I had a friend help me get my home network set up. I am now having issues with my Windows Home Server. I am running 6 computers, a PS3 and of course the WHS. I am running everything wireless through a linksys router over wireless N network. I want to use something that is better and easier than WHS for my media server. I was thinking about either Boxee or something like that. If anyone knows of someone that can either help me or walk me through things please let me know.

Thanks all
Brad

Brad, let people use the Private messaging system to get your email address. If you put it on here, you'll get spam from now to eternity. Just trying to protect you! I removed your phone number and email address. Just contact him via private message.

To address your problem. It may not be Windows Home Server. I have seen the geek reviews of it and many of them love it. Boxee is absolutely excellent for delivering content, so that's a viable alternative, but if you've had some luck with the Windows Home Server you might not want to abandon it right off. I find that even with Boxee and a fast enough computer (I use a late model Mac Mini), wireless is just too slow to transfer large media files. It buffers all the time. Many of my files are large and at a high bit rate. I have to use a wired network to get it to flow smoothly and I have a gigabit ehternet network, which is at least 6 times faster than than the theoretical maximum of a 100 Mb/s standard ethernet setup.

Wired just works better. Maybe others will post possible solutions. There are plenty of network savvy people who post here.

Thanks TH. Not to worried about spam. Using Gmails filters is pretty amazing about keeping that down but thanks anyway. I do run a wired connection to my WHS (1gigabyte connection) but the thing is that the guy who set up my network used a copy of WHS that has expired....and now it is asking for a registration...he hacked it somehow and now it just kicks me out when trying to register it. I have a cracked copy of Windows XP that I want to put on that machine and then use it as a storage device....I have about 800 gigs of space to use. Just not sure how to make everything happen. So if you know of a good network guy that is looking for some side work throw him my way. I am not over using WHS I just am not going to pay M$ the money top register that piece of software. I am just wanting something to help me stream my stuff to my PS3.

Thanks again
Brad

Do a little homework and install an Ubuntu server. That is what I do and it runs like a top with free upgrades. It isn't as seamless as Windows because it requires some knowledge of how to set the server up. But all you need is a basic server running Samba, which is the windows network file server software. It looks EXACTLY like a Windows drive to your network. That is what I run.

If all you want to do is serve media files, and even simpler approach is a "network drive". I have two of these on my network specifically to stream media files. Mine are the Maxtor Network drive. They have a samba server built into them. They are very easy to set up and both of mine are 1 Tb each. They cost around $200.

Uggh, I just checked someting. I was looking for the exact model number and it seems that Seagate just bought out Maxtor! I did not know that. Well, Western Digital makes one also. Just network it to your router, set it up using the included software and stream files away.

But if you want to get your server running, read up on setting up a Linux server. Use the Ubuntu server distribution, or alternatively go ahead and set up the full version so you have a GUI interface and set up Samba.