**Do not reply as this email is being sent to you from an un-monitored account. Due to Microsoft's current emphasis on security, the hyperlink(s) contained in this email may not automatically open your browser. If you experience any difficulty, please copy the link and paste into your browser. **
 
We are pleased to announce the availability of Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 1 Beta for testing.
 
The beta version of Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 is now available for testing on http://***********.*********.***.  Please help us by installing this service pack and promptly reporting any problems. Beta kits will be arriving during the next week.
 
Before you install:
 
Please read this entire announcement as it contains an abundance of important information about the product.
 
Review the pre-release license agreements carefully during the installation of Windows .NET Server Beta.  By installing this release, you agree to the terms and conditions of these license agreements.  As a reminder, all licenses associated with the product will expire when the product becomes commercially available.
 
Please choose the option to back up your system files when installing the service pack.  You will need to remove any installed version at a later date when you wish to install a newer beta, or the final product.
 
Please join us in the newsgroups to discuss various aspects of the beta.  Detailed newsgroup information is available at http://***********.*********.***
 
Note:  This is a beta release and as such, may exhibit problems, it's important that you back up your data before installing.  
 
Available versions:
 
Standalone - This is the 'traditional' service pack.  It's an approximately 120Mb self extracting executable file that includes all the files needed to install the service pack on an existing Windows XP build 2600 machine.  If the machine you want to install the service pack on is not connected to the internet or you want to install the service pack on multiple machines at your location then this is the file you will want to download.  
Patch aka 'Express'- This is a faster install that will apply the service pack to a single machine that is connected to the Internet.  If you have a single machine that is connected to the Internet and want to test the service pack on it this may be the best option for you.  
Integrated aka 'Slipstream' - this is a full version of Windows XP that has all the service pack changes integrated already.  It installs the same as a full install or upgrade of Windows XP would and comes in both Professional and Home Edition.  This version is not available to all sites as it's primarily an OEM item.  
 
 
Product Keys (Important!):
 
Where needed, product keys for SP1 Beta can be retrieved from http://***********.*********.***
 
Applying the standalone or patch version of the service pack to an existing Windows XP machine does not require a new product key.
 
Installing the Integrated service pack as a clean install requires an SP1 product key. You must retrieve one for use with the beta from the above address.
 
Upgrading an existing, Activated Windows XP machine using the integrated version of the service pack DOES NOT require a new product key.  You should use the same product key the machine was originally activated with if needed.
 
Upgrading an existing, Unactivated Windows XP machine using the integrated version of the service pack DOES require a new product key.  You should retrieve one from the above address.
 
 
 
Problem Reports:
 
This is a service pack beta and the problem report criteria is different from that of a pre-release version of a new operating system.  In order for a fix to be considered for inclusion in the final service pack it should meet at least one of the following criteria:
 
A regression.  Example: Something that worked in Windows XP now fails once you install the service pack.  
Security Issue.  Example: A newly discovered problem that may leave your system or data vulnerable to compromise or loss.  
Data Loss.    Example: A problem that has the potential to cause the user to lose files or other irreplaceable data permanently.  
 
 
It's not appropriate to file the following as bugs during the service pack beta:  
 
Design Change Requests. Example:  I don't like the way the <insert feature name here> feature looks in Windows XP, it should be changed for the service pack.  
Requests for device support. Support for new devices may be provided on Windows Update or be available via the device manufacturers support channel.  
Obtain Private Newsgroup Support
A trained team of product support engineers will respond to your messages, inquiries and problem reports in designated private newsgroups. For this release there is no support of production systems, as stated in the End User License Agreement included at the beginning of the installation process.
 
Private newsgroups can be accessed from a dedicated news server and require a unique ?User Account? and password for authentication.
 
Connecting to Private Newsgroups
 
NOTE: The authentication system requires that your news reader be pre-configured with the Server Name, your Newsgroup Account Name and Password below before attempting to connect to the beta newsgroup server.  
 
 
 
·         PLEASE configure your regular ?friendly? name, email address, and organization for your chosen news reader program.
 
·         You may need to log onto your Internet Service Provider prior to starting your newsreader.
 
·         Most news readers include the ability to ?Subscribe? to specific newsgroups.  This is a data file located on your local computer that provides a way to ?group? the newsgroups into two categories: subscribed and unsubscribed.  It makes it easier to follow topics you find interesting and ignore others.
 
·         Please read the README files and use the HELP information provided with each package to learn more about subscribing, downloading, reading and posting using your news reader.
 
·         You should not discuss or repost any information obtained from the private newsgroups in other newsgroups or forums.
 
Email Support
If you have any problems at the website please try again later.  If you are still unable to register after 24 hours, please send an email to the web site administrator at: ...
 
For administrative support, change of address, update email or to transfer your testing privileges please contact ...
 
While our internal testing shows that our quality is very high for this release, we use beta programs to confirm our internal testing as well as to supplement it.  This means you may encounter problems while installing or using the service pack. Of the above three classes of problems, the regression category is the one you would most likely encounter in testing a service pack. Please tell us immediately via a problem report if you encounter anything that worked before installing the service pack that fails afterwards.  This includes features, devices and applications.  You can remove the service pack using "Add/Remove Programs" in the Control Panel if you need to confirm the behavior of something prior to installation.  
 
Thanks for helping us release a solid, secure, high quality service pack for Windows XP.
 
Windows Product Team