Windows Vista Beta 2 free download *link*

[muchspl3]

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

if anyone cares.....

[Jasime]

hmm would rather have the old 2003 server "trial" they released, so you could use 2003 server free of charge for a year. And by then you could, if im not mistaking, just install it again. My new server could use that right now, or perhaps just a fresh Gentoo or Debian install.

Anyone know if microsoft plans on doing the same with vista server?

[tesco]

Thanks I wanna give this one a try...I have to reinstall windows anyway might as well see if this is good as a main OS and if not i can format again and put xp back.

[muchspl3]

lol this is like the third time I have posted a "for free" OS

first was 2003 server, then xp 64 bit edition, now this

hope I around in a few years for the next "beta"

[erRor67]

Here are direct links:

Vista x84 (http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/en/x86/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x86fre_client-LB2CFRE_EN_DVD.iso)
Vista x64 (http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/en/x64/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso)
Download page with info (http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/en/x86/download.htm)

The Microsoft servers are taking a huge hit with shit loads of people trying to download the iso. Speeds for me ranged from like 350KB/sec down to 0.4KB/sec and sometimes even disconnected. So it would probably be wize to use a download manager with automatic resume and just let it download at night. Hopefully it will be done when u wake up in the morning.

You will need a serial (good for 10 computers) to install this. Use the link posted by muchspl3 and register (need Live account..)

Oh, and if anyone cares, my MD5 hash for the x84 is 0E733AB1A8E8FF9A8684FD3639332773

[tesco]

Those direct links don't work. :P
I'm just getting this from newsgroups...I get unlimited speed, no disconnects, don't need to install any download managers either. :)

[erRor67]

Ur right, they dont work. :lol:
Well, they did and those link are on the download page but Im guessing MS pulled them cause of the load issues...

But yeah, newsgroups should do it. Its also on torrents too. So just search around and u will find it (make sure its build 5384.4) ;)

[clocker]

How odd.
For months now all I've read is how crappy and stupid Vista will be, yet MS offers a free dl and gets hammered with requests.

Every forum I visit is full of reports of slow dl speeds, frequent interrupts and even corrupted iso's.

Screw that.
I ordered the DVD.
For $10 you get both the 32 and 64 bit versions and a nice, shiney holographic disc.

An ironic sidenote...
Sprocket can't run the MS Vista readiness test because she's using the x64 Pro OS.
This morning, in an email newsletter from PC Pitstop, I saw another "Vista ready" test...which I failed.
Why?
Because I'm running x64 XP Pro.:frusty:

[tesco]

How odd.
For months now all I've read is how crappy and stupid Vista will be, yet MS offers a free dl and gets hammered with requests.

Every forum I visit is full of reports of slow dl speeds, frequent interrupts and even corrupted iso's.

Screw that.
I ordered the DVD.
For $10 you get both the 32 and 64 bit versions and a nice, shiney holographic disc.

An ironic sidenote...
Sprocket can't run the MS Vista readiness test because she's using the x64 Pro OS.
This morning, in an email newsletter from PC Pitstop, I saw another "Vista ready" test...which I failed.
Why?
Because I'm running x64 XP Pro.:frusty::lol::lol:

[peat moss]

Thought this was interesting : 5 things to know before installing Vista Beta 2 .

http://www.itnews.com.au/newsstory.aspx?CIaNID=33501&src=site-marq

[clocker]

#1. So who doesn't have a DVD-RW already? If you are that much of a Luddite why are you installing Vista anyway?
#2,3,& 4. Pretty much applies to XP as well as Vista..."clean installs" are always best.
#5. Well, it is a beta release...if it was already perfect MS sure as hell wouldn't be giving it away.

[Buffalo]

I did have a warning, but Good download speeds running at the mo.
http://www.sheringhamsurf.com/data/vista-speed.jpg

[vampiro]

ran this on a virtual machine and it needed like 15gig of hard drive space before i could install,

[muchspl3]

lol @ 15gigs

[tesco]

ran this on a virtual machine and it needed like 15gig of hard drive space before i could install,When it's done I think it uses like 8gb.

I installed it last night and by the morning I was more than ready to go back to xp.
The constant warnings about opening services.msc, msconfig, control apnel, etc. just got wayyy too much. The whole user privs thing was fcked all over too.

Just to move a file you end up having to click 2 warning/accept dialogs. Even though I was an administrator it still had to warn me that I need admin privileges to perform the chosen action.:frusty:
When replacing a file you nee dto go trhough even MORE warnings...just to, half the time, have the file not be overwritten for reasons beyond me (beta?).

Settings for some programs weren't kept such as speedfan and winamp because they didn't have permission to write to their config files. :frusty: I'm guessing I couldhave fixed that by forcing those programs to run as administrator but too late now.



Unless microsoft lightens the amount of dialogs to click through or someone comes up with a crack to disable them I WON'T be using Vista when it's final.

[vampiro]

ran this on a virtual machine and it needed like 15gig of hard drive space before i could install,When it's done I think it uses like 8gb.



it still used nearenough the 15gig of space even when finished

[clocker]

I installed it last night and by the morning I was more than ready to go back to xp.
The constant warnings about opening services.msc, msconfig, control apnel, etc. just got wayyy too much. The whole user privs thing was fcked all over too.


Try this, Ross. (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1064350)

[muchspl3]

In an instant message chat, Microsoft has told the Windows Featured Communities that the demand for Windows Vista Beta 2 has been overwhelming. It is, in fact, the largest downloaded software in history. Currently, they are serving product keys out ten times faster then the downloads can be served. In fact, they are pumping out bits as fast as they can - any faster and there would be a measurable impact on the internet. In fact, I quote a Microsoft representive:

"So, we are literally saying that if we increased our bandwidth any further there's a possibilty of taking down the Internet - people might have problems with World Cup viewing, etc"

People who have recieved Vista Beta 2 product keys, but are unable to download, may need to wait a few days, up to one week. Microsoft encoruages users who want to try out Windows Vista Beta 2 to order the DVD. When they recieve the DVD in 1-4 weeks, install it, and activate it, they will be automattically guaranteed an RC1 upgrade.

[erRor67]

Dont understand how they can take down the internet.... But, just get it from newsgroups or Bittorrent..


Funny how MS doesnt embrace bittorrent technology when it was programmed for this type of senerio. Many linux distros use both dozens of mirrors and Bit Torrent. Makes downloading a lot easier.

[muchspl3]

Dont understand how they can take down the internet.... But, just get it from newsgroups or Bittorrent..


Funny how MS doesnt embrace bittorrent technology when it was programmed for this type of senerio. Many linux distros use both dozens of mirrors and Bit Torrent. Makes downloading a lot easier.
they would have to pay brain (the creator) i think

plus they don't want more people reading up on torrents would me my thoughts

[peat moss]

Dont understand how they can take down the internet.... But, just get it from newsgroups or Bittorrent..


Funny how MS doesnt embrace bittorrent technology when it was programmed for this type of senerio. Many linux distros use both dozens of mirrors and Bit Torrent. Makes downloading a lot easier.
they would have to pay brain (the creator) i think

plus they don't want more people reading up on torrents would me my thoughts


Must have been listening to you two .

Vista Beta 2 Offered via BitTorrent
By Nate Mook, BetaNews
June 12, 2006, 5:48 PM

With Microsoft struggling to keep up with the demand for Windows Vista Beta 2, tech personality Chris Pirillo has taken the initiative to publish the 3.2-gigabite download using BitTorent. But Microsoft recommends against using a third party to obtain Vista code.

Those eager to try out the first public release of Microsoft's next generation operating system have been met with slow download speeds and timeouts. The Redmond company has even recommended that users place an order for a DVD copy rather than deal with the download wait times.

Link : http://www.betanews.com/article/Vista_Beta_2_Offered_via_BitTorrent/1150148896

[tesco]

I installed it last night and by the morning I was more than ready to go back to xp.
The constant warnings about opening services.msc, msconfig, control apnel, etc. just got wayyy too much. The whole user privs thing was fcked all over too.

Try this, Ross. (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1064350)Too late now but it's good to see this was hacked so quickly. :)

Kinda makes you wonder what the point is if it canbe turned off so simply.:stars:

[peat moss]

Anyone tyred Dual booting Vista and XP ?


http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/software/dual-booting-vista-and-xp-explained-180004.php

[tesco]

Anyone tyred Dual booting Vista and XP ?


http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/software/dual-booting-vista-and-xp-explained-180004.phpYa a few months ago I installed one of the older betas allongside xp.
I ended up with the new vista boot manager with options: Vista / Legacy windows operating system.

[Virtualbody1234]

Here are direct links:

Vista x84 (http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/en/x86/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x86fre_client-LB2CFRE_EN_DVD.iso)
Vista x64 (http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/en/x64/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso)
Download page with info (http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/en/x86/download.htm)

The Microsoft servers are taking a huge hit with shit loads of people trying to download the iso. Speeds for me ranged from like 350KB/sec down to 0.4KB/sec and sometimes even disconnected. So it would probably be wize to use a download manager with automatic resume and just let it download at night. Hopefully it will be done when u wake up in the morning.

You will need a serial (good for 10 computers) to install this. Use the link posted by muchspl3 and register (need Live account..)

Oh, and if anyone cares, my MD5 hash for the x84 is 0E733AB1A8E8FF9A8684FD3639332773

Just to clarify... That is the MD5 hash for x86 version and I can confirm it to be correct.

[Virtualbody1234]

...
You will need a serial (good for 10 computers) to install this. Use the link posted by muchspl3 and register (need Live account..)



I have a DVD now. I found a key on the internet that lets me install Vista but won't let me activate it. I need a better key!

I did what you said and used the link to microsoft site. I cannot figure out what steps are needed to get a key. Their site is extremely frustrating. :angry:

Does anyone know what steps need to be done to get a valid key that will let me activate? ( I would like one for x86 and x64 ;) )

[tesco]

vb, go here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx choose to download from canada (english), then login when it asks for passport account, then it should send one to your email.
If it doesn't send I have 2 x64 keys you can have.

[Virtualbody1234]

For those who want to verify their x64 downloaded file...

Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Beta 2 - 64-bit
File Size: 4.01 GB (4,309,368,832 bytes)
MD5 Hash: E43502D0A15EADD551119D5639859E04

[coolboyrahul]

is this full version man i am really look ofr it

[tesco]

is this full version man i am really look ofr itSure but it is a beta...

[clocker]

Just order the DVD from MS. You get both versions- 32 and 64 bit.
Mine arrived in FOUR DAYS!
They haven't even charged my credit card ( a paltry $10, BTW) yet.

From what I understand, when you order the DVD they will also send you the RC1 versions when they are released so it's a pretty good deal.