10 ful vista beta tips

Being a newbie of admittedly severely limited mental capacity, but always wanting the latest things, I love any beta release of anything. Here are some tips that will help some people with their struggles to enjoy Vista Beta 2.
1. It is a Beta. If it worked perfectly, had all the drivers you need, and so on and so forth, it wouldn’t be a Beta. The whole purpose of a Beta is so that a group of people can TEST the software and find the problems. So when you find a problem, that’s the whole point!
2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question. Andre and Zack are extremely busy, answering redundant, redundant questions and commenting on our inability to read. If they only have to deal with the same issue 300 times instead of 400 times, they will have more time to deal with your issue, the one that is more important than any other.
3. If your hardware, the “Unobtanium Does Everything” thing won’t work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn’t done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium’s support sites. Microsoft didn’t build the thing, and if they had the drivers, they would have included them in the Beta to start with. Either that, or Microsoft is out to get you, personally, and is doing this to you on purpose.
4. Will “Whizbang’s” software be compatible? Will it rain next Friday at 2:46pm? Who knows? Try it, and if it works, great, if it doesn’t, complain to Whizbang. I never expected my Atari 2600 to run Coleco games, after all…
5. For this Beta, Windows Vista, do yourself a favour and do a clean install. Empty partitions are great for this. Don’t have one? See item 2. Don’t know what a partition is? See item 2. Don’t know how to make a new partition? See item 2. Need software to make a partition? See item 2. Too inept or scared to try to make a new partition? Well, the world needs grocery baggers too, I suppose. You’ll be so much farther ahead without old drivers and .dll’s cluttering up the install you will make your goofy brother-in-law very jealous. The one with his dishwasher networked in to his toaster-oven with Wi-Fi.
6. Back-up everything. Twice. Then back that up. Then install. Don’t upgrade.
7. Don’t like Vista? “C:\ FORMAT”. It’s the only way. You did back up all you stuff, right?
8. Buy the DVD instead of downloading. It’s less than $20.00. You have enough in change between the couch and your car ashtray. First of all, you then have somebody to blame besides yourself if it doesn’t work. Second of all, there’s a rumour that it has “bloopers” at the end for your enjoyment.
9. Just a thought, but if you lack the technical expertise to burn an .iso to a DVD successfully, what makes you think you can load SATA drivers during a botched install from a floppy you don’t have? And now you’ve overwritten some of your existing operating system because you tried to upgrade instead of doing a clean install. You did back up all your stuff, right?
10. If you find a bug, meaning something that doesn’t work, see item 1. Then see item 2. Then report it to Microsoft. How? See item 2. Why? So that Microsoft can address the issue, and so that you feel empowered, instead of like a thirty-something social miss-fit who still lives with his mother.
Hope this helps!

Awesome tips.
"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote:

Being a newbie of admittedly severely limited mental capacity, but always wanting the latest things, I love any beta release of anything. Here are some tips that will help some people with their struggles to enjoy Vista Beta 2.
1. It is a Beta. If it worked perfectly, had all the drivers you need, and so on and so forth, it wouldn’t be a Beta. The whole purpose of a Beta is so that a group of people can TEST the software and find the problems. So when you find a problem, that’s the whole point!
2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question. Andre and Zack are extremely busy, answering redundant, redundant questions and commenting on our inability to read. If they only have to deal with the same issue 300 times instead of 400 times, they will have more time to deal with your issue, the one that is more important than any other.
3. If your hardware, the “Unobtanium Does Everything” thing won’t work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn’t done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium’s support sites. Microsoft didn’t build the thing, and if they had the drivers, they would have included them in the Beta to start with. Either that, or Microsoft is out to get you, personally, and is doing this to you on purpose.
4. Will “Whizbang’s” software be compatible? Will it rain next Friday at 2:46pm? Who knows? Try it, and if it works, great, if it doesn’t, complain to Whizbang. I never expected my Atari 2600 to run Coleco games, after all…
5. For this Beta, Windows Vista, do yourself a favour and do a clean install. Empty partitions are great for this. Don’t have one? See item 2. Don’t know what a partition is? See item 2. Don’t know how to make a new partition? See item 2. Need software to make a partition? See item 2. Too inept or scared to try to make a new partition? Well, the world needs grocery baggers too, I suppose. You’ll be so much farther ahead without old drivers and .dll’s cluttering up the install you will make your goofy brother-in-law very jealous. The one with his dishwasher networked in to his toaster-oven with Wi-Fi.
6. Back-up everything. Twice. Then back that up. Then install. Don’t upgrade.
7. Don’t like Vista? “C:\ FORMAT”. It’s the only way. You did back up all you stuff, right?
8. Buy the DVD instead of downloading. It’s less than $20.00. You have enough in change between the couch and your car ashtray. First of all, you then have somebody to blame besides yourself if it doesn’t work. Second of all, there’s a rumour that it has “bloopers” at the end for your enjoyment.
9. Just a thought, but if you lack the technical expertise to burn an .iso to a DVD successfully, what makes you think you can load SATA drivers during a botched install from a floppy you don’t have? And now you’ve overwritten some of your existing operating system because you tried to upgrade instead of doing a clean install. You did back up all your stuff, right?
10. If you find a bug, meaning something that doesn’t work, see item 1. Then see item 2. Then report it to Microsoft. How? See item 2. Why? So that Microsoft can address the issue, and so that you feel empowered, instead of like a thirty-something social miss-fit who still lives with his mother.
Hope this helps!

Duh !
What did Mark say?
I know, wait until a Viste PC turns up in the second hand shop, then buy it.
Right on Mark, Good one !
"troma" wrote:

Awesome tips.
"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote:
Being a newbie of admittedly severely limited mental capacity, but always wanting the latest things, I love any beta release of anything. Here are some tips that will help some people with their struggles to enjoy Vista Beta 2.
1. It is a Beta. If it worked perfectly, had all the drivers you need, and so on and so forth, it wouldn’t be a Beta. The whole purpose of a Beta is so that a group of people can TEST the software and find the problems. So when you find a problem, that’s the whole point!
2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question. Andre and Zack are extremely busy, answering redundant, redundant questions and commenting on our inability to read. If they only have to deal with the same issue 300 times instead of 400 times, they will have more time to deal with your issue, the one that is more important than any other.
3. If your hardware, the “Unobtanium Does Everything” thing won’t work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn’t done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium’s support sites. Microsoft didn’t build the thing, and if they had the drivers, they would have included them in the Beta to start with. Either that, or Microsoft is out to get you, personally, and is doing this to you on purpose.
4. Will “Whizbang’s” software be compatible? Will it rain next Friday at 2:46pm? Who knows? Try it, and if it works, great, if it doesn’t, complain to Whizbang. I never expected my Atari 2600 to run Coleco games, after all…
5. For this Beta, Windows Vista, do yourself a favour and do a clean install. Empty partitions are great for this. Don’t have one? See item 2. Don’t know what a partition is? See item 2. Don’t know how to make a new partition? See item 2. Need software to make a partition? See item 2. Too inept or scared to try to make a new partition? Well, the world needs grocery baggers too, I suppose. You’ll be so much farther ahead without old drivers and .dll’s cluttering up the install you will make your goofy brother-in-law very jealous. The one with his dishwasher networked in to his toaster-oven with Wi-Fi.
6. Back-up everything. Twice. Then back that up. Then install. Don’t upgrade.
7. Don’t like Vista? “C:\ FORMAT”. It’s the only way. You did back up all you stuff, right?
8. Buy the DVD instead of downloading. It’s less than $20.00. You have enough in change between the couch and your car ashtray. First of all, you then have somebody to blame besides yourself if it doesn’t work. Second of all, there’s a rumour that it has “bloopers” at the end for your enjoyment.
9. Just a thought, but if you lack the technical expertise to burn an .iso to a DVD successfully, what makes you think you can load SATA drivers during a botched install from a floppy you don’t have? And now you’ve overwritten some of your existing operating system because you tried to upgrade instead of doing a clean install. You did back up all your stuff, right?
10. If you find a bug, meaning something that doesn’t work, see item 1. Then see item 2. Then report it to Microsoft. How? See item 2. Why? So that Microsoft can address the issue, and so that you feel empowered, instead of like a thirty-something social miss-fit who still lives with his mother.
Hope this helps!

Well done Mark needed saying, keep posting it every other day and maybe the people who really should not be messing with Betas may read it before upgrading it their XP machines.
8-)
Jonah
On Sun, 11 Jun 2006 05:59:01 -0700, Mark D. VandenBerg wrote:

Being a newbie of admittedly severely limited mental capacity, but always wanting the latest things, I love any beta release of anything. Here are some tips that will help some people with their struggles to enjoy Vista Beta 2.
1. It is a Beta. If it worked perfectly, had all the drivers you need, and so on and so forth, it wouldn�t be a Beta. The whole purpose of a Beta is so that a group of people can TEST the software and find the problems. So when you find a problem, that�s the whole point!
2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question. Andre and Zack are extremely busy, answering redundant, redundant questions and commenting on our inability to read. If they only have to deal with the same issue 300 times instead of 400 times, they will have more time to deal with your issue, the one that is more important than any other.
3. If your hardware, the �Unobtanium Does Everything� thing won�t work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn�t done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium�s support sites. Microsoft didn�t build the thing, and if they had the drivers, they would have included them in the Beta to start with. Either that, or Microsoft is out to get you, personally, and is doing this to you on purpose.
4. Will �Whizbang�s� software be compatible? Will it rain next Friday at 2:46pm? Who knows? Try it, and if it works, great, if it doesn�t, complain to Whizbang. I never expected my Atari 2600 to run Coleco games, after all�
5. For this Beta, Windows Vista, do yourself a favour and do a clean install. Empty partitions are great for this. Don�t have one? See item 2. Don�t know what a partition is? See item 2. Don�t know how to make a new partition? See item 2. Need software to make a partition? See item 2. Too inept or scared to try to make a new partition? Well, the world needs grocery baggers too, I suppose. You�ll be so much farther ahead without old drivers and .dll�s cluttering up the install you will make your goofy brother-in-law very jealous. The one with his dishwasher networked in to his toaster-oven with Wi-Fi.
6. Back-up everything. Twice. Then back that up. Then install. Don�t upgrade.
7. Don�t like Vista? �C:\ FORMAT�. It�s the only way. You did back up all you stuff, right?
8. Buy the DVD instead of downloading. It�s less than $20.00. You have enough in change between the couch and your car ashtray. First of all, you then have somebody to blame besides yourself if it doesn�t work. Second of all, there�s a rumour that it has �bloopers� at the end for your enjoyment.
9. Just a thought, but if you lack the technical expertise to burn an .iso to a DVD successfully, what makes you think you can load SATA drivers during a botched install from a floppy you don�t have? And now you�ve overwritten some of your existing operating system because you tried to upgrade instead of doing a clean install. You did back up all your stuff, right?
10. If you find a bug, meaning something that doesn�t work, see item 1. Then see item 2. Then report it to Microsoft. How? See item 2. Why? So that Microsoft can address the issue, and so that you feel empowered, instead of like a thirty-something social miss-fit who still lives with his mother.
Hope this helps!

BRAVO "jonah" wrote in message

Well done Mark needed saying, keep posting it every other day and maybe the people who really should not be messing with Betas may read it before upgrading it their XP machines.
8-)
Jonah
On Sun, 11 Jun 2006 05:59:01 -0700, Mark D. VandenBerg MarkDVandenBerg@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
Being a newbie of admittedly severely limited mental capacity, but always wanting the latest things, I love any beta release of anything. Here are some tips that will help some people with their struggles to enjoy Vista Beta 2.
1. It is a Beta. If it worked perfectly, had all the drivers you need, and so on and so forth, it wouldn't be a Beta. The whole purpose of a Beta is so that a group of people can TEST the software and find the problems. So when you find a problem, that's the whole point!
2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question. Andre and Zack are extremely busy, answering redundant, redundant questions and commenting on our inability to read. If they only have to deal with the same issue 300 times instead of 400 times, they will have more time to deal with your issue, the one that is more important than any other.
3. If your hardware, the "Unobtanium Does Everything" thing won't work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn't done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium's support sites. Microsoft didn't build the thing, and if they had the drivers, they would have included them in the Beta to start with. Either that, or Microsoft is out to get you, personally, and is doing this to you on purpose.
4. Will "Whizbang's" software be compatible? Will it rain next Friday at 2:46pm? Who knows? Try it, and if it works, great, if it doesn't, complain to Whizbang. I never expected my Atari 2600 to run Coleco games, after all.
5. For this Beta, Windows Vista, do yourself a favour and do a clean install. Empty partitions are great for this. Don't have one? See item 2. Don't know what a partition is? See item 2. Don't know how to make a new partition? See item 2. Need software to make a partition? See item 2. Too inept or scared to try to make a new partition? Well, the world needs grocery baggers too, I suppose. You'll be so much farther ahead without old drivers and .dll's cluttering up the install you will make your goofy brother-in-law very jealous. The one with his dishwasher networked in to his toaster-oven with Wi-Fi.
6. Back-up everything. Twice. Then back that up. Then install. Don't upgrade.
7. Don't like Vista? "C:\ FORMAT". It's the only way. You did back up all you stuff, right?
8. Buy the DVD instead of downloading. It's less than $20.00. You have enough in change between the couch and your car ashtray. First of all, you then have somebody to blame besides yourself if it doesn't work. Second of all, there's a rumour that it has "bloopers" at the end for your enjoyment.
9. Just a thought, but if you lack the technical expertise to burn an .iso to a DVD successfully, what makes you think you can load SATA drivers during a botched install from a floppy you don't have? And now you've overwritten some of your existing operating system because you tried to upgrade instead of doing a clean install. You did back up all your stuff, right?
10. If you find a bug, meaning something that doesn't work, see item 1. Then see item 2. Then report it to Microsoft. How? See item 2. Why? So that Microsoft can address the issue, and so that you feel empowered, instead of like a thirty-something social miss-fit who still lives with his mother.
Hope this helps!

I need to blog this. Awesome Mark. :) -- -- Andre Windows Connected | http://www.windowsconnected.com Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote in message

Being a newbie of admittedly severely limited mental capacity, but always wanting the latest things, I love any beta release of anything. Here are some tips that will help some people with their struggles to enjoy Vista Beta 2.
1. It is a Beta. If it worked perfectly, had all the drivers you need, and so on and so forth, it wouldn't be a Beta. The whole purpose of a Beta is so that a group of people can TEST the software and find the problems. So when you find a problem, that's the whole point!
2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question. Andre and Zack are extremely busy, answering redundant, redundant questions and commenting on our inability to read. If they only have to deal with the same issue 300 times instead of 400 times, they will have more time to deal with your issue, the one that is more important than any other.
3. If your hardware, the "Unobtanium Does Everything" thing won't work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn't done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium's support sites. Microsoft didn't build the thing, and if they had the drivers, they would have included them in the Beta to start with. Either that, or Microsoft is out to get you, personally, and is doing this to you on purpose.
4. Will "Whizbang's" software be compatible? Will it rain next Friday at 2:46pm? Who knows? Try it, and if it works, great, if it doesn't, complain to Whizbang. I never expected my Atari 2600 to run Coleco games, after all.
5. For this Beta, Windows Vista, do yourself a favour and do a clean install. Empty partitions are great for this. Don't have one? See item 2. Don't know what a partition is? See item 2. Don't know how to make a new partition? See item 2. Need software to make a partition? See item 2. Too inept or scared to try to make a new partition? Well, the world needs grocery baggers too, I suppose. You'll be so much farther ahead without old drivers and .dll's cluttering up the install you will make your goofy brother-in-law very jealous. The one with his dishwasher networked in to his toaster-oven with Wi-Fi.
6. Back-up everything. Twice. Then back that up. Then install. Don't upgrade.
7. Don't like Vista? "C:\ FORMAT". It's the only way. You did back up all you stuff, right?
8. Buy the DVD instead of downloading. It's less than $20.00. You have enough in change between the couch and your car ashtray. First of all, you then have somebody to blame besides yourself if it doesn't work. Second of all, there's a rumour that it has "bloopers" at the end for your enjoyment.
9. Just a thought, but if you lack the technical expertise to burn an .iso to a DVD successfully, what makes you think you can load SATA drivers during a botched install from a floppy you don't have? And now you've overwritten some of your existing operating system because you tried to upgrade instead of doing a clean install. You did back up all your stuff, right?
10. If you find a bug, meaning something that doesn't work, see item 1. Then see item 2. Then report it to Microsoft. How? See item 2. Why? So that Microsoft can address the issue, and so that you feel empowered, instead of like a thirty-something social miss-fit who still lives with his mother.
Hope this helps!

Andre;
Feel free to blog it, digg it, edit it, and most importantly, direct people to it as a reference.
Mark
"Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" wrote:

I need to blog this. Awesome Mark. :) -- -- Andre Windows Connected | http://www.windowsconnected.com Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta

Entertaining but useful too...if anyone takes any notice.
"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote:

Andre;
Feel free to blog it, digg it, edit it, and most importantly, direct people to it as a reference.
Mark
"Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" wrote:
I need to blog this. Awesome Mark. :) -- -- Andre Windows Connected | http://www.windowsconnected.com Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta

You should name it "Common Sense Rules for running Anything in BETA stage!"...
:) As a beta tester for a lot of software, most of these are just common sense by now. A lot of people that are new to beta testing, and all the hype of Vista, is making them do stupid things. They are bashing the software and the little bugs they find (uh, it's beta! Report it!); they are upgrading XP like it's a final version (without backing up, no less); they can't burn an ISO (uh... if you can't use Google or Usenet to find out the answer: probably shouldn't try a beta!).
Great bit of tips! :)
--------------------------------------------------------------- Dustin Harper http://www.overclockersrip.net
"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote in message

Andre;
Feel free to blog it, digg it, edit it, and most importantly, direct people to it as a reference.
Mark
"Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" wrote:
I need to blog this. Awesome Mark. :) -- -- Andre Windows Connected | http://www.windowsconnected.com Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta

"ChrisW (MCP)" wrote in message

Entertaining but useful too...if anyone takes any notice.

The OP has some very good advice for people who are not doing ...

2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question.

and ...

3. If your hardware, the "Unobtanium Does Everything" thing won't work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn't done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium's support sites

but for those who are not doing two and three there is very little chance that they will see this.
Todd

Great tips :P
But how do you think ppl that cannot burn a .iso image and don't make backups before they install know how to scrool up and read number 2. again? :P
and yes i did actually upgrade... had some trubles with the iso file from start... but maybe i should make a clean install (when i have controled my Wlan drivers work...)
"Dustin Harper" wrote:

You should name it "Common Sense Rules for running Anything in BETA stage!"...
:) As a beta tester for a lot of software, most of these are just common sense by now. A lot of people that are new to beta testing, and all the hype of Vista, is making them do stupid things. They are bashing the software and the little bugs they find (uh, it's beta! Report it!); they are upgrading XP like it's a final version (without backing up, no less); they can't burn an ISO (uh... if you can't use Google or Usenet to find out the answer: probably shouldn't try a beta!).
Great bit of tips! :)
--------------------------------------------------------------- Dustin Harper http://www.overclockersrip.net
"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote in message Andre;
Feel free to blog it, digg it, edit it, and most importantly, direct people to it as a reference.
Mark
"Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" wrote:
I need to blog this. Awesome Mark. :) -- -- Andre Windows Connected | http://www.windowsconnected.com Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta

The title alone will ensure that it will be compeltely ignored by everyone who it would really help.
Maybe if the title was "Enlarge your penis now and get $10 million from Nigeria", it would guarantee they would at least open it.

ROFL..awsome post
"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote in message

Being a newbie of admittedly severely limited mental capacity, but always wanting the latest things, I love any beta release of anything. Here are some tips that will help some people with their struggles to enjoy Vista Beta 2.
1. It is a Beta. If it worked perfectly, had all the drivers you need, and so on and so forth, it wouldn't be a Beta. The whole purpose of a Beta is so that a group of people can TEST the software and find the problems. So when you find a problem, that's the whole point!
2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question. Andre and Zack are extremely busy, answering redundant, redundant questions and commenting on our inability to read. If they only have to deal with the same issue 300 times instead of 400 times, they will have more time to deal with your issue, the one that is more important than any other.
3. If your hardware, the "Unobtanium Does Everything" thing won't work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn't done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium's support sites. Microsoft didn't build the thing, and if they had the drivers, they would have included them in the Beta to start with. Either that, or Microsoft is out to get you, personally, and is doing this to you on purpose.
4. Will "Whizbang's" software be compatible? Will it rain next Friday at 2:46pm? Who knows? Try it, and if it works, great, if it doesn't, complain to Whizbang. I never expected my Atari 2600 to run Coleco games, after all.
5. For this Beta, Windows Vista, do yourself a favour and do a clean install. Empty partitions are great for this. Don't have one? See item 2. Don't know what a partition is? See item 2. Don't know how to make a new partition? See item 2. Need software to make a partition? See item 2. Too inept or scared to try to make a new partition? Well, the world needs grocery baggers too, I suppose. You'll be so much farther ahead without old drivers and .dll's cluttering up the install you will make your goofy brother-in-law very jealous. The one with his dishwasher networked in to his toaster-oven with Wi-Fi.
6. Back-up everything. Twice. Then back that up. Then install. Don't upgrade.
7. Don't like Vista? "C:\ FORMAT". It's the only way. You did back up all you stuff, right?
8. Buy the DVD instead of downloading. It's less than $20.00. You have enough in change between the couch and your car ashtray. First of all, you then have somebody to blame besides yourself if it doesn't work. Second of all, there's a rumour that it has "bloopers" at the end for your enjoyment.
9. Just a thought, but if you lack the technical expertise to burn an .iso to a DVD successfully, what makes you think you can load SATA drivers during a botched install from a floppy you don't have? And now you've overwritten some of your existing operating system because you tried to upgrade instead of doing a clean install. You did back up all your stuff, right?
10. If you find a bug, meaning something that doesn't work, see item 1. Then see item 2. Then report it to Microsoft. How? See item 2. Why? So that Microsoft can address the issue, and so that you feel empowered, instead of like a thirty-something social miss-fit who still lives with his mother.
Hope this helps!

I've only just seen this one...brilliant, well done Mark ;o)
It's so good I've saved it for posterity ;)
-- Jane, not plain ;) 64bit enabled ;) Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;)
"Bones" wrote in message

ROFL..awsome post
"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote in message Being a newbie of admittedly severely limited mental capacity, but always wanting the latest things, I love any beta release of anything. Here are some tips that will help some people with their struggles to enjoy Vista Beta 2.
1. It is a Beta. If it worked perfectly, had all the drivers you need, and so on and so forth, it wouldn't be a Beta. The whole purpose of a Beta is so that a group of people can TEST the software and find the problems. So when you find a problem, that's the whole point!
2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question. Andre and Zack are extremely busy, answering redundant, redundant questions and commenting on our inability to read. If they only have to deal with the same issue 300 times instead of 400 times, they will have more time to deal with your issue, the one that is more important than any other.
3. If your hardware, the "Unobtanium Does Everything" thing won't work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn't done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium's support sites. Microsoft didn't build the thing, and if they had the drivers, they would have included them in the Beta to start with. Either that, or Microsoft is out to get you, personally, and is doing this to you on purpose.
4. Will "Whizbang's" software be compatible? Will it rain next Friday at 2:46pm? Who knows? Try it, and if it works, great, if it doesn't, complain to Whizbang. I never expected my Atari 2600 to run Coleco games, after all.
5. For this Beta, Windows Vista, do yourself a favour and do a clean install. Empty partitions are great for this. Don't have one? See item 2. Don't know what a partition is? See item 2. Don't know how to make a new partition? See item 2. Need software to make a partition? See item 2. Too inept or scared to try to make a new partition? Well, the world needs grocery baggers too, I suppose. You'll be so much farther ahead without old drivers and .dll's cluttering up the install you will make your goofy brother-in-law very jealous. The one with his dishwasher networked in to his toaster-oven with Wi-Fi.
6. Back-up everything. Twice. Then back that up. Then install. Don't upgrade.
7. Don't like Vista? "C:\ FORMAT". It's the only way. You did back up all you stuff, right?
8. Buy the DVD instead of downloading. It's less than $20.00. You have enough in change between the couch and your car ashtray. First of all, you then have somebody to blame besides yourself if it doesn't work. Second of all, there's a rumour that it has "bloopers" at the end for your enjoyment.
9. Just a thought, but if you lack the technical expertise to burn an .iso to a DVD successfully, what makes you think you can load SATA drivers during a botched install from a floppy you don't have? And now you've overwritten some of your existing operating system because you tried to upgrade instead of doing a clean install. You did back up all your stuff, right?
10. If you find a bug, meaning something that doesn't work, see item 1. Then see item 2. Then report it to Microsoft. How? See item 2. Why? So that Microsoft can address the issue, and so that you feel empowered, instead of like a thirty-something social miss-fit who still lives with his mother.
Hope this helps!

Ok that was a good post. Too funny and I needed a laugh. -- Comments, suggestions welcome… Thank you, TC

"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote:

Being a newbie of admittedly severely limited mental capacity, but always wanting the latest things, I love any beta release of anything. Here are some tips that will help some people with their struggles to enjoy Vista Beta 2.
1. It is a Beta. If it worked perfectly, had all the drivers you need, and so on and so forth, it wouldn’t be a Beta. The whole purpose of a Beta is so that a group of people can TEST the software and find the problems. So when you find a problem, that’s the whole point!
2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question. Andre and Zack are extremely busy, answering redundant, redundant questions and commenting on our inability to read. If they only have to deal with the same issue 300 times instead of 400 times, they will have more time to deal with your issue, the one that is more important than any other.
3. If your hardware, the “Unobtanium Does Everything” thing won’t work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn’t done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium’s support sites. Microsoft didn’t build the thing, and if they had the drivers, they would have included them in the Beta to start with. Either that, or Microsoft is out to get you, personally, and is doing this to you on purpose.
4. Will “Whizbang’s” software be compatible? Will it rain next Friday at 2:46pm? Who knows? Try it, and if it works, great, if it doesn’t, complain to Whizbang. I never expected my Atari 2600 to run Coleco games, after all…
5. For this Beta, Windows Vista, do yourself a favour and do a clean install. Empty partitions are great for this. Don’t have one? See item 2. Don’t know what a partition is? See item 2. Don’t know how to make a new partition? See item 2. Need software to make a partition? See item 2. Too inept or scared to try to make a new partition? Well, the world needs grocery baggers too, I suppose. You’ll be so much farther ahead without old drivers and .dll’s cluttering up the install you will make your goofy brother-in-law very jealous. The one with his dishwasher networked in to his toaster-oven with Wi-Fi.
6. Back-up everything. Twice. Then back that up. Then install. Don’t upgrade.
7. Don’t like Vista? “C:\ FORMAT”. It’s the only way. You did back up all you stuff, right?
8. Buy the DVD instead of downloading. It’s less than $20.00. You have enough in change between the couch and your car ashtray. First of all, you then have somebody to blame besides yourself if it doesn’t work. Second of all, there’s a rumour that it has “bloopers” at the end for your enjoyment.
9. Just a thought, but if you lack the technical expertise to burn an .iso to a DVD successfully, what makes you think you can load SATA drivers during a botched install from a floppy you don’t have? And now you’ve overwritten some of your existing operating system because you tried to upgrade instead of doing a clean install. You did back up all your stuff, right?
10. If you find a bug, meaning something that doesn’t work, see item 1. Then see item 2. Then report it to Microsoft. How? See item 2. Why? So that Microsoft can address the issue, and so that you feel empowered, instead of like a thirty-something social miss-fit who still lives with his mother.
Hope this helps!

You know...this was a good article and all, but it doesnt help the so called NEWBIE when they get to the criticisms that this post has created. I've been searching through these forums...reading lots about the x64 installation problems to find some tips on my own "inability" to get the downloaded and burned image to boot and I still havent found the correct tips. I thought maybe this link to 10 helpful Vista tips my be what I'm looking for...only to find a good article on what to do to help find problems on the forums. Not much actual help with Vista itself, and a lot of criticizing NEWBIE intellect, and reasons why they shouldnt be doing this sorta thing in the first place. Well...just wanted my 2 cents there.. Excuse me while I search the forum more for my Vista problem : )
"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote:

Being a newbie of admittedly severely limited mental capacity, but always wanting the latest things, I love any beta release of anything. Here are some tips that will help some people with their struggles to enjoy Vista Beta 2.
1. It is a Beta. If it worked perfectly, had all the drivers you need, and so on and so forth, it wouldn’t be a Beta. The whole purpose of a Beta is so that a group of people can TEST the software and find the problems. So when you find a problem, that’s the whole point!
2. Search the forum and the internet for an answer or at least an existing dialogue of your particular issue BEFORE posting a question. Andre and Zack are extremely busy, answering redundant, redundant questions and commenting on our inability to read. If they only have to deal with the same issue 300 times instead of 400 times, they will have more time to deal with your issue, the one that is more important than any other.
3. If your hardware, the “Unobtanium Does Everything” thing won’t work, that usually means that the Unobtanium Corporation hasn’t done their job to help you. First see item 2. Then go to Unobtanium’s support sites. Microsoft didn’t build the thing, and if they had the drivers, they would have included them in the Beta to start with. Either that, or Microsoft is out to get you, personally, and is doing this to you on purpose.
4. Will “Whizbang’s” software be compatible? Will it rain next Friday at 2:46pm? Who knows? Try it, and if it works, great, if it doesn’t, complain to Whizbang. I never expected my Atari 2600 to run Coleco games, after all…
5. For this Beta, Windows Vista, do yourself a favour and do a clean install. Empty partitions are great for this. Don’t have one? See item 2. Don’t know what a partition is? See item 2. Don’t know how to make a new partition? See item 2. Need software to make a partition? See item 2. Too inept or scared to try to make a new partition? Well, the world needs grocery baggers too, I suppose. You’ll be so much farther ahead without old drivers and .dll’s cluttering up the install you will make your goofy brother-in-law very jealous. The one with his dishwasher networked in to his toaster-oven with Wi-Fi.
6. Back-up everything. Twice. Then back that up. Then install. Don’t upgrade.
7. Don’t like Vista? “C:\ FORMAT”. It’s the only way. You did back up all you stuff, right?
8. Buy the DVD instead of downloading. It’s less than $20.00. You have enough in change between the couch and your car ashtray. First of all, you then have somebody to blame besides yourself if it doesn’t work. Second of all, there’s a rumour that it has “bloopers” at the end for your enjoyment.
9. Just a thought, but if you lack the technical expertise to burn an .iso to a DVD successfully, what makes you think you can load SATA drivers during a botched install from a floppy you don’t have? And now you’ve overwritten some of your existing operating system because you tried to upgrade instead of doing a clean install. You did back up all your stuff, right?
10. If you find a bug, meaning something that doesn’t work, see item 1. Then see item 2. Then report it to Microsoft. How? See item 2. Why? So that Microsoft can address the issue, and so that you feel empowered, instead of like a thirty-something social miss-fit who still lives with his mother.
Hope this helps!