WHS Install Woes

[enjaytee88]

So, WHS is a complete sh** to reinstall, period.

Wasn't the first time, I don't remember having as much headaches and lost sleep and that was only 120days ago (see earlier post... lol)

Spent 3 full days and nights (to the early hours) trying to suss out what was wrong.

Conclusion, don't mess with a current install and buy Andrew Edney's WHS
book.

The reason I say this is that it re-install is very fickle with big drives, existing WHS drives and what i call Mircosoft's fairy dust shortage.

When you get a OEM version of WHS do not add more drives, do not change the bios and do not re configure/move the SATA ports/cables.
Oh, and order a packet of MS fairy dust (which is in great demand in our house just now due to WHS and 2no Win7 upgrades).

Got it eventaully, basically my problem arose when I decided to use my new Samsung 1.5T drives along with some existing Hitachi 500g drives, configuring an Asus MB and ACHI bios setting to insall all the Hdds (5 + 1 ESATA). WHS doesnt support it. Bios needs to be set to SATA only (and only to use 3 out of the 5 SATA ports on the MB)

So, I would try the 3 new Samsung drives only , no... WHS wouldn't get past the rebooting the OS for the first time. Always came back up with the initiation sequence for installing. Grrr.

So, next try was to revert to the original drive congfig (1no Maxor 200g boot drive + 2no 500g Hitachi). Still wouldn't install/recover. Discovered that the 2no Hitachi drives need to be in exactly the same order for a Server reinstallation option to appear as it recognises the SYS & DATA drives in the previously installed order.

Got it eventally, even after a number of wire swapping and drive/subtracting adding.

Server is now configured with 2no 1.5t samsung drives + 1No. 500g Hitachi drives. Bought a 3no SATA drive PCI controller for SATAII, collect it later today (gosh is that the time already - need to go to bed Zzzzz...), to add the other samsung and the other hitachi drive (I'll leave off the Maxor for now).

Need to upload data set back on to the server. That too has been frought with problems.

[northan]

(01-16-2010 03:33 AM)enjaytee88 Wrote:  Got it eventaully, basically my problem arose when I decided to use my new Samsung 1.5T drives along with some existing Hitachi 500g drives, configuring an Asus MB and ACHI bios setting to insall all the Hdds (5 + 1 ESATA). WHS doesnt support it. Bios needs to be set to SATA only (and only to use 3 out of the 5 SATA ports on the MB)

Yea I had my share of problems with my Asus board.
When I installed originally I set the bios settings to sata, not realising that the bios won't recognise two of the five sata ports.
(not not sure if yours are the same, but the useable sata ports when using sata option are the physical red coloured ports on the board)
I set mine to raid to get them all working with esata also.

As far a reinstalls go, I guess you worked out that its best to format and delete partitions that are formed when going for it again.
I also didn't realise that an automatic 10gig is put aside for os.

Im glad your on your way. Pictures soon I hope

[elootos]

Crickey, I'm surprised that after all that you're still keen to keep the server!

I guess it should be stickered on the CD that WHS is an 'old' software, based on something 7 years ago (Server 2003) so it's best to keep IDE/SATA.

I also have my share of problems in that the PCI SATA card I got to add 2 more SATA ports only seems to allow one drive at a time!?! When connecting the second port it disconnects the first one. How annoying!

It seems the trial software is more trouble than its worth! Best to get the OEM straight away.

Oh, thanks for the heads up not to touch the bios, I was contemplating updating mine but after what you said, I'll think again.

[enjaytee88]

Here's an update.

SATA controller card installed

+ Pics of server in its fully completed glory.

3No 1.5T Samsung F1s & 2No Hitachi Spinpoint 500Gb HDDs

1No 200Gb Maxor drive not added & other 'spare 500Gb Hitachi drive added to Media PC.

So out of the 5T storage so far I have use 600Gb, on music, photos & some SD home vids.

The blue ray & the DVDs are the next challenge to rip & add... there are nigh on 200

Here is the server in its native wilderness - the loft
'scuse the mess.


And the wee beastie her'sael



The SATA controller card fitted.



6 drives fitted, although only 5 working



All working... for now.

[northan]

Must say, an excellent build sir.
Well organised and good install

[elootos]

I like your 'loft office'. Very nice

Always good to see a server case full to bursting with drives.

But what Media Centers this is serving and how you finding it all working together?

[enjaytee88]

(02-08-2010 09:21 AM)elootos Wrote:  I like your 'loft office'. Very nice

Always good to see a server case full to bursting with drives.

But what Media Centers this is serving and how you finding it all working together?

Hi Elootos,

The WHS is currently serving my media PC in the office (cupboard) downstairs via a Netgear 8 port gigabit switch (which is soon to be replaced by a 24 port managed layer2 switch, so it'll be in the for sale section shortly) and a Dlink D655 gigabit n router all connected with UTP Cat6. The switch also feeds a squeezebox classic in the lounge and a linksys DMA2100 media centre extender. The squeezebox duet and laptops (x2) are fed by the wifi.

The media centre PC is a bit of overkill - runs a AMD Phenom X4 945, 8gig Corsair ram , 1.5t HDDs (1t+0.5t) a ATI 4670 (IIRC) Graphics card, LG Blue Ray combo drive & a Sony DVDRW Optical drive.

PC runs Win7, Laptops are still Vista Home.

Server is stability is solid. Runs 24/7 ATM as I haven't bought into lights out yet (due to Squeeze server),

PC stability is fine, network performance is lightning mostly, but can be a little sticky at times not sure why - network useage is only ever been about 5-8% so loads of headroom.
Haven't driven it hard (either the PC or the network) with HD (or SD) content as of yet.
The server is only full of music (+holiday pics & home movies ) at the moment and I am making all the music files WMC compatible with Metadata & album art - (5000 tracks done 6000 to go.) before ripping & doing the same metadata slog with the movie collection.

The next addition on the cards are these.
http://www.hdcable.co.uk/hdmi/hdmi-over-ip
Need a a Layer 2 managed switch tho' (hence why the 8-port netgear is going up for sale - it's only 3weeks old!!! ).
I have been keeping my eye on this technology for a month or two now to see what the up take is like and what sort of feedback people can offer. Nothing much over here yet but seems to have had a good reception in the States. Only needs a 100/10 fast ethernet for HD

The plan being to have a Transmitter on every source (sky HD & DVD/BD & amp?) and a receiver on each screen in the house (there are 3No 1080p screens + the media PC has a 1080p screen) so i can be full HD many to many.

2 more media pc's are planned.
One is on order (away to chase up now) - asus eee box eb1501 as a replacement for the Linksys (which is going upstairs to the bedroom) and a Touch srceen (Asus Eee Top ET2002T) for the kitchen - but is on hold for now as the local dealer is a bit too expensive (plus I am spending way too much on IT ATM...).

That's about it for the IT/media centre side of it. Pics will follow. I have a home cinema install drama about to start - I'll post you on that in AV forums.

[elootos]

(02-09-2010 05:34 PM)enjaytee88 Wrote:  The plan being to have a Transmitter on every source (sky HD & DVD/BD & amp?) and a receiver on each screen in the house (there are 3No 1080p screens + the media PC has a 1080p screen) so i can be full HD many to many.

2 more media pc's are planned.
One is on order (away to chase up now) - asus eee box eb1501 as a replacement for the Linksys (which is going upstairs to the bedroom) and a Touch srceen (Asus Eee Top ET2002T) for the kitchen - but is on hold for now as the local dealer is a bit too expensive (plus I am spending way too much on IT ATM...).

That's about it for the IT/media centre side of it. Pics will follow. I have a home cinema install drama about to start - I'll post you on that in AV forums.

Blimey, that's a lot of stuff to get sorted!

Hey, why not post about your Home Cinema here as well! We'd love to see what's going on in this hi-tech house of yours