Windows Home Server

Skeeter · 18 Oct 2009 at 22:23

Ah, I dont have PP2 yet, havent bothered to install it (if it aint broke, dont fix it, etc)

jbloggs · 28 Oct 2009 at 20:03

Have just installed my copy of WHS, have a few questions that I could do with some help with:

1) I will have 4 comps connecting to the WHS box and have 2 setup with Windows Home Server Console at the moment, but I can only connect to the WHS box with one comp at a time, ie., when one is connected and I run WHS console on the other comp. the one that is connected, disconnects, how can I set up WHS so that more than 1 computer can connect to the WHS box simultaneously?

2) On the WHS box, when I go into Power settings, there is no setting for Hibernation, do I need to install the Add-in LightsOut to enable Hibernation after a period of inactivity with the ability to bring it out of Hibernation when required, or is there another way to enable Hibernation?

3) Does Squeeze Service (SquzeezeBox software) work with LightsOut (or some other method) to allow the WHS box to go into Hibernation after SqueezeBox has been inactive for a period of time with the ability to bring it out of Hibernation?

4) What are the best Add-Ins to install for a basic set to enhance the running of it, I have installed Disk Management and Advanced Admin Console so far?

Thanks...

PhillyDee · 29 Oct 2009 at 01:35

There isnt a setting for hibernation as its always meant to be on. It does a lot of work at night, balances the storage etc. Thats the only add-ins I have. I run Twonky on the server.
Why would you need more than 1 logged into the console? I very rarely use the WHS console myself. Its only ever used on the very rare occasion that I need to add a user or check storage space / drives.

I use Avast! For WHS on my server. Installs itself as an add-on tab and keeps track of all the Avast! programs running on my PC's and laptops ets.

lokkers · 29 Oct 2009 at 07:10

PhillyDee said:
There isnt a setting for hibernation as its always meant to be on.

I beg to differ - my WHS has the option to hibernate, I just needed to enable it in Power Options (Hibernate Tab). I normally hibernate it when I go to bed, as there's no point it being on between 11pm and 7am.

alle · 29 Oct 2009 at 08:49

...11pm and 7am?? So when do you backup then??

lokkers · 29 Oct 2009 at 09:21

Between 18:00 and 21:00. The two machines that are backed up are laptops and I don't want them being switched on during the night when they aren't being monitored (mine for example is left in a bag when not in use).

easyrider · 29 Oct 2009 at 11:28

lokkers said:
I beg to differ - my WHS has the option to hibernate, I just needed to enable it in Power Options (Hibernate Tab). I normally hibernate it when I go to bed, as there's no point it being on between 11pm and 7am.

I was looking into this and I found out that the hibernation only works for 30 mins

malcolm · 29 Oct 2009 at 11:52

jbloggs said:
Have just installed my copy of WHS, have a few questions that I could do with some help with:

1) I will have 4 comps connecting to the WHS box and have 2 setup with Windows Home Server Console at the moment, but I can only connect to the WHS box with one comp at a time, ie., when one is connected and I run WHS console on the other comp. the one that is connected, disconnects, how can I set up WHS so that more than 1 computer can connect to the WHS box simultaneously?

This is an intentional feature, you can only open one instance of the Console. WHS does support more than one Remote Log-in though, using RDP. I think you can open the Console on the server using RDP, and then see the same desktop from any client, but I haven't tried it! Of course you aren't supposed to need RDP, that's what the Console is for!

2) On the WHS box, when I go into Power settings, there is no setting for Hibernation, do I need to install the Add-in LightsOut to enable Hibernation after a period of inactivity with the ability to bring it out of Hibernation when required, or is there another way to enable Hibernation?

I don't have Lights Out installed but I know there is a long description on the authors web pages of how to stop another service that runs within WHS which causes the server to restart very frequently, hence the later comments in this thread.

4) What are the best Add-Ins to install for a basic set to enhance the running of it, I have installed Disk Management and Advanced Admin Console so far?

I have the same as you, plus duplicate info (I think that's the name), and the Avast anti-virus add on.

Another usefull 'add-on', whcih is actually a stand alone program, is drive balancer, this will even out the useage of your discs.

jbloggs · 29 Oct 2009 at 14:28

malcolm said:
Another usefull 'add-on', whcih is actually a stand alone program, is drive balancer, this will even out the useage of your discs.

Thanks for your reply, eventually getting it the way I want it...

lokkers · 29 Oct 2009 at 14:58

easyrider said:
I was looking into this and I found out that the hibernation only works for 30 mins

Not noticed that, although I turn power off at the mains too so I guess that would stop it restarting

easyrider · 29 Oct 2009 at 16:03

lokkers said:
Not noticed that, although I turn power off at the mains too so I guess that would stop it restarting

alle · 29 Oct 2009 at 16:27

lokkers said:
Between 18:00 and 21:00. The two machines that are backed up are laptops and I don't want them being switched on during the night when they aren't being monitored (mine for example is left in a bag when not in use).

...I'd want the machines to be backed up when not in use.

PhillyDee · 29 Oct 2009 at 17:34

I only backup the latops once a month. Rarely use them in the house. Main PC is backed up during the day when I am in. Last thing I want is for the PC to turn on when im asleep in the same room!

Ekim · 29 Oct 2009 at 17:45

I am going to be installing WHS in the next couple of days and have a few questions I was hoping someone could answer.

I already have a machine I am using as a server for my media which has 2.2tb spread over three drives (1tb, 1tb and 200gb)

I am getting a new 1.5tb drive and intend to use this to put on a clean installation of WHS. The other two drives are already full of stuff that I want to keep and put on to WHS. I understand that during installation WHS will wipe any drive it finds so I will remove my old drives whilst I install it on the 1.5tb.

Once WHS is installed can I add the drives again and then add them to the storage pool with their files on with out losing the files that are already on them?

PhillyDee · 29 Oct 2009 at 17:48

No, once you add to the storage pool, WHS formats the drive with its own proprietry format. I would copy one drive over, then add it to the pool. Rinse and repeat.

You can mount any drive you want by logging in via RDP or just logging into the PC. Computer Management (you know the rest!).

Ekim · 29 Oct 2009 at 17:50

Ok, so after installation I will need to add the drives one by one and copy their data to the storage pool, once the data is copied I can add the drive to the pool properly.

ChileanLlama · 29 Oct 2009 at 18:13

Yes Ekim exactly. Make sure the drives with data on them are not physically connected during the install. WHS setup, providing it has the drivers, will wipe all disks it finds and add them to the pool - so you want to avoid this

easyrider · 29 Oct 2009 at 18:40

Alos when you copy the data make sure you use the UNC path

lokkers · 29 Oct 2009 at 18:42

easyrider said:

What's wrong with that? I also turn off my main PC at the wall when it isn't being used, as well as my TV, phone charger etc...

alle said:
...I'd want the machines to be backed up when not in use.

And I don't want them to be turned on when they are packed away in their bags, with zero ventilation! I don't think that would be particularly good for their long term health...

HEADRAT · 24 Nov 2009 at 18:42

Power Pack 3 is out.

Installed, had a kitten when it said that I had three days to activate because of "hardware change", it activated OK over the internet but it had my heart racing for a second! :eek: