Windows Home Server

[JackSpadesSI]

I recently built a computer which runs Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit. I?d like to set up a home server running Windows Home Server.

I had read somewhere (it may have even been AnandTech) that when it first came out, Windows Home Server had issues working alongside a 64-bit OS. Is that still the case?

Thanks, in advance, for any help!

 

[loup garou]

Yep, power pack 1 update brings full compatibility with Vista x64.

 

[RebateMonger]

I've attached the Windows 7 Ultimate x64 beta, as well as Windows Server 2008 x64, to my WHS and it's working fine. As noted, WHS' Power Pack 1 delivered the promised x64 Windows support eight months ago.

 

[JackSpadesSI]

Awesome!

Is there any concern with using WHS with multiple operating systems on the PCs?

My other household computers run:
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Windows XP Professional 32-bit
Windows XP Media Center Edition 32-bit

Any incompatibilities?

 

[Griffinhart]

None at all. The only limitation you will see, given your list, is you will not be able to remote desktop to the Home Premium machines since it doesn't support Remote desktop. Everything else will work just fine.

 

[JackSpadesSI]

I guess I?m not sure what you mean by ?remote desktop? since I don?t often use the MCE features of that laptop with XP Media Center Edition.

Would I be able to store a music/picture/movie file on the server computer, run Media Center on the XP MCE laptop and select that file on the server, and then stream that file to my Xbox 360?

I occasionally run slideshows on my TV from pictures on my laptop through my Xbox 360 (as an extender). I guess I?d like to be able to do that with the WHS being where I keep the picture files for the whole house.

 

[gpgofast]

Originally posted by: JackSpadesSI
I guess I?m not sure what you mean by ?remote desktop? since I don?t often use the MCE features of that laptop with XP Media Center Edition....

With WHS you get a secure login to your Home Server via the internet from anywhere with internet access. If the PC supports "Remote Desktop" you will then be able to connect to that individual PC through your Windows Home Server. Is is actually pretty cool, but like the previous poster said, only XP Pro, XP MCE 2005, Vista Ultimate and Vista Business support Remote Desktop. Vista Premium and XP Home do not support Remote Desktop so it would not be available on those machines.GP

 

[heymrdj]

WHS here is backing up all our rigs.

2 Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit
2 Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit
Windows XP Home 32bit.

 

[Griffinhart]

Just because the timing is right....

I've recently had a motherboard start giving me problems. Yesterday a Replacement board came in and I re-installed Vista64 (I went from a p35 Motherboard to an i780). I used my backups to recover my Data. It was very nice to not have to worry about forgetting some data somewhere or having to try and rescue the data off of a dying system.

My initial set up was to configure the new PC as a RAID5 system. Everything worked fine and I recovered all my Data and reinstalled all my apps, but there were some performance issues I just didn't like. So, I dropped the RAID5 array and went to RAID0. I used the "recovery CD" that came with my Windows Home Server and it worked extremely well. 30 minutes later I was back up on the RAID0 array with Windows and all my Applications intact.

So, yes, it works quite well on Vista64.

You know, when WHS was first announced I was definitely loving the whole concept. Unfortunately I just couldn't afford one at the time and the whole thing just dropped out of my thoughts. Late last year my finances finally got back to normal and I went out and picked up the HP WHS. It has since become a very important part of my network and I heavily use it on a daily basis. I really can't recommend it enough to folks.

 

[sxr7171]

Best $500 I ever spent in computing.