Recommendation of new WHS Sage Server

[ChaOConnor]

Good Morning All,

My Sage Server is starting to crap out on me, I think it's time I do it up right and move to a WHS box. I wanted to know what everyone is using? Are you going with the pre-fab HP or Acer devices?

I have a HVR-2250 (so I need 1 PCI-E slot) and I have three 1TB SATA drives. Basically I'm looking for a box to put these in, install Sage, and forget about it.

What is the prevailing wisdom on WHS boxes?

Thanks!

- Cha

[bhyman1]

The HP boxes are nice, but they have no internal expansion slots, so your tuner would be wasted.

It's pretty easy to build your own. That's what I've done. Just use good quality hardware, and do a little research on whether or not it will work with Windows Server 2003, since that's what WHS uses as it's OS.

[ChaOConnor]

Any recommendations on where to start?

I'm disappointed, I thought those HP boxes had at least one slot... darn!

[gplasky]

AFAIK all of the pre-built Windows Home Server boxes from various manufaturers (HP, Acer, Lenovo) do NOT have any available slots. You'll need to build your own. (Like I did) So you could just order a nice pre-built machine with the specs and slots you want and buy and install the WHS OS. Look for Windows 2003 server drivers for whatever machine you're looking. That will be your best choice followed by Windows XP drivers. (Vista drivers won't work for the 2003 server OS but XP usually will)

Gerry

[bhyman1]

Dell refurbs are a good value, although I dont know if they're good for WHS driver wise.

[Peter_h]

Originally Posted by gplasky

AFAIK all of the pre-built Windows Home Server boxes from various manufaturers (HP, Acer, Lenovo) do NOT have any available slots. You'll need to build your own. (Like I did) So you could just order a nice pre-built machine with the specs and slots you want and buy and install the WHS OS. Look for Windows 2003 server drivers for whatever machine you're looking. That will be your best choice followed by Windows XP drivers. (Vista drivers won't work for the 2003 server OS but XP usually will)

Gerry

The Acer's have one PCIe 4x slot.

The Lenovo's look to be rebranded Acer's so they might also have the same. I haven't seen any internal pics to confirm.

Edit: It looks like the PCIe slot on the Acer's is only half height. I don't know if that is an issue with the HVR-2250's.

Check this link. Pic and description of the slot is about 1/3rd of the way down.

[ChaOConnor]

Peter, thanks! I thought I saw an open slot in the Acer photo on Newegg... but it was tough to verify. The HVR2250 is a low form card. The external interface is full sized. I wonder if I just loped the top off, if I could fit it in. That acer is a good deal.

What do you think?

[Peter_h]

I would look into the PCIe slot to make sure it will work ok. I don't think I've seen anyone use it... yet. Reading the article I linked, he states that there is nothing in the manual on what will work in the slot.

[ChaOConnor]

for under 4 bills, I may just order it (newegg), give it a shot and throw the 2250 in. If it doesn't work, just send it back.

[bhyman1]

The HVR-2250 comes with the low profile bracket. No need to hack the big one.

[gplasky]

Good find on the slot Pete. I couldn't verify it. Amazon has it for $379.

Gerry

[ChaOConnor]

Bhyman... good point! I just pulled my 2250 box out and found it. Great!

[Peter_h]

Originally Posted by ChaOConnor

for under 4 bills, I may just order it (newegg), give it a shot and throw the 2250 in. If it doesn't work, just send it back.

If you are going to chance it, go with Amazon. Their return policy is way better than newegg's. It is very much a no questions asked, no restocking fee, policy.

[Tokendude]

Originally Posted by Peter_h

If you are going to chance it, go with Amazon. Their return policy is way better than newegg's. It is very much a no questions asked, no restocking fee, policy.

Please note this return policy only applies to items fullfilled directly by Amazon. I'm currently in a bad situation regarding a weed wacker replacement trimmer head I purchased which will not fit, even though it was listed as a direct swap for my machine. Amazon sent me to the fulfiller for a refund since they did not fill the order direct, and so far I can't even get a response from these guys... In this case it's only $30 bucks, but $350 for a computer is a whole different matter...

Roy