Vista RC1 to RC2 Upgrade

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robert Robinson
  • Start date Start date
R

Robert Robinson

RC1 was tested some time ago, but not activated because there was no
need to use the operating system on a regular basis.
For some unknown reason, Microsoft has set the install process so that
an upgrade cannot be initiated from an OS DVD. The process must first be
started in Vista. This is not possible in this instance because the
activation time ran out. On-line activation cannot be done because Vista
doesn't include the required LAN driver. We have the driver, but cannot
install it at this point without being able to first run Vista.
Yes, I know that you can activate with an overseas telephone call, but
experience has proved that this is a real hassle.
The other alternative is to do a clean install which is what one should
do anyway. The problem with this is that we use a dual boot
configuration, the new install options look a little chancy and we
decided not to risk damaging one of the other installed operating systems.
 
I've clean-installed several times on the second partition of a dual-boot
system (XP Home) and it has never affected the first partition. Just be
careful to select the correct partition when installing. I boot from the
Vista DVD to install.
 
Hi Tim,

Thank you very much for the reply.

I took a chance on a clean install.

Vista RC2 installed with no problems and the dual boot still works properly.

Vista itself it running flawlessly.

RC2 seems to be significantly faster compared with previous versions of the
OS. Also, many of the user interface deficiencies have been resolved in the
recent builds.

We do disable all the security features and use "real administrator" for
administrator. In our environment, the Vista "security features" don't
provide any increased real security and do cause a considerable amount of
user harassment.

Vista RC2 seems to be fairly efficient, but the test platform is a Dell
PowerEdge 1800 which has dual Xeon CPUs and 4GB RAM.

I am tempted to try Vista on a Fujitsu P1510D tablet PC, but expect that
this computer lacks the required CPU speed and RAM. Has anyone else tried
Vista on the P1510D ?

Finally, the only remaining Vista problem for us is the lack of some
drivers. As shipped, RC2 doesn't support the SIIG 4 Channel SATA controller
nor the Audiophile 24/96 audio converter. Vista does correctly install a
Samson C01U USB microphone.

One minor Vista problem is that Microsoft seems to have removed Spell
Checking from Mail/Newsgroups. There is now a message that "This Language is
no longer available for spell checking". (As an alternative, we are using
Spell Check Anywhere).

Robbie
 
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