Windows Home Server

[Jilaman]

I am currently beta testing Windows Home Server. I am thinking of installing it onto my SnapServer 4500. If I can figure it out how to get it to boot and install I will let you guys know how it goes. For those of you that do not know what Windows Home Server is, I will post some links.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070108-8573.html

http://forums.microsoft.com/windowsh...aspx?siteid=50

http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver/


That should help you get familiar with it. I am not a Microsoft Evangalist at all, But I do like this kind of "server" for home use. And since I use my 4500 at home, I am seriously considering it. I will likely just ghost my 1st system drive to keep a backup of the Guardian OS on it.

[blue68f100]

You deffinately don't want to loose the Guardian OS. It a major pain to have it transfered. If you downloaded any updates too, make sure you back them up to.

[Jilaman]

I have copies of the updates I have gotten from Adaptec recently. I have an extra 250GB drive from a dead SnapServer here at the office.

My plan is to change the snap server to be a JBOD and then REMOVE the 1st hard drive and keep it in a safe place. Then place in this spare 250GB and install the Windows Home server onto it, and use the other 3 disks as my storage. Should give me around 700GB of storage, which is plenty for what I need at home.

Windows server uses what MS calls dynamic disks and dynamic volumes, so you can add space to a volume by just extending it, not having to wipe out and restore data.


I will see. and as long as I have that first drive I should be able to get back to something working. If not, if I lose it all. I still have a USB key that can boot FreeNAS on the box. I will just use that.

[blue68f100]

You should be ok with 1 working drive. I like you have a HD that has the raw OS loaded and put away for safe keeping. I did not try ghost on it, but since it's a Linux file structure most any will work.

I have a Dell 175N here at the moment that Shane dropped off to see if I can get the Guardian OS on it. The insides apear to be identical to a 4400, will fully document the insides. After looking at the com port capture log, it apears the Guardian OS looks for a BIOS/Hardware id and fails. Dell did not sell this with GuardianOS option, just MS Server.

I tried a quick test with FreeNAS but did not have the Nic port specs. Then I will have to modify the XML config file so it will have a address so I can complete the setup. These 715 units may make a good FreeNAS box. Can be booded from the USB port. I'm not sure any of my usb sticks support the boot option, will have to test.

Any info you have on getting the FreeNAS to boot on the snap would be appriaceted.

[Jilaman]

Here is a link to a previous thread on what I did to get freeNAS booting from a USB key on a Snap Server 4500.

http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/sho...hlight=FREENAS

[Phoenix32]

I just have to ask...

Why the desire to go away from the Guardian OS? What about it didn't you like?

[Jilaman]

I don't have anything against the Guardian OS. It works. Just this home server thing has some features I am interested in. Like being able to share my media(Videos, Pics, Music) amongst all my PCs as well as my Xbox360.

Integrated backup of my home computers(running windows).

I am a linux person at heart. I love it and I know where I like to use Linux. But in this particular case, it seems a little easier to go with this.


Anyways, no real reason other than beta testing and experiementation.

[blue68f100]

I was able to do my music by using map drives on the pc with iTunes. But none of them are drm protected, because I have the cd's.

[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by Jilaman

I don't have anything against the Guardian OS. It works. Just this home server thing has some features I am interested in. Like being able to share my media(Videos, Pics, Music) amongst all my PCs as well as my Xbox360.

Integrated backup of my home computers(running windows).

I am a linux person at heart. I love it and I know where I like to use Linux. But in this particular case, it seems a little easier to go with this.


Anyways, no real reason other than beta testing and experiementation.

AH, I see. With you talking about the new MS Home Server as well as FreeNAS, I just figured there was something in Guardian you didn't like. Okay, I can relate to experimentation. I was just curious.

[Jilaman]

Here is what I have done so far.

Disabled the Watchdog in the BIOS.
Successfully booted from USB CD-ROM to begin install of Windows Home Server. For those that do not know it is based on Windows Server 2003.

The installer sees all 4 drives. The install starts and for some reason the install finishes one part, reboots and then gets stuck in part of the installation.

Now using this drawing below.. This is the drives from the front view.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|     Drive 1         |     Drive 2     |      Drive 3     |      Drive 4  |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

If I remove the drives I have to have Drive 3 installed for it to boot. This is the BIOS IDE controller drive0. I believe Drive4 is the BIOS IDE drive1. The disks in Drive1 and Drive2 are controlled by an additional SIL based IDE Controller. I have no idea why it gets stuck in this install reboot cycle. It all seems to be working fine, just doesn't want to continue. Any help.?????

[Phoenix32]

What error are you getting (other than just stopping) and where is it at when it get's stuck (what operation going on)?

- A shot in the dark (and that is all it is). I have seen OS installs on some systems get all confused after a reboot when using USB drives for the installs.

- Some driver missing?

- Anything in their trouble reports with other system having this issue? (from beta testing)

- It changes the drive order at some point during the install (who is drive 0 and who is drive 1, etc)?

Just some off the cuff thoughts....

[Jilaman]

I actually figured it out.

Windows Server detects the ESM which is the Serial connection, that allows remote access. Well it wants to finish part of the install thru it. So after I disabled that in the bios it installed just fine.


Checklist

Disable Watchdog.
Disable Boot Failover
Disable Serial Remote Access thing.

Wiped partitions from all the drives and reinstalled. 2003 did not detect the nic card I had to download the driver.

Other than that it is working fine with the WIndows Home Server Beta right now.

[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by Jilaman

I actually figured it out.

Windows Server detects the ESM which is the Serial connection, that allows remote access. Well it wants to finish part of the install thru it. So after I disabled that in the bios it installed just fine.

heh, I knew it was a hardware thing....