Windows OS Update For Server?

[voorhees]

With some time over the holiday's and since my WHS v1 OS ends its lifecycle on 8 Jan 2013, I was thinking about updating my SageTV server OS. I am going to stick with Windows, but wondered should I go Win7 and Drive Bender (maybe) for a storage pool solution or go with Win8 and use the built in Storage Spaces for my storage pool solution. Just so you know, I really only use my server as a SageTV server and data storage. My real concern is the issues I have read about Win8 Storage Spaces and have not read anything that says it is fixed yet. I wanted to get some expert opinions from folks here before I decide which way I should go. Please let me know your thoughts. Happy Holidays!

[Carlton Bale]

I've had issues with both Drive Bender on Windows home server 2011 as well as storage pool on Windows 8. Of the two I think Drive Bender is probably a little more reliable, and Windows 7 is definitely the more stable OS.

I just upgraded from WHS v1 to Server Essential 2012. 2012 is substantially less stable and has caused many random lockups and reboots. If MyMovies server ran on Windows 7, that's the OS I would choose. The next version of MyMovies will have this feature, so Win7 is probably my longterm upgrade path.

[Fuzzy]

If you are just using it for sage, is there really a reason to use a storage pool?

[hufnagel]

Originally Posted by voorhees

With some time over the holiday's and since my WHS v1 OS ends its lifecycle on 8 Jan 2013, I was thinking about updating my SageTV server OS. I am going to stick with Windows, but wondered should I go Win7 and Drive Bender (maybe) for a storage pool solution or go with Win8 and use the built in Storage Spaces for my storage pool solution. Just so you know, I really only use my server as a SageTV server and data storage. My real concern is the issues I have read about Win8 Storage Spaces and have not read anything that says it is fixed yet. I wanted to get some expert opinions from folks here before I decide which way I should go. Please let me know your thoughts. Happy Holidays!

also just because the OS has gone EOL doesn't mean you need to abandon it or upgrade. I have customers still running windows 95 on a couple machines simply because, if it ain't broke why fix it? just a thought.

[darcilicious]

Originally Posted by hufnagel

also just because the OS has gone EOL doesn't mean you need to abandon it or upgrade.

Couldn't agree more. Love my little HP MediaSmart server running WHS v1 and will keep running it until it falls over dead (knock on wood that that isn't for a good long while...)

[voorhees]

Originally Posted by hufnagel

also just because the OS has gone EOL doesn't mean you need to abandon it or upgrade.

Originally Posted by darcilicious

Couldn't agree more. Love my little HP MediaSmart server running WHS v1 and will keep running it until it falls over dead (knock on wood that that isn't for a good long while...)

I have thought about just keeping it going since it does exactly what I want it to do and runs rock solid (and has for several years). I do not like that it is at EOL and will not receive any more updates, but maybe it is best to not mess with what is working. I have never had a computer that is running an EOL OS, but it sounds like you guys think that is fine and not to worry about it too much, especially if I do not need to upgrade. Interesting...

[gilded07]

I'm still running XP home on my headless server. I built it in mid 2009. I turned off auto updates and have never updated the OS. All it does is sit in a corner and run SageTV server. Its an appliance like a big toaster.

Recently, I took out an XP (pre-SP1) disc and valid/legal product key and installed on an older HP laptop for a browser/emailer. I was unable to update it via Windows update. I had to find 3rd party mirrors on the web for SP1-SP3 and the various security updates. I get occasional updates pushed from MS but I can't actively update it myself. I bring this up as an example of EOL'd OS. I'm concerned that trying to bring XP back up on a fresh install might not be possible (and in fact, I believe that is MS's strategy - to push or pull everyone to a new or newer MS OS)

Because I fear of the loss of this forum - an incredibly value resource for me - I am considering bringing my server up to date with Win7 64 and perhaps new mobo/CPU just to make sure the hardware gets refreshed too.

The replies like 'wait 'til its broke to fix it' (sic) are interesting to me...I am capable of bringing the hardware up to date but I get nervous about getting SageTV v7 back up and running correctly w/out access to this forum (if it came to that).

[Fuzzy]

I'm not one to say don't tinker with working stuff - but when was the last time you tried to 'improve' your dish washer, just because there might be a better rack that would fit in it? Treat your Sage system like an appliance, and it will 'just work' like one. Treat it like a hobby, and it will take up your time just like one.

[voorhees]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Treat your Sage system like an appliance, and it will 'just work' like one. Treat it like a hobby, and it will take up your time just like one.

No truer words have been spoken!

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by voorhees

No truer words have been spoken!

That said, I have always treated it like a hobby - so i break it often... Forces my kids to do crap besides watch tv all day.

[gilded07]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I'm not one to say don't tinker with working stuff - but when was the last time you tried to 'improve' your dish washer, just because there might be a better rack that would fit in it? Treat your Sage system like an appliance, and it will 'just work' like one. Treat it like a hobby, and it will take up your time just like one.

Good point but...if the maker of my dishwashing appliance was on the verge of shutting down...and if the persons who can help me keep it working are about to be silenced...I'm nervous that when/if all goes silent, I will be on an EOL'd dishwasher (read:OS) and 'stuck' with whatever quality of clean dishes (read: DIY PVR) I have at that time.

Been looking at Dish Network as a replacement for analog cable and would work more memory and different tuners/tuning into the rebuild/update at that time too.

[phareous]

I'm using Windows 8 with flexraid without any issues