By on July 11th, 2009

UpTo $125 Off the HP MediaSmart Server Range

We have 2 new HP coupons which can save you up to $125 off the HP MediaSmart range of Home Servers at the HP Home & Home Office Store.

$100 off the HP MediaSmart Server LX195 with code AC9421
Offer limited to the first 1000 coupons redeemed
Valid 07/10/2009 through 07/19/2009
http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/product/product_detail/FL702AA%2523ABA

$125 off the HP MediaSmart Server EX485 or EX487 with code AC4584
Offer limited to the first 1000 coupons redeemed
Valid 07/08/2009 through 07/25/2009
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/store_access.do?template_type=accessories&landing=computer&category=categories&subcat1=home_servers&aoid=35252

Thanks to Mike Barela for the details.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on July 10th, 2009

Can Windows Home Server Be a Business Solution?

SMBNation Magazine has an article on Windows Home Server by Aaron Booker entitled "Windows Home Server – Can It Be a Business Solution?"

The 2 page article (starting on page 7) is written for the small business specialist but is a good read for all WHS enthusiasts.

You can view it online or download a PDF copy.

Thanks to Susan Bradley for the info.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on July 10th, 2009

Add-In Review: LightsOut 0.8.2

This Add-In is used to put a Windows Home Server into suspended mode, or hibernation and resume on user defined events.

Description

To go to sleep, you can choose from several methods:

· On demand, when no more clients are active

· Based on a calendar, as a single action or repeated each weekday

· Or as a combination of both methods

You can define times, where the server has to be up and running:

· Using the calendar

· Based on the defined backup time

The reason for me reviewing the LightsOut add-in is that I have recently had the need to use it, I had heard of the add-in some time ago but I have never had the need to use it until now.

The reason for me wanting to use LightsOut was that my mother’s home PC was being backed up irregularly with the backup option she has currently has, I had never given her a WHS box because she only had one machine. Recent events led to me having a spare machine ideal for WHS and my 2 of 3 sisters moving back in with my mother with their 2 laptops, so I thought it was an ideal time.

The machine I used for this was a custom build machine with a Celeron 420 1.6Ghz CPU, 2 x GB RAM 1 x 180GB Western Digital Hard Drive, I may look at putting a second hard drive in there at some point in the future but for now the one will suffice.

The main thing I was looking for from this add-in was that when one of the machines in the house was on, the WHS came on as well, this was pretty much all I wanted it to do. I was going to set a wide range for the backups to occur during the day between 10:00 till 00:00 this way as the machines are used in the day the WHS can back them up rather than wake them up, the reason for this is that the 2 laptops and running wirelessly so won’t be able to be woken anyway.

Install wasn’t as straight forward as most add-ins and there are some playing around with the services on the WHS so you will have to remote in to the WHS via Remote Desktop Connection. First of all download LightsOutInstaller0.8.2.235.msi from here and then place in the add-ins folder under the software share on your WHS.

add-ins • Windows Home Server
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By on July 10th, 2009

The Home Server Show Podcast #48

The Home Server Show Podcast

The Home Server Show podcast #48 is up with the latest news and views and this week ioSafe CEO Robb Moore is on the show to chat about the fire and waterproof ioSafe Solo external hard drive.

You can listen to/download it here.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on July 09th, 2009

Time Machine backups from MAC to WHS

Brent Friedman developer of many add-ins including TV Manager and WHS Mobile has written a great tutorial on how to do Time Machine backups from the Mac to your Windows Home Server, just like the HP MediaSmart Servers do.

TimeMachine_DiskSelection_2

Brent’s guide takes you through enabling the backups to shares, how to create a working sparsebundle file and how to configure Time Machine.

You can read all the details here.

Tutorial • Windows Home Server
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By on July 09th, 2009

Add-In: FirePlay for Windows Home Server 0.90.06

FirePlay for Windows Home Server has been updated to version 0.90.06

The add-In automates the install of FirePlay for the Home Server and configures the Windows Firewall and also your Router if it supports UPNP. FirePlay is a Flash based client for accessing the Firefly Media Server which comes pre-installed on the MediaSmart Server. It will allow you to play your music through your browser, without needing any other media player. It will therefore allow you to access your music remotely if you have remote access switched on.

In this latest version:

  • Added a favicon
  • Improved the FirePlay Service to resolve Remote Access detection issues.
  • Resolves bug where Remote Access status is switched after install caused upnp issue.
  • Now generates a health alert if it can’t find FireFly.

More information is available from here.

add-ins • Windows Home Server
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By on July 08th, 2009

We Review the HP MediaSmart LX195

Introduction

HP, who were one of the original entrants into the pre-built WHS market have introduced the MediaSmart LX195 to complement their existing range of machines. This unit is very much an entry level Windows Home Server machine as compared to the specifications of its EX siblings, because of a lower price and hence lower specification processor and available built in disk space.

What’s in the box?

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Inside the box there is the server itself, a power adapter and cable, an Ethernet cable, a software installation disc, a PC restore disc, a server recovery disc, a setup poster and HP support guides.

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Technical Specification

Product

HP MediaSmart LX195

Processor

1.6GHz Intel Atom 230

Memory

1 GB RAM

Included capacity

1 bay – 640GB 7200rpm SATA

Expandability

By external hard disc only

Ethernet Port

Gigabit Ethernet port (supports 10/100Mbps)

USB Ports

4 x USB 2.0

Dimensions

8.2” H, 3.9” W, 8.2” D | 202mm H, 101mm W, 202mm D

Supported OSs

Windows XP, Vista, Mac OS X 10.5

The specification including the Atom 230 processor and 1GB Ram, is not going to win it any awards for being a speed demon, but this is a perfectly adequate specification for an entry level server product such as this, and of course will keep power requirements to a minimum.

Hardware • Windows Home Server
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By on July 08th, 2009

Microsoft Security Essentials – Beta

MSE icon

I have been hearing a lot of good things about Microsoft’s new security suite for a while now and have been waiting to get my hands on it for some time.

First thoughts were that I would have to keep an open mind and not let Windows One Care cloud my judgment; I can honestly say that I have.

Installing was quick and easy 6 simple next boxes and it was done, there was no way of getting lost or installing it in advanced mode, there isn’t an advanced mode just a simple install.

I have installed it on Windows 7, Vista and XP and all went through without a hitch. I used the Vista installer for Windows 7 it doesn’t say that it supports Windows 7 but I haven’t found a problem with it as yet, but will let you know if I do.

The installation is below:

Install 1

Just an information screen really, the only thing you can do is click next.

Install 2

Standard software agreements nothing to report about, click accept if you want to install.

Other Software • Windows Home Server
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By on July 08th, 2009

Save 50% on the HP MediaSmart Server LX195

Looks like HP are running a mega-deal on the new HP MediaSmart Server LX195, which is being offered for $199 on HP Direct when you buy any notebook or desktop.

You’ll find the deal tucked away at the end of the transaction, under storage devices.

More Info: HP Direct

News • Windows Home Server
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By on July 08th, 2009

Win 1 of 6 MediaSmart Servers at WPC09

WPC09 Logo

Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC09) is being held in New Orleans July 13th to 16th, and this year attendees will have the chance of winning 1 of 6 HP MediaSmart Servers.

The six EX485 up for grabs can be win by attending a theatre session or by visiting the Exposition Hall booth # 621 and dropping your business card into the fishbowl (poor fish!) on your way in at the door or at the booth, and one winner will be chosen at the booth per day and one winner at each session.

One noteworthy session is the Windows SBS and Windows Home Server Client Backup session which is taking place on July 16th from 2:30 to 2:50PM.

Moe details on WPC09 is available from here.

Thanks to SeanDaniel.com for the information.

News • Windows Home Server
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