INDEX

1. Recommended Minimum System Requirements
2. Official Filenames
3. Windows Vista Installation
4. Windows Vista Setup Methods
5. Post Installation
6. Remove Vista from the System
7. Windows Vista Installation Notes

RECOMMENDED AND MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

*CPU 1.5 GHz*
*RAM 512 MB*
*GPU with DirectX 9 Capabilities*
*HDD 20-40 GB NTFS Formatted*

These are the PROnetworks recommended minimum system requirements for the installation of Windows Vista. Additional information on Vista hardware requirements can be found by viewing the Vista Hardware Requirements & Supported Hardware

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OFFICIAL FILE NAMES

These are the official file names that were released for Windows Vista Beta 2 (Build 5384) by Microsoft via the Microsoft Connect website to Beta testers, and to MSDN subscribers. The Beta 2 has also been released to MS Partners, and to the attendants of the WinHEC 2006 Hardware Conference. It is also now available to the wider public via the Customer Preview Program or CPP.

Windows Vista Beta 2

32-Bit DVD:

Connect : vista_5384.4_x86fre_client-LB2CFRE_EN_DVD.iso

MSDN : en_windows_vista_beta2_x86_dvd.iso

CPP : vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x86fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso


64-Bit DVD:

Connect : vista_5384.4_x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso

MSDN : en_windows_vista_beta2_x64_dvd.iso

CPP : vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso

Windows Server Codename "Longhorn" Beta 2

32-Bit DVD:

Connect : lh_5384.4_x86fre_server-LB2SFRE_EN_DVD.iso

MSDN : en_windows_longhorn_server_beta2_x86_dvd.iso


64-Bit DVD:

Connect : lh_5384.4_x64fre_server-LB2SxFRE_EN_DVD.iso

MSDN : en_windows_longhorn_server_beta2_x64_dvd.iso


Itanium (IA64) DVD:

Connect : lh_5384.4_ia64fre_server-LB2SiFRE_EN_DVD.iso

MSDN : en_windows_longhorn_server_beta2_ia64_dvd.iso

WINDOWS VISTA INSTALLATION

NOTE: This Installation Guide has been written for Windows Vista. Windows Longhorn is installed using somewhat similar procedures, but final Setup is rather different to that of Windows Vista. Longhorn setup has some similarities to Setup in Windows Server 2003 R2, and if you are familiar with that Windows version, setting up Longhorn Server should not pose too much of a challenge, although the number of post-Setup options has been significantly increased.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Windows Vista is a BETA operating system and you should therefore be careful before attempting to use it as a primary operating system -- data loss and other problems may occur --- but Windows Vista Beta 2 is the first build providing enough stability for casual users to attempt this, and both the PROnetworks Betas Team and the PROnetworks Support Team provide help and support for those attempting to use Vista Beta 2 as a Main OS. However, PROnetworks will continue to recommend dualboot installations, unless the installation is to take place on an independent test computer, or on a computer purposely designed for the new Windows version.

Data corruption by Windows Vista Beta 2 (Or any operating system) is always a possibility (as is the case when using any Beta software), although it has become unlikely with the most recent builds. PROnetworks cannot be held responsible for any damage to your system that may occur as a result of your choosing to install it to your primary computer, although Windows Vista Beta 2 is stable enough that the risk of catastrophic failure is minimal.

DISKS & PARTITIONING

IMPORTANT WARNING FOR ADVANCED USERS: Windows Vista uses a new version of the NTFS file system; therefore third-party partitioning software can, sometimes, cause serious errors when combined with Windows Vista. Hard drives including Windows Vista system partitions should NOT be partitioned using third-party XP-era partitioning software such as Partition Magic or Acronis. Native Windows XP partitioning tools should be used instead, and are accessed through the Disk Management console.

Please note that while Windows Vista does have enhanced abilities to partition and format your HDD during setup, it has been pointed out that UNALLOCATED HDD SPACE ON AN EXTENDED DRIVE will NOT be recognized by Vista and users should create a Logical drive from within XP using the Disk Management console before continuing setup.


LOADING DRIVERS DURING SETUP

Note that drivers can be installed from floppies, USB Flash memory sticks, CD or DVD. Please restrict drivers loading at this stage to necessary SATA/RAID controllers and other essential device drivers. Other drivers can simply be installed post-setup.

A protocol has been implemented in Windows Vista x64 (only) requiring that ONLY digitally signed drivers are used with the x64 Vista Operating System, and we strongly recommend that you do NOT attempt to load any unsigned drivers during the initial setup of Windows Vista x64, although older builds of Vista included a workaround for this restriction.

WINDOWS VISTA SETUP METHODS

BOOT FROM DVD INSTALLATION

NOTE: To avoid repetitition, only the x86 is described here, and any differences between the x64 method are noted. Also, this method assumes users know how to set their DVD drive as the first boot device.

Upon booting the Vista Beta 2 DVD, user will see:

1. A grey progress strip at bottom of screen with the text "Windows is loading files..."

2. A mostly blank splash screen with silver running progress bars, which will "blank" the screen momentarily, and the Aurora background with a dialog box titled "Install Windows" and three settings choices to make:

a) Installation Language
b) Time and Currency Format
c) Keyboard Language

3. After making the above selections, users have the choice to:

a) Install Now", which is the largest button and selection text
b) What to know before installing Windows (Includes a Microsoft guide
on installing Vista Beta 2)
c) System Recovery Options



4. After selecting "Install Now", users will be prompted to "Insert Product Key"; type carefully.

5. Users will then have to "Accept Licence Agreement" or not accept the agreement and exit the installation.
NOTE: At this point, users will see a green progress bar divided into 2 unequal sections; "Collecting Information"(1) and "Installing Windows"(2).

6. ONLY the Custom (Advanced) selection is available when booting from DVD, and the "Upgrade" will be greyed out and not selectable.

7. After selecting the "Custom" installation, users will be able to select the drive/partition to install Vista to (preformated recommended but the drive can be formated by going to the "Drive Options (Advanced)" tab. SEE NOTE ON DISKS AND PARTITIONING
From this screen users will also be able to use the Load Driver function to load RAID and SATA controller drivers and to load system and other device drivers if they are on the "ROOT" of the usb flash drive/CD/DVD or other removable media.

8. The Windows Vista Beta 2 installation process now starts with a dialog box titled "Install Windows", which will proceed as follows:

a) Copying files
b) Expanding files (NO RESTART on Boot from DVD procedure)
e) Install Features and Updates then 1st restart
NOTE: On installation restarts-DO NOT TOUCH ANY KEYS or otherwise interrupt the installation
f) After this restart, a grey DOS like screen appears and tells the user
"Please wait while Windows prepares to start..." then will launch
into "Completing Installation" and the final installation restart.
g) The final installation restart will boot to the first of several final
setup screens where users will select their individual settings based
on area, time, and their system specifics.

9. Final Setup Screens before the Windows Vista Beta 2 "Start":

a) Country or Region, and Keyboard Layout
b) Choose a Username and Picture (Password is optional)
c) Type a computername and choose a Desktop background
d) Help protect Windows automatically (Auto Update settings)
e) Review Time/Date settings; includes Time Zone, Date, Time
f) You're Ready to Start! button

10. On the first boot to the Vista Beta 2 desktop, a "New Display Detected" dialog box appears; users with a single monitor/display may safely Close(X) this dialog box.


RUN VISTA SETUP FROM WINDOWS (Hard Drive or DVD)

NOTE: This installation section assumes the user is running XP x64 or another 64-bit operating system when attempting to install Vista x64 and vice-versa for installing the x86 version of Vista. This method will only work with the hardware specific operating system (x86 or x64) user is attempting to install (User cannot install x64 Vista from XP x86) nor should users attempt to install x86 Vista from XP x64)

This installation method is easily started by either putting the Vista Beta 2 DVD disk in the drive and waiting for the Autorun sequence to begin, or for the Hard Disk method, locate the drive where the Vista installation files were copied and execute the "setup.exe program.

From this point, the installation procedure is nearly identical to the "Boot from DVD" installation method, with a few noted differences:

a) After "Copying Files" and going into "Extracting Files", the installation will reboot the computer after the "Extracting Files" portion reaches approximately 27%, and will continue to extract files and finish the Vista installation upon restarting, as noted in the "Boot from DVD" method.

NOTE: Regardless of the installation method chosen, when the Vista installation procedure restarts the computer, DO NOT TOUCH ANY KEYS or otherwise interrupt the installation.


ISO Mounting Method [Daemon Tools] (Advanced Users ONLY)

NOTE: This procedure is limited to x86 installations only, as Daemon Tools is not currently supported in Vista x64.

This method is similar to running setup from within Windows from a DVD. To use this method you must download Daemon Tools (NOTE: When installing Daemon Tools, be sure to uncheck the auxiliary software bundled in the package).

To install Windows Vista open up the Daemon Tools program. The program will open an icon on the system toolbar. Right click this icon and select Virtual CD/DVD-ROM and select Device0: [X:] No Media (where X: is the drive letter assigned to your virtual drive), and click mount Image.


After you have mounted your Vista ISO image file, the Windows Vista Setup dialog box should appear.

Before selecting "Install Now", close all open programs and close any antivirus or anti-spyware blocking software, including security programs, as theses are known to interfere with the installation of Vista. From this point, the setup procedure is identical to the other installation methods.


Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista with an “Upgrade” Install

The principle is a sound one at first – users would simply use the upgrade functionality built into the “Setup” process of Windows Vista so that there is no need to reinstall the programs one uses, as well as all of the user's personalized settings are “transferred” to the new operating system using this process.

Unfortunately, Windows XP and Windows Vista are entirely different computer operating systems; each OS is built on entirely different code and the fundamental workings of the separate operating systems are like chalk and cheese. In practice therefore, PROnetworks cannot recommend that the “Upgrade” installation method be used as it has been shown that users doing so experience many problems with drivers and program compatibility even after using the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor

Users would be better off with a clean Vista installation using any of the previous installation methods discussed above, and ending up with a Vista operating system which is “unaffected” by the shortcomings of the previous versions of Windows, including its programs and hardware drivers.

With the above issues being raised and discussed regarding the XP to Vista upgrade path, PROnetworks believes it necessary to not only provide users with an in-depth XP to Vista upgrade guide, but to also to inform users seriously considering the upgrade path on what they are likely to expect during this upgrade installation method; the link below will take you to a highly detailed XP to Vista upgrade installation guide:

POST VISTA INSTALLATION

MANUAL DEVICE DRIVER INSTALLATION

Due to User Account Control (UAC/UAP) policies inherent in Windows Vista, it may be necessary to change the UAC/UAP settings on your computer or user may need to logon as the Administrator. Advice about how to tweak your UAC/UAP settings, or to run software "As Administrator" is found in the PROnetworks Tweaking Guide for Windows Vista.

An easy way to turn on or off the UAC/UAP is through the Security Center which is located in the Control Panel. Use the user Account Control/Protection (UAC/UAP) to help protect your computer.

WARNING: Disabling UAC may put your computer at risk from malware such as viruses or trojans, and it should therefore only be disabled ONLY as needed.

Driver support for motherboard chipsets, graphics cards, and other devices has been vastly improved in recent builds of Windows Vista; however, not all devices are automatically installed during setup, and may sometimes require manual installation.

Note that when manually installing some drivers packages, you may get a popup warning that the drivers are unsigned. You may attempt to continue installing the drivers anyway, although you should be aware that not all drivers can be successfully installed in Windows Vista Beta 2.

It may be necessary to manually install motherboard chipset drivers AFTER the Vista installation completes, and to do so in Windows XP or Server 2003 compatibility mode. To use compatibility mode, copy the chipset drivers to a folder on your Windows Vista drive or partition and right-click the setup file>select Properties>go to the Compatibility tab>check "Run this program in compatibility mode for">Select Windows XP (Service Pack 2) or Windows Server 2003 (Service Pack 1), as appropriate, from the drop down menu. You may wish to select "Run as Administrator", if available >click Apply>click OK, and double click the setup executable to begin installation. Reboot your system if/when prompted to.

Default graphics drivers are installed during setup; however, the drivers provided for many popular video cards (ATi, nVidia) may not be 100% functional in your Windows Vista environment, as fully working drivers for Windows Vista may still be unavailable. You may or may not be able to obtain improved drivers from the manufacturer of your graphics card, subject to availability. If the proper video drivers are not available, it is recommended that you DO NOT attempt to install Windows XP or Server 2003 graphics drivers --- you may even encounter "black screen error".

If Windows Vista simply refuses to display any information on your monitor, it may be necessary to await future drivers, or a future build of the Operating System. It may in some cases be possible to boot to the desktop by hitting F8, and selecting the VGA mode.

Audio drivers are also installed during setup. If not compatible with your audio card, it may be neceessary to install these drivers in Windows XP or Server 2003 compatibility mode (As described earler).

LAN drivers, if not installed by Windows setup or in the process of installing motherboard chipset drivers, may also need to be installed in XP or Server 2003 compatibility mode, unless drivers specifically written for or compatible with Windows Vista are available.

After driver installation go to Device Manager (Start menu>right click on Computer>select Properties>Hardware>Device Manager) and check that all devices are fully installed. If not, follow the Manual Driver Installation instructions below.

REMOVING WINDOWS VISTA FROM YOUR SYSTEM

These instructions assume that you have dual-booted Windows Vista with a version of Windows XP. Note that if your Main OS is Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, the instructions given for XP can be followed using these other Windows versions.

1.If you installed Windows Vista as a STANDALONE operating system on its own PC, then simply reformat the hard drive it is on ; or do a clean install of another Windows version to your computer.

2.For cases where users have a DUAL BOOT scenario with another operating system, for example: Windows XP, then the user should boot into Windows XP and go to Disk Management (right click My Computer>Manage>Disk Management) and select the drive you have Windows Vista installed on, right click it and select Format. A quick format is all that is necessary. If an error message displays stating that the drive is in use, open My Computer from your Windows XP desktop, right-click the drive containing the Windows Vista installation you wish to remove and format it from there.

NOTE: Some Vista installations are not "visible" from Windows Explorer and no evidence exists that non visible Vista drives experience this "Drive in use" issue.

Go to the Start>Run dialogue box on your Windows XP and type "msconfig" (without the quotes). This will open the System Configuration Utility; go to the BOOT.INI tab and select "Check All Boot Paths". This process is automatic and when completed, select "OK" and "Apply". Do not select "Restart" at this point, but choose "Exit Without Restart" instead.

Next, you must delete the following files and folders from the root of your System drive or partition (Usually Drive C:\)

$RECYCLE.BIN
Boot (folder)
Boot.BAK
BOOTSECT.BAK

The computer may now be restarted.

Note: This Vista removal method, while relatively easy to use and effective, it does not carry out a full cleanup of your system and leaves traces of the Windows Vista installation on your Windows XP system drive. These "traces" will not interfere with your Windows XP operation should you choose not to remove them; however, if the user's intention is to install another operating system in place of Windows Vista or to reinstall Windows Vista, then users should follow the MULTI-BOOT REMOVAL METHOD indicated below.

3.To remove Windows Vista from a MULTI-BOOT environment where it has been installed on a system containing two or more other "Legacy" operating systems, and with Windows Vista still fully installed, insert your Windows XP CD into your CD/DVD Drive and reboot the computer, ensuring the DVD drive is the first boot device.

CAUTION: Modifying the contents of one's boot.ini file and bootsector may lead to not being able to access the operating system.

When prompted to by Setup, "Press any key to boot from CD...". Wait for the very first Setup screen at which Setup stops and press R (To repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console, press R). If you installed Windows Vista to a Multi-Boot RAID Array, you will need to install your F6 RAID Floppy drivers, before you get to the setup screen where you press R to enter the Recovery Console.

Select your Windows XP partition > 1. C:\WINDOWS > type "1" (without the quotes) or the appropriate corresponding number for the drive containing your boot.ini

Insert your Administrator password when prompted and Enter

Type "fixboot" (without quotes) at the command prompt and Enter

Type "Yes" and when "Are you sure you want to write a new bootsector to the partition C: ?" appears, type "Y" and Enter

The following message will appear > "a new boot sector was successfully created".

At the command prompt type "exit" and Enter

When the system reboots you will notice that the Windows Vista bootloader no longer exists.

Boot into Windows XP and go to Disk Management (right click My Computer>Manage>Disk Management).

Select the drive you have Windows Vista installed on, right click it and select Format. A quick format is all you need. Should you get an error message stating that the drive is in use, open My Computer from your Windows XP desktop, right-click the drive containing the Windows Vista installation you wish to remove and format it from there.


Now go to Windows Explorer and delete the following files from the root of your Windows XP installation hard drive or partition:

$RECYCLE.BIN
Boot (folder)
Boot.BAK
bootmgr
BOOTSECT.BAK

Next, right click My Computer, select Properties>Advanced>Startup and Recovery>Settings and under System startup, make sure that Windows XP is selected as the Default operating system. If not, then select it as Default operating system and select OK at the foot of the Startup and Recovery user interface and again select OK at the foot of System Properties user interface.[/size]

To confirm that your boot.ini file is now correct, go to the Run dialogue box on your start menu and type "msconfig" (without the quotes). This will open the System Configuration Utility. Go to the BOOT.INI tab and select "Check All Boot Paths". You should get a dialogue box appearing with the message "It appears that all BOOT.INI lines for Microsoft operating systems are OK"

Restart your computer and you will note that the Windows Vista boot menu no longer exists and that only non-Windows Vista boot menu items are listed.

4.Should your primary operating system NOT be Windows XP, or where you have more than one instance of Windows Vista installed, it is strongly recommended that you use NEITHER the Dual-Boot Removal Method NOR the Multi-Boot Removal Method. In these circumstances, you are advised to post for assistance in our Windows Vista Chat & Support Forum where the Betas Team is available to give you the necessary advice and support.


Installation Notes

REMEMBER : You should obtain the version of Windows Vista Beta 2 that is suitable for your system hardware - the Vista x64 version can only be used with 64-bit hardware. If you are unsure of the capabilities of your computer system, you should download the x86 - or 32-bit - version of Vista, as it will work on either 32-bit or 64-bit capable computers. If you own an Itanium system, you should choose the IA64 version of Windows Server codename "Longhorn".


IMPORTANT NOTE : Previous builds of Windows Vista have been mainly available to a fairly tech savvy community, and some common terms used by that community may need some explanation for people who are new to Windows Vista and to Beta software in general. Because of this, PROnetworks has made a short list of terms that will help everyone understand this guide.

A Windows Vista "Build" is a term designating a particular compilation of the Windows Source Code into a useable Operating System. The term is also used to designate similar such serial compilations of other software.

Builds of Windows Vista are released as ".ISO" files. These .iso files relate to and are defined by the International Standard for CD and DVD imaging. A Windows Vista .iso is actually the entire Vista Setup DVD contained in one file, made available by Microsoft for download. DVD burning software (Nero Burning ROM for example), and ownership of a DVD Burner, are required to create the desired physical Installation DVD from an .iso file. See Burning the Windows Vista ISO to DVD for an easy to follow guide using the most popular DVD burning software.

The Windows Vista Beta 2 may also be obtained as a physical DVD from Microsoft, although some small shipping and handling costs may have to be paid.

The "x86" and "x64" designate the older 32-bit standard (x86), used by Windows 98, Millennium, and Windows XP ; and the newer 64-bit standard used by Windows XP x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition. This new x64 standard for Windows was released in 2005. Windows Vista exists in both x86 and x64 versions.

In case you're wondering why the 32-bit is not designated as "x32", it's because the standard was originally created by Intel and IBM for the 286, 386, and 486 generation of IBM PCs --- hence "x86".

A "dual-boot setup" refers to a common method of installing more than one Operating Sytem on a single computer, so that for example, when starting your computer ("booting"), you will be able to choose which particular operating System to use during each work session. In this Guide, we assume that dual-booting refers to computers having both Windows XP and Windows Vista, although it should be noted that more than just two separate Operating Systems can be used on a single computer ("multi-booting").

The Vista DVDs include the following versions (known as "SKUs") of Windows Vista : Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, and Windows Vista Ultimate Edition. Windows Vista Enterprise Edition as such has not been made available to the Public, although the Windows Server codename "Longhorn" is a part of that SKU. However, the Ultimate Edition includes all the specific extra features of that version, except for the specific Volume Licensing features.

Longhorn is a separate Operating System including a separate set of features to those of Windows Vista. It is not generally suitable as a desktop OS, unless you need to have Desktop features installed on a PC that is to be used primarily as a File Server system. Advanced User Interface capabilities may be enabled to allow such useage.

German and Japanese language versions of Windows Vista and Longhorn are also available.

To find out which version of Windows Vista is most suitable for your needs, prior to installation, you should feel free to run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Beta, which will also provide you with some provisional information about compatibility of your hardware with the new Windows version.

The partition size for your Windows Vista installation depends mostly on whether you wish to use it as a Main OS, or simply to install it for some quick testing purposes.

A 40 GB minimum installation volume, or more, is strongly recommended for using Windows Vista as a Primary Operating System, but if a simple evaluation setup is desired, it can be installed on a smaller partition >>> 15 GB for Vista Home Basic or Codename "Longhorn" Server Editions ; 20 GB for the Business Edition ; 25 GB for Home Premium or Ultimate Editions.

In all installation scenarios, you should use a NTFS Partition, ideally a Primary Partition, either created previously, or to be created during Windows setup. It has been found that Vista will install satisfactorily on a NTFS formatted Logical Drive within an Extended Partition, although Primary Partitions are generally preferred for a volume made to contain an Operating System.

Whilst upgrading from XP is superior in Beta 2 than in any previous builds, PROnetworks still cannot guarantee that any Upgrade attempts will be 100% successful, and would advise users NOT to attempt upgrading their principal Windows setup to Windows Vista.
The PROnetworks Betas and Support Teams believe that, generally speaking, moving to a new Windows version should involve a clean install of Windows, and all your software. In some cases however, an Upgrade scenario may be recommended, particularly for computers to be used in a professional or other advanced environment where time cannot be wasted to manually reset all computer settings as required.

Please note that the official build number of Windows Vista Beta 2 is 5384. It is sometimes referred to as 5384.4, so as to differentiate with an earlier 5384 compile which was demonstrated at WinHEC.

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For 5472 please use our Windows Vista Build 5472 Installation Guide!