The guys over at the BYOB podcast, including our very own Tim Daleo have just released episode 41.
Here is what is included in this weeks show:
[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]This week we discuss PCIe in detail. We have a short sermon from Tim on bus basics and we round table different ideas and concepts.[/box]
As usual you can listen to the show from here.
Earlier this week Paragon Software released the latest version of their Hard Disk Manager software – Hard Disk Manager 11 Professional. This version supports SSDs, Advanced Format Drives and USB 3.0, along with some other new features.
Hard Disk Manager Professional is an integrated set of powerful tools that is specially designed to tackle most of the problems encountered while using Windows PC.
It includes all the latest technologies in managing stand-alone Windows environments: drive partitioning and file system optimization, disaster recovery and system migration, data sanitization and boot management for both, virtual and physical systems. And it’s open to Boot Camp users as well!
New features and benefits:
The software retails for $99.95 and there is a trial you can download and test.
We will be doing a full hands-on review soon, so watch this space.
Learn more about Hard Disk Manager 2011 Professional here
The guys and girls from the Center for Computing History who put on the excellent Gadget Hall of Fame exhibit at the recent Gadget Show Live have posted a video they took at the event. And if you like retro tech you will love the video.
I’m planning on visiting the museum very soon and will post a full report of my day.
Learn more about what they did for the Gadget Show Live hereNow sit back and enjoy the video.
Dave and the guys over at the Home Server Show have just released show 133.
Here’s what Dave says about this weeks show:
This podcast is late! Dave was traveling this week and joined the show via a lousy Skype connection so there are audio issues throughout. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good show as we had Timothy Black (VinylFreak) and Mike Howard (GeekAccountant) join Jim and Dave to discuss the week’s news. We discuss the Vulkano review and get heavy into Media on this episode. We also hit the new segment of “Off Topic” again. It’s a great show, enjoy.
DataCore also announced the timing for the public beta for DriveHarmony, the add-in that they are bringing to market to augment WHS2011’s disk drive management features. Read on for details!
Earlier today, we brought you the news that DataCore has named their add-in product and has announced the start date for the OEM beta. In a prior post, we disclosed that the beta process would begin with an OEM beta at the beginning of May and that a public beta would start soon thereafter. Carlos Carreras contacted me this afternoon to announce that the public beta will begin on 16 May 2011. This is consistent with the approach that we reported to you on 15 April.
Also, he gave us a little insight into the name that was used for the add-in. In Carlos’ own words:
So mark your calendars for 16 May and prepare to download the beta. DataCore is looking for help in ensuring that the user interface in particular is easy to use and functional, and would appreciate your involvement in the public beta.
DataCore Technology DriveHarmony Announcement
Our friends at CloudBerry Labs have been in touch to say that they have just updated their CloudBerry Backup Add-in for Windows Home Server to version 2.1.1.
The update is for Windows Home Server V1, with 2011 and Small Business Server 2011 Essentials versions following on some time next week.
The update includes:
Carlos Carreras from DataCore has been in contact today with an update on the beta for their add-in. Read on for details!
Carlos Carreras got in contact today to let us know that the OEM beta will begin on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. In addition, the add-in will be named DataCore DriveHarmony. Catchy!
We’ll continue to bring you updates as we become aware of them, so please stay tuned to UsingWindowsHomeServer.Com!
Have you ever wanted to change some settings in the BIOS on your computer but were confused by all the settings? Well GIGABYTE have just introduced the Touch BIOS to make things that little bit friendlier.
![TouchBIOS_Logo_thumb[3]](https://i0.wp.com/moviesgamesandtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/TouchBIOS_Logo_thumb3.jpg?ssl=1 "TouchBIOS_Logo_thumb[3]"){kind=logo}
Navigating through the BIOS to control and change system settings can be daunting for many people who are not regular PC DIY users. With Touch BIOS™, GIGABYTE engineers have completely re-imagined how users can interact with their BIOS, allowing for a more familiar icon-based user experience. In fact, with a touch screen monitor, GIGABYTE Touch BIOS™ is as easy to use as most apps on your iPhone. Check out this 3 minute Touch BIOS™ video introduction to see just how easy BIOS control can be.
Touch navigation requires a touch enabled monitor + Windows 7 operating system.
Mouse navigation is supported with any standard monitor (including touch enabled monitor) + Windows XP/Vista/7 operating system.
It is available for all GIGABYTE Z68 series motherboards, and I would assume it is something that will be added to future motherboards from GIGABYTE.
As usual, the warning here is not to mess with your BIOS unless you know what you are doing, but still, its cool that there is a friendly way to change things if you need to.
I wonder what the BYOB guys will think of this?
![Boost-Disk_thumb[7]](https://i0.wp.com/moviesgamesandtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Boost-Disk_thumb7.jpg?ssl=1 "Boost-Disk_thumb[7]")
![TouchBIOS_UI_thumb[28]](https://i0.wp.com/moviesgamesandtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/TouchBIOS_UI_thumb28.jpg?ssl=1 "TouchBIOS_UI_thumb[28]")
Take a look at the video below to see it in action.
Earlier this week we told you about the Tranquil PC Leo HS4 Windows Home Server. Well Tranquil are also updating their SQA-5H range to include Windows Home Server 2011 as well.
Shipping and pre-orders
Tranquil are accepting pre-orders from 27th April 2011, and the new WHS 2011 Servers will commence shipping from May 16th. Order early to avoid disappointment.
An ‘Early Bird’ coupon code will be offered to all who pre-order, before the shipping date. To claim your Early Bird discount of £35.00, just enter the following coupon at the checkout WHSEB35
What do you get
Please note this version is not optimised for real time video transcoding, if you wish to use this service, and get an overall higher performing WHS2011 server, please consider the Leo HS4
Learn more and place your order here
This weeks Digital Lifestyle Show has just been released – its show 303, and it’s rather interesting! Oh, and I go off on a rant about Windows 8 blog posts!
Here’s what Ian says about this week show:
[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]We are all back for this weeks show and to be honest it was an interesting show (listen and you will understand what I mean) This week we talk waking a Windows Media Center PC from sleep via an Extender, my Windows Home Server build, Media Center Standby tool, Sony’s Crackle, Tranquil PC servers and dirty gadgets plus many other topics.[/box]
You can listen to the show or download it from here
Our friends at Amulet have been in touch to let us know that they have just released an updated beta of their Amulet Voice Remote software, version 2.18.16. And you can get it now.
Here is what they told us:
I’m pleased to announce that the next Amulet Voice Remote beta software release, version 2.18.16, is now available for testing.
You can download it from here:
Readme: http://files.amuletdevices.com/files/beta/Amulet_2.18.16_ReleaseNotes.rtf
32-bit: http://files.amuletdevices.com/files/beta/Amulet_2.18.16.msi
64-bit: http://files.amuletdevices.com/files/beta/Amulet_x64_2.18.16.msiThe most significant improvements are:
- Multiple bugs fixed in indexing of TV Guide programs for voice search
- Hi-definition and standard definition channels can now be referred to by the same name, with hidef taking precedence; say NEXT MATCH to find additional matches
- Channels can now be referred to by service name as well as callsign
- YouTube voice search now works again, following YouTube’s update of their Leanback interface
- Many bugs fixed
A full list of all changes since release 2.18.14 is available on the Beta forums here:
http://www.amuletdevices.com/index.php/Amulet-Beta-Testers/439-Amulet-2.18.16-beta-release.html
Many of you have been active in the forums posting bug reports, suggestions and other feedback. I’m pleased to announce that the first batch of rebate cheques was posted today so regular contributers should be receiving their rebate within the next few days.
If you haven’t contributed yet, it’s not too late. We’re looking for specific feedback on some of the new TV channel enhancements in 2.18.16, so please try it out and let us know how you get on. Remember, those of you on the rebate program need to actively provide testing feedback in order to qualify.
There are no specific My Movies enhancements in this release. However, we have been working closely with Brian Binnerup of My Movies who is adding some additional support in the forthcoming My Movies 4.0 release, to facilitate voice control through Amulet.
The next Amulet beta release, due within the next 1-2 weeks, will focus on new My Movies functionality.
Have you got an Amulet Voice Remote? What do you think of it? Let us know…..
You can learn more from the Amulet website.
Our friends over at Diskeeper have been kind enough to give us a number of copies of their Diskeeper 2011 products to give away to you guys. We are giving away 3 copies of Diskeeper 2011 for Windows Home Server or Diskeeper 2011 Professional. And you still have a few days to enter.
So what do you have to do to win a full copy of Diskeeper 2011 for Windows Home Server?
[box size=”large” style=”rounded” border=”full”]At the top of every page you will see a Diskeeper 2011 Trial ad. Click it and go download a trial edition of Diskeeper 2011 (any version you like) and when asked, tell them we sent you. Then drop us an email to giveaways @ usingwhs.com (remembering to remove the spaces) and let us know you have done it and which version you would like if you win. If you entered last time, or already have a trial copy, just click on the ad and send us an email.[/box]
That’s it, simple!
We will then pick 3 people at random from the emails we receive.
The competition is open to anyone (even if you entered last time), so good luck.
The 3 winners will be announced on the site on Sunday 1st May, so get going.
Watch out for more Diskeeper giveaways in the next few weeks.
And thank you again to our friends at Diskeeper for all the licences.
As you know by now, there is no upgrade path from Windows Home Server V1 to WHS 2011. However, Tranquil PC are offering a unique service to existing SQA-5H owners that might interest you.
Tranquil PC are pleased to offer the following upgrades from SQA-5H Home Server to Windows Home Server 2011.
Due to the nature of Windows Home Server and Windows Home Server 2011, there is no ‘user upgrade’ available, as perhaps you may have used to upgrade XP to Vista in the past. Neither has Microsoft issued a ‘upgrade’ of the operating system licence.
The outcome of the above means that our upgrade offers are based on factory upgrades.
There are two upgrade options:
1. Option 1
SQA-5H with Windows Home Server to SQA-5H with Windows Home Server 2011
(Operating System upgrade + new Add In, with data transfer service, and fully factory re-test)
Option 2
SQA-5H with Windows Home Server to Leo HS4 with Windows Home Server 2011
(Operating System upgrade + new Add In, with data transfer service, and fully factory re-test
PLUS – full hardware upgrade incl new main board + i3-2100T CPU + 2GB DDR3 RAM )
Both options re-use your existing hard disks.
Item 1 includes :
Cost for the above process is £189.00, irrespective of the amount of data that is protected and then moved back. On occasions Tranquil may contact you, if there are any further cost options / requirements, ie the possible adding of new HDDs etc. Return shipping costs and VAT are not included. Turnaround times vary, but normal service level for the above process is 5-7 days.
Item 2 includes :
· New System main board (Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor support)
· New Intel i3-2100T CPU
· New 2GB DDR3 RAM
· New fan less CPU cooling system + re-labelling
Cost for the above process is £479.00, irrespective of the amount of data that is protected and then moved back. On occasions Tranquil may contact you, if there are any further cost options / requirements, ie the possible adding of new HDDs / storage controller card etc. Return shipping costs and VAT are not included. Turnaround times vary, but normal service level for the above process is 7-10 days.
If you would like to discuss either option 1 or option 2 above please drop an email to martin@tranquilpc.co.uk
Over the last few days we have talked about the forthcoming Windows Home Server 2011 hardware from Tranquil PC, called the Leo HS4. Now we can exclusively reveal the pricing and more details on the specs.
Windows Home Server 2011
The long awaited successor to Windows Home Server is now ready.
The Leo HS4 from Tranquil PC, powered by Windows Home Server 2011 (or VAIL as it was formally known).
The powerful central processor supplied with the Leo HS4 ensures that you will benefit from the latest features supplied with WHS 2011, including on-the-fly media transcoding and fast disk management virtualisation.
Shipping and pre-orders
Tranquil are accepting pre-orders from 27th April 2011, and the new WHS 2011 Servers will commence shipping from May 16th.
An ‘Early Bird’ coupon code will be offered to all who pre-order, before the shipping date. To claim your Early Bird discount of £50.00, just enter the following coupon at the checkout WHSEB50
What do you get
| Unit dimensions | 213 (w) x 331 (d) x 195 (h) incl feet (mm) |
| Unit construction | Enamelled Steel (typically >70% recycled materials) |
| System heat sink | Internal CPU and Chipset aluminium heat sink (fan less) |
| CPU | Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor i3-2100T (2.5GHz) |
| Memory | 2GB DDR3 1333Mhz (upgradeable) |
| HDDs | 4x 3.5″ bays (1st bay factory fitted with 2TB HDD) 3x free. |
| Colour options | Satin Black or Gloss White |
| Front panel | Power, Mode and backups switches, Multi-coloured status LED’s and 2x USB 2.0 ports |
| Rear panel | 12v DC power in / 2x USB3.0 / 4x USB2.0 / 10.100.1000 LAN port / 1x eSATA / Desk lock / (optional 2x eSATA with port multiplier) |
| Weight | Base unit (nett) 6Kg |
| Power supply | External AC/DC with country specific power cord |
| Working temp | Maximum 44’C ambient |
| Mounting options | Desk |
| Power consumption | 23W (incl 1xHDD) |
| Acoustics | 23dBA (incl 1x HDD) |
| Software | Windows Home Server 2011 – PC Recovery CD – Server Restore DVD – DataCore Disk Manager Add In |
Ok, so, the price…
The unit described above is £679 (before the discount code mentioned above) and also before VAT.
CPU Upgrades:
i3-2100T > i5-2400S (+£49.00)
Memory Upgrades:
Up2GB > 4GB upgrade (+£18.00)
2GB > 8GB upgrade (+£59.00)
Additional Storage:
2TB > 4TB (+£109.00)
2TB > 6TB (+£218.00)
2TB > 8TB (+£327.00)
eSata Upgrade:
Optional 2 port eSATA expander (incl Port Multiplier) (+£49.00)
Warranty Upgrade:
24 month > 48 month warranty extension (+£89.00)
Expect our usual hands-on review shortly.
Visit the Tranquil PC Store now