So I had been planning to make the switch to Windows 8 after reading about storage spaces. Unfortunately I didn't really read up on Windows 8 or test it out before hand. I saw Media Center was being offered as a free download and also purchased an upgrade version and installed it via USB. I also didn't research how I was going to install the OS.
After figuring I'd need a VGA cable to connect to the com port inside the server I opted to buy one.
Here: http://www.mediasmar....php?f=6&t=8066
Took two days and had cable in hand. Also picked up a new 3 TB drive to expand storage space. I transfered all current data to the 3 TB drive in a backup system I had in the garage. I only had 2.5TB of data so this worked great. I wasn't aware the C: drive in storage spaces was not part of the pooled system so I have a 1 TB drive for system and 2.5 TB on drives 2 and 3.
One thing I noticed was depending on the files I was getting very slow transfer speeds of my wired gigabit network. Generally I transfer 1-2 gb files at speeds of 35-50 MB per sec. But transfering my music and pictures 1.5 TB directories brought the system to a crawl 3-12MB. So it took a couple nights to get verything spread accross my 4 computers new 3TB drive and added another 1.5 drive which I had to find space for and clear out before adding that to the pool as well.
After I got everything backed up and cleared a couple drives I ran into my first hiccup. Windows 8 would not install. Kept getting unable to load OS on any drive error. I ended reformatting the drive clearing my Vista image I was going to upgrade for Windows 8 since WHS is not an upgradeable system. Big mistake. I also had to remove the additonal drives and disable the Acer Easystores internal flash drive for recovering WHS. If this was a know issue I wasn't aware. Like I said no research just jumped right in.
The USB install took about 30 minutes on the Acer which I was surprised due to the Atom processor. Once up and running I shut it down and added my drives and started to load up my data. Like I said I used 4 computers to transfer and store my files when taking the WHS offline. I thought Windows 8 would activate automatically after creating a profile and setting it up but I was wrong after setting up the transfers I found an activation request screen in the morning. Turns out because I reformatted do to the issue with installing Windows 8 it was a clean install and I could not register my copy of Windows 8. I didn't have the patience to reimage my system disk to Vista and start the process again so I simply ordered another copy of Windows 8 this time the retail version and had it overnighted. I am in the process of activating it now and will add media center and add most of the programs like Nero Mediahome and MyMovies for Media Center 8.
So far the Acer is running everything I throw at it and the transfer speeds are running anywhere from 50-90 MB sec. over the same gigbait network. So it seems to be utilizing the current drivers and hardware as best it can. Was able to stream to 2 360's and TV at the same time (non HD format video). Also tested streaming audio through Itunes and everything ran seemlessly. Really impressed with Windows 8 just wish I had a touch monitor but since this is the only system running it now I may use that upgrade version and convert my main computer but not sure if my settings for MyMovies and Steam will continue to run as easily after the upgrade.
Next thing I plan on doing is upgrading the Acer's ram to 4GB and installing into our spare room closet since I can hard wire the location and get it out of the living room. I didn't have any issues with WHS prior to the switch just wanted to bring it up to date and utilize the new OS and features. I also want to find a spot to mount the VGA adapter so I do not have to remove it. Although it will continue to be a headless unit I'd like to not have to search for the cable if need be. I'm planning on adding an HD TV adapter since it should run a lot easier through Windows 8 than WHS. I never got it to run correctly using WHS.
If anyone has also taken the plunge please provide any tips and let me know what I should consider for making the ultimate server using Windows 8 Pro.
After figuring I'd need a VGA cable to connect to the com port inside the server I opted to buy one.
Here: http://www.mediasmar....php?f=6&t=8066
Took two days and had cable in hand. Also picked up a new 3 TB drive to expand storage space. I transfered all current data to the 3 TB drive in a backup system I had in the garage. I only had 2.5TB of data so this worked great. I wasn't aware the C: drive in storage spaces was not part of the pooled system so I have a 1 TB drive for system and 2.5 TB on drives 2 and 3.
One thing I noticed was depending on the files I was getting very slow transfer speeds of my wired gigabit network. Generally I transfer 1-2 gb files at speeds of 35-50 MB per sec. But transfering my music and pictures 1.5 TB directories brought the system to a crawl 3-12MB. So it took a couple nights to get verything spread accross my 4 computers new 3TB drive and added another 1.5 drive which I had to find space for and clear out before adding that to the pool as well.
After I got everything backed up and cleared a couple drives I ran into my first hiccup. Windows 8 would not install. Kept getting unable to load OS on any drive error. I ended reformatting the drive clearing my Vista image I was going to upgrade for Windows 8 since WHS is not an upgradeable system. Big mistake. I also had to remove the additonal drives and disable the Acer Easystores internal flash drive for recovering WHS. If this was a know issue I wasn't aware. Like I said no research just jumped right in.
The USB install took about 30 minutes on the Acer which I was surprised due to the Atom processor. Once up and running I shut it down and added my drives and started to load up my data. Like I said I used 4 computers to transfer and store my files when taking the WHS offline. I thought Windows 8 would activate automatically after creating a profile and setting it up but I was wrong after setting up the transfers I found an activation request screen in the morning. Turns out because I reformatted do to the issue with installing Windows 8 it was a clean install and I could not register my copy of Windows 8. I didn't have the patience to reimage my system disk to Vista and start the process again so I simply ordered another copy of Windows 8 this time the retail version and had it overnighted. I am in the process of activating it now and will add media center and add most of the programs like Nero Mediahome and MyMovies for Media Center 8.
So far the Acer is running everything I throw at it and the transfer speeds are running anywhere from 50-90 MB sec. over the same gigbait network. So it seems to be utilizing the current drivers and hardware as best it can. Was able to stream to 2 360's and TV at the same time (non HD format video). Also tested streaming audio through Itunes and everything ran seemlessly. Really impressed with Windows 8 just wish I had a touch monitor but since this is the only system running it now I may use that upgrade version and convert my main computer but not sure if my settings for MyMovies and Steam will continue to run as easily after the upgrade.
Next thing I plan on doing is upgrading the Acer's ram to 4GB and installing into our spare room closet since I can hard wire the location and get it out of the living room. I didn't have any issues with WHS prior to the switch just wanted to bring it up to date and utilize the new OS and features. I also want to find a spot to mount the VGA adapter so I do not have to remove it. Although it will continue to be a headless unit I'd like to not have to search for the cable if need be. I'm planning on adding an HD TV adapter since it should run a lot easier through Windows 8 than WHS. I never got it to run correctly using WHS.
If anyone has also taken the plunge please provide any tips and let me know what I should consider for making the ultimate server using Windows 8 Pro.