Decision ‘08

Windows Vista Beta 2 Troubleshooting

Okay, my regular readers will forgive me, I hope, for going into Tech Support mode, but I have two tips for the poor souls who, like me, stupidly loaded Windows Vista Beta 2 on their main computer and have lived to regret it (sometimes Google searches land here, so I hope I help at least someone out).

(1) Create a new user and make them an administrator - now! My main logon under ‘Mark’ is so hopeless screwed up that I can’t even seem to keep the computer on for more than 5 minutes without a blue screen of death. But I created a second user under my beagle’s name (clever, eh?), made her an administrator, and I can stay on MOST of the time (still get the blue screens but much, much further apart).

(2) Trend Micro’s beta is not the only anti-virus out there. It’s the only one listed on the Windows Vista area of the Microsoft site, but Computer Associates offers a Vista Beta anti-virus package with a one year (!) free subscription. This might save you if, like me, your Trend Micro won’t even start up properly, but won’t even let you uninstall it.

If you’re thinking of going to Windows Vista, my sincere advice: wait for the official release next year. Bugs galore make for a most unsatisfactory and frustrating user experience…

2 Responses to “Windows Vista Beta 2 Troubleshooting”

1 Dmac Says:
August 23rd, 2006 at 7:58 pm
I’m going to wait about a year after the official release - Mister Softee has a bad habit of allowing many bugs to fester unchecked, only to find out about them when the spammers and spyware folks get their teeth into it. Good luck.
2 fatman Says:
August 23rd, 2006 at 8:34 pm
As my grandpappy would say:

“Never be the first to try something new. Wait and see if it kills anyone.”