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    I am posting here today to see if you can possibly answer the following questions about Windows Home Server.  I have been using the 120 trial for a few weeks now and absolutely love the software.  Great for my home network!  If possible, please answer the following questions for me:
     
    1.  When will my 120  trial expire (is there a way I can check to see how many days I have left)?
    2.  Can I use a key from another 120 trial that a friend got but didn't use it when my current trial expires (until I can make the purchase for the software)?
    3.  How much is the OEM and retail Windows Home Server software?  Where can I purchase this from?
    4.  When my trial expires, can I just purchase a KEY and continue using my current configuration without losing what I have now (not having to reinstall)?
    5.  How long will WHS be supported by Microsoft?
    6.  Does WHS support remote backups to machines outside my home network (friends and family)?
    7.  How many machines can I install the backup software on?
    8.  Will there be a WHS Server 2008 edition (as I see WHS is currently built off of Windows Server 2003)?
     
    I appreciate any and all questions you can answer.  Thanks again!

     

    Monday, January 26, 2009 5:10 AM

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    StarsFan4Life said:

    I am posting here today to see if you can possibly answer the following questions about Windows Home Server.  I have been using the 120 trial for a few weeks now and absolutely love the software.  Great for my home network!  If possible, please answer the following questions for me:
     
    1.  When will my 120  trial expire (is there a way I can check to see how many days I have left)?

    As I recall, the Console will show an expiration date in it.  However, it is based on 180 days (so subtract 2 months from what it says).  The best way to verify is to login to the server desktop and open the Event Viewer.  Go to the bottom of the log and look at the day you installed it, then add 120 days to that. ;)

    StarsFan4Life said:

    2.  Can I use a key from another 120 trial that a friend got but didn't use it when my current trial expires (until I can make the purchase for the software)?

    Not by just entering the key.  Once the 120 day eval is up, you must reinstall WHS (either another 120 day eval or an OEM).

    StarsFan4Life said:

    3.  How much is the OEM and retail Windows Home Server software?  Where can I purchase this from?

    There is no retail version of WHS software (only OEM).  As for where, there are a number of websites that have the OEM software for sale.

    StarsFan4Life said:

    4.  When my trial expires, can I just purchase a KEY and continue using my current configuration without losing what I have now (not having to reinstall)?

    No.  See my answer to question 2.

    StarsFan4Life said:

    5.  How long will WHS be supported by Microsoft?

    They have never specifically said, however I suspect it will be supported at least as long as Server 2003 is supported in terms of critical updates.

    StarsFan4Life said:

    6.  Does WHS support remote backups to machines outside my home network (friends and family)?

    No, it's not supported (but that doesn't mean it can't be done).  You would have to come up with your own solutions to do it.

    StarsFan4Life said:

    7.  How many machines can I install the backup software on?

    You can have up to 10 computers connected to the server at any one time.

    StarsFan4Life said:

    8.  Will there be a WHS Server 2008 edition (as I see WHS is currently built off of Windows Server 2003)?

    MS recently announced that the next version of WHS will be based on Win 7.  See What's Next for Windows Home Server? for more details.
     

    StarsFan4Life said:

    I appreciate any and all questions you can answer.  Thanks again!

     



    Monday, January 26, 2009 5:41 AM
    Moderator

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    StarsFan4Life said:

    I am posting here today to see if you can possibly answer the following questions about Windows Home Server.  I have been using the 120 trial for a few weeks now and absolutely love the software.  Great for my home network!  If possible, please answer the following questions for me:
     
    1.  When will my 120  trial expire (is there a way I can check to see how many days I have left)?

    As I recall, the Console will show an expiration date in it.  However, it is based on 180 days (so subtract 2 months from what it says).  The best way to verify is to login to the server desktop and open the Event Viewer.  Go to the bottom of the log and look at the day you installed it, then add 120 days to that. ;)

    StarsFan4Life said:

    2.  Can I use a key from another 120 trial that a friend got but didn't use it when my current trial expires (until I can make the purchase for the software)?

    Not by just entering the key.  Once the 120 day eval is up, you must reinstall WHS (either another 120 day eval or an OEM).

    StarsFan4Life said:

    3.  How much is the OEM and retail Windows Home Server software?  Where can I purchase this from?

    There is no retail version of WHS software (only OEM).  As for where, there are a number of websites that have the OEM software for sale.

    StarsFan4Life said:

    4.  When my trial expires, can I just purchase a KEY and continue using my current configuration without losing what I have now (not having to reinstall)?

    No.  See my answer to question 2.

    StarsFan4Life said:

    5.  How long will WHS be supported by Microsoft?

    They have never specifically said, however I suspect it will be supported at least as long as Server 2003 is supported in terms of critical updates.

    StarsFan4Life said:

    6.  Does WHS support remote backups to machines outside my home network (friends and family)?

    No, it's not supported (but that doesn't mean it can't be done).  You would have to come up with your own solutions to do it.

    StarsFan4Life said:

    7.  How many machines can I install the backup software on?

    You can have up to 10 computers connected to the server at any one time.

    StarsFan4Life said:

    8.  Will there be a WHS Server 2008 edition (as I see WHS is currently built off of Windows Server 2003)?

    MS recently announced that the next version of WHS will be based on Win 7.  See What's Next for Windows Home Server? for more details.
     

    StarsFan4Life said:

    I appreciate any and all questions you can answer.  Thanks again!

     



    Monday, January 26, 2009 5:41 AM
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    Hi,

    you should see the expiration date of the trial (or the remaining days, not sure), if you logon to your Windows Home Server desktop, click Start/Run and type winver. Be aware, that sometimes the trial may expire early, especially, if the system time got modified, the built in time bomb may hit immediatly.

    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf

    Monday, January 26, 2009 9:22 AM
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    Great!  I am going to lose all of my configuration?  IIS, dynamic DNS, FTP/HTML sites.....etc!!!!

    This stuff took me a while to get setup.  You would think it would be a pretty easy transition from trial to full version!  Bad Microsoft...bad!

    Monday, January 26, 2009 2:43 PM
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    Hello,

    as long as you have not done too much outside of the supported area (and mentioning FTP points to that, which you know opens a big security gap), it's relatively easy redone.

    That the transition path is not easier, may have much to do with the legacy of Windows Server 2003 - these trials also needed a reinstall/repair installation to disable the time bomb. Since WHS has no repair installation mode, the server reinstall is the only remaining option for now.

    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf

    Monday, January 26, 2009 2:53 PM
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    So your suggesting I do not have an FTP setup on this server?
    Monday, January 26, 2009 2:57 PM
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    StarsFan4Life said:

    So your suggesting I do not have an FTP setup on this server?


    He is informing you that anything you do outside of the WHS Console is unsupported and if/when a reinstallation is necessary, you will have to re-do all of your unsupported modifications as well.  If you want a full fledged server (your own web site, FTP site, etc), you should go with 2003/2008 instead.
    Monday, January 26, 2009 5:22 PM
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    Hi,

    StarsFan4Life said:

    So your suggesting I do not have an FTP setup on this server?


    yes. Instead of FTP you could use the Add-In Web Folders 4 WHS, if you need direct access to folders in Windows Home Server over the Internet. FTP is much more vulnerable to attacks and a first priority target for hack attempts.

    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf

    Monday, January 26, 2009 6:10 PM
    Moderator