Aug
29
WHS Build: Day 2
Filed Under Computers, Home Server, Projects
The second shipment for my Windows Home Server build arrived today. The main component I was missing was a brand new 1TB Seagate SATA HDD. Having a system hard drive can be somewhat essential when doing a new system build.
The majority of the evening was dedicated to finishing the WHS build. Everything went very smoothly, except enabling up the Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI). Unfortunately for me, I did not have a floppy drive to install the drivers using the F6 menu during start-up, so I had do somewhat of a work around.
I found a quick little HOWTO on enabling AHCI mode after an installation is complete. It is mostly common sense: install using IDE compatability mode, install the driver, switch AHCI back on. However, there was one missing step of adding a registry key that made a world of difference. After re-enabling AHCI, I quickly tested my new hot-swap capabilities with my 5 HDD bay, which was so smooth and easy it was scary!
I was actually a little surprised that the Windows Home Server install disc did not have the built in drivers for AHCI. I even made sure to order the install disc that came with Power Pack 1, thinking it would have the most recent updates. Not to mention I am using an Intel ICHxx chipset, which I know is supported in the Vista install. Not a huge deal, but it was my first (and only) let down.
I think the best part of the install though was seeing the screen that says “Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server Setup” at the top of the screen. Microsoft did an excellent job of cleaning up the code they “borrowed” to make their newest operating system.
Anyway, after what was probably about a 35-minute install, and an additional 15 - 20 minutes figuring out AHCI, everything was up and running. I am now succesfully migrating my data to the home server.
I even have my laptop configured with the client utilities, and a complete hard drive backup already done!