By on October 17th, 2007

WHS Version Information 1500.0 or 1500.6 – We have the Answer

I posed a question to you readers a couple of days ago regarding the version information displayed on the Resources tab within the console.

My clean OEM install after Windows Update showed the following:

myversion

Whilst my friends server and others from the WHS forums were showing:

othersversion

As you can see my “Windows Home Server Backup & Restore” was the only item which was updated to version 6.0.1500.6 whilst the bottom screen shot shows all components updated to the latest version.

Why? Well, I have the answer for you. I had an anonymous email from a reader stating that my version number of 1500.6 on only the backup component is the correct behavior for an RTM system upgraded via Windows Update. And systems that have all versions showing as 1500.6 are installs built from a “second edition” of WHS that has incorporated the update 941913 from Microsoft.

So all new RTM media from the last few weeks have the Windows Update download incorporated into the CD/DVD media. Tom from Ramblings Of a Home Server User also confirmed this, explaining that a newer version of Windows Home Server was released, known as a Media Refresh.

So, rest assured, in both instances both system are upgraded as expected.

Installation • Windows Home Server
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By on October 17th, 2007

High Quality Audio Patched to Stereo – Does WHS have any Features in that Area?

I received an email from one of our blog readers Scott Mathews, who asked the following:

Hey Philip, I’m in the middle of a total redesign of my home network, and only just discovered WHS (I was goggling for “NAS vs USB” and some posts favored WHS).
Part of my goal is to get high quality PC-based audio patched into the stereo — does WHS have any features in that area, or is it more of a home backup solution?
(I’d be totally happy to share the particulars of the solution that I’ve been considering, and I’m totally open to switching to a WHS solution).
thanks!  -Scott

UPDATE 1: Scott has rephrased his question with a clearer idea of what he’s trying to do.

Can I get audio out of the WHS box, via USB and/or a sound card?

Here’s the idea: if I can install something like WMP on the WHS box, and can patch the audio out from the WHS box into the stereo, then I can use Remote Desktop to browse and play everything I have stored on the WHS box — my WI-FI laptop becomes a universal control.

That might sound complicated at first, but it’s actually quite simple, and then I could use the WHS box *both* as a storage/backup hub and *also* as a media source to other stuff at home (stereo, etc) — for me, it make the WHS literally twice as useful.

UPDATE 2: Scott aka turnstyle also asked this question over on the WHS forums in a thread entitled Can a WHS box itself play audio?

I’ll hand this one other to you guys (and girls!) to help a fellow reader.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on October 16th, 2007

avast! WHS Edition Antivirus Updated to Beta 2

The windows Home Server edition of avast! Antivirus has been updated to beta 2  (WHS: 4.7.18, Home/Pro: 4.7.1066).

Beta 2 has:

  • Resolved the problem with inaccessible WHS shares
  • Improved code for setting Windows firewall exceptions
  • Minor GUI changes/improvements

Scheduled to be released in the first half of November 2007, you have only a couple of weeks left to beta test

Installation instructions and downloads available from Avast.
Help to provide feedback in the WHS section of the Avast forums or by email to whsbeta@avast.com.

Other Software • Windows Home Server
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By on October 16th, 2007

Copy Data to your Home Server the Correct Way

When copying data to your Home Server always use \\<server name>\<share name> rather than D:\shares\<share name>. Files copied to the shares via \\<server name>\<share name> are managed through Drive Extender but if you copy files directly they may not be put in the correct location (particularly if you have more than one drive in your WHS) and this can cause problems since you run the risk that you may create real files in the shares, rather than tombstones. If you do, then Drive Extender won’t be able to move those files off of the primary data partition.

Ken Warren MVP on the WHS Forums added:

“There’s a file system filter driver that deals with the initial writing of the files, the creation of tombstones, and the redirection to the actual file location. That should operate against D:\Shares\etc. just as it operates against \\Server\etc. But (as you can see above) some users have found that when they copied files directly to the D:\ partition, they locked up the space those files were occupying permanently. Then they had to jump through hoops to get everything back in sync. So you should only operate against the shares; that’s why there’s a shortcut to \\Server on the Administrator desktop. You don’t need to map a drive to a share, BTW; you should be able to use the UNC path for everything.”

Tutorial • Windows Home Server
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By on October 16th, 2007

Bits and Bobs

 

Home Server Linux Style

Now that Windows Home server is available to buy, two Linux projects have come to my attention that ain to have a piece of the pie. The Linux Home Server HOWTO by Miles Brennan explores the concepts and configurations for establishing a fully functional Internet connected network environment for your home or small office. The setup uses a dedicated Linux server as the gateway device to provide all of the network connections, Web / Email / FTP servers, packet filtering firewall, and most of the other services required to configure and secure a complete small scale network.

Although the documentation is developed specifically for the Fedora Core versions of Linux, the configurations can still be suited to most Linux distributions that use the same applications and configuration settings.

The other project is the Ubuntu Home Server Edition Project (UHS), which will be an edition of the Ubuntu operating system which allows users to administer their home network. Ubuntu Home Server will be able to store all your music, songs and pictures in one central location with the ability to access your files over the Internet and backup all the computers in your house.

Features are to include:
-File/Data Server: Storage for (document, photo, music, & video files)
-Backup
-Printer Server
-Remote Access from Internet
-Parental Control
-Streaming services
-TV Server
-Groupware Server
-Data to Go

The project was recently launched and specifications are under heavy development and work on several components has begun. A working release will be available very soon.

Free online language courses 2

Back in our Bits and Bobs of October 6th we mentioned Mango Beta, where language learning courses are free to learn online. Ideal when trying to work out what was said in the videos we link too, that are available in French or German only. Well since then Livemocha have been in touch, similar to Mango and also in beta, the site allows you to learn languages and practice with native speakers. Apart from French and German, Dutch and 23 other languages are available to learn free online.

Mark Minasi Technical Forum Meeting

The third annual Mark Minasi Technical Forum Meeting will be meeting in beautiful Virginia Beach, VA, USA to learn new technologies including Windows Home Server and to share ideas. Taking place from Sunday, April 20th 2008 through Wednesday, April 23rd 2008 the registration fee is $450.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on October 16th, 2007

Come and Blog with us – Apply Within

HandsTyping

If you are a geek and obsessed with Home Server then we would like you to join our blogging team. We are looking for motivated people to join mswhs.com, writing skills are not essential BUT enthusiasm is.

You would be writing reviews, how-to’s or just about anything, as long as the focus is on Windows Home Server. If this is something you would be interested in please email your contact information and 2 samples, and be sure to show us your personality and creativity.

Send your application to PhilipChurchill at mswhs dot com.

Site Announcements
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By on October 15th, 2007

Windows Home Server – The Pirate Copy

Well it didn’t take long. Windows Home Server has only been out for a month and a pirate copy of the final RTM OEM version has been leaked out onto torrent indexing sites The Pirate Bay and Demonoid.com.

The 1.54 GB torrent package even includes scans of the installation DVD, connector, restore and OPK CDs and a front package cover scan alongside the full ISO’s of the Installation DVD, connector, restore and OPK CDs.

Although the download does not include a serial key, down loaders have left comments at both sites providing serial keys to actually install the product with a genuine key, although trying to activate will not be successful because the key has already been blocked by Microsoft. But since Home Server is based on the Windows Server 2003 code base crackers are using a utility called AntiWPA3 v3.4.6 to bypass activation.

So now, those that have the know how, can download the full version of Windows Home Server, install it with a genuine serial number and not worry about it deactivating after 30 days since it doesn’t need activating in the first place. Now I’m sure that those that have downloaded this already have never had no intention of ever buying a proper licensed copy, but my research shows that this bypass activation utility has been around for over 2 years and nothing was done or changed on Home Server to prevent utility’s like this giving others a free ride when we have paid good money for our Home Server.

But then again I’m sure the pirate underground scene is never far behind or indeed in front of the software producers. That’s why company’s like Microsoft hire the hackers.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on October 15th, 2007

After Windows Update 6.0.1500.0 or 6.0.1500.6?

I have a question for you readers, that will hopefully cure my problem. Since upgrading Windows Home Server with the update from Windows Update on the 25th September my Resources tab within Settings on the Console shows that only the “Windows Home Server Backup & Restore” item was updated to version 6.0.1500.6. All the other components remain at 6.0.1500.0.

Mine

But a screen shot from a friends PC shows ALL components being upgraded to the latest 6.0.1500.6.

Others

The Windows Update Knowledge Base Article KB941913 shows that all components should have been updated to 6.0.1500.6.

Version_Details

Posts within the threads here and here on the WHS Forums shows that others are still at version 6.0.1500.0 apart for “Windows Home Server Backup & Restore” which the same as me is the only item to be updated to version 6.0.1500.6.

So over to you, dear readers, what should it be?

Installation • Windows Home Server
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By on October 15th, 2007

Windows Weekly Podcast with Paul Thurrott

podcast_17

This weeks Windows Weekly 37 Podcast with Paul Thurrott has devoted the first 13 minutes to Windows Home server. Discussed are the Code2Fame Contest winners and the Windows Home Server OEM software. The 1hr 19min podcast is available as a download in the MP3 format.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on October 15th, 2007

Windows Home Server in depth: the Ars Technica review

Technology site ars technica has published an in depth 7 page Windows Home Server review explaining what WHS is and what it is not. They tour through the available features and finish with a benchmark and performance test and a list of features they would like to see in version 2 of Home Server. Overall ars technica awarded Windows Home Server 9/10

9

News • Windows Home Server
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