Train Signal’s Windows Home Server Video Training - Review and Giveaway

Trainsignal.com has sent me a copy of their Windows Home Server (WHS) training video for review. Trainsignal was just named by Inc Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in America. They produce training for subjects ranging from Microsoft Office, Microsoft Server, Exchange Server to CompTIA and Cisco Training. The training is geared towards IT professionals trying to stay current with technologies and also to provide computer based training for people looking to switch careers.

View a detailed look at the training topics covered in the training video.

When you pop in the disk 1 you are greeted by a simple menu system that allows you to jump straight to the training content you need. I started with the “Intro to Home Server Course” and watched as Scott Lowe introduced me to the training. I quickly moved to number 1 which is Scott’s lab setup. The training was recorded in his home with his own gear. He uses an EX470, Xbox360, and multiple PC’s in his home. Scott is the CIO at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri where he puts his 14 years of Information Technology experience to work serving the needs of the campus community.

When you watch the individual videos you will notice Scott using One Note to display the presentation. You can also see that he is using Camtasia Studio to capture his entire screen which allows you to view his Vista toolbar which shows his WHS healthy and green but updates are waiting on his Vista machine.

Scott’s training is not all presentation based. He also feeds his Xbox video into the PC and walks you through network setup so you can see it real time. The training is also very centered around the WHS console and Scott works through every function within it in a very detailed manner.

I was surprised to see so much basic networking in the training video. Scott dives very deep into network setup, TCP/IP settings, router settings and more. This is a good thing for beginning WHS users. Advanced users can always skip straight to the section they need.

Some chapters that merit mention are the Remote Access, Advanced Admin, WHS Media Sharing, Add-Ins, and Tricks. For instance, in the remote access chapter Scott goes over setting up the WHS for remote from start to finish including setting up UPNP on a router. He also goes over TCP/IP settings for those who don’t have UPNP compatible routers.

Scott discussed installing, managing, and using Diskeeper, AutoExit, KeepVault, Whiist, WHS Toolkit, and other Add-Ins. He spent a little extra time on the WHS Toolkit which I thought was very informative. If you have ever had connector issues this is a good video to watch.

View this Sample Video.

Conclusion:

This training video is not only a great WHS resource but it’s also good for home users wanting to do more with their home network. You will learn everything required to setup your home network for file sharing, streaming, and other functions of the Windows Home Server.

I don’t think the TrainSignal WHS CBT is for the more advanced user. In my opinion it is targeting the beginning and intermediate WHS user. It is also a valuable resource for routing fundamentals and router setup for those who may be new to those. One thing to think about however is that many enthusiasts like me support family and friends networks. This is a great training for handing to that family member who just purchased a WHS and expects you to support it!

I also feel it is a great resource for Integrators and resellers to bundle with WHS packages for their customers.

Another positive feature of the training is that it is self contained. It does not have an installer so as long as you have the CD you can use it anywhere.

Like many other CBT courses, product updates tend to outdate the training. This training was shot mostly around January 2008. In other words, PRE-PP1. The Add-In’s discussed have also all gone through major revisions.

The Tips and Tricks sections outlines how to host Wordpress and Windows Sharepoint Services. These are some advanced techniques that are not fully covered within the video but Train Signal includes detailed instructions on PDF. Due to the amount of configuration this makes the video portion much more enjoyable to view.

Overall, this is a great training video for beginners and intermediate users. Advanced users will certainly benefit from the actual WHS training but the networking sections may be to basic. The best part about this video is the price! HomeServerShow listeners are able to purchase this training for the low price of $49.95 by using a promo code of WHS.

Follow this link to TrainSignal.com and use the promo/discount code of WHS during checkout to get the $50 off the normal price of $99.95.

Link to purchase

Price - $99.95. $50 off for homeservershow.com listeners! Use discount code WHS to bring the price to $49.95.

Discount Code - WHS

Lastly, as a part of this review Train Signal has donated four copies of this training to the Home Server Show. I will give out two copies and Ian Dixon of thedigitallifestyle.com will give away two copies. Double your chances by visiting thedigitallifestyle.com. To be eligible for this giveaway simply leave a comment on this review post. A simple “I’m in” will do or you can comment about the review. Either way I’ll add you to the drawing.

Tags: Review

HP’s Guide to installing HP MediaSmart Server and Powerpack 1

From thedigitallifestyle.com and Mediasmarthome.com

Microsoft’s Windows Home Server (WHS) PowerPack 1 is available on August 12 via the automated Windows Update distribution process. The Aug 12 release is the same WHS PowerPack 1 that has been available via download since July 21^st With HP’s MediaSmart Server Software Update 1.3 also available, HP would like to offer MediaSmart Server (MSS) customers installation guidance for these upgrades so that you have a smooth and optimal installation experience.

HP is providing guidance for these 3 user scenarios:

1. PowerPack 1 installed, but no HP MediaSmart Server Software Update 1.3 or optional Add-ins installed.

2. HP MediaSmart Server Software Update1.3 installed, optional Add-ins installed, but WHS PowerPack 1 not installed.

3. A newly purchased HP MediaSmart Server w/ neither WHS PowerPack 1 nor HP MediaSmart Server Software Update 1.3 or optional Add-ins installed.

*Please note* It has been found that installing Windows Home Server PowerPack 1 and the two optional Add-ins from HP concurrently can utilize the majority of the resources on the Server during the install and initiation process. This may result in slow response times from the Server until each of these upgrades has completed their tasks. If you have installed other Add-ins or software packages that are active during the initial PowerPack 1 and MSS Software Update1.3 install and initiation processes on the Server, there may be an additional lag in response time. It has also been reported that the Windows Home Server Console can become unresponsive during this time. Once all applications have completed their tasks, the Server will return to normal operations.

Overview

WHS Power Pack 1 provides a range of new enhancements, including support for home computers running Windows Vista x64 editions, backup of home server Shared Folders, improvements to remote access, better performance and it delivers a fix for the Drive Extender bug. This is the same WHS PowerPack 1 that has been available via download since July 21^st.

The HP MediaSmart Server Software Update1.3 will provide two optional Add-ins that you may choose to install: McAfee Server side anti-virus and Packet Video Connect media streaming. The Software Update will also fix some defects in the online guides, add several modifications to the HP Photo Webshare, improve Control Center performance and prepare the HP MediaSmart Server for Windows Vista 64-bit compatibility. Windows Vista 64-bit support does require users to install both WHS PowerPack 1 from Microsoft and MSS Software Update 1.3 from HP.

Upgrade Guidance - User Scenarios

1) If you have an HP MediaSmart Server, and you have installed WHS PowerPack 1, but have yet to install HP’s Software Update, HP recommends that you wait for PowerPack 1 to complete its operations. There is no indicator available to easily know when PowerPack 1 has finished. HP testing has shown that the more files you have on your Server, the longer it will take for PowerPack 1 to complete. However, the more hard disk drives you have installed on your Server, the time for PowerPack 1 to complete its processes does decrease.

For reference, HP testing shows that PowerPack 1 on a Server with 40GB, 100,000 files and 1 hard disk drive may take between 3 and 4 hours to finish. A Server with 40GB, 100,000 files and 3 hard disk drives may take between 1 and 1.5 hours to finish. A Server with 200GB, 100,000 files with 2 hard disk drives may take between 1 and 1.5 hours to finish. A Server with 750GB, 100,000 files with 3 hard disk drives may take between 1.5 and 2 hours to finish.

After PowerPack 1 has installed, the HP Software Update 1.3 is available by opening the WHS Console, navigating to the MediaSmart Server tab, looking below the HP MediaSmart software updates and clicking on “Check for updates.” This will install the HP Software Update and put the two optional Add-ins into the Add-in folder inside the Software folder on the MediaSmart Server.

HP recommends that the Add-ins are installed one at a time; install PacketVideo Connect first. Packet Video Connect will create a database of the media files on your Server. The database creation is not an intensive operation. HP testing shows that a Server with 40GB, 100,000 files may take approximately 1hour to 1.5 hours complete. A Server with 200GB, 100,000 files may take approximately 3 to 4 hours and a Server with 750GB, 100,000 files may take approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete. Then install the McAfee server side anti-virus. McAfee will need to index all the files on your Server and this process will take approximately 1 hour to complete.

2) If you have a MediaSmart Server, and you have installed HP’s Software Update, including the McAfee Add-in, HP recommends that you uninstall the McAfee Add-in before installing PowerPack 1. To uninstall, log on to the WHS Console, => Settings, => Add-ins, on the Installed tab, click “Uninstall” on the McAfee Add-in.

If you have Windows Update turned on, it is an automated process and you will most likely receive Windows Home Server PowerPack 1 during the 3:00 am to 6:00 am maintenance window. If you have a backup underway, PowerPack 1 will wait for the backup to finish before installing and performing its operations.

For reference, HP testing shows that PowerPack 1 on a Server with 40GB, 100,000 files and 1 hard disk drive may take between 3 and 4 hours to finish. A Server with 40GB, 100,000 files and 3 hard disk drives may take between 1 and 1.5 hours to finish. A Server with 200GB, 100,000 files with 2 hard disk drives may take between 1 and 1.5 hours to finish. A Server with 750GB, 100,000 files with 3 hard disk drives may take between 1.5 and 2 hours to finish.

If you do not have Windows Update turned on, you will need to go to your WHS Console => Settings, => General, on the right pane click on the “Update Now…” button. After PowerPack 1 installs, you will be asked to install the new Windows Home Server Connector on each PC that has access to your Server. A pop-up will show on the taskbar indicating a new Windows Home Server Connector is available. Log on to the Windows Home Server Console, click on the Network Health button on the middle of the dark blue bar. On the Network Health drop-down box you will see a yellow highlighted notification asking you to install a new Windows Home Server Connector. Click on the link to install.

You can then re-install the optional McAfee server side anti-virus by logging on to the WHS Console, => Settings, => Add-ins, on the Available tab, click “Install” on the McAfee Add-in.

3) If you have a brand new HP MediaSmart Server, the HP Software Update 1.3 will be automatically installed during the initial set-up process; however the two optional MSS 1.3 Add-ins will be in the Add-in folder, but not installed. HP recommends that you first install Microsoft’s WHS PowerPack 1 before you complete these additional configuration tasks:

• Add any data to your Server

• Install the Windows Home Server Connector on other PCs on your network, or
• Install the optional McAfee and/or PacketVideo Connect.

Let PowerPack 1 complete its operations, and then add your data and install the optional Add-ins.

If you have Windows Update turned on, you will most likely receive Windows Home Server PowerPack 1 during the night. You can wait for this to happen or you can go and get PowerPack 1. Directions to get PowerPack 1 are in the next paragraph. If you have a backup underway, PowerPack 1 will wait for the backup to finish before installing and performing its operations.

If you do not have Windows Update turned on, you will need to go to your WHS Console => Settings, => General, on the right pane click on the “Update Now…” button. After PowerPack 1 installs, if you installed the WHS Connector on other PCs, you will be asked to install the new Windows Home Server Connector on each of those PCs. A pop-up will show on the taskbar indicating a new Windows Home Server Connector is available. Log on to the Windows Home Server Console, click on the Network Health button on the middle of the dark blue bar. On the Network Health drop-down box, you will see a yellow highlighted notification asking you to install a new Windows Home Server Connector. Click on the link to install.

HP recommends that you wait for PowerPack 1 to complete its operations. There is no indicator available to easily know when PowerPack 1 has finished. If you have already added files, HP testing has shown that the more files you have on your Server, the longer it will take for PowerPack 1 to complete. However, the more hard disk drives you have installed on your Server, the time for PowerPack 1 to complete its processes does decrease.

For reference, HP testing shows that PowerPack 1 on a Server with 40GB, 100,000 files and 1 hard disk drive may take between 3 and 4 hours to finish. A Server with 40GB, 100,000 files and 3 hard disk drives may take between 1 and 1.5 hours to finish. A Server with 200GB, 100,000 files with 2 hard disk drives may take between 1 and 1.5 hours to finish. A Server with 750GB, 100,000 files with 3 hard disk drives may take between 1.5 and 2 hours to finish.

After PowerPack 1 has installed, install the Windows Home Server Connector on each of the PCs that you want to connect to your Server. The next step will be to put all your files, such as photographs, videos, music or personal files on the Server.

HP recommends that the Add-ins are installed one at a time; install PacketVideo Connect first. Packet Video Connect will create a database of the media files on your Server. The database creation is not an intensive operation. HP testing shows that a Server with 40GB, 100,000 files may take approximately 1hour to 1.5 hours complete. A Server with 200GB, 100,000 files may take approximately 3 to 4 hours and a Server with 750GB, 118,000 files may take approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete. Then install the McAfee server side anti-virus. McAfee will need to index all the files on your Server and this process will take approximately 1 hour to complete.

Tags: HP Update, PP1

I want to build one too!!! My Windows Home Server Build Sheet

This article was written for release on July 21st but Power Pack One being released that day got all the news.  This post would have been shuffled to the back very quickly.  I decided to hold onto it so the pricing may not be timely.

Everybody is publishing a build sheet for a home grown Windows Home Server. I can’t let the opportunity pass me by since I occasionally build gaming rigs.  It’s a labor of love mostly.

Cue the drum-roll and trumpets, here is my list!

Item	Part #	Vendor	Cost	Vendor Part #	Rebate
Motherboard	ASUS P5K-E	NewEgg	$  144.99	N82E16813131225
CPU	Intel Core 2 Duo E4600	NewEgg	$  119.99	N82E16819115032
Case	Antec Three Hundred	Amazon	$    59.99	Antec Three Hundred
Power	Antec Basiq 500w	NewEgg	$    34.99	N82E16817371019
RAM	Corsair Valueselect 2×512MB	NewEgg	$    20.00	N82E16820145568
Video	Radeon HD 3450	NewEgg	$    33.99	N82E16814102724,	15
DVD	Asus Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X	NewEgg	$    21.99	N82E16827135160
WHS	WHS OEM DVD	NewEgg	$  149.99	N82E16832116395
Hard Drive	Seagate Barracuda	NewEgg	$    79.99	N82E16822148136
Total			$  665.92
Minus Rebates			$  650.92
Upgrades	ASUS Wifi Add $5, faster CPU, Fans, additional hard drives.
Minus Cost Savers			$  594.94

Before you commence with the comment flames understand that this is not your normal WHS build.  I thought about it and instead of building what the masses wants, I decided to build what I want. It’s a server that a gamer would love!

Lets start with the case.

Antec Three Hundred - Six drive bays - $59.99 (on sale for $55.98) at Amazon - comes with 2 fans, top and rear.  Two more are needed if you are going to load up hard drives in it.  This is a great case for gamers and it’s perfect as a server.  Looks good too.  There is nothing flimsy about it.  It does not have hot swappable external drives but it’s going to hold six internal and the drive bays themselves are removable from the front.  Each drive bay holds three drives and has a place holder for a 120 mm fan.  This fan will draw cool air in over the drives and the case fans will expel it.  It also has a side case fan option for the graphics area.  This is a BAD A** case!  I own one and will continue to recommend it.

I chose a moderate power supply.  It’s not going to run a SLI rig but it should have enough juice for future hard drives.  It’s a good price too.

Now, on to the issue that should spark the most debate.  The motherboard.  Disclaimer: Although these are quality parts I have not actually purchased them and built a WHS with them.  I realize other sites have builds that are proven.  This is a paper build just to appease my curiosity in building a server.  They should work just fine.  The issue i cannot prove is WHS running ok on the motherboard.  I did find posts and drivers on the WIFI version of the motherboard and it’s compatibility with Windows 2000. I also found NewEgg reviews that stated 2003 Server was running on the board.  It will take some driver work probably.  No guarantees.  If you would like to buy these items and ship them to me I’ll build it and ship it back to you!  Then we can prove it!  Back to the motherboard.

The ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard was my choice. (Review Here) This is a lot of motherboard!  It’s more expensive than other boards but it’s also a lot more board!  Six SATA ports onboard, two eSata external ports, six external USB ports.  It also has two onboard USB connectors that support an additional 4 ports.  1 Floppy port, 1 IDE Connector in case you want to slip a couple of old drives in your system or maybe that old DVD drive you have laying around.  (Cost saver, cha-ching!)
This board supports many processors.  You may even have one laying around.  Intel®  Core™2 Quad / Core™2 Extreme / Core™2 Duo / Pentium® Extreme / Pentium® D / Pentium® 4 Processors.  Dual-channel DDR2 1066/800/667 MHz.  It has one onboard Gigabit LAN port.  This board should be fine with a stock cooler and it will overclock.  Asus boards overclock very well in my opinion and you should be able to get a small percentage of CPU gain by overclocking with the stock cooler and the RAM.
So if you change your mind or give up on WHS in the future you have a nice board waiting for you. (In my recent review of an external drive see if you can find an Asus box in a photo)

What, no onboard video?  Well, with the end product we don’t want video.  Remote Desktop will serve just fine but here is a cheap-ola video card for this board.  Cheapest I can find, $33.99 with a $15 rebate.  Use it to install and pull it out.  Now you have a nice backup video card for just about anything.

Processors
You can go as low as $40 for a celeron.  This motherboard will support a ton of CPU’s.  The least expensive Core2 Duo you can get is the E4600.  It’s $119.99 at the Egg.   Lets go with that.

RAM
Lets go least expensive but still a good vendor.  Corsair Valueselect 2×512MB.   $20 bills at the Egg.

HD -$79.99, Seagate 500GB

DVD Drive -     ASUS Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE 21.99

WHS OEM - $149.99

Cost savers - You probably have a DVD drive somewhere abouts.  Possibly a video card for a temporary install?

Add-Ons
For $5 more you can get the Asus P5K-E/Wifi - it adds a Wifi chip to the mobo.  That was another reason I chose this board.  I would add the wifi for $5.  That’s a deal.  If you are needing a good DVD burner check out some of the deals at Newegg, get a nice SATA drive, use it for the install, and sneak it into your own rig!

Conclusion:  If you factor in the cost savers you have a one drive WHS for as little as six Benjamins!

That’s a pretty decent deal.  It will be pretty but probably not as pretty as this one. Nor as green.  It’s a tad cheaper than this build when all the drives are factored in.  Same amount of ports too.  It will never compare to this hand crafted perfection! Is it as ExtremeTech as this build? I dunno.  It’s certainly not as “published” as this build. Is it as “Popular” as this one?   What, these guys again?  Hmmm….as “Whistful” as this one? Vladvilles. Mr. Kindel. I‘ve used the case in this build before!

Wow, that got out of hand quickly.  I only stopped because the linkback section of my Wordpress is going to die once I post this! Please forgive me.  There were so many posts on builds that I couldn’t resist.  If we are not building one, we are linking to one.  Good stuff.  It shows you how popular this platform has become in such a short time.

So, take my build sheet and give it a whirl.  I think it’s a cool looking box that would look good in your server room (closet) next to another one that is just like it. (Maybe your Media Center?)

Oh, wait a minute…don’t go anywhere…how about this!  A PCI or PCI-E SATA card, and a SATA backplane!  Add 3 to 4 more drives!

I’m curious now.  What would it cost to completely fill this box?

Item	Part #	Vendor	Cost	Vendor Part #	Rebate
Motherboard	ASUS P5K-E	NewEgg	$     144.99	N82E16813131225
CPU	Intel Core 2 Duo E4600	NewEgg	$     119.99	N82E16819115032
Case	Antec Three Hundred	Amazon	$        59.99	Antec Three Hundred
Power	Antec Basiq 500w	NewEgg	$        34.99	N82E16817371019
RAM	Corsair Valueselect 2×512MB	NewEgg	$        20.00	N82E16820145568
Video	Radeon HD 3450	NewEgg	$        33.99	N82E16814102724,	15
DVD	Asus Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X	NewEgg	$        21.99	N82E16827135160
WHS	WHS OEM DVD	NewEgg	$     149.99	N82E16832116395
Hard Drive * 9	Seagate Barracuda  * NINE	NewEgg	$     719.91	N82E16822148136
PCI SATA Card	Rosewill	NewEgg	$        89.99	N82E16816132018
Backplane	Athena Power	NewEgg	$        61.99	N82E16817119403
Total			$  1,457.82
Minus Rebates			$  1,442.82
Minus Cost Savers(DVD and Video)			$  1,386.84

I added the 9 drives, backplane, and SATA card.  That’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be.  I probably should beef up the power supply at this point!

Buy List
Antec Three Hundred Gaming Case External 3 X 5.25; Internal 6 X 3.5 2*Usb2.0
ASUS P5K-E ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Antec Basiq BP500UB 500W Power Supply

CORSAIR 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 3450 100233L Video Card
ASUS Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A/A6/QT_B+W

Microsoft Windows Home Server 32 Bit 1 Pack

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Optional:
Rosewill RC-218 PCI Express x4 (x8 and x16 slot compatible) SATA II 3G Controller Card/ 4 internal SATA with 2 external eSATA Design

Athena Power BP-SATA2131B 2 x 5.25″Bays to 3 x 3.5″HD (SATA) Backplane

ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP ATX Intel Motherboard

Disclaimer: Although these are quality parts I have not actually purchased them and built a WHS with them.  I realize other sites have builds that are proven.  This is a paper build just to appease my curiosity in building a server.  They should work just fine.  The issue i cannot prove is WHS running ok on the motherboard.  I did find posts and drivers on the WIFI version of the motherboard and it’s compatibility with Windows 2000. I also found NewEgg reviews that stated 2003 Server was running on the board.  It will take some driver work probably.  No guarantees.  If you would like to buy these items and ship them to me I’ll build it and ship it back to you!  Then we can prove it!


Tags: Build

HP Update Slowing down MediaSmart Windows Home Servers?

In Podcast 11 I reported a slowdown of my HP Media Smart Server after installing PVConnect.  I attributed this to PVConnect creating a database of the many Photos, Videos, and Music files I have stored on my MSS.  I viewed it as a normal process.  Indexing takes CPU cycles and hits the hard drives hard.

Engadget is reporting much worse symptoms but it seems they are reporting issues with both PVConnect installed and the new McAfee Antivirus Add-In installed.  This would certainly make sense but you would think this issue would have been addressed. The MS and HP bashers are having fun with the comments section.  “Doood, Leeeenix can cure that.”  Oh, sorry, I’m supposed to be professional.  Give me a break though Linux guy.

A good explanation of the slowdown can be found at withinwindows.com as reported by mswhs.com.  Could we see an officially supported RAM Upgrade procedure from HP?  I hardly think so but it’s looking more likely that my virgin MSS is soon to be violated.

Here is your chance…sound off about the new Add-Ins and the HP Update in general.  Did you have the cajones to install both Add-Ins?  At the same time?

Tags: HP Update, MSS, WHS

How to access PVConnect from a Web Browser

It is possible to access the PVConnect settings from a browser but you first have to enable it.  In order to access it from PC’s on your network you have to first make changes from the local browser.  You will need to be comfortable with Remote Desktop in order to continue.

1.       Start a Remote Desktop Session to you HP Media Smart Server.

2.       Login as administrator.

3.       Open a web browser.

4.       Access your http://yourservername:9000.  Example:  http://hpserver:9000.  If you are blocked by browser security it may be necessary to add this to your trusted sites.

You should be greeted with this screen.  Click Twonky Media Settings.

Click Network.

Now change the web access to Public Access and save changes.  You are done!  You can now access this page from any browser on your network.

But wait!  Did you see the mobile browser links on that first page?

Oh yeah baby!  Have fun!

Update: Here is a shot of my HTC connected to WHS via it’s Wi-Fi.

Disclaimer:  I have only used web access to PVConnect in order to view settings.  I have not made changes and I cannot say if it has any effect or ill-effect on the WHS Add-In.   I’m just recklessly publishing what I found!  Thanks goes out to the twonky forums and mediasmartserver.net forums for keeping us up to date on PVConnect.

Tags: Add-In, PVConnect

Hard Drive Deals at NewEgg.com

I mentioned in Podcast 11 that I’ll be on the lookout for hard drive deals.  Here are the latest deals at NewEgg.com


Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$84.99 with promo code: EMCAHCFAD Free Shipping!


Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$74.99 with Promo Code: EMCAHCFAF Free Shipping!


Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1TB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$179.99 with Promo Code: EMCAHCFAC Free Shipping!

Tags: Deals

Power Pack 1 Integration in progress!

Windows Home Server users have been busy for the last couple of days.  PP1 was released on Monday, July 21st, and after the celebration WHS owners got busy.  Downloading and installing PP1 was the easy part but each PC on your network had to be updated with a new connector.  A few ran into troubles running the PP1 update file and others with the connectors but for the most part it was a seamless transition.

Now the real work begins. I personally have been busy copying photos and video from external drives to WHS Shared Folders.  I also converted all four drive bays of my HP MediaSmart Server to WHS drive storage.  It was nice to see four blue lights on the front of the server.  I have four, 500 Gig drives in the server and I’m already starting to think that I need to convert to 1 TB drives!

I bet all the you 64 bit guys and gals are happy campers now!  Not to mention the HP users.  The HP update coming on the heels of PP1 was crazy!  Add-In’s galore awaiting install.  Oh, and a note to HP.  You can resume selling MediaSmart Servers with two drives in them.  Like you needed me to tell you that.

I am interested in how the release of PP1 is changing the way you use your WHS.

• Are you moving your My Documents folder to WHS?
• Did you move all your photos and video to WHS Shared Folders?
• Install any Add-Ins that you have been wanting to use?
• Turning on Shared Folder duplication?
• Are you using the new external drive backup feature?
• HP owners, are you happy with the new update?  Installed the Add-Ins?

Windows Home Server owners; wipe the sweat off your brow, sit back and admire the results of your work over the last few days, and let your WHS take care of the rest.  It’s Miller time.  (for you non-stateside folks insert the name of your most favorite brew)

Lastly, I would like to thank the WHS team for getting the update to us as well as the HP team for a great server and update.  It is going to be fun to watch the product evolve more fully now.  I have a feeling the information in the community will evolve as well.  Happiness is “KB 946676″ in your rear-view mirror!

Tags: HP Update, PP1

PP1 Released! Windows Home Server Users Rejoice!!!

At 9:00 PST Microsoft announced the release of PP1.  This is a big day for Windows Home Server Owners who have patiently awaited the “bug fix” that has plagued this platform thus far.  Even though the pre-requisites required in order to be affected by the bug are numerous, it nevertheless hurt the platform immensly.  The press and attention to the issue was great.  One couldn’t hardly mention “Windows Home Server” without another pointing out it’s starting-gate stumble.

Power Pack 1 for Windows Home Server includes other niceties such as the x64 client.  The WHS Connector is required in order to take advantage of its many features including it’s most powerful managed backup service.  Other improvements in this realease include the ability to backup the shared folders to a removable drive, improved performance, efficiency, and remote access improvements.

On the heels of this release is supposedly the release of the HP Update for its MediaSmart Server.  The HP update includes various new offerings such as McAfee for WHS as well as PVConnect.  The PVConnect software widens the scope of WHS in its ability to stream media to such devices as the PS3, Xbox360, as well as added transcoding abilities.

Hopefully, the “stay-at-home” server has finally found it’s home.  Download here.

UPDATE:  The HP update is live as well.  When your done installing and configuring come back here and let me know what you think.  If you would like to share thoughts for the next podcast please e-mail them or drop a comment right here.  I’ll be busy copying all my photos and video to my fresh WHS!

Tags: PP1

Seagate 500GB for $74.99 and FREE S&H




You know me, I love a good deal.  NewEgg.com has Seagate 500 GB SATA drives for only $74.99 with free 3 Day shipping.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive


July 18th price is $79.99

MSS Fan Control Review

Most tinkerers and enthusiasts are used to having control over their computer’s temperatures and fan speeds.  There are a few freeware options available for the PC that don’t work as well on HP’s MediaSmart Server line.  Thanks to Alex Kuretz of MediaSmartServer.net there is a new Add-In that enables you to change your fan speeds and a few other options.  Lets have a look.

Test Environment – HP MediaSmart Server EX-475, Ambient Temperature 69c

Baseline Measurements

Upper Fan - 1442

Lower Fan - 1454

System Temperature- 32c (see note)

CPU Temperature– 24c

Note:  My testing environment is rather cool so it was difficult to bring the temperature up on the EX-475.

The Add-In initial state is set as follows:

Constant Fan Speeds 50%

Enable Advanced Controls - Disabled

Fan Speed Adjustment 0 RPM

Threshold Temp Adjustment 0 Deg C

As the readme file included with the add-in states its good to start with optimized defaults. This changes the threshold temps to -20c.

Constant Fan Speed

After applying the optimized defaults the HP MSS Health Status Indicator will flash until the changes are made to the system. Until that point your WHS will not respond to any other input. Since only thresholds are changed via the Optimized Defaults you will not notice any physical changes.

So what does the MSS sound like with fans at 90 to 100%? It’s a bit on the loud side but the fan speeds are up to 2500 to 2600 RPM. You can certainly hear the fans whirring. At five feet with other PC noise I can’t hear the MSS at factory default which is around 1400 RPM. These settings, as the heading suggests, are constant. There is no logic beyond the setting of the fan RPM. (There is a safety measure included which will not allow the top fan speeds and top temp to be overridden. Should the system become too hot the fans will increase speed)

Now let’s enable the Advanced Controls.

Each individual installation of the MSS will no doubt be different so I can’t recommend an exact setup of Advanced controls. In fact, it’s probably better explained by the author.

There are 9 Fan Speed levels and 8 Threshold Temperatures defined in the MSS.
This means that for a given temperature, the fan will operate at a
specified speed. The Fan Speed Adjustment slider adjusts the Fan Speed levels
by the configured amount, so that instead of spinning at 1200rpm when the CPU
is 50C, the User can configure the fans to spin at 1400rpm by increasing
the Fan Speed slider to +200. By adjusting the Threshold Temp slider, the
user can configure the system to move from Fan State 0 to Fan State 1 when
the CPU is 31C instead of 51C by setting the slider to -20C. This is exactly
what the Optimize button does.

In my situation I don’t need to cool the system any more than it already is. I will benefit from decreasing fan speed and hopefully saving a little bit of energy.

The controls are hidden in the Settings tab of WHS which is where I think they should be. There is no need to have a toolbar icon for this Add-In. The sliders and features present very well and are easy to understand. This is the second Add-In by Alex Kuretz. He has also written Remote Notification that works well with both HP’s line of servers as well as home-builds. There are some Add-ins out there that I just don’t trust and they will never cross my shared software folder . Alex’s work is not one of those add-ins. I trust his programming skills and his knowledge with the MSS system and I am officially adding MSS Fan Control to my Toolkit that I use for WHS customers. I’m giving it 5 Drives.

Read more about the Add-In here. You can hear more about this Add-In as well as other news by subscribing to the Home Server Show Podcast.  Listen to the MSS Fan Control Podcast.

Tags: Add-In, Review