You can download the service packs SP2 for Vista by 2 ways which provided by Microsoft. First, you can direct download the service packs and this is maybe the fast method. And the second method by download a small script which will be add an entry to windows registry which will make the service pakcs available in windows update.

For your information, this is still in BETA version and I suggest you do not install it to your computer for works. This beta service pack of windows Vista will be expire in May 2009.

Here is the links for the first method and second method.

[ Via GHacks ]

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Download Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta Version

All of the wallpapers of windows 7 come from DevianArt. It’s a good to bring the wallpaper of windows vista 7 into your computer although the OS is not published yet.

Download Windows 7 Wallpapers

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Download Windows Vista 7 Wallpapers

And now Microsoft want to release their new Windows which called Microsoft Windows 7. There are many version people say it like Microsoft 7, Vista Windows 7 or Vista 7. Why the next generation of windows called 7 because this is the seventh release of Windows said Mike Nesh (Microsoft’s vice-president of Windows product management) and it make sense.

Most of you I think want to know the looks of Windows Vista 7 and me too. Many websites directly link to thinknext.net for the Vista 7 screenshot but unfortunately the images has be gone. Why? You can check his post here about someone from Microsoft investigator.

But don’t be sad because you can check several images and also features of Windows 7 at Wikipedia and I hope it will have a good performance and much better than Windows Vista. They said Windows Vista 7 will be release next year.

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Microsoft Windows 7 Beta Release?

It does have uninstallation options in case you decide you want to get rid of it, so there really isn’t anything to lose. However, when you install the software it has to overwrite some system files (it modifies things like the boot screen) so Windows will prompt you stating that your system files have been changed. It will ask whether you want to change them back or leave them, so just leave them if you want the system to function properly.

Features of Vista Transformation Pack:
• Boot screen
• Welcome Screen / Logon Screen
• New msstyles files (visual styles)
• New desktop and file icons
• New toolbar icons
• Progress Dialogs
• Sounds scheme
• System Tray icons
• New Wallpapers
• Windows Media Player Skins

You will find this program is amazingly easier comparing to all other shell packs.

Need Free Computer Themes?

Open www.freecomputerthemes.net to get all of desktop themes and many wallpaper themes to download.

If you can not click it, just copy and paste www.freecomputerthemes.net or type in www.freecomputerthemes.net at your browser. The themes only available in 5 days. So hurry up before it expired!

Changes in Version 8.0.1:
- Fixed pre-configuration specifications to improve performance (Removed unstable applications from list)
- Fixed TrueTransparency’s stability (some settings in skin causing input hook problems)
- Fixed Visualtooltip configuration when user accidently deletes the configuration files in there
- Removed backup files’ status and put CPU model instead (obsolete checking)
- Updated system files’ status report to “Out of sync” and repairing system files information
- Updated user account configuration system for more subtle performance

Changes in Version 8.0:
- Added CPU Speed information in Welcome Center
- Added saving setup information file to save setup configuration for later uses with unattended transformation support
- Added installation background
- Added “System optimized” in Setup Configuration to configure the user account corresponding to machine’s spec
- Added TrueTransparency 0.8.5 (Glass border with ported AeroStyle skin)
- Added WinFlip 0.42 (Vista 3DFlip)
- Fixed KB925902 hotfix issues with file processing animation
- Fixed Media Center program execution error
- Fixed rebuilding icon cache bug on non-current users during the processes
- Fixed Styler’s installation checking bug (always set toolbar to styler mode when possible)
- Fixed failing to apply Vista screensaver
- Fixed program name in Add/Remove Programs
- Fixed subscribing Windows X’s shrine to be default homepage bug in Welcome Center
- Fixed visualtooltip’s advanced configuration bug
- Fixed WindowBlinds 6 skin installation compatibility
- Moved hotfix warning to user guide file to prevent confusion
- Re-arranged welcome dialog for richer information
- Replaced Extras in Welcome Center with Community link to forum
- Removed configuring user account’s status report
- Removed obsolete dialogs (WindowBlinds warning, Before transformation, Donation, FAQ and Q&A)
- Removed Vista Live Messenger 8.1 skin
- Updated Setup Configuration in Welcome Center to cover on everything
- Updated setup transformation to pre-configure current user account before finishing the transformation
- Updated theming engine configuration
- Updated Vista Sidebar to version 2.3 Lite
- Updated Vista Sidebar user account configuration in Welcome Center
- Updated ViStart to build 2661
- Updated ViOrb to version 2.0
- Updated VisualTooltip to version 2.2
- Updated Welcome Center to pre-configure user account with system optimized option on the first run in that user account

You can get the themes at from WindowsXLive.NET

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Change Windows XP to Vista Themes

You can go to http://wfp.microsoft.com/ you can sign up for this program with the following rules:
* Participation is currently limited to US residents of 18 years and older.
* You are the owner of the computer you use for this program.
* The automated feedback program is offered to Windows Vista and Windows XP customers only.
* The survey feedback program applies to all versions of Windows.
* Microsoft, comScore, and MarketTools employees are not eligible to participate.

And here is the what’s you will get:
* Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit and 64-bit DVD)
* Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007
* Microsoft Money Plus Premium
* Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium 2008
* Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008

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Is it Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Free Now?

Microsoft will be release their new Windows in late 2009 called “Windows Seven”. According to Wikipedia, Windows 7 with codename Blackcomb and then Vienna confirmed by Microsoft is the internal name for the next version of the Windows Client OS.

From first release of Windows Vista on January 2007, Windows 7 will be release on 32 bit and 64 bit version. Although the official said Windows 7 will be 64 bit, maybe we remember when Windows XP released, Windows Longhorn planned to be 64 bit version only. And now most of the PC still use 32 bit version, and I though Windows 7 will be release in 32 bit version.

In some forum there are many opinion why the next generation of Windows call Seven. Here are the opinions why called Windows 7:
1. It’s going to take seven years to finish
2. It will be the 7th version of windows (Vista is no.6)
3. 7 as a lucky number and big release (I though 13 is a lucky number too)
4. Some one also said like this Windows Se7en.. it’s so funny!

Maybe we just wait and see when Microsoft launch their future and next generation of Windows.

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Windows 7 – Next Generation of Windows

Microsoft has been launch a new feature on their new Windows Vista operating system. Windows Experience Index base score is help customer to understand how well Windows Vista and the software running on and the index achieve this by the capability of the PC and assigning the score. The higher score indicates the better Windows Vista running on your PC.

The overall PC performance is represented the base score. The base score is derived from 5 subscore for each following 5 attributes:
1. Processor (calculation per second)
2. Memory (operation per second)
3. Graphics (desktop performance for windows aero graphics
4. Gaming graphics (3D graphic performance, useful for gaming and 3D business apps
5. Primary hard disk (data transfer rate of the primary hard disk)

To open the windows performance just open Control Panel, and select Performance Information and Tools. You should already see the score. If your score only 1.0 maybe all the driver for the first time finish installation Vista has not support. After update driver you can refresh to update your score and need several minutes. The score is determined by the lowest subscore. I want to share my score when using my Axioo Notebook and here is my score screenshot.

The score only 2.9 and from base score definition the score between 2.0 – 2.9 means:
1. Description – PCs will run Windows Vista but most cases will not be Aero capable.
2. Application and Scenarios – Improve responsiveness. Same applications as base score of 1.0 – 1.9. Basic performance. Productivity applications, IM, web, email, simple games – like Solitaire, educational games.

If you see my score, the lowest score come from gaming graphics and memory. Since my graphic card for my NL 758i Centaur only have integrated Mobile Intel 045GM Chipset 64 MB and memory only 512MB DDR2 , I think it must be upgrade to 1GB memory but I guess can not upgrade the graphic card. Hopefully I can buy a new notebook with a good power graphic card.

If you want to share your score you can go to shareyourscore.com. Also you can share your score here with detail of your hardware.

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Windows Vista Experience Index Base Score

After several conflict version when we install Zone Alarm Internet Firewall because it has not compatible with Windows Vista, now you can buy the compatible Vista version for all Security Suite in Zone Alarm 7.1.

By utilize Vista new API and provide a deeper OS firewall layer, Zone Alarm now provide their customer with great protection and stability at Windows Vista environment. Now security vendor ca not rely purely old methods and old technologies and great to see Zone Alarm lead the way.

The multi layer compression protection including the bes of antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall, Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite 7.1 is a safeguard PC user against most complex online threats. With exclusive firewall system, Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite has deepest level of integration with Vista series to proactive prevent threats.

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Zone Alarm Release Vista Compatible Version

Several days ago my friend said he has a new Windows Vista with compressed into only one CD with 700MB capacity and I really get surprise since I know Windows Vista is packed in DVD.

So I borrow his CD Windows Vista and I start to install on my old PC like I do when I install Tiny XP Professional in the same PC. The booting like usual from CD drive and wait in several minutes and we must use NTFS partition and not other partition system since Windows XP can be use on FAT 32 system. The process installation until finish only need 45 minutes and the it has been packed with 12 hotfix edition. The version of the operating system is Windows Vista Ultimate Edition, since I know it’s the highest version of several Vista series.

All of the driver for my old PC has been detected correctly without need to find another update driver. The total capacity needed when it’s completed only 4GB less than total Windows Vista installation from DVD version. There are several missing files and first I found is the offline help from Microsoft. If you need tutorial or some guide all you have to do must connect to internet and go to the Microsoft help data center.

The second is all of printer driver is missing. I can not found any type of printer driver but it’s worthed to free your hard drive space. Many components has been removed from Tiny Vista ultimate Edition but still include 3 important main program from Microsoft: Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11 and Windows Mail (Formerly “Outlook Express”).

I use Intel Pentium III with 256 MB SDRAM and the speed is like running Windows XP Professional. I think because much of the driver and components has been remove and it’s really fast for an old PC.

Note: Tiny Vista is illegal/pirate version and I just try to know the performance. Please don’t use it and buy the original Windows Vista. Please don’t ask me where I found it.

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Tiny Vista Ultimate Edition

Since I post how to make a Windows Vista DVD and steps to upgrade Vista, I run the windows Vista upgrade advisor installer to know my Axioo laptop have some issue or not when upgrade it.

The installation pretty easy, just click twice, next and finish. Run the program and a window will opened. Just klik the button “Start Scan” and wait for several minutes. Oh I forgot, you must have an internet connection to run the advisor program.

The first issue that I must concern about the free space storage. I need 15 GB of free hard disk space to install Windows Vista on this drive and I just have 6.97 GB free space The advisor recommend at least 40 GB for Windows Vista and it’s really surprising me since Windows XP only need only 1.5 GB for installation and I just split my hard drive for drive C only 20GB.

The second issued is the system memory of my Axioo laptop, they recommend me to upgrade my RAM at least 1GB to ensure optimal performance for the Windows Aeroâ„¢ user experience, TV recording, high-end gaming, photo editing, and multimedia programs. So I must add another 512MB of DDR2 and it’s around $40 per pieces.

For my CPU, DVD and video card there are no action required. As you know my CPU is Genuine Intel® CPU T2050 @ 1.60GHz Core Duo with DVD-RW. The Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset Family video card support the Windows Aeroâ„¢ user experience and it’s really suprising me since as I know Vista need higher graphic card to run Aero.

Other harware that need to update after upgrade to Vista are the realtek soudcard, realtek fast gigabut ethernet, motorola fax modem bison webcam NB Pro and the integrated flashmedia controller.

For the software there are several must be need attention for the compatibility. Sony Ericsson PC Suite, Power DVD 5, Nero BurningRom&Vision, PowerQuest Partition Magic 8.0, MSN Messenger,

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Report Using Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor