Microsoft Opens Vista Test To Everyone

Please please please test our OS!

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/default.mspx

Previously, Windows Vista RC1 was only available to either those in one of the Microsoft tech communities or those who had tested a previous build through the Customer Preview Program, which stopped accepting testers some weeks ago.  Starting today however, sign-ups for the Customer Preview Program and testing for RC1 have reopened to the public.  The goal is to reach 5 million testers prior to RTM.

So if you missed out previously and want a shot at a Vista RC1 DVD and key, go sign-up!

8,455 views 24 replies
Reply #1 Top
Thanks, Z! Looks good. Gotta get on the bandwagon some time, sooner or later...
Still draggin' my feet on IE 7. 6 works fine for me, so no reason to change except for tabbed browser... we'll see.
[edit: Your link took me to Vista site where I could, and did, download an "advisor" to check my system for "Vista readiness". Interesting. It said my NcAfee Virus program won't work and that I need to go to McAfee site to find out what to do. Didn't do it yet.
Also said my ActiveSync for my IPAQ 4700 wouldn't work. Also a number of other applications wouldn't work anymore, and I need new drivers for almost everything. Hmmm. Interesting. Got some heavy thinking to do here. Thanks again, Zoomba]
Reply #2 Top
Downloading as I type this...
Reply #3 Top

Definitely worth it to those interested in having an idea of how the OS will look, operate, and the new presentation of information.

There is a trial 'beta' version of Micro Trends internet security suite (recommended on the Vista pages) that has been built for Vista for those who have issues with their current security programs (it works well, although the trial period ends on October 31, 2006 - or at least it does on my machine which was installed last week).

Although most hardware manufacturers have not provided any beta "Vista" drivers, the OS has some reasonable 'vanilla' drivers that will allow many people to try out the OS along with IE7, Windows Mail, WMP11.

Thanks again, Zoomba.

Reply #4 Top
Hmmm, all I get is a blank screen...   Guess I'll stick with XP
Reply #5 Top
Vista RC1 isa great OS. I've been using it for few days without needing to boot in XP
So it's definetely worth to try it out
Reply #6 Top
it doesnt support bluetooth so i'll pass
Reply #7 Top
When they come out with a x64 release that works with all the game titles then i will jump in Going to have to wait till Paul reviews the next release... aga in.
Reply #8 Top
Just a p.s. on my last post...I guess that my IPAQ will work to synch, with a Vista "built-in" sub-program. McAfee has no links I could find on their site, so TrendMicro might be it...I've got that on a Sony Vaio as an ad/spam filter, and it seems to work o.k. Don't like the notion of no access to Admin account, or whatever it is...and the boot "music" is bound to be a pain. Will just have to make adjustments sometime in the future. I ordered the Vista CD from M'soft yesterday for $3.00 + $2.00 shipping, just to have for a spur-of-the-moment install. XP works just fine for now, as does IE6.
Reply #10 Top
(Super Wizop)Fuzzy Logic
September 15, 2006 05:11:55
Reply #4
Hmmm, all I get is a blank screen... Guess I'll stick with XP


What speed did you burn it at?
Reply #11 Top
Burnt the image to DVD and it works fine on a real PC. Mounting the ISO with Alcohol 120% and trying to install on a VMWare workstation is not happening.
Reply #12 Top
After my previous post I did some research.
If you are trying to install Vista RC1 on a VMWare Workstation ver 5.5.2, do the following:

Create the virtual machine but do not install the OS.
Edit the .vmx file found in this virtual machine's folder, with notepad or txt editor of choice. Add the following 2 lines:

svga.maxWidth = "640"
svga.maxHeight = "480"

Vista will install just fine.
Reply #13 Top
#10 burned at 4x. I know the recommended speed is 1x - could that be the problem? I'm using Nero 6, the 'writing speed' box is greyed out and fixed at 4x. I have Cyberlink on disk somewhere, may try that.
Reply #14 Top
Microsoft recommends burning it at the lowest speed possible so you don't encounter problems like many reported in the past.

We recommend burning at the lowest speed supported by your DVD burner (1X or 2X) to ensure the highest quality.
Reply #15 Top

I know the recommended speed is 1x - could that be the problem?

Burn at 1x or 2.4x.

Reply #16 Top

the 'writing speed' box is greyed out and fixed at 4x

  

Reply #17 Top
I burned it at 16x so I don't think the speed is that critical, or maybe I was just lucky.
Reply #18 Top
i burned my first disc on a dvd rw ( all i had at the time ) .. didnt realize there were speed warnings, burned at 4x.. i ran into a file copy problem. reburned on another machine later also at 4x and that one installed ok.

I used a free program from download.com (magic cd burner or something like that) to burn the iso.

Vista. so far? "I'm lovin' it". not as slick as osx but its still slick, and very fast. smooth sailing. putting my heavy apps on it now so we'll see how it holds up under fire.
Reply #19 Top
every time i try to burn the ISO something screws up somewhere so im just gonna order the DVD...should be coming in about 2 to 4 weeks...
Reply #20 Top

BSOD during download....continued....fatal error at end....bad CRC. ....then the 2.5 gig simply deleted itself, no temp no nothing.

I think Vista simply doesn't like me....

Reply #21 Top

Jafo,

Send an e-mail with your mailing address (again;I deleted the one from VistaB2) if you want.

Happy to send RC1 32-bit version (huge improvement over B2).

I can now say that I will purchase when released.

Note - disabling UAC in msconfig and setting the warning icon to 'hide' is an easy fix to the only annoyance (other than Adobe not indicating whether they will offer an update/patch to support the Vista platform for CS2 ).

My notebook (Intel Pentium M - 760 Dothan single core) is running quite well - even with the MS reporting processes running in the background. The Office 2007 beta2 TC is also doing just fine.

Reply #22 Top

Office 2007 beta2 TC

Oops, make that 'Office 2007 beta2 TR'.

Reply #23 Top

Send an e-mail with your mailing address (again;I deleted the one from VistaB2) if you want.

Shall do....thanks, mate...

Reply #24 Top
I think Vista simply doesn't like me...


Given your propensity to easily manage BSOD's on a regular basis (a self attributed ability), it would seem Vista's not the only one....apparently XP gets temperamental with you as well.

Sorry, Jafo, but an OS has not yet been created for the race marshall who loves getting under the bonnets of HRT touring cars to ogle/drool over the superior V8's and fuel injectors he'd love to have under his own hood.