AfterDawn: News

Windows Home Server causing file corruption

Consumers who have purchased Windows Home Server (WHS), the Microsoft OEM network storage solution released earlier this year, are having a number of problems. Although some issues are simply due to programs not supporting the use of network shares, there's apparently also an issue with files being corrupted.

"A few people in the Community Forums have reported data corruption when saving files [on WHS] from applications including Windows Vista Photo Gallery, Windows Live Photo Gallery, Microsoft Office OneNote 2007, Microsoft Office OneNote 2003 and SyncToy 2.0 Beta," the WHS team wrote in a blog post. "Additionally some applications, like Microsoft Money and Microsoft Outlook, do not support storing files on shared folders."



This seems to highlight the concerns that led Microsoft to make WHS exclusively and OEM product. For the general public much of what a computer does is already something of a mystery. It becomes even more complicated when you add networking, and especially network-based storage into the mix. However, with the proliferation of large multimedia files, and the need for ever-increasing storage levels it's not surprising that many people would turn to such a solution.

"Until an update for Windows Home Server is available, we recommend that do not use the programs that are listed in this article to save or to edit program-specific files that are stored on a Windows Home Server-based system," according to Microsoft.

Source: PC Magazine

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 27 Dec 2007 23:03

• Previous article

• Nokia N-gage delayed for a third time

• Next article

• Despite Bourne, Blu-ray still wins week

• 19 comments

• H0bbes

  Micro$oft = douche.

  28.12.2007 01:42 #1

• maryjayne

  I thought the point of a server was to "save or to edit program-specific files" across a network.
  
  Microsoft should start releasing software that works. Here comes the series of 20+ updates to fix the problem because they wont be able to fix it right the first time.

  28.12.2007 08:05 #2

• 7thsinger

  Exaclty.
  
  Not like we haven't seen this kind of "fix" before.
  
  Bring it on M$.

  28.12.2007 08:34 #3

• SProdigy

  I always like to come to Microsoft's defense, because they have to make something that is compatible with ALL of the hardware that is out there, and typically it's another software vendor that mucks up the OS. However, in this case this is an OEM product, and MS should've seen this.
  
  Don't forget, Apple has a controlled environment with its hardware and software, but they mask their "updates" as fancy cat names and make you pay $100+ to get them (oh, and it "might" not run on your hardware either.) At least MS releases these patches at no charge.
  
  I won't get into PC security, but most of you likely use a Windows-based PC as your primary computer, so there's no reason to jump all over MS. We use MS products everyday, so just grin and bear it. You wouldn't expect to buy a car and not put gas in it, change the oil, and replace tires, brakes, etc. within a certain time period, so why expect it from a PC?

  28.12.2007 09:22 #4

• oappi

  yeah i usualy change parts like memmory, harddrives and so on.. i would like to compare this to cars software.. how often you change that or even update it? Worst thing is that if your server already has corrupted file when you update you might not see that until you use that file and that might be like years from the accident. You might even have copied file to another server. corruption is worst thing that your software can do to your files... nice going ms.
  Maybe they should come up with the slogan... like:
  Microsoft -not even raid can save you-
  
  
  
  Why would anyone btw use ms home server... go for linux(fedora might be best server distro) it´s free and server functions are easy to setup.

  28.12.2007 10:00 #5

• tester22

  Originally posted by oappi: yeah i usualy change parts like memmory, harddrives and so on.. i would like to compare this to cars software.. how often you change that or even update it? Worst thing is that if your server already has corrupted file when you update you might not see that until you use that file and that might be like years from the accident. You might even have copied file to another server. corruption is worst thing that your software can do to your files... nice going ms.
  Maybe they should come up with the slogan... like:
  Microsoft -not even raid can save you-
  
  
  Agreed!
  
  I'm a Network Manager and Microsoft expert and the sh*t I do all day is fixing MS F'ed up problems. 90% of the market my ass, what crap. I really really REALLY wish that we'd move away from them and have an 'across-the-board' equal selection. This relying on them has got to frakkin' stop. Who the HELL let them get that big anyway. Can you say..............."an-ti-trust"?
  
  
  
  Why would anyone btw use ms home server... go for linux(fedora might be best server distro) it´s free and server functions are easy to setup.Wrong "quote" reference. Sorry........meant to be for the first one.

  28.12.2007 11:23 #6

• SProdigy

  I'm a PC Tech for a corporation and agree that I fix alot of MS BS all day, but it's typically OFFICE that's the culprit, and not Windows in my experience. If you have decent security hardware and/or software, XP runs without a hitch, especially if you don't load up on toolbars, instant message clients and any other crapware that loads at startup.
  
  That's my real gripe about Windows, is that it allows vendors to add crapware at will. You have to use a 3rd party editor to find what some of the stuff is half the time. They took Ubuntu's "admin" feature, call it UAC and make it more annoying, so people (myself included) just shut it off anyways.
  
  Anyway, my rant is, it's really the software vendors to blame and not the OS half the time... MS included (Office 2003, I'm talking about you!) Sure, there are updates, hotfixes and service packs, but Apple does that too.
  
  For server software, I agree, Ubuntu is pretty good and can make an old PC new again. Go that route, even if you aren't an advanced user, Ubuntu is easy enough to use.

  28.12.2007 22:47 #7

• red2tango

  microsoft's sh*t list:
  -windows home server
  -windows 2000
  -windows vista
  -xbox
  -xbox 360
  -zune (1st generation)
  -.wma

  29.12.2007 03:52 #8

• core2kid

  Originally posted by SProdigy: I always like to come to Microsoft's defense, because they have to make something that is compatible with ALL of the hardware that is out there, and typically it's another software vendor that mucks up the OS. However, in this case this is an OEM product, and MS should've seen this.
  
  Don't forget, Apple has a controlled environment with its hardware and software, but they mask their "updates" as fancy cat names and make you pay $100+ to get them (oh, and it "might" not run on your hardware either.) At least MS releases these patches at no charge.
  
  I won't get into PC security, but most of you likely use a Windows-based PC as your primary computer, so there's no reason to jump all over MS. We use MS products everyday, so just grin and bear it. You wouldn't expect to buy a car and not put gas in it, change the oil, and replace tires, brakes, etc. within a certain time period, so why expect it from a PC?
  Its true that Microsoft has to make an OS compatible with most hardware but that isn't really what this article is saying, what is in this article isn't a hardware/software compatibility, its a software bug. Also about making things compatible with hardware, it is part of Microsoft's job to make generic drivers so you can install the OS with ease but its truly the hardware manufacturer's job to make a permanent driver that the software will support. Kind of like a car, the manufacturer can't modify the car to fit 3rd party items, the 3rd party items manufacturer has to modify the parts to fit inside the car.

  29.12.2007 10:30 #9

• borhan9

  The fact is that home server is new and the way Microsoft is doing things is getting a general version out for public to use and they become the beta testers and then they report the bugs and microsoft makes more money this way when they fix these bugs and then release either a service pack or a new version of the software application.
  
  I would say save yourself the trouble and wait a year before upgrading to this.

  29.12.2007 18:52 #10

• FXEF

  When will folks realize that Microsoft software is over priced and Beta quality. Microsoft is big on hype, however when it comes to delivery of that hype.... nothing but excuses. For example, Longhorn had a big list of exciting new features, but when Vista was finally released many of those features were abandon or greatly compromised. Microsoft puts more energy into promotion of their product than they do in writing good code for their product.
  
  Oh well, guess that's why I'm an open source guy. If you want quality software at an affordable price go with open source software.

  30.12.2007 18:39 #11

• ericg8

  I support MS and Linux, but use Apple OS at home.
  
  Cracks me up that people bag on it because it is a little more expensive. The shit just works. It's powerful. And Apple gets patches and updates out BEFORE I encounter the problem.
  
  My BMW costs more too, but it runs like a top and is a hands-down better product than my previous Detroit disaster. Maybe quality and ergonomics aren't worth more to everyone, but they are to me. I vote with my wallet.
  
  Keep buying Microsoft stuff though. I charge $200 just to take a look.

  30.12.2007 23:17 #12

• core2kid

  Originally posted by ericg8: I support MS and Linux, but use Apple OS at home.
  
  Cracks me up that people bag on it because it is a little more expensive. The shit just works. It's powerful. And Apple gets patches and updates out BEFORE I encounter the problem.
  
  My BMW costs more too, but it runs like a top and is a hands-down better product than my previous Detroit disaster. Maybe quality and ergonomics aren't worth more to everyone, but they are to me. I vote with my wallet.
  
  Keep buying Microsoft stuff though. I charge $200 just to take a look.
  I like Apple too now but its not easy for everyone to just switch over from Microsoft to Apple, people are used to Microsoft because the earlier apple systems sucked, which is why people went to Windows 95, 98. This was the critical time with PCs when many people started getting them in homes and using them.

  30.12.2007 23:30 #13

• Mez

  SProdigy, it is a MS problem.
  
  I like to jump on those sleaze balls almost as much as you like to defend them. MS NEVER understood networking in my estimation. They are in the habit of releasing Alpha software as Betas and release beta software as the real deal. I say the fools that used that garbage got what they deserved. 20 year ago Netware never had these problems. NT is still inferior to Netware of 20 years ago in the basics. Shure there have more due-dads than Hercules could swing around his head! They are in the due-dad market! Having a different monitor should have no effect on file sharing. Hardware should have no effect on this problem. The only relevant hardware is the hard disk and the controller. They are consistant in a shared file save. What difference does it make where that hardware is housed? Office has handled out of version formats for years. I figure Office is made by MS so that is still a MS problem. However, you don’t have major file corruption with Office file on a real server. You would think they would have used in house technology to get it right. The crux of the problem is MS has never tried to understand file sharing. Just look at the joke called access. It is sold as a multi-user software or at least used to. It has no concept of a record lock. It ‘appempts’ at a segment lock but does that very poorly because the basic concept can’t work. They were too lazy to do it right and they just blow smoke if there are problems. They pretend to be concerned when in reality they knew there would be a problem before the first line of code was written. They figure it is cheaper to blow smoke than to do it right. I am dead certain they knew the process was flawed from the get go. That is why they gave it away. That is why I love to jump on them because they build the flaws because it is good business. What makes me angry is they are right. Even when they do get something right, like NT server, they don’t use it unless the problem is a Vista thing which they are covering up.
  
  Apple only knows about 1/10th of what MS knows about networking of probably less than that they are the retards of the operation system. Kept in business by Luddite and artists that get confused if they have more than one option to choose from. However, they are ‘cool’ and their guy in the TV add is thin and smart while, the MS guy is fat, wears glasses and is clueless. That must mean they computers are smart!

  31.12.2007 11:58 #14

• core2kid

  True networking = Unix/Linux

  31.12.2007 12:23 #15

• Mez

  core2kid thats right! The basics are solid, no paper mache I-beams. They were old timers when NT was in diapers!

  31.12.2007 13:53 #16

• papola

  Originally posted by red2tango: microsoft's sh*t list:
  -windows home server
  -windows 2000
  -windows vista
  -xbox
  -xbox 360
  -zune (1st generation)
  -.wmaActually 2000 was way better than ME and you don't even have that on there. I'm not too sure as to why you put the xbox on there. I might be able to understand the early generations of 360's but they are good systems.

  31.12.2007 14:12 #17

• core2kid

  Quote:Originally posted by red2tango: microsoft's sh*t list:
  -windows home server
  -windows 2000
  -windows vista
  -xbox
  -xbox 360
  -zune (1st generation)
  -.wmaActually 2000 was way better than ME and you don't even have that on there. I'm not too sure as to why you put the xbox on there. I might be able to understand the early generations of 360's but they are good systems.
  I agree that ME sucked. Xbox 360's early versions also sucked but Microsoft fixed that with the 3 Year warranty. Xbox 1 was really good but the PS2 dominated it, Its still alive right now.

  31.12.2007 15:07 #18

• phobet

  Kinda funny how they blame all those apps for not being network aware, when in reality, the OS should be able to map a network share to a drive letter, and handle all the "behind-the-scenes" events, so that it shouldn't matter to the app where the data resides.

  4.5.2008 14:37 #19