Windows Vista Beta 2 Available for Public Download

kaizersoze

Windows Vista Beta 2 is now available for download under the CPP (Customer Preview Program). You can download it or order the DVD install kit for 16 euro. You will also receive RC1 (Release Candidate 1) when it becomes available.
You receive a product key that allows you to install it on up to 10 pc's.
If you're not already registered for the CPP you may be asked to register but it's simple enough.
Details here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx
There is high demand ATM so you might have to try later to download.

WizZard

Very high demand it seems

aidan_walsh

Sweet. I've been waiting for this to play with the new security settings. Delighted they decided to put it out publically.

SouperComputer

busy alright. Ended up getting it from a torrent anyway!

radiospan

Interesting decision from Microsoft, never saw that coming.

Looks like they're supplying a download manager which downloads the file for you. Does anyone know if this uses P2P, torrent style?

aidan_walsh

Nah, its most likely just a pure HTTP/FTP connection. Thats what all their specialised downloaders have used in the past. I can't see MS risking the chance of someone figuring out how to corrupt everyones copies by using a P2P method.

PowerHouseDan

Will there be alot of software issues with this...Or would most programs be compat already? Likes of Azureas etc?

kaizersoze

PowerHouseDan wrote:

Will there be alot of software issues with this...Or would most programs be compat already? Likes of Azureas etc?

Most stuff should work. I have Azureus installed and working. BitComet installed and ran but wouldn't do anything (ie. upload or download).
AVG Anti Virus won't install. Vista blocks it due to "compatability issues.
I got this one from CA (EZAntivirus). It's a free dl specifically for Vista beta testers.
http://www.my-etrust.com/SubscriptCenter/TrialLanding.aspx?verstr=35cf50e84818385224d80837bc43ad80&id=17569195&cid=1855&lang=en-US
It's best not to install Vista on your main OS. Install it dual boot with XP or on a second machine so you'll have something to fall back on.

ronanp

Anyone got a link to an active torrent? 24 hours trying microsoft with no luck. They did send me two product codes though :-)

Gosh

If you get as far as the download page choose the option to use your own download manager - I did this this morning and it worked fine. If you click on the other download manager link you get the high-demand message.

ronanp

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/en/x86/download.htm is the only link I have?

Gosh

and if you click on that you get a page with 2 options? Use the Akamai Download manager on the left and Use your own Download manager on the right - choose the link below that one ... I just tried your link and got that page and clicked on the link and got the save to disk dialogue box

Gosh

and I've just started the 64-bit version download that way ...

kaizersoze

Gosh wrote:

and I've just started the 64-bit version download that way ...

I'm getting to that page but clicking on the DL links get the "busy, try later" page.
I'll tell you a weird one though. I already have Vista on my laptop and desktop but wanted to get it "officially". Downloaded it to my laptop last night using the DL manager, searched for it this morning to burn it but it's not there, gone, vanished.

ronanp

Damn it, I click that link all I get is
"Thank you for your interest in Windows Vista Beta 2.

We are currently experiencing a high level of demand and cannot process your request at this time.

Please check back later for availability. We apologize for any inconvenience."

No options, no links, nothing!

timeout

Damn it, I click that link all I get is
"Thank you for your interest in Windows Vista Beta 2.

We are currently experiencing a high level of demand and cannot process your request at this time.

Please check back later for availability. We apologize for any inconvenience."

No options, no links, nothing!

Do you have a seperate dowload manager?

justsomebloke

timeout wrote:

Do you have a seperate dowload manager?

i am just using firefox to download it as i was getting the high demand thing when i try to akami one and it seems to be downloading fine

ronanp

timeout wrote:

Do you have a seperate dowload manager?

Am using firefox on linux, and suddenly the conspiracy theories come flooding back ;-)

ronanp

Wohoo! Used the link to the x64 download instead of the x86 and sorted!

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/en/x64/download.htm

PowerHouseDan

I found a torrent going fast enough...

Stephen

Care to share?

Sparky

yeah torrent is pretty good

PowerHouseDan

http://www.mininova.org/tor/321363
http://www.mininova.org/tor/334001

Presume this isent against rules as its free....

Stephen

Can't see why it would be. Cheers

Stephen

MS must have just acquired a boatload more bandwidth, all of their download links are working again and I'm maxing out my 2meg connection getting the x64 iso now

kaizersoze

PowerHouseDan wrote:

http://www.mininova.org/tor/321363
http://www.mininova.org/tor/334001

Presume this isent against rules as its free....

The first one is the German version from what I remember. Read the comments.

Narcissus

What's it like using it? for those that have it running.

What about Windows Aero, i'm assuming that isn't in the Beta version?

Stephen

It is in it.

Gosh

AFAIK most ant-virus solutions don't work with Vista. You can get a free 1 -year subscription here for Vista Beta testers.

Stephen

Symantec have a version that works with vista, both 32 and 64 bit flavours.

SirLemonhead

Gosh wrote:

AFAIK most ant-virus solutions don't work with Vista. You can get a free 1 -year subscription here for Vista Beta testers.

I love Vista I don't use Anti-virus or anti-spyware programs, and all my hardware has driver support :cool:

Gosh

MasterOfSolos wrote:

I love Vista I don't use Anti-virus or anti-spyware programs, and all my hardware has driver support :cool:

You have Windows Defender by default in Vista which is anti-spyware. Not :cool: running without anti-virus ...

SirLemonhead

Gosh wrote:

You have Windows Defender by default in Vista which is anti-spyware. Not :cool: running without anti-virus ...

Ah yeah true, though i'll probably disable it

I havent had a virus since 1991...my precious floppy disk games

Gosh

Stephen wrote:

Symantec have a version that works with vista, both 32 and 64 bit flavours.

Symantec mmmmmmm .... :eek:

Stephen

Meh, I get it for almost nothing because of a home use programme in work

Gosh

It's a corporate version and only available to existing Symantec users. The one I posted is available to everybody - doesn't give real-time protection only email scanning.

Capt'n Midnight

# Time-limited software
Windows Vista Beta 2 (and RC1) is time-limited, pre-release software that will expire on June 1, 2007.

# Beta support policy
This is pre-release (beta) software distributed for trial and testing purposes only. Microsoft does not provide technical support for beta releases. Although formal support is not offered for this beta, we have provided newsgroups to help answer questions you may have related to the installation and use of Windows Vista Beta 2 (and RC1). To join or read postings in these newsgroups, please visit http://windowshelp.microsoft.com.

If you do an upgrade then - once you install Windows Vista Beta 2 (or RC1) you cannot roll back to the previous operating system installation—you will either have to acquire and install the final released edition of Windows Vista or reinstall a previous edition of Windows. Before installing Windows Vista Beta 2 on any computer, please remember to back up all your files.

Connection speed: Connection type: Approximate download time:
32-bit edition (3.5 GB)
3.0 mbps Fast Cable/DSL 4.5 hours
1.5 mbps T1 9 hours
768 kbps Cable/DSL 18 hours
256 kbps Cable/DSL 54 hours
...
33.6kbps modem 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours :mad:

Stephen

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

33.6kbps modem 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours :mad:

lol

Why the angry face?

kaizersoze

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

33.6kbps modem 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours :mad:

Sweet Jesus:eek:
Drop me a PM if you want a copy on disc.

kaizersoze

Gosh wrote:

It's a corporate version and only available to existing Symantec users. The one I posted is available to everybody - doesn't give real-time protection only email scanning.

I posted a direct download link to that earlier in the thread. It does give realtime protection. At least it says realtime protection is active:rolleyes: .

Capt'n Midnight

Stephen wrote:

lol

Why the angry face?

Sorry should really have posted in IrelandOffline

Gosh

kaizersoze wrote:

I posted a direct download link to that earlier in the thread. It does give realtime protection. At least it says realtime protection is active:rolleyes: .

Oops sorry missed that post - mine has a red circle with a cross in the security centre saying real-time scanning is disabled ...

Edit: 10/6 - My mistake, looks like you have to complete full system scan and restart after install for real-time to become active, I stopped the scan by mistake ...

Stephen

Anyone had any success installing nforce 4 drivers on vista beta 2 x64?

kaizersoze

Stephen wrote:

Anyone had any success installing nforce 4 drivers on vista beta 2 x64?

Did you try a Windows Update after installing Vista?
It updated the Nvidia drivers on my desktop and the sound and modem drivers on the laptop. Thats the 32bit edition though.
This might help aswell:
http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_downloads_nforce_vista_x64_beta2.html

Stephen

According to Windows Update, no updates are available - tried that driver package but vista isn't having it

kirving

I have 2 Hard Drives, the first containing XP and most files, the second containing some DVD backups. If i install Vista on the second, will it auto matically give me a screen where I can select the OS when I boot up. And how can i remove Vista. Can I just wipe the second HD from XP?

radiospan

Seems they've overcome the heavy load, the d/l is going at a steady 308kB/sec here.

aidan_walsh

4 hours and 3.1Gigs later, the file is corrupted. Back to the start...

Stephen

Apparently this particular build of Vista (both 32 and 64 bit versions) has 'issues' with nvidia 6800GT cards such as my own - i.e. it runs like absolute ****e on them.

Bah.

ChityWest

Stephen wrote:

Apparently this particular build of Vista (both 32 and 64 bit versions) has 'issues' with nvidia 6800GT cards such as my own - i.e. it runs like absolute ****e on them.

Bah.

Do you know of any other nvidia cards with issues with this or are the probs unique to that card alone ?

Also - somone mentioned nortons doesnt like this - from the experience of people here who have installed it - are there any other mainstream programs which wont work ?

I am thinking mostly of Steam games +Doom 3, Q4, FEAR, photoshop, printer drivers, powerdvd & stuff like that ?

Any other caveats to installing it ?

Stephen

Steam apparently works just fine, once your graphics drivers etc are all working OK. Dunno about the rest of your list. Printer drivers would vary from manufacturer to manufacturer I imagine.