Microsoft sends out Correction e-mails regarding Win7 Expiry

Just got this in my mail today.

Special Beta Edition — Correction

Because you signed up to test the Windows 7 Beta, we recently sent you mail about the expiration dates for the Beta and Release Candidate. Unfortunately, we made a mistake.

We said the Beta would start shutting down every two hours on June 1, 2009. The correct date is July 1, 2009.

The rest of the dates in the mail were correct. Here’s a quick summary:
Version:

Starts shutting down every two hours:

Expires:
Beta

July 1, 2009

August 1, 2009
Release Candidate

March 1, 2010

June 1, 2010

We apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused.

Thanks again for helping us test Windows 7.

You are receiving this important message about Windows 7 because you downloaded the Beta or RC from either TechNet, MSDN or the Windows web site.

Microsoft releases SP2 for Vista and Server 2k8!

Saw this over on Slashdot, which saw it on ArsTechnica. Service packs are always nice to cover, didnt bother with the beta as im not a Vista user, but here is the final anyway 😛

After actually RTFA here’s some highlights.

SP2 includes ability to record data to Blu-Ray Disc media.

SP2 removes the limit of 10 half open outbound TCP connections. By default, SP2 has no limit on the number of half open outbound TCP connections.

Not many, but if i did use Vista, those would be my most valued additions.

Download x86: Windows6.0-KB948465-X86.exe

Download x64: Windows6.0-KB948465-X64.exe

Windows 7 Beta [Pre-RC] Expiration Date Notice.

IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT BETA EXPIRATION DATE

Thanks again for your help in testing the Windows 7 Beta.

We’re sending this mail to remind you that Windows 7 Release candidate is available and to make sure you plan ahead for when the Beta expires on August 1, 2009. On June 1, 2009, the PC you’re using to test the Beta will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will send you a notice a couple of weeks in advance, and that’d be the ideal time to rebuild your test PC with a non-expired version of Windows, such as the RC or Windows Vista. This will be a clean installation, so be ready to reinstall your programs and data.

IMPORTANT: If you are running Windows 7 Beta you’ll need to back up your data (preferably on an external device) and then do a clean install of the Windows 7 Release Candidate. After installing Windows 7, you will need to reinstall applications and restore your files. If you need help with the installation process, please see the Installation Instructions.

If you have questions or need help installing the RC, you can get help with your Windows 7 questions at http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/category/w7itpro/

There’s another expiration date you need to keep in mind: Windows 7 RC will expire on June 1, 2010, and you’ll need to either upgrade to the final release of Windows 7 or a prior version of Windows before then. (We‘ll send you another reminder as this date approaches.)

Thanks again for your interest in Windows 7 and for your help in finishing this product!

Windows 7 Ultimate RC Build 7100 MGADiag.exe Output

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0006.1):
—————————————–
WGA Data–>
Validation Status: Genuine (WGA unsupported OS)
Validation Code: 6
Online Validation Code: 0x0
Cached Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-QGPR6-9FWH9-KGMM7
Windows Product Key Hash: KPMTvA9Hd1oHQ2i2zL4ZgFzc1ak=
Windows Product ID: 00428-321-7001067-70421
Windows Product ID Type: 0
Windows License Type: Unknown
Windows OS version: 6.1.7100.2.00010100.0.0.000
ID: {2662F256-7CB8-4B77-B25A-8FB3EC608C84}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
WGA Version: Registered, 1.9.9.1
Signed By: Microsoft
Product Name: Windows 7 Ultimate
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 7100.winmain_win7rc.090421-1700
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A

WgaER Data–>
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

WGA Notifications Data–>
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Notifications Data–>
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WGATray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Data–>
Office Status: 111 Unsupported OS
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics:

Browser Data–>
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:Program FilesMozilla Firefoxfirefox.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed

Licensing Data–>
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7100.0

Name: Windows(R) 7, Ultimate edition
Description: Windows Operating System – Windows(R) 7, RETAIL channel
Activation ID: x
Application ID: x
Extended PID: x
Installation ID: x
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340
Partial Product Key: KGMM7
License Status: Licensed
Evaluation End Date: 6/1/2010 7:59:59 PM
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 5/17/2009 12:03:24 PM

HWID Data–>
HWID Hash Current: x

OEM Activation 1.0 Data–>
N/A

OEM Activation 2.0 Data–>
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes, but no SLIC table
Windows marker version: N/A
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: N/A
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
APIC ATI ASUSACPI
FACP ATI ASUSACPI
HPET ATI ASUSACPI
MCFG ATI ASUSACPI

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