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The Windows Home Server is almost there, readies for final version of fix

After months of little word on a fix regarding Microsoft's Home Server 2007, which corrupted a variety of files due to unfortunate problems in the underlying system architecture, DailyTech finally brought news of some good tidings from Microsoft -- a beta version of the patch was available.

Now the Windows Home Server team has announced the availability of Release Candidate (RC) beta for the fix.  Typically, a release candidate precedes a finalized Release to Manufacturers (RTM) of an OS patch.  The new RC comes with release documentation.  Additional list of known issues are available on the Windows Home Server forums.

Microsoft encourages users to back up all their files before using them in Home Server, even with the fix.  Microsoft states, "While internal testing so far indicates that we have fixed the data corruption bug in the beta release, the whole point of a beta test is to validate internal testing. This means there is a risk that our internal tests have not detected all issues. As a beta tester it is your responsibility to ensure that your data is backed up and protected before you install the beta."

New version Home Server can automatically get the fix through Microsoft Connect upon startup.  Whether it is a new machine or an old one, the system must be up to date with all Windows Updates in order to install.  Microsoft recommends turning on Customer Experience Improvement, as they state, "[this information] is invaluable in helping us understand how we are doing against our testing goals."

The arrival of an RC version indicates Microsoft just may make its promised June release date for the final fix.  Microsoft had previously warned that testing could take months.

Problems were first seen by users in December following the holiday release of the product.  They represented perhaps the single greatest flaw found in the current generation of Microsoft OS software.

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Backup
By mcnabney on 6/10/2008 4:13:59 PM , Rating: 5
I find it amusing that users are recommended to backup their files on a home-oriented product which is designed to be the backup in the first place.




RE: Backup
By JonnyBlaze on 6/10/08, Rating: -1
RE: Backup
By ahodge on 6/10/2008 4:58:41 PM , Rating: 3
I almost replied with an inflammatory comment. Seriously, very close. I don't often want to call people names or make observations about their seeming lack of intelligence. But, that post really warrants some response. JonnyBlaze, please think long and hard next time. Or, perhaps try to avoid getting drunk and/or stoned before your next post.


RE: Backup
By TomZ on 6/10/08, Rating: 0
RE: Backup
By deeznuts on 6/11/08, Rating: 0
RE: Backup
By TomZ on 6/11/08, Rating: 0
RE: Backup
By blafrisch on 6/11/2008 8:21:54 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
a beta version of the patch was available

Directly from the article. Let me reiterate again: The article is about PATCH.

WHS is currently full version and corrupting data.

quote:
Microsoft encourages users to back up all their files before using them in Home Server, even with the fix.


Remember again, the FIX is what is in beta, not WHS.

Get it now?


RE: Backup
By JustTom on 6/11/2008 8:27:35 AM , Rating: 2
I think the real point is WHS should not have been released with such a glaring bug in what is arguably its most important feature. A server, whether it is consumer level or not, that corrupts data should not be released.


RE: Backup
By thesid on 6/12/2008 8:00:18 PM , Rating: 2
Well, stating that you backup is just letting the inexperienced uses know the risk of using beta patches.
Any software, for beta patch or a beta version, doesnt guarantee any data, so always they recommend a data backup. Flaming that is ludicrous.


RE: Backup
By leexgx on 6/10/2008 6:32:26 PM , Rating: 2
your response could of been better then that (in the resulting -1 for you)

when you beta test stuff you should always back up your data (thats all you needed to say)

still this is one of M$ big mess ups ever as this one destroys files and should have never been released like this (maybe the M$ blaster one still beats it but that was an security hole but that one really was mad) i was hoping to use this WHS my self would make adding and removing disks allot easy, but as its underlaying system works is flawed to start off with i guess i should wait for WHS v2 not WHS ME v1,

hope M$ add network I/O file priorty as it realy sucks as if WHS starts moveing stuff around it does Not stop to let the user access files fast so resulting speeds is poor

superfetch on vista suffers from this same problem (when windows is at the desktop before ram is filled) and so does system restore when it bugs out starts to do shadow copy but errors but keeps on trying but makes lots of disk use happen {i turnd mine off to stop it from doing that}


RE: Backup
By StevoLincolnite on 6/10/2008 8:51:20 PM , Rating: 1
You think this is a mess? Don't you remember Windows ME? :P


RE: Backup
By saiga6360 on 6/10/2008 10:26:11 PM , Rating: 2
Do you not understand what IRONY means?


Wow
By Chadder007 on 6/10/08, Rating: 0
RE: Wow
By zaxxon on 6/10/2008 4:36:05 PM , Rating: 1
to continually back up the home users PC automatically.

<Dr. Evil style 'fingers in the air quoting>
...Time Maschine....
</evil>


RE: Wow
By anotherdude on 6/10/2008 6:16:38 PM , Rating: 3
Yes, up to 10 connected PC's (IIRC) cab be auto backed up daily, partially or imaged completely, and with no redundant file storage on the server, which can save a lot of space. It's really quite a nice concept and at least appears to be a great design. I had a beta WHS and I did encounter some data loss. I'm just waiting to be sure ALL the bugs are out and then I'm building one again.


RE: Wow
By jimbojimbo on 6/10/2008 6:20:32 PM , Rating: 2
I guess it was such a drastic bug that it actually took them that long to fix it. Considering at what level of the disc system it was occuring it didn't seem like an easy fix although you would've thought tests before release would've revealed it.

I think the only thing that could drag me to using this server is the disc reduncy you can get without having to resort to a mirror or stripe, both of which require exact size partitions to accomplish. Almost all my discs are a different size and I'd love to piece them together into one big volume but not using a volume set which would die if one disc goes bad. Unfortunately it's implementing this feature that screwed it up in the first place.


RE: Wow
By mfed3 on 6/10/2008 6:45:02 PM , Rating: 1
yep he nailed it. the big thing about whs is that youre basically getting the windows server 2003 platform for all you would need in a home plus software raid for $120.

believe me ive been looking for a free linux alternative too, but nothing comes close to the ease of use and configurability.

id much rather work a few hours overtime and earn the $120 than sit on the internet configuring a friggin linux box for hours and hours and it still be far from what i originally wanted.

free is not always the best, just most of the time :)


RE: Wow
By praeses on 6/10/2008 6:50:47 PM , Rating: 2
In case it has slipped by you, UnRAID may fit the bill. It does not offer the Windows-esque experience and all the features however for a pure mixed drive NAS with redundancy, it works extremely well.


RE: Wow
By TomZ on 6/10/08, Rating: 0
RE: Wow