If you've been wondering what all the fuss was about ever since Microsoft announced a successor to Windows XP back in July of 2001, and weren't up all night downloading beta operating systems like we always seem to be, you might have missed the fact that Microsoft has released the
Windows Vista Beta 2 to the public as a free download yesterday. Developers have already been spending some quality time with the build, and it looks like things are finally coming together for Microsoft -- but there are still plenty of compatibility woes, interface oddities, and just plain sluggishness in the OS. Some of the "change for change's sake" has a few reviewers riled up, and Vista is really not recommended for consistent exposure right now. But hey, it's free. There are a limited number of Beta slots, and once they're gone they're gone, so we recommend moseying on over before you miss out on the real deal and have to hit your local torrent tracker. You'll need a DVD burner to create an install disc of Beta 2 and the Release Candidate 1 when it comes out -- signing up for the beta gets you both -- or you can give Microsoft $10 for shipping and production costs and they'll send you the goods in 2 to 4 weeks (by which time they'll surely be readying the release of the next Vista beta build).
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
posted Jun 8th 2006 9:31AM
Downloading it now on my Uni's connection, the windows download box started at -100%, it's currently at 187% and falling. I guess a 3GB file screws up something.
I'm sure this will be seeded on the torrent trackers shortly.
Here is the direct link to the 32-Bit English version if you can't get on the download page at the moment.
http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/en/x86/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x86fre_client-LB2CFRE_EN_DVD.iso
Awesome, thanks Rob.
Will this install clean my system ie my documents or does it just upgrade the OS
Spyware/Adware/Virus creators start your engines.
Excellent. Nice to see a legit way to do this. I was impressed with the 07 Office Beta and am very impressed by this!
BTW anyone have the 64 bit direct download link for English?
yay microsoft is creating a new playground for hackers!
Do they have the 64bit version out?
thanks a million rob you sexy sexy man
Yah I tried downloading this last night. No luck. WAY too slow. I'm going to wait for the bittorrent.
Anyone willing to post the 64bit version DL link would be even cooler than rob!
so has anyone installed it on a macbook yet ? :)
Yes they have a 64 bit. It's 4 gigs compared to the 32 bit 3 gigs!
Oh yeah and Vista is on a Macbook. http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i212/FirefoxFlog/mbvista1.jpg
Rob - That link to the download doesnt work for me, it brings up the ISO to download but it only downloads like 700k or something, and then it quits. is that the right link??
64 bit link. Enjoy.
http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/ en/x64/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_ x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso
So forgive my ignorance, but I'd like to make sure... Vista says it requires a clean install, and I'd like to keep my current Windows install (not upgrade XP), TYVM, because vista is as of yet still too unstable to fully trust. Besides, I don't want something going wrong with my main computer. So I can create a separate partition on one of my hard drives and install it there without the whole drive being wiped, correct?
Thanks for the links. I registered but the site was getting hammered and I wasn't able to download after I got my code.
http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/en/x64/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_ x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso
= blank loading screen. Im pretty sure their servers just crashed.
Whats the difference between the 64bit and 32bit. Is it that the 64bit supports multithreading.
Many are still hoping its genuine Vista come out as soon as possible, not just alpha, beta, gama or even delta trial version.
i downloaded this for the past week, and i couldnt get it to work...
so i bought a DVD off ebay for £6, Doh!
http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/en/x64/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso
Make sure there are no spaces in your link. Though the download is still funky with it not knowing the actual size.
unrelated question. I have xp on my machine, but i do have a second hard drive in it, on sata, how can i install vista on that second hd so i can play around with it?
Correct Gupta.
Do they take a live desktop approach? I really like the Linux installs (Dapper Drake) and the old OS9 installation that allowed me to go to the desktop and install the os. I don't know if Vista allows this, but it'd be nice.
"So I can create a separate partition on one of my hard drives and install it there without the whole drive being wiped, correct?"
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/8572be9b-8580-49f7-9719-b3a4c42749fe1033.mspx
I'm planning to do this myself. I don't guarantee that it'll work but I'm relying on that MS document, same as you...
So... Is anyone getting through to the servers? Each time I try to download I get about 700k or so and it says that the download completed. Anyone having luck?
Ive been playing around with this for a while, It is the same build thats been floating around on torrents for the past few weeks 5384.4... find it. works, activates, and amazingly, for me, it runs faster than xp on my system (A64 3400+, 1 gig ram, built in geforce 6100, 200 gig HD split even.) Still some compatibility errors though. Ive got some dvd cases and labels i made last night if anyone is interested, ill post links.
Heres the downloads. only images in the files. can be printed with any normal cover printing software.
DVD Cases
http://rapidshare.de/files/22504846/VistaDVDCoverPack.zip.html
CD Labels
http://rapidshare.de/files/22513916/Vistacdlabelpack.zip.html
Hope ya like em
I've been trying to download this now for hours but keep getting this. Anyone else getting the same?
http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/en/x86/download.htm
"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."
Anyone with the 700KB download problem- try downloading it with FireFox. I was using IE7 Beta (Hate it) and had the same problem as ya'll. Im planning on maybe installing to my 2nd hd as well, so keep us posted on how things go.
can you install windows vista without getting rid of any files or windows xp?
i have created a 3.7gb partition, would it work to put it on there and dual boot?
i am unable to backup as i dont have a spare harddrive
Sorry, that was the only link I had. There was a link posted on digg lastnight (UK time) to the download page, this was before Microsoft officially announced it and also before all of the traffic hit.
I don't know if it is any relevence but I was downloading the file to an NTFS partition, doesn't FAT have a filesize limit?
Awesome DVD cover. I made one and it looks great!
BTW, yes Fat32 has a size limit although I don't know it off the top of my head.
stuman8484 - I had the same problem as you. When I tried Rob's direct link on IE it failed. (Well I download a 750kb file). However, if you try it on Firefox it works like a charm at decent speeds - (currently 28% done at 300kb/s)
I'll be putting Vista on my portable Hard Drive. A little slow, but this way I'm sure that my files won't get trashed.
martin - putting Vista on a partion of 3.7 GB is too small according to Microsofts website
Windows Vista Minimum Supported System Requirements
Processor: 800 MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64)
System Memory: 512 MB
GPU: SVGA (800x600)
HDD: 20 GB
HDD: Free Space 15 GB
virus spyware adware, prepare to attack.. make'em dead..!
TO PEOPLE ASKING ABOUT INSTALLING VISTA WITH XP
1. It would be foolish to upgrade your winxp installation to Vista as it's not 100% stable and not all programs are compatible. The Upgrade option is available, but it's not recommended.
2. Install Vista on a separate partition (to Win XP)that is at least 12GB in size(required by Vista.)(This means you can dual-boot between your XP installation and Vista)
3. Ensure that any personal files etc that you use are kept on a partition that is free from any OS installation
4. Don't whine like a baby and curse Microsoft when things don't wrk or when the whole things crashes, this is what beta build will do.
5. Download it from a torrent link as MS servers are having issues at the moment (look for build 5384.4), but signup with MS here ( http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx ) to get you product keys. You can get a maximum of 2 keys, and each will allow up to 10 computers to be activated with MS.
If I think of anything else, I'll make another post.
tz gud news but......does any1 know how to obtain a Product Key for this beta??
i have an AMD athlon 64 3400+ proccessor. This means i can use the 64 bit version of vista, right? Or am i mentally Handicapped?
If I choose to upgrade does it get rid of my documents or any of my install files? does it just change the windows files?
When installing this on a Macbook will it take over the whole drive like pervious vista installs have done? Or will it work with conjunction with Bootcamp to dual boot X and Vista?
Thanks!
You can use the 64 bit version, although i wouldnt reccommend it. there are LOTS of compatibility issues with it and will come crashing down very often, possibly taking other files with it. steer clear unless youve got backups and lots of patience
Alex, for the product key you need to go to the microsoft website and apply to download Vista and it will give it to you just before you download the file
ok thanks. I'll stick with 32 bit. Now i just have to wait 13 hours for the download to finish!
Does anyone know if the torrents are faster? I hear of them but, i can't find any i checked torrentspy but, nothing. Anynone know the link?
Toby:
It will keep all your files and documents and many of your settings.
It will also keep all your installed programs.
However, very few of these will work and it is likely that once you upgrade and boot into Vista, the whole thing will crash as the numerous programs you have that run on startup try to run and fail.
I strongly advise that you only install this on a clean partition away from valuable files.
So far Rob's link for the Vista DL is working very good for me. Its hyper fast! Thanks dude!
When you guys say the download is slow, just think about Microsoft right now. There are millions of people hitting their downloads, and their servers are down on their knees for us, and we are slaughtering their internet connection.
Be patient, we are getting to try the beta for free as it is. Start it in the morning and go to work, or start it before bed or something.. :-p
XP doesnt naitivly support SATA so you have to install the drivers via floppy manually if you havn't got a Manafacture Specific OEM version.
Does Vista NATIVLY support SATA
Because I have got a Dell E1705 with no floppy drive.
I downloaded the ISO image from the above link. When I open the ISO file using winrar, it just shows me a README file which states "This disc contains a "UDF" file system and requires an operating system that supports the ISO-13346 "UDF" file system specification." Does MS XP supports UDF. I can't see any files in the iso.
MD5:
0e733ab1a8e8ff9a8684fd3639332773
filename:
en_windows_vista_beta2_x86_dvd.iso
You can also download the new version of Office if you want that to go along w/ Vista beta 2
http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/beta/getthebeta.mspx
help! does anyone know how to find out whether my processors 32 or 64 bit cos im thick, lol
Ok, can somebody confirm whether or not the installer supports partiton creating or not?
Im downloading the 32 bit for my winbook a710. though it can run 64 bit ive been told to stay away from it because it is buggy. do you guys think the a710 is up to it?
Can you run the install from within XP to get dual boot? (XP on C: & Visat on D:). When I try I get messages about some file or other not being a valid win32 app. Downloaded OK (I checked the checksum) and burned using Nero. When I try to install by booting the DVD it gives me a LOAD DRIVER error.
I am getting a [80070017] error during the file copy process of the install, the MD5 hash matches and the copy is fine, going to try an emulated drive and install through Windows.
If your booting from the DVD there is about a 5 minute wait on a blue screen where it looks like the computer has hung, just wait and you'll get the setup dialog eventually, tooks me a few tried before I figured out this.
Lambda,
I don't think it does. What it did for me is say "choose the partition on which you would like to install Windows" and then went straight to the installation. I went straight to the "X" button. Does anyone know of a good, free partition creator that I can use to partition a SATA disk?
Downloaded already and burned the ISO DVD.. What is the EFI folder for in the installation disk? did Microsoft decided to support EFI? I'm doing the upgrade on my MBP now and so far no problems at all...
Just downloaded the 32-bit version. It took about 19 minutes to download (love FIOS). I'm going to try to install it on Parallels under Mac OS X.
Just downloaded/burned. Took about an hour, average speed around 800k. I'll probably install it tomorrow.
If you don't know if you have a 32-bit or 64-bit processor, you have a 32-bit.
Is it just me... or is setting up wireless on Vista the most non-intuitive thing Microsoft has ever come out with? If you make a mistake entering your WPA key, it took me forever to find out how to change it. You can't just create a new network with the same name and the option to delete the network is grayed out. You actually have to go into "re-arrange wireless networks" to be able to delete them... and you have to double click on the network to change the security settings. Right clicking give you the properties and all the other settings, but no wireless or security settings. I must have played around for about a half hour trying to figure it out. I let my roommate have a go at it and had more patience than I. It's also a major resource hog. I don't think I'm looking to "upgrade" anytime soon (not that we'll have the option until next year).
Hey guys I am still having problem that a guy yesterday.
I have downloaded it but cannot get the ISO to a dvd. I trued just burning file for fun of it and of course didn't make an install disk. I tried Winrar and I get the stupid readme folder. So any help getting file for current state to an install disk would be very welcome. thanks.
hehe.. got it running whithin a Domain in my MBP along with Office 2007.. all boot camp drivers installed and running smoothly! Everything working (Aero, bluetooth, WiFi, Sound Drivers, Ctrl Right Click, etc..). Printer drivers are also working great and stable after some bug fixing..
Vista really looks good on a MBP!!
Hi. Um, I just downloaded Vista and I was trying to make a partion or whatever it's called but I couldn't figure out how to do it. When I right-clicked on the hard disk a menu came up but it didn't have the New Simple Volume Option. So I was wondering if anyone knew what could be wrong? Also can I use a drive emulator to install vista?
@ Julio
If you can't partition a hard drive, you really shouldn't be trying to use the Vista beta. Not a personal jab or anything, but partitioning is a very basic, easy task. Dual booting Vista and whatever other OS you're using should be avoided because it cause instability and you could loose data on both partitions. If you feel that you must dual boot, it would be less of a risk to your files to install on a separate physical hard drive.
Quoted from the 'Customer Preview Program', and should seriously be taken into consideration:
"This is beta code and should not be used in a production environment or on a main machine in the home. Beta 2 is intended for developers, IT professionals and technology experts to continue or begin their testing of Windows Vista. Before you decide to use Beta 2, you should feel comfortable with installing operating systems, updating drivers, and general PC troubleshooting. Some risks of using beta operating systems include hardware and software incompatibility and system instability."
Since I only have one harddiskdrive (250GB SATA-II) I'm going to do the following:
Make an whole backup from my C: partition (including MBR) and put in on an USB harddisk.
Then I'm going to create an extra 30GB partition and install Vista on it. I then have a dual boot system, with both XP and Vista.
After I'm tired of playing around in Vista I'll merge the E: partition back to the D: partition of my drive with partition magic. After that I'll reboot the system and try to fix the MBR again with the Windows XP setupCD (got it slipstreamed with SP2, and it's capable of restoring an MBR).
Probably I can boot normally after that, but if that doesn't work I can always restore my backup.
I figure that if I do it this way, I have no risk of totally messing up my Windows XP.
Is that right or does anyone has another suggestion?
P.S. Installing on an USB drive doesn't work, I get the following errormessage:
https://blogs.msdn.com/photos/hans_vb/images/615862/original.aspx
(This is not an picture of my computerscreen, but I do get the exact same errormessage when installing on my USB drive. It happends after the Vistasetup restarts the system and tries to boot Vista for the first time...)
I downloaded both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions of the Vista Beta and cannot get them to work on my system.
Because I have an Athlon 64 3500+ (MSI K8T Neo2 series motherboard and ATI Radeon 9600 256 meg 8x AGP card), I decided to try the 64-bit version. However, it failed to work. When I try to boot from the cdrom it loads up the background screen of the installer and then freezes.
Reasoning that the 64-bit version may be a bit buggy and not as well tested I decided to download the 32 bit version and try it instead. The same thing happened with it. I tried buring it several times and both disks failed I even tried different burning software just in case. I had the same problem no matter what I tried.
I tried doing an upgrade instead of a clean install by booting into Windows XP first and then using the upgrade feature. This seemed to make a bit more progress the installer started up went thru most of the stages of the install until it had to do a reboot at which point the same problem occured. The computer froze up for a second then the computer went into a sleep mode.
Unfortunately, I don't get any definitive errors but this makes me believe that either I have a hardware compatibility or my burning software is not burning the cdrom properly to make it bootable.
If my hardware is the problem though I have no idea where the problem lies. If anyone has any ideas I'd be happy to hear them! Below is a bit more specific info on my hardware:
Athlon 64 3500+ MSI K8T Neo2 motherboard (1535 megabytes of ram socket 939). I also have an ATI Radeon 96-- pro 256 meg (8x AGP) graphics card. I have two hard drives (7200rpm IDE ATA/133 40 Gig drives) they are both plugged into one of the IDE slots in a master slave config with one of the drives, the primary, connected via a hard disk tray. I also have a single layer hp dvd writer (model dvd420i) and an LG 52x32x52x cdrom burner plugged into the other IDE slot . (just for further info the motherboard has a built-in realtek AC97 audio card and realtek rtl8169 gigabit nic).
From the specs of my computer, I figured Windows Vista would run on it no problem. I can't see any of those components listed causing a problem but Windows Vista seems really buggy and picky with it's hardware requirements. Any ideas what could be causing the problem? If you need more info on my hardware let me know.
yeah im having the same problem the download was fine it took about 25 minutes but when i open up the file all i get is a read me and nothing else.
Any ideas?
yeah im having the same problem the download was fine it took about 25 minutes but when i open up the file all i get is a read me and nothing else.
Any ideas?
ANYONE HELP ME I HAVE THE BETA 2 64 BITS AND WHET I OPEN THE DVD U FIND THERE A .TXT DOCUMENT AND THERES WRIITE THIS >>"This disc contains a "UDF" file system and requires an operating system
that supports the ISO-13346 "UDF" file system specification."
Just wondering if anyone has an extra Product Key for Vista Beta 2 that they would be willing to loan/give me?
I got onboard with this public beta a bit late and MS' site is no longer dispensing Product Keys, though they will allow downloads until July 14th.
Thanks.
I need a product key also. MS isn't giving them out and I'm downloading right now. Thanks in advance. jlondagin@cox.net
Not to turn this into a request board but I would like Windows Vista Beta 2, English 32-Bit Edition product key. I have read that they are good for 10pc use and I will keep it solely for my use on one pc. If we could work something out I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance… wvb2e32bit@yahoo.com