DragonsAvatar

So I was looking online for some basic home server solutions for some friends and came across Windows Home Server. However, I'm looking around and I want to double-verify before trying to obtain it: Is this actually an operating system that I need to install or can I just put the functions on over Vista/XP? Will there be compatability issues between XP and Vista on the same network? And if it is an OS, will it be usable with Vista or XP software or do I need to worry about that issue in terms of games and business apps. and such?

Another question is this: would I just be better finding another solution to making a home server altogether? I like some of the features on there like the auto-backup of files and etc. but I'm open to other suggestions. Has anyone here actually used it and wants to give any feedback? How is it with getting computers to use a wired printer hooked up to a single desktop and setting up some network storage? My friends have some complicated requests but aren't savvy enough to manage them all themselves without me helping for some of it, so I want to find the simplest solution available.

Thanks for the help and if there are any feedback or comments about the functions/software itself let me know, I would love to read anything you wanna say.

[PWN]Schubie

1. it is an independent OS, no vista or xp on the machine.
2. no compatibility issues that i have run into (with both vista and xp)
3. me and my friend built a server from scrap parts and stuck a 500 gig HDD in it, works great, use it as our file server.

any other questions and i will try to answer best i can.

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DuckieHo

It is a complete operating system based on Server 2003.

It supports XP and Vista. It can backup only XP 32, Vista 32, and Vista 64-bit.

It is stupid easy to set up.... not sure about the printer though. I use a wireless printer at home.


If you pay $10 for shipping, MS provides a 3 month evaluation copy of WHS.

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DragonsAvatar

Is there any function involved that will be able to set up a shareable printer between like 2-3 laptops and some desktops for a wired printer set up at a central desktop? That's the only other main concern I can think of this very minute...

Also, in terms of drivers... Since I would need to install WHS on all the computers in the house, what driver version would I use? Like, are there specific ones for WHS or should I go for the vista ones, or the XP ones?

[PWN]Schubie

you dont need to install WHS on all computers, although it does have a client you can install to get access to user accounts and so fourth.
you can also access it just using remote desktop.
and i can look into the printer setting tomorrow.

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leakyfaucet

Just out of curiosity, what advantages does this OS offer over running remote desktop on XP or Vista?

DragonsAvatar

So suppose I have the disk in the mail tomorrow. I would just install the OS on say... my central desktop (probably as a dual boot to start) and then the disk has a client to install on all the other computers? That sounds pretty groovy if I understand it right.

And going on that train of thought, what version of drivers would I still need for that one desktop that has WHS on it?

This sounds really cool, I might give it a shot for my house as well...

DuckieHo

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leakyfaucet

So it's made to host webpages and such, too?

[PWN]Schubie

hmm, i have not tried that.
again, i use it primarily as a file server and occasionally use it as a COD4 or CS:S server.
keep it at my friends place and it is set so that when he downloads a torrent it is downloaded onto the file server instead of his laptop, also performs weekly backups of his laptop.

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