Microsoft postpones Windows 7 public beta

[Borimol]

Microsoft Corp. postponed the roll-out of the Windows 7 beta today, citing "very heavy traffic" on its Web site.

The company did not offer a new schedule for delivering the beta of its newest operating system.

"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 Microsoft.com properties before we post the public Beta today," a spokeswoman said in an instant message reply to earlier questions about the Microsoft.com's performance. "We want to ensure customers have the best possible experience when downloading the Beta."

On Wednesday, CEO Steve Ballmer promised that the beta would be released to the general public today. Later, a company spokeswoman said that Microsoft would post the beta today at noon PST.

Early Friday, however, several Microsoft domains, including the main page and the designated download site, were overwhelmed by users eager to grab the beta. Although those URLs were later revived, attempts by Computerworld and others to download Windows 7 from a TechNet page aimed at IT professionals have been stymied for several hours.

Users who have tried to download the beta have been greeted with messages such as "Server is too busy" and "This site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, please check back in the next business day."

The Microsoft spokeswoman did not know when users could expect to download the beta. "No ETA at this point," she said via a follow-up instant message.

Although Microsoft has said it would cap the number of Windows 7 beta activation keys at 2.5 million -- perhaps one of the reasons users felt a sense of urgency today about getting the download -- it is not expected to yank the download after that mark is reached. Users unable to obtain an activation key in the initial rush will still be able to download and install the beta, then run it under the operating system's 30-day trial.

By using the same "slmgr -rearm" command that gained notoriety after Windows Vista's debut, users can extend that trial period to a total of 120 days.

This is not the first time that Microsoft's run into problems offering beta code by download. In June 2006, after it launched Windows Vista Beta 2, it urged users to order a DVD copy of the preview rather than download, claiming that if it boosted its bandwidth enough to handle all the demand, it could cripple the Internet as a whole.

"We are literally saying that if we increased our bandwidth any further there's a possibility of taking down the Internet," an unidentified Microsoft representative told Dutch blogger Steven Bink at the time.

In 2006, Microsoft also reportedly considered, then rejected, distributing Vista Beta 2 using the BitTorrent file-sharing protocol.

Late last month, a copy of a 32-bit Windows 7 build -- later identified as the same as the beta Microsoft began offering developers this week -- leaked to BitTorrent sites. In the last 48 hours, the official beta -- apparently obtained from a subscriber to TechNet, one of Microsoft's paid services developers and IT professional -- has also appeared on BitTorrent sites.

Via: http://www.computerworld.com

[9UnknownMen]

I'd be cautious to give up. I doubt MS or its spokespersons release info to the press via IM.

Those IM quotes are word for word from Brandons blog post except for the word "today" added to the end which they used to run with the "postponed" headline.

Btw, Borimol...looks like your Vaio is cousin of my XPS. ;)

[t0mbi]

ahh f*ck

[(Spork)]

INC kids screaming about having to wait for a FREE public beta

[McSmiggins]

It's real, got posted to the developer blog about an hour and a half ago.

[User6060]

i was downloading and then at 93% it stopped and told me the file on the server was diff and i had to start again :s

[perochan]

expected. i will wait.

[C_Guy]

INC kids screaming about having to wait for a FREE public beta

You'd think their whole world was collapsing because of a short delay in getting free beta software.

[9UnknownMen]

*Update on Windows 7 Beta Availability

Due to very heavy traffic we?re seeing as a result of interest in the Windows 7 Bet 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 b>experience when downloading the beta, and we will be updating this page once the beta goes live. Stay tuned! We are excited that you are excited!

That per both the developer and public win7 blogs. Notice the Computerworld writer uses quotes that are identitcal except conveniently "today' shows up. Just sayin....

[abcdefg]

Why is it that downloading illegally just works?

You know how I got my 7.

[qdave]

hah so many problems with getting it into public. people are very anxious about it.

[nilsHaus]

I got my 7 by wading in the grey area...but its the keys I'm after.

Now, I'm reconsidering waiting it out...I mean, what happens after the 120 days? Does it allow me to revert to a previous Vista intall?

[Brandon]

ARE THESE KEYS for ultimate or for home premium

[Eric Veteran]

Why is it that downloading illegally just works?

You know how I got my 7.

Really? Your illegal Windows 7 download issued you a valid key that you're authorized to have? Wow...

[t0mbi]

I'd say he hasn't activated it yet

thats how i got my mine :) good ol' re-arm for me! wouldn't mind getting a valid key tho

[Sebaz Vista]

I got my 7 by wading in the grey area...but its the keys I'm after.

Now, I'm reconsidering waiting it out...I mean, what happens after the 120 days? Does it allow me to revert to a previous Vista intall?

Why would you install this beta as your main OS? That's a big mistake. This is something you have to install only in a different hard drive, preferably unplugging all the other hard drives to prevent that bug from eating your MP3s before you apply the patch.

[briangw]

Why would you install this beta as your main OS? That's a big mistake. This is something you have to install only in a different hard drive, preferably unplugging all the other hard drives to prevent that bug from eating your MP3s before you apply the patch.

Because we aren't new users here. This is one of the most stable betas I have encountered in the past. Been using it as my main OS for a month now. Worst case scenario, I can put my Alitiris image of Vista 64 back on if need be.

[Sebaz Vista]

Because we aren't new users here. This is one of the most stable betas I have encountered in the past. Been using it as my main OS for a month now. Worst case scenario, I can put my Alitiris image of Vista 64 back on if need be.

As stable as it may be, it's still a beta. Nobody should use a beta as their main OS.

[Lee]

They should have used Bittorrent and allowed people to get the CD keys off the site. Should have reduced the traffic a little.

[Lexcyn]

As stable as it may be, it's still a beta. Nobody should use a beta as their main OS.

You are entitled to your own opinion, of course. But if someone wants to use this as their main OS, so be it. I have to agree with the poster above as well, this beta is very stable, minus a few issues here and there. Can't wait for the final.

[AaronMT]

I have a strong feeling majority of the downloads for Windows 7 will be one-time users. A quick browse around the Windows 7 environment, and a format back to Vista and or XP. Which, in essence, hurts those who are taking the time to download the ISO in order to contribute in feedback and debugging, dtrace, etc.

[Dwarden]

next time offer BT* style download dear MS ... instead of archaic solution from previous century ...

*Bittorrent

[Ayepecks]

Is there a torrent to the official beta (read: not a pirate)?

[Denholm]

next time offer BT* style download dear MS ... instead of archaic solution from previous century ...

*Bittorrent

Would make sense.

[aussiefloyd_fan]

i was downloading and then at 93% it stopped and told me the file on the server was diff and i had to start again :s

whats the link? i wantie