Vista Beta 2 Goes Public Today

csmager · 7 Jun 2006 at 20:28

Ok, not quite this minute. But later today (Redmond time), the links should work:

x86: http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/en/x86/download.htm
Direct Download Link: http://download.windowsvista.com/dl...inmain_beta2_x86fre_client-LB2CFRE_EN_DVD.iso

x64: http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/en/x64/download.htm
Direct Download Link: http://download.windowsvista.com/dl...nmain_beta2_x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso

CD Key Signup: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx

csmager · 7 Jun 2006 at 20:32

Memphis said:
Just to avoid newbie confusion, this is still only to those with MSDN subs right?

Nope, that was released back during WinHEC (24th May.. ish). This is to the general public, anybody and everybody who wants a copy can download a copy and try it free of charge.

csmager · 7 Jun 2006 at 20:38

Concorde Rules said:
Doesn't work

csmager said:
Ok, not quite this minute. But later today (Redmond time), the links should work:

csmager · 7 Jun 2006 at 21:01

marc2003 said:
when it's available later, will it be cd isos or dvd? i don't have any blank dvds....

DVD ISO, but it'll install quite happily onto another partition or drive using something like Daemon Tools to mount it.

csmager · 7 Jun 2006 at 21:14

See posts 1 and 6. It's going to be released at some point today, it hasn't actually been released yet. The servers are being prepped, and until it's official, there's access restrictions - hence the message.

Amp34 said:
So how big is it and i assume you can dual boot? Whats going to happen when vista is actually released, can you instantly not use it?

DVD ISO is 3.13Gb, iirc (for x86 - more for x64). MS advise you to have 15Gb minimum available on the target partition (in fact, setup prevents you installing unless you have this much space). It doesn't quite take up all that room, but it's pushing 10Gb from what I can see.

csmager · 7 Jun 2006 at 22:10

And there's a 1 year limit on use, by all accounts. A newer build will be out before then, of course.

csmager · 7 Jun 2006 at 23:35

uk_viper said:
getting access denied using those links

read posts 1, 6, 12 & 21.

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 10:50

[ui]ICEMAN said:
Don't install it through XP, reboot and boot from the DVD, for some reason these images don't seem to want to run in XP (bad image, corrupt autorun.dll etc).

Installed fine for me by starting in XP on both PCs I tried it on.

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 13:15

Amp34 said:
So there is no way whatsoever of installing it on an NF4 board? I'll have to try it on my xeon rig. Does anyone know if it supports 4 cores?

A nVidia have released Beta 2 driver for nForce4 boards, I'd guess they think it's possible. They provide an SATA driver too...
http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_downloads_nforce_vista_x86_beta2.html

And here's a guide on howto install Beta 2 onto an nForce4 SataRaid System:
http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/vis...299.html?sid=a1c81053a03f1d8105500dfd10ae7215

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 13:26

Atomic said:
IS there any way to try this without having to delete my Windows Xp O/S?

Yep, make sure you have a spare partition or drive with at least 15Gb, burn to DVD or mount in DaemonTools or similar, follow the autorun instructions for a clean install on another partition (don't choose upgrade, it isn't worth the hassle. It's not been perfected and will probably leave you in a mess)

Can Vista be run as a Live CD ala Ubuntu style?

Unfortunately, no.

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 13:34

Tom|Nbk said:
i have wireless connection i guess theres no point in me getting this i have just realised as i wont be able to use the internet

Why not? Wireless support is pretty good, unless you have some really random hardware.

Run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to see what's compatible.

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

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 13:39

dbappa said:
gonna try this when i get home and find a spare 15Gb on my HDs. Think my comp will run it, just have to make sure there are 64bit drivers for my GFX, Mobo, Sound card etc?

A64 3200+
1GB
280Gb
Creative Audigy
NF3 Neo 2 Plat (also wireless card)
9800SE @ Pro (Using omega drivers)

can anyone confirm that should work hunky doory?

Creative have been a bit slack with audio drivers, so you may struggle with that. If you can't find x64 drivers, installing the x86 version wouldn't be too different. As above though, check out the Upgrade Advisor to see any incompatibilities:

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

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 14:44

vintage-x said:
snip

You call that midrange?! :eek:

UAC is pretty annoying in its current incarnation. It's quite easy to turn off though.

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 14:52

You can disable it on a per-user basis in the User Accounts control panel. You can disable it system-wide in the tools tab in msconfig.

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 15:05

House said:
can someone please post the direct link to DL the x64 Iso so i can set it away before i go home?

Pinkys link points to a 13.7mb iso and im keen to set this off on works bandwidth not mine at home.

The link is correct. There is a problem with some people getting a 13Mb file - possibly down to a bad cache somewhere.

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 15:57

-Mike- said:
Correct me if I'm wrong fella, but its french?

OK, you're wrong. It's English. Highlighted by the 'EN' in the filename.

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 16:01

Some have reported success using download managers. Either that or wait a few days for it to calm down, or just use the 32-bit version.

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 16:04

Trifid said:
Can anyone confirm if this is the ultimate edition?

It is, as it says on the MS site.

Actually, it's all versions. Which one you get is dictated by the CD Key you use, but MS are only handing out Ultimate keys at the moment.

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 16:22

My desktop (nForce2) had an error when booting off the disc (can't rememmber it off hand), I then installed via XP the second time, and it sat there doing nothing (like you're experiencing) for nearly an hour. It did install eventually.

csmager · 8 Jun 2006 at 16:36

Datamonkey said:
I may have a sound fix now so hope i can get that running.

Quite often, the XP drivers will work fine. (although equally, the XP drivers can be awful - my E-MU (Creative) 0404 drivers are dire.)