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Just got my e-mail now, it seems that those who registered to download RC2 of .net Server 2003 have just gotten their download instructions!

The e-mail reads:

**PLEASE Do not reply as this email is being sent to you from an un-monitored account.

Due to Microsoft's security requirements, the hyperlink(s) contained in this email may not automatically open your browser. If you experience any difficulty with a hyperlink in this document, please copy the hyperlink and paste into your browser.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION FOR RC2 DOWNLOAD CUSTOMERS

Microsoft® Windows® .NET Server 2003 Release Candidate 2 is now ready for download! Please read this email carefully and keep a copy so that you will not lose valuable information you need for participating in the Windows .NET Server 2003 Customer Preview Program.

As a participant in the Windows .NET Server 2003 Customer Preview Program, you are entitled to a copy of the Windows .NET Server 2003 Release Candidate 2 (RC2).

Download: WindowsBeta

DOWNLOADING RC2



To download RC2 now, go to http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com, and login with the Microsoft Passport ID that you used to download RC1. There is no need to register again.



To download Windows .NET Server 2003 RC2 please ensure that you are using a computer that is running Windows95 or later and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater.



If you experience any problems downloading Windows .NET Server 2003 RC2, please send e-mail to cppdlsup@microsoft.com.



INSTALLING RC2 AFTER THE DOWNLOAD



Windows .NET Server 2003 RC2 requires a product key for installation of the product. This key can only be used with Windows .NET Server 2003 pre-release builds. This key is the same key you used to install RC1. You can obtain your personal product key from https://windowsbeta.microsoft.com/keys/default.asp. You are allowed to install this beta software on as many machines as permitted by your license agreement.
Windows .NET Server 2003 RC2 includes product activation. You will be required to activate the product within 14 days of installation.
3. Windows .NET Server 2003 RC2 is a time limited release and will expire 360 days after initial installation is complete.

4. Windows .NET Server 2003 RC2 is not recommended for production systems unless you are explicitly working with Microsoft on deployment programs.

Due to the nature of pre-release software, some of your applications and hardware may not function correctly.


If you proceed with the Internet download option, please note that you will need to either burn a CD or use third party software to extract the Windows .NET Server 2003 setup files. The Internet download is an .ISO file, an "image" of the product CD. It is not a self-installing executable like many Internet-downloadable programs. You will need a CD Burner and CD Burn software or a third party utility to extract files from an .ISO image. More details and instructions will be available on the web site prior to your download.



If you will be connected to the Internet when installing Windows .NET Server 2003, please use the Dynamic Update option during setup. This will ensure that the very latest fixes can be delivered to your machine prior to running setup. If you are upgrading Windows 2000 or Windows NT 4.0, and do not use Dynamic Update, you may get an error about kernel mode audio drivers on some systems. You will need to uninstall and reinstall using Dynamic Update on these systems. This will enable Microsoft to test the Dynamic Update feature of Windows .NET Server 2003.


Please review the pre-release license agreements carefully during the installation of Windows .NET Server 2003 RC2. By installing this release, you agree to the terms and conditions of these license agreements. As a reminder, all licenses associated with the product will expire when the product becomes commercially available.



Before installing this release you must print and fully read Read1st.txt. This document contains critical pre-installation and upgrade information important to your installation and is located at the root of the installation media.


PRODUCT KEY
During the installation process, you may be prompted to enter a product key. The key required is the same key you used to install RC1. If you have misplaced your key, you can return to https://windowsbeta.microsoft.com/keys/default.asp after logging into WindowsBeta to retrieve your key.


CPP CD KIT OPTION

If you choose to not download and want to switch to the CD mailkit, please place your order for the CD mailkit through www.microsoft.com/windows.netserver/preview.


PRIVATE NEWSGROUP SUPPORT
Support for RC2 is limited to a peer-to-peer support through a community of private newsgroups. You will have access to a community of private newsgroups where you can submit questions about the functionality of Windows .NET Server 2003 and share your experiences with other members of the Windows .NET Server 2003 Customer Preview Program.

The following are the private news groups which support Windows .NET Server 2003 RC2:

REMOVED

HOW TO ACCESS THE NEWSGROUPS

Instructions on accessing the news groups:

Newsgroup Reader (Outlook Express)

1. Tools
2. Accounts
3. Add (button in upper right of box)
4. In drop down select “news”
5. Type the name you want everyone to see you as
6. Type the email address you wish to use
7. In the NNTP box type: ***** be sure to check the lower left box that reads “My news server requires me to log on”
8. Account Name = *****
9. Password = *****
10. Finish
You will be prompted if you wish to download the new newsgroups. Click “Yes”. Then subscribe to all of the newsgroups you wish to view. If you are using a newsreader other than Outlook Express, follow the setup instructions for your newsreader. Use the NNTP server, username, and password provided above.
Web Based Newsreader (Internet Explorer)
Go to http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.asp?icp=CPPuser&slcid=us
The password is: *****

GETTING UPDATES
To get more information via newsletter, and to receive priority notification when RC2 is available, please register at: http://cppregister.com/dl.

If you have any more questions, please send e-mail to cppadmin@microsoft.com. Please note that this is not a technical support email alias.

For more information, please visit www.microsoft.com/windows.netserver/preview.

Thank you very much for your interest in the Windows .NET Server 2003 Customer Preview Program.