The backup procedure that the HP Media server does for the client PCs is this a HD duplication backup? I see that files and folders are copied over, but what I also want is a way to completely duplicate the HD of a PC so that in case it goes down I can recover the OS and everything with out have to reinstall, like Perfect Image or Ghost. If the back-up doesn't do this do you know of an add-in or software for the WHS that I can install on the server to perform these acts on a timely manor?

Thanks in advance,
Jason

The PC backup functions in WHS is a pure joy to use. You can chose what drives you want to have backed up so if you have a drive or drives that are not important then you can tell WHS not to back those up. Once setup WHS will backup your PC's each night which is very painless and a fairly quick process since it looks for changes and only backs up whats changed so it incrimental.

As far as duplication is concerned that only occurs with your Shared Folders on the server. If you want to backup your client database you can use the addin BDBB available for download on this site from the ADD-INS TAB.

As far as PC recoveries this is an amazing process that often takes less then an hour and you can chose which backup you want to restore from. There are some clients which you may need to load drivers in particularly for the NIC to get the recovery going on the client but the key for this is to get 32 bit drivers even if your computer is a 64 bit system and once you get past that its a pure joy.

_________________
Exploring the possibilities!

Migrated from WHS2011 to WS2012E: HIGHLANDER

~ Norco 4220 Enclosure
~ Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5
~ AMD Phenom II X4 995 3.2 GHz
~ 8 GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
~ 3 Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8

So what you are saying is that when the WHS performs a backup of a client PC it's not just a file backup but actually a full HD backup including system files? I'm asking because I wasn't sure if the complete files for the OS where completely copied like what Perfect Image or Ghost does.

Its a very complete backup OS, Files you name it. If your hard drive dies no big deal just pop in another one same size or larger and you will not notice anything different about the system.

If you happen to delete files from a client by accident that maybe you never placed on the server for some reason and you needed to get them back. Relax they are there in your clients backups and you can extract individual files from a client backup using the Server Console.

Simply put there is no better backup solution you can place at your finger tips and a Windows Home Server can accomodate 10 PCs which is more then enough for most homes or small businesses and if you need more just place another server into service and you will be able to sleep at night knowing your backups are taking place and that should you need to restore a PC its a very simple process. Just remember that some PC's will require you to load drivers during the recovery process and you will want 32 bit drivers because Windows Home Server v1 is a 32 bit OS so the PC Recovery Software will require 32 bit drivers but this doesn't happen often.

_________________
Exploring the possibilities!

Migrated from WHS2011 to WS2012E: HIGHLANDER

~ Norco 4220 Enclosure
~ Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5
~ AMD Phenom II X4 995 3.2 GHz
~ 8 GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
~ 3 Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8