"back up any D A T A"
Obviously you misread, DATA does not include programs and settings.

--
I Bleed Blue and Gold
GO BEARS!


"Lowered Expectations" <LoweredExpectations@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:7C3B9CB2-83B5-4719-B764-8F249D93B11D@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> quoted from:
> [url]http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/preview.mspx[/url]
>
> Windows Vista: Beta 2, RC1, and RC2 Set to Expire
> On May 31, 2007, pre-release versions of Windows Vista will expire. If you
> are running a pre-release version of Windows Vista (Beta 2, RC1, or RC2) you
> will begin to receive notifications about the upcoming expiration on May 18,
> 2007. To avoid work disruption and the loss of data, it is strongly
> recommended that PC users running any of these pre-release versions of
> Windows Vista migrate their PCs to the final version of Windows Vista prior
> to May 31.
>
> To install the final version of Windows Vista on any of these pre-release
> versions of Windows Vista, you may purchase the desired Windows Vista
> Upgrade. The Windows Vista Upgrade must be the same language version as the
> pre-release version you are replacing.
>
> If you participated in the Customer Preview Program, you have been using a
> pre-release version of Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Ultimate is the
> most complete edition of Windows Vista-with the power, security, and mobility
> features that you need for work, and all of the entertainment features that
> you want for fun.
>
> The table below outlines the upgrade options from the different versions of
> pre-release Windows Vista:
>
>
>
>
> Windows Vista Ultimate RTM Other editions of Windows Vista RTM Previous
> version of Windows
>
> Windows Vista Beta 2
> Clean install with Ultimate Upgrade
> Clean install with Upgrade version of desired edition
> Clean install with full version
>
> Windows Vista RC1
> In-place upgrade or clean install with Ultimate Upgrade
> Clean install with Upgrade version of desired edition
> Clean install with full version
>
> Windows Vista RC2
> Clean install with Ultimate Upgrade
> Clean install with Upgrade version of desired edition
> Clean install with full version
>
>
>
> A clean install means your current version of Windows, including all of your
> files, settings, and programs, is automatically replaced. You must back up
> any data as this process will overwrite any data that you have on your hard
> disk or on your installation partition. The overwritten data will be lost and
> unrecoverable.
>
> An in-place upgrade means you can install Windows Vista and keep your
> programs, files, and settings from your current version of Windows. It is
> still strongly recommended that you back up any data prior to initiating the
> upgrade.
>
> Make sure the PC you have is the PC you have always wanted. Purchase and
> download the Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade or any desired edition now by
> going to [url]http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/upgradenow[/url].
>
> _____________end quote_________________
>
>
> To reiterate the key point of misleading information:
> "It is still strongly recommended that you back up any data prior to
> initiating the upgrade"
>
> I did exactly that, via the only means I knew how: total backup---to
> preserveall files and programs and settings.
>
> Now, someone (Peter?) please tell me where on that page, or on any MS page
> =in prominent public view=, where do they tell the gazillion RC users, that
> their backups will only re-apply data into Ultimate?
>
> And, where is the warning, tht if they buy a low-grade Vista, then the
> prescribed backup disks of no use, not even to put to some other operating
> system.
>
> We, the great majority of computer users, are not expert nor are we lawyers.
>
> We only know when we have been had.
>
>[/color]