Tech Diversions

I decided to give the PP3 beta a shot on my Windows Home Server.  Mainly this is a Windows 7 update, but can be used on Vista as well.  The main enhancements are:

• Library integration for Windows 7 and Media Center
• Image backup for Windows 7 computers
• Automatically move Recorded TV to Home Server
• Archive Recorded TV to different formats

The install was painless on the server, although it has to be removed before installing the released version (Date TBD). After rebooting the WHS my connector on my Windows 7 RC desktop updated on it’s own.  At that point I could go into Libraries and see the integration with the Shared Folders.Music, Pictures, and Videos integrate automatically with the Windows 7 library.  Launching Media Center produced an install prompt for the updated MCE connector.  After installing you have options for moving and archiving Recorded TV. There’s also a console view available to check on the health of your Home Server from within Media Center. Overall the experience was good, I haven’t tried the image based backup yet but the Library integration is well worth it.  No more going to “Shared Folders” and it makes Media Player and Media Center easier to integrate.

There are several sites out there with more details, check them out here:   Using Windows Home Server , We Got Served .

Power Pack 2 came out the other day, running update on your Windows Home Server will download and install it.  Installation requires a reboot of the server.  Once installed PP2 includes some enhanced features for sharing media with Vista Media Center and Media Center Extenders, which was my main interest.  After rebooting the server, the client computers were notified of the update.

I have a 32 and 64 bit clients.  One was set for manual updates which after notification, required me to uninstall the WHS connector and then install the new one.  Installation of the new client required me to fill out the defaults, like it was a new install and then reboot.

When I went to the machine that had automatic updates setup, it had already had the WHS connector updated and was waiting for a reboot.

After rebooting there was a new option in the start menu of both machines to install the new WHS Media Center Connector.  Installation was straight forward and then required another reboot.

Following the second reboot of the client the Media Center Library had been automatically updated to include the default shared media folders of the WHS.  Browsing the library seemed faster as well.

I setup a new Linksys extender and once connected to a Media Center that had the new connector, it also had the WHS media in it’s library by default.  One thing I haven’t verified is that the new update does not require you to have the “guest” account turned on the WHS, which was always a beef of mine.  In general the install went without a hitch and I would recommend installing it.

You can find out more info at MaximumPC and Microsoft.