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I don't want to buy another server ! RRS feed

  • Question

  • Hello,

    Like you I suppose, I'm trying WHS and, like you I suppose, I find it very usefull, strong (but still in beta test)...

    I read, don't know where, that WHS will be a part of a hardware/software solution for home users.

    I would like to know if it will be possible to buy it alone, "in-a-box" ; I bought a DVD reader, some memory, and some HD's for my computer-server and I don't want to buy another one !

    Perhaps Microsoft will be cool with beta testers and will sell us a box of WHS ?

    Can I dream a little ?

    Bye !

    Tuesday, March 13, 2007 9:54 PM

Answers

  • Microsoft has stated more than once that WHS will be available in a standalone channel, in addition to the server appliances that HP and others are developing. I would assume that this means that you'll be able to buy an OEM pack, just like you can buy one for Vista or XP right now.

    I don't consider this completely set in stone, as we're months from RTM. But it's at least an indication of intent.
    Wednesday, March 14, 2007 1:14 AM
    Moderator
  • Nobody is wanting you to buy a new server, the choice of either buying the software only, or a package, is yours.

    Your comment re a 'key', it's because the trial version is 'hard wired' in a few different places to stop people either 'hacking' it, or just re-installing it, to get around paying for a copy.

    If you are happy with your existing hardware setup, then just purchasing and installing an OEM copy is no great deal.

    When you boot from the DVD, it will offer you the option of either New Installation, or Re-Install. Selecting the re-install option, will just format your C partition and install the WHS software, but will keep all your backups and stored data in your Shared Folders.

     

    Colin

    Thursday, June 26, 2008 5:50 PM

All replies

  • A Question I would like answered too!!

    I have seen on MSConnect that it will be OEM with a device only,

    I have seen on MSConnect that it will be available in a retail box.

    Which rumor is true?

    Sweet Dreams..

    Tuesday, March 13, 2007 10:10 PM
  • Nobody really knows...its still months away to RTM anyways.  I'm willing to bet that it goes OEM, and not retail.  Though, there's still the chance that they will sell it retail - though that would be a large problem installing with non-technical users.
    Tuesday, March 13, 2007 10:47 PM
  • Microsoft has stated more than once that WHS will be available in a standalone channel, in addition to the server appliances that HP and others are developing. I would assume that this means that you'll be able to buy an OEM pack, just like you can buy one for Vista or XP right now.

    I don't consider this completely set in stone, as we're months from RTM. But it's at least an indication of intent.
    Wednesday, March 14, 2007 1:14 AM
    Moderator
  • You know I see people saying "Microsoft said this" and "Microsoft said that" but no one ever posts a link to an article, video, podcast, or whatever where someone from Microsoft actually said it...

    The closest I've seen/heard to Microsoft saying anything one way or the other is a video on Channel 10. The video interview features Joel Sider, WHS Public Relations guy. About 4 minutes and 35 seconds in the question is asked:

    Channel 10: "Can you say with more clarification at all when/if I'll be able to buy a boxed copy of the software to roll my own device?"

    Joel Sider: "Most consumers are going to buy Home Server in an integrated hardware/software solution like the HP Mediasmart Server. We think it's very interesting and compelling to unleash the system builders and the do-it-yourself'ers. There's no plans for a retail version of Home Server software, shelfware. We're thinking through the system builder's sku, and hopefully have clarification on that in the next few months."

    Wednesday, March 14, 2007 3:05 AM
  • It is my understanding the OS is intended as an OEM and retail box solutions.  This I read on Maximum PC.
    Wednesday, March 14, 2007 11:36 AM
  • From page 7 of the Reviewer's Guide document that came with the download package:

    The plan is to make the final release of Windows Home Server available to customers in two forms:

    ·      A tightly integrated hardware/software solution sold by numerous companies through retail stores and web-based e-commerce stores.

    ·      A software only version that can be installed and configured by System Builders  or technical enthusiasts to build specific solutions with Windows Home Server.

    Wednesday, March 14, 2007 1:59 PM
  • Download virtual pc 2007, it's free and will allow you to beta test it on any machine you currently have without disrupting that machine's setup.
    Wednesday, March 14, 2007 5:53 PM
  • If WHS is sold only as a OEM product many of us will still be able to purchase it through methods such as http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=6526&vpn=N09-01153OEM&manufacture=Microsoft

    It is OEM and not quite retail.

    Wednesday, March 14, 2007 8:35 PM
  •  pd48 wrote:

    From page 7 of the Reviewer's Guide document that came with the download package:

    The plan is to make the final release of Windows Home Server available to customers in two forms:

    ·      A tightly integrated hardware/software solution sold by numerous companies through retail stores and web-based e-commerce stores.

    ·      A software only version that can be installed and configured by System Builders  or technical enthusiasts to build specific solutions with Windows Home Server.

     

    I have just been invited to the beta program, and this subject is really concerning me too. I just checked the current Reviewer's Guide, and it seems that the particular section posted above has been changed:

     

    The current plan is to make the final release of Windows Home Server available to customers as a tightly integrated hardware/software solution sold by numerous companies through retail stores and web-based e-commerce stores. <end>

     

     

    No mentioning of a software only version any more... Could this be an indication that there won't be a retail version ?

     

     

    Regards,

    Dirk

    Friday, April 20, 2007 12:13 PM
  • Lets keep in mind that MS cconsiders OEM a generic term. HP, Dell etc are OEM but so are PC shops that customer build pcs. Media Center 2005 is a OEM software package meaning its not sold at Big Box Stores like Staples, Best Buy etc. However you can by MCE at a custsom PC shop as the are OEM as well.
    Friday, April 20, 2007 1:17 PM
  • True... I was simply alerted by the fact that specifically the paragraph about the 'software only' version has been removed from the documentation...

     

     

    Dirk

     

    Friday, April 20, 2007 1:37 PM
  • Hello Ken,

     

    We´re more than a year later now. I´ve run WHS 100 of 120 days on hardware I assembled from my old desktop and a set of separate harddisks I collected as backuptools in the past. Why, oh why can't Microsoft simply provide me with key (against a license fee, of course) to enable me to continue the use of WHS?

     

    In the present situation, buying new hardware for this applcation would be a complete waste of money, as the configuration works just fine and only half of the diskspace is being used. I just don´t need the new server they want me to buy.

     

    And what will be the problems I´ll run into if I purchase an OEM version?

    Thursday, June 26, 2008 4:28 PM
  • Nobody is wanting you to buy a new server, the choice of either buying the software only, or a package, is yours.

    Your comment re a 'key', it's because the trial version is 'hard wired' in a few different places to stop people either 'hacking' it, or just re-installing it, to get around paying for a copy.

    If you are happy with your existing hardware setup, then just purchasing and installing an OEM copy is no great deal.

    When you boot from the DVD, it will offer you the option of either New Installation, or Re-Install. Selecting the re-install option, will just format your C partition and install the WHS software, but will keep all your backups and stored data in your Shared Folders.

     

    Colin

    Thursday, June 26, 2008 5:50 PM
  • Thanks for your reply Colin. I´ve now purchased an OEM copy and I´m now trying to get it "re-installed!"

     

    Kind regards.

     

    eFfe

     

     

    Friday, July 18, 2008 2:11 PM
  • Good luck,

    If you run into any problems, I'm sure you will get help through the forums.

     

    Colin

     

    Friday, July 18, 2008 4:54 PM