Tuesday is here at last, and for Windows Home Server owners that means one thing… Power Pack 3 Day!
Microsoft have released PP3 for download via Windows Update, and it’s free and waiting for you to download. Simply open your WHS Console, go to the Settings dialog, and click Update Now in the General section. You’ll need to restart your home server, and each home computer connected to Windows Home Server, after which Power Pack 3 will be yoursm
Let’s recap on what’s new, courtesy of the Windows Team Blog:
Windows 7 Libraries integration
When you install the Windows Home Server Connector and log on a computer running Windows 7, you can access the Windows Home Server shared folders from the Windows 7 libraries.
Windows 7 Action Center backup warning suppression
After you install the Windows Home Server Connector to enable the home server backup for your computer running Windows 7, you can suppress the Action Center warning reminding you that Windows Backup has not been set up.
Windows 7 power settings
You can configure your computer running Windows 7 to wake up at a scheduled backup time and then go back to sleep after the backup finishes.
Console support for Windows 7
Windows 7 is properly displayed as the operating system shown in the Computers & Backup tab.
Windows Search
Windows Search 4 is included to improve query search times, indexing times, and reliability. Extended Remote Discovery increases the efficiency of searching across all your libraries running Windows Search 4. Files encrypted with EFS are now supported.
TV archive
Windows Home Server can automatically archive recorded TV by moving your recordings from a Windows Media Center computer to your home server in the format of your choice. This enables playback in the correct format for your home computers and/or portable devices.
Console view
You can view information about your home server’s storage space, hard drives, backup status, and more from Windows Media Center.
Complete details are available in the Power Pack 3 Release Documentation.
If you’ve been running the Power Pack 3 beta, make sure you uninstall it before you install the final PP3 update. Here’s how (thanks to Janne Strom for the heads up!):
1. Access the Windows Home Server Administrator’s Desktop (How to connect to the Windows Home Server Administrator’s Desktop)
2. Navigate to the Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Beta folder at Start > My Computer > D: > Shares > Software > Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Beta.
3. Run the Uninstall.cmd file to un-install Power Pack 3 Beta. After reboot, your Home Server will revert back to your previous version.
4. Re-install the updated Windows Home Server Connector software on your home computer. (Windows Home Server Connector installation)
24. November 2009 at 11:44 pm
Right click connector icon. Put check mark next to wake computer for backup
25. November 2009 at 12:19 am
No updates available on my WHS
25. November 2009 at 6:00 pm
Be certain you don't have any 'preview' or beta version of WHS PP3 currently installed. I wasn't offered the update until I removed the 'preview' version of the product… Cheers!
25. November 2009 at 10:10 pm
Certainly PP3 beta is not listed as being installed. I did do a PP3 beta install some time ago, but can't remember if it was on a previous WHS installation, or my current WHS installation. Either way, resources show that it is not installed, as far as I am aware…
Windows Home Server Console: 6.0.2361.0
Windows Home Server Backup & Restore: 6.0.2361.0
Windows Home Server Drive Extender: 6.0.2030.0
Windows Home Server Remote Access: 6.0.2361.0
Windows Home Server Storage Manager: 6.0.2361.0
regards,
9. December 2009 at 4:17 pm
YOU NEED TO UNINSTALL YOUR BETA POWER PACK 3 AS WRITTEN ON THIS PAGE – I had the same problem and thourgt I did not install the beta version – but when I tried to uninstall – the mashine restarted and now it is picking up as normal and Im getting the PW3 pack on update
26. November 2009 at 8:39 pm
Check for updates under Windows Update in the General tab of Windows Homer Server Setings. Showed up there for me, but not on the home page 'check for updates'.
26. November 2009 at 11:50 pm
WHS did not show PP3 being available, either from Console or Desktop.
On a hunch, I remembered that PP3 beta was installed from its own folder, so I went there and ran the Uninstall cmd file again. After a minute or two, WHS restarted and eventually PP3 turned up for downloading and installing. After doing that, all was well.
Regards,
25. November 2009 at 12:22 am
Cool! Looks like perfect timing to nuke my WHS and reinstall it… an endeavor I'm very HESITANT to perform considering all the tweaks and adjustments I've made to it! But my trial is up in 8 days and it's perfect timing with PP3 as well. Time to reload it with the paid version! I really kinda wished MS would've released a new version of WHS by then, like one based on Vista (Server 2008) at least…
25. November 2009 at 12:34 am
I can't connect remotely after the upgrade
I have tried through the console and it tells me:
"This computer cannot connect to the home server…"
I try though remote desktop and I get the same thing…
25. November 2009 at 12:35 am
I can however get to the share folders.
25. November 2009 at 12:55 am
I have been trying all day, keep getting the message "There are no updates available for Windows Home Server". I'm running PowerPack 2.
12. December 2009 at 7:21 pm
I remember installing PP3 Beta, which reported in the console that it was still PP2. You can't install PP3 until you've uninstalled the Beta. Could that be your problem?
25. November 2009 at 12:57 am
Update: After 2 reboots everything was restored..weird.
25. November 2009 at 1:14 am
jmhenry5150,
It was probably due to the delay in updating the console on the client PC. I tried to access the server shortly after installing PP3 and the server rebooting and got the same message you did. I waited and shortly got a pop up stating that the console had been updated and I had to reboot.
As he stated in the article above (including the spelling error) "You’ll need to restart your home server, and each hope computer connected to Windows Home Server, after which Power Pack 3 will be yours!"
Unless you reboot, the old console version cannot access the updated WHS.
25. November 2009 at 1:24 am
Excuse the terminology, I should have stated it as "connector" not "console".
25. November 2009 at 2:58 am
Anyone else having issues with the TV Archive service not running?
-Sean
http://connectedcommuter.com
24. November 2009 at 11:19 pm
Windows 7 power settings
You can configure your computer running Windows 7 to wake up at a scheduled backup time and then go back to sleep after the backup finishes.
__
Where can I configure this? It doesn't show up in the backup configuration wizard of in energy management.
24. November 2009 at 11:25 pm
same I can not see it either
24. November 2009 at 11:29 pm
It is a option when you install the connector softweare on each computer (last screen). You might need to install tjhe connector software again? or Maybe just run the exe which re-runs the setup.
5. December 2009 at 12:07 pm
I did not configure this myself, but since PP3 it just works again.
25. November 2009 at 9:34 am
I have installed the beta and deleted the download pack so i am unable to uninstall it – any advice?
25. November 2009 at 7:47 am
I receive the message "no updates available". Power Pack 2 is installed – now what?
25. November 2009 at 6:02 pm
Be certain you don't have any 'preview' or beta version of WHS PP3 currently installed. I wasn't offered the update until I removed the 'preview' version of the product… Cheers!
12. December 2009 at 7:21 pm
I remember installing PP3 Beta, which reported in the console that it was still PP2. You can't install PP3 until you've uninstalled the Beta. Could that be your problem?
25. November 2009 at 1:20 pm
Should people wait for the next version of WHS ? and write this off now then
25. November 2009 at 1:27 pm
??? why would you do that?
30. November 2009 at 2:56 pm
because quite a few people in here appear to say it DON'T WORK! why else
25. November 2009 at 1:41 pm
So if you dont use win7 or media centre, it has little to offer?? Thats a bit disappointing….
25. November 2009 at 3:22 pm
so now it's time for news about Vail.
there have been no news for a really long time.
25. November 2009 at 3:24 pm
Why no LLTD? The nicest networking feature of windows vista is still not implemented in windows server 2003
25. November 2009 at 12:36 pm
It might not be built in, but it is certainly possible. A simple search will produce a great many walkthroughs…
The first of many results from BING:
http://www.homeserverhacks.com/2007/12/get-whs-to-show-up-in-vista-network-map.html
25. November 2009 at 11:58 am
I think it interesting that after installing PP3, if you look at the computer’s properties (right click Computer icon) it shows “Windows Home Server with Power Pack 2.” However, if you check the resources tab of the Windows WHS Console, it shows “Windows Home Server with Power Pack 3″
Seems like a glaring oversight for MS not to change the Computer Properties with the new PP version.
Of course it doesn’t effect usage, but certainly may cause confusion.
26. November 2009 at 12:36 pm
I thought the same at first, but then I noticed that the computer's properties says SERVICE Pack 2, not Power Pack 2. So I guess service packs and power packs exist independently and I now have Windows Home Server SP2 PP3.
Confusing, huh?
9. December 2009 at 8:27 pm
my server is just as confused. EX47x with upgraded RAM and processor, 2TB.
25. November 2009 at 5:21 pm
Still running linux and waiting for WHS v2 (after having tested WHS with PP3 Beta pretty thoroughly). Hoping for:
*64 Bit.
*More granular permissions control.
*Well supported remote access other than a web interface. If I have to run ftp (heaven forbid) or ssh, might as well run linux. If I have to run a WebDAV client for access might as well run linux, ssh and winscp. Hopefully MS can get WebDAV as implemented on their server to work with windows explorer. Truly boggles the mind.
*Give me a well supported way to use personal domains I already own for remote access.
*Give me a backup only client to install on client machines. I don't want everybody in the house to be an admin and get status reports on the network.
*Give me a way to differentiate between machines for backup purposes. For example, there is a desktop with a logon for my wife and one for me that is the same as the logons for our laptops. We want to share shared files, but still want the machine to back up, it can't using either account. Got to be a better way.
*And the hope of all hopes, the holy grail, give me a picture repository/database/gallery that lets me use Windows Live Photo Gallery as a client for edits, uploads and tagging and gives me granular control over who sees and edits what.
26. November 2009 at 9:02 am
All I can say is that your not as smart as you think you are.
-FTP done
-Custom domains done
-Backup problem… That’s your lack of education
-Permissions done
You not knowing what you are talking about, that’s the icing on the cake.
25. November 2009 at 5:29 pm
Hi,
the "System"-Dialog shows "…with Service Pack 2"…that something different than Power Pack.
25. November 2009 at 9:49 pm
Hmm, deleted my PowerPack 3 Beta in the "software"-folder after installing in August. Probaly not a wise thing, but done is done! How to get rid of the Beta?
26. November 2009 at 7:54 am
use control panel, add remove programs, tick show windows updates, and you should see PP3 Beta
26. November 2009 at 12:39 pm
Not sure that would work, as I think all that does is the same thing, i.e. run the uninstall batch file that Jesper has deleted. Worth a try though!
26. November 2009 at 3:44 pm
got the same issue, used uninstall but new version doesnt show up
26. November 2009 at 7:07 pm
is there any way to install manually?
5. December 2009 at 6:48 pm
The whole process worked out fine, and PP3 is up and running. Many thanks to Jody!
26. November 2009 at 3:42 am
thank you for the update. downloading and installing now.
26. November 2009 at 10:15 pm
PP3 is installed on my Home Server The connector is installed in all my PC's and also on my Windows Media Center. I also installed the Media Center Connector on the MCE. However I do not see the homeserver menu item on my media center menu. I'm using Media Center 2005 (on XP) __Is MCE 2005 not supported? On my Vista PC with Media Center it is available Do I have to do something extra on MCE 2006
28. November 2009 at 12:45 pm
Same problem here. No new features in MCE 2005 (XP).
30. November 2009 at 7:20 pm
wow, power pack 3 for WHS! that's great. logged on, installation went smoothly. my several computers hooked up to it just fine.
run over to my microsoft xbox 360. look in the video library, there's my server, as before. select the 'video' folder. it plays videos in .mp4 just fine. won't play .avi files, just as before. won't even list video files in other formats, just as before. go over to my 'photos' folder. nothing there. doesn't play or see .jpgs, .nef, .crw files or anything else for that matter. just as before.
guess i'll have to wait for power pack 4…
1. December 2009 at 2:15 am
Installed PP3, not archiving my recorded TV from a Win7 media center (Home Premium) where I've checked and unchecked the auto archive, tried manually clicking each show. WTF? The service was added for this and is set to start (delayed), but no luck after 24 hours not a bit has moved? Anyone have this same issue?
2. December 2009 at 3:29 am
I have two WHS, both set auto update. One has pp3, the tohwr has pp2, and not update vaaiable. You would wonder why.
One more thing on the wish list for next WHS release: give control of backing up schedule for each client pc. One of my colleague comes to work with his laptop, and goes hoe after 5pm. The backup schedule is set at midnight, which owrks for most of hte other desktops, but he never gets backed up.
5. December 2009 at 12:12 pm
"Windows 7 Libraries integration"
This already worked before PP3…
8. December 2009 at 3:43 am
Can any of you point me to some documentation on how Windows 7 laptops should be configured to enable the WHS (PP3) to wake them up for a backup?
8. December 2009 at 8:13 am
@Tony
It's the same as on WinXP/Vista. Logon to the home server console. Go to the "Computers & Backup" tab and press F1 for the online help.
8. February 2010 at 12:02 am
can i backup a windows server 2003 server using whs?