Should RAID be disabled prior to install?

Windows Home Server is a server for the average household and even a small office, where a domain controller isn't required. It's a centralized location for documents, multimedia, you name it. It supports up to 10 computers. You can buy a WHS machine, or you can build one yourself. WHS is only around $99, so it's pretty affordable, especially if you have an old P4 laying around gathering dust.

WHS is the best thing since sliced bread! You can enable remote connections via http, so you can log into your server from anywhere - using a simple xxxx.homeserver.com address. Install the WHS application on each client, and it will automatically backup any and all files in all Windows partitions. With WHS, it's not necessary to have all of your computers on to find and share information. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of WHS plug-ins that allow you to stream multimedia, control household appliances, host a website, the list goes on and on. I store all of my ripped DVDs and music on it, and use it with Media Center for media fun all over my house. All of my computers are backed up nightly, and the restore is a snap! Just pop in the restore CD, connect to your network via ethernet, select the backup you want to restore, and you are off to the races!

The Microsoft site can explain things:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...r/default.mspx
Windows Home Server Home Network FAQ

There are quite a few good WHS support sites out there. I visit wegotserved.com and usingwindowshomeserver.com. Check them out.

kiski said:

Well, the insanity continues...I went into setup and disabled RAID and rebooted to make sure the system would, in fact, still boot up. It booted fine and when I checked "Computer" I found that my DVD drive wasn't listed! I rebooted and went into setup and checked the boot sequence. The CD/DVD drive (listed first) showed "not present".

My XPS does not have integrated graphics. I did check my nVidia GeForce 9500 GT card and it has (1) DVI out, (1) VGA out, and (1) S-Video out, so I can hook up a VGA cable to the monitor. Apparently this is an early 9500 card.

I find it almost laughable that, in order to "upgrade" to Windows 7, I have to disable RAID, disable the DVI monitor cable and use a VGA cable, AND remove 4 gigs of RAM! I could better understand this if I were upgrading from XP, but I'm upgrading from Vista Home Premium 64-bit to Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. This is the most frustrating Windows upgrade I have ever been thru and I've been thru plenty - starting with the DOS to Windows upgrade that came on 13 floppys!

I'm beginning to question whether this "upgrade" is even worth it. My computer runs very well with Vista (aside from the occasional hiccup) and my only real complaint is the really, really, long shut down sequence.

I haven't seen many Dells with installation issues.
Have you updated your drivers and BIOS from the Dell Technical Support site?

Dell has Win7 64bit drivers listed, not too many but a start.
The BIOS listed is 3/26/2009 A01, if yours is older I would install this one.

Good luck, let us know how it's going.