installing vista beta 2

in most "normal situations do people have to download loads of drivers for the beta 2 to work even w/o a "brand new" comp

I ran the upgrade advisor on 4 different systems ranging from 1yr to 6mos old and only had to update a few drivers for 2 of them. I then went ahead and upgraded all 4 to Vistabeta2 and all the drivers I was using in XP worked just fine.
"dale" wrote:

in most "normal situations do people have to download loads of drivers for the beta 2 to work even w/o a "brand new" comp

I only had to dl the driver for my soundcard. It had dl'ed a driver and intstalled it, but while my speakers worked, my headphone and microphone jacks wouldn't.
"dale" wrote:

in most "normal situations do people have to download loads of drivers for the beta 2 to work even w/o a "brand new" comp

typically, no I've put together the three machines I've had running on vista and the only driver I've had trouble installing was the Creative X-FI Vista Beta drivers, that's with all machines... Brand name computers will probably come out with the same results if using a creative device, but microsoft has done a good job in the past putting together their wide range of drivers for auto-installation Fuse9.net "dale" wrote in message

in most "normal situations do people have to download loads of drivers for the beta 2 to work even w/o a "brand new" comp

recently I obtained a copy of the Vista beta, and as I installed it, it went through the process of copying all the files and all that fun stuff. But it always seems to get stuck at the spot of installing where it says "completing installation" and it just sits there. Is this normal??? as of right now it has been sitting there for about 2 hours.

No it is not normal. Normal times are from 30 minutes to one hour.
"Sundaysm" wrote in message

recently I obtained a copy of the Vista beta, and as I installed it, it went through the process of copying all the files and all that fun stuff. But it always seems to get stuck at the spot of installing where it says "completing installation" and it just sits there. Is this normal??? as of right now it has been sitting there for about 2 hours.

So if an installation takes that long, is that a hardware issue or just a bad copy of vista?
"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

No it is not normal. Normal times are from 30 minutes to one hour.
"Sundaysm" wrote in message recently I obtained a copy of the Vista beta, and as I installed it, it went through the process of copying all the files and all that fun stuff. But it always seems to get stuck at the spot of installing where it says "completing installation" and it just sits there. Is this normal??? as of right now it has been sitting there for about 2 hours.

Recently I obtained a copy of the Vista Beta 2. I got to install it and everything starts out great, but then it get to the point where it says "Completing Installation" and it just sits there. Is it normall for this to take an extended period of time??? So far is has been sitting there for about 2 hours. Thanks

Recently I obtained a copy of the Vista Beta 2. I got to install it and everything starts out great, but then it get to the point where it says "Completing Installation" and it just sits there. Is it normall for this to take an extended period of time??? So far is has been sitting there for about 2 hours. Thanks

Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message

Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

Yeah, double checked all that, just tried it again the error message is.
"' Failed to open Windows Image. '"
Or at least something to that effect anyway, is there a way to do a checksum on the discs?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

Martin, if you mean is there a way to check your burned ISO, there is a CRC, but you would have to get those values from MSDN for that build. Check and see in the release note or page you have access to at MSDN and see if they have given you a CRC utility to download.
CH
"Martin" wrote in message

Yeah, double checked all that, just tried it again the error message is.
"' Failed to open Windows Image. '"
Or at least something to that effect anyway, is there a way to do a checksum on the discs?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

CH, I didnt download through MSDN, I used the Customer Preview Program. Ive checked the release notes and I couldn't see one there.
I am trying to install Build 5384 if anyone else has this problem.

"CH" wrote:

Martin, if you mean is there a way to check your burned ISO, there is a CRC, but you would have to get those values from MSDN for that build. Check and see in the release note or page you have access to at MSDN and see if they have given you a CRC utility to download.
CH
"Martin" wrote in message Yeah, double checked all that, just tried it again the error message is.
"' Failed to open Windows Image. '"
Or at least something to that effect anyway, is there a way to do a checksum on the discs?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

Right then, the checksums seem to be correct, however when I burn the ISO to a disc I get the same problem. When I try to load it in Windows XP the error returned is that Autorun.inf is corrupt or invalid. So clearly somethings messed up.
Anyone know anyway to contact Microsoft?
Mart
"Martin" wrote:

CH, I didnt download through MSDN, I used the Customer Preview Program. Ive checked the release notes and I couldn't see one there.
I am trying to install Build 5384 if anyone else has this problem.

"CH" wrote:
Martin, if you mean is there a way to check your burned ISO, there is a CRC, but you would have to get those values from MSDN for that build. Check and see in the release note or page you have access to at MSDN and see if they have given you a CRC utility to download.
CH
"Martin" wrote in message Yeah, double checked all that, just tried it again the error message is.
"' Failed to open Windows Image. '"
Or at least something to that effect anyway, is there a way to do a checksum on the discs?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

What was your burn speed? Microsoft recommends your lowest setting, preferably 1x or 2x. They are aware of this problem and are testing for links to various media.
"Martin" wrote in message

Right then, the checksums seem to be correct, however when I burn the ISO to a disc I get the same problem. When I try to load it in Windows XP the error returned is that Autorun.inf is corrupt or invalid. So clearly somethings messed up.
Anyone know anyway to contact Microsoft?
Mart
"Martin" wrote:
CH, I didnt download through MSDN, I used the Customer Preview Program. Ive checked the release notes and I couldn't see one there.
I am trying to install Build 5384 if anyone else has this problem.

"CH" wrote:
Martin, if you mean is there a way to check your burned ISO, there is a CRC, but you would have to get those values from MSDN for that build. Check and see in the release note or page you have access to at MSDN and see if they have given you a CRC utility to download.
CH
"Martin" wrote in message Yeah, double checked all that, just tried it again the error message is.
"' Failed to open Windows Image. '"
Or at least something to that effect anyway, is there a way to do a checksum on the discs?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

I've tried burning at 1x 2.5x and 4x and they all come back the same.
"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

What was your burn speed? Microsoft recommends your lowest setting, preferably 1x or 2x. They are aware of this problem and are testing for links to various media.
"Martin" wrote in message Right then, the checksums seem to be correct, however when I burn the ISO to a disc I get the same problem. When I try to load it in Windows XP the error returned is that Autorun.inf is corrupt or invalid. So clearly somethings messed up.
Anyone know anyway to contact Microsoft?
Mart
"Martin" wrote:
CH, I didnt download through MSDN, I used the Customer Preview Program. Ive checked the release notes and I couldn't see one there.
I am trying to install Build 5384 if anyone else has this problem.

"CH" wrote:
Martin, if you mean is there a way to check your burned ISO, there is a CRC, but you would have to get those values from MSDN for that build. Check and see in the release note or page you have access to at MSDN and see if they have given you a CRC utility to download.
CH
"Martin" wrote in message Yeah, double checked all that, just tried it again the error message is.
"' Failed to open Windows Image. '"
Or at least something to that effect anyway, is there a way to do a checksum on the discs?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

I have seen a couple of posts about different results with +R vs -R. Also about filter settings for the optical drive.
"Martin" wrote in message

I've tried burning at 1x 2.5x and 4x and they all come back the same.
"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
What was your burn speed? Microsoft recommends your lowest setting, preferably 1x or 2x. They are aware of this problem and are testing for links to various media.
"Martin" wrote in message Right then, the checksums seem to be correct, however when I burn the ISO to a disc I get the same problem. When I try to load it in Windows XP the error returned is that Autorun.inf is corrupt or invalid. So clearly somethings messed up.
Anyone know anyway to contact Microsoft?
Mart
"Martin" wrote:
CH, I didnt download through MSDN, I used the Customer Preview Program. Ive checked the release notes and I couldn't see one there.
I am trying to install Build 5384 if anyone else has this problem.

"CH" wrote:
Martin, if you mean is there a way to check your burned ISO, there is a CRC, but you would have to get those values from MSDN for that build. Check and see in the release note or page you have access to at MSDN and see if they have given you a CRC utility to download.
CH
"Martin" wrote in message Yeah, double checked all that, just tried it again the error message is.
"' Failed to open Windows Image. '"
Or at least something to that effect anyway, is there a way to do a checksum on the discs?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

Right oh matey, I'll have a play around over the weekend, but I'm beginning to think my ISO's are corrupt.
"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

I have seen a couple of posts about different results with +R vs -R. Also about filter settings for the optical drive.
"Martin" wrote in message I've tried burning at 1x 2.5x and 4x and they all come back the same.
"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
What was your burn speed? Microsoft recommends your lowest setting, preferably 1x or 2x. They are aware of this problem and are testing for links to various media.
"Martin" wrote in message Right then, the checksums seem to be correct, however when I burn the ISO to a disc I get the same problem. When I try to load it in Windows XP the error returned is that Autorun.inf is corrupt or invalid. So clearly somethings messed up.
Anyone know anyway to contact Microsoft?
Mart
"Martin" wrote:
CH, I didnt download through MSDN, I used the Customer Preview Program. Ive checked the release notes and I couldn't see one there.
I am trying to install Build 5384 if anyone else has this problem.

"CH" wrote:
Martin, if you mean is there a way to check your burned ISO, there is a CRC, but you would have to get those values from MSDN for that build. Check and see in the release note or page you have access to at MSDN and see if they have given you a CRC utility to download.
CH
"Martin" wrote in message Yeah, double checked all that, just tried it again the error message is.
"' Failed to open Windows Image. '"
Or at least something to that effect anyway, is there a way to do a checksum on the discs?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

I don't know if this CRC utility could be made to work for a later build, but I'm happy to supply the one for Beta 2 along with my standard burn notes:
Reburn Option:
1) Burn slowly. 4X should be fine. Some of this probably varies with the DVD writer and the media.
2) Make sure to select an ISO tab if there is one on the burning software, and make sure to close the session on the burn.
3) Try this tweak on your Windows XP drive and burn from there:
Get to Dev Manager by typing devmgmt.msc in run/win key + pause break or Rt.click My Computer>Prop>hardware tab>Device Manager if you like 5 steps instead of one cmd. If you're set to PMI here change to DMO and if set to DMO change to PMI using these 5 steps:
1) Click the + in front of IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
2) Double Click the Secondary IDE Controller
3) Click Advanced Settings
4) Under Device 1  Next to Transfer Mode choose DMA (or vise versa)>Click OK
5) Reboot your System
6) Check your burn with a CRC utility and the links for this are below including the direct Taco Bell link. It is very classy, sophisticated, and very Wagner Edstrom/McCann Ericson esque for MSFT to adopt a Taco Bell url for their public Beta 2 CRC checker. *Rock on Redmond Rednecks.*
Obtain CRC Utility for Vista Beta 2 Here: (The CRC utility is a way to check the integrity of the ISO Burn which is probably where your problem lies--it's #1 on the list):
Here's a link:
The CRC utility for Beta 2 is contained here (Scroll down to the bottom under "Additional Information"
Microsoft® Windows® Software Development Kit (SDK) for Beta 2 of Windows Vista and WinFX Runtime Components http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=13F8E273-F5EA-4B7B-B022-97755838DB94&displaylang=en
Additional Information:
To verify that your download of an ISO file for the Windows SDK Beta 2 build is not corrupt, download the CRC Utility. (Note: this is not a Microsoft application. Use at your own risk.)
To run the CRC test, open a command prompt and run the utility. providing it the name of the file (i.e. crc c:\6.0.5383.1.1.WindowsSDK_Vista_idw.DVD.Rel.img) The CRC utility will run two tests on the ISO: it will verify if the ISO is valid, and it will give the AutoCRC signature for the file. The AutoCRC signature for the Windows SDK Beta 2 ISO is 0x28434EEF. You should also confirm the size of the ISO is correct: 1.14 GB (1,229,355,008 bytes).
If it fails any of these three tests, re-download the ISO.
I really like the direct link to it though if you right click CRC here>left click Properties: http://tacobell.iexbeta.com/longhorn/crc.exe


"Martin" wrote in message

CH, I didnt download through MSDN, I used the Customer Preview Program. Ive checked the release notes and I couldn't see one there.
I am trying to install Build 5384 if anyone else has this problem.

"CH" wrote:
Martin, if you mean is there a way to check your burned ISO, there is a CRC, but you would have to get those values from MSDN for that build. Check and see in the release note or page you have access to at MSDN and see if they have given you a CRC utility to download.
CH
"Martin" wrote in message Yeah, double checked all that, just tried it again the error message is.
"' Failed to open Windows Image. '"
Or at least something to that effect anyway, is there a way to do a checksum on the discs?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote in message

I have seen a couple of posts about different results with +R vs -R. Also about filter settings for the optical drive.
"Martin" wrote in message I've tried burning at 1x 2.5x and 4x and they all come back the same.
"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
What was your burn speed? Microsoft recommends your lowest setting, preferably 1x or 2x. They are aware of this problem and are testing for links to various media.
"Martin" wrote in message Right then, the checksums seem to be correct, however when I burn the ISO to a disc I get the same problem. When I try to load it in Windows XP the error returned is that Autorun.inf is corrupt or invalid. So clearly somethings messed up.
Anyone know anyway to contact Microsoft?
Mart
"Martin" wrote:
CH, I didnt download through MSDN, I used the Customer Preview Program. Ive checked the release notes and I couldn't see one there.
I am trying to install Build 5384 if anyone else has this problem.

"CH" wrote:
Martin, if you mean is there a way to check your burned ISO, there is a CRC, but you would have to get those values from MSDN for that build. Check and see in the release note or page you have access to at MSDN and see if they have given you a CRC utility to download.
CH
"Martin" wrote in message Yeah, double checked all that, just tried it again the error message is.
"' Failed to open Windows Image. '"
Or at least something to that effect anyway, is there a way to do a checksum on the discs?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
Make sure you are not confusing B for 8, 0 for O, and so on.
"Martin" wrote in message Hi,
When I try to install the Beta, my main monitor does not work however the S-Video out does work, not a big problem. However, when I get to the stage of entering my product key, it refuses to accept it as a valid key, I am sure I've typed it in correctly and I have tried using both 32 and 64 bit editions.
Any ideas?