Multimedia-PCs » How-To

Version 3: Use Time Machine with Windows Home Server

Jeremy Jones — Fri, 14 May 2010 14:55:05 +0000

I have continued to work with people on getting Time Machine setup and working with your Windows Home Server. I’m calling these new directions version 3 and it’s easier than the last steps that required an applescript. The reason why the applescript wasn’t working in version 2 is that some people had a Windows partition on their Macs, including myself on my new iMac. Instead of fixing the applescript to check for multiple partitions it is easier to just use Disk Utility. Below are the new directions. I have had multiple people confirm that they are working. For informational purpose you can find Version 1 and Version 2 of my directions. Version 2 has some good comments if you have trouble.

You still need have iTimeMachine enabled.

UPDATE: iTimeMachine is no longer active. Use the following command in terminal to enable network disks. The following command does what iTimeMachine did.

defaults write com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 1

1. Open Disk Utility in the Utilities folder.

2. Select the Macintosh HD, then go to “File” -> “New” -> “Blank Disk Image”.

3. A box will come up with a lot of different options. The save as name is important as Time Machine will use that name to see if it’s correct. The save as name should be machinename_macaddress. For example mine is jeremy-iMac_0a0a0a0a0a0a. I’m not giving my MAC address but that’s what the 0a stuff is. You can find the name by going to sharing in system preferences or types hostname -fs in the terminal. The MAC address is for the connection that will be used for Time Machine. My laptops are wireless, my desktop using ethernet. Important: You need to use the MAC address for the ethernet card. You can still use wireless after is it setup and running.

4. Name = whatever you want. I called mine Time Machine.

5. Size = Over your total data amount. Right now I set mine at 400g. With Disk Utility you can resize this later if you fill the amount.

6. Partition = Single Partition – Apple Partition Map

7. Image Format = sparse bundle disk image

8. Now create the image. Default is to save to your desktop.

9. Transfer that disk image from your desktop to you time machine folder on the WHS.

10. Point time machine to your WHS folder and start the backup.

If you have questions please leave comments. As always I will try to respond as fast as I can. This is still not supported and I give no guarantee on the safety of your data or reliability of your backups. It works for me and I have been backing my Macs up to Windows Home Server for months.

Video: Create Custom Web Apps in Windows 7 Media Center

Jeremy Jones — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:24:03 +0000

The video below is a pretty cool how-to on running web apps in Windows 7 Media Center. They used Google Reader as an example but there are a lot of other services you could add to Windows Media Center. It’s not too complicated to follow.

(via TheDigitalLifestyle)

Build a Cheap Whole-House Speaker System

Jeremy Jones — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:17:49 +0000

Whole-House speaker systems can cost many thousands of dollars. There are some cheaper solutions but this post at Lifehacker doesn’t get much cheaper. It uses existing phone wiring in the house to distribute the audio signals. You just need powered speakers at the other end. It’s not the easiest and their directions require some soldering but it can be done. I have my own cheap setup that I will post about soon.

Create Panoramic Photos with Windows Live Photo and Image Composite Editor

Jeremy Jones — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:57:53 +0000

I thought this was a nice tutorial on using Windows software to make panoramic photos. You’ll need Windows 7 and you should have the gallery downloaded and installed. It’s pretty simple but something that most basic Windows users don’t know about about. I have embedded a video below or you can visit UserWindowsHomeServer for more detailed instructions.

Get Boxee Beta on the AppleTV

Jeremy Jones — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:06:41 +0000

There is already step-by-step instructions on getting the new Boxee Beta on the AppleTV. It’s not the easiest installation, like the old days, but if you like to tinker it shouldn’t take too long. Since I don’t have a AppleTV let me know how it goes.

(via AppleTV Hacks)

Build Your Own Ambilight TV

Jeremy Jones — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:30:32 +0000

This is a really cool project that creates a Phillips Ambilight TV with a few LED bars. It’s a plug-and-play system that uses the a HTPC to control the LEDs. Complete directions over at fun3′s blog. This might be a project I have to play around with.

(via hackaday)

Update: Time Machine Backup to Windows Home Server

Jeremy Jones — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:54:31 +0000

UPDATE: Version 3 directions have been posted on the site. It’s easier than using the Applescript that has been failing for people that had a Windows partition. You can find the version 3 here.

I thought it was about time to revisit an earlier post, which has been quite popular, on how to backup your Mac using Time Machine to a Windows Home Server. There have been many updates to Windows Home Server and Mac OS X that has complicated the process just a bit and therefor my previous directions no longer work. Below I will highlight a still fairly easy process to get your Mac Time Machine working with Windows Home Server again.

I was messing with Linux commands and doing research on creating sparse image files when I came across a site that simplified the process with an AppleScript. You can read about that script and directions here.

I have simplified the directions to work with Windows Home Server. This isn’t supported by Apple or Windows Home Server. While it works for me, it is still hacking and I can’t guarantee that things won’t go wrong.

1. Click here to download the AppleScript that will help in the process. Just unzip it we will use it later.

2. Download iTimeMachine. You will need to install it and enable AirDisks. There is also a linux command to do this. If you want to know just leave a comment and I will provide it for you.

3. Logon to your Windows Home Server and create a new folder for your Time Machine backup. I called mine JJ MBP backup. Make sure you give whatever user account you want to use access. Once created you can close out of the Windows Home Server.

4. Now we can start the preparing the backup folder. In the left sidebar in finder you should see your Windows Home Server. Mine is called “Server” and will be under “Shared”. You need to click on your Home Server, logon and browse to your newly created Time Machine backup folder. Double click on it so it will mount the folder. I also show mounted volumes on my desktop to make it easier.

5. Now that you have mounted your backup folder you need to drag that to the AppleScript you downloaded in step one. Since I have my backup folder show on my desktop and I placed the AppleScript on my desktop I just drag and drop. You can also see the mounted folder in finder and drag it to where ever you saved the AppleScript. It will run a little program that you will have to OK. Once it’s done you will see the AppleScript icon disappear from your dock.

6. The program is done now and it’s time to transfer the sparse image to your backup folder. The AppleScript saved the sparse image in your Home directory. Browse to it and then transfer the sparse image to your Windows Home Server backup folder. Mine was about 450mb so it won’t take long to transfer.

7. Now that the sparse image is on the server open time machine and point it to your Windows Home Server backup folder. You shouldn’t get the error about creating backup and it should start transferring files quickly. Depending on how much data you have it could take a long time for the initial backup. My 14GB took about 1.5 hours over wireless.

Bonus: To make it easier to backup the files create a startup item that mounts your Windows Home Server backup folder. Every time the computer starts it will auto-logon to the folder so Time Machine will work automatically. If you are not connected to your network you will get a error but I find it easier to deal with one error message when I’m away than trying to remember to connect so Time Machine will work.

Now you have your Time Machine backing up to your Windows Home Server. It’s not too many steps and thanks to that AppleScript it makes it a lot easier. The directions I was working on required a lot of time in the Terminal which would scare a lot of people. I didn’t even think about creating it in a AppleScript.

Let me know if you have questions. I have created a video below to help people follow the process I have outlined above. I hope everyone has success.

Video: How-To Record Live TV in Windows Media Center

Jeremy Jones — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 04:14:38 +0000

Windows Videos has a few how-tos on using Windows 7 Media Center. The video above is recording live TV. It’s nice to see Microsoft getting Media Center into the public eye a little more.

(via The Digital Lifestyle)

Building a Hackintosh for Snow Leopard

Jeremy Jones — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:53:21 +0000

Lifehacker has a great how-to on building a machine from scratch to use with Snow Leopard. The how-to is complete with parts list and a price tag of $900. It’s basically a Mac Pro when your finished. The steps are easy and with the parts list you know everything will work. I have been wanting a new desktop at home so this might be what I need to get one.

Video: Install Windows Media Center add-in for Windows Home Server

Jeremy Jones — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:10:29 +0000

The biggest part of the new PP2 update for Windows Home Server was the integration of some Windows Media Center features. It wasn’t a lot but it’s a good start. The video walks you through setting up the add-in for Windows Home Server. It’s pretty easy.

Multimedia-PCs » How-To

Version 3: Use Time Machine with Windows Home Server

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