Windows 7 Beta

I have it and it's very cool but it's not worth changing over yet. I'm going to wait until all the bugs are out although I haven't run into a bug yet. It's actually very stable but I'm hoping they change the graphics a bit and add some more features.
 
Ya I know, the link just tells you some good tools to use to install it after you get it. I'm downloading it right now. 2.44 GB, taking a little while..
 
I'm running it right now and its awesome. Though the only reason I installed it is because my main drive with the OS crashed (no backup lololol) so I thought I'd dick around with it for a few days.

The setup is so slick. When you boot for the first time it scans all your hardware and downloads all the necessary drivers/software. It downloaded and installed drivers for my 8800 before I knew what was going on.

The new taskbar is so redbull. On a sidenote, for those of you who have installed previous generations of Windows, don't you like the fact that it includes 1920x1200 wallpapers now?

My only gripe thus far is that Skype still is not compatible with it, though that is likely an issue with skype and not 7.
 
do you have to do a clean install or can you do an upgrade?

i think im going to hold off untill its stable and what not, and until programs have better compatibility with it (or will you be able to run just any Vista program?)
 
No point in doing a full update to Windows 7 right now. It's just a beta, and in the Terms of Agreement, Microsoft says that they programed the beta to stop working after August 1st, 2009.

It's really nice so far. Definitely really slick and fun to use. Much much easier to use than Vista, I like it alot.

And ya, the background is a beta fish. Haha, nice one microsoft.
 
it's still in gamma (pre-beta)...if it fucks up your computer you have no right to complain. you would think after early vista bugged out, people would learn to wait for alpha code at least.

 
they're calling it beta, but the fact that this is the first release of three tells me it's gamma. what are they going to call the next test, beta 2? because this expires august 1st, then the next test starts, then alpha isn't due until december. at any length, it's unstable and unless you have a build specially for testing, i wouldn't recommend putting it on your computer. especially if you're new to testing.

i'm not saying you shouldn't do it, just saying you should know the risks of testing "Beta 1" code.
 
I've heard it's remarkably stable, haven't had a problem so far. And from what I've heard, this is the full beta and not just the first test ending in August. The full actual operating system is scheduled to release mid- to late-summer.
 
it "expires august 1st." it says that right on the microsoft website when you DL it. it also calls it "Beta 1."

Microsoft has scheduled release of Alpha code for "late/december 2009"

MaximumPC January 2009 says "Windows 7's scheduled ship date of late 2009," page 8, "Windows 7 Gears Up"

if you get alpha code before Fall, please give it to me as I would like to have it before the rest of the world as well.

 
yeah, i just figured that out, you can install it as an upgrade, but when it expires you need to reinstall windows or something like that. I plan on just torrenting it when it comes out fully
 
What exactly do you mean by Alpha code? I know it as being the very initial coding, before Beta. From everything I have read, Alpha was already out and privately tested. This is the open public Beta, it expires August 1st because the full public official version of W7 will be released around that time. I don't know what this "late december Alpha build" you are talking about means. Also, other places say it might come out before Oct. 09, it's all speculation at this point.
 
That drivers feature is dope, getting drivers is a pain in the ass sometimes. Don't use Skype (didn't even know what it was until some girl explained it to me like three days ago) so that doesn't bother me. I'm sticking with Vista 'til it comes out though, I love it and see no point in switching to a product that will expire shortly. Stoked for the final build to show up on torrents though.
 
alpha is the finished version. most OS codes start in delta, then gamma, then beta, then alpha. i don't know what "other places" you're getting your information from, but if i were you i'd listen to microsoft instead, they seem to know a little bit more about their OS's than most.

if anybody needs any confirmation of whether or not this so-called "beta" test is worth it, look no further than the windows 7 beta FAQ on microsoft.com. here's a direct, copy/paste quote:

"it’s not the finished product. Your computer could

crash and you could lose important files. So please don’t beta test

Windows on your primary PC.

Other problems you might encounter include:



[*]

Software that doesn’t install or work correctly, including anti-virus or security programs



[*]

Printers, video cards, or other hardware that doesn’t work



[*]

Problems accessing corporate or home networks



[*]

Files may become corrupted



[/list]

Bottom line: Please carefully balance the risks and rewards for you of

trying out the Windows 7 Beta before you install. Before installing and

using the Beta, download and review the Release notes.

They provide important information that you should know before

installing and using Windows 7. You should familiarize yourself with

all of the known issues in this document prior to installing the

software. For example, the release notes describe a bug in which MP3

files may become corrupted and provide information on mitigating risk."

seriously guys, if you don't know what alpha code is, you should probably just wait. running unfinished OS's is not worth the risk if you don't have the money to replace your PC.

 
Actually, It goes Pre-Alpha, Alpha, Beta then the Release candidates.

So this 7 beta is actually pretty close to the final product.
 
beta ALWAYS comes before alpha. it's not often i tell someone to get a mac but in this case i'll make an exception.

and yes, beta is close to the finished product, seeing as how no matter whether you called the finished version release or alpha, they're still the same thing and beta is one step before the finished version.
 
i'm done arguing. i'll just say i'm wrong and agree with whatever wikipedia says and pretend that windows didn't call pre-beta "gamma". you win.

 
Nothing to do with what they used to call pre-beta. You might be right, who knows. However, you said beta came before alpha. You were wrong.
 
yeah. i just did some google searches and found that i'm not the only one. it seems that a few companies call alpha, gamma, or release, alpha, or the other way around, but the majority favour what wikipedia says, so from now i'll stick with that.

 
That's the reason I got it in the first place, and why I posted the link. Obviously anyone who grabs a beta microsoft product knows it's not finished. I felt like testing it out, so I partitioned and installed it. Hence why I posted the link. And I'm glad the whole beta issue is finally resolved. This will be one of the last major builds before the official release and it is quite stable, there are a few issues with memory allocation and BSOD's but if you aren't doing anything too crazy with the OS it is fun to play with.

Also if anyone does install W7, you should look into adding your old partition as a hard drive on your beta OS that way you can run alot of programs without having to directly reinstall them.
 
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