Beta 2 of Vista SP2 now available to anyone

[Engel]

In late October, Microsoft gave its beta testers the first beta build of
Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

On Tuesday, the company pushed out a later build to MSDN and TechNet
subscribers.
The five languages currently supported are English, German, French, Spanish,
and Japanese, in both 32- and 64-bit flavors.

Today, the company has made this SP2 build available to the public on the
Microsoft Download Center: for Vista and Server 2008 32-bit (388MB ), for
Vista and Server 2008 64-bit (614MB ), and for Server 2008 ia64 (416MB ).
-=-

 

[Victek]

In late October, Microsoft gave its beta testers the first beta build of

Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

On Tuesday, the company pushed out a later build to MSDN and TechNet
subscribers.
The five languages currently supported are English, German, French,
Spanish,
and Japanese, in both 32- and 64-bit flavors.

Today, the company has made this SP2 build available to the public on the
Microsoft Download Center: for Vista and Server 2008 32-bit (388MB ), for
Vista and Server 2008 64-bit (614MB ), and for Server 2008 ia64 (416MB ).
-=-

I'm curious, but there are two important questions to be answered:
1. Can this beta SP be uninstalled?
2. Will it be possible to install the final SP2 over the beta?

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Just be aware that it is 'Beta' software and can cause unexpected problems.
I haven't had any 'major' problems with the service pack, but I would
suggest you 'do not' install it on your main production machine; use a test
machine wherever possible or leave well alone.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Engel]

Hello Victek,

FQA and more here:

<http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd262148.aspx>
-=-

 

[Victek]

Hello Victek,

FQA and more here:

<http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd262148.aspx>
-=-

Thanks, I appreciate it!

 

[f/fgeorge]

I'm curious, but there are two important questions to be answered:
1. Can this beta SP be uninstalled?
2. Will it be possible to install the final SP2 over the beta?

#1...normally yes, but there HAVE been instances where it would not
uninstall, forcing the user to reinstall Windows, sometimes from
scratch.

#2...not normally and according to the FAQ's not this time either.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

If you are planning on installing the SP2 beta then my advise would be to
image your hard drive (using something like Acronis True Image 2009). As a
beta tester this is something I always do before installing 'any' beta
software. If anything goes wrong, then you can easily revert back to an
earlier version via the image you created.

As I have said in my previous post, it is far better to use beta software on
a test machine (again something that I already do), but I know many users
don't have access to another machine simply for beta testing products;
therefore it is extremely important that you have an image of your hard
drive to go back to when, either you finish testing SP2 or if problems occur
that cannot immediately be corrected.

Beta software is not always stable, so it is better to play safe.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Harry]

In late October, Microsoft gave its beta testers the first beta build of
Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

On Tuesday, the company pushed out a later build to MSDN and TechNet
subscribers.
The five languages currently supported are English, German, French,
Spanish,
and Japanese, in both 32- and 64-bit flavors.

Today, the company has made this SP2 build available to the public on the
Microsoft Download Center: for Vista and Server 2008 32-bit (388MB ), for
Vista and Server 2008 64-bit (614MB ), and for Server 2008 ia64 (416MB ).
-=-

Any noticable improvements after the installation?
Harry (Netherlands)

 

[John Barnett MVP]

I haven't had any issues, Joe but your experience makes my point even more
valid. Either use it on a test machine or don't install it until final
release.

We all like to see what's new in any operating system but when it comes to
beta software, in many cases, the problems far out way the advantages of
being able to boast 'I have SP2 or Windows 7 on my system.'

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Victek]

If you are planning on installing the SP2 beta then my advise would be to

image your hard drive (using something like Acronis True Image 2009). As a
beta tester this is something I always do before installing 'any' beta
software. If anything goes wrong, then you can easily revert back to an
earlier version via the image you created.

As I have said in my previous post, it is far better to use beta software
on a test machine (again something that I already do), but I know many
users don't have access to another machine simply for beta testing
products; therefore it is extremely important that you have an image of
your hard drive to go back to when, either you finish testing SP2 or if
problems occur that cannot immediately be corrected.

Beta software is not always stable, so it is better to play safe.

--

I agree. I already image my disk periodically so that's not an issue. I'm
going to wait awhile and see what (if any) perceivable improvements result
from SP2. Vista SP1 is working well for me at the moment, so I have no
reason to mess with it (other then perverse curiosity).