TechNet/Installing the Real Vista Installing and Upgrading Vista Discuss TechNet/Installing the Real Vista in the Windows Vista forums; Hi Friends: I think maybe this forum is the best place for my initial discussion of my TechNet experiences, downloading an evaluation copy of the version of Vista (Ultimate for ...

[Znod]

Hi Friends:

I think maybe this forum is the best place for my initial discussion of my TechNet experiences, downloading an evaluation copy of the version of Vista (Ultimate for me) that presumably will be released on 1/30/07, and installing this version on my laptop (and my desktop later). My TechNet experience has been very good so far. On another thread, I discussed my good first experience with TechNet support.

My second experience was this morning at about 7:00 a.m. (TechNet provides phone support from 5:30 to 5:30, and I assume California time). I received my TechNet subscriber ID last night (Monday evening) at about 10:30--having ordered after hours on Friday evening. I tried to register for downloads/benefits, but could not do so. So, I called this morning. Support again was very helpful and walked me through the process. My first mistake, which was unavoidable, is that TechNet ID's, of the type I have, have some leading zeros. The registration process does not mention that one must leave off the leading zeros when registering. My second problem, when being walked through the process, was that I could not access the download page after registering. The problem was that I was using Firefox. I should have realized that I would need to use IE.

Well, OK, from here all has been easy. I was able to select my Vista Ultimate product key easily (one per individual). As I understand things, the key will allow me to install Ultimate on up to 10 machines. However, given my subscription, they are supposed to be "home" machines. In this regard, I will be doing nothing that violates my subscription agreement with MS--at least not on purpose.

It also was easy to start the download process. The download process, at least for me, is pretty slow--apparently taking about eight hours. My file is about 50% downloaded right now--in the form of an ISO. I could have chosen to download, as I recall, 5 CD's. Go figure.

I will add a second post to this thread when my installation on my laptop is complete and I have installed my touchpad driver and Firefox. I am doing the laptop first because it is going traveling. I may not get to my desktop until about 1/10/07.

[Snuffy]

I am waiting for more news on this...

[Znod]

Cool Snuffy. Thanks for the warm welcome. I meant "this forum" of Vista Babble if my reference to "this forum" was confusing.

[Snuffy]

Happy you were accepted to TechNet..

your post is installing REAL Vista.. what is different in REAL Vista
compared to Vista (RTM) MSDN.Vista ISO with
SHA-1 b71e04564ca22e4d9928e59298eff87cf62b382b

[Znod]

I don't have the MSDN RTM, and I don't yet have the Real Vista Ultimate. So, I have no comparisons between the Real deal and any RTM at this point. Soon hopefully.

[Znod]

Hi Friends:

Here is my second installment. Indeed the download did take about eight hours. I forgot to mention one previously known difference in my Real Ultimate and what will be available on 1/30/07 (Really Real Ultimate); Real Ultimate requires a clean install--which is fine by me.

I said that I'd be online again after installing my Synaptics touchpad driver and Firefox. I lied. I decided to copy all my files and set my machine up in the essential ways, including installing avast! home free. I tried to use IE, but I just don't like it very much.

My installation went perfectly smoothly. The installer, and related options, looks just like earlier ones--particularly those in RTM. The huge difference is the installation time. It took, even on my laptop (which is speedy, but not a super machine), only 23 minutes from the time I inserted my product key and my desktop appeared after Ultimate checked my machines performance. Every step was noticeably faster.

I have only installed the programs snipped below to date. So, I have essentially no information about driver availability via Real Ultimate, per se, at this point or program compatibility. Real Ultimate, like all prior versions, did not have a driver that would make my touchpad work properly.

So far, I neither have seen nor perceived many differences in my "good" RTM version and Real Ultimate. But, time will tell, and I have a long way to go before I can say very much definitively. One highly apparent difference is that two options are available when my login screen appears. I can login as Administrator or as a User. I have never seen this option before even though I followed essentially the same procedures when installing betas--usually upgrading, but also clean-installing twice.

I have encountered one surprise and disappointment. The control panel still is missing the Windows Mobile Device Center. I am sure I can install some drivers that will make it appear and work properly enough with my Pharos 525--a Windows Mobile 5.0 device. I have no idea what MS is thinking on this matter. But, maybe its thinking will become clear later. Perhaps the drivers will be made available via Windows Update.

I'll get back to you again soon. The next time I will have installed my next most essential set of programs. Except for avast! (home/free), for now, I am going with Windows firewall (which probably is redundant because of my router firewall) and Windows Defender. The Windows firewall, as it pertains to outgoing, is such a mystery to me at this point that I don't want to try to use it. I am hoping that Zone Alarm (free) will work with Real Ultimate, but I doubt it.

[felix8406]

I just can't imagine that Real Ultimate would be much different than RTM. The biggest update to Vista will be drivers; that's the reason Vista went RTM. It's the manufactures' responsibility to make the drives available, both to MS and consumers. My believe is that from MS standpoint, most drivers will be available with SP1 and through Windows Update online.

[Znod]

Well my main hopes were that the Windows Mobile Device Center thing would be sorted out and that Windows Explorer would lose all of its flakiness. So far so good on WE. It seems very stable so far.

Third Installment:

And, above I said,

"I have encountered one surprise and disappointment. The control panel still is missing the Windows Mobile Device Center. I am sure I can install some drivers that will make it appear and work properly enough with my Pharos 525--a Windows Mobile 5.0 device. I have no idea what MS is thinking on this matter. But, maybe its thinking will become clear later. Perhaps the drivers will be made available via Windows Update."

I was able to get Window Mobile Device Center installed once again. This time it is working with both USB and Bluetooth. I installed office so I could see if my Pharos 525 could be synced with Outlook. And, the answer is yes. It's always a surprise when I get WMDC installed. But, this time what happened was a bit clearer. Beta 3 of the WMDC was installed.

[Snuffy]

I am going with Windows firewall (which probably is redundant because of my router firewall) and Windows Defender. The Windows firewall, as it pertains to outgoing

My Vista Firewall states all incoming connections are blocked unless I set an exception for them..

I can login as Administrator or as a User.

I had the same option until i disabled the GUEST signin.. (per say- if this is all the time ? did it remove the need for you to answer the ?'s and notify "You are Admin" which a WebCast stated this was DEFAULT. Admin is std user is auto redirected to perform Admin function.-and User is standard user.. that is why Admin should have a Strong Password.
statements by G. Fincher.. HKCU settings for Admin, and HKLM settings for Std user.. Stating this was one of the many SECURITY measures added to Vista. To bypass this autoredirect, I have added some items to Open/run as Admin Only in compatibility.

[Znod]

Originally Posted by Snuffy

My Vista Firewall states all incoming connections are blocked unless I set an exception for them..

I can login as Administrator or as a User.

I had the same option until i disabled the GUEST signin.. (per say- if this is all the time ? did it remove the need for you to answer the ?'s and notify "You are Admin" which a WebCast stated this was DEFAULT. Admin is std user is auto redirected to perform Admin function.-and User is standard user.. that is why Admin should have a Strong Password.
statements by G. Fincher.. HKCU settings for Admin, and HKLM settings for Std user.. Stating this was one of the many SECURITY measures added to Vista. To bypass this autoredirect, I have added some items to Open/run as Admin Only in compatibility.

Are your trying to block outgoing with your firewall? I am not, and I don't have the "all connections blocked thing." Also, I did not have to answer any questions about me being the Administrator. I hope that is what you were asking. If not, then please post back.