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Part 1: Installing the Windows Mobile 5.0 SDKs
I got curious today and thought I'd see how good the experience is of developing device apps on Vista Beta 2 Build 5472. The initial problem that I faced is that of installing the Windows Mobile SDKs. As expected, I hit the UAC issue that prevents the WM5 project templates being installed. I tried a couple of things including manually running the "install_setup.vbs" script (I really should have looked at the code for this first -- it installs the designer assemblies into the GAC and runs devenv /setup, that's pretty much it), but had no luck. I googled, just as anyone in this position would and I found a couple of resources but they didn't help with this build.
Disabling UAC in 5472 isn't not as simple as going to the Control Panel and doing it from there. The way I did it is as follows:
After restarting, I logged in and repaired both of the broken SDK installations. I then openned Visual Studio and hey presto! The project templates where there.
Part 2: Installing the SDF Extensions for Visual Studio
For the next bit, I wanted to see how the Smart Device Framework instaleld faired under Vista, so I re-enabled UAC (launch msconfig, go to the Tools tab and launch the Enable UAC option, restart). On running the installer, I encountered a few problems, namely issues with Visual Studio not closing cleanly after we install the toolbox items and project templates, and then an error indicating that administrator privileges where needed to run h2reg.exe (a utility we use to install the documentation). At this point the installation rolled back.
Next angle of attack: disable UAC again. This time the install worked, although I did have the same issues with devenv.exe not exiting cleanly, so I had to kill them in Task Manager. Subsequently, I had some issues with the toolbox only containing Smart Device Framework controls, but I think this is due to the VS issues during install the first time around.
So, the conclusion. While device development is certainly achievable under Vista Beta 2 Build 5472, it's not that easy to set up as it is under XP. It is worth bearing in mind that the issues with the Windows Mobile 5.0 SDKs will become a moot point once Visual Studio codenamed "Orcas" hits the streets. Also, OpenNETCF will ensure that the Smart Device Framework installs cleanly under Vista, hopefully well before it is officially released.
UPDATE:
I've fixed the issue with the toolbox and this will be available in our next release. The errors with Visual Studio are systemic and not related to the Smart Device Framework as I receive the same errors when exiting the IDE through normal means.