Add-In: CloudBerry Backup for WHS 2.1.1

CloudBerry Labs have released a new version of their add-in CloudBerry Backup for Windows Home Server for v1 users. Versions for WHS2011 and SBS 2011 Essentials will follow next week.

CloudBerry Online Backup for WHS

Here’s what’s new in version 2.1.1:

  • Long paths support – backup path longer than 260 symbols
  • Custom credentials for network locations
  • Memory Management Improvements

More details are available from here.

The MicroServer WHS2011 Install

Ian Dixon from The Digital Lifestyle writes up his experiences of installing Windows Home Server 2011 onto a HP ProLiant MicroServer.

Ian Dixon's HP Prolient Microserver

Ian tells us how he upgraded the unit and then installed and configured WHS2011 on this MicroServer from HP and tells us about 2011’s Mac compatibility (or not!).

You can find the post here.

EX495 User Upgrade Experience to WHS2011

Another EX495 user upgrades their MediaSmart Server to Windows Home Server 2011 article this time from Mike Garcen from Missing Remote.

WHS2011Upgrade

This one is not so much a how to guide but a look at the upgrade experience that Mike went through, which you can find here.

Leo HS4 Pricing and Coupon Code

May the 1st is the official launch date for the Leo HS4 Server from Tranquil PC.

Leo HS4 Server

This Home Server comes with 2GB of DDR3 memory a 2TB hard drive and an Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor (i3-2100T 3.1GHz) all for £679. Plus there is an option for a 2 port eSATA expander including Port Multiplier.

If you pre-order now, you can save £50 with an Early Bird COUPON CODE of WHSEB50 and if you are an existing SQA-5H customer then there are 2 upgrade paths for you – Contact Tranquil for details.

More information on the Leo HS4 are available from here.

Ask Matt: your questions answered

Asks-a-Question

Mailbag 27th April 2011

  • Can I upgrade from WHSv1 to WHS2011? What will happen to my shared drives?
  • My homebuilt WHS is failing, and I don’t know why

Have a question or problem?
I can’t guarantee an answer, but I’ll try. Click “
ask a question” above!

Dec Asks:

Can I upgrade from WHSv1 to WHS2011? What will happen to my shared drives?

Unfortunately Dec there is no way of upgrading from WHS v1 to WHS 2011, i am afraid you will have to do a clean install which means backing up your data and then wiping WHS v1 and installing WHS 2011. The reason for this is simply because WHS v1 was only available in 32bit and WHS 2011 is only available in 64bit, anybody who has had this problem when moving from Windows XP to Windows 7 will know what a pain it is.

Rick Asks:

My homebuilt WHS is failing, and I don’t know why – hard drive, motherboard? It’s so old it doesn’t support SATA, so I’m going to start over from scratch. Once I have the new WHS up and running, how can I recover the files on my old WHS?
My critical files are all duplicated across three drives. What is the best technique for recovering them to a new WHS? Can I simply plug them in and copy their contents to the new server’s drives?
Thanks for your help.

This is probably the most asked question I get each week, some people have been lucky and some have been plain down on it. The easiest way if possible would be to bring the old server up and then either backup the files to USB or transfer them over the network to the new server, if neither of these options are available to you then the only option left is to plug the drive in to another machine or the new server. to retrieve the files you have to be able to view hidden files and folders, you should then be able to see a folder called share in the root of the drive, in the share folder you should be able to find your files. If you have had duplication enabled then you might find that the same files exist on 2 or more drives, however if the drives are failing then you may not even get this far.

I know I haven’t been able to answer everyone’s questions, so those that haven’t been answered why not post them in the forum.

Have a question or problem?
I can’t guarantee an answer, but I’ll try. Click “
ask a question” above!

Written by
Matthew Glover
www.matthewglover.co.uk

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Offline Files with WHS

If you store your docs on Windows Home Server (and if you don’t then you should be) and you are away with your PC without Internet access then you will not be able to access those docs directly on your Windows 7 laptop – Or is there a way?

Yes there is and its called Offline Files. By watching the following 10 minute video you can have the Sync Center setup with encryption turned on in Windows 7 and your Offline Files and folders turned on in Windows Home Server.

Its a great video with some great tips including how to enable Transparent Caching, after which you can have your Home Server files with you when out and about when you do not have internet access.

DVBLink TVSource 3.2.2 Available

There is one way of having tuner cards in your Windows Home server box, and that is using the DVBLink software TVSource.

DVBLogic Logo

For those of you who already have it installed it is time to update as version 3.2.2 is now available.

v3.2.2 is a cumulative update that includes the following (previously released as patches) fixes:

  • fix for "Unable to show this channel…" message after background EPG scan (usually happens overnight)
  • fix for not working multiple (USB) tuners of the same type
  • fix for TT3650CI – bdaapiOpenCI has returned error 14
  • fix for "This product does not require registration" message even if the product is not registered yet

Also v3.2.2 includes:

  • updated transponder files
  • support for TBS 5921, 5980, 5922, 6922, 8922, 6925, 6984 and 69856 tuners

How to install: Run DVBLinkSetup.exe from Setup folder. It will both install new version or update existing version to a new one. The versions of all binary files (exe and dll) should be 3.2.2.0.

DVBLink TVSource v3.2.2 is available for download from here.

WHS2011 Launch Event in Tokyo

The Japanese DSP* version of Windows Home Server 2011 will be available shortly and to celebrate Microsoft Japan have a launch event in Tokyo on Saturday May 21st.

WHS2011 Tokyo Launch Event

The event includes 4 sessions on WHS2011 including migration techniques from v1, add-ins, configuration advice, RAID support and power saving measures which will be presented by the Japanese WHS MVPs

More details are available from here.

*DSP means “Delivery Service Partner”. DSP software is similar to OEM software however there is no manufacturer’s name stamped on the manual or printed on the license. OEM software is sold directly to the computer manufacturer whilst DSP software is more generic and is normally distributed for smaller system integrators and system builder hobbyists for no-name computers.

Add-In: Integrity Checker 1.2.0

A new version of the add-in Integrity Checker is available for WHS v1 and WHS2011.

Integrity Checker is an invaluable tool for the server administrator; quietly, efficiently, and automatically watching for new data arriving on the server.  As data arrives, Integrity Checker generates, and attaches, a SHA1 integrity hash for each file which can later be used to validate the files contents.  The perfect tool for verifying large file downloads from the internet, validating the consistency of your hard drive, and authenticating your data before a backup operation!

Integrity Checker 1.2.0

Based on user feedback, here’s what’s new in version 1.20:

  • Integrity Scan results now display failures and warnings separately to optimize result viewing and locate errors more easily
  • New "Copy To Clipboard" feature available when viewing Integrity Scan results
  • Customizable folder watching – real-time, scheduled daily, or manual
  • Allow customizing the location of the Integrity Checker "cache" folder
  • Integrity Scans can now scan a single folder.  Now supporting – full system scan, a single file, or a single folder

Enhancements:

  • Automatically purge old files which no longer exist from the Integrity Checker database
  • Fix console crash when viewing an Integrity Scan containing a large number of files
  • Small optimizations and bug fixes

Integrity Checker for Windows Home Server is priced at $11.99 and a trial version which is fully featured, with the only restriction being a 2000 file limit is also available. Existing users upgrade for free.

More details are available here.

The WHS2011 Powered Leo HS4 from Tranquil PC

Tranquil PC have announced the Leo HS4 which is powered by Windows Home Server 2011.

whs2011_em1

Powered by Intel’s 2nd Generation of Core Processors, known as Sandy Bridge this powerful processor remains fan less providing low acoustics to your server.
The Leo HS4 is built around a similar chassis to the original, SQA-5H servers, so provide 4 drive bays and come with two optional expansion ports, each supporting up to five hard disks each.

The Leo HS4 will be supplied with a licensed version of DataCore’s storage virtualization software Add In, to provide data protection (mirroring) and hard drive pooling. The final version of the Add In, will be released during the latter part of June and until then customers are invited to use beta versions, or to wait until the final version is available.

The Leo HS4 comes with:

  • 2TB Low Energy Primary Hard Disk
  • 2GB DDR3 RAM
  • Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor (i3-2100T 3.1GHz)
  • Media Kit including PC Restore CD and Server Restore DVD
  • 24 month RTB (return to base) warranty

Tranquil PC are accepting pre-orders from 27th April 2011, where an ‘Early Bird’ coupon code will be offered to all who pre-order, before the shipping date which will commence from May 16th.

More details here.