What is Windows Home Server?

Using Windows Home Server in a Business Environment with SBS 2008

Andrew Edney

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Feb 17, 2010

Have you ever thought about using Windows Home Server in a business environment with SBS 2008?

Well that is exactly what The IO Guy thought about and so he has done a really good article on just this very topic!

Here is how he starts the article:

So here’s an interesting thought pattern. With the consumerization of many elements of our technology environment, what role can a solution such as Home Server play in a corporate environment?

I had a theory that it could be quite a smart solution when combined with SBS, particularly to leverage it’s backup and storage functions.

So here’s what I set up:

SBS 2008 – I went this way for 2 reasons: the Home Server scenario is more likely in a small business, and the all-in-one nature of SBS makes it easier to set up a complex environment.

Home Server with 3 disks attached. 2 x 120GB and 1 x 500GB.

You can read the full article by clicking here. It’s an interesting read and really good to see more people trying out both Windows Home Server and Small Business Server.

Boxee Windows 7 Media Center Integration 1.0

Microsoft

Andrew Edney

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Feb 17, 2010

0

If you use Windows Media Center, and you also use Boxee then you may be looking for an easy way to launch Boxee from Media Center and to go back when you are finished.

Well the guys at Teknowebworks have come up with a plug-in for Windows Media Center that does just that!

Here is what the author says about the plug-in:

Boxee Integration 1.0 provides an easy way for users to go back and forth between Windows Media Center and Boxee. When clicking on Boxee in Windows 7 Media Center, the software automatically closes Windows Media Center, Starts Boxee Maximized in full screen. When you are done with Boxee, click on Exit in the main menu, the software will automatically start Windows Media Center back up in full screen mode.

This software will not work with your extenders.

This software is aimed at people who want to have a easy way of switching with just their remote controls while sitting on the couch. In fact that is exactly why I wrote it and use it myself.

The program is free, if you find bugs send an email to bugs @ teknowebworks.com , I’ll try to update the software for you.

Installation:

1. Quit out of Windows Media Center
2. Install Boxee if you already haven’t
3. Double click on BoxeeIntegrationSetup.msi
4. Install into the default directory
5. Start Windows 7 Windows Media Center and you should have Boxee section now.

Click here to learn more and to download the plug-in. While the plug-in is free, there is an option to donate, so if you like it and use it, why not say thanks with a small donation.

Nanovision MiMo UM-740 and Windows Home Server

welchwerks

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Feb 16, 2010

0

Well as a home automation buff and like most of us when I come across an article involving windows home server, I have to sound off like the town crier.

The Nanovision MiMo UM-740 is a 7″ monitor that is fully USB powered. It has a built in camera and mic as well a touch-screen. The monitor is driven by DisplayLink which allows the monitor to take on the role of a primary monitor for use with Windows Home Server.

To read the full article, go here: http://www.terracode.com/MIMO_UM740_Review/UM-740_WHS.html

Thank you Terracode for a great article, Is this cool or what 🙂

What To Do When You Go On The Road or Your Parents Don’t Want a Windows Home Server Of Their Own?

welchwerks

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Feb 16, 2010

19

We all love how WHS backs up the computers in our home network.

But what about when you go on the road or your parents don’t want a WHS of their own?

Well here is my story;

I decided to install Windows 7 Pro on my parent’s computer and laptop over the weekend. I was pretty busy studying for my brokers test so they dropped them off, anyway after I completed the installs I opted to add their pc and laptop to the WHS and back them up, I also added Hamachi 2.0.1.66 to both of their systems, I already had it on the server so I just joined there computer to my Hamachi network then I sent them home, once they were back home and on the net I confirmed there Hamachi was running , I saw their machines on my network and in the console and so I did a manual backup even though I did one at my place
this first backup from their home took a little bit but it did finish, the second one took less than 10 minutes to complete WOW, then I had them streaming music thru there media center add-in from my WHS how cool 🙂

Side notes: 1) I used to use Team Viewer to RDP into their system to fix things now I can use windows RDP

2) As you can see I need MS to add more users to WHS, hint, hint 🙂

WELCHWERKS

Tech Tip on a Tuesday – Creating panoramic photos with Windows Live Photo Gallery and ICE

Timothy Daleo

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Feb 16, 2010

2

You can create great panoramic photographs with Windows Live Photo Gallery and Microsoft ICE. Windows Live Photo Gallery is a free tool from Microsoft that most of us already have on our Windows 7 PCs.

Windows Live Photo Gallery Download

The Windows Live Photo Gallery software is an optional part of Windows Update so you should already have it in your queue or on your system.

If you do not have it you can download it from:

http://windowslive.com/Desktop/PhotoGallery

Take Pictures

For best results you should take pictures on a tripod or keep a level hand as you take pictures across the horizon. Take a picture, turn slightly and take another. The more pictures the software has, the better your stitch. Try to overlap large or distinct elements such as walls, buildings and trees to help the software stitch.

Once you have your pictures on your PC, access them from inside Windows Live Photo Gallery.

Select the pictures you want to stitch, right mouse click and select Create panoramic photo…

–

Once the panoramic is complete you will have a large panoramic file with crazy large dimensions. Just crop if you want to and post or print!

You are also not limited to stitch horizontal. These pictures were taken looking down from a balcony. The panoramic stitching tool will combine photos based on similar edges and elements.

–

More Control and Scaling Options with ICE

If you want more or less detail, or to maintain the original resolution in your panoramic pictures, then you can always use the Microsoft Image Composite Editor (ICE) I talked about earlier this year.

The ICE will give you the option of scaling versus the default of Windows Live Photo Gallery.

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/groups/ivm/ICE/

Use the Planar Motion setting for panoramic pictures and best results.

SkyDrive

I uploaded these two large panoramic files to my SkyDrive.

http://cid-35627bde2df631c6.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/.Public

–

Have fun with this cool functionality and both of these Microsoft tools!

See you next Tuesday,

Tim

CloudBerry Backup 1.4 Add-In for Windows Home Server Released

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Feb 15, 2010

1

CloudBerry Labs have just released a new version of their Windows Home Server Add-In CloudBerry Backup version 1.4.

CloudBerry Online Backup for Windows Home Server provides a powerful Backup and Restore program designed to leverage Amazon S3 storage to make your disaster recovery plan simple, reliable, and affordable.

New in 1.4 release

Ability to use different S3 accounts/buckets for backup plans
Ability to delete files from S3 on Backup Storage tab
Notification email enhancements
Ability to run service as Administrator – important for WHS Drive Extender support
Chunk size and thread count are now configurable in Options
Ability to set the process priority
Memory usage optimization
Other usability enhancements and bug fixes

Features:

Easy installation and configuration
Seemlesly integrates with WHS control panel
Default backup plan is designed to quickly start WHS data backup
Scheduling capabilities
Data encryption
Data retention schedule
Secure online storage
Data versioning
Differential backup
The ability to restore to a particular date
Backup verification
Full support for Drive Extender
Backup Window

You can learn more about CloudBerry Backup 1.4, inlcuding being able to download a trial version by clicking here.

Review of the Netbook / iPad Neo-Sleeve from Skooba

Reviews
Tech

Andrew Edney

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Feb 15, 2010

0

During the course of writing my Netbooks book, I had to write a few pages on protecting your netbook and I looked at quite a lot of cases, bags and sleeves.

Most people buy a netbook because they want a small device to carry around without all the hassle, so most people don’t want a big bag. This is where sleeves come in. They are small, lightweight and protect your netbook (or laptop if you so wish).

I settled on the Skooba Netbook Neo-Sleeve, although now Skooba are advertising it as an iPad sleeve as well (good thinking guys!)

Here is what Skooba has to say about the Neo-Sleeve:

If you are looking for a minimalist case to protect and carry your minimalist computer, Our Netbook/iPad Neo-Sleeve is what you’re looking for. Form-fitting, stretchy and cushy neoprene skin covers your ‘book without adding much weight or bulk. Carry it inside any other bag, or on its own using the included, removable shoulder strap. In addition to the main netbook compartment, there’s a front pocket for your power adapter, and even a special slot for a USB thumb drive.

SPECIFICATIONS

Zippered main compartment holds any netbook up to 10.1 inch screen size. Stretchy neoprene hugs and protects computer.

Front accessory compartment holds power adapter. There’s even a special, protective slot for your USB thumb drive.

Removable shoulder strap included.

Comes in 4 great colour choices (Charcoal/Abyss Black, Charcoal/Blizzard White, Charcoal/Deep Ocean Blue and Charcoal/Inferno Red).

Primary materials: Highly water-resistant neoprene (the same material used in diving wetsuits)

Hardware and trim: Genuine YKK zippers–the best and most reliable zippers money can buy.

Overall Size: 12″L x 7.5″H x .75″D.

Weight: 6.4 oz.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It was very easy to put my netbook in the sleeve and it felt very safe and secure. And unlike other neoprene sleeves I have seen this one doesn’t smell like my wetsuit!

The sleeve retails for under $20 (including free shipping), and it has already saved my netbook from scratches and unwanted dirt and liquid. Even if you think you are going to be very careful things still happen that are outside of your control, and believe me it is worth having something to protect your netbook in those instances! Well worth having, go get yours now!

For more information and details on how to order one, click here.

HDHomeRun Software and Firmware Updates

Andrew Edney

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Feb 14, 2010

1

Today Silicon Dust released software and firmware updates for its HDHomeRun devices.

This release is Release 20100213 and contains:

Software changelog:
http://www.silicondust.com/downloads/hdhomerun_software_changelog

Firmware changelog:
http://www.silicondust.com/downloads/hdhomerun_firmware_changelog

HDHR-T1-US: Fix potential crash/reboot loop in HDHR-T1-US firmware (blue units).

HDHR-EU: Add a7qam256-6100 a7qam128-6100 a7qam64-6100 modulation support.

Report hardware model on the device website.

To download the updates and learn more, click here.

And if you don’t know what the HDHomeRun is, check out our review here.

Installing the Tranquil PC Safe Server Module

Andrew Edney

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Feb 14, 2010

15

After reviewing the SQA-5H-SAFE server last week, that is basically a Tranquil PC SQA-5H with the Safe Server Module (SSM) already installed, I figured it was about time we looked at installing the SSM into an existing SQA-5H.

A REMINDER WHAT THE SSM ACTUALLY IS

The SSM is designed specifically to be housed in a SQA-5H Home Server.

It comes delivered with 2x 500GB 2.5” HDDs, prepared in a RAID1 mirror array, including a Tranquil build of Windows Home Server (PP3) for either the Series 1 or Series 2 SQA-5H.

It can simply be added to an existing SQA-5H – and the Server initialised again (losing the DATA), or you can Restore the Home Server with the supplied new DVD, with the SSM fitted and recover your DATA *

Have a look at the earlier article I did on the SSM by clicking here.

INSTALLING THE SSM INTO AN SQA-5H

Tranquil recommend that if you are installing the SSM into a SQA-5H yourself that you remove the tin plate on the hard disk carrier first.

To make this easier to understand (not that it is difficult) I have detailed the process below.

This is the tin plate you need to remove (this is so that the SSM sits better in the carrier and that you can also see the SSM HDD LEDs through the tray).

Remove the 4 screws (2 on each side) of the disk carrier.

Slide out the side rails carefully.

Gently pry out the tin plate.

This is what it will then look like.

Slide the rails back in place and put the 4 screws back in.

Fit the SSM into the drive carrier.

Now all you need to do is ensure the SQA-5H is powered off.

You now have two options, you can perform a server reinstallation using the special Tranquil PC WHS Server Restore DVD that you get with SSM or you can perform a clean install.

The choice is yours.

I did both to make sure it works and I can honestly say I had no problems at all with either. Both were very smooth – obviously the reinstallation took longer than the clean install.

The Restore DVD comes with a WHS Power Pack 3 image which will save you a lot of time performing all the updates – so well done there Tranquil, and it also contains the AVA Media CD ripping Add In (which will only work on a SQA-5H).

THE SSM AND OTHER WINDOWS HOME SERVERS

The SSM will work in other Windows Home Servers, you don’t have to use it in the Tranquil PC SQA-5H.

I did a post about a week ago describing how it fits in various Windows Home Servers.

To read that post, click here.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Priced at £169.00 + VAT, the SSM represents excellent value for money, bearing in mind the system protection it offers, and ease of replacement of the primary (OS + DATA) HDD. You also will receive a desktop application to help you to monitor the SSM, and also setup email messaging to alert you to the status of the SSM. You will also be able to re-use your existing HDD1 as a server storage or backup drive !

Installing it in an existing SQA-5H was a breeze, and I’m fairly confident it will be the same in any other Windows Home Server (something I will try another time and report back).

You can order your SSM from here.

Review of the WD Caviar Black 2TB SATA Hard Drive

Andrew Edney

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Feb 14, 2010

6

Back in July of last year, we reviewed the Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA hard drive.

Today we are going to have a look at the Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB SATA hard drive – model number WD2001FASS.

Like we have said many times before, you could easily argue that a hard drive is the most important component of your computer or storage device, and personally I agree with that. After all, it is the hard drive that stores all of your important data and serves it up to you when you ask for it.

The WD Caviar Black 2TB SATA drive has a 64 MB Cache, runs at 7200 RPM and connects at up to 3 Gb/s. The one we are looking at is the 2TB model, but it also comes as a 1TB, 750 GB, 640 GB or 500 GB model.

You might ask what the difference is between the Caviar Green drives and the Caviar Black drives. Well, the Green drives are designed for power efficiency and are eco-friendly, where as the Black drives are the performance drives. So if you want the best performance you can get then the Black drives are for you. This is also the first WD drive to come with a 64 MB cache which also makes it the fastest drive available today.

The drive itself consists of 4 separate 500GB platters.

FEATURES

High Performance Electronics Architecture

Dual processor – Twice the processing power to maximize performance.

Colossal cache – Bigger, faster cache of up to 64 MB means faster performance.

Rock Solid Mechanical Architecture

Dual actuator technology – A head positioning system with two actuators that improves positional accuracy over the data track(s). The primary actuator provides coarse displacement using conventional electromagnetic actuator principles. The secondary actuator uses piezoelectric motion to fine tune the head positioning to a higher degree of accuracy. (2 TB only)

StableTrac – The motor shaft is secured at both ends to reduce system-induced vibration and stabilize platters for accurate tracking, during read and write operations.

NoTouch ramp load technology – The recording head never touches the disk media ensuring significantly less wear to the recording head and media as well as better drive protection in transit.

Massive Capacity – WD Caviar Black SATA drives are available in capacities
up to 2 TB.

5 Year Limited Warranty

How this WD hard drive protects your data

Data Lifeguard is an exclusive set of data protection features, including shock protection, an environmental protection system and real-time embedded error detection and repair. WD’s Data Lifeguard technology automatically finds, isolates, and repairs problems that may develop over the life of a hard drive.
Data Lifeguard Tools are software utilities designed for WD hard drives that work with the embedded Data Lifeguard features to make hard drive installation,diagnostics and repair both simple and worry-free.
ShockGuard instantaneously protects the hard drive against damage from bumps and vibrations while it is running. This technology enables WD Caviar drives to achieve industry-leading shock specifications.

SPECIFICATIONS

Transfer Rates

Buffer To Host (Serial ATA) 3 Gb/s (Max)

Physical Specifications
Formatted Capacity 2,000,398 MB
Capacity 2 TB

Interface

SATA 3 Gb/s
User Sectors Per Drive 3,907,029,168

Physical Dimensions

English

Height 1.028 Inches
Length 5.787 Inches
Width 4.00 Inches
Weight 1.66 Pounds

Metric

Height 26.1 mm
Length 147 mm
Width 101.6 mm
Weight 0.75 kg

Environmental SpecificationS

Shock

Operating Shock (Read) 30G, 2 ms
Non-operating Shock 300G, 2 ms

Acoustics

Idle Mode 29 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 0 34 dBA (average)
Seek Mode 3 30 dBA (average)

Temperature (English)

Operating 32° F to 140° F
Non-operating -40° F to 158° F

Temperature (Metric)

Operating -0° C to 60° C
Non-operating -40° C to 70° C

Electrical Specifications

Current Requirements

Power Dissipation

Read/Write 10.70 Watts

Idle 8.20 Watts

Standby 1.30 Watts

Sleep 1.30 Watts

As used for storage capacity, one megabyte (MB) = one million bytes, one gigabyte (GB) = one billion bytes, and one terabyte (TB) = one trillion bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment. As used for buffer or cache, one megabyte (MB) = 1,048,576 bytes. As used for transfer rate or interface, megabyte per second (MB/s) = one million bytes per second, megabit per second (Mb/s) = one million bits per second, and gigabit per second (Gb/s) = one billion bits per second.

LaCie Announce Rugged eSATA External Drive

Tech

Andrew Edney

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Feb 13, 2010

0

Yesterday LaCie announced the Rugged eSATA, which is the first mobile external hard drive on the market that features a Power eSATA interface.

If you would like to know if your computer is Power eSATA ready, click here.

eSATA 3Gb/s | USB 2.0
500GB

Make your hard drive eSATA bus-powered with the Power eSATA interface
eSATA lets you work faster; up to 90MB/s
Works with more than 120 million PCs
Rugged: ideal for protecting valuable data
Power eSATA cable included
Design by Neil Poulton

The LaCie Rugged Hard Disk has both the universal USB 2.0 interface as well as the new Power eSATA interface, which, when connected to a Power eSATA port on your laptop, will allow your drive to be bus-powered. With the included USB power-sharing cable, it can also work with a standard eSATA port as well, making it incredibly compatible. Its unique varnished, scratch-protected aluminium shell and shock-resistant metal and rubber design with internal anti-shock bumpers make the LaCie Rugged Hard Disk especially resistant to harsh elements for extra protection wherever you go.

SPECIFICATIONS

Capacity :	500 GB
Interface :	USB 2.0, eSATA 3Gb/s
Rotational Speed (rpm) :	7200
Interface Transfer Rate :	USB 2.0: up to 480Mbits/s; eSATA: up to 3Gbits/s
Data Transfer Rate :	USB 2.0: up to 36MB/s; eSATA: up to 90MB/s
Seek Time (Read) :	<15.5ms
Maximum Drop Height :	2.2 m / 86.6 in. in non-operating mode (dropping is not recommended in operating mode)
Software :	LaCie Backup Assistant; LaCie Setup Assistant
Size :	90 x 145 x 25 mm / 3.5 x 5.7 x .9 in.
Weight :	239 g / 8.8 oz.
System Requirements :	• Computer with an eSATA or USB 2.0 port • High speed Internet for online storage • Latest versions of Windows® XP, Windows Vista®, Windows 7 / Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6 • Minimum free disk space: 600MB recommended
Box Content :	• LaCie Rugged Hard Disk • USB 2.0 cable • USB power-sharing cable • Power eSATA cable • Quick Install Guide
Warranty :	3-Year Limited Warranty

So if you want a top of the line rugged external hard drive, and you want to take advantage of the new Power eSATA capabilities, you might want to take a look at this little beauty.

This could make a great addition to your portable storage needs, and you could take you data with you wherever you go.

The rugged eSATA drive retails at £129.99 – expect a review soon.

Nokia Booklet 3G Now Available

Andrew Edney

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Feb 12, 2010

2

Over the last several months I have been working on my next book, Netbooks in Easy Steps. During the writing of that book I have looked a lot of netbooks and devices, and also at forthcoming devices. One of those that looked very interesting was the Nokia Booklet 3G, and yesterday it was released.

Nokia_Booklet_3G01

So what exactly is the Booklet 3G then? Here is what Nokia has to say about it:

The ultraportable Nokia Booklet 3G comes with Windows 7 software and boasts a 12 hour battery life, inbuilt A-GPS and Ovi Maps, making it the complete solution for all day mobility and modern lifestyles.

A must-have for people on the move that demand both style and substance, the Booklet offers:

Up to 12 hours battery life means that you can leave your power cable behind and still be connected and productive all day

Built in A-GPS allows you to connect with the people and things that matter most whilst on the move

It’s compact and ultra portable with its lightweight aluminium body

It’s also packed full of features…

Windows 7 Starter edition software

Intel® Atom™ Z530, 1.6 GHz processor for high performance

Fanless design for efficiency

Fast, reliable 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity from Nokia

10.1″ HD-ready screen, with glass window as well as an HDMI port for video out

Nokia Ovi suite included

The Nokia Booklet 3G, is now shipping and available to buy for £649 at www.nokia.co.uk/shop.

My initial thoughts are that it looks very interesting, but at £649 it is a little expensive compared to a lot of other netbooks. So it is worth the money? I should hopefully have one to look at very soon, and will post up a review when I do.

WHS Health Add-In for Windows Home Server Updated

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

-

Feb 12, 2010

2

Back in December, we talked about a new Windows Home Server Add-In developed by fellow WHS MVP Nigel “Cougar” Wilks called WHS Health.

Yesterday Cougar released an update to WHS Health.

Here is what he has to say about it:

Today we are releasing an update to one of our Add-Ins, WHS Health (v1.0.0.10).
Following feedback we have added an icon to the home page to give an at a glance status of the server health (in the same way you see in your system tray on your desktop). We’ve also reworked the console page itself as well as updated the icon set used to give a more consistent look and feel.

There were a couple of minor issues in the first release, so hopefully we’ve squashed those bugs but I’ve done some major reconstruction on the installer so we now pre-configure each element with a default setting without having to go to the Settings Tab.

The main highlights for this release are:-

Renamed Console Errors to Console Status

Icon Added to Console Status Item

Updated Icons

Better handling of “non standard” web site configurations. I’d like to thank Snowdins for highlighting his neat Custom Action he worked on for P80.

WebSites.XML for both home and remote pages updated on install and cleaned on uninstall.

Changes in Settings tab now correctly applied when the OK or Apply button is clicked

Correct specification of secure and non-secure URLs in remote pages

Updated Home Page now shows the Console Status Icon

Also updated Icons for the Healthy, Critical, Warning and Backup Running Alerts.

You can download WHS Health by clicking here.

Well done Cougar, keep up the great work!

The Home Server Show 76 Out Now

Andrew Edney

-

Feb 12, 2010

1

Dave and the trio over at the Home Server Show have released show number 76.

Here is what Dave has to say about show number 76:

The Home Server Show 76 – News and Forums

In today’s episode John, Chris, and Dave go over the latest Home Server news and a few items in the forums. Avast! family issues, Wuala, Macros, and a PP3 rant. It’s a good show although we were missing Jim. I’m sure he will appreciate the ending though! Outtake provided by Chris and John.

Links and News Items mentioned on the show

Add-In: WHS Health

Automating Backups with Macros

TwonkyMedia high CPU usage

Wuala Install and Review as seen on mswhs.com

Avast! family pack no longer a happy family

PaperPort vs. DA Document Manager 2010

Enable Shadow Copy on WHS

MSS 3.0 running on EX475

Dave’s difficulties with PP3, Media Center, and WHS

New Lenovo All-In-One

Tivo Announcement

I haven’t listened to this show yet, I will do this morning, but I’m a bit concerned that I might not be mentioned this week 🙂 Dave, what’s going on?

Anyway, you can listen to it or download it as usual from here.