Hi, I have been using the offical public Beta since it was released, loved it so much I formatted/cleaned partitions, to have only Windows 7(Beta build 7000) on my machine. Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+ (2 CPUs), ~3.2GHz Memory: 4094MB RAM Hard Drive: C: 74GB, D: 500GB, E: 74GB, F: 500GB Total 1.148 Terabyte Video Card: HIS ATI Radeon HD 3870 XT ICEQ3 512MB GDDR4 (PCI-E) - Retail OC'd GPU 900MHz - MEM 1200MHz Monitor: 22" Neovo H-W22 V2 Widescreen LCD, 1680x1050, DVI, 2000:1 DCR, 300 cd/m2, 3 ms Sound Card: Speakers (SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio) Speakers/Headphones: Creative Inspire T7900 7.1 Speaker System Dolby EX DTS ES Directsound Ready Keyboard: Saitek Eclipse 11 Gamer Mouse: Razer Lachesis Blue Mouse Surface: Razer Exact Mat Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7000) (7000.winmain_win7beta.081212-1400) Motherboard: Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe/WiFi-AP Computer Case: Akasa Eclipse-62 Any questions with regard to my comp, feel free to ask. 1. Now, the problems Ive encountered so far are, Networking between a home network, which has a mix of Vista Home 32bit, Xp Pro/Home 32bit and another Network used for family run business, 2 computers with Xp home. Understandably, I expected some problems with this, so this is not much of an concern. 2. New hardware found, but unrecognised device. I have searched all the installed hardware and everything but this 1 device is fine. So Im not sure what it is, hence, again, this is not much of a concern, but would be great to know whats the cause and drivers for it. 3. Software not installing, or running properly. So far some games dont install, but abou 90% of them install without any problems, and run fine. Nokia's Ovi Suite, cannot update to the latest program update, saying i need Administrative privileges even though, Im the only user for my computer and my name is set as admin. Nokia's Software/Firmware updater, doesnt seem to pickup my phone. All 3 and the very minor, not worth remembering/mentioning, issues are something that does not affect my daily usage of my comp, however, it would be awesome to have them all working. Now, I understand the RC has many bugs fixed etc, Im looking forward to downloading it and doing a fresh install, but is it really worth it? I mean, would it better for me to just leave Beta installed untill it runs out, August, then install the RC? - Can I use my existing Beta key for the RC(Official Public release, 7100, I dont trust the whole Torrents stuff) release? Thanks for reading.

Hi Boxa,You really need to install the RC to ensure that the bugs you have been experiencing have actually been resolved. There certainly have been some changes from build 7000 to 7100. I haven't been able to check all my bugs yet, but since itnstalling the RC on April 30 (been running for 3 days so far) I haven't yet had a single issue, not even down to Windows Media center. So when the public release becomes available download it and give it a try.John Barnett MVP: Windows XP Associate Expert: Windows Desktop Experience: Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk; Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org; Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org;

Hi boxa. Forgive me for guessing here (about hardware vs. software, but I'm not at home to double check) but I believe the ASUS PCProbe I have on my mobo (P5Q) is a hardware device, and usually shows up as uninstalled hardware without a name, which may be your mysterious item.

Thanks for your replies, John, I suppose the whole trial and error approach is appealing and most likely, I will just install the RC, once released, but will my Beta key (currently in use for the Beta Win 7 installed) work for the RC? Luvhuffer, Asus's PCProbe is a software based application, which if I understand is used to monitor temperatures etc, so I highly doubt that this is the mysterious hardware, plus I have'nt and do not install such garabage. Thanks for the guess though, I guess once I have RC installed I can see if its still there. Its weird though....

I just got this mobo and couldn't remember if it was being treated as software to view specs in a window or as a driver for the sensor, which is why the post was qualified as a guess. Good luck whatever it turns out to be. ASUS seems to have a lot of crapware/bloatware for their mobos. This was my first ASUS.

Hi Boxa_786Yes, your beta 1 product key will work with the RC build.I understand that you are using the beta in a production environment and it is a pain toredo everything for the RC build, but you can help enormously by doing this and providing feedback with your experiences.Make sure that you download from the official Microsoft property to avoid any issues that could result from an unauthorized download. The download will be available on Tuesday, May 5th. Read the page and click the link to download the Release Notes. Scroll to the bottom of the page to select and download the RC. Read the Release Notes while it downloads. Windows 7 Beta Customer Preview ProgramThank You for testing Windows 7 Beta Ronnie Vernon MVP

It's a bit annoying that the Beta can't just be updated to the RC. Have it all set up and running now, barely use my XP installation. Once the RC goes "product", or whatever you want to call it, will it be a case of being able to buy a license and continue using it, or do I have to do another reinstall?

luvhuffer, Yes asus has some bad bloatware etc, but it has the best reputation for great quality motherboards, The board I have is future proof, and was the main selling point. When I feel it, "necessary", to upgrade, I plan to simply update BIOS (flash), upgrade to the most "appropiate" (yes, not the fastest/latest most expensive) AMD Phenom 2 CPU, maybe get a new graphics card (depends on release of any decent games, that would mean I cannot play on my 3870), I'l be done for the next couple of years, at after which, as with my other comps (still running), pass on to family for free, or freinds at a fraction of the cost. Ronnie, thanks for answering that, my mistake for thinking my Beta key will not work with the RC, nevermind I ahve a spare key then, want it back? I requested a new key from the windows 7 download page, which Ive now got spare, can be passed out to a somebody online.... I prefer fresh installs, Iv never liked upgrading, ever since win 98 days, so no, I dont find it a pain, Im looking forwar to it tbh, I will be formating, installing Ubuntu (my first linux) for maybe a month, with dual boot Win 7 RC. Depending on, how Ubuntu goes, I may stick with dual boot or fresh install again with only Win 7. Nik and Kristeps, I dont understand why you would upgrade from 1 Beta to the next, especially when it has known bugs, however minor they may be, the whole "testing" process is to give each release a chance of its own, how can the MS crew know the feedback on RC be 100% RC based, when people are using Beta upgrades? ie bug in Beta "may"(not saying it will, but theres always a chance) be carried over to your RC install!

Sadly, Nikanother complete 'clean' install for RTMJohn Barnett MVP: Windows XP Associate Expert: Windows Desktop Experience: Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk; Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org; Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org;

@ Boxa - For what it's worth - I wouldn't wait until August 1stto do an upgrade. Two reasons...1.) By August, the RC ISO won't be able to be downloaded any longer. According to Microsoft's official release notes on the RC, It'll only be available until the end of June. If you wait until August, about the only place you WILL be able to find a copy is by way of Torrents.2.) I also read somewhere on another post here on Technet that the beta WILL start shutting down every couple of hours on it's own in July. The RC will also start doing the shutting down thing starting in March 2010. Guessing that's the extra incentive to move onto the RC...so... As long as you've got the new code, might as well implement the new code.. No..?

lets hope before 2010... just 5 hours to go for my RC Is it counted from UK time or USA?

lets hope before 2010... just 5 hours to go for my RC Is it counted from UK time or USA? It doesn't really matter, because MS's servers are going to fail [... again ...] under all that load :( Probably you're getting RC later in the evening, or the next day (that is, if you download from MS)Regards, Kristaps.

Hi Folks I'm going to remove the personal bickering posts from this thread. Please refrain from posting unless you have something legitimate, and on topic, to contribute to the conversation. I call everyone's attention to the Community Code of Conduct that must be followed by all forum members. Thank you for understanding. Ronnie Vernon MVPForum Moderator

lets hope before 2010... just 5 hours to go for my RCIs it counted from UK time or USA? Whenever Microsoft gives a specific Hour:Min for something, it's generally done assuming Pacific Time - Daylight or Standard, depending on the season. At the time I'm writing this, it's 12:30 PM PDT.. So it would seem like a MINIMUM of 11 1/2 hours to go here. We don't know exactly when on May 5th the flood gates will open. It could be any time between Midnight and 11:59pm.

@ Kristaps - We can only hope they've beefed things up a bit since the Technet and MSDN folks got their head start. Seems it was an SQL server that bombed out for a couple of hours then.

ow wel, no need to stay up then, il download it during the day then... Shouldnt take long with my connection, so I dont think the whole slow traffic will affect my downloa much...

As you say Wolfie it is from midnight PST. The only thing that I am grateful for is that in my time it is 8.00am in the morning, so if I want to try the download every hour I do not have to miss any sleep.I feel sorry for those that have to stay awake all night.........???Can I just take this chance on the day prior to the beta version being superceeded by the release candidate version to say thank a bunch guys to the MVP's, the moderators and the guys who know more than I do on the forum. Which accounts for quite a lot of people in my case.I have enjoyed immensely testing Windows 7 and I look forward to trying the RC version from tomorrow.Old Mig15 pilot.

As you say Wolfie it is from midnight PST. The only thing that I am grateful for is that in my time it is 8.00am in the morning, so if I want to try the download every hour I do not have to miss any sleep.I feel sorry for those that have to stay awake all night.........???Can I just take this chance on the day prior to the beta version being superceeded by the release candidate version to say thank a bunch guys to the MVP's, the moderators and the guys who know more than I do on the forum. Which accounts for quite a lot of people in my case.I have enjoyed immensely testing Windows 7 and I look forward to trying the RC version from tomorrow. Old Mig15 pilot. Davy-D -I'll 2nd that big thank you to the moderators, admins and everyone else.

Can I just take this chance on the day prior to the beta version being superceeded by the release candidate version to say thank a bunch guys to the MVP's, the moderators and the guys who know more than I do on the forum. Which accounts for quite a lot of people in my case. I have enjoyed immensely testing Windows 7 and I look forward to trying the RC version from tomorrow. Old Mig15 pilot. Exactly what he said :D

Some answers on this topic would help, http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproinstall/thread/50061249-1b7d-48eb-b15f-e8510ba20dcb Thanks

HiOn behalf of the Forum Manager and Moderators, thank you all for your kind comments.This is very much appreciated. JThank You for testing Windows 7 Beta Ronnie Vernon MVP

the Mysterious "unkown device" is recognised as "away mode", one of the BIOS features, atleas this is what troubleshoot tells me... And it tells me its shown as unknown because its not compatible with 64bit OS, which is a lie, as Ive had Xp 64 bit and Vista 64 without this "unknown device"