What is Windows Home Server?

Fixing Connector Issues in Windows Home Server on a Friday night

Windows Home Server

Timothy Daleo

-

Sep 21, 2009

Last week I started a Server Recovery on my HP EX470 but had the infamous 34% hang AND backup database issues. I have since completed the Server Recovery but am now having issues with the Windows Home Server Connector.

Background

The SYS drive on the EX470 died last week after only 10 months of service. HP sent me a replacement drive under warranty and I spent last Friday night replacing the drive and doing a Server Recovery. The Server Recovery hung at 34% and I just left it. I assume that all of the updates have taken place and I ran a repair on the database. I had a busy week and could not get back to the location before now so I am back this weekend to bring the HP EX470 back online.

You can read the previous article at:

https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/09/14/replacing-the-sys-drive-in-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night/

Equipment Needed:

Patience
2 Beers (optional as always)

Router Issue and Firewall Changes

Most of you have routers that support UPnP. My parents unfortunately do not. I would upgrade them in a minute but AT&T Crap-verse will not support their connection once you install your own equipment. I could also do a router behind the router but the 2Wire interface seems harmless (and has been working without issue for the last year) so we will leave it as is.

When I first set up the EX470 last year I had no need to add the 55000 port to the Firewall list. Everything worked great out of the box and I added the few ports to 2Wire I needed at that time and moved on.

Since the Server Recovery I had been frustrated that I could not get to the WHS Connector Setup page. I thought the Server Recovery had some errors but after a week of not looking at it (and referencing the Reno camera port forwarding issues) I realized I needed to enable the port 55000.

You should truly appreciate a UPnP router! This is not one of them…

…so I add the 55000 port.

I open IE, enter the address and it works!

WHS Connector Uninstall

Once the Server Recovery had completed, it almost immediately start upgrading itself. Once the update process begins the WHS Connector disk becomes almost useless since the connector is matched to the WHS version. You can still try and use the WHS Connector disk but I have had nothing but trouble using the disk.

In my opinion you are better off reinstalling the WHS Connector.

Mental note: You may have had better experiences than me but I will always suggest removing the connector completely. Remember a few weeks ago I had a current WHS connector on a laptop trying to connect to a stock LX195 and had issues the other way! The newer connector on the laptop had errors with the older WHS.

Adiós mi amor. Things are not working like we thought. We are breaking up again. Well I am anyway. We are done. Take your crap and leave. The first 10 months were challenging but you are broken.

Yes, go away. There is nothing I can do. History is history and we cannot change it.

Time to get a beer and remember the good times…

Another chapter closed…

We are all done. Time to start over. A new beginning…zero downtime.

WHS Connector Installation

Now that the old (newer) WHS Connector has been removed I enter the address of the WHS and the WHS Connector Setup page. Good to see the WHS is starting to work again.

Click on Download Now.

Things did not work out last time. While will this time be any different? I am not sure about this.

Oh, this time will be different? Then show me you me you love me. Come on…

90%? I want 100%. Now show me this is not just a temporary thing.

Seeing is believing but I am still a weary. Lets take it slow.

Give me a hint…

Yes, wake me up in the middle of the night…

Move all of your stuff back in…

…but don’t bring all of it. I thought we compromised on the format.

Oh, we have a happy house again. Things really are different this time around. It is like you were never gone.

21 minutes later and I am green. Super Green.

Lets open the WHS Console and start making things the way they used to be!

Crap. Now what? Another issue?

I am really getting tired of all of these issues. I am especially tired of the ones that keep coming back. We will Restart just once before I toss your ass back out! Make good on your promises…I even have documentation from you.

Settings. Restart. Things had better work this time. What is this, like the third time?

Opened another beer while I was waiting. Good ole beer never let me down.

WHS Console is back up. Please work…

Finally…Viva WHS. Seriously.

Conclusion

I learned a lot from this Server Recovery. A few of my top lessons learned.

Always check your router settings immediately after the Server Recovery.
Forget trying to make any of your existing WHS Connectors work. Just remove the existing WHS Connector from each PC and start over with the download from the 55000.
Keep your BDBB files ready, copies of Add-In msi files and screen shots on a USB drive to make the Server Recovery easy.
Have patience with the 34% hang and the WHS updates.
Have your User and PC names listed in a different safe location to make it easier to enter again when you have to recreate the accounts.

I love my WHS systems and I enjoy the WHS community but I wonder how the average consumer would solve some of the issues we see. My heart goes out to Josh and Carl at HP Tech Support. Continue to fight the good fight my friends. We all want to see WHS become a household name.

See you next Friday night,

Timothy Daleo

HP EX490 MediaSmart Windows Home Server Coming to the UK

Andrew Edney

-

Sep 21, 2009

0

Following the news last week about the impending release of two new HP MediaSmart Windows Home Servers, Amazon.co.uk are showing the EX490 for pre-order.

This is a good sign as it finally means we are getting them over here.

A more formal announcement from HP about the MediaSmart range in Europe is expecting over the next few weeks.

Until then, you can pre-order the EX490 today.

Happy Birthday To Us

Andrew Edney

-

Sep 17, 2009

2

This week, well yesterday to be precise, was our 2nd birthday. Yes, that’s right, Using Windows Home Server has been around now for 2 whole years.

I started Using Windows Home Server after I had finished writing the The Windows Home Server Users Guide book for Apress and since then it has gone from strength to strength and we have even given away loads of cool things.

Stay tuned for more giveaways, reviews, features and much much more!

HP Launches New MediaSmart Servers

Andrew Edney

-

Sep 15, 2009

1

Today HP launched two new HP MediaSmart Windows Home Servers.

Unfortunately we don’t have them for review yet, but we hope to have them very soon!

But for now, here is the press release from HP today:

HP Launches New Home Server with Enhanced Features for PCs and Macs

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 15, 2009 – HP today launched the HP MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Home Servers, new models offering increased capacity, high-performance processors, more control, new user interface and additional Mac support – all at a lower price.

Based on the Microsoft Windows® Home Server platform, the updated HP MediaSmart Servers have a refined user interface and a web-based home page that makes accessing and using the server easier than ever. Additionally, the new models offer a new video converter with custom settings and profiles that will automatically convert video libraries, including unprotected DVDs.⁽¹⁾

The explosion of digital content is attracting a new kind of buyer to the home server space,” said Jason Zajac, vice president and general manager, Worldwide Attach Group, HP. “This buyer wants all the power and capacity that past buyers wanted, but also wants it to be easy to use. The new MediaSmart ED490 and EX495 give them both.”

The MediaSmart Server features a new media collector, which allows users to collect media by computer, media type or file location. The server automatically collects and organizes media files across Macs and PCs and streams it across a home network and the Internet.⁽²⁾

The HP EX490 and EX495 offer additional features for Mac users, including administration, media collection and a new disc recovery utility providing bare metal recovery on a Mac using Time Machine.⁽³⁾

“The new release of HP MediaSmart Server software and hardware continues HP’s leadership in building compelling functionality on top of the Microsoft Windows Home Server platform,” said Russ Madlener, director, Solutions Marketing, Microsoft. “HP is delivering a true cross-platform product by adding the ability to administer the server from a Mac using Microsoft’s new Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2.”

The new video converter automatically converts videos, including unprotected DVDs, into a format that can be played at the home or remotely.⁽⁴⁾ Users are able to control how their videos are converted by selecting the device the video will be played on or choosing specific video settings using the advanced controls features.

In addition, owners of an iPod touch and iPhone can download a free HP MediaSmart Server iStream application from the Apple App Store, enabling them to stay connected to their digital media stored on the server. Users can easily access their pictures, listen to their music collections and watch their favorite videos – all streamed directly to their mobile device from their HP MediaSmart Server.

MediaSmart Server EX490 and EX495 features include:

· New HP Media Collector

· New HP Video Converter

· Improved user interface with new web-based home page

· Mac administration, media collections and a new Mac disc recovery feature

· HP Media Streamer

· Server for iTunes

· PC Hard Drive Backup

· Server Backup

· Smart Power Management

· Processors:

· EX495: Intel® Pentium® Dual Core

· EX490: Intel Celeron®; Two gigabytes (GB) of DRAM

· Expandability: additional drives can be added for up to 7 terabytes (TB) internal storage and 17 TB of storage using internal and external drives.(6)

Pricing and availability

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the HP MediaSmart Server EX490 with 1 TB of hard disk storage is $549 while the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 with 1.5 TB is $699.⁽⁴⁾

The HP MediaSmart Server can be preordered beginning today. The servers will be introduced in select European countries beginning next month.

More information is available at www.hp.com/go/mediasmartserver.

Replacing the SYS Drive in Windows Home Server on a Friday night

Timothy Daleo

-

Sep 14, 2009

31

The SYS drive on the EX470 died on Wednesday morning after only 10 months of service. HP has sent me a replacement drive under warranty and I will be spending this Friday night replacing the drive and doing a Server Recovery. This sucks.

Background

My parents called and said that the “little house” was Red. Are you sure? I should have received the text alert. I should have known before they saw it. WTF? I will just remote in and fix it. Probably some new update or maybe the backup database is flipped up. No biggie.

Where the hell is the server? Crap.

Now what? I am going to get in the truck and head over there. Fortunately I am off this Wednesday so I have a few hours extra. Maybe their router glitched and killed remote access. That might explain the little red house?

Dead SYS Drive

So I am here. Now what? WHS Console does not work. Crap². I see that the Health light is flashing blue. That can’t be good. Power down with the push of a button!

Server powering back up. Lights, camera, act…flashing blue light again. Crap³

Since the HP MSS does not have any way to see what is going on (video monitor) I am dead in the water. I still have a few months left on the warranty so I will give HP a call.

1-800-474-6836
“Tech Support”
“Its something else”
“HP MediaSmart Server”
No, I don’t to be transferred to the business area.
Hang up.
1-800-474-6836
“Tech Support”
“Its something else”
“Media Vault”
Finally get a person

Ok, so I get Josh at HP. Cool dude. He walks me through a bunch of steps to see if we can figure out what is going on. He tells me that it seems to be the system drive and that I need a new one. He also suggests that if I have a way of checking the drive on a Vista machine before they send a new one out I should try it. Of course I agree but is that standard HP Tech Support? I could just imagine my parents (or the average consumer) trying to check it. I tell him I have an enclosure at home and will try it. By now It is 2:00 PST Wednesday and he is off work at 3:30 PST. He says he will call me before the end of his shift to verify the disk status. I head home.

No call.

It is now 6:00 PST Wednesday and I am really cranky. In addition to this failed drive I am also fighting with the TZO service for the Reno camera, uploading my previous weeks late article, having problems remotely configuring the WHS ports for the Reno server and MY stupid irrigation module on MY WHS apparently forgot who it was for a week because the sprinklers had not been going on and what little grass I had during this drought was almost totally dead! Breath. All three servers are now being wankers. Why me?

I crack open my first beverage and call HP.

1-800-474-6836
“Tech Support”
“Its something else”
“Media Vault”
Finally get a person

Ok, so now I got Carl on the phone. hey Carl, this is Tim and my case number is 090909somethingsomethingyadayada

Carl is cool too. Carl says he will send a new drive out tomorrow and it will be here Friday. Just in time for this article. Great. Oh you need my credit card to hold $125 until I send the old one back? Um ok.

I will wait till Friday.

Equipment Needed:

New Hard Drive
Original HP Installation Disks
Patience
Four Beers (optional as always)

I am really not looking forward to this. Lets set this pig on fire. Ugh.

Drive Installation

I get a call that the drive has just arrived on location so I grab the wife and head to the truck. As I get to the truck I decide I should probably bring her along so I go back inside and grab her again and we leave. Fortunately for me she likes the grabbing.

Here is the original drive. RIP ST3500620AS. RIP my friend.

Here is the drive from HP. They have a hold on my credit card until I return the bad disk.

No screws. I usually lose the screws. I am sure that is not news to yous. Hey why don’t I just go eat some hay, make things out of clay, and lay by the bay?

The new drive is ready to go home. Just like me actually.

Finger and thumb pushing the new drive back to its home. Why you don’t you just go to your home? That is your home! Are you too good for your home?

Server Recovery

Now that the drive has been replaced I am ready to restart the system.

I start the system and press the Server/Recovery button with a paperclip once when the health indicator flashes blue and red. I had done this plenty of times yesterday so it I was ready for it. I put the Server Recovery CD in the hardwired laptop and it starts up automatically.

Of course I accept.

Next…

This is where it could not find the drive when the SYS hard drive was dead.

Server found. Nice. I am happier now.

Josh said Server Recovery the other day. Who am I to argue?

Ok, erase away. Well, it is a new drive so install away!

This part really did take 60 minutes!

Click on next!

We are finished? Sweet.

I clicked on Finish and am waiting.

Ok, I am still in the same application so NEXT!

I agreed already, just make fixie.

New connector? I had problems last week. Uh oh.

Going ok…

Looks the same…

Server Recovery Screen

Did I miss something here?

Guess the Server Recovery is a little different.

Two check marks are good.

Naming it the same as before.

Same password as before.

Ok, I agree.

Ok, I agree again.

Just make fixie.

Updates always scare me…

Here we go…

34%. 34%. 34%. Flippers. Now here is the crappy part. It has been sitting at 34% for over an hour. It says not to turn off your home server during the process but it says nothing about clicking on the red X and going home.

See you later my friend. I have dinner plans tonight.

So it is now really Friday night. After dinner we decided (uh, I begged) to stop by and check on the server.

I start the WHS Connector over again and get the right screen.

I now go through the set up process again and start entering data.

I had the Add-Ins all ready from last weeks installation.

Mental note: Since you cannot backup the SYS drive you may want to keep screen shots of your settings such as Remote Notification and Disk Management Add-Ins. It went fast since I had the data right there.

I add the Users and complete what I can. The data is also there. I am happier but I still have some serious issues.

As for the other two WHS I got the sprinklers working and the camera connected via TZO (it was always working with mControl btw) and all the ports and remote notifications are working. The LX 195 has been working fine since we had to reconfigure the remote access after the last major WHS update!

Mental note: Many times you can fix the remote access by just turning it off and then turning it back on. This works UNLESS you are ONLY accessing via remote in which case you can get disconnected!

Problems

I am going to do this article a littler different this week and stop here. I really need to fix some issues before I finish the Recovery. My issues are:

Router is not available for remote access (HTTPS) but you can access PhotoShare via HTTP. I assume this is a router issue (Uverse ATT no UPnP) but my router settings never changed.
The connector on the main laptop gets weird sometimes. I assume this is a Power Pack issue like I had last week.
The connectors no longer work on the other two laptops. I assume I will have to reinstall them? I also cannot access port 55000 from the subnet to start a clean connector install.
The backup database said it needed repair but I had not done any backups since the Recovery.

Solutions

I am going to start working on fixing this during the week. Since I have no Remote Access I must do this at my parents after work each night until it is fixed. Feel free to post any comments or ideas since it will take me a few days to get back on location.

This sucks but Viva WHS anyway.

See you next Friday night,

Timothy Daleo

Xtreamer 50% off or even FREE

Andrew Edney

-

Sep 14, 2009

0

Just got this in from the guys at Tranquil:

SPECIAL OFFER – Order a SQA-5H-1000 or SQA-5H-2000 before end of September 2009 and get an Amazing Xtreamer Media Player, perfect for playing all of your Home Media from your SQA-5H Home Server on the big screen (even in HD) for 50% of the normal price – yes only £43.00! Even at £86 (+VAT) the Xtreamer is a bargain!

Please note only one player per Home Server can be ordered. Even includes a FREE 802.11N Wi-Fi option (normally £20.00)

Now, if 50% sounds a great offer, what about FREE – yes, if you order a SQA-5H-3000 model – you can claim a Xtreamer FREE of charge.

To learn more about the Xtreamer Media Player click here

Review of the Xtreamer Media Server and Streamer

Andrew Edney

-

Sep 13, 2009

71

A few weeks ago we reported the impending UK release of the Xtreamer device – which is a small device used for playing back digital content and also streaming digital content and earlier in the week we got our hands on one and showed you the unboxing.

Well we have been playing with it for a few days now and figured it was time to post a review, but this time we are going to do something different. Rather than try and describe the interface or how it works, we figured that along with the normal specifications and pictures that we would actually show you what it looked like in a couple of videos. So let us know if you like the video idea and we will do more of them.

THE XTREAMER

So let’s just remind ourselves what the Xtreamer is and what it does.

The Xtreamer player will play and stream HD (MKV H.264) movies or user-generated videos, listen to high-quality digital music and show high-resolution slideshows of your family photos on your TV.

Simply put, this tiny box, approximately the size of a small book, or a 3.5″ Hard Disk, will play back almost all Media Files, up to 1080 HD !

Play back of Network stored files, ie from a Windows Home Server or NAS
Playback of local Hard Disk files (the unit can hold a 2.5″ Hard Disk)
Playback of local files from USB sticks
Serving of local files to other players (it’s a server too)
Internet file experience (ie Youtube, weather, themed sites, ie cooking)
Simple to connect to HDMI or SCART TV
Wired or wireless operation (WiFi network and active antenna required)
Simple operation

BOX CONTENTS

In the small box comes the Xtreamer unit itself, a power supply and UK adaptor (yeah, not impressed here but I will come on to that in a minute), a quick guide, some cables, a stand for the Xtreamer and a remote. If you have ordered it earlier enough you will also get the WiFi USB adaptor for free, otherwise you will need to buy that seperately.

SPECIFICATIONS

This is taken directly from the manual:

USING THE XTREAMER AND THE VIDEO

Connecting up the Xtreamer to my HD TV was a breeze, just a couple of moments to plug in a few cables. One of the things I really liked was the inclusion of an HDMI port for both digital video and audio through a single cable. No more additional cables for audio thank you very much. There are lots of different connections available to suit everyone’s needs.

Powering the Xtreamer on takes a few seconds, and the main menu will appear. Its a very simple affair with just 4 menu options, so it’s not going to take long to find what you want.

Setting up the wireless network only took a few moments as well.

Setting up the Xtreamer on my HD TV was a little different – on one HD TV I plugged it in and it was perfect, crystal clear images and no problems at all, on another HD TV (which I have to admit isn’t “full” HD) the picture was a little blurry and the menu items were not that clear. No problems though as a few seconds changing the picture settings cured this.

There is also a setting for the fan speed – it is set to MEDIUM by default and to be honest, this is pretty noisy, you would certainly notice it! Changing it down to LOW to be honest didn’t warrant any real difference to my ears (there probably is, but when it’s hard to tell does it make a difference)? Setting it to OFF made it quiet, however is it really a good idea to have it switched off, even without the hard drive plugged in? Also, personally I wasn’t very impressed with the fan being on the underside of the unit, but that’s just me!

You can watch content from a USB device, an internal hard drive if you have fitted one, from your network or even over the Internet. Results do vary but that is based on your individual home setups, including whether you are wired or wireless and what your wireless kit is. You can even stream content directly from your Windows Home Server, which is nice 🙂

Rather than trying to explain any more, lets take a look at the videos. There are two due to the length of them. Are you sitting comfortably?

FINAL THOUGHTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Frankly for £99 this is a steal and I cannot recommend it enough. Ok, its not whisper quiet (but it is certainly quieter than an Xbox 360) and the menu is a big fiddly and frankly a little unimpressive but so what? The simple fact of the matter is that it works, and it works well. Most of the time! I found a rather annoying thing that kept happening to me with the menus. Sometimes if I was doing multiple presses of say the down button, and then I pressed the up button, it would sometimes continuing going down. It was almost as though it got locked into an action and the only way to ensure changing the action was to wait a second or two before doing something different.

Watching digital content from either a connected hard drive or USB device was simple and had no problems at all. So if you want to carry your content around rather than streaming it you can, and its just a few seconds to plug it in.

Wired streaming was no problem either and worked great.

Wireless was a little hit and miss, however I should point out in all fairness that I don’t think this was the fault of the Xtreamer and more to do with my wireless setup at home, not to mention the location of the Xtreamer at the time. Sometimes it worked perfectly and other times not so much, so you really should give it the benefit of the doubt on this one. Again, for £99 what have you got to lose!

The Xtreamer ships with a 1.02 bios which should be upgradable to 1.03 in the next week or so according to the Xtreamer forums.

My biggest problem, if you can call it that, with the Xtreamer is the power supply. It’s not a UK power supply so it needs an adaptor plug (which fortunately is provided) but when connected it makes the whole plug huge! This may cause some problems for people with a limited number of power sockets because the plug is at an angle with means anything to left or right (depending on how you plugged it in) is blocked.

Anyway, that aside, this device is fantastic. It is small, cheap, and portable – you could take it with you and connect it anywhere. And as I keep saying, for £99 you cannot go wrong, it is a steal.

Go get yours now! To order one, click here. And for anyone who is interested, the Xtreamer is sold in the UK by Tranquil who have a very good reputation!

Building another Windows Home Server on a Friday night – PART THREE

Timothy Daleo

-

Sep 10, 2009

10

This article is the third of a three part series of my building and setting up a Windows Home Server for a remote location. The parents bought a vacation home and I am going to build a WHS to run and watch the house while they are not using it. The WHS will control the lights, sprinklers (ran out of time), and camera in addition to the regular duties of a Windows Home Server.

Background again…and again…

This WHS will be my fourth WHS system that I monitor and my second WHS home build. I am choosing to build because I had previously bought an OEM WHS from Newegg that should have been used for another installation. Since I already have the software, I bought an Inspiron 530 from the Dell Outlet and will use that for the WHS.

Equipment Needed

Everything from Article Two https://moviesgamesandtech.com/2009/08/31/building-another-windows-home-server-on-a-friday-night-part-two/
More Beer (Optional as always)

Ok, so I just got to Reno and am ready to do the install. Actually, when I got here I unloaded the truck and then proceeded to go to the Nugget and get my drink on. I also won enough to pay for the server. Sweet.

It is now the next morning and now I am ready to do the install. Burp. I don’t remember eating fish.

Lets set this pig on fire!

What A Mess

So I have unloaded everything and up in the “office” I am starting on the installation. My first job is to install the WRT54G Linksys Router and get wireless working in the house.

Computer crap on floor

Five minutes and the network installation is complete. Sweet. This might be easier than I thought.

Now that the network is set up I will connect the WHS to the router and start up the WHS. Once the server is running I click on the Start Menu and then click on the Windows Home Server Console. Pretty WHS Console with NOTHING in it. I miss MY server already.

I click on Settings and then choose Remote Access. I turn on the Web Site Connectivity and the router is NOT configured. Even if you were to click on it it would not work. I wonder why…

…cause WHS does not load the Ethernet Controller! I mentioned this in the previous articles. Make sure you have your drivers ready to enable your network connection! Chances are that WHS will NOT get your network card running so again have the drivers ready.

Mental note: You should have drivers for XP and/or an installer package for XP systems. When I ran the “standard” installer package for my Ethernet Controller I got an error that the install would terminate since the OS was not supported. I had to revert to an old XP installer. Flippers.

I had my Ethernet drivers ready and even loaded my audio drivers. I copied the drivers from a USB drive to a folder on the C: drive and then updated them through the Device Manager. I did the audio drivers from the Dell installation package and it worked without any issues.

You can update your drivers manually. See your PC documentation for more information.

My Drivers (and me) are Loaded

Now that I have the Ethernet working I opened another beer and now I will go back to my WHS Console and click on Remote Access. I then click on Router Setup.

It tells me that it will contact my Router. Coolio. My Linksys Router is UPnP compatible so I am good to go.

The WHS does what it is supposed to do with a UPnP router. I have not set up the website yet so it gives warnings on that. I will not walk you through the domain activation in this article. Next!

I set up the Domain name (purposely omitted those screen shots) and now everything via Remote Access is now working! Viva WHS. Seriously.

I am about 30 minutes and two beers into the install. Flippin’ network drivers caused the delay.

Now that I have network access and the WHS is on the network I will start to add User accounts. I have my travel laptop with me and will add that one first. After that I will add the names of other family members so they can access the system online.

I have now added the account and will set up my laptop to see THIS network. It had already been configured to see MY network at home. One of the members who posted earlier told me I could use the Discovery.exe to find the new WHS. Lets roll!

Double click baby.

Great so far…

Another familiar screen…

Looking good Randolph…

Feeling good Mortimer…

Crap. Pork bellies crashed…

But it is not complete. WTF? This laptop was on a newer WHS Power Pack.

Finish this WHS!

Oh great, error messages I have never seen! Flippers again. I am the Administrator you flipper.

Ok, so this is not working. So much for cornering the orange juice market.

Mental note: From what I can tell the Discovery.exe did not work since the WHS install was on PP1 and my laptop was connected with a newer connector version. After the upgrade below I reran the Discovery.exe but got the same message. I actually had to uninstall the WHS Connector software, restart the laptop and do a fresh installation. I had even tried downloading directly from the server and got the same error. I would suggest when installing a new WHS that you let it upgrade Power Packs and all other updates before you try and connect another PC.

Windows Updates

I am kinda pissed about the connector so let me check on the WHS. Oh, it needs updates. I knew it would need to upgrade Power Packs. You go baby. I love a good upgrade.

Of course I accept your terms Microsoft. It should just say “Yes Dear” on the button.

67 Updates? I thought when we met you were not going to change.

This is going to take a while. Time for another bevy.

and a while longer…are you moving in already?

…and a while longer (insert another beer here)…how much crap you got?

Internet Explorer 8? Uh, NO. That was not part of the deal. You are not bringing that crap in here.

I click on Don’t Install. I don’t care what your best friend thinks. We will leave the existing browser in place.

I have read that the Advanced Admin Console May 2009 release now works with IE8 but I am not taking any chances since this is truly a remote install.

Goodbye IE8. Via con dios. Later skater. I want to break up. Of course I love you but I am not “in love” with you. Won’t let go of the past? Get out and take your crap with you.

Yes, thank you for the confirmation. Lets Restart over again. Like I have not heard that before.

After the restart, and now that the network connection is stable, I will activate Windows. Thank you Microsoft.

Add-In Installation

Now that I have WHS up and running and updated I will install my Standard Six Add-Ins. I have then downloaded already onto a USB drive so I will just copy them directly into the WHS folder. I have written articles on each one of these so check them out!

I open the WHS Console and click on Settings. No installed Add-Ins yet. Kinda sad it is so empty. Maybe I need to go to IKEA.

I click on Available. There you are my friends. After a break up it is always good to have friends over!

Each time you install and Add-In the WHS Console restarts. I am going to need another beer for this. You can see the list on the left has grown with new Add-Ins. After a break up it is always a good time to rebuild and take stock.

All of the Add-Ins work as promised. Even the Grid Junction Add-In recognized the UPS I brought up here immediately after installation. Thank you Alexander. Power to the people.

Thank you to all of the Add-In creators actually!

Another Update?

I thought I was done with the updates. Apparently WHS drunk dialed and made another Microsoft connection. WHS want to run another update? Ah, Internet Explorer 7. The Ex. Time for a little retro-action. She wasn’t that bad. Not like that new one where we had some serious conflicts and took up a lot of my resources. Why did things not work out with 7? It is only a one time thing. She will not be around long…

Final Windows Home Server Check

Now that everything is updated it is time to check the WHS Console.

Everything looks good but I will check to make sure there are no more updates before I start with the next step. No Updates Available! Sweet, I have closure.

Installing mControl

WHS is ready and waiting. I have downloaded the mControl Add-In and it is ready to be installed.

I have created two rooms, for now, and will add a couple of modules for lights. I have written a series of articles on mControl so check them out for the detailed directions.

After the Zones have been created, devices connected and macros written, I am done.

You can barely notice the Insteon controllers once they are connected!

mControl and a Home Monitoring Camera

I want to be able to see the Living Room via video camera. This not part of their alarm system. It is so my parents can see the living room and make sure things are good. I will eventually add one upstairs and one outside but at $100 a pop I will be doing it slowly.

I insert the CD into my laptop (not the server) to start the installation. I also insert another beer into my mouth.

Don’t ask where the Step One screen shots went. I have no idea and I am not running the set up again for a few shots. Did someone say shots? Viva tequila.

Step Two and the remaining screens are really easy to complete. You basically just click on Next on each screen!

Give your camera a name. I want to name it Spot but giggle a little knowing how dumb that is.

This is the step where you set up the IP address manually. Had I only known…

Create a password…

I let it find the Wireless Network. It was connected earlier via Ethernet cable and told me to disconnect it. Apparently I do remember parts of Step One. It is coming back as a grey haze…well more like 256…

It found the Network. Make sure you know your security type and password.

Enter the information to connect to your network.

Step Three is now complete and shows a confirmation box. Nice.

Click on Save and you have now completed the camera installation.

Smile and try not to trip on that power cord dangling down the front of the cabinet.

I created a new zone for the camera location called the Kitchen. Once I created the Zone I clicked on New Device.

I completed the New Device entries and used the default 192.168.1.104. It worked but would only last a day. Little did I know…

Once I got home (the next day) I could not see the camera. When I went to make sure it was on the network I could no longer see the IP address .104. My sister was going over to pick up the food we left for her so I had her unplug the camera and this renewed the IP. As soon as she plugged it back in the camera showed back up.

Crap. Am I gonna make her go over once a day? She will kick my ass.

I used the Advanced Admin Console to open the browser. Once in a browser I opened the Linksys Router control. I then told the router to hold another IP for the camera. I then entered the existing IP of the camera to get to the camera controls. Once there I changed the IP of the camera to the new IP I had assigned.

Mental note: Make SURE you extend the lease time on your network for the camera IP. If you do not extend it, or give it a permanent IP, it will time out and not be on your network.

If you let the IP stay with the number within the DHCP IP range the lease will probably expire. Some new N routers allow you to set the IP. If not, try an number outside of the DHCP range and use the advanced settings to set the IP.

I did all this remotely after I got back (hence the delay of the article) so I want to make sure you learn from my mistakes. The screen now looks like this:

Once the IP was updated the mControl camera system was ready to go!

While I was up there I even had a few minutes to connect the HP Media extender to the new TV. Looks like I am heading to Ikea for a TV stand before my next trip to Reno! Well, if you are drunk on the floor the TV is actually at the right level.

I will be back next week (just a few days due to this late posting) with a fourth article to talk about the final product and lessons learned.

Viva WHS. Seriously.

See you next Friday night,

Timothy Daleo

Xtreamer Unboxed

Reviews
Tech

Andrew Edney

-

Sep 8, 2009

12

A couple of weeks ago we posted about the Xtreamer.

Well, my one has just arrived and I thought that I would post a few pictures of what it looks like.

As you can see it is very small, and it weighs next to nothing.

Expect a full blown review in the next few days while I play with it 🙂

So far, very impressed.

If you want to read more about the Xtreamer, and to order one, click here.

The Windows Home Server Team Blog Has Moved

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

-

Sep 2, 2009

0

The Windows Home Server Team Blog has now moved and has joined the Windows blog.

You can access it by clicking here or typing http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowshomeserver/default.aspx

Windows Home Server 2nd Annual Survey

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

-

Sep 1, 2009

0

The Official Windows Home Server Blog is asking people for their feedback on Windows Home Server.

Did you know…

That most English language users found out about Windows Home Server through a blog or online product review, versus magazine or newspaper articles for German language users?

That product “features and specifications” was widely regarded as the most important factor, followed distantly by price, when it comes to Windows Home Server purchase?

That media sharing/streaming was the feature that could most help increase overall Windows Home Server customer satisfaction?

No? Neither did we until you told us in last year’s survey.

Customer feedback regarding usage and satisfaction of Windows Home Server is very important to our team. This feedback helps us improve how we promote the product, better understand how people are using the product, and determine what functionality we can build into future updates to increase satisfaction.

If you are a current Windows Home Server user, we want to hear from you!

English

German

Japanese

Building another Windows Home Server on a Friday night – PART TWO

Timothy Daleo

-

Aug 31, 2009

11

This article is the second of a three part series of the building and setting up a Windows Home Server for a remote location. My parents bought a vacation home and I am going to build a WHS to run and watch the house while they are not using it. The WHS will control the lights, sprinklers, and cameras in addition to the regular duties of a Windows Home Server.

Background again…

This WHS will be my fourth WHS system that I monitor and my second WHS home build. I am choosing to build because I had previously bought OEM WHS software from Newegg that should have been used for another installation. Since I already have the software, I bought an Inspiron 530 from the Dell Outlet and will use that for the WHS. Size is of no importance on this install and the larger case will actually be of benefit as you will see later in this article series.

Since I have already written articles on each facet of this installation this series will focus on the process of working your own system, planning and configuration.

Equipment Needed

WHS OEM software
New or Used PC (that meets or exceeds minimum WHS requirements)
My Standard Six Add-Ins
mControl Add-In
Assorted Insteon Power Modules, PowerLinc and Irrigation Controller
Linksys Internet Home Monitoring Camera
Uninterruptible Power Supply (pretty much mandatory for remote locations)
NEW ADDITION – HP MediaSmart Connect x280n
NEW ADDITION – Windows Vista Premium Upgrade
Six Pack of Beer (not shown, optional as always, but preferred for this installation)

Links for Equipment and Add-Ins

WHS OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116550

WHS Admin Console http://www.homeserverland.com/downloads/m/whsaddins/14.aspx
WHSBDBB http://www.homeserverland.com/downloads/m/whsaddins/23.aspx
WHS Disk Management http://www.homeserverland.com/downloads/m/whsaddins/7.aspx
Remote Notification http://www.homeserverland.com/downloads/m/whsaddins/44.aspx
Grid Junction http://www.kentdome.com/gridjunction
AutoExit 2009 http://www.asoft.be/

mControl Software http://www.embeddedautomation.com/EAHAmControl.htm

Insteon Modules http://www.insteon.net/advanced-automation.html

Linksys Camera http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/support/WVC54GCA

Miller Genuine Draft http://www.mgd.com/

Lets touch some hardware!

Due to the fires close to our home AND work (JPL) we will not be setting a pig, or anything else for that matter, on fire this week. As I wrote this article in the garage I had to constant drone of helicopters and the smell of smoke. We truly appreciate all of the work emergency services have done to keep us safe. This shot is taken from my driveway.

Recent Addition of HP MediaSmart Connect x280n

You may have noticed I added a few components to the Equipment Needed list. I caved in and ended up buying a 50” LG plasma from Sears (you may have seen the deal) for the vacation home. I now want to connect the plasma to the network. Since I cannot afford a HTPC for up there right now I am going to use the HP extender I had in the spare bedroom. The HP extender was used for about sixth months and then replaced with a Studio Hybrid (HTPC) last March. The HP extender is a nice little item but has some limitations such as not being able to play DVD files from my WHS. You can use the Extender for music, viewing your own videos and even watch Hulu.

I also ordered a copy of Vista Premium so I can upgrade my travel laptop and activate the Windows Media Center on the HP. Windows Media Center is a must for any extender and the HP model needs a Vista WMC PC on the network to support WMC.

The HP extender is no longer made by HP and is no longer available but was a pretty cool product. You might be able to find one around. You can learn more about this product at:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3724770&lang=en#

Computer/WHS Preparation

Since I am going to be doing this install off-site I am going to do as much as I can ahead of time. The PC I bought was from the Dell Outlet and I will power it up and make sure it works as a regular PC first. I need to verify that it has the right amount of RAM, correct processor and that the 250GB hard drive is ok. I will also crack the case, add a second drive (I have an old 200GB ready) to the system and make sure the system recognizes the drive.

BEFORE YOU START COMMENTING ON THE SIZE OF THE DRIVES:

This WHS will control the vacation home via mControl and not serve as a significant storage device. The 250GB hard drive is more than enough storage for this purpose. The 200GB secondary SATA drive that I will install in the case (recycled from a NAS) is more than enough to back up the system and store a few Bill Murray movies. Both drives being in the case leave only one power supply and makes for a simple unit.

Secondary Drive Installation

I am going to spend a few minutes and install the secondary hard drive. Below is a quick video of the installation.

Drive Installation

All new Dell system hard drives come with a recovery partition that has all of the factory settings safely hidden from consumers. This is only used when your system is really flipped up and is accessed by hitting Ctl+F11 during start up. I would not suggest ever trying this by the way. WHS made the need for this obsolete. I am now going to delete this partition prior to WHS installation.

The partition is now unallocated. The amount will be added back to the drive space when I load WHS.

Now that the partition has been deleted I am ready to start the installation.

Final Check Prior to Windows Home Server Installation

A few things to know, and have ready, for your system before installing the WHS software:

Have the basic drivers ready (on USB since the DVD drive will be in use)
Know the make, model and drivers of your network card
Have your hard drive information and SATA locations

In addition, remember that if you are installing the OEM WHS software chances are it is Power Pack 1 so make sure you verify the WHS version before you access any release documentation or instructions. WHS will update the software once your server is up and running so do not worry about Power Packs during initial set up.

Further WHS release documentation can be found at:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f219dd13-3d9a-4506-8be2-fbcc4e195415&displaylang=en

There is not a whole lot else you can do before you install the WHS software. The WHS will erase and replace your current OS so make sure you have taken everything off the drives or backed up prior to installation. You also may want to check and delete the partitions of old drives you may use.

Mental note: In my first home build (SB Server 2003) I actually just pulled the original drive out and put in a new drive. I stored the original drive and just installed the OS on the new drive. When I stopped using the PC a year later I just put the original drive back in and after some automatic updates it worked like it never left the case!

Windows Home Server Software Installation

While I have the PC on the bench I will install the WHS software before I get on location. I could wait until I get there but since everything is already hooked up I will install the software now.

You might need to have the network card drivers (AFTER the WHS loads) so I will install WHS first and then install the drivers once I get there. I will then shut down and pack it back up for the trip. I want to make sure I take a USB stick with the drivers AND the WHS installation disc with me. The DVD package has the Microsoft license and activation numbers so I will keep that with the unit.

I insert the WHS DVD and reboot. After hitting F12 a bunch of times, and then booting from the CD drive I am finally ready for the installation.

WHS verifies your Storage Drivers. You should see your drives here now just as I see my two drives. If not, use the Load Drivers button to load drivers from your drive manufacturer.

Enter the WHS Product Key from the outside of the DVD case.

Name your WHS. No spaces so use a hyphen.

The installation will verify you know what you are doing. Erase it already! Next!

I thought we were installing but apparently not! Click on Start.

Once the installation really starts you will see all sorts of screens that pop up and even a timer that is not really accurate. The system will reboot about five or six times and will seem to stall when the Framework and .NET installs but just leave her alone and she will eventually finish!

My Server installation took 44 minutes from start to finish. I then clicked on the arrow a couple of times to Exit the installation process and then shut down. Your installation would continue and take you to the network connection process. Since I am not connected to my final network I will shut down.

Professional installation instructions from Microsoft can be found at:

How To Install And Set Up Windows Home Server

Or you could read our How To article here on Using Windows Home Server.

Time To Pack It Up

I have done as much as I can without being on-site. The next time I start the WHS I need a network connection and router. I also need to take the spare Vista laptop with me and reinstall the WHS Connector. It would be nice if the WHS Connector could recognize different WHS!

Now that everything is ready to go I can pack it all up for the trip.

I will be back next week with the third article where I walk through the on-site installation.

Viva WHS. Seriously.

See you next Friday night,

Timothy Daleo

Using Windows Home Server Forums Now Up

Andrew Edney

-

Aug 30, 2009

4

Well it’s been a very long time coming, but I can finally say that our Forums are now up.

The forums can be found by either clicking on the Forum button or by clicking here.

We have been getting a lot of emails from people either asking when we were going to have some forums, or with questions that other might either be interested in or could possible help.

So, go have a look, post a question or a comment, and eventually when the forums start being populated feel free to jump in and respond.

Have fun and feel free to drop me any comments as well and tell me what you like or dislike about the forums, and if we have missed any topics off!

Review of the Samsung Spinpoint M7 2.5” Hard Drive

Reviews
Tech

Andrew Edney

-

Aug 28, 2009

5

For any of you out there that have laptops, netbooks, or even PlayStation 3s, and have decided that your current hard drive just isn’t big enough for your needs, then you should look no further than the Samsung Spinpoint M7 hard drive – in this case, model number HM500JI.

This little beauty is 2.5” in size and packs a whopping 500GB of storage space.

SPECIFICATIONS

Capacity : 500GB

Interface : SATA 3.0Gbps

Buffer DRAM Size : 8 MB

Byte per Sector : 512

Rotational Speed : 5,400 RPM

Average Seek time(typical) : 12 ms

Average Latency : 5.6 ms

Data Transfer Rate / Media to/from Buffer(Max.) : 138 MB/s

Data Transfer Rate / Buffer to/from Host(Max.) : 300MB/s

Drive Ready Time(typical) : 4 sec

Acoustics

Idle : 2.4 Bel

Performance Seek : 2.6 Bel

Environmental Specifications

Temperature / Operating : 5 ~ 55 ?

Temperature / Non-operating : -40 ~ 70 ?

Humidity(non-condensing) / Operating : 8 ~ 90 %

Humidity(non-condensing) / Non-operating : 5 ~ 95 %

Liner Shock(1/2 sine pulse) / Operating : 400 G

Liner Shock(1/2 sine pulse) / Non-operating : 900 G

Vibration / Operating : 1.5 Grms

Power Requirements

Voltage : +5V±5%

Spin-up Current(Max.) : 1000 mA

Seek(typical) : 2.5 W

Read/Write(typical) : 2.5 W

Low Power Idle(typical) : 0.85 W

Standby(typical) : 0.25 W

Sleep(typical) : 0.2 W

Physical Dimension

Height (Max.) :9.5 mm

Width : 69.85 mm

Length : 100 mm

Weight(avg.) :105 g

CONCLUSION AND FINAL THOUGHTS

This little drive is great – it was extremely simple for me to remove a drive from one of my computers (ok, I will admit it, I put the drive in my MacBook Pro because 80GB just isn’t enough to run Snow Leopard and also Windows 7) and place this there.

The drive is really quiet and so far, appears to be fast, even though its only a 5400 drive.

I’m not really sure what else to add – it works great, and I’m going to get some more of these to upgrade some of my other devices!

Have a search around for the best deal, currently Amazon.co.uk are selling them for around £68 and Amazon.com are selling them for around $82.

If anyone else has used these drives, or any other 2.5” drives, let us know your thoughts.