WHS users - how do you back up the sys drive?

[Skirge01]

I have not yet tried this on my WHS box, but through my research it seems like it may be the most logical solution: free, Windows program (no Linux), uses Volume Shadow Services, can run from WinPE.

The program is DriveImage XML and there's a pretty good tutorial on how to set it up and automate the process.

If anyone gives this a shot before I get it set up, please report back.

[stevech]

would you trust your backups to Freeware?

[Skirge01]

Once tested, absolutely. Although, that's no different than I would treat Acronis, or any other paid backup solution. If the solution hasn't been tested yet, there's no proof that it will work. I wouldn't rule something out simply because it's free. I use Firefox everyday on every computer I utilize, both at work and at home. I also use jkdefrag for defragmenting all of my computers, Threatfire for malware protection, AVG for virus protection, plus Spybot, Malwarebytes, and HijackThis for cleaning duties on the rare occasion that a computer gets infected. While backups may be something you take a little more serious, that doesn't mean that a free solution won't suffice.

Also, I'm very familiar with Runtime Software's GetDataBack and RAID Reconstructor software. Both of those programs work precisely as advertised and have allowed me to salvage the data from a failed RAID array several times. It would seem that they know what they're doing and I won't slight them for deciding to give something away for free.

Back to DriveImage XML, I just got finished setting this up and the backup process seems to be working just fine. Once I have a spare drive to toss into the server, I'll test out the restore via BartPE. Although, if it fails to recover, I'm not so sure I'll be able to blame the backup software. It could very well be the fault of WHS itself.

Additionally, based on what I've read in various forums, MS is aware of the WHS' system drive vulnerability (and the vocal user's complaints) and is working on a solution for it. I'm hesitant to purchase something to supplement WHS when MS may release an update which provides the same functionality.

[wayner]

This is getting slightly OT but can you backup your drive to a USB memory key? I would think that an 8GB key is more than sufficient for your WHS system drive and this should simplify the process. Plus these memory keys are very cheap these days.

[Skirge01]

WHS has a 20GB system partition. While you may not use that entire amount, you just might. With the additional programs I have installed, mine is around 12GB. Plus, with the minimum amount of storage space you're suggesting, you'd only be able to have a single backup. Sometimes you need to go back further than yesterday in order to find where a problem originated.

[Peter_h]

Originally Posted by briands

I don't think slipstreaming is a big timesaver if you are looking at one install since you have to round up all of the updates as well as the latest (working) drivers for your hardware. Is there a way to capture all of the currently installed driver files (as well as Windows updates, etc)?

In overall time, it's not a time saver. However, if the system is down, having all the drivers on the install DVD is a huge help.

For example, none of my drivers, chipset, display, network, audio, etc. are on the WHS install DVD. Slimstreaming gets me past all of the install, and restart associated with each of the previously mentioned drivers.

As far as windows updates go, that's a little more difficult. I've done it with XP in the past but with WHS, I don't know.

A little off topic but bhere is a community of people that work on an alternative install disk with all updates, the most popular add-ins, and drivers ready to go. Google "WHS X-fles".

[briands]

Originally Posted by Peter_h

..................
A little off topic but bhere is a community of people that work on an alternative install disk with all updates, the most popular add-ins, and drivers ready to go. Google "WHS X-fles".

Seems like it would be possible for this community to create a similar package for SageTV centric WHS installation. It would be installed after the motherboard/system drivers and Sage was installed (but not configured).

Include:
"best working" drivers

available encoders
USB-UIRT
R5000

Server add ons -

Sage webserver
BMI

Other add ons - could be included but not configured

STVs
STVi

[Peter_h]

Possibly, but I don't think any of the people that work on that project use Sagetv.