While the Microsoft servers continue to struggle with the massive amount of traffic, there might just be a solution for you: direct download links for both the 32 and 64 bit ISO images.
Windows 7 Beta (x86) : 7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULFRE_EN_DVD.ISO
Windows 7 Beta (x64) : 7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULXFRE_EN_DVD.ISO
See if you have luck with the direct links. Currently it’s working for me, and fairly fast as well – about 340kb/s.
You’ll still need to go back for a key, assuming you want to use the beta for more than 30 days, but at least you’ll be able to burn a DVD or mount the ISO in your favorite virtualization app. Alternatively, there are plenty of timer reset and watermark removal tools available on the various torrent trackers.
Thanks! Right now it’s downloading with speed around 1.5M/s (yes, big M), even up to 2.6M/s for me, so it’s … FAST