News

posted on 11 March 2008 17:26

Microsoft has revealed that the Home Server bug, which currupts certain files when transferred, is unlikely to be fixed until June.

It is due to a bug deep in the operating system. This bug 'has been discovered in the way that Windows Home Server manages file transfer and balancing across multiple hard drives. In certain cases, depending on application use patterns, timing, and the workload that is placed on the Windows Home Server-based computer, certain files may become corrupted.'

Only a very small percentage of users are said to be affected. Here is how Microsoft describes the problem:-

"When certain programs are used to edit or transfer files that are stored on a Windows Home Server-based computer that has more than one hard drive, the files may become corrupted. Microsoft is aware of only a very small percentage of users who have confirmed instances of this issue and believes that most users are unlikely to be affected. Microsoft has established that this issue may occur when one of the following programs is used to edit, transfer, and save files to the home server:"

• Windows Vista Photo Gallery
• Windows Live Photo Gallery
• Microsoft Office OneNote 2007
• Microsoft Office OneNote 2003
• Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
• Microsoft Money 2007
• SyncToy 2.0 Beta
• Intuit QuickBooks
• uTorrent

Other applications that may exhibit the bug when using Home Server are:-

• Photoshop Elements
• Zune Software
• Apple iTunes
• TagScanner
• Mozilla Thunderbird
• Adobe Lightroom
• Intuit Quicken
• MS Digital Image Library
• MP3BookHelper
• ACDSee
• WinAmp
• Windows Media Player 11
• Microsoft Office Excel
• Visual DataFlex

Microsoft says Windows Home Server-based computers that have a single hard drive are not affected by this issue, nor are Windows Home Server Computer Backup and Restore capabilities, Health Monitoring, and Remote Access functionality. This issue is specific to Windows Home Server and does not affect other Windows Server-based products.

The company suggests the following as a precautionary measure:-

"Users should use Windows Explorer or a command-line tool to copy files to and from the Windows Home Server-based computer. Do not use applications to directly edit or change files that are stored on the Windows Home Server-based computer."

"Users may consider setting Shared Folders on Windows Home Server to read-only and avoid using media management programs, such as Windows Media Player, to import files to the home server. They may also want to avoid redirecting applications to access files that are stored in the Shared Folders because some applications may change the metadata of a file without explicit user action. "

It is obvious that Microsoft and its Home Server customers have been caught out by inadequate software testing by the Microsoft Home Server development team.

Bug fix status information can be seen here.