On the 06/10/2006 Microsoft released Windows Vista Release Candidate 2 (RC2) build 5744 to a select number of Customer Preview Program (CPP) participants, as well as to members of itsTechBeta, TechNet, TAP, and MSDN community.
Being the Technet Plus member that I am, I downloaded it the second it was released! Following the release of Windows Vista RC1 on September 1, Microsoft continued to receive feedback that warranted a second release candidate release. That said, Microsoft hopes this is the last interim build before Windows Vista is released to manufacturing. As for whether Microsoft will meet its shipping goals for Windows Vista, a press release stated, "Microsoft continues to target Windows Vista availability for volume license customers in November 2006 and general availability in January 2007, although the final delivery will be based on quality."
I must say from my experience, Vista RC2 has been fantastic, I have noticed a huge number of differences from RC1, first up more drivers! A lot of devices on my laptop did not pick up at all in RC1, but with RC2 everything got picked up with the exception of my display adapter, it seems a lot faster and more reliable.
They have also added Smart Card support in the new build, I found previously there was no option to use smart card, but now it appears they have upped their game... Also application compatibility, a lot more of my applications are smooth on vista, especially VMWare workstation.
It took ages to find the solution to the following 4 applications that vista has trouble with...
Symantec Antivirus, Cisco VPN Client, Nero and Lotus Notes
The solutions... First up Symantec Antivirus, the following version is available via the symantec website: Corporate Edition V10.0.1.628, this works a treat in Vista RC2. In RC1, all the services used to fail, but this new version from symantec is fine. But please note, you will need to install the following MS update prior to installation: Windows6.0-KB920143-v1-x86.
Cisco VPN Client, due to the enhanced security and User Account Control restrictions in vista it was impossible to get any version to install under vista, it would fail at the point in setup stating 'Installing Network Enhancer' i.e the network connection.. It would hang for an extensive amount of time, then crash. Glad to say cisco are ahead of their game and released version 4.8.01.0410. This is 100% Compatible with vista, just install it, import your existing pcf files and away you go..
Nero: Nero has advised that they are not creating a 100% working version of Nero until Vista is released, but after trial and error I can advise that the following version works fine:
Version 6.6.012, but keep in mind the SmartStart does not work, but who needs that anyways? We are IT Pro's right? as long as you use it via nero.exe it works fine. Vista will alert you that it is not compatible, but you can ignore those messages because I assure you it does!
Last and least, Lotus Notes/Domino. If you are one fo the unfortunate people who are currently stuck with a Lotus Notes Infrastructure as apposed to an Exchange environment, not all hope is lost with Vista. The only version of Lotus Notes/Domino Administrator that work with Vista are Notes R7.0.1, any version of Notes 6 (which most notes users run) is not compatible and will crash as soon as you try to open it.
Can you upgrade from a previous version of Vista to Vista RC2?? YES YOU CAN, you can upgrade from Vista Beta 2 or RC1 without any issues at all! which was impossible under RC1.
One thing I have found strange though, is when my screen saver kicks in (the default vista one) it comes up saying Windows XP Media Edition! OOPS Microsoft... I have informed them of this.. quite embarassing...
there are also a huge mound of new Gadgets available for the Vista Sidebar.. some useful ones I have found are the ping gadget and the Remote Desktop Connection..
get your gadgets here:
http://gallery.microsoft.com/Results.aspxvista=landing&rdm=797722&l=1&ti=2
To get Vista go to the follwing: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/
All I can say is, vista kicks ass!
I highly recommend giving it a go, i'll be blogging more and more on vista in upcoming days...
