By on July 23rd, 2012

Video: WS2012e Unattended Installation (using unattended.xml)

windows-server-2012-essentials-unattended-installation

The tinkerguy is back and this time he shows us how to automate the Windows Server 2012 Essentials installation so that toy have an unattended installation by using unattended .xml.

Interested in learning some of the steps to being an OEM custom PC builder, or Windows Deployment automation sysadmin?

Recently, I became interested in getting Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials to install without asking me a lot of questions.

Accompanied by a video, tinkerguy also explains how to inject the auto unattended.xml into your install ISO by using UltraISO also.

Tutorial • Windows Home Server
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By on July 23rd, 2012

The BYOB Podcast Episode 92

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Episode 92 of the BYOB podcast is up, and this week:

“Haswell, Server 2012 storage spaces testing and the great domain debate rages on. eVGA mini motherboard, and the Google Nexus hands on…”

You can find episode 92 here.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on July 22nd, 2012

Video: Removing Active Directory Domain from WS2012e to Restore the Simplicity of Workgroup

Tinkerguy explains to us how to remove the Active Directory Domain from Windows Server 2012 Essentials itself, in a attempt to restore the simplicity of Workgroup.

ws2012e-domain-removal-completed

As well as lots of detailed information, Tinkerguy has also posted this 8 minute video BUT please note as of the 27th July 2012 this method of removal is causing a few problems .

See here for more details.

Translate • Windows Home Server
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By on July 21st, 2012

Add-In: Integrity Checker v1.50

Integrity Checker the add-in which automatically generates hash-stamps to guarantee the integrity of your data has had an update.

Integrity Checker Scan Complete

Version 1.50 is now publicly available and includes the following changes:

  • Updates for Server 2012 Essentials and "Windows Server Logo" certification
  • Fixed issue where files located within very long paths wouldn’t be scanned
  • Code tuning and performance improvements

Existing users can upgrade for free directly within the add-in by selecting More Settings | Check For Software Update. 

Integrity Checker is available for WHS v1, WHS 2011, SBS 2011 Essentials and the newly released Windows Server 2012 Essentials.

add-ins • Windows Home Server
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By on July 21st, 2012

Long Live Windows Home Server

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Podcast Entertainment 2.0 has Windows Home Server MVP Dave McCabe talking about (you guessed it) Windows Home Server:

David brings with him his vast Home Server experience to discuss what the death of Home Server means for its fans, and for the Media Center community. Many Media Center users, including Josh and Richard, also incorporate Home Server into their home computing environment, so bringing on the host of The Home Server Show podcast was really helpful in clearing up what all of this news means.

Entertainment 2.0 #186 : Long Live Windows Home Server can be found here.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on July 21st, 2012

WD Red NAS Hard Drives show 10% Reduction in Temperature

Another review on Western Digital’s (WD) Red hard drive designed specifically for NAS users and this time its from Serve The Home.

Western-Digital-WD-Red-Series-WD30EFRX

We are told about 3D Active Balance Plus, TLER – time limited error recovery and Command Completion. This of course is backed up with some performance numbers too.

Western Digital are also claiming a noticeable reduction in temperature for the new WD Red drives and in testing it shows a 10% reduction.

More details are available from Serve The Home.

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By on July 20th, 2012

Add-In: In: StableBit DrivePool v1.1.0.6326v1.1.0.6326

Stablebit_drivepool_M4_logo

StableBit DrivePool the Drive Extender type add-in for WHS 2011 users has been released as a release final (out of beta), and includes the following changes:

  • Final release build.
  • Major new items since last release (1.0.1):
    – Improved read striping algorithm.
    – Network I/O prioritization for smoother streaming video.
    – Fast drive removal (option) for setups with many duplicated folders.
    – Improved balancing algorithm which will actively keep drives from getting full.
    – Many CoveFS changes / fixes, including an overhauled buffering and an updated locking model.

More information on StableBit DrivePool and what it can do for you is available from here.

add-ins • Windows Home Server
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By on July 20th, 2012

Add-In: StableBit Scanner v2.1.0.2601

StableBit Scanner the advanced hard disk surface scanner add-in has been updated with a power management fix and installer updates.

StableBit Scanner Icon

Here is the full change log for users of WHS 2011, SBS 2011 Essentials and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials:

  • Scanner ported to Vista+ (public BETA in a few weeks).
    – Columns / window sizes will get reset because we now store per-user settings in a non-administrative location.
  • Added automatic updating (Vista+).
  • Added tray notifications (Vista+).
  • Added option to prevent system from sleeping while scanning (enabled by default).
  • Added option to wake up system before scan time (enabled by default).
  • Updated installer for compatibility with the next DrivePool release.

More information on StableBit Scanner is available from here.

add-ins • Windows Home Server
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By on July 20th, 2012

Add-In: My Movies for WHS 2011 v2.11 PR6

My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 has a new pre release version.

My Movies for Windows Home Server Logo

Version 2.11 PR6 has the following changes:

  • Added: Better messages when attempting to start services without the required amount of points.
  • Change: Event handling functionality now requires 2500 points or integrator license.
  • Change: New handbrake version for video converter.
  • Change: Ability to process unidentified discs have been split into when system was online, available for all, and when system was offline (boat functionality), which is available only for users with 2500 points or installer integrators version.
  • Change: MPEG-2 option deprecated as copy target, and instead added as part of video converter.
  • Fix: Video converter only checked for 1250 points, despite it requiring 2500.
  • Fix: Some requests could time out when downloading from WHS to apps.
  • Fix: AnyDVD panel did not show for installers when clicking for it.
  • Fix: If you hit update on your account to update points, it did not always correctly enable the service options.
  • Fix: Delete after conversion checkbox is now only available when a conversion goes to the same folder as the original.

You can download this latest pre release version from here.

add-ins • Windows Home Server
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By on July 20th, 2012

Open Source alternatives to Windows Home Server

bit-tech.net has a 5 page listing of open source alternatives to Windows Home Server.

Most Features of WHS can be Easily Duplicated

Most Features of WHS can be Easily Duplicated – But would you want too?

It takes a look at OpenMediaVault and VortexBox for Media Streaming. FreeNAS and Openfiler for file sharing. Nagios for host health monitoring and for centralised backup Areca Backup, Amanda Community Edition and Bacula are taken a look at.

Its an informative list (you traitors!) which you can find here.

News • Windows Home Server
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