Amazon have the HP LX195 for an amazing $199 saving you over $272, that’s an amazing 58% off.
So if you are short of cash and after a Windows Home Server, head over to Amazon.
Computerworld from IDG have tested the HP MediaSmart EX495 Server, and said:
(That it’s) the fastest network-attached storage box we’ve ever tested.
The EX495 not only beat the EX487 but also the Synology DS209+ II network-attached storage box
The EX495 was particularly fast during virus scans and at finding files thanks to the indexing feature of its Windows Home Server operating system.
You can read about it here.
PC Pro reviews the HP StorageWorks X510 Data Vault.
..the X510 comes up short in the features department, and it also has a lot of extraneous multimedia toys. However, if you want totally automated workstation backup plus easy to use disaster recovery functions then this is worth considering.
You can read the full review here.
PCMag.com reviews the HP MediaSmart EX495 and takes a look at its design and how it is setup setup, as well as its features and performance.
(The) MediaSmart is still leading the pack among home servers by supporting many features that are not available in other network storage devices. It’s far from perfect, but definitely still leads the WHS product market.
PCMag.com gives it the Editors Choice award which you can read about here.
Episode 66 of The Home Server Show Podcast is all about Power Pack 3, and chatting about it is Microsoft’s Community Program Manager Jonas Svensson, with what’s new, how to install it and more.
Grab episode 66 from here.
Microsoft have updated the Windows Home Server documentation for Power Pack 3 (PP3).
The downloadable .doc file takes us through what’s new with PP3 and how to install it as well as giving post-installation information.
Grab your copy here.
So how do you know when you have Power Pack 3 (PP3) installed?
Easy, from within the Windows Home Server console go to “Settings” and then the “Resources” tab. Under “Version Information” will be the following information if PP3 is installed
| COMPONENT | VERSION |
| Windows Home Server Console | 6.0.2423.0 |
| Windows Home Server Backup & Restore | 6.0.2423.0 |
| Windows Home Server Drive Extender | 6.0.2423.0 |
| Windows Home Server Remote Access | 6.0.2423.0 |
| Windows Home Server Storage Manager | 6.0.2423.0 |
If not click on the “Update Now” button on the “General” tab.
Remember you need PP2 installed for PP3 to get downloaded and beta versions must be uninstalled else PP3 will not be available to you. More details on this are available from here.
The latest versions of the Windows Home Server Home Restore CD and the Connector Software CD are available on the Microsoft Download Center for download as well as the Windows Home Server Evaluation Edition DVD software with Power Pack 3 (PP3) integrated.
For all 3 downloads, it is showing as version 2423 which is the version number for WHS with PP3. So get downloading that restore CD just in case you will need it one day soon.
Downloads:
Episode 231 of The Media Center Show Podcast has Brain Frost talking about how he tags his pics on Windows Home Server.
Using a technique called hierarchical tagging to enable a better photo viewing experience when viewing his snaps from WHS on his Windows Media Center, Brain tells us the tools he uses as well as talking us through some examples.
A must listen/read for anyone wishing to properly organize their photo collection.
Episode 231 is available from here as well as a follow up post Tips & tricks for perfect photo tagging.
UPDATE: Another good article on this is Photo organization: How Geoff does it.
New Home Servers from UK based Tranquil PC will have Power Pack 3 pre-installed from early next week and existing customers are not forgotten either as new downloadable ‘server backup’ images will be available in case existing servers need to be re-imaged.
“This immediate integration of PP3 into our UK factory built Home Servers continues to demonstrate our commitment to the popular Tranquil Home Server range”
