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    Hello,

    I have recently started having problems with the console of my WHS. This occurs both from an RDP session to the WHS desktop and from a console launched from a client machine. When I start the console I get the following error messages:

    The Windows Home Server Console cannot open because the following file is blocking it:
    HomeServerConsoleTab.Sharing.dll.

    Do you want to open the Console without this file?

    If you click Yes, the Console may start without a feature that is associated with this file. If you click No, the Console will try to open again, using this file.

    I then click Yes, and receive this error:

    The Windows Home Server Console cannot open because the following file is blocking it:
    HomeServerConsoleTab.Storage.dll.

    Do you want to open the Console without this file?

    If you click Yes, the Console may start without a feature that is associated with this file. If you click No, the Console will try to open again, using this file.

    Once, again I click Yes.

    The Console then opens with only the 'Computers & Backup' and 'User Account' tabs available. If I open the settings dialog, the only selections available in the left-hand pane are 'Backup' and 'Passwords'.

    I was running the following the add-ins:
    avast! Antivirus 4.7.74
    Diskeeper 2008
    WHS Toolkit 1.1
    WHS Disk Management 1.0.9.8
    Duplication Info 1.2
    Event Viewer for WHS 1.1
    MyMovies for WHS 1.0.3

    I have since removed all add-ins except avast! Antivirus and Diskeeper via the Control Panel since I am unable to do so from the Console but it has not helped resolve the problem.

    It should be noted that the server is still serving data without issue, but I don't know if there are underlying issues that could cause me to lose data. It appears to only be a Console issue, but I am not positive this is the case.

    The server is homebuilt with an Asus P5Q motherboard, Intel E8400 CPU, 4GB DDR2 RAM, Intel PRO/1000 PT PCI-E ethernet adapter, 8x Seagate 1TB hard drives, 4 of which are controlled by the on-board SATA ports and 4 on an Adaptec AAR-1430A PCI-E SATA adapter.

    I have a feeling that a server re-install will be required, but I wanted to check with the experts first, as well be pointed to a documented process for re-install that will prevent me from losing several TB of data.

    The contents of the latest Console log are below:

    Created at 12/30/2008 12:58:19 PM
    ***** Started at 12/30/2008 12:58:19 PM ***
    ***** Started at 12/30/2008 12:58:19 PM ***
    [1]081230.125907.2782: Error: Error -2147023728 in SendMessage
    [1]081230.125907.2938: Error: Error -2147023728 in SendMessage
    [1]081230.125907.2938: Error: Error -2147023728 in SendMessage
    [1]081230.125907.3876: Error: Client 713bb4c4-f244-4e88-8a96-5ad0acf00d7d not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [1]081230.125907.4032: Error: Client Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.ClientNotFoundException: 713bb4c4-f244-4e88-8a96-5ad0acf00d7d
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClient(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid)
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClientNoThrow(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid) not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [1]081230.125907.4032: Error: Client 67d5f461-c952-44bb-8bc1-9a951d8ba35f not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [1]081230.125907.4032: Error: Client Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.ClientNotFoundException: 67d5f461-c952-44bb-8bc1-9a951d8ba35f
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClient(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid)
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClientNoThrow(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid) not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [1]081230.125907.6063: Error: Cannot invoke RefreshData for HealthControl
    [1]081230.125907.6063: Error: Error -2147023728 in SendMessage
    [1]081230.125907.6063: Error: Client 713bb4c4-f244-4e88-8a96-5ad0acf00d7d not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [1]081230.125907.6063: Error: Client Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.ClientNotFoundException: 713bb4c4-f244-4e88-8a96-5ad0acf00d7d
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClient(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid)
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClientNoThrow(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid) not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [1]081230.125907.6063: Error: Client 67d5f461-c952-44bb-8bc1-9a951d8ba35f not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [1]081230.125907.6063: Error: Client Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.ClientNotFoundException: 67d5f461-c952-44bb-8bc1-9a951d8ba35f
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClient(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid)
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClientNoThrow(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid) not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [9]081230.125908.4501: Error: Backup percentage is -2147483648
    [1]081230.125908.4501: Error: Client 713bb4c4-f244-4e88-8a96-5ad0acf00d7d not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [1]081230.125908.4501: Error: Client Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.ClientNotFoundException: 713bb4c4-f244-4e88-8a96-5ad0acf00d7d
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClient(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid)
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClientNoThrow(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid) not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [1]081230.125908.4501: Error: Client 67d5f461-c952-44bb-8bc1-9a951d8ba35f not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [1]081230.125908.4501: Error: Client Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.ClientNotFoundException: 67d5f461-c952-44bb-8bc1-9a951d8ba35f
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClient(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid)
       at Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.BackupHelpers.FindClientNoThrow(ConfigurationRoot configurator, Guid pcGuid) not found by BackupHelpers.FindClient
    [10]081230.125911.4501: Error: Backup percentage is -2147483648
    [9]081230.125918.4501: Error: Backup percentage is -2147483648
    [12]081230.125939.4501: Error: Backup percentage is -2147483648
    [1]081230.130004.8095: UI: Error: Could not load default settings page--using first settings item.
    [1]081230.130004.8095: Error: Error -2147023728 in SendMessage
    [13]081230.130109.9501: Error: Backup percentage is -2147483648
    [14]081230.130410.4501: Error: Backup percentage is -2147483648

    Thank you for your support!
    -Greg
    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 6:22 PM

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    Greg,

    It looks as though there is a corrupt file on the server, reading that log extract.

    A Server Restore certainly would be one way of recovering from this; it's also relatively straightforward.

    It's just a matter of booting from the server DVD and selecting the Restore option; this will format the C: partition and reinstall the operating system while leaving your Data drives alone. There are a couple of points to note though, if for some reason there is any data stored on the C: drive, it will be deleted. This situation would only arise however, if all your data drives were so completely full that the server was having to use the small amount of spac on the C: drive.
    The other point is, towards the end of the reinstall, it might appear that the system has frozen, even though there is drive activity; it hasn't stuck, it's just rebuilding all the pointers and tombstones to your data, and if you have a large amount, this can take hours to complete!

    After the reinstall is finally completed, you will need to do all the appropriate updates and then re-add any customisations you may have done - Add-Ins etc., and also re-add your Clients using exactly the same details you used the first time round.
    After completion, if your Clients cannot find the server, you may need to run the program 'discovery.exe' in the WHS folder on your Clients machine, which will find and re-attach your Clients to the server.

    If, for some reason, you don't get the restore option on booting, it could be that you need to provide the appropriate drivers that you used initially. If you cannot get the restore option don't use the Install option as that formats all attached drives.

    Goos luck,

    Colin

     
    If anyone answers your query successfully, please mark it as 'Helpful', to guide other users.
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Thursday, January 1, 2009 5:32 PM
    • Marked as answer by G2TC Monday, January 5, 2009 12:16 PM
    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 6:44 PM
    Moderator
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    Greg,

    Yes, as far as the reinstall option. There have been attempts in the past, (with some other file corruptions), to try and extract files and just install those; however as the Console/Connector files have been updated quite a few times since the release of WHS, finding the correct up-to-date files would be a little difficult in itself.
    Regarding the drivers, then yes, you should get the chance to install the drivers as you did on the original install.
    Whether it applies to your adaptor, I don't know, but most BIOS's nowadays allow SATA connections to be set as IDE compatible (or similar), in which case, drivers aren't required at all. The server operational differences between the two settings is small enough not to be noticeable in daily use.

    Colin


    If anyone answers your query successfully, please mark it as 'Helpful', to guide other users.
    • Marked as answer by G2TC Monday, January 5, 2009 12:16 PM
    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:33 PM
    Moderator
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    GeeTeeCee said:

    Thanks for you help, it is appreciated. In regard to the fact that I have 4 drives on an Adaptec PCI-E SATA adapter, will I be given the option to load those drivers during the re-install? I'm sure they will be required for the rebuild process you mentioned.

    Also, do you think a re-install is my only option to repair this problem?

    Hi Greg,
    if the controller cannot be configured for IDE compatibility mode, you will have to provide the drivers during setup (and will be asked for, may be a second time on seond stage of setup you will have to provide them on a floppy drive).

    It may also be the case, that data files are broken and this will not be fixed by a reinstall (I cannot read these log files very good, but lines like Error: Client Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.ClientNotFoundException: 713bb4c4-f244-4e88-8a96-5ad0acf00d7d could point into that direction) and therefore causing the console tabs to crash (which should never happen, if a client cannot be found). Or the backup database is corrupt and unreadable )Error: Backup percentage is -2147483648)and therefore the console cannot load subsequent elements.
    So you could try to remove all backups by deleting the content of the folder D:\folders\{00008086-058D-4C89-AB57-A7F909A47AB4} locally in Windows Explorer and rebooting after doing so.

    In worst case you may have to perform a full fresh install after saving at least all files from shared folders to an external drive or storage on one of the client PCs.
    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    • Marked as answer by G2TC Monday, January 5, 2009 12:16 PM
    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:42 PM
    Moderator

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  • Question
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    Greg,

    It looks as though there is a corrupt file on the server, reading that log extract.

    A Server Restore certainly would be one way of recovering from this; it's also relatively straightforward.

    It's just a matter of booting from the server DVD and selecting the Restore option; this will format the C: partition and reinstall the operating system while leaving your Data drives alone. There are a couple of points to note though, if for some reason there is any data stored on the C: drive, it will be deleted. This situation would only arise however, if all your data drives were so completely full that the server was having to use the small amount of spac on the C: drive.
    The other point is, towards the end of the reinstall, it might appear that the system has frozen, even though there is drive activity; it hasn't stuck, it's just rebuilding all the pointers and tombstones to your data, and if you have a large amount, this can take hours to complete!

    After the reinstall is finally completed, you will need to do all the appropriate updates and then re-add any customisations you may have done - Add-Ins etc., and also re-add your Clients using exactly the same details you used the first time round.
    After completion, if your Clients cannot find the server, you may need to run the program 'discovery.exe' in the WHS folder on your Clients machine, which will find and re-attach your Clients to the server.

    If, for some reason, you don't get the restore option on booting, it could be that you need to provide the appropriate drivers that you used initially. If you cannot get the restore option don't use the Install option as that formats all attached drives.

    Goos luck,

    Colin

     
    If anyone answers your query successfully, please mark it as 'Helpful', to guide other users.
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Thursday, January 1, 2009 5:32 PM
    • Marked as answer by G2TC Monday, January 5, 2009 12:16 PM
    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 6:44 PM
    Moderator
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    Colin,

    Thanks for you help, it is appreciated. In regard to the fact that I have 4 drives on an Adaptec PCI-E SATA adapter, will I be given the option to load those drivers during the re-install? I'm sure they will be required for the rebuild process you mentioned.

    Also, do you think a re-install is my only option to repair this problem?

    Thanks,
    Greg
    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:12 PM
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    Greg,

    Yes, as far as the reinstall option. There have been attempts in the past, (with some other file corruptions), to try and extract files and just install those; however as the Console/Connector files have been updated quite a few times since the release of WHS, finding the correct up-to-date files would be a little difficult in itself.
    Regarding the drivers, then yes, you should get the chance to install the drivers as you did on the original install.
    Whether it applies to your adaptor, I don't know, but most BIOS's nowadays allow SATA connections to be set as IDE compatible (or similar), in which case, drivers aren't required at all. The server operational differences between the two settings is small enough not to be noticeable in daily use.

    Colin


    If anyone answers your query successfully, please mark it as 'Helpful', to guide other users.
    • Marked as answer by G2TC Monday, January 5, 2009 12:16 PM
    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:33 PM
    Moderator
  • Question
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    GeeTeeCee said:

    Thanks for you help, it is appreciated. In regard to the fact that I have 4 drives on an Adaptec PCI-E SATA adapter, will I be given the option to load those drivers during the re-install? I'm sure they will be required for the rebuild process you mentioned.

    Also, do you think a re-install is my only option to repair this problem?

    Hi Greg,
    if the controller cannot be configured for IDE compatibility mode, you will have to provide the drivers during setup (and will be asked for, may be a second time on seond stage of setup you will have to provide them on a floppy drive).

    It may also be the case, that data files are broken and this will not be fixed by a reinstall (I cannot read these log files very good, but lines like Error: Client Microsoft.HomeServer.HomeServerConsoleTab.Health.ClientNotFoundException: 713bb4c4-f244-4e88-8a96-5ad0acf00d7d could point into that direction) and therefore causing the console tabs to crash (which should never happen, if a client cannot be found). Or the backup database is corrupt and unreadable )Error: Backup percentage is -2147483648)and therefore the console cannot load subsequent elements.
    So you could try to remove all backups by deleting the content of the folder D:\folders\{00008086-058D-4C89-AB57-A7F909A47AB4} locally in Windows Explorer and rebooting after doing so.

    In worst case you may have to perform a full fresh install after saving at least all files from shared folders to an external drive or storage on one of the client PCs.
    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    • Marked as answer by G2TC Monday, January 5, 2009 12:16 PM
    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:42 PM
    Moderator
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    Wow, scary stuff. So I need to find several TB of storage somewhere to backup my data on the WHS just in case there is something deeper than the Console wrong. Not sure how I will manage this, it is a bit disappointing to spend over $2000 building this backup solution and not have confidence that my data is safe. I really like my WHS, but wow.

    I will let you know how it goes once I figure out how I'm going to backup my backup solution.

    Thanks,
    Greg
    Tuesday, December 30, 2008 10:11 PM
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    Hello,

    I wanted to provide an update to the problems I was having with my WHS. Olaf's comments about possible data loss on server reinstall made me nervous enough to purchase three 1TB hard drives that I put in my client machines and was able to backup all the data on WHS across free space on several clients. Thankfully I did this because the reinstall failed. I was able to load the Adaptec drivers without issue, but eventually the reinstall errored out with a message similar to 'Storage configuration failed, Windows Home Server Installation will now exit.' After this, I tried to begin the reinstall again, but the option was not available, I could only do a new installation. So I lost all the data on WHS.

    With my only option being a new install, I went ahead with it and was able to rebuild the WHS, load all the hardware drivers, updates, Diskeeper 2009 and avast! antivirus succesfully. I am in the process of copying all the backed up data back to WHS now. While I am happy that I have been able to rebuild the server, I sure would like to understand the root cause of the failure to avoid it in the future. At least I have 3 new 1TB drives I can add to my server now!

    Many thanks to Colin and Olaf for your support in helping me work through this problem!

    Regards,
    Greg
    • Marked as answer by G2TC Monday, January 5, 2009 12:16 PM
    • Unmarked as answer by G2TC Monday, January 5, 2009 12:16 PM
    Monday, January 5, 2009 12:15 PM