Vista beta testers face looming OS expiration

Vikingod · Apr 12, 2007, 10:12 AM

Source: ComputerWorld
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Microsoft Corp. has begun reminding millions of testers of Windows Vista's beta and release candidate (RC) previews that their trial runs end on June 1.

Cori Hartje, director of Microsoft's antipiracy efforts, became the first company executive to note the impending deadline. "As a reminder to those that helped with Windows Vista beta testing, the beta installations are set to expire at the end of May 2007," said Hartje in a Q&A that Microsoft posted March 30 on its public relations Web site. "So customers need to decide if they want to move to Windows Vista or back to Windows XP if they have test versions of Windows Vista on their PCs."

Details on how best to do that, however, are scant. Despite repeated requests to clarify the exact procedure beta and RC users need to take -- and whether Microsoft will provide either guidance or offer a discount to testers -- the company declined to spell out its plans.

scorp64 · Apr 12, 2007, 01:11 PM

Those who were official beta testers, and actually participated (filing bugs, completing surveys), received access to the RTM ISOs, and a product key, last year. That was a nice gift from Microsoft, and certainly not something they had to do. Anyone still running the beta or RC versions either didn't participate to the required level or are business customers running evaluation copies. Why should Microsoft give them special pricing?

As for the procedures to move from the beta or RC versions to the release version of Vista or back to XP...format the drive and install whichever OS you're going to be using. It is never recommended that you install on top of a beta product, too many problems can result from this.

Apr 12, 2007, 10:12 AM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,149 Rep Power: 85 System Specs	Vista beta testers face looming OS expiration Source: ComputerWorld __________ Microsoft Corp. has begun reminding millions of testers of Windows Vista's beta and release candidate (RC) previews that their trial runs end on June 1. Cori Hartje, director of Microsoft's antipiracy efforts, became the first company executive to note the impending deadline. "As a reminder to those that helped with Windows Vista beta testing, the beta installations are set to expire at the end of May 2007," said Hartje in a Q&A that Microsoft posted March 30 on its public relations Web site. "So customers need to decide if they want to move to Windows Vista or back to Windows XP if they have test versions of Windows Vista on their PCs." Details on how best to do that, however, are scant. Despite repeated requests to clarify the exact procedure beta and RC users need to take -- and whether Microsoft will provide either guidance or offer a discount to testers -- the company declined to spell out its plans. __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Apr 12, 2007, 01:11 PM	#2
scorp64 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	Those who were official beta testers, and actually participated (filing bugs, completing surveys), received access to the RTM ISOs, and a product key, last year. That was a nice gift from Microsoft, and certainly not something they had to do. Anyone still running the beta or RC versions either didn't participate to the required level or are business customers running evaluation copies. Why should Microsoft give them special pricing? As for the procedures to move from the beta or RC versions to the release version of Vista or back to XP...format the drive and install whichever OS you're going to be using. It is never recommended that you install on top of a beta product, too many problems can result from this.