I would recommend starting the install in XP first though because if you are connected to the internet, it looks for updates or something before copying the files to your hard drive.

MS specifically states to NOT do the Windows type upgrade which downloads setup files with this release. It is best to set up your hard drive using Partition Magic or other software FIRST, then run the setup CD as usual from a boot install. Vista WILL take over that entire partition. The boot loader will take over the entire system if you have several other OS's installed.

[NicksFXHouse]

One last piece of friendly advice... With Vista comes a whole new realm of software security and monitoring...

Make SURE you do not have anything illegal on your system or install anything illegal onto Vista.

[EirePlane]

can't remember where I read it but the other day I read that the genuine advantage software in windows XP connects to microsoft once a DAY. to check whether the installation is still legal and whether or not it should keep running.

there have also been rumours of software which allows companies to check your hard drive for anything illegal and allows them to remove it without you knowing.

Conspiracies and accusations aside though, it is one cool looking OS, and as long as you install Vista to a new empty partition configured using either partition magic or the computer management tools in XP, you can install from the disk (or use a virtual drive) from within windows XP. During the initial installation, it will check for updates and such on the internet before copying the install files to your new partition.
Currently, I have Vista and XP as a dual boot system. I also have a Linux distro installed which I haven't been able to access since vista changes the MBR to allow it to dual boot with XP

[ctjoyce]

One last piece of friendly advice... With Vista comes a whole new realm of software security and monitoring...

Make SURE you do not have anything illegal on your system or install anything illegal onto Vista.

Well I'm f***ed then looks like I have to say goodbye to CS2

Cheers
Cameron

[EirePlane]

surely the best solution to piracy is give out their software free right?  ;)

BTW I found the link to the article about WGA "phoning home" once a day. it's at http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1974911,00.asp

[NicksFXHouse]

can't remember where I read it but the other day I read that the genuine advantage software in windows XP connects to microsoft once a DAY. to check whether the installation is still legal and whether or not it should keep running.

there have also been rumours of software which allows companies to check your hard drive for anything illegal and allows them to remove it without you knowing.

Conspiracies and accusations aside though, it is one cool looking OS, and as long as you install Vista to a new empty partition configured using either partition magic or the computer management tools in XP, you can install from the disk (or use a virtual drive) from within windows XP. During the initial installation, it will check for updates and such on the internet before copying the install files to your new partition.
Currently, I have Vista and XP as a dual boot system. I also have a Linux distro installed which I haven't been able to access since vista changes the MBR to allow it to dual boot with XP

Vista is different than XP when it comes to verifying... all WGA in XP does is verify your XP key. Vista takes it quite a bit further than that. Also, being BETA, it does not fall under the same privacy laws as released software and you agreed to those terms when you installed it. There will be even more snooping in the final release. What you are reading ARE rumors. It is ILLEGAL for a software company to access your drive for an uninstall. It will NOT be illegal for the software to be disabled without internet access or a manual code, NOR, with new laws coming into effect, will it be illegal for the software to send any personal information and computer information to them if you are running the software illegally. Your ISP can then be court ordered to turn over your address to the software company for legal action.


@ Cameron, I do not condone unlicensed software but as long as you do not install CS2 into THIS release of Vista, it wont be a problem.

The days of free software are coming to an end

[NicksFXHouse]

the actual download page is at http://download.windowsvista.com/previe ... wnload.htm
you will need a DVD burner or some emulation software to install it as well as at least a 20GB empty partition.
Thanks
Mitchel

You must use the Email system to get the product unlock key... so even if you download from that page you cannot install Vista without using the sign-up system to get the product key.

[EirePlane]

Actually, you are right. you do still need to get a product key however you can get these free by following the links from the windows vista website. it's a long trail though

http://www.microsoft.com/Windowsvista/

[ctjoyce]

@ Cameron, I do not condone unlicensed software but as long as you do not install CS2 into THIS release of Vista, it wont be a problem.

Well like all of my other installs of Vista nothing but music goes into it.

As far as pirated software goes, if its something like a game or utility (Spysweeper, payware aircraft, etc) then I'll pay. I have no problem doing that. However when it comes to CS2 which is a $1k + program I don't feel any pain about stealing a registration from my school. Then again, since its a public school, and my parents pay taxes it really isn't stealing.

Cheers
Cameron