Microsoft Opens Vista Test To Everyone

Please please please test our OS!

Published on September 14, 2006 By Zoomba In WinCustomize News

Previously, Windows Vista RC1 was only available to either those in one of the Microsoft tech communities or those who had tested a previous build through the Customer Preview Program, which stopped accepting testers some weeks ago. Starting today however, sign-ups for the Customer Preview Program and testing for RC1 have reopened to the public. The goal is to reach 5 million testers prior to RTM.

So if you missed out previously and want a shot at a Vista RC1 DVD and key, go sign-up!

Comments (Page 1)

seldomseen

on Sep 14, 2006

Thanks, Z! Looks good. Gotta get on the bandwagon some time, sooner or later...
Still draggin' my feet on IE 7. 6 works fine for me, so no reason to change except for tabbed browser... we'll see.

[edit: Your link took me to Vista site where I could, and did, download an "advisor" to check my system for "Vista readiness". Interesting. It said my NcAfee Virus program won't work and that I need to go to McAfee site to find out what to do. Didn't do it yet.
Also said my ActiveSync for my IPAQ 4700 wouldn't work. Also a number of other applications wouldn't work anymore, and I need new drivers for almost everything. Hmmm. Interesting. Got some heavy thinking to do here. Thanks again, Zoomba]

Fuzzy Logic

on Sep 14, 2006

Downloading as I type this...

Corky_O

on Sep 14, 2006

Definitely worth it to those interested in having an idea of how the OS will look, operate, and the new presentation of information.

There is a trial 'beta' version of Micro Trends internet security suite (recommended on the Vista pages) that has been built for Vista for those who have issues with their current security programs (it works well, although the trial period ends on October 31, 2006 - or at least it does on my machine which was installed last week).

Although most hardware manufacturers have not provided any beta "Vista" drivers, the OS has some reasonable 'vanilla' drivers that will allow many people to try out the OS along with IE7, Windows Mail, WMP11.

Thanks again, Zoomba.

Fuzzy Logic

on Sep 15, 2006

Hmmm, all I get is a blank screen...

Guess I'll stick with XP

Life is a Game

on Sep 15, 2006

Vista RC1 isa great OS. I've been using it for few days without needing to boot in XP

So it's definetely worth to try it out

PhrozenMenace

on Sep 15, 2006

it doesnt support bluetooth so i'll pass

Blueweb

on Sep 15, 2006

When they come out with a x64 release that works with all the game titles then i will jump in

Going to have to wait till Paul reviews the next release... aga in.

seldomseen

on Sep 15, 2006

Just a p.s. on my last post...I guess that my IPAQ will work to synch, with a Vista "built-in" sub-program. McAfee has no links I could find on their site, so TrendMicro might be it...I've got that on a Sony Vaio as an ad/spam filter, and it seems to work o.k. Don't like the notion of no access to Admin account, or whatever it is...and the boot "music" is bound to be a pain. Will just have to make adjustments sometime in the future. I ordered the Vista CD from M'soft yesterday for $3.00 + $2.00 shipping, just to have for a spur-of-the-moment install. XP works just fine for now, as does IE6.

wilson1992

on Sep 15, 2006

I just want to say I dont qualify for the upgrade from WinXp due to Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Advice.

voo

on Sep 15, 2006

(Super Wizop)Fuzzy Logic
September 15, 2006 05:11:55
Reply #4
Hmmm, all I get is a blank screen... Guess I'll stick with XP

What speed did you burn it at?

Phoon

on Sep 15, 2006

Burnt the image to DVD and it works fine on a real PC. Mounting the ISO with Alcohol 120% and trying to install on a VMWare workstation is not happening.

Phoon

on Sep 15, 2006

After my previous post I did some research.
If you are trying to install Vista RC1 on a VMWare Workstation ver 5.5.2, do the following:

Create the virtual machine but do not install the OS.
Edit the .vmx file found in this virtual machine's folder, with notepad or txt editor of choice. Add the following 2 lines:

svga.maxWidth = "640"
svga.maxHeight = "480"

Vista will install just fine.

Fuzzy Logic

on Sep 16, 2006

#10 burned at 4x. I know the recommended speed is 1x - could that be the problem? I'm using Nero 6, the 'writing speed' box is greyed out and fixed at 4x. I have Cyberlink on disk somewhere, may try that.

voo

on Sep 16, 2006

Microsoft recommends burning it at the lowest speed possible so you don't encounter problems like many reported in the past.

We recommend burning at the lowest speed supported by your DVD burner (1X or 2X) to ensure the highest quality.

Corky_O

on Sep 16, 2006

I know the recommended speed is 1x - could that be the problem?

Burn at 1x or 2.4x.

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