VISTA will not download updates

[Guest]

MS says my vista untimate has expired, but i downloaded the "FULL VERSION"
prod key received fr Tampa launch just last year. I had downloaded beta on a
spare computer for a "look see" but MS told us they were giving us FULL
VERSIONS if we attended the VISTA LAUNCH. My Vista is working fine...except
for the part that it will NOT give me updates (which to me does NOT mean FULL
VERSION)...AND which DOES mean there could be I am missing necessary fixes
and patches...keeping my computer and information safe and running w/o
problems...which i have no time for.

ALSO...I would have NEVER downloaded an OS if I suspected that i would have
to REINSTALL another including all the app and driver and file downloads
(time, time, time).

PLEASE do not tell me I have been DUPED by a company that I support and
recommend...

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Yes, you apparently installed a "Full Beta Version" of Windows Vista.
You will need to purchase the released version now.

Click on the blue Vista start button, type WINVER in the Start Search box,
then click on the WINVER applet that appears. If "Version 6.0 (Build 6000)
does not appear, you have a beta version installed.



--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

--------------------------------------------------------------------

message MS says my vista untimate has expired, but i downloaded the "FULL VERSION"
prod key received fr Tampa launch just last year. I had downloaded beta on a
spare computer for a "look see" but MS told us they were giving us FULL
VERSIONS if we attended the VISTA LAUNCH. My Vista is working fine...except
for the part that it will NOT give me updates (which to me does NOT mean
FULL
VERSION)...AND which DOES mean there could be I am missing necessary fixes
and patches...keeping my computer and information safe and running w/o
problems...which i have no time for.

ALSO...I would have NEVER downloaded an OS if I suspected that i would have
to REINSTALL another including all the app and driver and file downloads
(time, time, time).

PLEASE do not tell me I have been DUPED by a company that I support and
recommend...

 

[dean-dean]

Type "winver" in the Start Search box of the Start Menu. Press Enter. What
are the version and build numbers (for example, Version 6.0, Build 6000)?
Is there any note about an expiration date?

 

[Guest]

I get..." Microsoft Windows Version 6.0 (Build 5840) There is no reference to
it being a BETA...and it is NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A BETA.

Thank you for your prompt response.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Vista Build 5840 is a beta build (Pre-RTM). When I attended
the local Vista Preview Event back in January 2007, no one said
they were giving out the final, released version (RTM) of Vista.
Everyone knew it was one of the very last beta versions of Vista.
Perhaps you misunderstood...

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

--------------------------------------------------------------------

:

I get..." Microsoft Windows Version 6.0 (Build 5840) There is no reference
to
it being a BETA...and it is NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A BETA.

Thank you for your prompt response.

 

[Frank]

I get..." Microsoft Windows Version 6.0 (Build 5840) There is no reference to
it being a BETA...and it is NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A BETA.

Thank you for your prompt response.

Yep!
You've got a beta of Vista!
It should say (Build 6000).
Frank

 

[Guest]

THIS IS VERY MADDENING! I did NOT misunderstand....MS purposely defrauded!
What can i do NOW...this sucks!

 

[Ron Pelfrey]

Buy a regular copy of Vista like the rest of us did???

 

[EW]

He asked a perfectly legitimate question. If you have no answer, why trash
the guy.
Get a life.

EW

 

[dean-dean]

I think Build 5840 was a "Full Version", as was Build 5920 (that, is they
weren't Beta versions, and Beta activation keys wouldn't work with those
versions). Build 5840 was is in Escrow, meaning that it was a candidate to
become the Golden build (RTM). That is possibly why yours hasn't expired,
or "time-bombed". But the caveat is that it's a pre-release, evaluation
copy, and, no, it won't get updates on Windows Update. See the OP's post
here:

http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=667801

<quote>The CD sleeve says that it is a pre-release, evaluation
copy.<unquote>

and, from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...&p=1&tid=47211e63-313d-4f4e-933a-979d92586076

<quote>I am about to attend a launch event as well--in Los Angeles. Here is
a snippet from the confirmation email Microsoft has sent me:

As a special thank you for attending, you will receive a FREE copy of
Microsoft Office Professional 2007 and Microsoft Office Groove 2007*. You
will also gain access to a 180-day trial of Windows Vista!"<unquote>

Beta testers were able to Upgrade a variety of ways:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/preview.mspx

But in your case, since your product key isn't a Beta key, I'm not actually
sure what your options are relative to upgrading. Obviously you can buy a
Full version, but to use a purchased Upgrade version, you may have to start
the install from an installed Vista Beta OS or XP OS ...

I do remember, vaguely, at the end of last year, weighing the options of
using a free LAUNCH version of Vista with a later build number, or
continuing to use the BETA version I already had installed, and decided to
continue with the BETA, until installing the 6000 version, thinking that the
BETA had a longer timebomb (180 days vs. the BETA's end-of-May expiration),
and that the LAUNCH version would bomb earlier. I guess I was wrong on that
point; apparently the LAUNCH version doesn't time-out...

 

[Guest]

EW. Thank you for your comment pertaining to ron-helfrey, who is hopelessly
uninformed. FYI I am a SHE...just using the stupid name MS assigned me. ALSO
I HAVE purchased 4 Vistas personally...but believed MS when they told me both
in print AND face to face when asked that my new product code was NOT BETA.
To hide the fact that it is something else is fraud anyway you look at it. At
this point...I'm thinking there are a lot of great MACs out there...Maybe
after this it's time I try one out.

Dean-Dean. Thank you so very much for your comments. They were the most
helpful I have received in several days of frustrating search....including
and especially from MS! I am told that if I want to recieve the updates
(which I consider a major part of the O/S and my security) I CANNOT just
upgrade to another (6000 Build) version. I am told that I will have to
reinstall the OS, then reinstall apps, drivers, and files (of which I am
heavily loaded)...MAN, I don't want to go through this.

I CAN PROMISE that had I known about this issue... I would have treated it
just like all the other software I get handed to me...TOSS IT! For some
reason...I just trusted MS to be straight with me. How desperate they appear
to have to LIE to get folks to attend a Launch!!! Good luck at your Launch!
Watch out for the "new software"!

Thank you again!