Windows Vista Public Beta 2

This is the guide to install Windows Vista Public Beta 2 in Q.

Warning: This guide only applies to Public Beta 2 from June 2006, later versions will not install because of missing ACPI features in qemu. From recent user feedback we know that even Beta 2 can make problems in some cases (http://qemu.dad-answers.com/viewtopic.php?t=1645).

Step One: Get Windows Vista Public Beta

Download the Public Beta:
English 32-Bit
German 32-Bit

Get a CD-Key:
You can get a CD-Key at the Vista Website. You only need a Windows Live-ID or a Hotmail account and the CD-Key will be sent to your e-Mail address.

Step Two: Set up [Kju:]

Download the latest build of [Kju:] (you need at least build 0.8.1d1202). You'll find it at the bottom of the website.

Create a new PC with the following options:

• Ram: at least 512MB (you should be careful here, it depends on your Mac's Ram. Mine is 1,25GB so the rest should be enough for OS X.)
• Harddisk: Choose "create other harddisk" and type at least 13312 MB. Vista needs these 13 GB at least!!! so you are safe giving it 15360 MB (15 GB) harddisk space. It seems that qcow images are just fine for Vista and XP, but this is still under investigation. You can give it a try by choosing qcow image. Otherwise choose raw image as harddisk type because XP already has problems with raw images so Vista will probably have them, too.
• CD-Rom: "Choose file..." and locate the iso image of Vista on your harddisk
• Boot from: Choose "CD-Rom" here
• Advanced Tab: Check -win2k-hack for installation!

Click "Create PC". Important: Creating the 15 GB harddisk image will take some time and there is no status bar, so you'll probably go and get a coffee. It will at least take 15-20 minutes to finish.

Start Vista install by double-clicking your newly created PC in the main window.

Step Three: Install Vista

Should look like this when booting Vista install.

Choose your language and keyboard layout.

Yes, install now'''

Wait a while here'''

Type your product-/CD-Key here.

No choice here.

Again no choice here. Just click.

Now Vista should find your harddisk. You have to format it NTFS here. Click on Drive Options at the right side.
Click New, Apply, then Format and OK. Then you can proceed with Next.

The install starts. It takes about 2 hours from here.

Windows just restarts over and over again. If you get a screen that shutdown was not complete, choose to start Windows normal.

Now it's time to set up your personal settings.

Username, user icon and password here (looks like Mac OS X setup, hmm?).

Choose PC name and wallpaper.

Yes, we have to be worried about security. ;-)

Ok, we're ready! Let's get started'''

Reboot again'''

Login with username and password.

Some settings have to be set again here..

Vista seems trying to install a bunch of drivers for network protocols?!, you can skip them.

Step Four: Test Windows Vista

We're ready! Test Windows Vista. Leave your comments and hints here, it's a wiki'''

Important: Disable the screensaver first, it crashes the system and forces a restart'''