What is Windows Home Server?

3TB Western Digital Drive on a UEFI day night

Timothy Daleo

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Nov 22, 2010

Leave it to UsingWindowsHomeServer, BYOB and the Home Server Show Podcasts to be the first to bring you an article for installing Windows 7 in UEFI on a 3TB Western Digital drive. I dropped the $200 for a 3TB drive at Best Buy and spent this Friday night doing a simple UEFI installation of Windows 7. Read on to find out more about this easy installation.

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Western Digital 3TB My Book Essential

It is a 3TB drive. That is about it. The specs are here.

Equipment Needed

3TB Western Digital Drive
Motherboard that supports UEFI
4 Beers (Optional as always)
External DVD Drive (USB powered)

Now that we have the equipment…lets set this pig on fire.

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3TB My Book Essential – Best Buy Version

Its an external drive. That’s about it. Nothing really to review here. It looks like every other My Book I have ever seen. But like Prom night, there is more underneath…

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It sure costs more than the other drives out there. In addition, I had to drive to THREE Best Buy locations to find the damn thing. It was more expensive than my Prom too. Well in 1988 anyway…

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Installation is just a power cable and USB. I already have a USB 3.0 card in my test PC so connecting is easy. If you are going to get this model then make sure you get a USB 3.0 card for your PC as the USB 2.0 speeds will drive you nuts!

Mental Note: It does NOT come with a USB 3.0 card!

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My Book USB 3.0 Performance

The USB 3.0 performance was very good. The disk was just as fast as being connected via SATA cable. It should be since the spec exceeds earlier SATA.

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Apple Release iOS 4.2 Update for the iPad

Andrew Edney

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Nov 22, 2010

2

Apple has just released the iOS 4.2 update for the iPad, and it finally brings multitasking to the iPad, amongst quite a lot of fixes and other improvements!

The update is quite large at 551.4 MB and expect everyone with an iPad to be downloading it right now!

Here is what the iOS 4.2 Update for the iPad contains:

iOS 4.2 Software Update for iPad

This update contains over 100 new features for iPad including support for multitasking, folders, unified mail inbox, Game Center, AirPrint, AirPlay and many system improvements. It is highly recommended for all iPad users.

iOS 4.2 for iPad includes the following:

• Multitasking support for third-party apps
– Multitasking user interface to quickly move between apps, adjust screen brightness, control playback, lock screen rotation and manage print jobs
– Support for audio apps to play in the background
– VoIP apps can receive and maintain calls in the background or when the device is asleep
– Apps can monitor location and take action while running in the background
– Alerts and messages can be pushed to apps using push and local notifications
– Apps can complete tasks in the background
• Folders to better organise and access apps
• Mail improvements
– Unified inbox to view emails from all accounts in one place
– Fast inbox switching to quickly switch between different email accounts
– Threaded messages to view multiple emails from the same conversation
– Import .ics files into Calendar
– Open attachments with compatible third-party apps
– File or delete search results
– Option to select size of photo attachments
– Messages in the Outbox can be edited or deleted
• Game Center
– Send and receive friend requests
– Invite friends to multi-player games over the Internet
– Play multi-player games by auto-matching with other players
– View Leaderboards and Achievements
– Discover new games from friends
• AirPrint
– Print mail, photos, web pages and more directly to AirPrint-compatible printers on a local wireless network
• AirPlay
– Wirelessly stream videos, music and photos to Apple TV
– Wirelessly stream music to AirPlay-enabled speakers or receivers, including AirPort Express
• Find text on web pages in Safari
• Use Spotlight to search the web and Wikipedia
• Suggestions and recent searches appear during a web search
• Support for TV programme rentals using iTunes (US only)
• Create and edit iTunes playlists on your device
• Support for iTunes gifting of apps
• Send and accept calendar invitations wirelessly with supported CalDAV servers
• Support for MobileMe calendar sharing
• Enhanced location privacy
– A Location Services icon appears in the status bar to indicate when Location Services are being used
– Location Services can be enabled and disabled per app
– Indication of apps that have requested your location within the last 24 hours
• Additional Parental Controls
– Prevent adding friends in Game Center and deletion of apps
– Restrict changes to Accounts and Location Services settings
• New languages, dictionaries and keyboards
• New fonts available in Notes
• Wirelessly sync notes using IMAP-based mail accounts
• Automatic spellcheck
• Silence background sounds using the Silent switch on the side of iPad
• Improved support for Bluetooth AVRCP
• Persistent Wi-Fi connection to receive push notifications
• Support for Bluetooth braille displays and international braille tables, control VoiceOver using an external keyboard, and other accessibility enhancements
• Wireless delivery of carrier settings updates for iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G
• Improved enterprise support
– Support for third-party Mobile Device Management solutions
– Enables wireless distribution of enterprise applications
– Exchange Server 2010 compatibility
– Support for multiple Exchange ActiveSync accounts
– Support for Juniper Junos Pulse and Cisco AnyConnect SSL VPN apps (available from the App
Store)
• More than 1,500 new developer APIs
• Bug fixes

Products compatible with this software update:
• iPad
• iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G

So what do you think of this update?

Review of the Skin Drive from Iomega

Andrew Edney

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Nov 22, 2010

1

Back in September, Iomega released a special edition of the 500GB eGo portable hard drive with 3 unique designs by Skin.

What is Skin you may well ask?

Skin Industries was founded in 1998 by adult film legend and entrepreneur Al Borda. It got in at the ground level during the early days of freestyle motocross and began with a small line of dirt bike graphics and motocross gear. The label quickly developed a unique, hardcore following in the So Cal dirt bike scene and is now a huge brand in its own right with a long list of official Skin store locations and celebrity endorsements. The Skin Industries empire now includes Skin Clothing, Skin Entertainment, Skin Records, Skin Europe and a string of specialized Skin Industries stores.

Here is how Skin describe the drive:

Express your unique style with the new Skin™ Hard Drives by Iomega®. With three unique designs and up to 500GB of capacity. You can store your media and showcase your individual style. Skin Hard Drives include quality features you have come to expect from Iomega like Drop Guard protection and Protection Suite software included at no additional cost!

And here is how Iomega describe it:

Express your unique style with the new Skin™ branded Portable Hard Drives by Iomega®. With a unique design and up to 500GB of storage for your videos, photos, and music, you can store your media and showcase your individual style. Skin™ Portable Hard Drives include quality features you have come to expect from Iomega like Iomega Drop Guard protection and Protection Suite software included at no additional cost! The Iomega Drop Guard™ feature helps protect the drive when dropped up to 51” so you can be confident your portable hard drive is rugged! Iomega® Protection Suite is a comprehensive collection of valuable software that includes Trend Micro™ Internet Security (12 mo. Free subscription), Roxio Retrospect® Express Backup software, Iomega QuikProtect, and MozyHome™ Online Backup service available via easy download. The Skin™ Portable Hard Drive is protected by a 3-year limited warranty when you register your product with Iomega!

Stylish—Red Hot Skin™ logo design on Red top with graffiti printing & black base

Compact—Super compact drive easily fits in a pocket, laptop bag, or backpack; weighs only 0.40lbs

Durable—Perfect for travel environments, the Drop Guard™ feature protects the drive when dropped up to 51″ (40% above the industry average!)

Secure—Iomega Protection Suite software includes Trend Micro™ Internet Security (1 year subscription), Iomega QuikProtect, Roxio Retrospect® and MozyHome™ Online Backup service.

3 Year Warranty—with product registration

The drives only come in a USB 2.0 500GB format, but there are three different designs. In the order shown below: Knockout, Red Hot and Radical.

For this review, I have the Red Hot one.

Specifications

Preformatted and hot plug-and-play
No AC adapter needed
Compatible with PC and Mac
USB 2.0/1.1 compatible
Transfer rate: 480 Mbits/s
Three year limited warranty (with product registration)
4.9″ x 3.3″ x 0.7″ (L x W x H)
.36 lbs

What’s In The Box?

The box itself has a unique look to it – trying already to be stylish.

Along with the actual drive, there is a USB cable and some paperwork.

Unboxing the Xbox 360 Kinect

Andrew Edney

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Nov 22, 2010

5

I’ve talked about the Xbox 360 Kinect device a couple of times on the Digital Lifestyle Show podcast, so I thought it was about time to post the unboxing of it.

Here is how Microsoft describe Kinect:

With Kinect for Xbox 360, you are the controller. Easy to use and instantly fun, Kinect gets your whole body in the game. Imagine controlling movies and music with the wave of a hand or the sound of your voice. With Kinect, technology evaporates, letting the natural magic in all of us shine. And the best part is Kinect works with every Xbox 360.

What’s in the box?

The box provides a lot of protections for the Kinect, which is good, because otherwise I could see a lot of very unhappy people on Christmas day!

Along with the Kinect itself, you get a free game called Kinect Adventures!, various manuals and paperwork, cables (all connected to the Kinect itself, including the power supply) and a USB extender cable.

First Impressions

It is a lot smaller than I thought it would be, and is very light weight. There is plenty of cable length so that you can easily connect it to a power supply and also the Xbox.

As I mentioned on the podcast, and as Garry brought up, its only when you look very closely at the box do you see the warning about needing to stand 6 ft away if you are a single player, or 8 ft away if you are playing with two players. This is going to cause some problems for people who don’t have that amount of available space.

I know connecting mine I barely had 6 ft and my back was almost to a wall!

I can’t see it being able to be used easily in most bedrooms!

Anyway, stay tuned for the UWHS hands-on review.

In the mean time, take a look at some of the Kinect hacks that are available, and also have a listen to what the BYOB guys thought.

BYOB Episode 22 Out Now

Andrew Edney

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Nov 21, 2010

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The guys over at BYOB, including our very own Tim Daleo, have just released the BYOB podcast, episode 22.

Here is what they say about this weeks show:

This week’s BYOB the Double Deuce! Michael Reviews the WDTV Live Hub. After a long struggle Tim has defeated the UEFI mystery. Mike and Tim give us some use cases for imaging and talk about recent troubles in cloning a larger disk to a smaller SSD. In addition, we discuss various disk management tools. Brief discussion on Mike’s spontaneous purchase, Michael shares a nifty SSD tool. Don’t forget to join us on the 27th for he live Q&A show.

Review: WDTV Live Hub

Michael had an itch to try out WD’s latest offering in the Media appliance market.

http://homeservershow.com/review-wdtv-live-hub-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly-2.html

Tim = 1 – UEFI = 0

Tim gets UEFI enabled and boots from a GPT partition into windows. Listen to the show for more details.

Hard Drive Management Tools

Acronis

Perfect Disk

DriveImageXML

EASEUS Disk Copy

Clonezilla

Mike’s spontaneous purchase

http://homeservershow.com/the-tale-of-the-gtx-580.html

SSD Health Monitor Tool

SSDLife

As usual you can listen to the show here.

More Xbox 360 Kinect Hacks Start Appearing

Andrew Edney

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Nov 21, 2010

3

This week on the Digital Lifestyle Show podcast, we all talked about Kinect and possible future uses. Well in the last few days yet more videos have started to appear showing different uses for Kinect (all hacked) but it shows the realm of possibilities that could happen.

The first video shows Kinect being used to control Windows 7 – is this the future for Windows 8?

Kinect Controlling Windows 7

The second video shows a really cool demonstration of shadow puppets. We have all done them at one point or another, but never looking this good!

Kinect Puttets

Thanks to Winrumours for the info.

A DLNA client for iPhone/iPad that works with DVBLink DLNA

Andrew Edney

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Nov 21, 2010

1

Often when I am on the Digital Lifestyle Show podcast, Garry, Ian and myself often discuss playing media on different devices, including the iPad. Garry has just done a post on the Digital Lifestyle.com blog about once such piece of software.

Garry starts the post:

Since I got an iPad I have been fighting in the cross border wars between the Microsoft Media infrastructure and Apple’s. One of the big issues as I have mentioned before is the lack of a ‘Standard’ DLNA renderer for iOS that actually works with Windows Media sources.

You can read the full post here, and something tells me will be discussing this on next weeks show. Good find Garry!

If you are not sure what DVBLink is, and you want to learn more, you can check out our two how to guides –

How To Install and Configure DVBLink Server and TVSource v3.01 and

How To Install and Configure DVBLink Server Network Pack v3.01.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation Overview on Coffee Coaching

Andrew Edney

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Nov 21, 2010

3

Coffee Coaching, the HP and Microsoft blog, have just posted a really interesting article on Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation Overview. If you don’t know what this is, or what to learn more then take a look.

Here is how Becky Ochs, a Senior Program Manager Lead at Microsoft begins the article:

If you have small-business owners as customers who don’t yet have a server in their environment, then Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation, represents an outstanding opportunity for you. This is a general-purpose, cost-effective server providing a rich set of entry level capabilities and targeted specifically for the small businesses that want to transition from a peer-to-peer network to a real business-class server with the ability to tailor server roles to their unique environments, and capable of offering the same experience as Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Edition.

You can watch the video below:

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the article on the Coffee Coaching blog.

Happy 25th Birthday Windows

Andrew Edney

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Nov 20, 2010

1

Today sees Windows turning 25 years old!

I can’t believe how time flies.

What are your memories of Windows 1.01 or later? In fact, were you even using a computer back then? Or just to make me feel old, were you even born?

I wonder what Windows will be like in 25 years time?

LaCie Launch FastKey USB 3.0 SSD And You Will Want One

Andrew Edney

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Nov 19, 2010

3

LaCie have just launched the smallest USB 3.0 SSD drive and you are going to want one – I know I do!

Lightning-fast speed up to 260MB/s*
The best technology in a tiny size: USB 3.0 SSD with DRAM cache
Ultra-secure AES 256-bit encryption
Stylish and sturdy metal casing

They come in 30GB ($149.99), 60GB ($249.99) or 120GB ($474.99), but as you can see, they are not cheap!

All I know is that I want one!

You can learn more from the LaCie website.

Here is the full press release:

Fast and Tiny: LaCie FastKey Goes from 0 to 260MB/s in 26cm3

Today LaCie announces the smallest SSD USB 3.0 drive, delivering speeds up to 260MB/s – LaCie FastKey. Small enough to hide in the palm of your hand, LaCie’s FastKey can transfer 1000 mp3 or five DIVX files in less than 60 seconds.

100 Times Faster than USB 2.0

While the FastKey can perform up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0, its peak performance goes far beyond that. Combining the performance of SSD, USB 3.0 and DRAM cache technology, the FastKey can write small files up to 100 times faster than your average USB 2.0 hard drive.

“With most flash drives, transferring a large number of photos and mp3 files can take a few minutes,” said Luc Pierart, Business Unit Manager, Personal Storage, LaCie. “With the Fastkey, transferring small files is immediate. You can back up or share your music and photo libraries as you head out the door.”

Compact Metal Design

Combining the highly robust solid-state flash technology, with sturdy aluminum casing, the FastKey ensures your data is as safe as it is mobile. But don’t mistake its high capacity for a 2.5″ mobile SSD.

The LaCie FastKey packs 120GB into a sleek flash drive (measuring just 26cm3) with no wasted space. And with the included strap, users can secure the FastKey to a keychain or bag for additional on-the-go convenience.

Full Data Protection

The LaCie FastKey not only protects data from the outside, it includes software AES 256-bit encryption – so your data is secure no matter how it’s used. Simply choose the amount of capacity you want to encrypt, and access it with a custom password. Now you can pass the FastKey to colleagues and friends and know your personal files are secure. If privacy is a priority, you can encrypt the full capacity.

For even more storage and sharing options, the LaCie FastKey also comes with 4GB of secure online storage from Wuala.

Availability

The LaCie FastKey is available in 30GB, 60GB and 120GB capacities through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, and LaCie Reseller+ starting at $149.99. For more product information, visit http://www.lacie.com.

Lite-On Launch 24x Internal DVD Writer with SMART Erase

Andrew Edney

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Nov 18, 2010

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Today Lite-On launched a new 24x Internal DVD writer. One of the features that caught my eye was SMART Erase which overwrites existing data with random and meaningless characters so the disc can no longer be read by any drive.

Lite-On have today announced the speedy 24X iHAS624 DVD writer with LabelTag and LightScribe.

The 24X internal SATA interface DVD writer is fast and packed full of features to deliver users a highly accurate disc recording solution. Smart Erase adds reassurance by providing a fully secure way to dispose of unwanted discs, whilst LabelTag and Lightscribe allow users to create professional and easy-to-use labels for discs without fuss.

The iHAS624 is flexible, reliable and perfect for anyone looking to back up personal files, photos or

DVD videos without a compromise on quality.

Key Features:

* 24X SATA DVD Writer

* LabelTag & LightScribe disc labelling

* Smart Erase for secure data erasing

* SmartWrite, Smart-X and Smart Burn

Advanced labelling technology for hassle-free disc archiving:

The patented LabelTag technology allows users to etch a label with text and a small picture onto the data side of any standard DVD+/-R single layer or CD-R discs. The images are created at the same time as writing the disc data and at the normal writing speed.

LightScribe uses special media to allow users to design labels and print onto the top side of the disc – simply burn the data, flip the disc and add a professional finishing touch to the disc.

Both LabelTag and Lightscribe provide a quick and cost effective solution to disc labelling without any need for fussy markers or additional hardware/software – making it easier than ever to back-up and share data in a colourful and consistent style.

A range of SMART technology features to offer users the greatest versatility in disc burning:

SMART Erase is a patented function for DVD+/-R(DL) and CD-R discs, which overwrites existing data with random and meaningless characters so the disc can no longer be read by any drive. This process provides assurance to users that any confidential data is no longer able to be accessed by anyone and is guarantees a more thorough approach to simply breaking the disc or ‘shredding’ data.

SMART Burn technology compares the disc to be burned with an updated detailed list from Lite-On and automatically adjusts the writing strategy to provide the best burn quality. This advanced system reduces disc errors and wasted discs.

SmartWrite is designed to optimize the writing strategy for each burning session. Using a smart writing algorithm and self-learning techniques, it will detect and select the best method of writing data for each type of media used, and then remember that decision for future sessions.

SMART-X automatically adjusts the extraction rate for optimum read performance, reducing overall operating noise and vibration.

Pricing & Availability:

The iHAS624 will be approximately £29 SRP and is available this month from a selection of retailers.

You can learn more from the Lite-On website.

The Home Server Show 113

Andrew Edney

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Nov 18, 2010

2

Dave at the guys over at the Home Server Show have just released show number 113.

Here is what Dave has to say about this weeks show:

Episode 113 is full of news for Windows Home Server, Storage, Streaming, you name it, it’s in here!

There are a few new podcasts from the guys and our famous outtakes at the end. Enjoy and see you in the forums!

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2010/11/16/drobo-s-nas-device-now-with-usb-3-0/

http://homeservershow.com/stream-media-from-whs-to-your-ios-device-with-zumocast.html

Cloudberry Backup for Windows Home Server Vail On the Way We Got Served

Security Essentials latest update won’t install on WHS Home Server Show

HP Ends MediaSmart Server 3.0 Update Program We Got Served

Lights-Out Update 1.0.4 Add-In for Windows Home Server Using Windows Home Server

Lights Out for Vail and Aurora Second Preview MSWHS.com

Announcing Windows Home Server Inside Out Using Windows Home Server

Windows Home Server Vail Demofest Presentation from TechEd Europe 2010 Using Windows Home Server

Aurora Presentation Slides

Windows Multipoint Server 2011 beta

Monitor Your WHS Health from a Mobile Device Home Server Show

Tranquil PC Safe Server Module Review Home Server Show

Stream Media from WHS To Your iOS Device with ZumoCast Home Server Show

Supermicro X8SI6-F Motherboard Review Onboard LSI SAS 2008 ServeTheHome.com

PlayOn TV Deal

As usual you can listen to the show here.

And I am thinking there might be a few drinks tonight as well!

The Digital Lifestyle Show 281 Media Indigestion

Andrew Edney

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Nov 18, 2010

4

Ian over at the Digital Lifestyle.com has just released the Digital Lifestyle Show number 281 amusingly entitled Media Indigestion (it will make sense when you listen to it!). And once again I’m on the show.

Here is what Ian says about this weeks show:

Garry and Andrew join me to talk over the weeks digital lifestyle news including new apps for Windows Media Center, running Windows Media Center on a MacBook, the problems with Android Tablets, multi-platform streaming and the weeks biggest news a Universal remote in a pillow!

The HTPC Build show will in the next couple of weeks, thanks to everyone that sent in questions.

Links from this weeks show:

DVDBrowser for Windows Media Center now available in the app store

Video: First Impressions of a MacBook Air running OSX, Windows 7 and Media Center

PC World pulls Toshiba Folio tablet from sale

Scheduled Delete App for Windows Media Center

Elgato EyeTV launches multi-platform TV streaming

Universal remote, in a pillow!

Firecore show progress on new Apple TV Hack

Big Screen ‘byRemote’ – for Windows 7 Media Center v1.0 *Final Release*

Boxee Box gets a teardown

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2010/11/15/installing-the-zune-software-on-windows-home-server-code-name-vail/