After a long wait, M$ released a Beta version of its new Operating System to the Public. Windows Vista Beta 2 with RC1 was released to the public 2 days ago on their official website. This release is 5384.4, the same release given out at WinHEC 2006.
Its no surprise that M$ is cutting out features in its releases. For example the most recent cut-out .. The PC-to-PC synchronization from Vista. M$ says Quality was the reason for their latest cut. Anyways, the P2P feature as promised wil be delivered to the customers in the near future. Hope its not too futurish. Wonder what will be left of vista if they keep cutting stuff out of it. Maybe a NEW Windows XP with loads of nice pretty BSOD's .
For the more inquisitive lot, I had tested the Beta 1 release but there were some problems with my nVidia drivers not being supported. So for people who are with nvidia cards, i suggest you take the extra precaution. Nvidia has released the beta drivers for Win Vista, but for some odd reason they show a BSOD on installation with vista.
And finally here are the links that might help you get started on the path of insanity

Download Windows Vista Public Beta 2 (Official Site)
How to Get your Vista Key ? ( Not an illegal Link)
Neowin Vista Forums (IMPORTANT site)

Nvidia Users could Use these 2 links: 1 for the Drivers and 1 for a complete list of beta drivers.
>>LINK 1<< & >>LINK 2<<

Finally .. a Best of luck to all who try

Regards
Dhanesh.

Hi Dhanesh



that link of yours doesnt work..
where can I get the windows vista keys (legal ones)

The beta_testing program is closed, see at the vista site :

Yup, they closed it because Vista RTM already went to the big companies as a jump start on the transition. The general public will get it on January 31, 2007.

deltatux

I am still happy with the last RC release .. i guess keeping a price of $450 on this piece of software isnt worth all that instability and wait. I am guessing people would start buying this OS by July/August when an SP1 comes out .. hehe. Atleast thats what i would do.

Now if you install an RTM release that you would get off the net with a Beta key, it would install alright. but when you try to update. It blocks the system and brings a time count for 30 days i guess. I got a timebomb of 1 week.

Regards
Dhanesh.

Vista Premium will only cost $400 @ amazon and Pro will cost $300. Basicly, you'll get less instability for you money when you buy the pro version .
And I think it's better to try out a Vista version that is not beta or RC before you decide whether it's instable. That's what RC's are for, they have everything the final version will have, but it still contains errors and bugs.
But as you say, it's better to wait for SP1 (+ after a few months, most of the tweaks and hacks will be available so you can modify vista to your needs).

Wait, wha-?

And no, that's not what RC's are for. They're not trial versions for the retail product, they're test versions to tweak what is still needed to be done. If you want to try something serious, then install RTM for 30 days.

Well do know that driver support now is fantastic for a launch (do not bore me with stories of user A on some forum you visit who's card x doesnt seem to work at full potential yet, I have knowledge of the amount of problem reports with drivers and it's great compared to say, XP). If you want to wait a while (certainly business) while go ahead, but I doubt you'll run into many noteable problems if you make the switch right now. Tweak VI (same devs as Tweak XP) is already released btw, not sure what kind of other tweaks you're referring to that make it worthwhile to wait.

Also I see many inaccuracies concering the price. If you run XP it's cheaper to get upgrade version; and home users will probably want either basic or premium. So take premium and thats $180. That's a bit different tag from 450.


The shop. Your best bet for free vista in case you're a university student is to check if your university doesnt have some kind of Microsoft software program, like ma3d.com for those in Belgium.

As of right now, Vista just isn't worth it. From past M$ experiences, never buy any product on launch. If anyone is interested in Vista, wait until a service pack comes out. Hopefully they'll have some of the large problems fixed. Unfortunately, M$ rarely fixes problems without creating more at the same time.

Anyway, if anyone wants to get Vista now, go to newegg.com or some other online retailer and get Windows Vista Ultimate (OEM). The OEM disks for ultimate are only $200 and they work.

wow can't wait too long for windows vista thoug it needs high specification for the hardware but i think it gives more fiture and custumer satisfied so we don't repent if we buy it
nice information dude

I'm I right or not : http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-4....x=0&Go.y=0

Don't worry to much about the instability/$, that was just a stupid remark of me .

About the tweaks and hacks, I am talking about tweaks and hacks, not about drivers . I don't know what tweaks and hacks, that's the point. I'm waiting for other people to discover new, interesting changes (eg. using the MS Bluetooth on WinXP SP1, so I won't have to upgrade to the annoying SP2 ). The most important thing I'm waiting for is a good way to bypass activation for non-business versions of Vista (you can only active Vista for 1 pc, and that's it)

Anyway, I've just discovered I can download Vista Business from MSDNAA, completely legaly with license key , being a student rocks .