While many are sceptical about W7 being released at all this year, I read an article (I think linked to from majorgeeks) where the writer spoke with some authority about W7 being released July 09... and another (Mary Foley, I think) proffering late Nov early Dec as being preferred by Microsoft.

In any event, given the 1st public beta becomes available in just 3 or so hours, it's hard to imagine MS will repeat the constant delays fiasco of Vista with W7. Despite the economic crisis affecting much of the World, Microsoft WILL release W7 to retail later this year.... US Summertime sounds good to me.

Anyone who is skeptical of Windows 7 coming out this year doesn't know what they are talking about. 

I'm skeptical if the public beta will be released this year.  

They should have expected to get some interest...they were so hammered that they postponed the release until they get enough servers up to handle the traffic.

Yeah over 8 hours since the gazetted realease and still nothing.... not enough servers to handle the traffic?  I mean, for the size of Microsoft, like what's that all about?\

They should have been much better prepared than that/this...tut, tut.  *deducts brownie points*

I'm about half way through the 32 bit download from Microsoft and hope to have up and running on my other partition shortly. Keys seem to be the issue now. There have been several links posted and instructions given on how to get Keys but it's very 'hit and miss'. Those who have finished downloading and installing are very impressed. Most are reporting no driver or software issues which is great news for a public beta and that it is much faster than Vista    

Where are you getting this??? I have been going to the Windows 7 page since 3.00 am Oz time... it is now 3.44 pm Oz time and there's just a note stating they are currently getting additional servers on line to handle the traffic.

And links/instructions to keys???  Don't see those either.... got a link you can post for those of us who are still waiting, please.

These seem to be Microsoft links.    32 bit:   http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-45A4-B985-F0FDFFE1B021/EN/7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULFRE_EN_DVD.iso

64 bit    http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-45A4-B985-F0FDFFE1B021/EN/7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULXFRE_EN_DVD.ISO

bump

Sounds like you are using it, how do we get keys?

What in particular do you find limited in SKS6?

Yeah, somebody over on the MS blog site posted those because the links on the Windows 7 page are down due to server issues... have been all day, so there's quite a few pissed off people over there at the moment.

I'm currently on 53% of the 64 bit ISO download and have the link to the 'key activation' page to download the key, however it is constantly busy and shows a page error, so I shall try again later.

According to someone over at the MS blog who rang MSDN support, the server issue should be resolved in time to reactivate the download links around noon tommorow US ESDT.  However, for those who can not wait that long, I believe Neowin.net may have information that may be useful in acquiring keys... if they can get beyond the page error.

I have just downloaded Windows 7 32bit, this may sound silly but what do I do now?, any help would be greatly appreciated

Where do I go to get a key as well?  Thanks

Hi, I will help you.  Your download should be in the format of an ISO file so with Power ISo or whatever extract the file, then with Nero or Roxio burn it (make it to DVD). At this point you will have a working copy. My advice would be to partitiion your hard drive. Miniumm I would go is 25 GB as it 10GB installed.  Once that is done all you do is install it to your partition. If you have a CD key use it to install then after everyting is done you can check it by going to Control Panel and click on System. If it gives you a message 3 days left to activate, reenter your key and all will work fine. Hope it helps you...

I understand your instructions, thank you.  Where can I go to get a key?

I have a free one for 32bit and also for 64. I will send you the 32bit one. I have one 64bit key left. If anybody wants it, PM me...Sargan, check you private messages here, I sent you  the key...