Microsoft lost some friends when it announced that Windows Home Media Server was losing a key feature. The Drive Extender kind of justified the toaster servers by allowing for easy hard drive pooling. But for some reason, Redmond decided to go forward without the function. Well, the official product is in fact gone, but a few 3rd party add-ons recently appeared and seem to fill the void. → Read More
Windows Home Server is easily one of the best products to ever come out of Redmond. It brings most of the functionality of a full-fledged server without any of the hassle. OEMs like HP and Acer quickly jumped on the platform a few years ago and outed fantastic products lines centered around WHS that allowed nearly any consumer to set up a comprehensive back-up solution, media vault, and network-attached storage unit — all on a small form factor PC that sucks less energy than a traditional computer. It’s seemingly a winning product for Microsoft, hardware makers and even us consumers. But that perception is apparently wrong. Microsoft is now prepping the next version of WHS named Vail, which reportable does not include features and functions that previously defined the platform.
Of course these moves have caused the WHS server fan base to erupt in an Internet ragestorm fueled by confusion and abandonment issues. The thought that Windows Home Server is now dead in the water was further defined today when Microsoft confirmed reports that HP, which shipped the first widely adapted WHS, will not produce servers based on the next-gen OS. Dead, canceled, or some other name with synonymous lifeless might not be the correct description as Microsoft is clearly working on the platform, but the next version of WHS is seemingly different enough in its core philosophy and target demographic to warrant a name change or even death decree. → Read More
Windows Home Server is easily one of the best products to ever come out of Redmond. It brings most of the functionality of a full-fledged server without any of the hassle. OEMs like HP and Acer quickly jumped on the platform a few years ago and outed fantastic products lines centered around WHS that allowed nearly any consumer to set up a comprehensive back-up solution, media vault, and network-attached storage unit — all on a small form factor PC that sucks less energy than a traditional computer. It’s seemingly a winning product for Microsoft, hardware makers and even us consumers. But that perception is apparently wrong. Microsoft is now prepping the next version of WHS named Vail, which reportable does not include features and functions that previously defined the platform.
Of course these moves have caused the WHS server fan base to erupt in an Internet ragestorm fueled by confusion and abandonment issues. The thought that Windows Home Server is now dead in the water was further defined today when Microsoft confirmed reports that HP, which shipped the first widely adapted WHS, will not produce servers based on the next-gen OS. Dead, canceled, or some other name with synonymous lifeless might not be the correct description as Microsoft is clearly working on the platform, but the next version of WHS is seemingly different enough in its core philosophy and target demographic to warrant a name change or even death decree. → Read More
Oh you’re so silly, HP. Why would you hide a clever function for the front-panel LEDs on the HP StorageWorks X310 Windows Home Server? I mean, who wouldn’t want their status LEDs to chase like KITT’s grill lights or strobe Christmas lights-style? This should be a standard option, not hidden by a keyboard command. Anyway, click through for a quick video demo and instructions to unlock this hidden function. → Read More
Own a Acer easyStore H340 Windows Home Server? Don’t be like me and spend countless hours trying to figure out why the hell the box keeps randomly shutting off. I spent the last two nights running spy sweepers and virus scans, pulling hard drives and swapping memory in search of a solution. I’m better than that.
What I should have done first is ask Google. She (that’s right, I picture Google as a smart, but seductive, oracle) has all the answers as long as I know what to ask. → Read More
Good news. The WHS Power Pack 3 will be here shortly and packs a whole bunch of enhancements aimed at Windows 7. The beta has been available for the last couple of months, but this is the official release and will install automagicly if Automatic Updates are enabled on November 24. → Read More
Asus is latest manufacturer to out a Windows Home Server. The TS Mini Server seems to pack the goods too with up to a 2TB capacity and a modest price. Too bad it doesn’t have easy-access hard drive trays for expandability. → Read More
You better act quick. This deal ends today. But if you really need a smaller WHS for, lets say, backup purchases only, the HP MediaSmart LX195 is perfect and Newegg has it on sale just for you. → Read More
Dell just went official with the Inspiron Zino HD price and spces. There have been a few unboxing and previews popping up around the blogs the last few days and I’ve fallen in love with the little computer. It’s slightly larger than the Mac Mini, but I believe infinitely more versatile. → Read More
Windows Home Server might say “home” in the product name, but its low maintenance cost makes it an ideal choice for small businesses. A simple, little WHS can provide comprehensive back up, remote access, and centralized storage for a workgroup. However, businesses don’t need all the fancy-pants media programs that come on HPs MediaSmart line. Enter the HP StorageWorks X510Data Vault. → Read More
It wasn’t the LP albums or redesigned look that got me excited when Apple announced iTunes 9. Nope, it was the function called Home Sharing that touted the ability to share and copy media over a LAN easily. Sure, you could always drop all your music files into a centralized network share and rock out that way, but while that method works, it’s not elegant or easy for others to use.
The only problem is that Windows Home Server and the current version of iTunes 9 do not get along. It takes a little hacking to get the program installed right now, but hopefully the next release will install fine. Until then though, I got iTunes 9 to install on my WHS following some of the tips mentioned in this forum thread.
Warning: You will not be able to sync your iPod or iPhone directly to your WHS if you install iTunes 9 with this method because you have to remove the services needed for device control in order for it to install. But with Home Sharing, you can easily manage the content you want on another computer anyway. It will also cause a few pop-up error messages when your WHS starts up but it’s not like you restart your server everyday and, in my eyes, the benefits of Home Sharing outweighs the annoyance of the pop-ups. → Read More
Some people – especially those that have a 100Mbps connection – can actually fill up one an Acer Aspire easyStore WHS. But for some reason, the stock eSATA port doesn’t support port multiplication so that means you will not able able to use one of those multi-drive eSATA enclosures. Have no fear. There is a solution. → Read More
I will continue to preach the benefits of Windows Home Server until everyone is using it. I promise. With that said, The Windows Home Server Blog has an excellent top 10 reasons why you should use WHS. The list is simple, to the point, but not totally complete. I would like to add a few of my own if that’s okay. → Read More
Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 beta has been out for just over a month and it’s a welcomed update. It adds a whole slew of Windows 7 and Media Center functions, along with fixing a ton of little bugs. But if you’ve been on the fence about installing the beta release, check out this extensive video tour by the Power Pack 3 beta Program Manager, CJ Saretto. If you’re already rocking the beta, you still may wanna check out the video for some undiscovered functions. → Read More
Quick, you wanna buy this Acer easyStore before the deal expires. Newegg is throwing in an extra 1TB drive for the price of nothing. That means you get a 2TB WHS for only $399. Awesome! → Read More
Well, the one big advantage HP had in the Windows Home Server game maybe about to disappear. Someone has found a relatively easy way to enable remote Time Machine backup to a WHS. It’s probably only a matter of time before a rough GUI version appear followed up shortly later by a well-polished solution. → Read More
The only beef I have with the HP LX195 is the price for the amount of storage. Newegg must have heard my cries as the retailer is now throwing in an Western Digital My Book Essential 1TB USB external hard drive. That means, you can get 1.67 TB of storage in a Windows Home Server for only $375. Now that’s a deal, but you better hurry as it ends on 6/25/09.
Don’t forget that we are giving away one of these servers in our recent review. Just leave a comment in this post to be entered. → Read More
Short Version: The LX195 is great back-up solution for both PCs and Macs. It’s a tad overpriced and lacks expandability, but is still a solid Windows Home Server. Oh, and there’s a contest. → Read More
