Interim Server Build 3505 is available for download
We are pleased to announce availability of Microsoft(R) Windows(R) .Net(R) interim server build 3505 for electronic download. This is an interim server build following Beta 2.
You are not required to download or install this build as a part of the Whistler beta test. Interim builds are provided on an as-is basis for hardware and software developers, and for those beta testers that are interested in interim build updates.
This build will NOT be made generally available on CD.
This download is NOT available to all beta sites. This is only available to beta sites that received the server builds at Beta 2 or have been recently nominated to join the beta at the server level. Please do not send email requesting to be added to the server beta program, we are not doing any conversions at this time.
NEW NUMBERING CONVENTION
To further clarify the distinction between client and server releases and their separate shipping schedules, you will notice a new build number for .Net server builds. All 3xxx builds are .Net server builds while all 2xxx are XP client builds. Builds that have the same last three digits are built from similar components and are fundamentally the same with regards to those features which are shipped in the client release of that build, however there may be minor differences. This build number convention was chosen solely to help differentiate the products when releasing internal daily builds, and does not imply anything about future Windows XP build numbers or timeframes.
The server family members are not referred to as "XP," the proper designation is .NET Server Family (or whichever member of the server family).
This is not "RC1" of the server family, and it is not yet Beta 3. It is an interim build that happens to correspond somewhat with the same build of Windows XP that we released as RC1.
Please make sure to review the recent posts by Paul Donnelly on bug filing.
PRODUCT KEYS
Microsoft Windows .Net server requires a product key to complete installation. Each Technical Beta ID has been issued a unique product key for their use in testing Windows. If you have not yet gotten your assigned product key, log on to http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com/support/key.asp.
The product key previously issued to you should be used to install this build. Your product key can be used to install all editions of Windows (e.g. Server, Advanced Server).
This product key is assigned to you and should be used by you only (or only your designated representatives if you are a corporate site). Your product key is a representation of your Technical Beta privileges. You may lose your Technical Beta privileges if your product key is published on an Internet site or otherwise becomes publicly available.
WINDOWS PRODUCT ACTIVATION
You have up to 14 days from installation to activate Windows.
- Activation can be accomplished via two different connection methods: Internet and telephone. Customer service centers supporting telephone activations for other countries are now available.
- You may install Whistler on as many PCs as your End User License Agreement (EULA) allows. Please see your EULA and the supplemental EULA posted here and on the web site for exact details.
- For beta, the grace period by which you must activate is set to 14 days. For RTM, it will be 30 days as previously stated.
- Please use the ".beta.whistler.product-activation" newsgroup to post any problems or technical questions pertaining to product activation.
INTERIM BUILD
This is an interim build we are releasing for ongoing development efforts. Microsoft does not recommend that you install this build. This is an "external test release interim build" provided primarily for hardware and software developers to use in lab test environments to verify recent code fixes and application and device compatibility. If your connection to the Internet is such that you can download a build of this size, you are welcome to download, install and report any critical problems to us as soon as possible. However, this release is interim developmental code between standard release milestones. As such, much work is in-progress and many features may not be fully functional. In addition, this release has not been fully tested to the same level as a full external beta release.
This build may not be as stable or reliable as a beta milestone release. It may contain fixes and improvements in some areas while it may have new problems in other areas. You are welcome to install and try this build at your own risk, recognizing these limitations. This build may in fact work better in some cases for a limited set of beta users.
If you install this build, please complete an install survey. (http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com/Survey/Install_Survey.asp)
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Please note this release is provided in an effort to facilitate your development and test initiatives only. As this is a limited interim release, it is provided as is, and unsupported except via online beta newsgroups. If you decide to install this build, we recommend you do so on a test machine and remind you that it is at your own risk. This build will expire 180 days after initial installation is complete.
**IMPORTANT: Upgrading Previous Whistler Builds
Do not use this build to upgrade any previous Whistler builds. If you upgrade over a previous Whistler build, a number of features and applications may not work correctly. Please do not file bugs on issues that occur on an upgrade from a previous Whistler build. However, you may upgrade Windows NT Version 4.0 and Windows 2000, or you may perform a clean installation.
BUG REPORTING IN CURRENT BUILDS
We no longer provide the bug reporting client on the desktop with the build. You may install the client by following these instructions:
- Download the bug reporting cab file MSI package (bugreptcab.msi) and the shortcut creation script (Shortcut.vbs) from http://download.windowsbeta.microsoft.com/dl2.asp. You will find it in the menu tree under Content/Downloads/Utilities/Bug_Reporting. Start Help and Support.
- Run the BugRepCab.msi file.
- Run the Shortcut.vbs file to create the desktop shortcut.
You should now see the bug reporting icon on your desktop.
LICENSE CONDITIONS
Review the online pre-release license agreements carefully before proceeding with the installation of this build. By installing this release, you agree to the terms and conditions of these agreements. As a reminder, all pre-release licenses expire when the product becomes commercially available.
In addition, please see the Supplemental EULA terms posted in the announcements newsgroups and on the windowsbeta web site.
Using the WindowsBeta Build Download tool
- Register with WindowsBeta at http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com/ by logging in with your Microsoft Passport.
- If you do not have a Passport, you can get one for free by following the links from WindowsBeta. Once logged in with your Passport ID you will be prompted for your Microsoft BetaID.
- After logging in with your BetaID, the contact information we have for you will be displayed. Please take a moment to verify this contact information and click "Submit".
- You are now registered to use WindowsBeta.
- Follow the link under the "Downloads" menu to download the build.
- Please note: You must use a Win32 based operating system (Windows 9x, Me, NT or 2000). We do not currently have clients for alternate operating systems. If you do not have access to one of the above operating systems to download the build, please email winbsite@microsoft.com for additional instructions.
- Find the content you wish to download in the left hand content menu.
- Click on the plus signs to expand the tree. Click on the links to display the related content.
- Click on the file name to download
- If this is the first time you have used the system on this computer, you will be prompted to accept the File Transfer Manager application which will quickly download and be install on your system before launching itself to download your requested content.
Please report issues or send feedback on the file transfer system to our WindowsBeta administration alias: winbsite@microsoft.com.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely,
Microsoft Windows Product Team
