Do you own more than one Windows Home Server? Have you ever thought about using one to back the other up and visa versa?
If so, Home Sever Hacks has a really interesting article on how to synchronise two Windows Home Servers with Microsoft’s Sync Toy so that you can use both to give you that little bit of extra protection.
To read the full article, click here. Once again, an excellent post from the Home Server Hacks.
While this may not exactly be “new” news, anyone with certain makes of Seagate hard drives should check to see if the drives they have are affected by a firmware bug.
Information can be found here along with information on how to check if your drive is affected, and how to download and install new firmware.
I personally have had 3 of Seagate’s 1 TB drive with issues – one was DOA and had to be replaced, one had the firmware bug just before they announced the new firmware and one I was able to update.
If you have any Seagate drives at all, check the site and make sure you have the latest firmware.
Unfortunately Seagate have not done a very good job at all of dealing with this issue. I was told in early December when I called that there was no firmware bug and they wouldn’t give me the updated firmware, only for them to announce there was a bug just a few days later. A lot of people are still waiting to find out what to do with their “bricked” hard drives – myself included. Come on Seagate, sort this out, it’s just not good enough!
Today the Windows Home Server team is releasing a small update to the product. The update improves the capability of Windows Home Server to repair abnormalities detected in the home computer backup database. The update should be automatically downloaded and installed on your home server over the next several days, if you have Windows Update turned on. You can check if you have Windows Update turned on, by opening the Windows Home Server Console – Settings – General page.
The Knowledge Base article for this update will be available shortly from this link.
The 1st Release Candidate of Internet Explorer 8 is now available to download and use.
IE8 in the next in a long line Internet browsers from Microsoft. IE8 Beta 2 could be a little flaky at times (it was a beta after all), so this version should be better.
Since Beta 2, some of the changes in RC1 include the following:
ClickJacking protection. The SmartScreen Filter now includes the ability to help detect and prevent “ClickJacking” which is a malicious technique of tricking web users into revealing confidential information or taking control of their computer.
InPrivate. Helps to protect user’s data and privacy from being retained “locally” on a PC. InPrivate Browsing and InPrivate Filtering can now be used independently.
Performance improvements. Reduces the time that users must wait when starting the browser, opening a “new tab”, or loading a page.
User interface and experience updates to help ensure a better user experience.
To download IE8 RC1, click here and then click on the Download now button.
While we were all in Las Vegas for CES, Ian Dixon recorded the Media Center 2008 Awards Show which I was honoured to be a part of. A number of bloggers, including myself, Terry Walsh and other enthusiasts took part.
We had a great evening recording the show.
If you want to listen to the podcast, and you should, click here.
Today HP have released a new update for owners for their MediaSmart Servers.
This update contains a number of updates although it is not that clear at this point what those updates are!
To update your MediaSmart Server, just click the Check for Updates link on the MediaSmart tab in the Windows Home Server Console and follow the prompts.
Here at CES earlier this week, Microsoft announced the release of the public beta of Windows 7. You can download it today and have a play with it by going to the Windows 7 beta download site. You can also download it if you have a TechNet or MSDN subscription.
Just remember it is still in beta so there may be problems or as Microsoft put it on the site “it may be glitchy”.
To learn more about Windows 7 and all the new features visit the Windows 7 website. Over the next few months we will be covering a lot of Windows 7 news.
I just wanted to post a big thank you to the guys at CNTRSTG for providing a great facility to come and blog, chill, relax and be refreshed. They have gone out of their way to make me and my fellow bloggers welcome – great job guys.
Those of you who remember that last year Microsoft gave everyone the opportunity to try Windows Home Server for 120 days, but the catch was that you had to order it and pay for shipping. Whilst it was only a few dollars, it took a while to get there.
Now Microsoft has given everyone the opportunity to download the 120 day evaluation edition and this time it includes Power Pack 1.
You can download it by visiting the Microsoft Download Center.
Would you like to win a Windows Home Server?
If the answer is yes, and why wouldn’t you, 2 home servers are being given away every day for the next 5 days.
So, between now and January 13th 2009 you are in with a chance of winning.
Just go to http://www.winahomeserver.com/ and complete the forms. Unfortunately, this competition is only open to those living in the United States. Good luck!
Well it’s that time of the year again. I have been lucky enough to be awarded MVP from Microsoft again for Windows Home Server.
Congratulations as well to Phil Churchill who also got re-awarded, and also to the two new guys, Christopher Courtney and Eric B Rux. Well done guys!
I just wanted to wish everyone a very happy, and safe, 2009!
2009 should be a very good year for Windows Home Server, but more on that in the coming months……
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) takes place next week in Las Vegas. It is the biggest show of its kind in the world and all the new and cool gadgets will be on show for all to see.
I will be there next week and will post anything exciting.
I will be also be meeting up with some of my fellow MVP’s and also the Windows Home Server team – more of that next week.
HP today announced two new MediaSmart Servers for Windows Home Server.
You can read the press release, along with hands on reviews here.
