14 DAY TRIAL // Toward the end of 2007, Microsoft came out with a new server operating system aimed at household environments. Windows Home Server, according to the Redmond company, marks the debut of a new product category along with the underlying hardware infrastructures, namely the home server. But essentially, Windows Home Server is a solution designed for end users, with Windows Server 2003 providing the necessary infrastructure. On top of a stripped down variant of Windows Server 2003, Windows Home Server can offer automatic backup features, centralized storage capabilities and even remote access functionality. Still, there is something for both end users and IT professionals, as Charlie Kindel, Windows Home Server General Manager, explained in the video embedded at the bottom of this article, via Edge.
In December 2007, Microsoft acknowledged the existence of data corruption problems associated with Windows Server 2008. In an ironical twist, Microsoft's backup solution, set up to guarantee that no information would ever be lost again, was experiencing data corruption problems and effectively losing the files. According to the Redmond company, using Windows Vista Photo Gallery, Windows Live Photo Gallery, Office OneNote 2007, Office OneNote 2003, Office Outlook 2007, and other programs in combination with files stored on a multi-hard disk Windows Home Server product can lead to corruption issues.
Almost three months later, this issue is still unfixed, and do not expect a resolve anytime soon. But one thing that Microsoft did manage to do is to update Knowledge Base article 946676 with information about the issue, as well as with mitigation factors and advices.
"Fixing this issue is the Windows Home Server team's top priority and the team is making good progress on the fix. We understand the issue really well at this point - it is at an extremely low level of the operating system and it requires thorough testing to ensure that the fix addresses the issue. We have coded a part of the fix which is currently being tested internally. Internal testing is expected to continue for at least several more weeks," revealed a member of the Windows Home Server team.
Microsoft can only give out advice at this point in time. And the Redmond company can only try to convince users that not using applications to directly edit or manage files stored on Windows Home Server is for their own good. A fix is currently planned for mid 2008.
"Once the patch has passed internal quality bars, external participants will be asked to help test the fix. Our current plan is to release beta test versions of a fix over the next few months, with a final version currently estimated for June 2008, although that date could change as testing progresses. Thorough testing of the fix is critical and will take time," the Windows Home Server team member added.
Home Server with Charlie Kindel - a real server, just smaller.