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I think I'm about to have a sense of humour failure...
I logged into my WHS, RTM (not retail) version, this morning to check on any fall out from yesterdays Auto Update, only to be warned that my evaluation period will expire in 20 something days.
I had already decided not to order an OEM copy, because I really want the HP Mediasmart server, and fully intend to order one the day it becomes available in Aus. The chances of it being available in the next 20 days, never mind delivered, are bugger all, so it looks like I'm stuffed.
Does anyone have the inside word on HP's plans, or any decent alternatives that are available now, or do I have to blow $200ish just to tide me over till we catch up with the un-civilised world.
Some PC places are building WHS servers. I reviewed one from auspcmarket over in AU-Review that you can check out. I'm sure there's others if you look around.
The other alternative is to do a reinstall with a new key (you can get one from connect) and that will get you another 6 months licence to use. It's drastic and involves backing up etc etc etc but may still be worth your while until the HP WHS PC comes out.
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My 3 PC 's specs are listed here.
More pictures and details will be added eventually.
Some PC places are building WHS servers. I reviewed one from auspcmarket over in AU-Review that you can check out. I'm sure there's others if you look around.
Yeah, but the HP one looks so cool :-) I'm waiting for it too :-( (Not that I am normally an HP fan). I guess they don't have enough stock to ship any down under...
Sort of on topic - what is the process of going from evaluation to OEM when you 120 days run out?
I'm building mine this weekend, and if all goes to plan and I like WHS after the trial, I will buy an OEM copy. Will this just involve me entering the new key? No reinstalling?
I'm pretty sure that when you buy the OEM version you just perform an "Upgrade" which will change program files etc but leave all your media etc unchanged. It should be painless but we are talking about a Microsoft product so keep your fingers crossed when you do it
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My 3 PC 's specs are listed here.
More pictures and details will be added eventually.
Yeah, but the HP one looks so cool :-) I'm waiting for it too :-( (Not that I am normally an HP fan). I guess they don't have enough stock to ship any down under...
The numbers just don't justify the profit margins to bring the HP units here. Before they even begin they need technical and sales staff trained plus spare parts at an expense that probably outweighs the possible profits on so few sales. Unfortuante but understandable.
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That which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it.
Aristotle
I'm pretty sure that when you buy the OEM version you just perform an "Upgrade" which will change program files etc but leave all your media etc unchanged. It should be painless but we are talking about a Microsoft product so keep your fingers crossed when you do it
Yep, that is correct you can perform an upgrade to the OEM version and retain your data only if your using the last version offered in the betas before WHS went gold. I'm sure this would be the case with the eval version as well.
Cheers,
Matt.
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WHS
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The numbers just don't justify the profit margins to bring the HP units here. Before they even begin they need technical and sales staff trained plus spare parts at an expense that probably outweighs the possible profits on so few sales. Unfortuante but understandable.
I doubt that is the issue. These things will sell themselves and (if they work as advertised) they should be pretty close to a plug&play appliance. I expect to see them in Harvey Norman eventually.
I think there is just a world-wide shortage of stock. They are out of stock most places in the US and UK etc.
Sort of on topic - what is the process of going from evaluation to OEM when you 120 days run out?
I'm building mine this weekend, and if all goes to plan and I like WHS after the trial, I will buy an OEM copy. Will this just involve me entering the new key? No reinstalling?
To add to the much required piece of mind on this subject, I did exactly that a couple of weeks ago.
With a couple of TBs on the server I was pretty nervous about upgrading - but I had to in the end due to the same "time-out" warning - and it couldn't have been easier.
As mentioned above - just select the "Upgrade" option at the start and only the system drive gets flushed - 45 mins later it's all done and all my lovely data was still intact. The OEM version also comes with a new version of the "Connect" client so you'll need to re-install that on all your PCs and along the way you also lose your saved backups.
For me however, within a few days of re-installing the connector, WHS update informed me that yet another new Connecter version was available, so around we went again, but this time it was easier as the updater took care of it smoothly, installing from the WHS software dir - but it still needed to be done 5 times (again)
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Yeah, but the HP one looks so cool :-) I'm waiting for it too :-( (Not that I am normally an HP fan). I guess they don't have enough stock to ship any down under...
I heard a rumor that HP are not releasing it locally anytime soon.
Good for you. I am officially jealous. The frighteningly increased school fees invoice that hit my desk a couple of days ago means I'm going to have to put my HP plans on hold a month or two.
Out of interest, what type of power cable did it come with, 2 pin, normal 'kettle lead' or the horrible little 3 pin cloverleaf number they put with a lot of laptops these days?
