Microsoft Announce Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Beta

Andrew Edney
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6

The Windows Home Server team at Microsoft have just posted the following information on their blog:

We are pleased to announce the Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Beta which improves the Windows Home Server experience with Windows 7 and Windows Media Center by providing the following new features: Backup and restore of computers running Windows 7, Windows 7 Libraries integration, enhancements for Windows Media Center, and better support for netbook computers.

If you are running Windows 7 on your home computer and are a current Windows Home Server user, we need your help!

Important: You will need to sign up as a beta participant of the Windows Home Server program on Microsoft Connect in order to download the Power Pack 3 Beta. https://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer

New in Power Pack 3 Beta

Windows 7 Backup & Recovery

Windows Home Server performs a full image-based backup of Windows 7-based computers, allowing for a complete computer recovery in the case of a hard drive failure, or restoration of a single file or folder in the event of accidental deletion or loss. After the Windows Home Server Connector software has been installed on a computer running Windows 7, Windows 7 Backup warnings will be suppressed and users will no longer receive a notification to back up their computer. Windows Home Server can back up Windows XP SP2 or later, Windows Vista and Windows 7-based computers.

Windows 7 Libraries

Power Pack 3 Beta will add Music, Photos and Videos shared folders on the home server to Windows 7 Libraries making the content available for applications such as Windows Explorer, Windows Media Center, Windows Media Player and other applications that use Windows 7 Libraries. This allows users to quickly access all their content in one organized place that is always available, searchable and expandable. Users can also search a specific library without having to know where the files are stored.

Windows Search

Windows Search 4 has been included with Power Pack 3 Beta to improve query search times, indexing times and reliability. If users are searching across multiple computers, extended remote discovery increases the efficiency of searching across all document libraries. Files encrypted with Encrypting File System (EFS) are now supported with search.

The image below is an example of searching across a music library where files are located in multiple places: the home computer Music folder, the home computer Public Music folder, and the home server Music shared folder. Users can add other locations to Windows 7 Libraries.

Power Pack 3 Beta makes Windows Home Server compatible with netbook computers that have small screen sizes and low resolution. A home server makes a great storage and backup solution for ultra-portable computers.

Windows Media Center Enhancements

Last March, Power Pack 2 added functionality that allowed Windows Media Center and Media Center Extenders to easily access the content on a home server. Power Pack 3 Beta builds on this functionality. When the Windows Home Server Connector software is installed or updated on a Windows Media Center computer, the next time a user starts Windows Media Center they will be prompted to install the Windows Media Center Connector. Users will notice a new Home Server selection in Windows Media Center menu.

TV Archiving

The TV Archive tile in Windows Media Center will give users the option to move recorded TV content to the home server in a variety of resolutions. The recorded TV shows are archived in the correct resolution for the type of device that will be used for playback. TV Archive is optimized for Windows Media Center computers, Windows Mobile-based phones, and the Zune player, however, any device capable of playing WMV files can take advantage of this feature.

· TV – Original Resolution

· Windows Mobile – 320 x 240, 500 Kbps, .WMV

· Zune – 640 x 480, 1500 Kbps, .WMV

Users can select individual TV shows, a series of shows, or all TV recordings to automatically be moved to the home server. Because Windows Home Server storage space can be easily expanded, users can keep all the TV shows that they want in their collection.

Console Quick View

Console Quick View allows users to see statistics about the home server through Windows Media Center and Windows Media Center Extenders. This is a convenient way to view many aspects of the home server without needing to access the Windows Home Server Console. This feature allows users to view and monitor a number of home server indicators:

· Storage – Pie chart listing the percentage allocation of the home server storage

· Drives – List, size and health of hard drives installed on the home server

· Backup – List of computers being backed up and their current backup status

· Shared Folders – List of Shared Folders by name with health status and duplication status

· Media Counters – Count of music, photos, videos and recorded TV files on the home server

· Health – Health of the entire home network

· Home Server – System information of the home server’s hardware and manufacturer info

Timing of the Power Pack 3 final release has not been determined. With your help to test the Beta, we hope to release the update prior to the Windows 7 General Availability date of October 22.  Power Pack 3 will be a free update to existing Windows Home Server users via Windows Update. Thanks for your support!

So, there you have it. Power Pack 3 is here in beta form, and if you are interested in testing it sign up on Connect right now. As always, this is a beta so be aware that it is not a finished product, there could be problems and you could lose data – so backup anything you cant afford to lose.

And post a comment to say how you are getting on…..

The Home Server Show – 49 Avast and Antivirus software on your Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney
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0

HomeServerShow graphic Dave over at the HomeServerShow.com has released the latest edition of his podcast, The Home Server Show, number 49.

This weeks show they mostly cover antivirus and Avast, plus all the usual news and good stuff.

And thanks for the plug in the show notes about Tim’s mControl articles.

You can get more information here, and download it from iTunes or your other favourite place.

Pre-order Windows 7 in the UK for huge discounts

Andrew Edney
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8

From now until the allocation runs out (or August 9th), here in the UK you can order Windows 7 with huge 50% discount, and in some cases even more than 50%!

Windows 7 will be released to the public on October 22 2009 so this is a great opportunity for you to order it now and save a lot of money.

Win 7 HP E Win 7 Pro E

To order the Windows 7, just click on the relevant link below (or on the relevant box above).

Windows 7 Professional

Windows 7 Home Premium

Remember, this offer is only available until the pre-allocation has gone (of August 9th) so be quick as this is a really good deal!

mControl for Windows Home Server Giveaway – EXTRA Winners

Andrew Edney
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2

Last week we gave away 2 full licences for mControl for Windows Home Server. There were so many entries that I managed to get another two licences to giveaway, which means we have 2 EXTRA winners.

So without further ado…..

Kenneth Nilssen

Greg Welch

Congratulations guys – bet you didn’t think this would happen!

Don’t forget to check out Tim’s excellent mControl articles:

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/06/30/controlling-my-sprinklers-with-mcontrol-and-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/06/20/adding-mcontrol-to-windows-media-center-with-windows-home-server/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/06/14/adding-an-mcontrol-module-to-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/05/30/mcontrol-macros-with-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/05/16/adding-mcontrol-to-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

Follow Us on Twitter

Andrew Edney
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0

twitter-bird-5.jpg

Twitter is all the rage at the moment – I use it to keep up to date with some of my friends and also organisations and companies that issues brief news via the medium.

Here at Using Windows Home Server we even tweet every time we post a new article – in fact, if you are already following me then you will have seen a tweet about this!

So, if you want to follow me, in order to get notified whenever we post a new article, just follow aedney.

Build Your Own Windows Home Server from Tranquil

Andrew Edney
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0

T3N_black

For a cool £177 + VAT you can get hold of a very neat little box, complete with 500GB (Green Power) HDD, and 2GB RAM

Just install your favourite OS (including Windows Home Server), for a neat low cost server box.  Not as cheap as a 500GB NAS, but able to deliver a whole load of solutions !

Optimised to save you real electrical power costs, reduce environmental damage and provide a better computer use experience. Included in price :

  • Intel Atom N270 CPU based system – for efficient/powerful control
  • 2GB RAM pre-fitted
  • 500GB Western Digital Green Power HDD pre-fitted
  • Quiet HDD fan cooler, pre-fitted
  • Internal PSU and External AC/DC adapter and country specific power cord
  • Driver CD

All you need then is to buy the Windows Home Server software 🙂

This offer is only valid until Sunday 19th July – so hurry!

To order, click here.

Replacing my neighbors hard drive WITHOUT Windows Home Server on a Friday night

Timothy Daleo
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4

My wife and I are just about done with our garage update and I planned on doing a tie in to my final mControl article. I was about to start writing my article this Friday when my neighbor across the street asked me to take a look at his family computer. I am not going to get into detail but the hard drive was bad. Easy enough, right? Just replace the hard drive and Restore from the last backup. Uh, it is my neighbor. He does not have WHS. Crap. So much for my article.

PC with Windows Installation

Background

I have been busting my ass trying to get the garage tile installed, new cabinets hung and my PC bench completed when my neighbor asked me if I could look at his computer. He has a four year old eMachines PC and the hard drive is bad. On Thursday he had BB look at it, it was toast, but could not afford their costs so he brought it home.

This is the perfect opportunity to try out my PC bench. After checking the hard drive I sent him back to BB to get a EIDE 500GB HD and I am now going to reload Windows and every flippin’ application and get him up and running. Get Windows Home Server Patrick. Seriously.

Equipment Needed:

One PC with crapped out hard drive

Three Beers (Optional, but pretty much required in my case)

Replacement hard drive

Windows Installation Disk

Two hours to stick your thumb up your butt while it formats and loads

Installation

Installing from the Windows XP SP2 CD sucks, but you already knew that.

Configuration and Setup

Every single preference, option, setting and bookmark needs to be rebuilt, but you already knew that.

I am going to let him deal with the SP3 updates and Framework downloads.

Conclusion

I did not get to write my article but my neighbor has a working PC again. It would be nice if I could just buy people WHS systems as gifts. It would save us all so much time. Oh, by the way, my sister just IM’ed and is telling me her Buffalo NAS just went into Emergency Mode (EM) so now I will have to deal with that! Get a WHS. Seriously.

If you do not have Windows Home Server backing up your systems each night, please do it soon. Seriously.

See you next Friday night.

Timothy Daleo

Another mControl for Windows Home Server Giveaway – the Results

Andrew Edney
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1

Last week we started another giveaway for a full licence for mControl for Windows Home Server. There were so many entries that I managed to get another licence to giveaway, so yes, there are actually 2 winners.

So without further ado…..

Mike Owings

Ross Armstrong

Congratulations guys!

Don’t worry if you didn’t win this time – as usual here at Using Windows Home Server, we will have more giveaways soon 🙂

Don’t forget to check out Tim’s excellent mControl articles:

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/06/30/controlling-my-sprinklers-with-mcontrol-and-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/06/20/adding-mcontrol-to-windows-media-center-with-windows-home-server/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/06/14/adding-an-mcontrol-module-to-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/05/30/mcontrol-macros-with-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/05/16/adding-mcontrol-to-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

Review of the Asus Eee PC 1000HE Netbook

Andrew Edney
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1

Netbooks are currently all the rage – and why not? They are small, cheap, have batteries ranging from fairly good to amazing and they do what they say on the tin!

People are buying Netbooks instead of, or as well as laptops because they want something small and ultra portable to carry around when they only want to do a limited set of tasks, such as check email or surf the Internet.

Asus have been in the Netbook market for a while now and they consistently produce cheap(ish), good quality Netbooks, and the Eee PC 1000HE is no exception.

IMG_0541

SPECIFICATION

Operating System : Windows® XP Home or GNU Linux

Display : 10.1” LED Backlight WSVGA screen (1024×600)

Intel CPU & Chipset : Intel® Atom N270/ N280

Memory : 1GB (DDR2)

Wireless Data Network : WLAN 802.11b/g/n,  Bluetooth2.1 + EDR

Hybrid Storage: 160GB HDD, 10GB Eee Storage

*Eee Storage service is complimentary for the first 18 months.

Camera : 1.3M Pixel

Audio : Hi-Definition Audio CODEC, Stereo speaker, Digital Array Mic

Storage Cards: MMC, SD(SDHC)

Input / Output : 1 x VGA Port (D-sub 15-pin for external monitor), 3 x USB 2.0
1 x LAN RJ-45, 2 x Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in), Card Reader: MMC/ SD(SDHC)

Battery: 9.5hrs*, 6-Cell 62Wh Li-ion Battery
*Operation lifetime subject to product model, normal usage conditions and configurations.

Dimensions : 266mm(W) x 191.2mm(D) x 28.5mm~ 38mm(H)

Weight : 1.45kg

IMG_0534 IMG_0536 IMG_0537 IMG_0538 IMG_0539

Weight wise it is not as light as some of the Netbooks I have seen, but it isn’t that heavy either.

For those of you who are interested in a little more detail on the hardware, see the report below:

Processor(s)
Number of processors 1
Number of cores 1 per processor
Number of threads 2 per processor
Name Intel Atom
Code Name Diamondville
Specification Intel(R) Atom(TM) CPU N280 @ 1.66GHz
Package Socket 437 FCBGA8
Family/Model/Stepping 6.C.2
Extended Family/Model 6.1C
Core Stepping C0
Technology 45 nm
Core Speed 995.2 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed 6.0 x 165.9 MHz
Rated Bus speed 663.4 MHz
Stock frequency 1666 MHz
Instruction sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3
L1 Data cache (per processor) 24 KBytes, 6-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache (per processor) 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache (per processor) 512 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
Chipset & Memory
Northbridge Intel i945GSE rev. 03
Southbridge Intel 82801GHM (ICH7-M/U) rev. B0
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 1024 MBytes
CAS# Latency (tCL) 4.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# (tRCD) 4 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 4 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 12 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 16 clocks
System
System Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC.
System Name 1000HE
System S/N 92OAAQ259275
Mainboard Vendor ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Mainboard Model 1000HE
BIOS Vendor American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Version 0501
BIOS Date 02/10/2009
Memory SPD
Module 1 DDR2, PC2-5300 (333 MHz), 1024 MBytes, ASint Technology
Software
Windows Version Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 (Build 2600)
DirectX Version 9.0c

CONCLUSIONS

I quite like this Netbook, it has an amazing battery life and it quite light, however there is something about it that I just cant quite put my finger on that bugs me. I think its the keyboard to be honest, its a bit plasticy, in fact the whole Netbook feels a bit plasticy. Now don’t get me wrong, that is no reason not to seriously look at this machine if you are interested – the processor is good and the rest of the specification should keep people happy.

I suppose for me the thing that would make this Netbook better would be a lower price – but maybe I am just being picky!

The 1000HE can be purchased for around £330 in the UK from Amazon, and around $375 in the US from Amazon. Once again it is obvious that we in the UK are having to pay a significantly higher price than our American cousins!

If you are seriously in the market for a Netbook, take a look at the 1000HE, but you may also want to look at Asus’s new Seashell Netbook! Hopefully we will have a review of that shortly.

HP MediaSmart LX195 Windows Home Server 50% off

Andrew Edney
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0

HP are offering a sweet 50% off deal on the HP MediaSmart LX195 Windows Home Servers.

Now through the end of July, customers can get the LX195 for 50 percent off ($199) when they buy any HP consumer notebook or desktop on http://www.hpdirect.com.

clip_image001

If you are in the market for a new desktop or notebook, this might be a really good bargain!

Another mControl for Windows Home Server Giveaway

Andrew Edney
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2

Well it has been a few weeks since we did a giveaway, so I figured it was about time for another one 🙂

mcontrol-vmc-viewzone-hometheater-lights20250px-thumb

Tim Daleo has written some fantastic articles on mControl for Windows Home Server, which you really should have a read of it you haven’t already.

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/06/30/controlling-my-sprinklers-with-mcontrol-and-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/06/20/adding-mcontrol-to-windows-media-center-with-windows-home-server/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/06/14/adding-an-mcontrol-module-to-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/05/30/mcontrol-macros-with-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/05/16/adding-mcontrol-to-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

Anyway, on to the giveaway…..

Again, we have a full licence for mControl for Windows Home Server to giveaway from our friends at Embedded Automation.

To win this giveaway, just send an email to giveaways @ usingwhs.com (remembering to remove the spaces) and title your email New mControl Giveaway and tell us your top 3 add-ins. A winner will be picked at random and the closing date for the giveaway is Saturday 11th July 2009.

Good luck!

The Home Server Show Number 47 Out Now

Andrew Edney
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0

HomeServerShow graphic Dave over at the HomeServerShow.com has released the latest edition of his podcast, The Home Server Show, number 47.

This weeks show they mostly cover the ioSafe Solo video that was posted on July 1st as well as the new MVP’s, and some smartphone discussions.

You can get more information here, and download it from iTunes or your other favourite place.

New Windows Home Server MVPs

Andrew Edney
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1

MVP_08Banner_EN

Well it’s that time again when Microsoft award people as MVPs.

I would like to congratulate my friend David McCabe of the HomeServer Show, well done Dave, it’s about time 🙂

Also congratulations to two new MVPs from Japan – Masahiko Sada and Masashi Shimizu.

Also congratulations to Nigel “Cougar” Wilks and Alexander Kent (Sorry Alexander, I know I forgot to mention you) 🙂

Welcome to the family guys!

Tranquil PC Launch the T3N

Andrew Edney
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0

T3Nx3

Today Tranquil PC launched their new computer, the T3N. According to their website:

“Our new range of fan less Intel Atom N270 powered PCs are based on our popular T3 chassis. These units are compact, cost effective and can be customised to your requirements. Finished in different colours, they can be mounted neatly on your desk or under your LCD monitor. The CPU powering the T3N series is the Intel Atom N270, this is an ideal processor for general daily internet and desktop tasks. It is not a games rig, but for general purpose web browsing, email, word processing etc it is ideal. The most interesting feature is the power consumption, even with a HDD spinning you will be using much less that 20W from this amazing, miserly PC.
All the products come with the Tranquil PC Ltd ‘Zero Carbon in use’ certification. All standard environmental requirements are adhered to i.e. RoHS.”

Prices start from £119 (excluding VAT) and more information can be found by clicking here.

Expect a review very soon – this could make a very interesting, and very very cheap Windows Home Server!

Specification

Unit dimensions
210 (d) x 65 (h) x 240 (w)

Unit construction
ABS outer shell, with SEC inner chassis

CPU
32 bit Intel Atom N270 (1 x 1.6GHz / 512KB L2 cache) with speed step – 533MHz FSB

Chipset
Intel 82945GSE Northbridge + ICH7M Southbridge

Graphics
Intel Extreme (GMA950)

Memory
1x DDR SO-DIMM 533/667MHz (up to 2GB) – 200 pin

HDD
1x 3.5″ (Green Power) or 1x 2.5″ SATA HDDs can be fitted

Expansion
1x Mini-PCI Express slot (for WiFi)

Internal expansion
1x SPDIF, 2+2 HD Audio, Front Mic/Headphone, 1x Parallel, 1x PS2, 2x RS232, 4x USB2.0 – LVDS

Colour options
Black, Sparkle Blue or Sparkle Pink

Front panel
Power switch and  Power / HDD activity LEDs

Rear panel
12V DC power in / 3x USB2.0 / 10.100.1000 LAN (incl PXE Support) / Audio Out / VGA / DVI-D

Weight
Base unit (nett) 2.1Kg

Power supply
60W External AC/DC included with country specific power cord

Working temp
Maximum 40’C ambient

Mounting options
Desk

Power consumption
from 13W (base unit)

Acoustics
17dBA (incl 1x HDD) or 0dBA without HDD

Software
As selected

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