Windows Home Server

[boomerang]

Am I overlooking it some how? I've looked several times in the past two months and I just don't see it there.

This is the first time I've shelled out for a subscription so maybe I'm expecting something to be there that normally wouldn't be?

 

[bsobel]

Its not part of technet or msdn unfortunately....

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: bsobel
Its not part of technet or msdn unfortunately....

OK thanks. Nice to know I wasn't just overlooking it.

 

[stash]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: bsobel
Its not part of technet or msdn unfortunately....

OK thanks. Nice to know I wasn't just overlooking it.

It is apparently coming to MSDN soon, but no dates have been released. The WHS guys talked about it at PDC.

 

[RebateMonger]

WHS is supposed to be in the October Action Pack shipment, which just shipped. Unfortunately, according to Microsoft, they included bad Keys for it, so it won't work until MS issues new Keys.

Eric Ligman MSDN post.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
WHS is supposed to be in the October Action Pack shipment, which just shipped. Unfortunately, according to Microsoft, they included bad Keys for it, so it won't work until MS issues new Keys.

Eric Ligman MSDN post.

Well no kidding. We were trying to setup a WHS box to play with in the office Friday afternoon using the Action Pack key we just received and my OEM disc wouldn't take the key. I figured they had changed the licensing between OEM/Action Pack, but thought it was weird since it's a pretty niche product and is only available in OEM system builder configuration anyways. I wonder if it'll work with the new keys they issue?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: loup garou
I figured they had changed the licensing between OEM/Action Pack, but thought it was weird since it's a pretty niche product and is only available in OEM system builder configuration anyways.

There should be only two varieties of WHS disks: OEM and Trial. So there aren't a lot of Key options. Action Pack Keys and disks are almost always interchangeable with Retail version counterparts except for an occasional OEM version when there is no Retail version (XP 64, for example).

The good news is you should be able to do a no-Key install that'll run for 30 days. Hopefully Microsoft will issue new Keys by then if you request them (I did). Even if WHS expires, you should be able to change the Key once the new one arrives. You'll already have the "permanent" OEM verison installed, so you won't need to do a re-install like you'd have to do with the Trial version of WHS.

I wonder if it'll work with the new keys they issue?

I've had an Action Pack subscription for about five years and Key problems surface pretty often, unfortunately.

 

[boomerang]

RebateMonger, could I pick your brain a little bit? I started a legitimate computer business within the last 6 months. I'm legal, doing business as a DBA. Repairs, upgrading, malware removal, networking, for both individuals and small business is what I'm doing.

I've gotten a TechNet subscription, but it's looking like maybe that wasn't the best way to go.

As a small business owner doing the kind of work I spelled out above, what subscriptions would most benefit me? You don't have to go into any great detail and if there is a site that spells it all out, just point me in that direction.

My biggest issue is people can't find or don't know where their Windows disks are.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: boomerang
My biggest issue is people can't find or don't know where their Windows disks are.

Most folks who repair PCs tend to acquire images of the various name-brand Windows Install disks. Many of the PCs you'll see out there without Install disks are either Dell or HP. Dell will usually send a copy of Dell's Restore CDs upon request by the owner.

Something like 90% of all PCs out there have factory OEM installs of Windows. The Retail-like media provided by TechNet+ and the Action Pack are seldom useful in restoring client's PCs. Even if you acquire Generic (System Builder) copies of XP, the use of the COA Key on the PC will require a telephone Activation, since Microsoft blocked all online-Activation using COA Keys from branded (Dell, HP, Acer, etc.) PCs three years ago.

Just so you know, I've both read (on Microsoft System Builder-only sites) and face-to-face (by Microsoft's Partner Relations head) that Microsoft considers using your own Restore CD when the client doesn't have one is technically considered to be Piracy. The technical problem is that proper evidence of a Microsoft license includes having THREE items: the media, the COA sticker (in the case of OEM versions), and the license documentation that comes with the media. If all the client has is a COA sticker on the back of a laptop, they, theoretically, haven't presented evidence that they are licensed to use the software. Microsoft's stance has been that THEY need to acquire the rest of the package and THEN have you re-install their OS.

Yeah, I know. :roll:

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: boomerang
My biggest issue is people can't find or don't know where their Windows disks are.

Most folks who repair PCs tend to acquire images of the various name-brand Windows Install disks. Many of the PCs you'll see out there without Install disks are either Dell or HP. Dell will usually send a copy of Dell's Restore CDs upon request by the owner.

Just so you know, I've both read (on Microsoft System Builder-only sites) and face-to-face (by Microsoft's Partner Relations head) that Microsoft considers using your own Restore CD when the client doesn't have one is technically considered to be Piracy. The technical problem is that proper evidence of a Microsoft license includes having THREE items: the media, the COA sticker (in the case of OEM versions), and the license documentation that comes with the media. If all the client has is a COA sticker on the back of a laptop, they, theoretically, haven't presented evidence that they are licensed to use the software. Microsoft's stance has been that THEY need to acquire the rest of the package and THEN have you re-install their OS.

Yeah, I know. :roll:

Thanks

Well, I guess all I can say is that there are a lot of law breakers out there. But moving on .........

I've had everything I've needed for the last 10 years, (having jumped into it full time since retiring). My real question was what subscriptions I might find useful. Once again, if it's too complex a topic to deal with, just let me know. I can do my own research. I'm a legitimate business, but very small. I'm working out of my home.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: boomerang
My real question was what subscriptions I might find useful.

There's three choices:

1) MSDN - this is for software developers and, with one or two exceptions, use for other than software development purposes is clearly a violation of the license. The licenses are perpetual.
2) TechNet Plus - this appears to be a good way to go if you need software. As I mentioned earlier, the software is pretty much all Retail-like, so isn't generally useful for client PC restoration. I believe the licenses are perpetual, but I've never subscribed.
3) Action Pack - this is useful if you have several employees, gives licenses for some very pricey server software (like CRM and Terminal Server), and is required for Microsoft Small Business Specialists. The licenses expire when the yearly subscription runs out.

Microsoft Certified Partners also receive software licenses for their $1500-or-so yearly fee, but you need two or more MS-Certified employees and must meet other requirements.

 

[boomerang]

Thank You Sir!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Just so you know, I've both read (on Microsoft System Builder-only sites) and face-to-face (by Microsoft's Partner Relations head) that Microsoft considers using your own Restore CD when the client doesn't have one is technically considered to be Piracy. The technical problem is that proper evidence of a Microsoft license includes having THREE items: the media, the COA sticker (in the case of OEM versions), and the license documentation that comes with the media. If all the client has is a COA sticker on the back of a laptop, they, theoretically, haven't presented evidence that they are licensed to use the software. Microsoft's stance has been that THEY need to acquire the rest of the package and THEN have you re-install their OS.

Yeah, I know. :roll:

MS doesn't consider the COA to be proof of license??? That's crazy. Especially since modern PCs and laptops DONT COME WITH MEDIA.

 

[DrGreen2007]

Hah, I emailed the Action Pack folks to get a new/updated/working WHS CDkey since I have the action pack (have had it for 4 yrs).
They emailed me back that they wouldnt give me a new key because my sub was going to expire in 2 weeks.

WTF?

I have a valid sub now, when Im asking for the key, Im not asking for it in 3 weeks after its expired.

 

[LeonarD26]

An update for those who care.....

http://mswhs.com/2008/12/24/wh...and-technet-very-soon/

WHS will be available on MSDN and TechNet very soon!

 

[MedicBob]

Thanks as I still care...

Bob

 

[Penth]

Me too. That was almost a month ago now. Have you heard anything else since then?

 

[MedicBob]

No luck supposedly

 

[RebateMonger]

Ha. I got two copies with my Action Pack. MS sent out bad Keys in October. They said to email them for a new Key, which I got in a week. Then MS sent out new Keys with the January Action Pack.

Unfortunately, if/when you drop your Action Pack subscription, you're supposed to stop using the software.

 

[LeonarD26]

Medic, I think that link was from last year....

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: LeonarD26
Medic, I think that link was from last year....

That's always embarrassing. And easy to do...

 

[imported_TimBob]

Well, that coming in the next few weeks sure is taking long. Hurry up. My Technet subscription expires next month and probably not renewing.

 

[LeonarD26]

FYI, it's up on Technet!

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: LeonarD26
FYI, it's up on Technet!

About time!

 

[TrueBlueLS]

I'm excited! Now I'm glad my subscription doesn't run out until next month.