Windows 7 Beta Officially Available for Download
Posted by: loseitright on: January 11, 2009
The Windows 7 Public Beta is officially available for download on its main website.
Click here to download the Beta. Good luck!
I’ve been using Windows 7 for a few hours, and I can tell you its way better than Vista. Review tomorrow!
“ZOMG A KEY!!!”
Posted by: loseitright on: January 10, 2009
- Windows 7 Product Key Page
After hours of endless waiting, and when I’m about to go do something else than staring at my screen, I saw this pop-up: “ZOMG A KEY!!!”. And one by one, my 5 tabs in Firefox stopped, and generated FOUR keys (well, 2 pages generated the same key). ZOMG!
A product key can be used on three seperate computers, and I’m planning to give one product key away. So if you would want a product key, please e-mail me at info@ashleychan.net. I’ll give the key away to the first three people. However, do note that even with the product key, the Beta is set to expire in August 2009 (possible release date?). However, if Windows 7 isn’t released yet, there may be a newer Beta version to download to extend the deadline.
For the other lucky sobs who got the keys, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-installation-instructions.aspx to read up more before installing Windows 7. Remember, its a BETA, so there are still bugs to be ironed out.
That said, I shall go install Windows 7 now and hopefully blog a full review by the end of tomorrow. Good luck guys!
Windows 7 Beta Hell
Posted by: loseitright on: January 10, 2009
- Windows 7 Product Key Error Page
I think many of us have been abusing the F5 key on our keyboard for the past few hours. The Windows 7 Beta was supposed to launch at the afternoon of Jan 9 (Pacific Time) but the server load was too much for Microsoft’s servers to handle. So according to Microsoft,
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!
- Brandon LeBlanc, The Windows Blog
However, for those who haven’t yet visited any tech forums or tech sites, there’s hope for you! The ISO image of Windows 7 Beta is available for download direct from Microsoft’s website. Click here to download the 32-bit version and here to download the 64-bit version. It’s not a direct download file, so you do need an ISO image burning software to burn it onto an empty DVD. Some computers come with it, so use that. If not download ImgBurn for free here.
The next step now is to get a product key. I’ll list the most common step to get a product key now since the servers are down, but I am not sure whether you’ll be able to get it if you didn’t sign up for the Beta earlier on. So here are the steps:
- Go to http://technet.microsoft.com.
- Click “Sign in” at the top right hand corner, and sign in with your Windows Live ID.
- At the same page, point your mouse to the Address bar in your browser.
- Paste the following address into your Address bar:
For 32 bit version: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-32-ww&LCID=1033
For 64 bit version: https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-64-ww&LCID=1033 - You’ll most probably get a error page with the message, “The site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day”.
- Hit F5 repeatedly until the it gets you to the product key page.
Apparently, some people can get to that page in Step 6, while some of us (like me) have been trying for hours. So to stop you from staring at the computer screen, there are two Firefox plugins that will help you auto-refresh, and notify you once that page in Step 6 appears. You can try Check4Change or use the method I’m using now by using Greasemonkey. This forumer did a good job in explaining the steps of configuring the Greasemonkey script.
I also heard that the 32 bit and 64 bit product keys are interchangeable, and can be used for up to 10 computers. So people, share the love! If you are only using it on one computer, share it with others!
Also, I heard that Microsoft’s releasing about 50 million product keys once the servers are up and running again. This, despite they saying it’s capped at 2 million or something. True or not? I’m not sure.
Once I got the product key, and get Windows 7 up and running, I’ll post a full review here. To whet the appetite of those who are still waiting for the product key, you can:
- Visit the official Windows 7 website.
- Hanker the Windows 7 team at their official blog.
- Visit this non-Microsoft related Windows 7 site for great articles.
- Get some sleep while the C4C/Greasemonkey script is running.
- Install Windows 7, and start using it (you can use it for 3o days without a key!)
Till then, happy waiting!
Welcome!
Posted by: loseitright on: January 10, 2009
I’ve reserved this blog for a year but I couldn’t really find the right time to start posting. I hope to share my love of technology, gadgets and all things sparkling new through this blog, and hopefully generate discussion among readers.
A little info about me here… technology and gadgets has always been a keen interest of mine, and I’ve been keeping up on technology blogs like Engadget and CNET Crave religiously. I love trying out new hardware and software, especially those that are still in Beta. So developers, if you want someone to be the guinea pig for your new cool hardware or software, you know who to look for. 
Oh, and I love Apple products because it’s very minimalistic in design, but packed on features (just look at the apps for iPhone, or the new iLife ‘09 for OS X). However, I’m using a Windows computer which works just fine, and there’s nothing seriously wrong with Vista in my 2 years of using it (from its beta till now).
In the real world, I’m taking a diploma in IT, and to be honest, while I love to spend my entire day in front of the computer, shopping is a huge interest of mine.
This website is part of the AshleyChan.net network of sites, which consists of my main website, my personal blog, my fashion blog (another huge interest of mine, but this is currently under construction) and this blog.
