do not upgrade xp pro beta 2

If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

This post is not addressed to the original poster, but to those who may be considering upgrading their operating systems from XP to Vista Beta 2.
I don't agree with the original poster that losing his data is Microsofts fault.
Microsoft says the following about Vista Beta 2:
Note: This is beta code and should not be used in a production environment or on a main machine in the home. Beta 2 is intended for developers, IT professionals and technology experts to continue or begin their testing of Windows Vista. Before you decide to use Beta 2, you should feel comfortable with installing operating systems, updating drivers, and general PC troubleshooting. Some risks of using beta operating systems include hardware and software incompatibility and system instability. If you have concerns about installing this beta software on your computer, we encourage you to obtain the final release version of Windows Vista when it is available in 2007.
I do agree with the original poster that you should not upgrade a production or main home machine. If you do decide to upgrade an XP installation with Vista Beta 2, you must, at a minimum, back-up all data, and it would be better to image your drive. And if you image your hard drive, ask your self if you know how to make an image and restore it. In many cases computers cann0ot be restored from images, because the images were not made correctly. I blame the imaging software for this. If someone sells imaging software, it should not depend on a first time user intuiting the exact correct procedure. But it does. So even if you make an image, copy the data too.
And backups must not be stored on the same partition that you are going to install Vista on. At a minimum they must be on another partition, and really they shouldn't be on the same computer. Put the backups on DVDs, tapes, external hard drives, or on other computers.
Better than upgrading your XP operating system is doing a clean install to another partition (dual booting), and better than that, is getting a new hard drive, and putting your old hard drive with your data on it in a drawer where it will be safe. If you want to upgrade your system, you could use the copy utility that most drive manufacturers supply, to copy your operating system from your old disk to the new disk. Then you would have all your data for testing, and when Vista ate your data, you could just pull the old drive out of the drawer, and be back in business.
If you do a clean install to another partition, you are still not out of the woods. Vista does not use boot.sys. It installs its own boot manager to your XP partition. To go back to XP, you will have to either edit the boot manager to remove Vista and point it to XP, or delete it and restore the XP boot.sys.
If you are still considering upgrading your XP system to Vista go through some of the other posts from people who have lost all their data.
To summarize
Don't upgrade a production or main home machine. Do a clean install to another partition.
If you decide to upgrade a production or main home machine back it up first. Back up the data, and then do an image.
A new hard drive is better. Remove your old hard drive from the system to protect it.
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message

If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

Apparently the concept of a backup has escaped you. I have a stand-alone 300GB hard-drive sitting on my desk. Every night a 2:00am, Norton Ghost does a complete image of my primary drive and puts it on the external drive. Every morning, I check the status. Call me paranoid or whatever, but I will never have to write about losing data.

I agree...
FWIW - I have installed Vista Beta 2 on my workstation at work (Upgraded over XP SP2 Corp) and at home (Upgraded over XP SP2 Pro). Both systems are completely usable and have experienced very few issues related to Vista programs. In fact using the Aero Theme with Aero Glass itself turned off both systems are quick and responsive.
Work System - 1ghz PIII - 768meg ram - Geforce 5600 256meg AGP Home System - 2600+ AMD XP, 1 Gig Ram, Geforce 6200 128meg AGP
The Intel system seems to remain more responsive than my home machine but I have never had good luck with AMD setups and my home system has been no exception even with XP installed.
As said before me though.. .this is beta... if you thought it was 100% stable you had no business downloading the Beta.
This is one of the things I hate about releasing software to the public. :(
"Todd" wrote:

This post is not addressed to the original poster, but to those who may be considering upgrading their operating systems from XP to Vista Beta 2.
I don't agree with the original poster that losing his data is Microsofts fault.
Microsoft says the following about Vista Beta 2:
Note: This is beta code and should not be used in a production environment or on a main machine in the home. Beta 2 is intended for developers, IT professionals and technology experts to continue or begin their testing of Windows Vista. Before you decide to use Beta 2, you should feel comfortable with installing operating systems, updating drivers, and general PC troubleshooting. Some risks of using beta operating systems include hardware and software incompatibility and system instability. If you have concerns about installing this beta software on your computer, we encourage you to obtain the final release version of Windows Vista when it is available in 2007.
I do agree with the original poster that you should not upgrade a production or main home machine. If you do decide to upgrade an XP installation with Vista Beta 2, you must, at a minimum, back-up all data, and it would be better to image your drive. And if you image your hard drive, ask your self if you know how to make an image and restore it. In many cases computers cann0ot be restored from images, because the images were not made correctly. I blame the imaging software for this. If someone sells imaging software, it should not depend on a first time user intuiting the exact correct procedure. But it does. So even if you make an image, copy the data too.
And backups must not be stored on the same partition that you are going to install Vista on. At a minimum they must be on another partition, and really they shouldn't be on the same computer. Put the backups on DVDs, tapes, external hard drives, or on other computers.
Better than upgrading your XP operating system is doing a clean install to another partition (dual booting), and better than that, is getting a new hard drive, and putting your old hard drive with your data on it in a drawer where it will be safe. If you want to upgrade your system, you could use the copy utility that most drive manufacturers supply, to copy your operating system from your old disk to the new disk. Then you would have all your data for testing, and when Vista ate your data, you could just pull the old drive out of the drawer, and be back in business.
If you do a clean install to another partition, you are still not out of the woods. Vista does not use boot.sys. It installs its own boot manager to your XP partition. To go back to XP, you will have to either edit the boot manager to remove Vista and point it to XP, or delete it and restore the XP boot.sys.
If you are still considering upgrading your XP system to Vista go through some of the other posts from people who have lost all their data.
To summarize
Don't upgrade a production or main home machine. Do a clean install to another partition.
If you decide to upgrade a production or main home machine back it up first. Back up the data, and then do an image.
A new hard drive is better. Remove your old hard drive from the system to protect it.
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

You've been beta testing that long and haven't done backups??? It's about time you had your butt bit if you ask me. No beta test in his right mind would do anything without backing up. Serves you right. No way in any sense of the word is this Microsoft's fault. Use your head.
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote:

If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

PLEASE somebody shoot this guy
I dont want to even waste any time in trying to help this dude with his problem which is probably just a permissions issue that he can solve by taking ownership of the relevant parts of the harddrive.
What a dumass!!!!!
Go back to beta testing 3.1 you frickin idiot you've SO much to learn!!!!!
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message

If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

It's easy to become exasperated with people who have ignored all the warnings, especially those who are now trying to blame someone else for what they have done, but even if he has only himself to blame, the loss is still real.
It's probably possible to find, and therefore save at least some of his data, and maybe most of it. Did Visto save his XP data to windows.old, as it has for other users?
Does Vista try to do some kind of conversion on the Outlook 2003 .dbx files? If not, it's hard to see how it could have corrupted them. It's more likely they are still in the C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Local Settings\Identities\{...}\Microsoft\Outlook Express folder, and the Vista mail utiltiy just doesn't know where it is.
It may still not be too late.
"Michael Bryett" wrote in message

PLEASE somebody shoot this guy
I dont want to even waste any time in trying to help this dude with his problem which is probably just a permissions issue that he can solve by taking ownership of the relevant parts of the harddrive.
What a dumass!!!!!
Go back to beta testing 3.1 you frickin idiot you've SO much to learn!!!!!
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

It is not a permissions issue and you are the dumbass for saying so. When a file goes from over 50MB's in size down to 255KB, that is not a permissions problem it is a very serious bug. I have been in the tech field and hacking probably longer than you've been on this planet. You'd best be careful whom you call a "frickin' idiot". The idiots are people like you who think they know what they are talking about. To think that I'm terminally ill because I chose to defend this country with people like you in it is nauseating.
If you're so smart: 1) why can't you spell? and 2) why aren't you helping to catch all the ID thieves and phishers and hackers? I am using my talents for that and have gotten quite a few people arrested around the world. What have you done? Can you drop into an IRC chat without being visible? That's what it takes in order to catch the real cyber criminals. Can you say that you have beta tested every operating system since Win 3.1 without any problems until this major one? Can you tell just by the behavior of your computer whether there is a root kit present? I can. Can you get into the CIA's main system without being detected? I have. Do you know how to program in assembler language? Probably not.
Now go back to your cubicle and leave those of us that know what we are doing alone. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.
"Michael Bryett" wrote:

PLEASE somebody shoot this guy
I dont want to even waste any time in trying to help this dude with his problem which is probably just a permissions issue that he can solve by taking ownership of the relevant parts of the harddrive.
What a dumass!!!!!
Go back to beta testing 3.1 you frickin idiot you've SO much to learn!!!!!
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

Please don't turn the instruction of another person into a flame war.
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message

It is not a permissions issue and you are the dumbass for saying so. When a file goes from over 50MB's in size down to 255KB, that is not a permissions problem it is a very serious bug. I have been in the tech field and hacking probably longer than you've been on this planet. You'd best be careful whom you call a "frickin' idiot". The idiots are people like you who think they know what they are talking about. To think that I'm terminally ill because I chose to defend this country with people like you in it is nauseating.
If you're so smart: 1) why can't you spell? and 2) why aren't you helping to catch all the ID thieves and phishers and hackers? I am using my talents for that and have gotten quite a few people arrested around the world. What have you done? Can you drop into an IRC chat without being visible? That's what it takes in order to catch the real cyber criminals. Can you say that you have beta tested every operating system since Win 3.1 without any problems until this major one? Can you tell just by the behavior of your computer whether there is a root kit present? I can. Can you get into the CIA's main system without being detected? I have. Do you know how to program in assembler language? Probably not.
Now go back to your cubicle and leave those of us that know what we are doing alone. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.
"Michael Bryett" wrote:
PLEASE somebody shoot this guy
I dont want to even waste any time in trying to help this dude with his problem which is probably just a permissions issue that he can solve by taking ownership of the relevant parts of the harddrive.
What a dumass!!!!!
Go back to beta testing 3.1 you frickin idiot you've SO much to learn!!!!!
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

Please don't flame people in the newsgroup.
"Michael Bryett" wrote in message

PLEASE somebody shoot this guy
I dont want to even waste any time in trying to help this dude with his problem which is probably just a permissions issue that he can solve by taking ownership of the relevant parts of the harddrive.
What a dumass!!!!!
Go back to beta testing 3.1 you frickin idiot you've SO much to learn!!!!!
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

FYI: Outlook and Outlook Express do not use the same folders nor are they set up the same way - for example, Outlook doesn't use identities like Outlook Express does.
To all of you that have made your accusations and assumptions as to what happened to my data and my ability to properly back it up:
Put yourself in my shoes for a bit. You've been testing OS's for MS for years and always keep the second hard drive in your PC for just that purpose. If there isn't any beta testing then the drive remains empty. You've done a clean install of Vista Ultimate Build 5381 and installed Office 2003 Standard to see how it behaves. It works fine and without bugs and the backup program add-in in Outlook is functioning properly. Along comes Beta 2 with an email requesting that the upgrade scenario be tested. Past experience with the OS beta's never had a problem once they had reached the Beta 2 phase and the fact that this particular beta was also released to the general public implied that it was quite stable. So you backup everything to DVD's and a separate hard drive partition from the OS just in case the discs are faulty or get damaged. You run the Vista ready test program to see what headaches you should expect form the upgrade and address them. Then you install Beta 2 Business as an upgrade for XP Pro SP2 and start testing things for stability and security. Everything seems to be functioning as it should but you can't be sure until you try to backup something and recover it. Since I was going to reinstall XP I figured that Outlook was the best choice since I had to back up the emails I had received since installing Beta 2 anyway. That's when things went awry. The backup acted like it had done what it was supposed to do but it hadn't. That's when I went searching for the original Outlook files to see if they could be used and they were corrupted as well. The cause of the corruption is anybody's guess. I don't know if they were corrupted during the backup process or when Outlook was closed. I do know that the original backup file size was 79.8MB and suddenly was down to 255KB.
Regading the data, I searched everywhere for a way to retrieve it and it was nowhere to be found. The backup files were corrupted for some reason with this particular build of Vista. I don't know if it's because of the Business version or what. I do know that I never had any problems with the Ultimate version on the "test drive" (my second physical hard drive) doing clean installs. Office 2003 worked fine and I would put it through some tough tests based on experience with some of my computer illiterate business clients. I tried to duplicate some of the things that they had done to cause crashes and mysterious disappearing emails and it performed fine. I accept the blame for trusting that when asked to test the upgrade scenario I should have known better than to do so. But we as beta testers have an obligation to the Beta team as well as the consumer and business that expect this OS to function properly when they upgrade their systems. Unfortunately, the only way to do that LEGALLY is to upgrade a legitimate copy of XP Home or Pro. Since you can only install the OS on one PC and one notebook that means either purchasing another copy of the OS or breaking the law. I also discovered that there was a root kit installed on the test drive when I was disecting the OS looking for what may have caused the Outlook data to have gotten corrupted. Since there are very limited choices for the security software compatible with Vista at this point that doesn't surprise me. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.
"Todd" wrote:

It's easy to become exasperated with people who have ignored all the warnings, especially those who are now trying to blame someone else for what they have done, but even if he has only himself to blame, the loss is still real.
It's probably possible to find, and therefore save at least some of his data, and maybe most of it. Did Visto save his XP data to windows.old, as it has for other users?
Does Vista try to do some kind of conversion on the Outlook 2003 .dbx files? If not, it's hard to see how it could have corrupted them. It's more likely they are still in the C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Local Settings\Identities\{...}\Microsoft\Outlook Express folder, and the Vista mail utiltiy just doesn't know where it is.
It may still not be too late.
"Michael Bryett" wrote in message PLEASE somebody shoot this guy
I dont want to even waste any time in trying to help this dude with his problem which is probably just a permissions issue that he can solve by taking ownership of the relevant parts of the harddrive.
What a dumass!!!!!
Go back to beta testing 3.1 you frickin idiot you've SO much to learn!!!!!
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

Dude, your OWN signature says to RTFM. You claim to be knowledgable, yet you completely ignored MS's warnings, and then blame them for releasing the beta. You sicken me.
Did you try an undelete tool scanning your hard drive to see if your old file could be recovered? If you haven't used the drive much after the incident, it might not be too late.
I hope your next install goes better. John
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote:

If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

Dude, You sound like me when I was 10. And yes, it's pretty obvious you are lying.
You claim to have hacked the CIA, which is a cyber crime, then brag about getting cyber criminals arrested. Think a bit before you start typing.
I can understand you are angry, but take the anger out on the 1 person who has caused your suffering. You.
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote:

It is not a permissions issue and you are the dumbass for saying so. When a file goes from over 50MB's in size down to 255KB, that is not a permissions problem it is a very serious bug. I have been in the tech field and hacking probably longer than you've been on this planet. You'd best be careful whom you call a "frickin' idiot". The idiots are people like you who think they know what they are talking about. To think that I'm terminally ill because I chose to defend this country with people like you in it is nauseating.
If you're so smart: 1) why can't you spell? and 2) why aren't you helping to catch all the ID thieves and phishers and hackers? I am using my talents for that and have gotten quite a few people arrested around the world. What have you done? Can you drop into an IRC chat without being visible? That's what it takes in order to catch the real cyber criminals. Can you say that you have beta tested every operating system since Win 3.1 without any problems until this major one? Can you tell just by the behavior of your computer whether there is a root kit present? I can. Can you get into the CIA's main system without being detected? I have. Do you know how to program in assembler language? Probably not.
Now go back to your cubicle and leave those of us that know what we are doing alone. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.
"Michael Bryett" wrote:
PLEASE somebody shoot this guy
I dont want to even waste any time in trying to help this dude with his problem which is probably just a permissions issue that he can solve by taking ownership of the relevant parts of the harddrive.
What a dumass!!!!!
Go back to beta testing 3.1 you frickin idiot you've SO much to learn!!!!!
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

Hmm, if you've the smarts to have been a beta tester for so long, why are you still storing data on your C drive????
LOL
-- Ian M. Walker
http://www.IanMWalker.com
~ Look to your own life before worrying how others are living theirs ~ "Michael Bryett" wrote in message

PLEASE somebody shoot this guy
I dont want to even waste any time in trying to help this dude with his problem which is probably just a permissions issue that he can solve by taking ownership of the relevant parts of the harddrive.
What a dumass!!!!!
Go back to beta testing 3.1 you frickin idiot you've SO much to learn!!!!!
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote in message If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

This link is to the release notes for beta 2. You might find the answer to your problem here I think....good luck
Setup
* This note applies to Windows Vista.
When you transfer Microsoft Office Outlook® .pst files to a Windows Vista computer with Windows Easy Transfer, Outlook cannot access them automatically. The files have been transferred to the new computer and are located in the equivalent directory. You must manually configure Outlook to locate the files.
http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/d/8/7d8965b9-4a7c-4510-9987-ffa57c9ad2fe/relnotes.htm
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote:

If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

I'm with John on this one. You knew the risks before you updated your computer with a test product but did it anyway then come with this warning like you've made some undocumented discovery. Now I don't know how you upgraded but I did the upgrade option and I lost NOTHING! Not my favorites, none of my email, a few apps wouldn't run but that was expected but by and large this "beta" doing an upgrade option worked pretty well. Better than expected.
Now when you tell your friends about how Microsoft Vista screwed up your computer and how you lost 600 dollars to boot, make sure you tell the complete story...that it was a BETA product that YOU elected to install and that you ignored every warning you get PRIOR to the install.
-MrVee
"John Bishop" <John Bishop@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

Dude, your OWN signature says to RTFM. You claim to be knowledgable, yet you completely ignored MS's warnings, and then blame them for releasing the beta. You sicken me.
Did you try an undelete tool scanning your hard drive to see if your old file could be recovered? If you haven't used the drive much after the incident, it might not be too late.
I hope your next install goes better. John
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote:
If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

and so am i!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
"MrVee" wrote:

I'm with John on this one. You knew the risks before you updated your computer with a test product but did it anyway then come with this warning like you've made some undocumented discovery. Now I don't know how you upgraded but I did the upgrade option and I lost NOTHING! Not my favorites, none of my email, a few apps wouldn't run but that was expected but by and large this "beta" doing an upgrade option worked pretty well. Better than expected.
Now when you tell your friends about how Microsoft Vista screwed up your computer and how you lost 600 dollars to boot, make sure you tell the complete story...that it was a BETA product that YOU elected to install and that you ignored every warning you get PRIOR to the install.
-MrVee
"John Bishop" <John Bishop@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message Dude, your OWN signature says to RTFM. You claim to be knowledgable, yet you completely ignored MS's warnings, and then blame them for releasing the beta. You sicken me.
Did you try an undelete tool scanning your hard drive to see if your old file could be recovered? If you haven't used the drive much after the incident, it might not be too late.
I hope your next install goes better. John
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote:
If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.

Too stupid for a beta OS.
When you help someone like this they will just be back in a few more days with more stupid question.
This group is being flooded with moronic questions: How do I get a product key Where do I get a driver for xyz hardware Won't install on my lapotop Won't install on my computer circa 1968 My crappy video card won't run aero glass (the sky is falling) My crappy sound card doesn't work Can't figure out how to activate Will my 16 bit program from 1992 run on Vista How long can I use Vista Beta How do I dual boot I NEED STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO GET XP BACK cannot delete windows.old file
Ignore them, children should only listen to adult conversations, not be incouraged to join in.
On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 10:07:02 -0700, vistafaggay wrote:

and so am i!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
"MrVee" wrote:
I'm with John on this one. You knew the risks before you updated your computer with a test product but did it anyway then come with this warning like you've made some undocumented discovery. Now I don't know how you upgraded but I did the upgrade option and I lost NOTHING! Not my favorites, none of my email, a few apps wouldn't run but that was expected but by and large this "beta" doing an upgrade option worked pretty well. Better than expected.
Now when you tell your friends about how Microsoft Vista screwed up your computer and how you lost 600 dollars to boot, make sure you tell the complete story...that it was a BETA product that YOU elected to install and that you ignored every warning you get PRIOR to the install.
-MrVee
"John Bishop" <John Bishop@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message Dude, your OWN signature says to RTFM. You claim to be knowledgable, yet you completely ignored MS's warnings, and then blame them for releasing the beta. You sicken me.
Did you try an undelete tool scanning your hard drive to see if your old file could be recovered? If you haven't used the drive much after the incident, it might not be too late.
I hope your next install goes better. John
"Kolohe Wiz" wrote:
If you are running Outlook 2003 and install Vista Beta 2 Business as an upgrade and try to backup your Outlook file you are in for a rude awakening. You will lose all the emails that you thought you had backed up and the original backup file and archive backup will both get corrupted and rendered useless. I found this out the hard way earlier today. I've lost over $600.00 worth of software that was purchased and downloaded over the past 6 months because of this MAJOR problem. Without the emails with the order info and serials, etc. the software cannot be replaced.
The fact that Beta 2 was unleasehed on an unsuspecting and unprepared public just makes it that much worse. I've been a beta tester since the days of Windows 3.1 and never experienced anything like this. No more will I defend Microsoft or its software as I have in the past.
We, as Beta testers, were asked to perform "upgrade scenarios" because Beta 2 was stable enough to do so. That was nothing but a lie. It is not stable by any stretch of the imagination. Build 5381 was far more stable than Beta 2 and that's unacceptable.
Beware and be warned that Microsoft can no longer be trusted as far as I'm concerned. And the $5.00 maximum for damages they refer to in the Beta 2 EULA is a joke for a multi-billion dollar company. I would venture to bet that no one ever receives one cent for their losses. I know I won't recoup anything for the losses I have suffered - all my emails from January 2006 through May 2006 are lost forever and most of them were business related correspondence.
I am so stressed out and frustrated at this point, I want nothing to do with Windows Vista or Microsoft products ever again. I don't feel like the company can be trusted at all. If/when a class action lawsuit comes out of this premature release of an unstable beta to the general public, I will be sure to get in on it as quick as I can. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions. -- When all else fails.... read the instructions.