I have a stock EX495 with 4 drives. After reading the numerous informative topics on this site (& others), I decided the best solution for me to recover from a replacement OS drive, is to install WHS 2011 instead of v1. I believe the smartest appoach would be to create a bootable USB key. (Is this still the smartest approach verses buying one of those neat monitor/keyboard interface connectors?)

The detailed instructions found on this site are wonderful, but I am stuck on a few questions...

1) Where in the world do I buy or download the LATEST version of WHS 2011??
2) Actually, what is the latest version? (I keep seeing codes like RC, etc.)
I know that there was a release of several updates for WHS 2011.
I am hoping the latest download would already include it, but most likely no.
3) Will WHS 2011 work with AF WD drives?
4) Which version do I need 32-bit or 64?
5) Lastly, I suppose you install with ONLY the 1st drive (slot 0) installed?

thank you all you home server gurus!!

1) I believe an OEM-DVD is your only option. I got mine from a webshop here in Norway. It's not very expensive.
2) Latest version is WHS 2011. RC is a so called 'Release candidate' made available for testing before final release.
3) Don't know for sure, but probably. I can't see why it should not.
4) 64bit is the only option, there is no such thing as a 32bit WHS2011.
5) Yes! At least that's what i would do...

I could'nt get USB-key install to work with my EX490, so i ended up running the install onthe system disk in another computer and removed the power on the very first boot. Then i placed the disk int the '490 and rand the rest of the install procedure from there.
I don't know for sure why it did'nt work from the USB-key, others have pulled it off, but i managed to get it up and running anyhow.

Good luck!