WHS or Windows 7

[theodotcom]

I currently have a Whs setup and a windows 7 media center.

The media center is only used for photos and music, movies are watched via a tvix hd box.

The media center is a quad core machine and the whs is core 2 duo.

I'm currently thinking of merging the 2 and using just one device, most likely on windows 7.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this.

One factor that I really like about WHS is the lights out plugin, does anyone know if there is there anything similar for windows 7.

I've stopped using the backup feature of WHS, for the last 6 months i've pretty much stopped using most of the features of WHS because I have been waiting for WHS 2011. But that doesnt seem to be coming any time soon.

I definately dont want to have to keep turning the computer on and off and would rather that was automated. For example currently I just have to turn on the laptop, which will wake the server in the garage and I can watch anything via my hd media box.
I can set WHS to shutdown after a certain number of hours, or can just leave the laptop on and when finish shut it down and whs turns off.

not sure what the best way forward will be.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

[dunks517]

Personally we only have the one PC 24/7 in the house and do not need the added cost or hassle of a WHS machine causing more problems.

[theodotcom]

Is that running windows 7?

Do you know of any ways to have it shut down/ start up at a certain time?

I'm thinking that may be the best option, would make life a lot easier I think.

[zacburgess]

Check out http://www.ampsoft.net/utilities/WinOFF.php

i use it on my media center running windows 7.

I think you can turn your computer on from inside your bios. I haven used it yet as i use a app on my sgs.

[elootos]

Combine it all into a Win7 machine would be the best bet. Make it energy efficient and leave it on 24/7 or schedule it to be on/off on a daily basis.

I gave up trying to get PCs to come on/off with others on the network. Lights Out does work well on WHS and I don't think there's an alternative for a Win7 machine.

My setup has the master Media Center PC in the house, the lounge, come on daily with a BIOS alarm at 6pm, then boot down at midnight everyday with Amp Winoff, although you could schedule a boot-down from within Windows natively. Having it on like that on a daily basis makes life a lot easier.

My films are stored on a unRAID server that I manually boot when wanting to watch a film. Even when left on for several days it still is fairly energy efficient as it keeps unused drives spun-down.

Best practise for any PC is on or off. Makes management very easy that way

[theodotcom]

Think I'm going to go with just the one machine for everything, now need to try and find a cheap-ish 4u rack case for the rack so it is out of the way :)

The hunt is on!!!

[northan]

(02-23-2011 11:14 PM)theodotcom Wrote:  Think I'm going to go with just the one machine for everything, now need to try and find a cheap-ish 4u rack case for the rack so it is out of the way :)

The hunt is on!!!

ebuyer got one for 60ish
It's has good reviews http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126991

[theodotcom]

They have some on eBay for around 40. Was about to buy one for 25 and realised it was a at power supply. That would have been a waste :) i need to pay attention when buying off eBay. :)

[arondel]

I personally suggest Windows 7 rather than WHS. Windows 7 is the faster, and reliable. its contain great features like Accessibility improvements, Backup and Restore data, system restore and user account control. it is easy to download and update directly. really this is the best to use.

[dellinqwartz]

I use Windows7 Build 7000. I have not try to install of Windows7 and the WHS software because I have a home built everything. The Windows7 is an AMD Phenom 9850 with 2 gig of ram. The Server is an Intel 2.6ghz dual aggregate as able with 2 gig of ram. And i am vary happy with it.