opinions on HP EX470 Windows Home Server?

[DarkManX]

seems like these are pretty much available now, and with my HP discount through work I can get one for 499$ it would be the 500gig version. is it worth it? or should I just build my own box? I current have an older dell poweredge server i believe its a Celeron 1.8ghz with 512mb of ram, currently has 2x500gig PATA drives running freeNAS. but im deff set on migrating to Windows Home Server because it does everything ive been dreaming about for years now all right out of the box. from doing my research it looks like the EX470 does not have any expansion card slots so id have to get replace my current PATA drives.

so my options are:

1. Buy EX470 for 499$ delivered
2. Use existing dell power edge 1.8celeron with 512MB ram and 2x500gig HD's
3. Build brand new system

And I will be able to get a copy of WHS for 50$ through a Microsoft employee hookup.

 

[RebateMonger]

It sounds like you should stick with the existing Dell Power Edge. I see no reason to spend $500 plus another $100 for a second hard drive. The only disadvantage might be that most low-end Dell servers only had space for two hard drives.

 

[JackMDS]

I agree with RebateMonger, keep the Dell (especially if you can get the OS discounted).

Upgrade the memory to 1GB, and do not worry about drives.

WHS does not care if you mix drives (unlike RAID systems).

When you need more space, get SATA/eSATA crads, and SATA drives in encluser.

WHS would automatically configure and treat the whole thing as though it is one big drive with no space loss.

 

[smitjere]

LOL, I am in the same situation as you...run Freenas...but love the add drives as you grow that WHS offers. So I am migrating. I want hot pluggable drives, less power usage (big one for me), and the small form factor of the HP. I figure the upgrades and software to run WHS would run me close to the $500 anyways.

 

[DarkManX]

i just received the WHS 120-day evaluation copy, does anyone know what happens when it runs out? will I just be able to put in the CD-key of a regular licenced version or do a clean install?

 

[DarkManX]

Originally posted by: smitjere
LOL, I am in the same situation as you...run Freenas...but love the add drives as you grow that WHS offers. So I am migrating. I want hot pluggable drives, less power usage (big one for me), and the small form factor of the HP. I figure the upgrades and software to run WHS would run me close to the $500 anyways.

what are the specs of your freenas server?

 

[smitjere]

amd 1400+ 512 ram 2 400 gig hds.

 

[DarkManX]

so your cpu is pretty comprable to the HP system, i have another 512mb stick of ram comming today so I will be doing the install 2nite probly if i get all my data backed up in time. anyone know if theres a way for WHS to read the freeNAS partitions?? heh

 

[erwos]

I'm in something of the same situation. I have an existing home-built Linux NAS that I'd like to switch to WHS, but migrating the data over would be a real pain. For now, I'm just going to leave it alone and build something new in the future - I'm still waiting for WVMC to do TV recording to a network share anyways.

 

[DarkManX]

i started the install today and after it boots from the DVD i get a "windows is loading files" black screen with a white bar, once the white bar fills up it looks like the computer just freezes up, anyone experience anything simmilar?

 

[DarkManX]

Originally posted by: DarkManX
i started the install today and after it boots from the DVD i get a "windows is loading files" black screen with a white bar, once the white bar fills up it looks like the computer just freezes up, anyone experience anything simmilar?

ops i think thats cuz the server only had 128mb of ram, i thought it had 512..... i put in a fresh stick of 512mb and it went right past the screen