Windows Home Server bug corrupts files
Given that the point of Windows Home Server is to allow you to store your media files, a bug in the storage process that could result in corrupted files is bound to get attention.
Microsoft has issued a support document for the 13 or so (just kidding) people using Windows Home Server, the company's latest product for those attempting to build the digital home of the future. Apparently there's a flaw in the way Windows Home Server works with certain Microsoft applications, such as Windows Vista Photo Gallery, that could result in corrupted files if you use those applications to save files to the server. A list of the specific applications can be found in the support document.
HP's MediaSmart Server, which runs Microsoft's Windows Home Server.
(Credit: Hewlett-Packard)My colleague Ed Bott at ZDNet.com looked into exactly what would have to happen for the files to go bad, and it sounds like there is a convoluted series of steps that would have to be followed to produce the error. Still, as Ed points out, any bug that deletes data is a very, very serious issue.
The main culprit seems to be if you're putting Windows Home Server under a heavy load, and I doubt many of the people running the software have reached that point yet. I can see a day where a simple, easy-to-use home server will be vital in helping people organize (and back up) their vast collection of digital movies, TV shows, photos, and music--not to mention those precious home movies of the kids opening Baby's First QPhone or whatever becomes the hot-selling gadget of 2017.
But that day is not here yet for an overwhelming majority of people, as we've learned this week from Apple and Wal-Mart. The market for movie downloads--arguably the largest files people would want to store--is far from mature.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 
I have a need and use WHS now. I've ripped (from my own collection) over 300 movies to disk so I can access them throughout the house on any TV or PC - and my kids love it. Now they can't destroy the discs anymore!
It'll be fun to see them do a complete 180-degree turn and loudly pooh-pooh this little event.
Popcorn, anyone?
/P
I'm suprised Microsoft didn't announce this issue earlier and release a patch. I wonder how long was this known versus getting a patch out for it. The did acknowledge the issue though, so I suppose that's better than nothing. Some OS's prefer to ignore the issue, not acknoweldge it at all and then patch the issue quietly without ever accepting fault in the matter. I don't know why that is.
Still, no reason for this bug to have existed in the first place. This sort of thing should have been caught in the testing.
How's that for for you, Penguinisto?
Not what you were expecting? Surprised I'm being honest? Refreshing, isn't it? It would be nice if others did the same.
I helped restore backups for that very reason.
That being said, it is inexcusable that either got past QA, from either company.
Bugs happen, but stuff that destroys data should NEVER get out into production.
and this is in addition to other file corruption issues with Leopard including corruption of the entire volume. http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-375673.html
Applause to MS for publishing the warning and taking the heat rather than go into denial, and applause to you for publicizing it and adding a little heat! Let's hope they get this fixed fast; it's a very promising product.
I still dont think it will make it to be honest.
No one has perfected movie downloads yet but mostly because of the DRM issues and getting the movie companies on board. The technology is here today to digitally download movies they day they come out...via your cable company, Xbox Live, or most likely iTunes next month. The theater companies are fighting this big time as their declining ticket sales get worse every year. I would NEVER go to a movie theater again if I could get the movies at my house somehow they day there were released.
It will happen eventually and having the need for a home server to store tons of movies will be a niche market that will be best server by techie home grown solutions.
You still lose everything in a catastrophe like a fire or flood.
But, until we upload data to MARS, nothing is fully safe
external access (sharing) it is fully legal. You can transfer the
movies/DVD's you purchased over to the platform and use that
to view them on the screens in your house. You have the license
(came with the movie) for home use, non public display.
For the FEW (laughing) windows users this may effect I hope
they issue a patch.
As one of the Apple boys who now uses the computer as a
recorder, player, and tuner, It works GREAT! Just make sure to
have a large enough external drive to store all the media on, and
if MS allows it, learn how to EDIT if you use it for television to
save space. At 2 gig/hr for real resolution it goes by quick.
Secondly by default OSX does not recognize *.lnk files (AKA) windows shortcuts. This was a real pain in the a** but I found a solution called winshortcutter. (Amazing that you need to look to a 3rd party for that). As for the playback the movie stuttered more than a cheating spouse on both Macs but *.AVI and *.Mov files played just fine.
In conclusion, I really wish you Mac boys would get your heads out your Donkeys.
The OS is okay but A tweaked install of windows XP will Rip even a tweaked version of Mac OSX a new one.
- Microsoft has no monopoly on "Bugs"
- by old_fot December 31, 2007 9:34 AM PST
- Unfortunately, errors in the design and implementation of computer programs and operating systems are widespread and not limited to any one vendor. I have been designing and implementing computer programs for more than 40 years and would speculate that there are two major problem areas that need to be addressed assuming that the overall design is correct.
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- But they have a monopoly on..
- by gabeheim January 1, 2008 6:42 AM PST
- billions of users that require their OS to run their business software and personal software. Of course, Windows Home Server is too new for them to have "forced" it upon home users, so anyone can avoid it and build a Win2k/XP or Linux home server. However, how does a business or home user avoid Vista if they feel it is too buggy/unsuitable for their needs? Sure, a number of users will switch to apple or linux, but what about enterprise and home users that have invested thousands to millions of dollars in software that runs windows? That's why we need more diversity in software environments. (then maybe third party developers will build more portable applications). It is not good for a company to have too significant of a proportion of the market.
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(45 Comments)1. A rigid review of ALL module interfaces to ensure consistency throughout the product.
2. A programming tool that incorporates strong typing and range checking.
Any problem caused by a buffer overflow is unacceptable and easily avoided with range checking.
It is past time for the purchasers of computer software to continue to accept the poorly designed and bug ridden software provided by most vendors. Consumers would not accept this lack of quality and usability in other products that they purchase.
It is time for consumers to be educated that they do not have to settle for the current bug ridden products that are being foisted on them.
We all have to learn to "just say no" to lousy computer products regardless the vendor.
Of course, perhaps microsoft under its own hubris is becoming the GM of software. That would not be a bad thing for a while.