Windows Home Server bug corrupts files

Looks like we've got a definitive answer to "How would you change Windows Home Server?" -- make it so it doesn't corrupt data. Microsoft has just posted a Knowledge Base document saying that it's confirmed WHS corrupts various files when saved to the server by certain apps. The bug affects several MS apps, including Money, Outlook 2007, Vista Photo Gallery, Live Photo Gallery, and SyncToy, but it also hits Quicken, Quickbooks, and -- fatally for a media server -- BitTorrent clients. Microsoft says it's working on a fix, but that in the meantime, you should avoid using WHS with these apps.

[Via Computerworld, thanks Tanner E.]

[helfrez @ Dec 27th 2007 3:17PM]

WOW...words cannot express how messed up that it lol.

[Adrian Williams @ Dec 27th 2007 3:19PM]

This been going on since Nov just look at the cons in this first review
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16832116395&SortField=3&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&SelectedRating=-1&PurchaseMark=&Page=

[zen313 @ Dec 27th 2007 3:19PM]

Uhm, so basically, STOP using WHS. That list of apps covers a HUGE % of apps that people are probably using WHS for. Yikes.

[DrWatson @ Dec 27th 2007 6:04PM]

I wouldn't say that they are a huge percentage, but they are certainly important apps. The inclusion on the SyncToy in this list is the really scary thing. For some people this could mean all their ad-hoc backups are compromised.

[DrWatson @ Dec 27th 2007 6:06PM]

... not that ad-hoc backups are the safest thing anyway.

[Erwos @ Dec 27th 2007 3:25PM]

IIRC, this only affects applications if you're actually trying to act on the copy stored on WHS. If you're using it on a local copy and then back it to WHS, that's fine.

[Doug Klippert @ Dec 27th 2007 3:28PM]

See Ed Bott's comments

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=348

[Agent 24601 @ Dec 27th 2007 3:26PM]

I can't believe the doomsayers on here. WHS backs up fine! It's just that small minority of users that want to make sure their pictures, movies, music, e-mails, or financial information are safe and backed up that are affected.

[Paul @ Dec 27th 2007 3:28PM]

Looks like I'll be sticking with my Ubuntu server after all...

[bcamp92979 @ Dec 27th 2007 4:18PM]

Why would you switch from Ubuntu Server to Windows Home Server anyways??? This was a joke comment, i hope.

[Jonathan @ Dec 29th 2007 4:20PM]

What backup program do you use on your Ubuntu server? I've setup an Ubuntu Server but don't quite know how to use it yet for backing up other PCs. Can your Ubuntu server backup a Windows based PC?

[BeyondtheTech @ Dec 27th 2007 3:56PM]

I like the title of the first review on NewEgg, I think it pretty much sums it up. "Dude, you're getting a sever!" LOL

[Stephen @ Dec 27th 2007 3:31PM]

Yikes! That's crazy. The moral of the story is, as always, 'wait for service pack 1'. :)

[syadasti @ Dec 27th 2007 3:35PM]

Haha, better luck next time Redmond!

MS still can't match OSX's backup destroying bug. It works so well, so easily:

"Just connecting a FireWire 800 drive to a Mac running "Panther" can ruin the data on the drive"

http://www.macintouch.com/panfirewire.html

[Chris @ Dec 27th 2007 3:43PM]

you mean the OS X backup that deletes files you're moving if you disconnect from the destination? yeah, that's much better.

http://tomkarpik.com/articles/massive-data-loss-bug-in-leopard/

[syadasti @ Dec 27th 2007 3:49PM]

I forgot about that one but I know someone whose professional work was hosed by the panther bug. They had a friend that did PC data recovery for free but they didn't have any tools for HFS+. I don't know if he shelled out the bucks for a mac data recovery company or just gave up. Should have used FAT32 on the drive like the iPod - works with any computer...

[Paul @ Dec 27th 2007 4:34PM]

Thank you god, when I first started reading the parent comment I thought, "Oh lord, please not another ignorant fanboy comment about how Macs are gods gift to mankind." There was a rush of air from the overhead vent and suddenly the comment ended on a perfect note.

[VasR @ Dec 27th 2007 3:38PM]

If one works directly from WHS with applications in question, then they will/may/probably have the issue. If they save a 'copy' of the files on WHS, that shouldn't be an issue. I save backups from Quicken, Pictures and etc. on WHS, but haven't worked directly from WHS with the apps in question. It is mainly an archival backup system, picture sharing and video streaming for me. If one wants to place a backup copy of the files on WHS, but work with the original on their PC, that shouldn't be an issue. Hopefully MS will releaae a patch soon.

[dataminer49er @ Dec 27th 2007 3:44PM]

Microsoft issued a buggy product? As a business Vista user I am unfamiliar with buggy software .

[palehorse @ Dec 27th 2007 3:48PM]

ouch. sh1tty bug.

repeat after me kids: "ALWAYS WAIT FOR SERVICE PACK ONE!... ALWAYS WAIT FOR SERVICE PACK ONE!... ALWAYS..."

[Elliott @ Dec 27th 2007 4:42PM]

You know, I would have given you a negative on your post because of the use of the number "1" in place of the letter "i" and the all-cap repetition, but I didn't because of the fact that however annoyingly stated and blatantly obvious you do have a mild point.

However, I feel the real point to be made here is: with all the cheap, easy to use NAS devices and the fact that the majority of the true target home users don't even know the difference between a "server" and a "client", why did Microsoft even bother? (well I don't really need to ask that.) Anyone who'd really understand and fully utilize this product probably wouldn't be using this product to begin with.

[patsy @ Dec 27th 2007 9:09PM]

@Elliott:

I'm sorry, but that's an ignorant comment. Even for people "in the know" there is definite attraction to something like WHS: a device with an OS that promises to integrate a bunch of "server-type" functionality seamlessly and with a common and hopefully "easy" remote management interface, along with the ability to plug in future new functionality without a lot of fuss. Currently I run Ubuntu Server on a crappy old box with webmin for remote management and MediaTomb for music and video serving to my Soundbridges, Omnifis and XBMC. It works fine, but updates and new installs are not always as smoooth as one would like to, especially if no deb packages are available. You still feel that you are administering a full-blown server, which you essentially are. There's always the nagging feeling that the entire device could be abstracted and generalized to some extent to take some of the drudgery out of it, sort of like XMBC or MythTV integrated all the various multimedia functions into one smooth interface with plugins and stuff. There was the faint hope that WMS was it, especially with HP pushing their slick-looking MediaSmart server lately. But alas, that doesn't seem to be the case just yet, and I'm glad and didn't jump in head-first. Maybe in a couple of years it will reach an acceptable level of maturity. Then again, by then there may very well be some Linux based projects trying to scratch that same itch, doing it all for free and in a similarly slick fashion.

[soulless2000 @ Dec 27th 2007 3:54PM]

Just stop using WHS.. it is a waste of money anyways.

[David @ Dec 27th 2007 6:19PM]

I second this!

[Halfmad @ Dec 27th 2007 4:02PM]

More Engadget mac fanboys required, apply within this thread.

[Jerry @ Dec 27th 2007 4:07PM]

I love WHS, bash it all you want but it's an excellent product. I haven't had any of the data corruption issues and I run automated backups to it as well as a torrent client directly on the server. I do not save to the server directly though, all of my files are saved locally on each of our machines and then each night a backup is run on each machine. This gives me safety and speed. I haven't had a single problem with WHS.

[KC @ Dec 27th 2007 4:15PM]

WOW - Finally its getting recognised.

I reported this problem back in Sep / Oct... and still no fix. Its worse than that - WHS corrupts avi / jpg's in just using it from Vista Media Center and plugins like ffdshow. Forget about it corrupting files from Word and the like - just playing and copying files does it. Microsoft are saying its their highest priority - but nothing for months !!!

Other users report that backups can not be restored that they are corrupted. On AVI's the headers appear to get corrupted - the metadata is overwritten with null values as part of its balancing effort.

LOL (if it did not hurt) - A home backup solution for the masses which corrupts data - how rediculous or how embarrasing is that --> spread the word !!!

[Z @ Dec 27th 2007 4:32PM]

I nominate a product name change: Instead of "Microsoft WHS", how about "Microsoft WHY?"?

[Dave @ Dec 27th 2007 5:12PM]

What can I use with Linux to do consistent, snapshot based, block level, incremental backups of a network worth of computers, with single instance storage across all computers and bare metal restore through the network? I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I really don't know if something like this exists for Linux for free. I have been considering WHS and would consider other options. I'm computer saavy, but not very up to date with Linux software.

[Dave @ Dec 27th 2007 5:15PM]

Sorry, replied to the wrong comment. This was in response to theThirdMoose's comment below

[thethirdmoose @ Dec 27th 2007 4:41PM]

Why would you use WINDOWS for a SERVER??? Linux is *designed* for this, AND it doesn't cost $1000.

[z3r0D @ Dec 27th 2007 4:55PM]

Because windows is much easier to use than linux? Some people (me) have a spare computer with some harddrives lying around where all we want is to plug it in and have an instant media backup and a server that will work with the 3 or so computers in our house, not the hundreds or thousands that a linux server can handle.

[Josh @ Dec 28th 2007 9:39AM]

backuppc for "linux home server".

[Miles @ Dec 27th 2007 4:42PM]

Can Microsoft do anything right?
Well, I can't wait until Apple gets back near 100% market share.
The trolls are wrong. Apple and Linux are not the downfall of Microsoft! Microsoft will bring it's own demise!

[Richard @ Dec 27th 2007 5:05PM]

I have my parents using SLED (SuSE Linux) as a home file/backup server and they find it very easy to use. Its been running now for close to three years (auto-updates) and I live in a different state to my parents so I wanted something solid and easy to configure. People keep yapping on about Microsoft home server but it doesnt get near SLED for ease of use (complete graphical system management local or remote) with its huge standard application list that makes Microsoft's offering look like a bare cupboard.

[David @ Dec 27th 2007 5:17PM]

And this is why my home server is running linux.

[Fraggle.Rock @ Dec 27th 2007 5:52PM]

WOW - talk about vitriol and snap-judgments toward Microsoft and WHS... I wouldn't want to be around more than a few of you after you've had a couple of drinks!

I've been using Windows Home Server for the last few weeks and I haven't had any corruption issues. Is Ubuntu or some other distro a better choice? Perhaps, but then it depends on your technical expertise, your interest in and knowledge of Linux, what specific capabilities are important to you, and the software environment that you're running at home. Is the OS and Connector software perfect? No, far from it, but its not all doom and gloom either. The adage that one should wait till Service Pack 1 is often correct insofar as it applied to those who are seeking a more complete, stable platform.

Though I would venture to guess that most users/viewers of this site are technology enthusiasts... as such, we tend to accept bleeding-edge platforms and software, and by-and-large, the associated risk as well. Microsoft will fix the bug and other issues that have arisen since it was released from beta, just like any other piece of software and over time it WILL become a more stable and complete OS - where is the great mystery in that!?

So settle down kiddies, lay off the sugar for a while, and remember to never mix Pop Rocks and Jolt cola :-)

[David @ Dec 27th 2007 6:13PM]

Microsoft.. Listen to me.. I have completely lost faith in you.
Your failures have made a pile of shite to high to climb.
I will from this day forth preach Linux, fore I have seen the light!

[Brian Sexton @ Dec 27th 2007 6:19PM]

"The bug affects several MS apps, including Money, Outlook 2007, Vista Photo Gallery, Live Photo Gallery, and SyncToy, but it also hits Quicken, Quickbooks, and -- fatally for a media server -- BitTorrent clients."

A problem with software that is used for the distribution of very little legitimate media, but a great deal of pirated media is fatal for a media server only if you happen to be a pirate. Do you do a lot of media pirating, Nilay Patel?

[Nilay Patel @ Dec 27th 2007 7:31PM]

Well, I'm a copyright attorney, so no, I don't pirate anything at all. But I use Miro and S3, and I'm also not blind to the realities of how people use media servers.

[Brian Sexton @ Dec 27th 2007 8:49PM]

Just because some people who might have use for a personal media center happen to be pirates does not mean all of us are, so clearly, a BitTorrent problem is not a fatal flaw for a media server for all of us. Suggesting otherwise is not simply being aware of the realities of how *some* people use media servers, but serving them while projecting their crimes on others through generalization. You may not pirate anything, but you do seem to enable pirates.

[Nilay Patel @ Dec 28th 2007 1:47AM]

I spend 10 hours a day protecting and enforcing the copyrights of my clients. Suggesting that I've somehow balanced that out and "enabled" infringing behavior by acknowledging the massive popularity of BT in a post about a media server seems like kind of a stretch, no?

[Brian Sexton @ Dec 28th 2007 2:09PM]

Sorry, but that would be a no regardless of how many hours a day you spend doing anything else. There are many people who work great numbers of hours for clients or employers only to steal from them, betray their confidence, or othewise act in ways that are not consistent with their employment or presumptions about that employment. Besides, you aren't working for those clients while you are writing such seemingly interest-conflicted articles for Engadget, are you? If it helps you sleep at night to pretend that you are not enabling infringing behavior by providing information specifically for media pirates and considering a potential problem that is unlikely to affect anyone but said media pirates* as a fatal flaw for a more widely marketed product, that is your prerogative, but I see your actions differently than you do.

* There are, of course, legitimate uses for BitTorrent such as downloading things—including media—with the permission of the copyright-holders, but realistically, for a BitTorrent problem to be a fatal flaw for a media server, a significant portion of the media for that server would have to be obtained via BitTorrent and when it comes to media shared via peer-to-peer networks, the majority of it just doesn't seem to be legitimate.

[Ron @ Dec 27th 2007 8:05PM]

Talk about a pack of drooling idiots. You might want to dig into this bug a little more before you start screaming M$FT sucks. Ed Bott has more details on his blog but here are some of the highlights.

1. A number of reports of data corruption that appeared to be related to this issue turned out instead to be traceable to faulty network cards, hard drive failures, or old routers with outdated firmware.

2. Backups stored on a Windows Home Server are completely safe, as are files copied to the server for safekeeping or streaming. This issue affects only files that are saved directly from one of the listed applications to a shared folder on a Windows Home Server.

3. This is not an issue that affects every Windows Home Server installation, and the symptoms require several factors that are not mentioned in the KB article. The largest contributing factor is when a home server is under extreme load. If you’re doing a large, highly demanding file copy operation in the background and you’re using one of the listed applications to edit a file that’s stored on a shared folder on the home server, and you save the edited file to the server, then you might see this bug.

[Nick @ Dec 28th 2007 7:15AM]

Ron Thanks for summerizing what the problem is. You are the only one here who instead of bashing M$ simply clarified what the problem is and made sense of ths issue!

To all the other M$ BASHERS out there yelling "Im going to switch linux" Go ahead and switch the #1 reason more people don't use linux is because of the software avalibility and the intigration. I use MS WinXP Pro @ work. While I don't do Much work from home I do on occasion and when I need to I need to have the information there that I need (Full integration no questions asked) This is why people are tied to MS Office & their OS's. Its not always as easy as saying "M$ pissed me off again im going to switch to linux" and go running away crying like a little baby who didn't get their way!

[Ian @ Dec 27th 2007 11:38PM]

Odd, I have utorrent slamming my WHS machine 24/7 with no issues. Although the client is running on the WHS box directly, it is still spooling content to a WHS managed share.

[Travis Bell @ Dec 28th 2007 12:25AM]

I've been using my WHS since it came out officially and can't say I've notice any issues but hey, that doesn't mean it won't.

All in all though, I am still a fairly huge fan of WHS. It's been awesome having an easily expandable server that dare I coin an Apple term... "always works".

[TURNERSVILLE @ Dec 28th 2007 7:59AM]

I moved my frontpage website files to WHS and they are corrupted (can't open files..server busy error even though I moved them to a local drive). It is going to take a while to figure out how to find/fix the file that is f'd up. Still think WHS is the way to go for guys like me (not uber dork mac/linux fanboys like you ladies) but bugs will be bugs.

[Rick @ Dec 28th 2007 6:29PM]

Good ole windows.

[John N. Doe @ Jan 7th 2008 5:06PM]

Yesterdays news: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/941914 dated November 19th, 2007