Vista available for public download

**Richard1** · June 8th, 2006, 10:07 AM

Finally they are releasing a public beta . Check it out, it's for everybody, apparently.

"Windows Vista Beta 2 Customer Preview Program
Windows Vista Beta 2 is now available for you to install, test, and enjoy. Here's the information you need to try it now.

Evaluate Your Current PC
Run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta to help get your PC ready for Windows Vista.
System Requirements
We recommend that you consult the Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PC specifications for system requirement guidance on running the core experiences and advanced features of Windows Vista.
Get Windows Vista Beta 2
Windows Vista Beta 2 is available as a download or on DVD. It's time for clarity—try it now!
Windows Vista Beta 2 Resource Center
Once you have installed Windows Vista Beta 2, be sure to visit the Resource Center to download the Windows Vista Product Guide, find anti-virus software for Beta 2, and discover more information that will help you get up and running quickly."

Please let us know if you try it.

**3fingersalute** · June 8th, 2006, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Richard1

Finally they are releasing a public beta . Check it out, it's for everybody, apparently.

"Windows Vista Beta 2 Customer Preview Program
Windows Vista Beta 2 is now available for you to install, test, and enjoy. Here's the information you need to try it now.

Evaluate Your Current PC
Run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta to help get your PC ready for Windows Vista.
System Requirements
We recommend that you consult the Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PC specifications for system requirement guidance on running the core experiences and advanced features of Windows Vista.
Get Windows Vista Beta 2
Windows Vista Beta 2 is available as a download or on DVD. It's time for clarity—try it now!
Windows Vista Beta 2 Resource Center
Once you have installed Windows Vista Beta 2, be sure to visit the Resource Center to download the Windows Vista Product Guide, find anti-virus software for Beta 2, and discover more information that will help you get up and running quickly."

Please let us know if you try it.

Interesting - I may just give it a go, I have a few spare machines sitting around my desk at the moment.

**Ferrit** · June 8th, 2006, 12:01 PM

got both versions tagged and coming down as we speak

**3fingersalute** · June 8th, 2006, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Ferrit

got both versions tagged and coming down as we speak

I'm trying, but I keep getting this:

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.

**shamus** · June 8th, 2006, 02:01 PM

Same here.

**rgharper** · June 8th, 2006, 04:00 PM

Give it some time - maybe wait until tonight or tomorrow. I'm sure there are many people trying to get it in the first 24 hours it's available. You could also try the unmanaged download (the one that says "Bring your own download manager") instead.

**slgrieb** · June 8th, 2006, 04:14 PM

Before downloading the Vista Beta, I'd suggest reading: http://www.crn.com/showArticle.jhtml...frank+ohlhorst

**Ferrit** · June 8th, 2006, 10:55 PM

It is way easier to use an ftp program.
I tried 2 or 3 times and it said too busy co I copied the link into bpftp and away it went.

**Guts3d** · June 9th, 2006, 09:26 AM

We have a few problems with it, foremost being incompatability with Active directory, but that may just be local to our setup. Users who are not computer savvy but can function with XP or 2K will have a tough time as there are quite a few changes to simple things like locations of shortcuts to "My Computer" and the other normal desktop icons. Tabbed browsing is a plus, tho...

**rgharper** · June 9th, 2006, 11:19 AM

What AD problems did you see? Some settings didn't carry through (like our mandatory screen saver settings) but by and large it worked well for me on our 2003 AD domain.

**BOB IROC** · June 9th, 2006, 12:01 PM

WooHoo installing now...

**slgrieb** · June 9th, 2006, 01:29 PM

Well, RG, I did notice the evaluations were on notebooks, and I think that's a pretty good test of whether an OS is ready for prime time or not. I think the observations on overall Vista performance are going to carry through to desktops.

Right now I see Vista as most likely having heavier hardware requirements than MS would like us to think, as well as being less mature than it should be. I mean, it was supposed to be released this year after all.

At the moment, it seems likely that upgrading from XP (let alone W2K) is going to require a pretty heavy investment in hardware and time. Not to mention the cost of the OS itself. BTW, could MS make the various versions just a bit more numerous and confusing?

Anyway, while I like the security enhancements and some other things in Vista, I really can't see how I could reccomend it as an upgrade for most of my customers.

**houseisland** · June 9th, 2006, 02:37 PM

Bear in mind that that realistic hardware minimums for "good" performance are a 3 GHz processor, 2 Gbs of RAM, and a fast SATA hard drive.

Be prepared for driver pain. On my Vista system, I have no support for my sound card, scanner, ink jet printer, TV/Vid capture card (all from major mainstream manufacturers).