windows home server

posts about #windowshomeserver more →
HP MediaSmart EX495 Windows Home Server Review (Better Time Machine Support!)
How to Build Your Very Own Badass Windows Home Server
Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Won't Be Live Until End of 2009
HP's MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Have Additional Mac Functionality, More Video Encoding
Lenovo's Sleek IdeaCentre Q110 Nettop Has Nvidia Ion Graphics
Lenovo Twitters New IdeaCentre Q100 Nettops, IdeaCentre D400 Home Server
Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Beta Adds New Windows 7 Functionality
How to Use Time Machine Backups on Windows Home Server (or Any Networked Storage)
HP LX195 Budget Windows Home Server Review
Acer Aspire easyStore Expandable 1TB Windows Home Server Cube Is $400

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oakman1000
10/23/09

In reply to HP MediaSmart EX495 Windows Home Server Review (Better Time Machine Support!)
I could be wrong, but I think you can't stream Hi def TV recordings from it...right?
I use media center and now that no one makes media center extenders anymore, the only option is to stream to other computers around the home. If the server cant stream HDTV to other PC's, what's the point in having all of your media in a place that cant stream most of it? #hpex495review
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Xeno promoted this comment oakman1000 was starred oakman1000 was unstarred

Xeno
10/23/09

@oakman1000: I don't see why it shouldn't be able to. The processor is plenty fast. My 360 is quite able to stream HD from my media center PC that is stored on a NAS so I don't see why this shouldn't be able to. #hpex495review
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oakman1000
10/23/09

@Xeno: Yes, your right you it could stream to an Xbox because of its MCE extender capabilities. It cant stream to other PC's because of DRM. The only option at the moment to stream HDTV to other rooms is through an Xbox. I don't want Xboxes all around my home + they are too noisy for bedrooms. #hpex495review
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Xeno
10/23/09

@oakman1000: The DRM is annoying but some of it suposedly goes away with Win 7 MC. Hopefully most of my recordings will be open after I upgrade. Possibly not since cable companies are a$$holes most of the time. I've mitigated the XBox noise with furniture cabinets but a nice power full extender(or a new quieter xbox would be welcome for sure). #hpex495review
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dagamer34
10/23/09

In reply to HP MediaSmart EX495 Windows Home Server Review (Better Time Machine Support!)
Any real reason to get the dual-core version over the single-core one? Hard drive space can easily be expanded, but swapping CPUs would take some more work. #hpex495review
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mattycakes
10/23/09

In reply to HP MediaSmart EX495 Windows Home Server Review (Better Time Machine Support!)
I have absolutely zero need for a home server, but now I really, really want one. #hpex495review
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Xeno promoted this comment mattycakes was starred mattycakes was unstarred

Xeno
10/23/09

@mattycakes: Then invent some needs so you can justify it to yourself. Simple. #hpex495review
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D0rk
10/23/09

In reply to HP MediaSmart EX495 Windows Home Server Review (Better Time Machine Support!)
I was hoping for more storage in stock trim for those prices. I really want one but it would total to nearly a thousand dollars by the time I got done putting in enough hard drives to increase the storage and add RAID. #hpex495review
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Jason Chen promoted this comment D0rk was starred D0rk was unstarred

Rejexted
10/23/09

In reply to HP MediaSmart EX495 Windows Home Server Review (Better Time Machine Support!)
can I hook up to this thing when I'm not home? #hpex495review
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Barry99705 promoted this comment Rejexted was starred Rejexted was unstarred

Barry99705
10/23/09

@Rejexted: Yep. #hpex495review
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jetRink
10/23/09

@Rejexted: Yes, you get a personal web address to go to where you can access your server and any PCs on the network through remote desktop. You can also stream any music or media that you have on the server, so you could listen to your collection at work through the web client. #hpex495review
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Moonshadow101
10/23/09

@jetRink: Is this a native element of WHS or is it an HP addition? #hpex495review
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Xeno promoted this comment Moonshadow101 was starred Moonshadow101 was unstarred

Xeno
10/23/09

@Moonshadow101: Native to WHS. #hpex495review
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Barry99705
10/23/09

In reply to HP MediaSmart EX495 Windows Home Server Review (Better Time Machine Support!)
I wish they'd release their components to other WHS users. I have a home built home server, which rocks, but have to keep my G5 tower for our iTunes media server running as well. #hpex495review
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ara
10/08/09

In reply to How to Build Your Very Own Badass Windows Home Server
There is one thing I'd like to add to that article. USE RAID. Just RAID the HDDs before you install. WHS file duplication is slow as hell, it's duct tape grade solution for redundancy. After setting WHS on a RAID I've been rather pleased to it, before it was plain ridiculous.
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Brian Lam promoted this comment ara was starred ara was unstarred

not_a_virus.exe.vbs
10/08/09

@ara: What level of raid?
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ara
10/08/09

@runemail: Using RAID is certainly not the way Microsoft envisioned WHS to be used, but they dropped the ball with the file duplicator so it's the way to get performance out of WHS macine. And yes, you loose the ability to easily swap drives, if all you want is "tape-like" slow backup storage, native WHS might work for you, but if you want to actively use it, like I do, it just won't cut it. Using Windows Server 2008 looses easy backup, media sharing, user managing, web access and multiplies the price, not really what I'm looking for... But most of all it drowns you into the bizarre world of user and device CAL licences, and other madness only enterprise sysadmins should have to deal with.

@Mozoltov, motherfucker: Whatever gives you the redundancy you are looking for, I personally had pile of 1TB drives to waste so I went for 1+0 with hot spare. In the article they used two 2TB drives so RAID 1 would match what WHS gives you, with better performance or course.
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Edited by ara at 10/08/09 4:21 PM ara was starred ara was unstarred

OMG! Ponies!
10/08/09

In reply to How to Build Your Very Own Badass Windows Home Server
Windows Home Server sucks because it's not a Macintosh! There I said it.

Windows sucks because it's Windows.
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GitEmSteveDave_RockinLabCoat
10/08/09

@OMG! Ponies!:
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Seriously_now...
10/08/09

@OMG! Ponies!: How do I do this for mac? I have three external HDs I would like to access wirelessly?
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment Seriously_now... was starred Seriously_now... was unstarred

SEDAGIVE?!
10/08/09

@OMG! Ponies!: Macintosh? is that what Mac is short for? Who knew!
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment SEDAGIVE?! was starred SEDAGIVE?! was unstarred

PurpleMonkeyDishwasher:
10/08/09

@SEDAGIVE?!: Isn't a Macintosh a type of Apple? I prefer Granny Smith
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment

TheSonOfKrypton
10/08/09

@OMG! Ponies!: Let's not hold back people. Let the flame war commence.
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SEDAGIVE?!
10/08/09

@Seriously_now...: You can't do it on a Mac, Macs don't support HDDs.
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment SEDAGIVE?! was starred SEDAGIVE?! was unstarred

TuxBobble
10/08/09

@OMG! Ponies!: How DID this guy get a star, anyway?
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment TuxBobble was starred TuxBobble was unstarred

PhyrePhox
10/08/09

@OMG! Ponies!: Maybe there is a snap-in to allow compatibility with Time Machine...oh, wait, the universe would implode if that happened, starting with Steve Ballmer's head...
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment PhyrePhox was starred PhyrePhox was unstarred

pellier
10/08/09

@Seriously_now...: just plug them into it,whs can do timecapsule backups.
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USB_Humping_Dog
10/08/09

@PurpleMonkeyDishwasher: : You like Super Cougars, huh?
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Yournamehere!
10/08/09

@OMG! Ponies!: HA HA HA. Now really, young man, adults are talking...
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment Yournamehere! was starred Yournamehere! was unstarred

SEDAGIVE?!
10/08/09

@USB_Humping_Dog: What's not to like? You don't have to worry about pressure to stay the night, because the orderlies will get pissed if they catch you.
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment SEDAGIVE?! was starred SEDAGIVE?! was unstarred

nat lyon
10/08/09

@OMG! Ponies!: see what you did (and in usual predictable manner it didn't take much).
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment nat lyon was starred nat lyon was unstarred

matt buchanan
10/08/09

@PhyrePhox: Uh, HP's WHS boxes are Time Machine compatible.
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fastm3driver
10/08/09

@OMG! Ponies!: Since a Mac can't do this and Apple has nothing as good as WHS I would say admitting you have a problem is the first step.
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment fastm3driver was starred fastm3driver was unstarred

Brazell
10/08/09

@PhyrePhox: The HP home server interfaces with Time Machine using some software that HP builds into it. Hopefully it's just a matter of time before there's a plugin that replicates that.
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment Brazell was starred Brazell was unstarred

kernel panic
10/08/09

@TuxBobble: Isn't it obvious? By emulating the Giz staff. At this rate he will soon be a guest editor.
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TheSonOfKrypton promoted this comment Edited by kernel panic at 10/08/09 10:51 AM kernel panic was starred kernel panic was unstarred

CSX321
10/08/09

@SEDAGIVE?!: Macs only support one-button HDDs.
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Xeno
10/08/09

@fastm3driver: Mac's don't need backups since...(choose your answer)
iFanboy: Mac's are so reliable that you don't ever loose data.
iHater: No one ever does anything useful or important on a Mac so there is no reason to back them up.
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salviati
09/15/09

In reply to HP's MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Have Additional Mac Functionality, More Video Encoding
So is the 490 mainly a software update (with a slightly bigger hard drive). I may want to backup my Mac, but I see no other significant upgrade from the EX485. Can the software update be applied to the 485 as well?
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UnderLoK promoted this comment salviati was starred salviati was unstarred

UnderLoK
09/15/09

@salviati: This isn't Apple man, just because a new one comes out doesn't mean you need to buy it ;)
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Chimaera
09/15/09

In reply to HP's MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Have Additional Mac Functionality, More Video Encoding
According to We Got Served:
EX 490: 2.2GHz, 2GB, 1x1TB @ $549
EX 495: 2.5GHz, 2GB, 1x1.5TB @ $699

Fall release. (I'm guessing October)
Both $50 less than their EX 48x counterparts.
They've been testing for a few weeks; retail packaging.

[www.wegotserved.com]
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jeepingeek
09/15/09

In reply to HP's MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Have Additional Mac Functionality, More Video Encoding
Does this mean the 485 will soon be going on sale? I've had my eye on that for a while but my wife seems to think I have enough computers and that the nearly $500 is a bit too much for another toy. I really don't understand what she is talking about.
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Chimaera promoted this comment jeepingeek was starred jeepingeek was unstarred

Chimaera
09/15/09

@jeepingeek: Probably, but if you're unwilling/unable to wait, there's a few Amazon Merchants selling the 485 @ $420
[www.amazon.com]
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iatacs19
08/19/09

In reply to Lenovo's Sleek IdeaCentre Q110 Nettop Has Nvidia Ion Graphics
Are Atoms CPUs fast enough for NAS duty?
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whiteknight89 still plays DiabloII promoted this comment iatacs19 was starred iatacs19 was unstarred

whiteknight89 still plays DiabloII
08/19/09

@iatacs19: Yes, absolutly. Many NAS's out there have sported less-than-gigahertz speeds, so it won't be an issue, so long as the underlying OS isn't a resource hog.

edit: That last sentence should be read as "...so long as you install XP, Win7, or Linux." ;)
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Edited by whiteknight89 still plays DiabloII at 08/19/09 12:49 PM

UnderLoK
07/20/09

In reply to Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Beta Adds New Windows 7 Functionality
Wish I would have seen this sooner... You mention "Stability risks aside".

This is based on Win2K3 which is SOLID AS A ROCK. Save the Windows hate for the area it belongs which is NOT the server series. I, like many have 22 2K3 boxes here that have Z E R O downtime in 3 years... That's right, three. We can go back further than that, but 2 of them hard hardware issues prior to that.

IBM xSeries + 2K, 2K3, 2K8 kicks ass.
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Hyperplasia
07/17/09

In reply to Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Beta Adds New Windows 7 Functionality
Nice :)

Now, when I go to my Music, Video, or Pictures link on any Windows 7 PC on my network....I see all the Music, Video, or Pictures on my Home Server :)

Finally, a convenient, structured way to network media!
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Identity: Now 100% more Pre. promoted this comment Hyperplasia was starred Hyperplasia was unstarred

Identity (reclamation)
07/17/09

@Hyperplasia: I like that. I like that alot. Can't wait to finish my remodel! I hope it includes a Home Server. (Still haven't worked out all the details.)
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MF350z: Wanting, at least, a silver star!
05/21/09

In reply to Acer Aspire easyStore Expandable 1TB Windows Home Server Cube Is $400
Idk how someone could fill up 4TB.. I have 1TB and still have about 400GB free.
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MF350z: Wanting, at least, a silver star!
05/21/09

@mfischer579: Srry 7TB.. not 4
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Sora57 is rendering
05/21/09

@mfischer579: Well, this is a digital media server, and if you work with HD video files, it's not that hard to fill up. You have to import all the raw footage and then do your post production work on it.
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okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)
05/21/09

@mfischer579: Ive been collecting anime for a few years on optical drives that I burned when I found that after 139 DVDs of licensed anime that I owned was taking up a lot of space and some English translation left a lot to be desired. I would download fansubs before they became licensed of of news groups and amassed about 2100 (over 3 years) CDs before I realized I wasn't doing it right :( I moved to dual layer DVDs as I was discovering Bearshare and faster News Group download due to blazing-fast 3 Mbps cable.... I only went up to 296 of these DVD's before I realized optical wasn't the way. So I begin downloading onto hard drives filled up 4 x 20GB, 2 x 80GB, 1 x 160GB, 2 x 400GB, 4 x 500GB, and 2 x 1TB; that was last November. I had two many hard drives lying around and I wanted to rebuild my computer, my library, get some new tech.

I decided to build a media power house just for housing my stuff!! I bought a nice CoolerMaster Cosmos-S case with 6 internal 3.5 bays (Core i7, 6GB Ram... yada yada yada...). By this time my cable internet was 10x faster at 30Mbps and I felt the need to rebuild my collection of anime from scratch and have everything well organized and consistent (in format, naming, quality, etc...)

Short story long, I'm on my third 1.5TB drive and that's 20% full. Took me 3 months to fill up the first one, one month to fill up the second one, and I've had this third one for two weeks this Friday and expect two hundred more gigs by Monday.

Friend, you see... from my perspective, they can't make these damn things large enough and I only have 578 of the 3000 or so series I NEED(!) and some of these series have hundreds of episodes so I have some ways to go :(

...and yes, I have a problem... a space problem. I have a plan to rotate my drives every set of 4 I get and Ebay the old ones to offset the cost of buying new ones but my plan is only good if I get to double the capacity of each drives with every set. So someone needs to release the 3 TB HDs ad make then cheap by July or I'll have problems.

...and yes, I watch most of them... I don't go to movies or watch television so this is pretty much my visual entertainment. I have to feed it :(
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Dafrety
05/21/09

@okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under): Wow. Have you ever thought about compressing the files until you watch them?
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okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)
05/21/09

@Dafrety: I cant really... The formats are MP4, OGM, MKV, DivX, etc... so it's pretty compressed. It's literally the shear amount of them. I have 13000 video files right now with an average size of 230MB per file. Each file has a n average length of 24 minutes and resolutions vary from 640x480 to 1280x720 (all at about 30fps). The compression is generally high.
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Hilo
05/21/09

@okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under):

"...and yes, I watch most of them..."

Wow...

(3500gb)/(200mb episode) = 17,500 episodes

(15,500)(20 minutes)/(60 minutes) = 5800 hours of anime

@8 hours of sleep per night

(5185 hours)/(16 hours awake) = 365 solid days of anime

That's one FULL year of watching anime, assuming you do nothing else ...that's a lot.

Are you sure you're not collecting merely to have it? hording treasure? Heh.
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Hilo was starred Hilo was unstarred

okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)
05/21/09

@Hilo: No... I've been watching anime for over 13 years. though the higest frequency was back in high school and college... watch about 10-15 hours a week now and follow mostly current fan-subbed series (about 5 to 10 per season). The hobby is probably the cheapest one I've ever kept honestly in terms of time and money.

I used to live with a roommate who had a Netflix problem... I saw him burning DVDs nightly and I warned him about the road he was headed down.
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