KG's 11 dimensional retrospection

When I tried to install the Windows Home Server 2008 (Windows Server 2003 based) on my VMware workstation 7.1 recently, I had several issues. So, here is a memo to fix those:

• Use IDE I/F when creating a virtual disk for the primary disk.
  Also it need to be at least 80GB.
  
• After the first step installation from DVD, it is going to reboot and resuming the installation from a disk.
  However, at that point, it requires VMware's SCSI disk driver, even though the DVD is using IDE I/F.
  So, make sure to attach a driver floppy image "vmscsi-1.2.0.4.flp", and hit "F6" to load that driver.
  

Using the VMware SCSI Disk Driver for Windows Guest Operating Systems
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1006956

SCSI Disk Drivers for VMware Server, Workstation or ACE
http://downloads.vmware.com/d/details/scsi_dt_server_wkst_ace/dHdiQGh3YiVq

When I installed windows server 2008 on my PC, I used IDE mode in BIOS setting for SATA drives, because I didn't know about the controller's SATA mode very much.
Then, recently, I got Thermaltake's BlacX docking station w/ eSATA I/F, hoping I can use the eSATA external driver with Hot swap capability. However, because the BIOS setting is in IDE mode, I wasn't able to do that.
So, I changed the setting to RAID mode (which can use AHCI), but Windows Server 2008 doesn't recognize it...
Whatever setting I chose, the OS just simply can't recognize the AHCI connected devices.
By researching on Internet, I found that, essentially you can't enable the AHCI after the installation.

However, it turned out that it's a matter of needing JMicron's RAID driver installed to use the AHCI mode.

My motherboard is eVGA's X58 SLI, and the eSATA is provided by jmicron's 362 chip.
So, I got the latest driver from jmicron's site: http://www.jmicron.com/Driver.htm
(Make sure to use the WHQL version, as Windows Server 2008 requires digitally signed driver)
After I have installed the driver, it just worked fine!

By the way, the Thermaltake BlacX eSATA Hard Drive USB Docking Station works just great. The eSATA's speed is awesome, it's super fast compared to USB 2.

Today, I tried to use the wireless sync functionality of Zune, but got an error when the player trying "Connecting to PC".

First, checked and tried various setting based on MS support page:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/952304

It didn't solve the issue.

Then, I carefully reviewed the services one by one, then I discovered enabling following services made it work:
(I'm using Windows Server 2008 x64)

• PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator
  
• Zune Network Sharing Service
  
• Zune Wireless Configuration Service
  
• SSDP Discovery
  

I found a review site aiming to build a "slient PC". I liked the way they review and I used the site to find a good case/PSU for me.
silentpcreview.com | Everything about Silent / Quiet Computers

Also, as you know, the Newegg's users' review is quite helpful to decide which products are good or not.

Now, based on those review, my choices are...

PC Case
There are many many many cases out there, but considering the "simple look" design, the only one I can find is this: Antec P182

Here is the silent PC review of the P182:
Antec P182 Advanced Super Midtower Case: P180 v.2

Some photos:





PSU
I chose the Corsair, because it had quite good review and the quality seems to be very good. Among their product line, I chose this: Corsair TX650W

Here is the silent PC review of the TX650W:
Corsair TX650W ATX12V power supply

When I tried to determine the required max power, I used their site's calculation page (On their home page: Corsair).

Some photos:

It's funny that the PSU came with nice pouch.

This time, a computer case and a power supply are something I spent more time to research than before.

When I built my old PC, I chose an Antec SLK3700BQE. The case was designed for quiter PC with a lot of drive bays which uses rubber grommets to mount HDDs, and came with 350 watt power supply. Overall, it was quite a good case, and I have been satisfied with it. I liked the design too: a simple black case with a front cover panel and easy accessible side panel. The construction is very good.
Due to this experience, I liked the Antec brand.

Now, for my brand new PC I'm building, I focused following consideration:

1. A case for quiet PC
   The quiet PC consideration should be a part of the case design.
   
2. Quieter PSU
   There are quiter PSU from various power supply maker, and reviews indicate those are far better than low end models.
   
3. More max power
   Considering the core i7 920 and possible GTX graphics card, I need to have more than 650W.
   
4. Simple look & feel design, with front cover panel
   The front cover panel is essential because I have a 1 year old baby who want to push whatever he can reach.
   
5. Plenty of HDD trays
   I'm thinking to build a RAID array (at least mirring) and I have a couple of HDDs already that I want to migrate to this new PC, so it need to have reasonable number of bays.