Just to let you know we are starting the work to move to our new hosting provider and our new layout which we mentioned yesterday, so for the next 6 hours or more (less hopefully) you will experience either the old site or nothing – What nothing!

OK that’s wishful thinking , but we will see you on the other side of this thing called cyberspace

The article (KB2385637) explains that if you are using one of these drives in Windows Home Server v1 for either Server Backup, the Storage Pool or System Disk then you will experience performance degradation even if using the manufacturers provided alignment tool.

Microsoft’s Recommendation is:

Do not use Advanced Format disks in your Windows Home Server v1.

Although these disks will work in Vail, version1 users should take note of Microsoft’s guidance:

It is important to note that some hard disk manufacturers are releasing Advanced Format drives in the same base models as traditional 512 byte sector drives. Because of this, it is critical that you make sure that the drive you are purchasing is not an Advanced Format drive if you are running Windows Home Server v1. Before you purchase a disk drive, review the product specifications or visit the manufacturers Web site to ensure that the drive is compatible with Windows Home Server. Be aware that Advanced Format drives are not always clearly identified on the retail packaging.

KB2385637 is available to view here.

The online backup service for Home Server users which utilizes Amazon S3 cloud storage, now includes the following in version 1.7:

Integrated Azure Storage option – Azure Blob Storage is another storage option in CloudBerry Backup in addition to Amazon S3.  The users can now back up their data to their Azure accounts directly.

Backup files since certain date – This provides more flexibility for those who want to copy only the newer files to their backup storage. This option is available in the backup wizard.

Backup Schedule down to one hour – The added ability to configure backup schedule down to hours. In the previous releases you were limited to configure scheduled backup to days.

Back up to external buckets – This allows you to back up data to another users account while only having a free AWS account.  In other words the owner of the account can provide other users with the rights to read/ write data to a certain bucket and those users can back up their data not having to deal with the details of Amazon account setup and payments.

Back up network drives – The previous release introduced an option to backup network shares. Release 1.7 extends it with network drives support. Although under the hood CloudBerry Backup resolves network drives to network shares for the end user the whole process is absolutely transparent.

Unattended mode – It is now possible to run CloudBerry Backup in unattended mode even when run interactively using the console. In the earlier releases when you run the backup using the console you could not close the console or log off and you had to wait before the backup finishes. This limitation is now removed and you can run the backup plan, close the console and even log off from the computer and make sure backup plan will keep running.

More information on CloudBerry Online Backup for Windows Home Server is available from here.

DNS Updater from "ten atoms" has been updated to version 1.0.0.43 to fix a performance issue and if you act quickly they get the add-in for 50% off, bringing it down to just $9.99

More details can be found here.

• First up is a product overview guide which provides an overview of the benefits of a server-based small business solution and introduces Windows Small Business Server Code Name “Aurora” and Windows Small Business Server “7”. The guide describes the new and enhanced features of Windows Small Business Server, presents scenario walkthroughs to highlight several of the new capabilities, and provides references to additional resources, including detailed installation instructions for the pre-release software.
• Next is the Aurora click-thru demo which is an interactive click by click end- to-end demonstration of Aurora from initial configuration to client join, RWA and more drive by Microsoft Showcase technology.

The Aurora click-thru demo is also available on the Microsoft Partner Network, where you can also view it through the Microsoft DemoShowcase if you are a member.

• Finally a Aurora demo video showing Aurora in action including voice over in this 20 minute overview.

Due to the wonders of the world wide bubble while the site is migrating over you may experience some down time and/or the old (this) site still showing up in your browser. This will only occur for a short while until DNS propagates around the net.

In the meantime do have a look and leave your comments about the new layout, both good and bad  below.

More details on RemoteLauncher are available from here.

The free add-in for Vail and Aurora users has the ability to turn on a computer remotely. It enables the Server to start up every computer attached to your network and automatically recognizes, if a computer is already turned on or if it is booting up.

Version 0.2.1 (Beta) ChangeLog:

• Added: Device management
• Fixed: Update to VAIL refresh and Aurora

More details are available from here.

Changes in version 1.5 include:

• Various UPS device support improvement and fixes (see supported list)
• Improved existing communication protocols
• New expert feature to sleep/hibernate or standby the server instead of shutdown
• New expert debug mode toggle
• User interface enhancements and fixes
• Improved update checking and product feedback based on Add-in Central technologies

You can download version 1.5 from here, whilst a list of supported uninterruptible power supply’s is also available.

The update, known as KB 979453 addresses five issues which have been found since the release of WHS Power Pack 3:

Issue 1

You cannot restore a client computer without manually creating partitions or mapping the source and destination volume.

After you install this update, you can then restore a client computer without manually creating partitions or mapping the source and destination volume. However, to enable this functionality, the following conditions must be true:

• The backup must be stored on only one disk.

• The destination computer must have only one hard disk.

• The hard disk in the destination computer must be equal to or larger in size than the backup.

• The hard disk drive in the destination computer must be an internal hard disk drive. For example, IDE, SATA or e-SATA.

Issue 2

2048-bit certificates will soon replace 1024-bit certificates. This update enables Home Server users to use 2048-bit certificates before 2048-bit certificates become the industry standard.

After you install this update, you are asked to renew Website certificates if you have already registered the live domain for the websites. After you finish the renewal process, the website certificates are upgraded to 2048-bit.

Issue 3

You cannot change the backup settings if a volume that has backup-excluded folders is not available. In this situation, you must wait until the volume becomes available.

After you install this update, you can remove a missing volume that has backup-excluded folders from the backup process.

Issue 4

You cannot remove all users’ permissions from a shared folder. When you try to remove the permissions, the Windows Home Server console reports that the operation succeeds. However, the permissions are not removed.

After you install this update, you can successfully remove all users’ permissions from a shared folder. If you tried to perform this operation before you install this update, the permissions will be removed when you restart the computer after you install this update.

Issue 5

You may experience incompatibility issues when you use the next version of Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows Home Server. This is a precautionary update. Windows Home Server is currently not supported by the next version of Microsoft Security Essentials Beta or final release. This update will address some incompatibility issues.

The background images contained within the theme matches the design of the two servers plus the window color and the sound scheme can also be changed.

You just download and run either of the self-extracting files and the setup is done automatically.

The Windows 7 design for Aurora can be downloaded here.

The Windows 7 design for Vail can be downloaded here.

More details (in German) are available from here.

So the writer tested his newly added Western Digital WD20EARS drive and found also that the its performance was slow, with testing not being able to complete and the drive totally disappearing from the disk management console.

Conclusion – Although advanced format drives are fine in Vail DO NOT use them in Windows Home Server v1.

More here.

It possibly could be. The sites Senior Editor Tom Abell (a.k.a. Billy) had this to say:

…if you are running a Windows OS centric home, you have a Windows Home Server, and want to have the richest movie management / watching experience for your HDTV I’ve found so far in the Windows Media Center / Windows Home Server world… My Movies is it!

You can read their My Movies article here.

Their 8 minute video walks you through the process, as well as having a look at the internals of the Asus unit.

And why is that important you may ask? Here’s what the geek had to say in his own words:

Sometimes when your making tweaks to WHS or installing certain Add-Ins, it can make the system unstable. Here we take a look at how to backup the WHS System State and / or Registry so you can restore it if something goes wrong.

So if you would like to know how to back up your servers registry, Startup Files, and Protected System files then head on over here for all the details.

Episode 103 of "The Home Server Show" podcast has all the latest on the Preview version of WHS codename "Vail".

The guys have lots of tips this week to get your beta copy of Vail up and running, which you can find here.

Mike from PricklyTech encountered the problem after adding a Western Digital 2 TB Caviar Green SATA Hard Drive (WD20EARS) to WHS:

I did not realize that I needed to do anything special to my new Advanced Format drive to add it to my WHS – but soon witnessed some odd behavior after installing it.

My nightly backups started to fail and my nightly backup to the cloud hung. In the morning none of my clients were able to access any shared folders. Rebooting seemed to resolve the issue (until the next morning)…

Mike shows us where to jumper the WD20EARS hard drive for error free use in Windows Home Server, which you can find here.

The add-in allows you to access the following predefined System Tools directly from the dashboard:

• Windows Explorer
• Commandline
• Event Viewer
• Services
• Control Panel
• Computer Manager
• Device Manager
• Registry Editor
• Task Manager

If you need other tools and applications to run from the dashboard, you can simply add them by a right mouse click.

The free beta preview of RemoteLauncher auto checks for newer versions of itself and enables you to start applications installed on your Server directly from your client. It’s a very usual add-in for Aurora/Vail users which you can find here.

If so, then Tranquil PC are offering the SQA-5H-3000 at £100 off (from when it was first released) plus a FREE pre-paid 18 month subscription to their offsite backup, sync and VPN service called HomeServerSync valued at over £200. PLUS if you want the unit "ready to go" then you can ask for the unit to be pre-set, ready for immediate use for just 99p – That’s less than two dollars!

The SQA-5H-3000 Home Server comes pre-fitted with 2GB of RAM and a low energy, quiet Samsung 2TB HDD plus a 3 year warranty for £499 plus VAT.

For the chance to get this lowest cost, multi-drive, multi CPU, SQA-5H-3000 Home Server at this price with these offers, then head over here for the details.

Intel is introducing the 1.8GHz Intel Atom processor D425 single-core and D525 dual-core. These processors boost performance with higher CPU frequencies for faster storage processing and will support the new memory technology, double-data-rate three small outline dual in-line memory modules, also known as DDR3 SODIMM.

The new Intel Atom processors (D425 and D525) are paired with the Intel® 82801 IR I/O Controller that delivers the input/output (I/O) connectivity to satisfy the growing throughput demands of leading storage vendors. Both additions to the storage platform offer the flexibility to support Microsoft Windows Home Server and open source Linux operating systems.

More information is available from here.

Aurora is based on Windows Server 2008 R2, the same platform as Vail but is designed for the small business owner. Allowing up to 25 users instead of Vail’s 10 limit plus Active Directory support it is an ideal product for the small business or home office. But its no good thinking Aurora as a premium version of Vail because rightly so it doesn’t include media streaming or Media Center integration.

Would you like to try it? Then you can try a copy from Microsoft’s Connect website.

Also available to read online are the Windows Server Code Name "Aurora" Preview Release Notes.

If so. here are some links to help you:

• The official Windows Home Server Code Name "Vail" Help website with help on getting started and top solutions.
• The online version of the release notes are available for viewing here.
• Finally the Vail forum with plenty of help and advice from fellow MVPs and Home Server enthusiasts, which you can find here.

New in this latest build is:

• Alert Email integration – configure the server to send alerts via Email
• Previous Versions for Server Folders are turned on by default and are exposed in folder properties
• Silverlight 4 support for media
• MAC Support for all MAC lovers
• A SDK Preview which provides API references, how-to build add-in documents, templates for Visual Studio 2010 and samples of complete add-ins.
• PLUS much much more.

But make sure you read ALL the available documentation as there are quite a few issues with this beta software, including:

• Install QFE KB2314472 which addresses an issue where saving files to a server shared folder may fail with a time-out or sharing violation error when a large amount of data, typically more than 1TB, is present on the server. After you install the server software, and before you copy any data to the server’s folders, download and install QFE KB2314472.
• Drive Extender data from earlier Vail beta versions are incompatible with this version as the low-level data format for Drive Extender has changed with this release and is no longer compatible with data written by Drive Extender in earlier versions of Vail. Drives that were used as part of a server storage pool in an earlier version of Vail will show a status of incompatible version in the Hard Drives tab of the Dashboard. Incompatible hard drives can still be added to the default storage pool, but all data on the hard drive will be lost. So before installing this version, make sure you copy all server folder data from server storage to an external USB drive or to a client computer. After installing, copy the data back to the server storage folders.

As always you can get your copy from Microsoft’s Connect site.

The 1TB version of the StorageWorks X300, the X310 (using a single 1TB hard-drive) has a street price of $349.99, around $240 less than their X510.

You can “Check For Updates” from within the product or wait for Autoupdate.

 Client enhancements and fixes:

• We corrected a bug when creating Auto Pilot schedules for Exchange Data stores on Exchange 2010. If individual stores were selected instead of all stores, you would get an error.
• A new feature was added to allow controlling the behavior (display) of the registration dialog. This can now be blocked using group policy, the config.ini file or the Enterprise Console
• A new feature was added to control the VSS settings from Group Policy or the config.ini file.
• A new feature was added to control the custom SMARTPlacement settings from Group Policy.
• We modified the behavior of the Screen Saver Auto-Pilot schedule to allow the monitor to power off. Prior to this version, Screen Saver schedules would not run if the monitor powered off as not screen saver was present. This behavior was modified to recognize the corporate need to have monitor power down to save energy.
• The defragmentation logic was modified to minimize skipping files during a defragmentation pass. Prior to this version a file could be skipping after failing to move when requested. This logic was changed to only skip the file under more restrictive terms.
• We corrected a flaw in the SmartDefrag logic where the proper defragmentation algorithm was not always being used.
• We added support for Japanese translations.

Console enhancements and fixes:

• When deploying patch files from the Enterprise console, the wizard would sometimes crash due to an un-initialized variable. This has been fixed.
• We corrected a bug when downloading the latest PerfectDisk clients for deployment. The console did not use the proxy settings. This has been fixed.
• New feature was added to allow controlling the behavior (display) of the registration dialog. This can now be blocked using group policy, the config.ini file or the Enterprise Console.
• We corrected a bug when downloading PerfectDisk client packages from the deployment wizard. Previous versions did not support saving the package to a network share. This has been fixed.
• A change was made to the deployment wizard to use the computer name if a domain is not specified when providing credentials.
• Some user interface layout changes were made to avoid confusion.
• We fixed a bug when specified specific sync periods which spanned midnight.
• We added support for Japanese translations.

More details on PerfectDisk 11 for Windows Home Server is available from here.

Oracle’s VirtualBox is free virtualization software which is a great way to test out Windows Home Server codename Vail.

While we had no problem installing Vail on VirtualBox, but it didn’t run as smoothly as it did on VMware products in our tests. However, if you’re a fan of VirtualBox and want to try out Windows Home Server Beta “Vail” without the need for another machine, this will do the trick.

You can read their tutorial here.

The Home Server Show podcast episode 102 is available with the weeks Home Server news, plus details of the hosts DIY computer builds.

Listen in here.

The add-in by company "Ten Atoms" supports the following hosts:

• DynDNS
• NO-IP
• ZoneEdit
• DNS-O-Matic
• Open DNS

The add-in is $19.99 and a 30 day trail is also available as well as additional information from here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I cannot recommend this version (1.0.0.41) as the Ten Atoms DNS Updater service continually crashed the WHS console and the add-in had to be uninstalled on my test system.

Enterprise man J. Peter Bruzzese dives deeper into Aurora’s code and takes a look at the software’s Dashboard plus much more

…even in this early code release, the installation and configuration of all key aspects of the server to be smooth, and the interface is a polished. I liked all the elements of the Connector and Launchpad client-side pieces, especially the ability to reach out and quickly remote connect to a computer directly through the Remote Web Access options.

It makes a lot of sense to take the more difficult aspects of SBS (like Exchange and SharePoint) and make those hosted solutions that tie in to your SBS under a cross-premise offering.

You can read the article here.

These features included Enhanced Administrator Control & Reporting, access to data via the web at https://web.keepvault.com and Sub User Accounts.

Additional details on these features are available here.

Thankfully Missing Remote has the solution (which I have already implemented) for your library of pics and videos to instantly appear.

You don’t have to do this for Recorded TV as its recording location can already be set within the Media Center settings.

Their guide is available here.

If so, then the How-To Geek shows you how to get it setup on your Home Server and how to access using Safari on the specific device.

You can read their guide here.

Microsoft’s Knowledge Base Article 979453 states that the update will fix 5 separate issues found since the release of Power Pack 3:

Issue 1

You cannot restore a client computer without manually creating partitions or mapping the source and destination volume.
After you install this update, you can restore a client computer without manually creating partitions or mapping the source and destination volume. However, to enable this functionality, the following conditions must be true:

• The backup must be stored on only one disk.
• The destination computer must have only one hard disk.
• The hard disk in the destination computer must be equal to or larger in size than the backup.
• The hard disk drive in the destination computer must be an internal hard disk drive. For example, IDE, SATA or e-SATA.

Issue 2

2048-bit certificates will soon replace 1024-bit certificates. This update enables Home Server users to use 2048-bit certificates before 2048-bit certificates become the industry standard.
After you install this update, you are asked to renew Website certificates if you have already registered the live domain for the websites. After you finish the renewal process, the website certificates are upgraded to 2048-bit.

Issue 3

You cannot change the backup settings if a volume that has backup-excluded folders is not available. In this situation, you must wait until the volume becomes available.
After you install this update, you can remove a missing volume that has backup-excluded folders from the backup process.

Issue 4

You cannot remove all users’ permissions from a shared folder. When you try to remove the permissions, the Windows Home Server console reports that the operation succeeds. However, the permissions are not removed.
After you install this update, you can successfully remove all users’ permissions from a shared folder. If you tried to perform this operation before you install this update, the permissions will be removed when you restart the computer after you install this update.

Issue 5

You may experience incompatibility issues when you use the next version of Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows Home Server. This is a precautionary update. Windows Home Server is currently not supported by the next version of Microsoft Security Essentials Beta or final release. This update will address some incompatibility issues.

HomeServerSync allows you to access your Home Server services from anywhere in the world, protect your files even more, and sync data between PCs, using the Home Server itself as a ‘personal cloud data server’ !

There are 3  components to HomeServerSync, that provide the ultimate in data security, remote access and PC to WHS to PC synchronization:

1. 100GB of offsite backup storage is included with more available if needed.
2. Provision of a unique private network, allowing full access to WHS Console and WHS Shares from anywhere in the world, via internet connection.
3. Multi PC synchronization system that not only protects data but means that one PC can receive or send updates to ‘shared’ files and folders on other PCs

And the pricing is good too with the annual subscription costing just £139 with 100GB of storage for your data.

And now the best news of all… as an MSWHS.com reader we have a special deal for you, by using the promo code M023 when registering your details you’ll receive an additional 100 extra days absolutely FREE, which means 465 days instead of the standard 365 days.

How to Get your 100 Days FREE:

1. To find out more request the free 15 day trail by emailing trial@homeserversync.co.uk
2. You will then receive an email with the registration link, which you should visit and enter the promo code M023
3. Once the subscription is purchased your 365 day subscription will be automatically extended by 100 days to 465 days for FREE

More information on HomeServerSync including its top 10 features, how it works, the data center used and the security of your data are available from here.

“All hard  drives will eventually fail. Some earlier than others”

Patrick from ServeTheHome goes through how to recover data which is on a failing drive in your Windows Home Server system.

“…I was able to get vital tax information and work information off of the drive easily by just copying directories.”

Patrick takes us through the stages from physically removing the drive, to attaching it to a different pc, showing hidden files and where to find your data files for recovery.

You can find his guide here.

Chris describes AirVideo as the best application he has ever bought for the iPhone and iPad and describes how it helps integrate his iPad with his home entertainment setup. By installing the small server application directly on Windows Home Server and the Apple app store app AirVideo on either an iPod or iPhone you can have video streaming from WHS to either of these devices when you are out or about.

Chris goes through the setup steps here.

F-secure have decided to withdraw their 2009 Security Suite for Windows Home Server.

Although they have not given any reason for the withdrawal, they have issued this statement:

End of Sales and End of Life Announcement for F-Secure Home Server Security 2009

Dear Customer,

F-Secure announces the End of Sales for F-Secure Home Server Security 2009. The End of Sales date for the product is March 15th 2010. After this date, the product will no longer be available for purchase or renewal from our partners or from our web sites.

This also means that F-Secure will no longer provide solutions for Windows Home Server operating system.

We will continue to support our existing licensed customers.

F-Secure also announces the End of Life date for F-Secure Home Server Security 2009. The End of Life date for the product is March 15th, 2011. After this date, F-Secure will no longer provide support for the product.

Best Regards,
F-Secure Corporation

I am not sure what to make of this so I am hoping to get some further clarification early next week, it seems a strange decision and I can only presume they experienced a lack of take up of the product.

Written by
Matthew Glover

The A7879 Mini ITX Server Case is an extreme version of cube style cases, featuring four hot-swappable hard drive bays plus one internal hard drive bay – usually available only from full size enterprise level servers into this compact design chassis. The CFI A7879 Mini ITX Server Case is an ideal solution for small/medium size server and high capacity home media server applications.

The two Hot-Swappable Hard Drive Bays utilize the "AHCI" (NCQ) and RAID function from many standard Mini ITX Mainboards including Intel DQ45EK, DG45FC, DH57JG, etc. The available Standard Expansion Slot allows users to plug-in an additional Video Card or Hardware SATA RAID card for higher performance requirements.

The CFI A9849 Mini ITX Server Case comes standard with a 200W high-output internal power supply, which will support almost all high performance Mini ITX platforms. The large 120mm rear-mount Case Fan to ensure good balance of cooling and reduce system fan noise.

Nice and compact and 4 hot swappable trays you can’t go wrong.

Check it out here.

Written by
Matthew Glover