Windows Vista RC1 Now Available (1 Viewer)

Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 has just been made available
for download.

Having very little success with the BETA release a few months back,
I am hoping that RC1 has better driver support, and, recognizes a
RAID setup.

One of the most interesting aspects of RC1 is the fact that it can
be installed OVER an existing copy of Windows XP. This was something
that I thought would not be possible at any point.

After backing up my system, I'll probably install the OS later today.

I'd love to hear comments from anyone that has already installed
RC1. I'll try to report back later today.

Still seems like its a mess http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34268

Not only that, but the DVD I burned would not install under
Windows XP.

This was promised as an "upgradable" copy to XP whereas you
would be able to keep all files and settings. Unfortunately, I kept
getting error messages every time I attempted to install from XP.

Ron,

I downloaded and installed Vista over XP last night. I only got one error message -- 'Windows could not update the computer boot configuration'. A quick lookup online and I found the fix in an easy registry edit. After I did that it installed flawlessly. If that is the error you are getting, let me know and I'll post the easy fix.

I love the new look. I was somewhat worried about all the visual bells and whistles slowing things down, but that hasn't seemed to be the case. I am running a 3.2GHz Dual Core, though.

A couple of things I don't like: It doesn't seem to like Zone Alarm. But I can deal with that by running Windows Firewall until a workaround is available. It initially balked at AVG, but I downloaded the newest version and it works fine. It also will not run Partition Magic 8.0. So far that's the only compatibility problems I've run into. Everything else runs great.

Keeping fingers crossed, but no BSODs yet. But I never had problems with XP either.

All my hardware was recognized but I did have to reinstall my sound drivers to get the sound card to work. No big deal.

I definately give it a thumbs up. Long overdue, but very nice. I'll be picking up a copy on release.

Bryan,

Did you actually upload it from windows XP over Windows XP
with all your XP programs and settings intact once inside Vista?

I just could not get the program to install from within XP.

Yeah, after I downloaded it I intalled it directly in and over XP. The only error I had was the one I mentioned above and that was easily resolved.

Yes, once it was installed all my programs and settings were intact.

My roommate just installed his last night. It is pretty cool. He installed the 64bit version over XP pro and had access to files under the XP pro OS. The only beef we had was the security precautions, but I believe he changed them. The transparent Windows are freigen sweet. It is deffinitely more efficient, much faster. Had drivers for flash, which we installed. I don't think the previous Beta versions had those drivers.

To those of you messing around with the latest Vista release: how does it handle DirectX 9 games? Is the performance hit noticable? (DirectX 10 is not backwards compatible. Backwards compatibility is maintained through emulators, which should put some extra overhead on your CPU when running DirectX 9 or earlier games.)

If you have 5600 (the public RC1) and still find it buggy, MS has the 5728 build public now:

http://download.windowsvista.com/pre...nload-5728.htm

To answer Paul: At this point, Vista is faster in my gameplay then XP. That happened somewhere after 57xx.

Can anyone come up with any ideas as to why Vista will not
install inside my XP?

I click on the CD, go to SETUP and I get a windows error. I
also copied the install files and tried running it from my "D" drive
with the same bad results.

Maybe your download is corrupted. Did you try re-downloading the ISO file and re-burning it to a DVD?

You might also do a search here:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/com...s/default.mspx

Maybe you can find others with the same problem.

I'm thinking about trying this out here tonight...one quick question;

Do I download the 32 or 64 bit file?

I'm guessing 64 bit But just want to be sure...

Ron, any luck fixing your issues of installing this over XP? I plan on doing the same thing if I can...

It depends on your computer. Is it 32 or 64 bit?

I believe I'm a 32bit - thanks Patrick!

Then you have to go with the 32 bit version.

I've been running the 32 bit version on my notebook and so far I like it. I'm going to load the 64 bit onto an AMD 64 machine on Sunday. It's replacing Windows XP 64 so it'll be nice to see how that version works.

Okay, now I'm confused

Your AMD comments made me think a bit more about my setup

I'm running:

- Windows XP Media Center Version 2002 (SP 2)
- AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3500+

Now I'm wondering if I need the 64 bit?

I feel dumb

The 64 bit processor that you have can run either one.

Great news! Thanks for the heads up!

PS -- Does 5728 resolve that problem with Vista64 and Creative's Audigy drivers? Or do you still have to bend over backwards (while touching your nose, patting your belly, and whistling the Star Spangled Banner) to install the drivers?

First things First -

Ron, if you are trying to do the upgrade a few things have to come into play:

(1) The "Upgrade" currently only really works correctly with the 32bit distribution of Vista. We've tried it to the 64, but frankly, it's still broken pretty good. Also, if you're trying the upgrade remember to use a really burned disc, not mounted ISO through a utility program.

(2) Where does upgrade fail on you? Does it even start? Do you get to the first reboot and then have to say "roll back to beginning" (it's Upgrade Fail safety option?)

As to all the other issues:

5728 made the most significant difference in the 64bit version, without a doubt. Driver support greatly improved, and yep, it answers your issue. And while 64 bit works great on AMD64 boxes right now, it's still not quite there on the iAMD64 (Intel's implementation of AMD64 instructions). It works, and it's still fast, and on the high end Core2Duo it's super fast, it's just not as big of a difference as on the 32 bit side.

Strong Recommend for those who are considering Dual Boot for a product called "Vista Boot Pro". Definitely worth the download. (It's Freeware)

VERY IMPORTANT - If you are going to do the upgrade Uninstall all CDRW/DVDRW products FIRST!! If you do not, you cannot complete an upgrade, because many of them put filters on DVDRW/CDRW drives that will cause your installation to fail and you can find yourself quickly stuck. This is true of: Nero, Roxio, Ulead, and others. If you've got it, and it's a DVD/CD burning tool and you want to upgrade, TOSS IT first. In most cases (Nero, Roxio) you will not be able to re-install them at this point (that will take a new version of thier product) but you will never get through an upgrade with it as is.

Chris,

You bring up a very interesting point in your Very Important
portion of your message and I wonder if that's my problem.

The error message was something like Microsoft has found
an error with Welcome To Windows and needs to shut down.

(I tried two different DVDs I made of two different Image file
downloads).


Lately, I have been having problems with my two CD/DVD writable
drives. I can burn music. I can make DVDs. The thing I have been
having problems with is running SETUP commands on occasion.

I first noticed it a month ago. I was upgrading my Magellan
Car Navigation unit with an upgrade CD. The CD would not even
start when I selected SETUP. When I ran it on my second
computer, all was well.

Something may corrupted BOTH my CD/DVD drives in my
fairly new computer.

Here's another thing that I don't get....

I took all the Vista installation files and copies them to me second
"D" hard drive and tried to run setup off of that. I got the same
error message I was getting with the DVD/CD drives.

Whadda you think, Chris?