Problems with my WHS

[neonplanet40]

Hi guys, basically my server has always drove me up the wall!! I really dislike it to be honest

For instance, I have a lot of music it on it in .FLAC format. Yesterday I tried to copy these files 50GB to my computer so i can convert them to mp3. But a short way in the server keeps timing out and the shares are unavilable. Computer tells me it cannot contact the server even though it is switched on. I also cannot contact it so the only way to resolve it is a cold reboot. Now when your having to do this 3 times in a day you start to tell yourself is it really worth it?

Can somebody tell me what is wrong with it? It is driving me mad. All the latest updates are installed and I am on Windows 7 Professional 64 bit.

Home Server=Abit IP35-E, Intel E4500 Core2Duo 2.20GHz, CMaster CM690, 400W ENERMAX , Gigabyte HD 2400 XT, Corsair TwinX 2GB DDR2 6400, 6 X 500GB HDD's, 3 X Samsung 1TB HDD, Windows Home Server OS

EDIT : As of today

Hi guys have ordered a new motherboard. Also got my new disks but as you know im still having the errors. Its constantly timing out when transferring files to my Win 7 Pro 64bit computer. Im trying to get all the data off my server onto this win 7 machine so that I can wipe the WHS and start again.

But due to it constantly timing out so far today since 10am I have only got 150GB of the server out of 5TB.

What can I do to get this dam thing working so I can get all my data off it?

I truly hate the OS. Seriously, it has never worked perfectly since I got it and now I just want my data!

Please any help is appeciated. I know others have mentioned the network card but this card worked perfectly at the start. i haven't always had this problem. The only addin I have installed is advanced admin console and event viewer.

Also in event viewer im getting this error every min "Warning : CqvSvc.exe" and got the error "Error: ESENT Logging/Recovery"

EDIT : Server now

Ok now to top it all off. I cant get into the console no more. The server is on but I am unable to connect to it or the shares.

Dunno what to do

[Singh400]

Are you sure it isn't going to sleep? Check device manager, and make sure it can't turn off the LAN to save power. Also, if at all possible, copy the data across in small chunks. Instead of 50GB in one go, try 10GB.

[neonplanet40]

Its def not on sleep. 10gb chunks is a lot of chunks for 5TB. I shouldnt have to do that though. I just want to know why its doing it lol.

Like i said. I cant even get on the server anymore. So cant check anything now.

[Singh400]

Its def not on sleep. 10gb chunks is a lot of chunks for 5TB. I shouldnt have to do that though. I just want to know why its doing it lol.

Like i said. I cant even get on the server anymore. So cant check anything now.

You can't remote desktop in either?!

[neonplanet40]

Dont have remote desktop enambled as I never used it!!

Usually I jsut got in through the connector software over the network but i am unable to do that now

[Singh400]

Dont have remote desktop enambled as I never used it!!

Usually I jsut got in through the connector software over the network but i am unable to do that now

RD is enabled on the WHS by default - try it you never know...

Of course you could just hook up a k/board, mouse and monitor to it, and troubleshoot it that way

[CWH]

The symptoms are 'usually' an indication that the network port/card cannot cope with the throughput, or possibly the switch/router.
As a last resort, you could pull the drive and connect it directly to the Client and copy the files over, or alternatively, install the software on your server and do the conversion there.

Colin

[neonplanet40]

Well its on a 1GB switch so think its ok? What network card would you recommend for a WHS?

[CWH]

Hi,
The network card, whichever you choose, should be one that has server 2003 drivers available for it. Of the WHS units I build, the majority of them have Intel PRO/1000 PT adapters. The problem with a lot of built-in gigabit chipsets appear to be that their internal processing just cannot keep up with long transfers.
A few things to try first though; if the sever network port is set to Auto negotiate, try different settings, like 1 GB Full Duplex, or even 100MB Full Duplex. Also, if you have Jumbo Frames, ensure all sections of your network use the same settings, or even switch them off to see if there is any interaction between the various components.

Colin

[alsenior]

anythinbg with a marvell or broadcom chip should be fine for whs both have extensive drivers available. i've transfered 750GB transfers of 192,000 files and not had a hiccup with either

[s_kinton]

I use Windows XP drivers for my WHS network card and havent had any issues. Still, when troubleshooting its always best to get the certified drivers.

[neonplanet40]

I have got a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R motherboard coming this week which will be the basis of my server rebuild. it has more sata slots onboard. 8 in total.

I'll also order an Intel PRO/1000 GT Desktop Network Adaptor which will hopefully be good enough?

Im thinking my OEM WHS copy wont work on the build though cause of the new motherboard but im hoping if I ring up Microsoft they will allow me to reactivate it. . . . . . .

[Zak33]

would you run checks on the hard drives to make sure they're proper ok?

Most manufacturers have HDD test software on their websites... you might have a hard drive that's not showing a problem in SMART but that's feeling ill

[neonplanet40]

Hi Zak33, I ran CHKDSK on them when they were in the server and it was working ok but it was hard to view the results.

So now after I have taken all the data of the drives I will connect them to my computer and run diagnostics on every disk before it goes back in the server to see if there is any problems

I am currently taking out every drive from the WHS and just attaching it directly to my computer so that I can get all ym data of it. 5TB is a lot of data but internal speeds of 80-106MB/s is not too shabby

[Singh400]

Drastic soltuion, buy have you tried a server re-installation? I did one once, takes hours, but fixed my problem.

[CWH]

When you re-install on the new server, take the 'telephone' option.It will give you a UK freephone number to call and reference number to quote. In all probability you won't even get transferred to an operator, it will just accept your ref no. and give you the new activation number.
I've done this quite a few time now with no problems.

Colin