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Microsoft pauses Windows 7 public beta due to overwhelming demand

Jan. 10, 2009 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

Anyone who thought that the Windows era was on the way out obviously didn’t see Windows 7 coming: Due to overwhelming demand for the public beta version, which was originally released Friday as a Web download, Microsoft has had to retrench and add capacity. Until that happens, the download is offline for a bit.

Here’s the word from the Windows Team Blog:

Due to very heavy traffic we’re seeing as a result of interest in the Windows 7 Beta, we are adding some additional infrastructure support to the Microsoft.com properties before we post the public beta. We want to ensure customers have the best possible experience when downloading the beta, and I’ll be posting here again soon once the beta goes live. Stay tuned! We are excited that you are excited!

Why they didn’t just do this before the download is, of course, unclear. PR stunt?

Discuss this Article 118

DRWAM
on Jan 10, 2009
Thanks Wae. Will do.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
Looks like the VHD options are still there: Right-click on Disk Management in the Computer Management console. Create VHD and Attach VHD. Verrrrrry interesting....
ishyfishydishy
on Jan 10, 2009
it all seems to working again over here. direct from the original technet link that paul gave us... once you have completed the survey and have got your key click download in IE and it also seems to start the download manager too... currently it is downloading on mine now (i want the .iso - but I already have Windows 7 installed here). Key is also activated too =D
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
WOW! This VHD stuff is pretty awesome. I'd like to see if it's possible to grab the VHD drivers off an install, and use them for WinPE, so that mounted VHD's are exposed to Windows Setup.... That way, you could install directly into one on a preformatted disk.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
I never had any problems with the download (except the slow speed) but I was using the Microsoft File Transfer program thingy to download off of Connect. Is the option available for the public download? I'd suggest using it.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
Ok, here it is: vhdmp.* in the Inf folder. Should be a .inf, and a .sys file that makes that driver complete.
Lindy
on Jan 10, 2009
64 bit version crash and burn in VMware Fusion and Workstation. I get the following error shorting after clicking on Install. Windows could not collect the information for [OSImage} since the specified image file [install.wim] does not exist.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
@Lindy: Sounds like a bad ISO download.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
Nevermind about the driver - it's not needed. In diskpart, you can now use the command "create vdisk". Nice. Very nice.
Lindy
on Jan 10, 2009
Yep in the VMware forums it says the very same thing. Will download again.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
I am now installing Windows 7 inside a 30GB VHD mounted on a 60GB virtual hard drive inside of Virtual PC. Windows Setup gave a message saying that Windows couldn't be installed on the VHD because the system couldn't boot off it. I was still able to click "Next" though, and it's installing right this second. I will see if it needs further work to boot off the VHD though. I suspect I may have to use the BCDedit commands to add the VHD as a valid boot option.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
Another thought that I have is whether or not I can/should be offline-ing the host disk to keep the OS from being "confused" by this C: that's sitting there with a few VHD's but not being used as a boot drive.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
Holy crap, it worked.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
The drives got jimmy'ed around. The host drive includes the bootloader, as well as the boot drivers for VHD boot, and has been renamed to D:. C: is the 30GB VHD that is mounted from it and contains everything else. I have to try offline-ing the host drive. I have no idea if I can do that, but it'd be a good way to get rid of the host drive from the user's view. FYI: There is no 200MB partition. It seems that the stuff that would normally be on it is now on D: (the host drive). This is awesome stuff. This allows you to move entire hard drive data back and forth between systems very easily (just copy the VHD file). Running SysPrep with the Generalize option will allow the drivers to reset so that the installation image is portable between different hardware configurations, just like in Vista. This is an awesome option for IT pro's.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
I would say that Windows 7 is faster than Vista (at least in a VM). Will it run on 512MB of RAM? Yes. Does Vista? Yes. Is it good for multitasking? No. What about when you install your antivirus software? You might as well shoot yourself. Exaggerations aside, just like Vista, you *absolutely need* 1GB of RAM once you get your antivirus on there. The RAM requirements for XP go like this: XP runs on 256MB, but it's not usable once you load an antivirus on there. 512MB becomes usable for basic use. 1GB on XP is "a good experience" for most. 2GB for power users. Over that, and it's usually overkill, or you're looking at 64-bit for specialized workstation apps. Double those RAM numbers for Vista/7 - except for the point that everyone should be using 64-bit by now.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
Point of note: You can't offline a VHD host drive in Windows 7. You also can't change the drive letter because it's a System volume. Also, the page file goes onto the host drive, NOT the VHD (even though the VHD has the Windows folder in it). Dual-booters will like this option though. If you can boot to a Windows 7 WinPE, you should be able to install Windows XP or Vista into another VHD, since the bootloader is on the host drive, and Windows 7 controls that. If you get bored using an old operating system, all you have to do is unmount the VHD and delete the file from the host drive. No more partitioning required. Do I sound excited about this option? It's because I am.
dtatgenho
on Jan 10, 2009
@james3mg: Microsoft's MSDN site lists the SHA1 hash (checksum) for the Windows 7 Beta ISOs as such: x64 SHA1: E09FDBC1CB3A92CF6CC872040FDAF65553AB62A5 x86 SHA1: 6071184282B2156FF61CDC5260545C078CCA31EE If needed, a free utility called HashCalc can be used to calculate checksums for all kinds of different algorithms. You can get it here: http://www.download.com/HashCalc/3000-2250_4-10130770.html Enjoy the Beta :) Dustin
james3mg
on Jan 10, 2009
@dtatgenho Thanks so much for listing those- now I've got confidence I got the correct and full download :)
DRWAM
on Jan 10, 2009
The servers may be all working again, but I logged in to my Live account, then pasted this URL which gave me the same key for Win 7 32 bit again and allowed me to DL: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win...
DRWAM
on Jan 10, 2009
Never mind. It's working again [MS beta DL site].
Dipsh t Admin
on Jan 10, 2009
As I mentioned, I was already able to get the iso yesterday, but I couldn't get the keys. Went to the Windows 7 site just a few minutes ago, saw the link to get the beta, and very quickly I got the product key that I needed plus the download if I needed it again.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
Has anyone checked to see if a 32-bit product key works with the 64-bit version, or vice-versa?
longshot21771
on Jan 10, 2009
Just went to the Windows 7 site again by chance and it had the download option and went right to giving me the key and installing the download manager.
lilserenity
on Jan 10, 2009
Waethorn, I believe they are interchangeable from what I have read on various forums. I'm still downloading my 32bit ISO but if I'm the first to try it on here, I'll report back what happens when I enter a 64bit key into it. Vicky
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
thx vic
WhatsUP1
on Jan 10, 2009
LOL microsoft goes to duplicate serials generated to solve thier server problem , what a genius !!! hahaha i generat about 10 serials , many of them duplicated used in each time diff live account some of them thier 32bit duplicated only with no duplicate in 64 bit serials and every language have a db of serials to be duplicated microsoft think we are crazy !!! if they do it to solve the problem ( as i think ) this well be the most genius trick ( I am joking ) LOL
Lindy
on Jan 10, 2009
Waethorn, I completely agree with your RAM numbers. I know lots of lite users still on 512meg of RAM, including integrated graphics running XP and they are perfectly happy. I would say that Vista (probably 7 as well) does not like single core CPU's as much. XP is decent on single core CPU for lite users, and give it hyperthreading or a dual core and its peppy.
DRWAM
on Jan 10, 2009
I read at the technet blog that they are interchangable too. However, I get get a different key for the 64 bit software using my Live log in. When I logged in again using the same link [for the 32 bit DL] I got the same key. So the key must be linked to our Live accounts. All I can say is MS was kind enough to do this after the holidays, otherwise we would be playing instead of shopping!
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
Here's how I got VHD bootable support on a clean install to work: Start the DVD/ISO (I used Virtual PC). Get through all the regular messages until you get to the drive partitioning information. If you need to load drivers, do that now with the Load Drivers option. Press Shift-F10. A command prompt pops-up. Type the following: 1) diskpart [the prompt changes to indicate that diskpart is running] 2) select disk 0 [this is assuming you have a single hard drive in your system] 3) create partition primary [this creates a single partition that is the full size of your hard drive] 4) active [this makes it bootable - this is important because the "Next" button on the partition GUI isn't available if you omit this] 5) assign letter=v [this is for the host drive letter where the VHD's sit. this can be whatever you want, but Setup will change the main Windows drive to C] 6) format fs=ntfs quick [quick formats NTFS] 7) create vdisk file="v:\7.vhd" size=30000 type=fixed [make sure you include the quotes there. this makes a fixed-size ~30GB VHD on the host drive. this may take a while to create] 8) select vdisk file="v:\7.vhd" 9) attach vdisk 10) exit [this exits diskpart] 11) exit [this closes the command prompt. you don't need it anymore] You should now be back at the GUI partitioning screen. Hit F5, or the Refresh Button. You should now see the VHD drive underneath the host drive. On my Virtual PC setup, my host drive was 60GB, and the VHD was 30GB. You should also notice that the host drive is now labelled as a System drive. That's thanks to the "active" command in diskpart. Click on the VHD (the "30GB" drive). There will be a warning at the bottom saying Windows can't be installed to the drive. If you did everything right, the Next button will be available anyway. That's it. I've tested this numerous ways in Virtual PC and it works fine. If the Next button on the GUI partitioner is greyed out, you did something wrong. I'd like to see if the VHD mount can be taken directly into Virtual PC. Likely it won't, since the bootloader is installed on the host drive, but it's worth a shot. I'd also like to see if WinRE is still available, and if the fallback routines work.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
As a followup, it doesn't seem to matter what you specify as a drive letter for the host so long as it isn't already taken. Everytime I try this with slightly different options, it always seems to make the mounted VHD C:, and the host drive D:. Just FYI: you have to assign a drive letter to the host and specify that same drive letter when specifying which drive the VHD is on in the vdisk commands. I'm thinking that if you create multiple VHD's and attach them all, the host will probably have a drive letter that's after all VHD....I will check that though. Also, the only thing you should see on the host drive is the VHD's. All other files and folders are hidden, and you don't want to mess with them....If you know about the old drive compression schemes from DOS (like DRVSPACE/DBLSPACE) and what happens when you mess with a host drive, well, you don't need to be told about it.
johnbaxter
on Jan 10, 2009
I must say, waiting for the official download seems much simpler than the hoops so many of you jumped through. As I mumbled before was likely, MS did indeed set the download up through Akamai (probably as planned all along). Off to lunch 17 miles away while it downloads.
WhatsUP1
on Jan 10, 2009
so please discribe , when ms said that there will be only 2.5 million beta tester whom can achieve a key , now we know there is many duplicated keys , so how many registered beta tester in real ... 2.5 m microsoft !!? ha? LOL anybody have any info about how many pc's we can active with a single key? if unlimited so it bad , because ms publish windows server 2008 R2 beta with beta keys without all that playing with our mind and time to get a key .. so if its the same in windows 7 beta , why ms do that bad thing ?? to make credit or to what ?? i love windows 7 beta but ms is the same as i knew :( so bad to say that
WhatsUP1
on Jan 10, 2009
official download http:www.windows7.com
DRWAM
on Jan 10, 2009
Question. I'm gonna install on my [$400:)] Vista laptop on a second empty partition. 1) Can I dual boot Vista and 7? 2) If my lappy becomes unhappy [or the kids get confused], can I delete the partition and Vista will be fine? Thanks, Doc
subzerohitman721
on Jan 10, 2009
I'm typing this on my home deskop using, yes you guessed it... WINDOWS 7 64 ULTIMATE! I got the ISO from NeoWin and the keys have been leaked to the web. I just activated mine using one and it works. Very freaking sweet. All I can say is WOW! Major improvement over Vista's performance! Very very quick startup and shutdown, very snappy performance, and Windows Update has drivers for my video card and my wireless. Sweet! Even my onboard audio works. The graphics are just beautiful. I had no problems with burning the ISO, no problems with the installation, and I"m good to go. Now if the RTM is this good, Microsoft has got a real winner on their hands. Instead of virtualizing it, get a decent testing machine and go for it. If you successfully installed at least two Windows installs, it should be a piece of cake.
robertsjoe
on Jan 10, 2009
Windows servers not capable of serving large numbers of requests for large files. They should use BitTorrent. But then again, they have the erroneous mentality that, if it's not invented here, we don't use it.
robertsjoe
on Jan 10, 2009
Rumours are circulating that Apple will move to CES as of next year. Not only are Microsoft's keynotes always complete failures, not they will always be upstaged by Apple at the same show.
Waethorn
on Jan 10, 2009
@Doc: Blowing away the newest OS after you get bored of it is going to be a hassle on a dual-boot system. I'd recommend using a backup and installing it full-tilt on the hardware for a good test. If you're not willing to reformat to go back to Vista, give it a good run in Virtual PC for an easier option, but you won't get Aero in Virtual PC, so the nice effects aren't going to be there. It still performs well though. The post-boot memory footprint is actually in line with XP (not Vista) on a 512MB VM. There was a whole 200MB left free while sitting idle after boot - OUT OF 512MB! On an operating system BASED ON VISTA! That's impressive!! Before you do ANYTHING, make sure you have an easy-to-work-with backup (raw files is usually the easiest, rather than a compressed backup made from a backup program, such as what you get from OneCare - those types should be used for emergencies only).
DRWAM
on Jan 10, 2009
Thanks Wae.
Sevenmack
on Jan 10, 2009
Downloaded the official beta and installing on the Acer right now. The beta that I did have (the version that made the 'rents) is lovely. Vista is great, but 7 is even better.
robertsjoe
on Jan 10, 2009
It looks like someone is actually doing the bigass coffee table. But doing it right and actually getting a product out there. http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/01/10/look-out-microsoft-surface-the-itab...
CompactDstrxion
on Jan 10, 2009
Just to confirm the beta direct download links that were posted yesterday are definitely the real deal?
robertsjoe
on Jan 10, 2009
First reviews and impressions of Windows 7 are coming in. In general it's.. boom! BSOD. Then BSOD.. and so on. What a wonderful OS.
lilserenity
on Jan 10, 2009
Wae, 32bit takes the 64bit key and probably vice versa. Robertsjoe, You're a clueless idiot. It's a shame all your Mac seems to get used for is baiting Windows forums and going on and on and on and on and on about microsoft did this, they did that, vista bla bla. Have you tried to do something constructive with it, like making videos and writing like I do on mine. It certainly sounds like you don't.
lilserenity
on Jan 10, 2009
For the record, my good impression is on my rather decrepit 6 year old Thinkpad T40, 1st gen Pentium M Banias and 1GB RAM. Boots just as fast as XP and so far seems to run just the same. Can't say it's faster as it feels like normal. No Aero graphics (the Radeon 7500 was out of date when IBM put them into the T40s in 2003 let alone now in 2009) so I have spotted a couple of odd quirks but overall so far seems pretty damn decent. Much like my experience of Vista, solid and a decent. The new taskbar does work somewhat like the OS X Dock which to my mind is not a brilliant thing (it's the big reason my eMac which though used a lot, is not used as much as my Windows PCs) but at least it doesn't dump the trashcan into the fray and it can be set up to work something like the older taskbar. The movability of open apps in it is a nice thing. If anything, it does seem to highlight there is quite a difference in some ways to OS X in that the latter seems to represent the traditional desktop metaphor in an OS (much of it works just as it did in System 7's Finder if you brush off some of the bells and whistles) whereas perhaps one reason behind Vista's less than rapturous adoption in business is because whilst it works better than the older Windows 95/NT4 desktop metaphor (which was polished up to XP) -- it is a learning curve which some people just cannot take. 7 seems to take it a bit further, I really like the idea of libraries -- it will make organising documents across locations combined with LiveMesh's foldersync much easier to manage.
robertsjoe
on Jan 10, 2009
@lilserenity: http://www.inquisitr.com/14951/windows-7-the-agony-and-the-glory/ The horror stories are out there already.
shark47
on Jan 10, 2009
"The horror stories are out there already." Yeah, he likes it. The horror!
lilserenity
on Jan 10, 2009
@robertsjoe: Ok you still don't get it. It's a beta release. That means it's not the final version and there are bound to many more problems than in a release piece of software. Beta is not final software? Got it? No? Do you remember OS X 10.0 and 10.1? Hopefully you don't because they were both awful and OS X was not even usable until 10.2 and 10.0/1 were not beta releases, they were proper full blown OS releases sold with Macs! OS X was making up for lost time after Pink and Copland and was released according to keeping Apple going and not when it was ready. MobileMe's rollout when launched was nothing short of a disgrace. And Leopard has its fair share of problems too, it does on my eMac and was unstable as hell compared to Tiger. This may well have improved since I gave up on it with 10.5.1 but I don't want to mess it up again to find out. So - get this: Beta software - expect problems, glitches and issues - and that goes for software developed by me, Apple and Microsoft. Release/Gold Software - expect the odd bug here and there but largely the majority of people should have no problems. So what's next up, gonna deny that I'm actually using Windows 7 and it's working fine for me? Or perhaps we could sit down and realise that a computer is just a bunch of cleverly designed souless electronics, a few transistors all bundled up into some integrated circuits pumping out 1s and 0s and that's it. Mac OS X or Windows, they do the same thing. 1s and 0s, how could anybody be passionate about those... I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- I use OS X to get some jobs done and Windows to get some other jobs done. Then I go outside and enjoy the rest of my life walking and taking photos -- try it, it's a much more exciting place out there than indoors :)
RaaJ
on Jan 10, 2009
robertsjoe: What were you searching on Google for? "Windows +7 +BSOD" ?? Where the hell did you even find that insignificant site? Did you read past the BSODs in that article, where the author unreservedly recommended Windows 7? You are like the raving loon in the town square who was fun as a side show for the first few minutes, but then quickly becomes annoying and gets shunned by everybody. Have you bought your quota of 'class' and 'taste' today from Apple?
lilserenity
on Jan 10, 2009
Actually that's a pretty good write up, the BSOD during an upgrade install that does suck. But I've had upgrade installation issues on just about every computer platform going -- the bottom line for everything is backup and install clean, then restore. But then there's this bottom line at the end of that article: "My general impression of Windows 7 so far is basically this. As soon as TigerDirect in Canada is taking pre-orders I’m jumping in on that line. I am sure that more than a few people will have negative things to say about it but in the 20 some years that I’ve been using Windows products this is really the first one in a long time that I really like. Where I would discourage people from using Vista I would in turn encourage them to use Windows 7. I still have a bunch of stuff to learn of course and days spent just playing around and tweaking the install but all in all – good job Microsoft – good job." So here's a soundbite "Boom boom boom (my Steve Jobs impression) and boom (one for good measure) - oh and boom again - popped the Windows 7 DVD into my 6 year old laptop which I knew didn't have drivers for some of its hardware, e.g. video. About 30 minutes later Windows 7 was fully installed and working. Boom." I know it's a bit dull but then the whole install process was quite unremarkable here :)

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