BetaONE will rise again! - Xpsp2 Beta 1 Released To Testers

Just recieved this- i didnt even get an acceptance mail from the application, just had this pleasent suprise in my inbox :D
Code:
Dear DoG,



Beta 1 of Service Pack 2 for Microsoft® Windows XP is now available for download at http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com. &nbsp;Before installing or shortly thereafter it is recommended that all beta participants download and read the document titled "Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2", located at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=21745 &nbsp;





This release also includes access to Windows Update V5 which will include a number of new features. &nbsp;Please read the release information about the new features available at ***********************************. We encourage you to visit the Windows Update site at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. &nbsp;When providing feedback, comment and problem reports please bucketize all issues into the following categories. This will provide a basis to start tracking issues, identifying symptoms, and initial troubleshooting. 



 



O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Site/IIS Errors: &nbsp;Issues when attempting to access the site and during home page rendering.

O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;AU Errors: &nbsp;Issues with Automatic Update, including personalization and services.

O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Control Initialization: &nbsp;Issues starting with "Checking for latest version of Windows Update Software" to the start of the Scan. 

O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Search: &nbsp;Issue that happens during Scan process, after clicking on Express or Custom Install, but before the updates are displayed

O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Download: &nbsp;Issues during download of update.

O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;EULA: &nbsp;Issues that happen with the EULA.

O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Installation: &nbsp;Issues after download and during installation.

O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Personalization: &nbsp;Issues with Advance Setting and hiding or restoring hidden updates.

O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Privacy Check: &nbsp;Is the issue of an inability to access the site due to the Privacy Check.

O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Other Features: &nbsp;For issues that are not covered in the other Sub-areas.

O &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Post Install Problem: &nbsp;Issues that occurs after the Windows Update installation process due to the update installed.



 

We look forward to your comments, feedback and problem reports and thank you in advance for your contribution towards making Service Pack 2 for Windows XP a reliable, solid and secure release.

 



Please read this entire document - it contains much valuable information about the beta program and should serve to answer most questions you might have about the beta.

 



Service Pack 2 for Windows XP is being made available in several versions: 



Please note these definitions:



O &nbsp;Standalone = Updates an existing Windows XP installation. 

O &nbsp;Express Install = Updates an existing Windows XP installation using compression technology optimized for dialup and low bandwidth connections. &nbsp;

O &nbsp;Integrated = Also known as slipstream, a complete copy of Windows XP with SP2 integrated into it. Recommended for clean installations. 

 



1. &nbsp;Standalone (xpsp2.exe) - A single file available for download that will install SP2 to your existing Home or Pro installation. 



2. &nbsp;Express install (xpsp2-express.exe)- A much smaller single file available for download that will connect over the internet and apply SP2 to your existing Home or Pro installation. &nbsp;Recommended for low bandwidth connections.



3. &nbsp;SP2 Integrated Home Edition - A complete CD image of Windows XP Home Edition. &nbsp;Recommended only for clean installs, not to be used to update existing Home edition installs.



4. SP2 Integrated Professional Edition - A complete CD image of Windows XP Professional Edition. &nbsp;Recommended only for clean installs or Professional, or for upgrading existing Home Edition installations to Pro SP2.



5. Standalone CD - A CD image containing #1 above.



Note: Items 1 and 2 are available now. &nbsp;Others will be available soon. 



Other images and tools may be made availablethroughout the beta. &nbsp;Check the .Announcements newsgroup for information. For more information on available tools and documentation, please visit http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com.



A copy of #5 will be mailed shortly to the participants that requested one. It should arrive within 2 weeks. &nbsp;If you do not receive your CD within 2 weeks, please contact ********@***********. 



 



Before you begin, please note the following:



1. This release is not recommended for production systems.



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



Review the pre-release license agreements carefully during the installation. &nbsp;By installing this release, you agree to the terms and conditions of these license agreements. &nbsp;All licenses associated with the product will expire when the product becomes commercially available. &nbsp;



 



Product Keys:



Product Keys are required only for versions 3 and 4 above. If you wish to install version 3 or 4 you may obtain a product key for this purpose from http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com.
Source: In House