my vista beta expired. what to do?

I have a IBM R51 that I put vista beta 2 on it while testing for Microsoft. I set it up for my dad so its his computer and he didnt need RC1 or anything. well it expired and he didnt say anything before. All i get when I turn it on is a lock and space to enter like a password. How can I upgrade him to RC1 to get it running?

 

It looks like the computer is locked. You'll need the password before you can do anything on the computer.

 

do i call microsoft for the password?

 

No. You will need to ask your dad for the password.

 

Well, the RC Vista's were set to expire and not work past a certain date. You need to load a new OS on it now. That is probably a password prompt so that MS could have extended the deadline if they needed to.

 

Beta expiration is June 1st. So while you would need the password, thats only about a week away so I guess you get an early start and getting a full copy os on your dads machine.

 

I just tried the password for the admin because there is normally not a password needed to startup. it did not work. When starting it up it goes to the IBM screen then straight to an all black screeen with a white lock on the upper right corner. It gives me 3 tries for the password.

 

The RC builds of Vista expire in a few days as well, no upgrade path there. You will need to pick up a paid OEM or retail version now. Even if you get Microsoft to "unlock"(?) it for you, it will only be for two-hour intervals per day with very limited functionality.

 

admin pwd entering where? safe mode?

sounded like a computer lock more than OS lock - can u boot up with any windows CD/DVD?

cheers ...

 

Stop freeloading

j/k, it's exactly what R4000 said. Although it shouldn't lock with a password, so I would definitely ask your dad about that one.

 

Just be aware that the machine will automatically reboot without notice when running Vista in limited function, discouraging people from using it (no doubt). The 2-hour window is only for backing up any important files.

 

If you have RC1 and Vista Ultimate you can do an in-place upgrade.
Other info:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/preview.mspx

 

I thought the RC's were never supposed to expire. They just would have limited functionality and have no updates and such... At least that's what Mr. Gates said in an interview with John Stewart...

 

I went through the entire beta process, and each time I downloaded a beta update it was made very clear that the beta would expire on a certain date.

 

The rc builds have an expiration just like the betas. I only have a couple days left on mine (5744) last time I checked.

 

"After May 31, 2007, users that continue to use pre-release versions of Windows Vista will be able to log in for 2-hour sessions to retrieve data. After 2 hours of use, the PC will automatically reboot without providing the opportunity to save data. The opportunity to log in normally for these 2 hour sessions will only be available for a limited time." http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/preview.mspx

So it can't be locked or require a password by default.

 

well the computer with beta 2just displays a lock on the screen when i start it. The admin password will not unlock it so i have no idea what to do. I tried to install xp sp1 on the desktop which currently has vista rc1 but it would not work. I dont really know what to do at this point and microsoft has been no help at all

 

At this point you're probably got a fried OS...you need to reinstall. If you worried about data, get a hard disk enclosure from www.newegg.com and plug your drive into another computer to get the data you need. Then start fresh, with a copy of the OS that isn't a beta and that will never expire.

 

theres no data that im worried about. Im just trying to make sure that the laptop doesnt become an expensive paperweight. So i need to reinstal the beta 2 thats on it now...then install my copy of xp sp1? or will that not work?

 

If you are not worried about data just format and remove Vista. Pop in the XP cd and tell it to format C:. Then you can install XP on the fresh disk.