How To Run Air Video on Startup

If you would like to learn how to run Air Video when you start your Home Server then "The Doc’s World" have a how-to for you.

The short tutorial explains how to setup a task that will auto start any program on start up without the need to log on.

Air-Video-Task-Scheduler

If you are interested you can find the guide here.

Add-In: StableBit Scanner for WHS 2011 v2.0.0.1267 BETA

StableBit Scanner has been updated to version 2.0.0.1267 BETA for WHS 2011 users to address some minor issues.

StableBit Scanner is an advanced hard drive scanner and monitor which:

  • Periodically re-scans the surface of all your hard disks to make sure that all your bits are readable.
  • Monitors the on-disk S.M.A.R.T. self-diagnosis system and looks for potential problems. It’s able to identify your particular hard disk model and look for problems specific to that model.
  • Monitors the Windows Home Server storage subsystem, and reports on any problems found.

StableBit Scanner Icon

Here’s the change log:

  • Ability to turn off automatic scanning, per-disk (see disk settings).
  • Fixed crash when adding notification if SMART was not available.

More details on StableBit Scanner can be found here.

Add-In: StableBit DrivePool Build 5677

Build 5677 of StableBit DrivePool has been published.

Stablebit_drivepool_M4_logo

Here’s the changes:

  • Fix for keeping integrated mode enabled after updating.
  • [D] Fixed rename and overwrite issue. Was not allowing directory merging among other things.

[D] = Driver was modified (reboot required after update)

As always further information on StableBit DrivePool can be found here.

Add-In: StableBit DrivePool Build 5669

Build 5669 of StableBit DrivePool is available.

Stablebit_drivepool_M4_logo

Currently at beta stage M4 (Milestone 4), StableBit DrivePool provides Drive Extender type functionality to Windows Home Server 2011.

Heres the changlelog for this current build:

  • [D] Fixed compatibility issue with volume shadow copy service (for non-pooled drives).
    It is a good idea to reboot BEFORE upgrading to this version, just in case VSS is locked up.
    If VSS is locked up while upgrading, the upgrade will lock up:
    In that case, Reboot -> Dashboard -> Remove DrivePool -> Reboot -> Install latest build.
  • Fixed M4 migration issue causing "Access denied" error.
  • [D] Workaround for issue in rdbss (bug?) that denies a flush on a read-only handle.
    This incorrectly returns access denied errors for non-write operations.
    This only affects files accessed using a UNC share path, locally on the server.
    Accessing shares from remote or from the local drive letter does not trigger this problem.
  • [D] When cloning directories, clone the owner properly.
  • [D] Improved performance / accuracy of file size tracking.

[D] = Driver was modified (reboot required after update)

More information on StableBit DrivePool can be found here.

Tranquil PC Show their Cases being Cut

If you would like to see how UK based TranquilPC cut their PC cases then the guys have set up a live video stream.

You can now watch as bespoke chassis are cut on one of their CNC machines. The cam is watching CNC machine number 2 in the machine room as it cuts during normal working hours (UK time).

TranquilPC CNC Machine

The resolution is kept low, as Tranquil PC are often servicing 100’s of live streams. If there is a heavy demand on the web cam it may be a little slow.

Click Here to open video window (QuickTime must be installed on your browser)

WD Sentinel DX4000 Promo Video

WD Sentinel DX4000 Front

Western Digital have released a video promoting their Sentinel DX4000 small office storage server.

More details on the WD Sentinel DX4000 can be found here.

Bridge the Gap between WHS, iTunes and Home Sharing

The Doc’s World explains his experience of using iHomeServer, a product which bridges the gap between WHS, iTunes and Home Sharing.

“…if you are in the iTunes ecosystem and running a Windows Home Server, you might look into this product to see if will benefit you as much as it did me.”

Its an interesting read and as the writer states, if you are a iTunes and WHS user as it allows these two platforms to co-exist and not only work, but actually complement each other.

iHomeServer iTunes View

You can find the article here.

Add-In: Home Server Status v3.02

The add-in Download Home Server Status has been updated to version 3.02

Home Server Status, is a program that shows the status of your Windows Home Server 2011. It allows at a quick glance to see if your server is connected to the network, if a backup is running, was successful, or unsuccessful on any client machine. It will even send status alerts to email or push notifications to your mobile device.

Home Server Status -Settings - Menu Items

Here’s what’s new in this latest release:

  • Fixed: Small bugs.
  • Fixed: SMTP bug when backups are running, cancelled, etc.
  • New: Improved settings page with tabbed pages for additional functionality
  • New: Ability to enable iOS alerts via Prowl for iPhone, iPad, and iPod
  • New: Ability to enable SMTP and UDP network backup alerts
  • New: Network Backup Log for all those running HSS on your network
  • New: Ability to detect Windows shut down, restart, and logoff during a backup
  • New: Automatic checking, download, and installion of updates
  • Updated: Less resource intensive

Home Server Status is available as a 14 day trial. After your trial, a one-time payment of $6.95 will gain you a license for all computers, up to 10, connected to your Windows Home Server 2011.

More information is available from here.

Backing up a Macintosh time machine on WHS 2011

Microsoft’s TechNet Wiki has updated their article on Backing up a Macintosh time machine on SBS 2011 Essentials, Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials and Windows Home Server 2011.

Although Lion is NOT supported the article explains how Time machine backups can be made to use the Windows server as a storage target when using Snow Leopard or earlier. 

Volumes to Mount on MAC

There are two ways to do this which you can read about here.

Archive TV with Windows Home Server 2011

The Digital Media Zone has put together a guide on how to automate recorded TV backups on Windows Home Server 2011.

WHS 2011 TV Archive

All you need to accomplish this is separate storage drives in your WHS 2011 and Windows 7 running Windows Media Center.

In the guide the guys explain how to get this setup and running, which you can find here.