Vista BETA 2 5472.5...

Damn it's good!

Graphics are much improved, interface feels less cluttered and suprisingly loading times are much quicker (think this is down to the new swap file system).

Installation was a bit of a bitch as I don't have a DVD Rewriter so I had to install it from my second HDD, meaning I had to install it through Windows XP, and since I couldn't unmount my C:\ drive as it was in use, I had to use the upgrade function which lead to no end of issues once it was installed, finally once installed it would let me do a clean install which ironed out all the problems.

Only one device doesn't work, my Sony Ericsson K800i but IMO this is a small price to pay. Fingers crossed no problems as it's the only OS installed on my system and Vista currently isn't capable of a roll back.

This latest BETA is definately seems ok to use on it's own, only time will tell though. IMO if you use BitTorrent and have a DVD Re-Writer to save all the issues I posted about above I would definately install Windows Vista.

Chris.

I bet you haven't tried bo boot up another OS with Vista on the same machine yet then. The first Beta was bad at letting the old O/S work. It did look good though, but didn't last longer than 2 hours since I needed my windows XP working for the next morning...

Mine dual boots to XP 64 bit or Vista 64 bit with no problems at all.

must be my laptop then....

I dual boot between XP and Vista. I also have a Vist64 load on the same machine and I could boot into that as well. The problem is Vista64 requires signed drviers and I cant seem to find them for my NIC. I have now run out of time to register the 64 load.

Also I have not been able to find out how to change the boot menu. At the moment I have both Vista loads showing up as 'Windows' so I would like to change one to Vista32 and one to Vista64.

Boot.ini is no longer used and the file refered to in boot.bak cannot be run.

Andy

I wanted to try vista on my laptop, but for some reason the dvd drive wont read any dvd-r, dvd+r or dvd+rw media reliably. It starts but then gets stuck part way through reading the disk.

I've been running Vista (build 5384:rolleyes: ) on my Dell for several months now with no problems.

It knocks the cr@p out of XP.

Is the Beta available to everyone? I'm interested to see whats its going to be like before commiting to it.

Or is it only available on certain file distribution sites;)

It WAS available to everyone, although I dont think the download is available anymore.

If you hava partner status or an MSDN subscription you'll be rolling in copies of it

I am somewhat sceptical of Vista considering it's already been subject to security patches - what's that MS? Still got 3.x code rolling about in there?

Also, have you seen the spec requirements? :eek:

Longhorn server on the other hand does look genuinely useful and they've resisted the temptation to fill it with pretty crap.

Does the new Beta still take ages to load? Got it but have not tried yet. Anyone running Vista X64 with Realtek sound drivers that actually work?

Hi ,

I am running Vista 5472. Had no bother with it so far and enjoy the GUI, much better than XP. At last something that is starting to feel as good as MacOs.

quick question tho - has anyone manged to get Deamon Tools / Alcahol120 or the like to run. Iv tried various versions of both with no luck. I have a couple of images to mount and am struggling a bit with compatibilty. Also cant get Nero7 to work - anyone manage to get any other versions working?

mulv.

I was one of the select few that managed to download version 5536 from MS on Tuesday. I am now trying to install onto my laptop.

I'm sure I'll get sent yet another version from MS in a few weeks

I saw and played with Vista at IDF...

It was erm interesting, very pretty but still fairly flakey around the edges. THis however is a beta so I'll resserve judgement until a final cut is out.

Im holding out a few more days for RC1...

im told its *far* better and faster than beta2.. have friends who say its as fast as XP on a modest 1.6gig lappy with 512mb ram..

beta2 was a dog on 512mb!

Im holding out a few more days for RC1...

im told its *far* better and faster than beta2.. have friends who say its as fast as XP on a modest 1.6gig lappy with 512mb ram..

beta2 was a dog on 512mb!

Well ive got RC1 now.. and must say.. alot has changed and its very useable..

infact ive installed it as default OS on both my main systems. and its running equally, if not better than XP did..

Colin, I have installed the pre-rc1 version on a test pc here in the office and it looks pretty good.