Windows Home Server questions!

[easyrider]

Ok I have done a search and the thread is HUGE!

Just a few quick questions....Please

After the death of my 1TB WD Green I have decided to sort myself out storage wise!

I lost 200 odd DVD rips.

So I have decided to change my HTPC setup running windows 7 media center to Windows Home server. Add all my disks etc... and stream my media to my new build i5 rig connected to my PJ.

I take it that storing all my MKV's on the server will be fine and I just add the server to the Media Centre PC and stream them?

Any other tips for a seamless transition

 

[easyrider]

You know you can sometimes bring a dead HD back to life for a short time by sticking it in the freezer overnight in a zip-lock type seal bag (to minimize condensation). I didn't believe it at first but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence out there. You might have enough time to save some DVD rips at least.

Just a thought.

edit - in regards to saving your data in future I'd just buy two 1TB disks and RAID1 them if your motherboard is capable.

I have over 4TB so thats not an option.

Plus the whole array has to be rebuilt if I need more space.

 

[easyrider]

Easyrider, sorry to go offtopic but I replied to your forsale thread re the carpc, you have probably forgotten all about it as its been a while since you put it up, but any chance of a reply on that thread?

Sorry Mods, did not know of any other way to contact as PMs are disabled...

I have emailed you

 

[easyrider]

The folder duplication on WHS is great and your right, does away with needing RAID.

BUT, and its a big BUT, there is no way to have WHS backups its on 20GB system drive, so while all your data is well protected, the server itself isnt. If I build another server in the future ill prob RAID a couple of small drives to start with, and install the OS onto that, then add all the others out of RAID, so that should the system drive die Im ok.

Couldn't you take a snap shot with ghost or something of the sys drive?

Store it on a External?

 

[easyrider]

No, because WHS uses tombstones on the 1st drive which are small index files that reference the location(s) of the actual files. I've not been bothered to check, but I'm pretty sure they're held on the sys too.

Unless these were sync'd, which is extremely unlikely as you'd have had to have cloned the sys drive immediately before the restore, then you'd more than likely have to manually recover all the data from your storage drives. So you wouldn't have lost your data, but WHS wouldn't be able to see it or manage it for you.

It would be easier to just bang the WHS install disk in and do a recovery either on the existing sys drive or a new one, and let it rebuild the tombstones.

Have you done this?


Sucessfully changed the system drive for another one rebuilt the server and kept all you data across the spanned drives?

 

[easyrider]

I don't think so Easyrider...Actually I can't remember if I did or didn't do this during the WHS beta.

There's a couple of good threads here explaining the processes that can be used, including one which will allow you to make an image and use that on a new drive (though I'm not sure if my earlier comments would still apply - i.e. the image would have to be taken immediately prior to the swap over).

http://social.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/whsfaq/thread/cdb387f1-9baa-4ae3-a74b-ff351dc1c0bf

http://forum.wegotserved.com/index.php?/topic/5520-replacing-system-drive-with-new-drive/

Thanks for the links.


I have nothing in my hidden DE folder should I be worried?

 

[easyrider]

I don't think so...but not 100% on this.

I have two folders called "folders" and "shares" - the shares holds some files and folders which I suspect are currently being balanced by Drive Extender.

Do you have duplication switched on for any of your shares?

Yes

I have duplication on for Home Videos , Music and Photos.

I have been copying data from external USB drive to the server shares folders not over the network and using Remote desktop.

 

[easyrider]

Have you done it via the UNC patch \\servername\sharename\ or directly to d:\sharename\ ?

The latter is not recommended and I don't know what that would do. Other than that does the WHS Connector say a "last balanced.." time/date at the bottom of the screen?

I don't think it's something to be worried about, but please check that you can access the shares via the UNC path from a client PC.

Some files I copied over to the \\servername\music from the console and my laptop over lan.

Larger files I copied to d:\shares\music from remote desktop and a USB drive

I can access all the shares from \\servername from the start menu

 

[easyrider]

Everything looks ok, and WHS will give you warnings if files aren't duplicating correctly. Does the 106.85gb in Music tie in with what you copied across? I'd check the files that you put into D:\shares\music are ok play some of them through - just to be safe as you copied this directly.

yeah that 106GB is what I copied across. The files are playing fine from the \\servername\music from my laptop.Also streaming to my Ps3

Even when using Remote Desktop they recommend to use the UNC path to access the shares. Don't worry it won't slow anything down doing it this way if you're accessing them from the local machine (i.e. Remote desktop to a USB drive on the same box).

TBH I don't think you'll have done any harm, far more likely if you had started moving things in the D:\shares folder than putting stuff in there, because D:\shares is the logical location not the physical location, which could be any one of your disks in the pool - and this would confuse the drive extender and balancing/duplication.

Thanks


All the videos I copied to d:shares\videos all work flawless streaming to my PS3.

 

[easyrider]

Looking good Congrats

I'm not done yet.

I can't get my APC 1000 smart ups to get recognised by WHS

 

[easyrider]

easyrider, dont copy data over directly fella!! canna stress it anymore than that, use the unc path. trust me!! if you dont get data corrouption now you will later.

As for the ups, what issues are you having? I have an APC 650 hooked upto my HP EX475 without any issues.

Don't tell me that!


Shall I copy the data off to externals rebuild the server and copy back using \\servername\share




Sod the UPS you've scared me!