SP2 RC for Vista and Server 2008 goes public

Microsoft today released the Release Candidate build of Service Pack 2 (6002.16670.090130) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 to the public. You can grab the standalone installer package from the Microsoft Download Center for 32-bit five languages and 32-bit all languages, 64-bit five languages and 64-bit all languages, as well as Itanium five languages and Itanium all languages. If you have Vista in English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish, download the five languages package, otherwise get the larger "all language" version. There is also a five language and an all language.iso image available, as well as a patch that will allow you to get it via Windows Update. While this is a public release, it is still a Release Candidate, and Microsoft is recommending that the average customer "wait until the final release prior to installing this service pack" and reminding testers that "a Service Pack is not a feature release—we are not looking for new feature suggestions, only SP2 regressions, crashes, and confirmation of fixes we've made will be considered for this milestone."

Full Story: SP2 RC for Vista and Server 2008 goes public - Ars Technica

 

[digitall2]

If the expire date is April 1st, then it is on "April Fools Day". :D

 

[paliometoxo]

since it has expiery date i will wait for official version that does not...

i am going to make jump to windows 7 ultimate 64bit espesially that i can do an upgrade but not sure when... so better to wait me thinks..

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I'd be happy to stay with this but it's got an expiry date of 1/4/2010.

That's strange, as I don't get an expiration date anywhere.....






Later Ted

 

[paliometoxo]

but you have vista ultimate the other guy has home premiume, could that be why?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello paliometoxo,


I don't have a clue; but you raise a good point to pursue.

















Later Ted

 

[Airbot]

I'd be happy to stay with this but it's got an expiry date of 1/4/2010.

That's strange, as I don't get an expiration date anywhere.....

View attachment 10650

View attachment 10651


Later Ted

Ted, are you getting that About Box from one of Explorer's Windows Help (About Windows) or from typing Winver in the Start Menu Search Box?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Airbot.


WINVER

















Later Ted

 

[paliometoxo]

im going to wait for offical release will save the hassle of unistalling the rc release before hand also

 

[sygnus21]

I'd be happy to stay with this but it's got an expiry date of 1/4/2010.

That's strange, as I don't get an expiration date anywhere.....

View attachment 10650

View attachment 10651


Later Ted

From Microsoft Help and Support - Information about Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Notes

• After you install Service Pack 2 Beta, your desktop may display the following text: Evaluation Copy
  This text does not mean that your system is no longer “Genuine." This text only indicates that you installed a test version of software that is time limited.

• The Evaluation Copy text may be displayed on the second startup after you install the service pack. Also, the Evaluation Copy text may remain during the first restart after you uninstall the service pack. However, this text does not appear after the next restart.

Restart your computer now...and see what you get???


Also from the same source...

Also, this beta software will no longer operate after May 1, 2010, and you must uninstall this beta software before that date.

 

[paliometoxo]

pointless to download any of it sp2 or windows 7 when they have expiery dates may aswell wait for the releaee which there is a rc so official release shouldent be to long now before easter?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello sygnus21.


Yes, it's here now; thank you!




Later Ted

 

[paliometoxo]

well if expery date of rc is in just over 3 weeks then surely microsoft plan to release before then?

 

[sygnus21]

well if expery date of rc is in just over 3 weeks then surely microsoft plan to release before then?

Huh??? That's May 1, 2010

 

[sygnus21]

Hello sygnus21.


Yes, it's here now; thank you!

View attachment 10664


Later Ted

Yeah, but does your desktop display "Evaluation Copy"???

Also people over at technet are complaining about IE performance issues, do you notice any? or any other issues?

I downloaded the SP and was ready to install, but..., and right now my system is running fine as is.

 

[paliometoxo]

lol im blind sorry

 

[jokeri]

i have installed it and it working fine no problems and when the final comes than just overwrite it

 

[Slimy]

i have installed it and it working fine no problems and when the final comes than just overwrite it

No, you'll have to uninstall and reinstall (unless you plan to clean install) :P

 

[paliometoxo]

shows you how to unistall it on the microsoft website...

so far no problems with sp2 rc?

 

[sygnus21]

i have installed it and it working fine no problems and when the final comes than just overwrite it

No, you'll have to uninstall and reinstall (unless you plan to clean install) :P

Since he made me doublecheck, and you beat me to it, I'll post my answer just as well

The Service Pack 2 Beta is time-limited software. You must uninstall this service pack beta software before you install the final version of the service pack. Also, this beta software will no longer operate after May 1, 2010, and you must uninstall this beta software before that date.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Yeah, but does your desktop display "Evaluation Copy"???

Also people over at technet are complaining about IE performance issues, do you notice any? or any other issues?

I downloaded the SP and was ready to install, but..., and right now my system is running fine as is.

Hello again.

No, that's the only place it says evaluation. I'm not having any issues of any kind; but I spend a lot of my time in Windows 7 "evaluating" that.

I'm also about to uninstall the SP2 RC as I found out what I was after already, but I will install the final SP2 when it's made available.


Later Ted