How can I be running a beta version of Vista when it came pre-installed on my computer?

Question

My wife bought me a brand new computer (Acer) from BestBuy in April. I noticed an icon in the taskbar for PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS so I clicked it. It opened up a window which says:

"Upgrade to the latest retail version of Windows Vista - The problem was caused by Windows Vista, which is created by Microsoft Corporation. You are running a beta version of Windows Vista, which is no longer supported by Microsoft Corporation."

How is it possible that Vista thinks it is beta or is it possible Acer install a beta version on my computer?

The build number on my verison is 6.0.6000 and when I look in the control panel, system it shows Windows is activated and has my OEM number in there.

It gets worse. I called Acer and the moment I told them it was a Vista issue they told me to call MS. I called MS and they said that since Acer installed it to call Acer. I have been through this before...MS won't provide free support since Acer installed it and Acer WILL ALWAYS do whatever they can to send you to someone else.

Answer 1

Please go to start then write cmd, open cmd.exe, and show what's written on the first two lines If it isn't 6.0.600 then it isn't the final release for it.
You should return the laptop in this case. Beta versions aren't in any way ment for selling!

Answer 2

This has just happened to me too, and I've blogged about it at http://wolfswhisper.livejournal.com/66023.html

I'm of the opinion it's because our versions are OEM and Microsoft would dearly like ALL "customers" to have retail versions of the program, not OEM ones. MS changed their support policy so they only offer free support to OEM users for 90 days from purchase, which might be at the heart of the error, but to me it's a blatent money-grab attempt to make me buy another license I don't actually need.

My problem happened when Windows Media Player crashed, and it crashed because it couldn't at that time obtain a DRM license to play something because my router had just hiccupped. Since I abhore media player anyway, I don't regard the error as even important, let alone critical. I'm going to be ignoring the message and the sales pitch link in my "problem report" Control Panel icon. I'd suggest you do too.

Answer 3

Call Acer again.

The issue is not with Vista, but with what version of Vista that Acer installed. It is Acer's problem to fix. Get tech support to go through the process to identify which version you have, and why you are getting this alert message.

If you did not get a set of Vista CD disks for restoring your system, ask Acer to send them to you also.

Answer 4

As a precautionary measurement to avoid future problems with Windows, I highly suggest you call Microsoft as soon as possible.

Answer 5

on the time that I ordered my computing gadget, in basic terms Blista became being offered for it. I sucked it up and ordered besides yet had one greater 1GB RAM added, bringing it as much as 2GB. sturdy element! The memory footprint for Blista is over 900GB! as quickly as I boot to the Ubuntu Linux element, the memory footprint is in simple terms 256MB. There are no advantageous properties in any respect in Blista that provide reason to purchase it. the sole reason that I save that's simply by fact I paintings in IT and could desire to get accustomed to the interface simply by fact that's the place all destiny very own computing device interfaces would be sometime. stick to XP. M$ had tried to construct DRM precise into the record device that's why I chosen to twin-boot this computing device, protecting my multimedia documents on the Linux element. M$ wasn't waiting to try this DRM element by skill of launch time yet you will discover the place they try to bypass with this.