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Windows Vista Beta 2 is NOW available!!!

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Windows Vista Beta 2 is NOW available!!!

from WinCustomize Forums
IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!!

Here's the link! Link
41,045 views 111 replies
Reply #76 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Anyone using the Vista Beta 2 as their main OS? Or just playing around with it for a bit?
Reply #77 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Anyone using the Vista Beta 2 as their main OS? Or just playing around with it for a bit?


i'm using it as my main os.......i never experenice problems when installing any beta programs so i used it as my main os.

oh....i know this is the wrong topic to say this in but i also have a windows 2000 on (VERY OLD) laptop and i'm wondering how come windows 2000 didn't come with system restore and windows ME does?
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #78 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Anyone using the Vista Beta 2 as their main OS? Or just playing around with it for a bit?

Only one machine here (notebook), so due to my needing my computer to work with no questions asked, I gave Vista and Office 2007 a test install and test drive twice. Waiting for RC1 now.

i'm wondering how come windows 2000 didn't come with system restore

Probably due to Windows 2000 being geared towards a business environment where knowledgeable technicians would be responsible for backups, where Windows ME was focused on home users and the introduction of new approaches to multimedia and ease of use (which obviously failed at "ease of use").

Reply #80 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Can anyone tell me how to switch back to xp

I believe you need to do a clean install of XP if you either upgraded on top of XP or installed Vista to the same partition that XP was on. The install process writes the XP files to the directory "windows.old" but to the best of my knowledge that is just to allow you to access the files.

Assuming you have the XP installation disc, you would first obtain the following drivers:

1 - Chipset drivers for your motherboard chipset.

2 - Video drivers for your video adapter (graphics card).

3 - Audio drivers for your audio chip or card.

4 - Networking drivers (i.e., NIC card, Wireless adapter, Modem).

5 - USB drivers only if you are not installing either XP with Service Pack 2, or Service Pack 2 after installing a previous version of XP.

6 - Drivers for any devices such as printers, special input mouse, tablet, etc.

Once you have the drivers (which you may already have on disc, or download via the computer or hardware manufacturer's web site) make sure they are available on external storage of some sort (CD, external drive, etc.).

Power on computer and press the appropriate key to boot into the BIOS settings display (usually Esc, Del, F1, or F2) and then set the boot sequence so that the CD (or DVD) drive you use is the first boot device. Place the XP installation disc in the CD (or DVD) drive > save settings in BIOS and exit > wait for the text prompt "Hit any key to boot from CD" to display, and then hit "Enter" to start boot sequence.

This will place you in the XP Set-Up screens.

To do a clean install, you would do the following:

1 - Press "Enter" when promted to start set-up.

2 - Press "F8" to accept the EULA.

3 - Press "Esc" to start XP installation process.

4 - Press "D" key to delete anything on the partition you are intending to install XP on (note - make sure to review the highlighted partition to verify that you are working with the correct partition).

5 - Press "Enter" to continue.

6 - Press "L" to verify that you indeed want to proceed with deleting the selected partition data.

7 - Review the type of format highlighted (Raw Format is the default, and is recommended for a true clean install).

8 - Press "Enter" to start the formatting process.

Once formatting is completed, Set-Up will copy the files to the Windows directory, reboot, and proceed with installing the XP operating system.

Note - this is the procedure for a true "clean install". If you want to do a repair, you could try that, but I do not know what the results would be.

Note #2 - there may be a way to access the set-up in the "windows.old" directory and restore XP that way, but I am unfamiliar with any such possibility and will leave that to better minds than mine.

 

Reply #81 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Step 0 would be to back up all your data which you want to keep prior to doin any of that.
Reply #82 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've got Vista installed. Instead of using a partition I put it on another 40 GB drive. I don't have a DVD-burner so I installed XP SP1 on the other drive, put the image and a mounting program on there, and then installed Vista. With Vista, I notice a very big difference on graphics. Even when it said my computer was a 1 in the perforance rating, I still see it fast. I haven't had any major problems with it yet, but I refuse to use it as my main OS. In fact I disconnect my main drive when I'm using Vista just so that if something like a hacker gets in or anything, there is no possible way they can touch my data. I'm using Vista to post this right now. I should put Firefox on here to see if there is any difference in that too.
Reply #83 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In fact I disconnect my main drive when I'm using Vista just so that if something like a hacker gets in or anything, there is no possible way they can touch my data.


If hackers want to get in they'll get in, but with the enhanced security features of Vista they're more likely to do it through XP.

On another note. I tried installing some of my software on Vista and found that my CD ROM, CD Burner and DVD ROM do not show up in 'My Computer' and therefore do not run. They show up in 'Device Manager' as being there but not fully installed, so I tried updating the drivers but to no avail....Vista searched both the net and my computer yet found none, despite XP Pro's finding and running the drives/drivers okay. I disabled all 3 drives, rebooted and let Vista find them again but it still could not install the complete set of drivers. I then uninstalled the drives completely and rebooted, but Vista still could not update the drivers to enable full use.

I went to the Lite-On and Samsung sites to find drivers for the models I have - Lite-On SOWH8325 DVD ROM, Samsung CD ROM SC152A, Samsung CD-R/RW 252B - but found none to match my models, only other ones. I also did searches to find them elsewhere, and to seek answers for the issue, but again to no avail (maybe I wasn't asking the right questions )

I sent off reports and some feedback to Microsoft, but seeing as there's no tech support for the beta, I'm rather hoping someone here may have some answers, easy to follow instructions to help me get my ROMS running under Vista as well...it'd be very much appreciated.
Reply #84 from WinCustomize Forums Top
While installing, at 99% of the Copying FIles stage I get error code 80070241


With me, it only gets as far as 10% before I get that error code.
Haven't managed to find ANY answers or help whatsoever, and when I try to cdownload it again, they won't let me.

I don't suppose anyone could help me? Please?
I already have the product key that was emailed to me and have printed it.
Reply #85 from WinCustomize Forums Top
With me, it only gets as far as 10% before I get that error code.
Haven't managed to find ANY answers or help whatsoever, and when I try to cdownload it again, they won't let me.


MM, I read somewhere that the error code is somehow related to SATA drives and mobo settings, though I've seen no fix for it as yet. Perhaps someone who is more traversed on the net than I has seen more info on this and can help you.

As for re-downloading Vista, I don't know that is your answer if your original d/l checksum added up okay, as in the error is probably not related to the disk you've already burnt. However, you should be able to re-download it from the link provided in the confirmation email...apparently others have done so.

Alternatively, you can go to the MS home page and get some assistance from your local office phone no by clicking 'contact us'. I did that when I could not resolve d/l, burn and install issues, and the customer support person told me I could re-d/l it and/or re-apply to get another link/product code...that if neither of these resolved my issue to call back so he could contact the MS home base for a solution.

Hope this helps you get it up and running

Oh, and BTW, sorry I've not been in touch lately...been too preoccupied with that issue still not being satisfactorily resolved.
Reply #86 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks mate, appreciate that.
As it's Friday eve now, and it's highly unlikely to get anyone on the ph over the weekend, I'll give thm a call on Monday.

Oh, and BTW, sorry I've not been in touch lately...been too preoccupied with that issue still not being satisfactorily resolved.


No worries my friend, I suspected as much. As always, you are in our thoughts.
On our end things haven't been much fun either, but I'm fairly (but not too) confident that our little girl will be awarded to us at the hearing later this year.

Take care my friend
MM
Reply #87 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Eh, I downloaded Vista as soon as I got the email from MS (was actually at the computer when it arrived). Didn't even bother using their download manager, went straight for the file and got all 3.2 GB of it in less than 1 hour (8 Mbit Net connection and it was going at full speed all the time, nearly 1 MB/s. I was quite impressed). Then I had to wait for next day to buy a DVD burner and another hard disk (needed both to perform backups, anyway, Vista was just a good excuse).

Installed Vista on a partition in the secondary hard disk. Setup took forever copying the files from DVD (no idea why) but, after 10,000 reboots or so, I was up and running, dual booting between XP and Vista.

Then I made a major mistake and found my first Vista bug/annoyance: I pushed the display resolution slider all the way to the right to run at 1920x1440 (which is what I run under in XP) but forgot to set the refresh rate to something within the range of my 21" monitor. Bugger all! The monitor couldn't sync and I was left waiting for the resolution to revert back automatically after 15 seconds like it happens under XP, but that never happened! Had to press the reset switch.

On boot up pressed F8 and noticed a new cool addition (or it will be, when it's working properly) to the Safe Mode & all options: 'Reset display resolution to 640x480'! Wow, cool, problem solved, or so I thought. Vista did boot at 640x480, but, before I could do anything, it then reverted to the previous - unworking - 1920x1440 resolution. Either that option is for something else (?) or the feature is indeed broken, which is a shame! After several tries I ended up having to boot to safe mode and deleting the video driver to solve the problem. Blah! If I didn't know this would work, I would have effectively locked myself out of Vista - pretty dumb.

Vista performance on my P4 1.7Ghz, 1GB RAM with a 128MB RAM GeForce FX 5600 was more than acceptable, even if my system only scored a 2 on MS's Vista performance rating. Overall, I liked Vista a lot (except for those REALLY annoying security confirmation dialogs!) but the lack of drivers is probably going to be a problem for the time being. If anybody knows where I can get a Vista driver for an Adaptec AHA2940UW SCSI card, please let me know.

The best thing is that I installed Winstep Xtreme and it ran straight out of the box. Guess I won't have to worry much about Winstep applications compatibility with Windows Vista.
Reply #88 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It should be noted that Microsoft has said that Vista is a limited offer.

This means that the number of downloads (and DVD orders) worldwide has a limit, and that once that number is reached there will be no more downloads (or DVD orders) available.

I do not know what the magic number is, but I do know that the last e-mail I received said that the key I have entitles me to downloads through the end of the month at the latest.

Reply #89 from WinCustomize Forums Top
but the lack of drivers is probably going to be a problem for the time being.


Hopefully the 'release candidate' will resolve this issue. I'm still unable to install my ROMs, and thus any additional software or drivers I have on disc. I even booted into XP and tried directing installs to my Vista drive but to no avail...in most cases the installs automatically went to XP, or Windows wanted to uninstall the programs from XP. If nothing else for the time being, I'd like to get my soundcard intalled on Vista...shall go to the Creative site to see if I can d/l the drivers and software as a fix.

This means that the number of downloads (and DVD orders) worldwide has a limit, and that once that number is reached there will be no more downloads (or DVD orders) available.

I do not know what the magic number is, but I do know that the last e-mail I received said that the key I have entitles me to downloads through the end of the month at the latest.


When I rang Microsoft (Australia), the rep I spoke with said that recipients of product keys who had issues installing Vista could receive support to ensure its installation....but to err on the side of caution, it's probably advisable for anyone having problems to seek answers prior to the quota fill.

No worries my friend, I suspected as much. As always, you are in our thoughts.


Thanks, MM...and you and yours in ours. I have a few things to do first, but I'll get an email away to you fairly soon...in the meantime, take care, okay.
Reply #90 from WinCustomize Forums Top
MM, try redownloading it. Fixed it for me.
Reply #91 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'd like to get my soundcard intalled on Vista...shall go to the Creative site to see if I can d/l the drivers and software as a fix.


Well I got the drivers and software for my Soundblaster Live card and installed them, but alas, still no sound. Device manager shows it to be fully installed, the options to configure it are all there, but still no music.

Seems the driver issues have a way to go still, but if we keep sending MS error reports and submitting feedback, hopefully they'll have a better idea on how to accomodate more and more devices in time for the RC. I've managed to install a few things, and I'm having fun exploring Vista, but until I get my ROM issue sorted, I feel somewhat restricted and like I'm missing out on its full potential. Oh well, it's still early days and still in beta, but Vista is a step in the right direction and I feel there are greater things to come.
Reply #92 from WinCustomize Forums Top
MM, try redownloading it. Fixed it for me.


I would've but I'd had a crash and lost the email...but went onto their forums and have just recieved the download link again and am re-downloading it as I type this.
Top marks to MS for respondibf so quickly
Reply #93 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ooops..make that responding....just too damn excited lol
Reply #94 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm installing windows vista (again) but on my laptop.

it was doing fine during installation until it reached the part where it said: completing upgrade and i waited, waited, waited, and waited but it wasn't doing anything. i could hear the computer running like crazy but no progress.

i restarted it and then it said: ungrade incomplete, loading your orginal Destop.

then i went back to windows 2000!

help?
Reply #95 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Jorge...I once did similar with a Litestep module....tried running 1600x1200 at 100Hz on a 17" ....'fade to black'.....

Safe mode got me into the registry...so I went searching for '100hz'...and edited it/them to '60hz'.

That was in XP, of course....but it worked a treat...

Reply #96 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i restarted it and then it said: ungrade incomplete, loading your orginal Destop.


Bash, you'll have to start the install from scratch again....boot from disk, you know.

Also, next time, try to be a little more patient as Vista takes a while longer than XP to install, update, etc.

Best of luck with it.
Reply #97 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So far so good..have had it on the pc for a few hours now, and while it doesn't seem to like Iconpackager and WB much, I'm not too worried.
I'll definately be upgrading when the final version is out.

Though the sounds are a little iffy at this stage, hard to explain what's happening, closest description is during playback of a song, sometimes it sounds as if the sound is being stretched...weird I know...but what the heck...have gone through all the sound configs and can't figure it out..so hopefully it'll come right soon.

Have yet to install CoolEdit back on so that I can do some more music...THAT will be the main test for me..if it don't work...it'll be history. ...still...I really like it so far
Reply #98 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Safe mode got me into the registry...so I went searching for '100hz'...and edited it/them to '60hz'.


Jafo, that would be an alternative too... but now imagine a newbie. He would have been completely stuck (and kicking himself as much as I was - I mean, first 5 minutes of Aero and I lock myself out, lol!).

I just think Vista let me down twice: first when it did not revert to the previous resolution like XP does (people have already gotten used to XP bailing them out of trouble in a situation like that), and then when it failed to permanently reset the screen resolution like the start up option promised to do.
Reply #99 from WinCustomize Forums Top
While installing, at 99% of the Copying FIles stage I get error code 80070241. Can anyone help?

Re-download it, and use magiciso to burn vista beta 2 iso image onto cd. I just did it. It works fine.
http://www.magiciso.com/

Reply #100 from WinCustomize Forums Top
a little question. currently using vista, today a switched to classic view in control panel; now i don't know how to revert to previous view? any tips?