Vista - Vista beta2 Installation Error

I am trying to clean install Vista beta2 DVD x86 English (0406
Part#X11-71068-02 Bootable) received from Microsoft (thro merawindows.com).
But after enetring the activation key I am getting this message:
"Setup failed to open the windows image file" and I am not able to proceed
further.

Also When in XP if i just insert the DVD to see the contents , it autoruns
and shows this message :"The application or DLL G:\sources\SPWIZENG.DLL is
not a windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette"

Also I am not able to copy majority of contents from DVD to harddisk , nor
am I able to create a copy of this DVD .
So what could be the problem? Is the DVD from MS is corrupt?
I am having AMD Athlon XP 2000+ with Asus Board .
How to distinguish between 32 bit edition of Vista from 64 bit edition?

Anybody else facing this problem? How to resolve this?

--
peanut


"vasu" wrote:

> I am trying to clean install Vista beta2 DVD x86 English (0406
> Part#X11-71068-02 Bootable) received from Microsoft (thro merawindows.com).
> But after enetring the activation key I am getting this message:
> "Setup failed to open the windows image file" and I am not able to proceed
> further.
>
> Also When in XP if i just insert the DVD to see the contents , it autoruns
> and shows this message :"The application or DLL G:\sources\SPWIZENG.DLL is
> not a windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette"
>
> Also I am not able to copy majority of contents from DVD to harddisk , nor
> am I able to create a copy of this DVD .
> So what could be the problem? Is the DVD from MS is corrupt?
> I am having AMD Athlon XP 2000+ with Asus Board .
> How to distinguish between 32 bit edition of Vista from 64 bit edition?
>
> Anybody else facing this problem? How to resolve this?
>
> I had the same problem from a disc I received from Windows Feedback panel and never could get it to install either as an upgrade or clean install. I was on the phone with MS for 2 days and finally Vista to install after using the download my husband got off the Microsoft Vista Beta site, but it would not do an upgrade only a clean install. The one person I talked to said it seems my disc I got from Microsoft was corrupt. I at least had made a complete backup of my previous system.

Peanut--

That message to me represents it's a problem with your burn.

I don't know what burning software you are using. Make sure that you are
"burning" the iso with it--and if, like Nero, it has a tab for Iso, it's
helpful to click that first. Milage varies with different burners and
media. We've seen all kinds of claims DVD+ will burn--DVD- will burn. I
remember early on in the Beta that Vinnie Flynt from the setup team would
get messages that every type of format burned better, but these tips may
help you.

I know how frustrating it is, but try reburnning as slowly as your burning
software will let you. Generally 4X is fine; MSFT advises 1X in release
notes, but not all burners do that.

Also I'm providing a CRC checking utility for Beta 2. You can use this to
check the integrity of your burn. If your husband is on the TBT, he has
access to theirs but this one was from the a MFST site although they adopted
this one from 3rd party. Won't be long that after dropping to TBTs they
will drop whatever branch of RC1 to CPP so keep that in mind as far as your
time investment in installing programs and working with Beta 2 since it will
be builds newer at about 5506 or ballparks of those numbers. Screenshots
etc. of that build are all over the web.

Make sure when you reburn you do it from within XP and run the setup that
will show up on the XP desktop--this will prevent your drive letters from
being reset via dictaion from the bios (in other words I advise burning from
XP and running Vista setup from XP rather than restarting and running setup
from the DVD if you are trying to dual boot.

Reburn Option:

1) Burn slowly. 4X should be fine. Some of this probably varies with the
DVD writer and the media.

2) Make sure to select an ISO tab if there is one on the burning software,
and make sure to close the session on the burn.

3) Try this tweak on your Windows XP drive and burn from there:

Get to Dev Manager by typing devmgmt.msc in run/win key + pause break or
Rt.click My Computer>Prop>hardware tab>Device Manager if you like 5 steps
instead of one cmd. If you're set to PMI here change to DMO and if set to
DMO change to PMI using these 5 steps:

1) Click the + in front of IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers

2) Double Click the Secondary IDE Controller

3) Click Advanced Settings

4) Under Device 1  Next to Transfer Mode choose DMA (or vise versa)>Click
OK

5) Reboot your System

6) Check your burn with a CRC utility and the links for this are below:
Obtain the CRC Utility for Vista Beta 2 Here: (The CRC utility is a way to
checkthe integrity of the ISO Burn which is probably where your problem
lies--it's #1 on the list):

Here's a link:

The CRC utility for Beta 2 is contained here (Scroll down to the bottom
under "Additional Information"

Microsoft® Windows® Software Development Kit (SDK) for Beta 2 of Windows
Vista and WinFX Runtime Components
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Additional Information:

To verify that your download of an ISO file for the Windows SDK Beta 2 build
is not corrupt, download the CRC Utility. (Note: this is not a Microsoft
application. Use at your own risk.)

To run the CRC test, open a command prompt and run the utility. providing it
the name of the file (i.e. crc
c:\6.0.5383.1.1.WindowsSDK_Vista_idw.DVD.Rel.img) The CRC utility will run
two tests on the ISO: it will verify if the ISO is valid, and it will give
the AutoCRC signature for the file. The AutoCRC signature for the Windows
SDK Beta 2 ISO is 0x28434EEF. You should also confirm the size of the ISO is
correct: 1.14 GB (1,229,355,008 bytes).

If it fails any of these three tests, re-download the ISO (ordinarily--but
in this case you'll have to wait for RC1 which will be soon or if you're
using Technet or MSDN whatever build they are giving you):

I really like the direct link to it though if you right click CRC here>left
click Properties:
http://tacobell.iexbeta.com/longhorn/crc.exe

Good luck,

CH






"peanut" <peanut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ADC05C39-9302-4088-B1E5-A79CF44DCDA6@microsoft.com...
>
> --
> peanut
>
>
> "vasu" wrote:
>
>> I am trying to clean install Vista beta2 DVD x86 English (0406
>> Part#X11-71068-02 Bootable) received from Microsoft (thro
>> merawindows.com).
>> But after enetring the activation key I am getting this message:
>> "Setup failed to open the windows image file" and I am not able to
>> proceed
>> further.
>>
>> Also When in XP if i just insert the DVD to see the contents , it
>> autoruns
>> and shows this message :"The application or DLL G:\sources\SPWIZENG.DLL
>> is
>> not a windows image. Please check this against your installation
>> diskette"
>>
>> Also I am not able to copy majority of contents from DVD to harddisk ,
>> nor
>> am I able to create a copy of this DVD .
>> So what could be the problem? Is the DVD from MS is corrupt?
>> I am having AMD Athlon XP 2000+ with Asus Board .
>> How to distinguish between 32 bit edition of Vista from 64 bit edition?
>>
>> Anybody else facing this problem? How to resolve this?
>>
>> I had the same problem from a disc I received from Windows Feedback panel
>> and never could get it to install either as an upgrade or clean install.
>> I was on the phone with MS for 2 days and finally Vista to install after
>> using the download my husband got off the Microsoft Vista Beta site, but
>> it would not do an upgrade only a clean install. The one person I talked
>> to said it seems my disc I got from Microsoft was corrupt. I at least had
>> made a complete backup of my previous system.

Thanks to peanut and Chad Harris for their replies.
Thanks to CH for nice tips.

But my case is, I got this Vista beta2 DVD from Microsoft , so no point of
my burning the downloaded iso.

Also I have tried to do clean install as well as upgrade. Both fails.

Even I am not able to copy majority of DVD content to hard disk.

And if i try to clean install i get the error as said.
Also to autorun in XP also getting Error as said.
Tried on another sytem also, getting same error.

So in my view the DVD itself is corrupt.

I didn't know the source of your iso. I know that MSFT perceived they had
problems with their DVDs last month, and tried to do a quick pilot test to
correct it. I don't know what if any problems were, and what if anything
they did to correct them since MSFT in Fall 2006 isn't the most transparent
of companies. Currently they are not making bug reports information
retrieval open to the public--making it impossible to know what they've
attempted to fix and haven't and don't respond to this point when it's put
to them, because Mr. White has certainly be extended the opportunity as has
Mr. Snow, and Mr. Gorter posts on this group.

If I were you, I think that we have had messages from MSFT (Nick White from
the launch team) that your best alternative now is to wait for the RC1
release to the CPP sometime in September shortly after the TBT, and either
try to follow the download tips or reorder then. You might want to call
since they are accepting call activations and see if they'll ship you a
replacement. There is also a link on these groups to sign up for a shipment
from MSFT India, but I doubt they will be undergoing the expense to ship to
the US free when ever MSFT in the US wasn't shipping free to the US for the
public.

CH


"vasu" <vasu@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:757152B6-BE55-45C7-8326-7BF35E3D1AF3@microsoft.com...
> Thanks to peanut and Chad Harris for their replies.
> Thanks to CH for nice tips.
>
> But my case is, I got this Vista beta2 DVD from Microsoft , so no point
> of
> my burning the downloaded iso.
>
> Also I have tried to do clean install as well as upgrade. Both fails.
>
> Even I am not able to copy majority of DVD content to hard disk.
>
> And if i try to clean install i get the error as said.
> Also to autorun in XP also getting Error as said.
> Tried on another sytem also, getting same error.
>
> So in my view the DVD itself is corrupt.

Vasu can you tell me what this means? What is this site that you mistyped?
Or is throw merawindows (url mistake) representing some 3rd party shipper
for MSFT?

Part#X11-71068-02 Bootable) received from Microsoft (thro merawindows.com).

Why don't you call them 1-800-426-9400 or whatever number is at the bottom
of http://suppport.microsoft.com appropriate to your area, and ask them to
get you to activation and ask them to send you a replacement?

CH




"vasu" <vasu@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4D90A5E8-0380-4F9D-A893-D356095BD612@microsoft.com...
>I am trying to clean install Vista beta2 DVD x86 English (0406
> Part#X11-71068-02 Bootable) received from Microsoft (thro
> merawindows.com).
> But after enetring the activation key I am getting this message:
> "Setup failed to open the windows image file" and I am not able to proceed
> further.
>
> Also When in XP if i just insert the DVD to see the contents , it
> autoruns
> and shows this message :"The application or DLL G:\sources\SPWIZENG.DLL is
> not a windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette"
>
> Also I am not able to copy majority of contents from DVD to harddisk , nor
> am I able to create a copy of this DVD .
> So what could be the problem? Is the DVD from MS is corrupt?
> I am having AMD Athlon XP 2000+ with Asus Board .
> How to distinguish between 32 bit edition of Vista from 64 bit edition?
>
> Anybody else facing this problem? How to resolve this?
>
>

Chad Harris wrote:
> Vasu can you tell me what this means? What is this site that you mistyped?
> Or is throw merawindows (url mistake) representing some 3rd party shipper
> for MSFT?
>
http://www.merawindows.com I'd guess. They're offering vista beta 2 DVDs

Tony

CH as Tony Hoyle already posted , I got the DVD from
http://www.merawindows.com/
I have also requested them to send another.
As you said I'll order the RC1 to be relesed later , and also enquire about
the present DVD error by calling them.
Thanks for informing me that MS had problems with their DVDs last month,
maybe that maybe the problem with my DVD.


"Chad Harris" wrote:

> Vasu can you tell me what this means? What is this site that you mistyped?
> Or is throw merawindows (url mistake) representing some 3rd party shipper
> for MSFT?
>
> Part#X11-71068-02 Bootable) received from Microsoft (thro merawindows.com).
>
> Why don't you call them 1-800-426-9400 or whatever number is at the bottom
> of http://suppport.microsoft.com appropriate to your area, and ask them to
> get you to activation and ask them to send you a replacement?
>
> CH

Thanks Vasu; from what I can tell that offer is confined to residents of
India but unless I'm wrong

1) You can ask them for a replacement at MSFT India
2) You still will be eligible to receive an RC1 CD when the CPP drops it
soon. As you know MSFT uses the public beta as an advertising promotion
feigning they want feedback from the public walling the public off from
their bug data. They play with their 26000+ TBT, TAP ect. for feedback.
3) I provided you with a number that is a MSFT call center that does
activate the Beta and you have recourse there.

Best of luck,

CH


"vasu" <vasu@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3F606110-D179-4D6B-96D4-83FE01D665DC@microsoft.com...
> CH as Tony Hoyle already posted , I got the DVD from
> http://www.merawindows.com/
> I have also requested them to send another.
> As you said I'll order the RC1 to be relesed later , and also enquire
> about
> the present DVD error by calling them.
> Thanks for informing me that MS had problems with their DVDs last month,
> maybe that maybe the problem with my DVD.
>
>
> "Chad Harris" wrote:
>
>> Vasu can you tell me what this means? What is this site that you
>> mistyped?
>> Or is throw merawindows (url mistake) representing some 3rd party shipper
>> for MSFT?
>>
>> Part#X11-71068-02 Bootable) received from Microsoft (thro
>> merawindows.com).
>>
>> Why don't you call them 1-800-426-9400 or whatever number is at the
>> bottom
>> of http://suppport.microsoft.com appropriate to your area, and ask them
>> to
>> get you to activation and ask them to send you a replacement?
>>
>> CH
>

"vasu" <vasu@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4D90A5E8-0380-4F9D-A893-D356095BD612@microsoft.com...
>I am trying to clean install Vista beta2 DVD x86 English (0406
> Part#X11-71068-02 Bootable) received from Microsoft (thro
> merawindows.com).
> But after enetring the activation key I am getting this message:
> "Setup failed to open the windows image file" and I am not able to proceed
> further.
>
> Also When in XP if i just insert the DVD to see the contents , it
> autoruns
> and shows this message :"The application or DLL G:\sources\SPWIZENG.DLL is
> not a windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette"
>
> Also I am not able to copy majority of contents from DVD to harddisk , nor
> am I able to create a copy of this DVD .
> So what could be the problem? Is the DVD from MS is corrupt?
> I am having AMD Athlon XP 2000+ with Asus Board .
> How to distinguish between 32 bit edition of Vista from 64 bit edition?
>
> Anybody else facing this problem? How to resolve this?
>
>

I am only guessing, but...

Since Microsoft had a small group testing various DVD burning methods with
varying equipment and media, and since I'm sure there is an NDA in place
(and no, I'm not one of the testers, and no, I have no information from
anybody involved in the testing), there may well have been some sort of
problem with the discs that Microsoft (or its contractors) burned and
shipped, so it is very conceivable that even though you have an authentic
DVD it is a bad burn.

Also, and totally off-topic, since Microsoft is so concerned about DVD
burning, will they be offering Vista as a download? Just a conspiracy
theory...

To differentiate between x86 and x64, in build 5384.4:

x64 is larger on the disc, over 4GB as opposed to x86, which is a little
over 3 GB on the disc. Also, if you pop the x64 disc into a machine running
XP while it is running and try to run "Setup.exe" you will get an error
message about setup.exe not being a valid 32-bit application.