I am not normally one to play with beta software. I like things to be released and then see what the final outcome looks like. Now, I have been a fan of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 since the Rollup 2. My biggest downside to that OS is that it will not allow you to be joined to a domain AND have extenders installed. (I have an XBOX360 I purchased just to mess with the extender capabilities.)
When Vista released build 5384 to the public. I decided to give that a try. Figuring that I would be able to be joined to a domain AND have my extenders working properly. (which did work) I did not have long to test that build but switched to 5472 when a friend of mine gave me a copy and touted how it was a bit more stable than 5384.
In a previous post, I mentioned getting the NVTV dual tuner card working in Vista. This is true. In Read the complete Post.
When we first moved into the condo last week, my main server “Big Blue” decided not to come up. Turned out that it was the power supply went bad during the move (not sure how).
So, I took the opportunity to prep for a server re-do. The new server will be named “Silver Streak” because it’s trim is silver.
Here is a comparison of Big Blue and Silver Streak:
| |
Big Blue |
Silver Streak |
| Motherboard |
Intel 925XCV |
Abit AN8 SLI |
| CPU |
Pentium 4 3.0 Ghz |
AMD 3700+ |
| RAM |
2 GB |
4 GB |
| Boot Drive(s) |
2×160 GB SATA (Mirrored) |
2×160 GB SATA (Mirrored) |
| Storage |
4×400 GB PATA on
Promise Tech SX4000
Configured for 1.2TB RAID5 |
4×400 GB PATA on
Promise Tech SX4000
Configured for 1.2TB RAID5 |
| OS |
Windows Server 2003 SP1 |
Windows Server 2003 R2 |
The new server will be running Windows Virtual Server 2005 and have all my server based functions running in various virtual windows. I’ll also be setting it up for linux testing etc.
So, what’s to become of Big Blue?
The motherboard is going to Jen’s for now. It’s getting a Asus P5AD2-Premium with 2 gig of ram, eVGA NVTV dual tuner card and a couple 300 gig drives. It’s to become our Media Server.
I will post more details on this project as I get the details worked out.
As much as I enjoyed the little bugger. I returned the UX180P today. There are several things going on in my life that the money would be better used elsewhere (like new parts for the big server that crashed)
Also, the rumor has it that the UX280P is coming out soon with 1 gig of RAM, and I would rather have that device than the UX180P with only 512 meg.
Don’t you worry, I will have one of these on a more permanent arrangement. I basically wanted to get one to see the viability of the device and decide on getting a better one. I say they are very viable devices. There’s just nothing cooler than having a full PC in your pocket.
Welp, we’ve been moving… Been pretty crazy. We’re pairing down our 7 bedroom lifestyle into a 2 bedroom condo. We’re prepping for our moves from Las Vegas to L.A. then to Costa Rica.
Nothing major occurred short of Big Blue’s power supply did not like the new place and had to be replaced. Big Blue is our main file server. It has four 400 gig drives in a 1.2 terrabyte array. It was built when 400 gig drives were brand new (over 2 years). It’s been running like an ox. Looks like I may be upgrading it this week. We’ll see.
I have been meaning to get into MXO and burn off some steam. Hopefully, I’ll find some time to do that this weekend.
The bulk of the move is done, now it’s sorting and shite.
I just wanted to pop a quick note and say hello. We’ve been busy moving and getting ready for things to come. It’s been pretty hectic.
I also want to say that I have some good people in my life. Seems like when I am in need of support or kind words, the right person with the right things to say seem to pop up.
Thanks, and you know who you are, I’ll be texting soon….
Well, after getting my UX180P, I started doing my due diligence and reading forums and see what works and what does not. I was unable to find anything comprehensive with MCE on the UX. I think that MCE would be great on it because the MCE interface would work out well as a media player etc.
So, I started working on getting Media Center on my UX… here’s what I did:
Read the complete Post.
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