Upgrade to the final code of Windows Vista or face bi-hourly shutdowns of your PC, Microsoft warned yesterday. If you're still running a beta version of Windows Vista , now may be a good time to upgrade.
From 1 June onwards, all PCs running beta versions of Windows Vista will automatically reboot every two hours, Microsoft said. Microsoft explains exactly how people can shift to the final code on its website.
Roll back
You can also do a so-called 'roll back' to the previous Windows version you were running, if you prefer not to upgrade to Vista. You'll need the original installation CD for that Windows version though.
If you continue to run your Windows Vista beta version after 1 June, you'll only be able to log in for two-hour sessions to retrieve data, Microsoft said.
"After two hours of use, the PC will automatically reboot without providing the opportunity to save data. The opportunity to log in normally for these two-hour sessions will only be available for a limited time," Microsoft stated on its website. The 'limited time' ends on 28 August after which you won't be able to log in at all.
A spokeswoman said they expected "most beta users [to] have moved to a full version of Windows" by the 1 June date.