Windows home server over 7?

[badger906]

slightly off forum topic but hey

Just built my home server and installed a copy of Windows server 2008 i had.

Now i dont like it, and never have, as its the full fat version, even turning it off is a mission.

Is it worth getting Server 2011, or shall i just install windows 7?
As im only using it for file backups and as a media streamer to my home cinema system.

 

[pparks1]

Do you have a copy of Technet where you get Windows licenses? If not, why not install a linux distro on the device and use that instead as it won't cost you anything?

 

[badger906]

i dont no.
I thought about it, but am new to linux, only messed about with it once and couldnt even figure out how to install things lol.

Its not a cost thing, its more a "i want to get this server finished tomorrow on my day off" thing lol server is only like £40, but obviously free is better.

 

[pparks1]

Windows Home Server makes it "easier" for a novice to install and add additional hard drives and such. ANd it's far less costly than legally licensing Server 2008. In addition, it can monitor your AV status and also backup all of your Windows desktop computers that you might have.

If you don't require the additional functions and don't benefit from the ease of using "drive pools", then going with Windows 7 would certainly work.

Personally, if it were me, and I was setting up a server like you are...I would go for Windows Home Server over Windows 7, without question.

 

[badger906]

im currently downloading ubuntu server. May as well give it a go. Im just hoping i can get it configured so its both windows an mac friendly, without having to learn too much about a 3rd OS in my life lol

 

[DeaconFrost]

I love my WHS box. I'm actually about to sell my HP MediaSmart WHS 1.0 box that served me well because I built a new server to run WHS 2011. It's selling for $60 USD, and definitely worth it. I'm a big believer in using the proper OS for the job, so if Server 2008 doesn't work for you, WHS will do nicely.

 

[pparks1]

im currently downloading ubuntu server. May as well give it a go. Im just hoping i can get it configured so its both windows an mac friendly, without having to learn too much about a 3rd OS in my life lol

Well, Linux will be a learning curve. And Ubuntu Server by default doesn't even have a GUI. Personally, I love not having a GUI, but I'll bet dollars to donuts that it doesn't make you giddy with excitement.

Learning another OS is a great thing, because it opens your eyes to what is possible and what others can do. And it gives you options, so if you don't like the price of Windows, or a way that Windows does something, you might find there is a better tool for the job.

 

[badger906]

ok im convinced.. im going to go buy windows home server 2011 now lol, if i order it now ill get it by tomorrow morning

 

[badger906]

since when did windows get so smart arse!? lol my server has 2gb ram, yet the windows says "requirements not met".. cant see how and would only allow me to restart..

i stole 4gb out of my gaming rig, so am hoping once its installed i can remove it and just stick with the original 2gb in my server, part of it must be shared i assume.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Did it specifically complain about the memory? I have it running on an old HP MediaSmart EX490 that has only 2 GB of memory.

 

[badger906]

Yeah just before installation it came up with a system requirement page and a red cross next to ram. And it only gave me the option to restart lol, runs fine now even though I took the 4gb dimm out I added just to install it

 

[pparks1]

I wonder if you have a video card that uses shared memory and that was stealing enough of your RAM that you OS didn't see that it had 2GB of RAM...which is the stated minimum requirement.

 

[badger906]

More than likely, its the newish AMD fusion breed, of CPUand GPU all under on central heatsink. If it is shared its bloody good lol, gets decent frame rates on games and 1080p blu rays.
Not quite what servers are for ahem lol. Its rigged up to my home cinema system so its also my movies store lol

 

[DeaconFrost]

Good catch, pparks1. My server with 2 GB is headless, and has no video board at all, so the full 2 GB would have been available.