Windows Home Server: hard drive choice

[kccboy2004]

Hi,

Currently I have a home built X64 AMD, 4GB RAM, with a WD 640GB Caviar.
This is the machine that I store everything (Piccies, Movies, Data etc). I am fast running out of space.

I have an HP G70 laptop for general use.

I also have a home built atom machine (945GCLF), 2GB RAM, 250GB 2.5 inch hard drive.

I have read up on the benefits of WHS. (Central storage, remote access etc). So what I am thinking of is t:

1. Move my existing 640GB drive with all the data to the Atom. (this will be the boot drive too).
2. Swap the 250GB 2.5 to the AMD machine.
3. Buy a 1TB drive in addition and attach to the Atom.
4. Install WHS to the Atom.
5. Move the Atom to (a hiding spot) in the basement (in case of break-in and theft).

Question:
I am considering one of two drives:

a. WD10EADS Caviar Green 1TB SATA 32MB Cache 3.5IN Hard Drive CAN$89 (NCIX)
or
b. Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.B 1 TB (HDT721010SLA360) CAN$69 (NCIX)


I am grateful for any opinions and advice.

[minus-sign]

You're doubling your cache on the WD so I'd grab it and get smoother data retrieval. Personally, I wouldn't do a windows server; I'd get Linux and start learning. Last thing you want is your server crashing. I actually think that crashing the OS is currently trademarked by Windows. Thats why Linux doesn't do it; legally, they can't.

Every decent 1T drive I am seeing is 4 star on Newegg right now due to idiots. Do not use a 1T drive for your OS/Programs. Constant read/writes will fry these drives. They're not built to run your OS and read/write all day long, they're made to store massive amounts of data for occasional retrieval. This is more a caveat for those other poster who may wonder what other benifits you moving the 640 to your atom will be.

I'm very interested in finding out how well your Atom does for home server use. If it all works out well please update and let us know. $230 for a home server would be pretty sweet and--personally--my poor little PERL needs to be retired.

[kccboy2004]

Thanks for the reply on this.

Yep, I thought the WD too. On my Atom, there are only 2 SATA slots. So, in order to maximise the storage space... 640 + 1TB. You are right though, the 640 is my boot generally and ...storage secondarily.

In terms of linux, I have had some recent experience with *nix. no thanks. Just too difficult... two kids, no time. I have read up on WHS, it looks great. I have not had a single crash in windows in 7 years. Yes, not as robust as Linux, but it does do the job, and is very cheap.

I will let you know how this works out. The HP Home server LX195 is the same atom board as mine, it seems popular.

Again thanks.

[excalibur1814]

You're doubling your cache on the WD so I'd grab it and get smoother data retrieval. Personally, I wouldn't do a windows server; I'd get Linux and start learning. Last thing you want is your server crashing. I actually think that crashing the OS is currently trademarked by Windows. Thats why Linux doesn't do it; legally, they can't.


I just had to joint to say that your post is absolute trash. I've installed a whole load of 2003/2008 servers over the last 8 years and can say, without blinking, that you are talking rubbish.

I have a WHS server and have been running that server for over a year without one problem. Please, PLEASE, provide people will appropriate information.