Important Notice: VS 2008 Beta2 VPC Images Expiring on Nov 1st

Earlier this month we discovered that the VPC (Virtual PC) images we distributed as part of the VS 2008 Beta2 release this summer unfortunately have an operating system timeout of November 1st of this year.  The standalone VS 2008 setup packages do not have this issue - only the pre-built VPC images do.  So if you've installed VS 2008 on your own operating system image you won't have any issues.

If you are using the Beta2 VPC images, though, is is really important that you retrieve all of the data that you have saved in them before November 1st (after this the OS won't work). 

Today we re-released the VS 2008 Beta2 VPC image downloads (without the timeout setting) that you can download and move to using instead here. 

Sorry for the mix-up,

Scott

21 Comments

  • Hi Scott,

    On the VSX's team blog I read that they're already prepping the VS SDK for the RTM build - that being the case, will we mortals get a RC build of some variety before RTM (or RTW) later this year?

    Kind regards,

    tom

  • Is there any way backing up the files after 1st day? ..Changing the system clock?

  • Thanks Scott, this really helps.

  • I'm curious; if you discovered this "earlier this month", why wait until 2 days before the expiry date to notify people?

  • Hi Tom,

    >>>>>> On the VSX's team blog I read that they're already prepping the VS SDK for the RTM build - that being the case, will we mortals get a RC build of some variety before RTM (or RTW) later this year?

    We aren't planning a public RC build - instead we are doing private RC testing. If you want to send me email, I can try to get you access to the bits.

    Thanks,

    Scott

  • Hi JKON,

    >>>>>> Is there any way backing up the files after 1st day? ..Changing the system clock?

    Unfortunately I don't think there is any easy way to-do this after Nov 1st. The best bet is to quickly back it up now.

    Thanks,

    Scott

  • Hi David,

    >>>>>> I'm curious; if you discovered this "earlier this month", why wait until 2 days before the expiry date to notify people?

    We learned about it late last week (Thursday I think) and blogged about it within about 24 hours after we discovered it: http://blogs.msdn.com/jeffbe/archive/2007/10/25/vs2008-beta2-vpcs-expiring-prematurely.aspx

    I didn't learn about it until yesterday - which is why I'm blogging it now.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • Hmmm...so you guys have the RC ready and don't give it to the people? The guys who are going to have their problems with the Beta on the 1st will be more angry, if they have to download the same version again...Perhaps you might want to discuss your RC-policy again and give the expiring on Nov 1st a late sense - with the release of a RC on that date.

  • Hi Scott,

    Thanks for the reply to my point. Yes it does help. Thanks.

  • Hi Scott,

    In your response to Tom:

    >>>>> "We aren't planning a public RC build - instead we are doing private RC testing. If you want to send me email, I can try to get you access to the bits."

    Does that mean that there will (for sure) be no RC/Beta 3 and that the next version will be the final released late February 2008?

    Personally I would love to see a RC (not VPC) – seems like a long time to wait :-)

  • Hi,

    Can I also get a piece of Visual Studio RC. I would loge to help you guys.

  • Hello Scott please tell me how can I get vs 2008

  • Scott,

    Please, confirm. The VS2008 Beta2 standalone file from July 23, 2007 that is **NOT** going to expire on November 1, 2007 is:

    **************************
    OrcasBeta2VSTSX1394647.img
    **************************

    Best Regards,

  • Hi Anders,

    >>>>>> Does that mean that there will (for sure) be no RC/Beta 3 and that the next version will be the final released late February 2008?

    We'll be releasing the final release pretty soon - it will happen this year, you won't need to wait until Feb.

    Hope this helps,

    Scott

  • Is the date set yet on the RTM of Visual Studio 2008? The devconnections website says the people that attend are going to receive a copy of it implying the RTM copy.

  • Hi Scott,

    Visual Studio 2008 with the MVC Framework Preview, will that only be available for MSDN Subscriper or can anyone download it?

    Best Regards
    Johan

  • Scott,

    +1 to those who say the VPC should contain RC.

    You have the RC ready, but you are not prepared to give it out???
    Is that your decision??? Could you explain the, ehem, logic, of that?

    Is the RTM expected in the next few days, or late-Nov/Dec? You will really, really annoy people if you force them to install a new VPC with beta 2 tomorrow or Thurs, and then, say on Monday, announce RTM. Most folks can hang on for a few days if the RTM is imminent, otherwise installing the RC would make more sense.

  • Scott, I agree with AspDev. We need something more than "soon" or "almost there" in terms of RTM timeframe. Not necessarily a specific day, but something like "in x weeks" would be highly appreciated.

  • Scott, I would also like to know how close are you guys from having the RC out on the MSDN, we have a project that needs a ORM tool, but our company won't allow us to install Beta 2 in production. So our choice is going to be NHibernate if we have to wait until Febrary, please give us a clue on which month are you guys plan to release RC?

    Thanks a bunch.

  • Hey folks sometimes a public release is more hasle then it's worth, esp. if they are going from RC to RTM in less than say 40 days +/-

    he did say they have *PRIVATE* rc testing going on... so a bunch of folks who can't speak in the open must have the rc bits (may have had more than one rc by now?)

    if the RTM is not ready till say late dec. then yes I want to have a go at an RC, if it's gonna go gold in less than 40 days... I can wait. all depends on timing... :-)

  • Are there going to be additional Release Candidates, or CTP's of VS2008 before the RTM?

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