AWS

Even though the EULA accompanying the beta build of Windows 7 prohibits the publication of benchmark results (good luck enforcing that one, Redmond), everybody and their dog will still compare the Windows 7 beta to Vista and Windows XP. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is one of those benchmarking the beta, and according to his results, the Windows 7 beta beats both Vista and XP in just about every scenario. Instead of running Crysis or benchmark suites, Kingsley-Hughes decided to go a different route and perform 23 common tasks on each of the three Windows versions (all 32bit), and then simply mark the winner, the runner-up, and number three. He performed the same 23 tests on these Windows versions on two different machines: an AMD Phenom 9700 2.4GHz system fitted with an ATI Radeon 3850 and 4GB of RAM, and an Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 2.2GHz fitted with an NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS and 1GB of RAM. While I personally don't have a system nearly as fast as either of those, they are hardly top-of-the-line configurations. The results are telling. On the AMD machine, the Windows 7 beta beat both XP and Vista SP1 on 21 out of the 23 tests. The results were the same for the Intel box: 21 out of 23 tests went to Windows 7. While Windows 7 tripped on the installation of Office 2007 and DVD burning on the AMD box, it tripped over two file moving operations on the Intel machine There are, as always, issues with these tests and the data they produced. First of all, there are no absolute figures for any of the 23 tests we don't know if Windows 7 beat its predecessors by a huge margin, or only by a barely statistically significant one. In addition, I found the tests to be a little vague, as the author doesn't supply the files he used for his tests - in other words, we can't reproduce his exact steps. Despite these obvious deficiencies, these results confirm the general feeling you're getting from those who have already tested Windows 7: it seems like Microsoft is delivering on its promise to make Windows 7 no more resource demanding than Windows Vista - in fact, it seems to have overshot its goal by making Windows 7 perform better than its illustrious predecessor, which is nothing short of a miracle in Windows land Remember, though, that your mileage may vary. Source OSNews

This discussion on Technet should help. Migrate AD users from 2003 to 2008 : Migration : Windows Server : Microsoft TechNet Forums Also this to do an inplace ugrade: AD Migration from 2003 to 2008 - Windows Live

You'll could extract the iso to another hard drive and install from there. Do you have another hard drive to put in the box? If the computer can boot from USB you could exract the iso to a USB stick and boot the install from it.

How does one review a supposedly new version of a product that they have, in reality, already been using for months? It's not easy, believe it or not: The Beta version of Windows 7 (build 7000) that Microsoft will later deliver to tech beta testers and then, in January, to the public, is nothing more than a very finely tweaked version of the various post-M3 (Milestone 3, or build 6801--see my lengthy overview of that build) builds I've been using since October. In fact, there is almost no difference at all between this version of Windows 7 and M3, assuming you've enabled all the hidden M3 features using Rafael Rivera's "Blue Badge" tool. Now, that's not a complaint per se, though it does make my job as a reviewer a lot less interesting. Windows 7 simply isn't changing over time. And that says a lot about the state of Windows 7 development at this point in time. That is, Windows 7 is much further along now than was any other Windows version when it reached its first beta release. In fact, this build is much closer to a release candidate (RC) build than a beta from a quality standpoint. It is feature complete, it is reasonably stable, and it is highly compatible with the software and hardware I use on a regular basis. Yes, there are some weirdisms. And I'm curious to see whether the Beta "degrades" over time as did the last M3-era build I used day-to-day. (I've been running Windows 7 full-time since the M3 shipped.) But over the past few days, I've put the Windows 7 Beta through its paces. And I must say, wow: Windows 7 isn't your father's Longhorn. Read the rest at Paul Thurrott's Site

Windows 7 Build 7000 has leaked to the web. Screenshots are everywhere. Do a search and you'll find them. Rumor has it that this build will be the build testers will get. Full blown beta should start shortly.

Signs are pointing to sometime in January and possibly the CES show in Las Vegas as a likely first public look at Windows 7 Attendees at next month's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) could get the first public look at Windows 7, the next version of Microsoft's client OS. A member of Microsoft's public relations team in the U.K. said in an e-mail that at the show, "Microsoft will be making some significant announcements including Windows 7." She did not specify exactly what the news around the OS would be. But several blogs, including All About Microsoft, have reported that beta testers are expecting a Windows 7 beta any day. Furthermore, Microsoft wrote on a Web site for its Microsoft Developer Network Conferences (MDCs) that attendees of those conferences, some of which are scheduled for mid-January, can expect a Windows 7 beta DVD Some of the MDCs were this month and the site gave Microsoft an out if the beta wasn't released in December, saying that "the DVD will be shipped to attendees when it becomes available." A Windows 7 beta was not released at those conferences, and the next MDCs are scheduled for Jan. 13 in Chicago and Minneapolis Source: InfoWorld

Disable onboard sound and the problem will go away. You could also try updating drivers to Vista drivers.

Scott Wylie, Microsoft's New Zealand Director of Development and Platform Strategy, wrote today on his blog about his experience installing a pre-beta build of Windows 7 on his home laptop. It is interesting to note that the pre-beta build of Windows 7 installed on his home laptop seems to be build 7004, which if the term "pre-beta" is accurate would indicate that Windows 7 beta one will be some build number higher than 7004. On the blogosphere the general consensus has been that beta one would be build 7000.0.081212-1400 which the following screen shot from Scott's laptop could indicate is inaccurate. Source: Intel Software Blog

Found some screenshots of Windows 7 Build 7000. Here is the link: http://winfuture.de/screenshots/Windows-7-Build-6.1.7000-Beta-1-(Englisch)-3699-1.html

Updated download link. CoreConfiguratoris now on CodePlex. Windows 2008 Server Core Configurator - Release: Core Configurator 1.1

Do you have Wireless LAN Service installed? Until you install that service you'll get no wireless connections. Use server manager and add new feature wizard to install the service.

The only thing I can think of is UAC causing the problem. Although you have it disabled I'm thinking maybe it really isn't. There was a bug in betas that kept UAC on even when turned off. Have you tried running the management consle with elevated privs?

Microsoft has long been worried about Linux competition in the server market. When it came to ordinary PCs and laptops, however, it knew it had little to fear. But that was then. Now Microsoft may fear Linux on the desktop as much as it does the Mac. It's finally taking Linux seriously as a desktop operating system, and it has designed Windows 7 to kill it. Let me explain. The threat to Windows comes entirely from "netbooks" -- lightweight, inexpensive laptops that typically use Intel's low-powered Atom processor and don't come with substantial amounts of RAM or powerful graphics processors. They're designed mainly for browsing the Web,handling e-mail, writing memos, and taking care of simple word-processing or spreadsheet chores. Source: ComputerWorld

Have you tried installing a codec pack?

With the increase in popularity of laptops, it is very common for users to frequently reconnect to a previously visited network. In order to improve user experience in roaming scenarios, where the user connects back to a previously visited network where the user had a valid DHCP lease, DHCP network hint has been implemented in Windows 7 OS. DHCP network hint helps in identifying the correct DHCP configuration for a previously visited network and then using the configuration opportunistically. Network hint used in order to uniquely identify different network is SSID (Service Set Identifier) of a network Scope: Scope of the feature is limited to all the networks that have associated SSID. So presently it is restricted to all Wireless (WLAN) networks. Also, the feature is supported currently only for IPv4. Limitations At present only Wireless (WLAN) networks are capable of providing the appropriate network hint. In lieu, the feature is applicable for Wireless (WLAN) networks only. The performance optimization will be seen only when a laptop machine revisits a network where he had a valid lease. Advantages This feature enables improvement in laptop machine’s network connectivity experience in connecting to different Wireless (WLAN) networks in mobile/roaming scenarios by substantially reducing the time taken to acquire an IP address on revisit to a network. Example Scenario A user roaming with his laptop from office to home and back to office is a very common situation. This feature will be of good significance in such scenario. 1)A user is in Wireless (WLAN) A network (office network). 2)He moves to Wireless (WLAN) B network (home network). 3)Now when he comes back to Wireless (WLAN) A network, he will see significant improvement in the time taken to get the connectivity as compared to time taken to get the network connectivity when moved in a network for the first time.

Hardware vendors are getting an early jump on Microsoft's next OS to avoid Vista-style compatibility headaches. In an effort to avoid compatibility problems that plagued the launch of Windows Vista, Intel is giving developers a jump on its Windows 7-based product line. The company has released a pre-production version of Windows 7 drivers for graphics chipsets. The WDDM1.1 graphics driver is designed for "enabling the full Windows 7 experience," Intel said, noting that the driver is the result of ongoing collaboration with Microsoft. Drivers allow hardware components to communicate with a computer operating system. Windows 7, the successor to Windows Vista, is expected by industry observers to be released in late 2009 or early 2010. When Vista launched in January of last year, many hardware makers -- including Intel -- didn't have fully compatible drivers ready. The problems marked the beginning of a slew of bad press for Vista that ultimately led many businesses and consumers to reject the OS To avoid a repeat of those problems, Microsoft earlier this year ordered computer and other hardware makers to begin testing their devices on Windows 7 as soon as the first beta version becomes available Source: InformationWeek

If you have problems installing or getting software to run on Windows 7 use this forum to let us know and we'll help troubleshoot the problem for you.

Lets use this thread to keep an ongoing list of software that works on Windows 7. Software I have installed: Digsby IM Windows Live Apps Visual Studio 2008 Netmeter RoboForm Nod32 No problems with none of them.

If you are running a build of Windows 7 and find a bug post it here. If you do a beta tester might find your thread and be able to duplicate the problem. If they do they can submit the bug so the coding team can fix it.

Here is the official Windows 7 site at microsoft.com. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/

PDC attendees got the Windows 7 pre-beta build, and MDC attendees will be getting Windows 7 Beta 1, but what about other Microsoft enthusiasts? Well, Redmond is planning a public beta in early 2009, but beta testers will likely get their hands on a Beta 1 before the public beta (rumor has it that January 5 is the day). This week, Microsoft has started sending out invitations to potential testers who would like to join the "Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 beta program" (I've included an excerpt of the e-mail sent out to testers at the bottom). After explaining that only those willing to file bug reports and participate should accept the invitation, the e-mail notes that the microsoft.beta.win7.lobby was opened up early in order for testers to "begin renewing acquaintances with previous participants as well as meeting new testing peers." Redmond also asks testers to complete three surveys and notes that every tester who completes them prior to January 1, 2009 will be put into a drawing for "some Windows 7 logo'ed toys" (five winners). I encourage you to read over the information below as it clearly answers questions many have been asking me and other Microsoft bloggers. Read the rest at One Microsoft Way

I haven't use Nero so I'm not sure why it won't burn the ISO. You shouldn't have to make the dvd bootable. It will be bootable once it is burned.

There’s talk that Microsoft has signed off internally on the Beta 1 Windows 7 bits. Word is the build number of what goes out to testers will be 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400. What do all those digits mean? And when will testers actually get their hands on the code? Windows power users and long-time beta testers probably need no explanation, but the rest of us undoubtedly could stand some schooling. Here’s how it works: 6 = Major NT OS version number (Windows 7, as the Softies have said, is built on the Windows Vista kernel, which they call NT Version 6) 1 = Minor version number 7000 = Major build number 0 = Minor build number (if needed otherwise omitted on most builds) 081212-1400 = Build date stamp (08 = year, 12 = month, 12 = day, 1400= 2 p.m. using a 24-hour- format time stamp) Once a release of Windows is released to manufacturing, the major build number is only changed when service packs are introduced. Example: VistaSP2/2008SP2 is build 6002. (The RTM build of Vista was No. 6000.16386.061101.2205, for those keeping track at home.) Source: All About Microsoft

Yep. If you were invited to the Vista test and submitted bug reports you got a free copy of Business or Ultimate. I imagine it'll be the same for the Windows 7 beta.

I have read on a few blogs and other forums I frequent that the first beta invites went out this week with the first beta to be released, rumored to be build 7001, by Christmas. If you get an invite let us know.