When does vista stop working ??

[Will Schuitman]

I realise this is evaluation software that contains a timebomb and that one
day it will stop working
However when I signed up for the CPP for vista beta build 5384 the
documentation said it will stop working on the 30th of june 2007
But I've also read somewhere that RC1 will stop working in may 2007
which is it june or may?
and if it is may why has it been cut short by a month ?

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi Will,

Evaluation versions "technically" become invalid on the release date of the
final code. By May of 2007, Vista will have gone RTM and all pre-release
versions become obsolete and should no longer be used. The date chosen is
arbitrary, but designed to be beyond the RTM date and allows for time to
decide whether to purchase and install the final code (which may or may not
support an upgrade from the interim builds).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Will Schuitman]

Thanks for that answer
I just wanted to know if there was an overlap.
I intend to buy the final release.
I have Xp pro running on my older pc
and I'm running RC1 as my primary OS on my newer pc
I'm been using RC1 for everything but to be on the safe side I've been
backing up all my work to the XP pc
So I'd preferr that my RC1 will still be active when the RTM comes out so
that I can just keep using Vista
I realise that I will probably have to do a clean install once I buy the RTM
but thats fine I have had a very good experience with vista so far in both
beta2 and RC1, I haven't had a BSOD yet
and no major software problems

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

There is no overlap. Beta 2 and RC1 will timebomb at the same time. Type
"winver" into the Start Search box.

 

[Will Schuitman]

I didn't mean that I meant that I hope it doesn't timebomb before the retail
version is available

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

No, it won't. RTM will be out well before it expires.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

Will we get a reduced price for a new liscence. Or will we have to reinstall
xp then buy the upgrade. Thanks

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Microsoft has made no announcement about what accommodations (if any) will
be offered to beta testers. They have steadfastly stated that there may be
none whatsoever. I would not count on any kind of discount or free copy
being offered.

Microsoft has also said that any beta or RC version might not be able to be
updated with the RTM version. So I would not count on that working either.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
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[Gary Mount]

You will not have to reinstall, just having the Windows XP disk will be
sufficient for a new install of Vista.