Windows 7 beta upgrade won't be easy
Those who want to move from the beta version of Windows 7 to the upcoming "release candidate" version will be able to do so, but it is going to take some work.
In a blog posting on Tuesday, Microsoft said that it is offering two options for going from the beta to the newer test version, which is due shortly. Neither is all that easy.
The recommended approach, Microsoft said, is to go back to Windows Vista and upgrade from that. Microsoft asked testers to follow this approach as it will help the company get more feedback on the experience that the typical user will have in going from Vista to Windows 7.
Those who really want to upgrade directly from the beta to the release candidate will be able to do so, but only using a series of convoluted steps.
"We know many people (including tens of thousands at Microsoft) are relying on the pre-release builds of Windows 7 for mission critical and daily work, making this step less than convenient," the company acknowledged in its blog. "We're working hard to provide the highest quality release we can and so we'd like to make sure for this final phase of testing we're supporting the most real world scenarios possible, which incremental build to build upgrades are not. At the same time everyone on the beta has been so great we wanted to make sure we at least offered an opportunity to make your own expert and informed choice about how to handle the upgrade."
The company also cautioned that the same hassles will apply for those moving from the release candidate to the final version of Windows 7.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
@ ckurowic: Yep. Anti-Windows comment sucks as usual.
@ WebBuddha: It's Windows, the complaint doesn't need to have any logic or make any sense.
@ ikramerica--2008: Nope, to RC.
I dont know why people complain, I used Vista for almost 2 years with SP1 and never had a problem with it. Just dont download a ton of junk.
@ ckurowic: Dont be mad that your not intelligent enough to run Windows, your Anti-Windows comment is pointless.
It says it when you download it (Or could) not to use it on a mission critical machine...
Unless you're really silly this shouldn't come as a surprise.
Then defrag and reinstall all your antivirus apps. If that doesn't work, you can call technical support, be on hold for an hour and talk to a guy named "Adam" that you can't understand. But think of all the money you will save! Amen
**** my internetz kay
It's plain and simple.
compare BMW to Toyota
Toyota=more reliable
Scion(Toyota budget brand if that is even possible)=more reliable
and they both cost far less and have more marketshare than BMW
you can rig the comparison to support Macs or PC's making it pretty much pointless
Next time that happens... try assigning a new SSID to the router. I know its dumb, but I've seen it work several times. And BTW, this fix has nothing to do with the clients. Just a hiccup on a router. (Alot of G-band D-Links seemed to have this.)
If that didn't apply, my apologies. It's just that in my experience, every once in a while a very obscure fix rectifies even more obscure issues.
Peace!
I am going to run out and buy Vista so I can continue to participate in a beta test. To quote above "HaHaHahahaha".
Back to XP.
IT WORKS GREAT BY THE WAY !!!!!
And it not only boots faster and performs better than XP did it looks and feels great doing it!!!!
Let me offer some feedback into the experience the typical user will have.
Find another way. It's too bad, I was liking Windows 7. I also like XP Pro. I have the COA for XP. Will MS give a temp COA that will allow things to work with a borrowed copy of Vista so we can upgrade? What about file migration? OOPs thats right, I have a back up. I just have to re-install all of my software again.
I don't like Windows 7 that much.
After all, time is money and this upgrade will take time and money.
HaHaHaHa................I crack myself up sometimes..........
XP requires a clean install. That's how I had to do things to play with the Beta.
Its do a clean install or upgrade from vista.
I would recommend doing a clean install anyways.
Doing an UPGRADE involves putting a DVD in the drive, letting it recognize the current OS, Keeping your installed programs, files intact, registry gets upgraded etc. Not doing a format, load software, load data backup. Hope you named your directories the same etc.
The majority of computer users need there hand held while doing simple computing tasks I doubt that even 1% of total computer users have the beta installed.
What is it exactly?
Why should testers get a discount no ones forcing you to test it.
Should Ferrari offer people the chance to test their cars then give them 50% off?
Plus no-one cares.
you obviously don't have any idea what you are talking about
Oh, but you can bet Ferrari actually pays their R&D folks and test drivers.
Because anyone can test it...
Why should testers get a discount no ones forcing you to test it.
Should Ferrari offer people the chance to test their cars then give them 50% off?"
Yes, if you are participating in the development of the Ferrari. (cute analogy).
The people who are just happy to get it for free won't be the ones doing the prerelease testing for Ferrari.
Actually, most of the beta testers of Windows 7 aren't in the "ooh it's free, gimme" crowd, they're the ones who will be making the purchase for companies, the IT guys. They could also be the gamers or the Windows tech-savvy crowd.
So, tell me why exactly the exact people MS would want using this software shouldn't be able to get a discount on it? I mean, not the businesses so much but the testers definitely should get something back.
They did give out Vista Ultimate to select testers before but those were only testers who made extremely good bug reports and I think Vista's beta was alot more closed.
I wasn't saying that the 'gimme its free crowd' woudl be the ones involved in doing development of the Ferrari or W7. I was saying that these are the people that are just happy to be working on the cutting edge. They're happy to do it for free because they get to be involved.
Also, previous beta testers (like for XP or Vista) had significantly more work to do than those in this public beta. Not only we're we using the software but we had to engage in various tests, fill out surveys, be actively involved in the community discussions and so forth in order to get the benefits (generally 2 to 5 free licenses). Since these public testers aren't vetted or required to do any additional work on top of using the software I don't see why they should get a bonus.
Here?s what you can do to bypass the check for pre-release upgrade IF YOU REALLY REALLY NEED TO:
Download the ISO as you did previously and burn the ISO to a DVD.
Copy the whole image to a storage location you wish to run the upgrade from (a bootable flash drive or a directory on any partition on the machine running the pre-release build).
Browse to the sources directory.
Open the file cversion.ini in a text editor like Notepad.
Modify the MinClient build number to a value lower than the down-level build. For example, change 7100 to 7000 (pictured below).
Save the file in place with the same name.
Run setup like you would normally from this modified copy of the image and the version check will be bypassed.
To paraphrase : download the iso, find sources\cversion.ini , change the minclient number to 7000, install
Really basic stuff
Who in there right mind would use a BETA version of the OS for "mission critical" work. My companywould fire my ass for doing that. Hell, we MAY move to Vista after another six more months of testing.
Heck, even those security patches people complain about not coming out fast enough are first tested thoroughly internally long before you see them publically.
The phrase, "eat your own dogfood" is apt. You test the product on your own system before releasing this to others. This is *common* in the industry.
1) It may cease to work.
2) It will probably cease to be updated and finally
3) It may still be "buggy" in the way that any SERVICE PACK or any ther update will probably fail to install.
It suprises me how many people treat a BETA or an RC version like the final piece of software and still use it for day to day stuff!!
When Win 7 comes you just upgrade from XP or Vista BABY, AND ITS GONNA BE HELL FOR ... what was it ... pear? banana? oh yea apple .... almost forgot!
I want to test an upgrade from my laptop running Vista Ultimate 64 bit to Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. I have been running that install since December 2006, should be a really good test bed for feedback.
Here is a preparation article I created:
tinyurl.com/dj9wr5
- by enzomedici April 7, 2009 7:32 PM PDT
- Forget about Windows 7 completely is your best option.
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- by Lerianis3 April 8, 2009 4:17 AM PDT
- No, it is not your best option. Mactard, anyone? Just ignore this guy.
- Like this
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- by d3vildog69 April 14, 2009 2:28 PM PDT
- You give no explanation as to why we should forget it.... Yup i'll follow your advice...
- Like this
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