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+--- Thread: My HTPC 1.0 and storage dilemma (/showthread.php?tid=94603)
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My HTPC 1.0 and storage dilemma - esoterix - 2011-02-18
So first of all, I would like to thank the XBMC community for providing a wealth of information and insight. Over the past few weeks, I have scoured through posts and deal sites trying to put together a system for as little initial cost as possible, but still have room to upgrade.
Here is what my first HTPC is comprised of. (which is basically the bare minimum needed to get running)
Esoterix's HTPC 1.0:
Case: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Mini-ITX-Case-w-220-Watt-Power-Black-Case-cables-/400123744231?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d293bcfe7 (39.99) *Looks like they raised it to 49.99 recently.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the case for the money I spent. The included Silverstone PSU was a big reason for my choice as a lot of cheap cases have pretty bad PSU's. Biggest cons would be heat (I'll have to pick up a couple fans when the weather gets warmer and the fact that I'll have to get a riser when I drop in a vid card (or just attack it with a dremel to fit a low profile card)
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103698&cm_re=sempron_140-_-19-103-698-_-Product (36.99 + tax)
Bought the proc locally at Fry's (worked there for ~5 years). Paying sales tax was well worth the ability to test different procs until I found one that would unlock.
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130247R&Tpk=msi%20785gm-e51 (~25.00)
Also purchased from Fry's. Bought the store demo, haven't had an issue yet.
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231149&cm_re=gskill_2gb-_-20-231-149-_-Product (27.99 + .99)
Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148231&cm_re=seagate_80gb-_-22-148-231-_-Product (0)
Found this in my bin full of random PC parts/accessories. This thing is noisy and will definately be one of the first things replaced.
Total: [COLOR="red"]~$135 including tax and shipping[/COLOR]
Future Upgrades:
Quieter CPU Fan (already ordered a Scythe Big Shuriken)
SSD (Debating on 8/16gb for Live or 30gb for Win7)
GT430
HP IR receiver + Undecided Harmony Remote
Slim internal BD-ROM
Currently this setup is running on Win7 to avoid any issues with the onboard video and Linux. I'm thinking I want to eventually get this running on Live after a few of my upgrades but I'm not really sure yet.
On another note, I am running this all on a wireless G network and surprisingly I have been able to play most of my content without any issues. I do run into some buffering issues when I try to play my bigger 1080p files though. I am hoping this goes away when I receive my second Cisco Linksys e2000 so I can flash it and turn it into a bridge but it is lost in transit somewhere.
Now, on to my storage issue.
I am using my main desktop PC as my media server. My data drive (a 400gb seagate) is failing, according to Windows. It is also full (< 30gb left). I purchased a 1Tb Samsung Spinpoint F3 when they were on sale at Newegg for about 55 bucks but it wouldn't even spin up. After a couple of weeks and 10 dollars in shipping, I received a replacement. Unfortunately, it will not recognize in BIOS on my main PC. It does, however, work on the new HTPC.
I'm thinking this may have to do with my Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 rev1.0 and how my only option is to run my drives as IDE instead of AHCI when I am running raid. I've read that in later BIOS revisions there is an option for RAID+AHCI, but I have been unsuccessful in flashing my board. The version of QFlash that I have does not support flashing from USB yet, only floppy. And every time I run it, it gets to "Reading BIOS from floppy" and then returns to the QFlash menu. I've tried different disks, BIOS revisions, no luck.
So now I am looking for advice on options. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Here are some things I can do:
1. Build a NAS (my most preferred option, but probably not the best option financially for me atm with the fiance recently out of work)
2. Kill the RAID-0 (2 WD 36gb raptors) and set all ports to AHCI. (not sure if this will even solve my problem of the drive not recognizing. Not looking forward to reinstalling everything. Possible pro: could swap 1 36gb raptor for the 80gb in the HTPC for faster seek times and to tide me over longer before I get an SSD)
3. Swap the motherboard for something that can handle the RAID and my 1Tb drive out of the box. (really not looking forward to reconfiguring all of my settings and redoing my overclock on a new board. Currently running an old e6300 conroe at 2.8)
- wsume99 - 2011-02-18
I have a Gigabyte MB (AMD) and I have a media drive connected to one of the RAID ports (SATA ports 0-3) but it is not asigned to any array. It works perfectly. You could try that. Another option might be to get a cheap USB enclosure and connect the new drive to your desktop via USB. Also I'm confused why the drive isn't recognized by your MB because it should work when your SATA ports are set to IDE mode. I've never had a HDD not work because my SATA ports were set to IDE mode.
- eskro - 2011-02-18
i would build an unRAID Rig....
You can even start with just 1 hard drive,
you just wont have parity till u add a second thats all....
you can build yourself an unRAID Rig for about ~$250
- poofyhairguy - 2011-02-18
esoterix Wrote:1. Build a NAS (my most preferred option, but probably not the best option financially for me atm with the fiance recently out of work)
2. Kill the RAID-0 (2 WD 36gb raptors) and set all ports to AHCI. (not sure if this will even solve my problem of the drive not recognizing. Not looking forward to reinstalling everything. Possible pro: could swap 1 36gb raptor for the 80gb in the HTPC for faster seek times and to tide me over longer before I get an SSD)
3. Swap the motherboard for something that can handle the RAID and my 1Tb drive out of the box. (really not looking forward to reconfiguring all of my settings and redoing my overclock on a new board. Currently running an old e6300 conroe at 2.8)
Option 4: Get a PCIe Sata controller. A Sil 3132 one should work.
In the long run, an new NAS is the best longterm option...
- eskro - 2011-02-18
poofyhairguy Wrote:In the long run, an new NAS is the best longterm option...
+1
- tmyoungjr - 2011-02-18
I'd take PHG's suggestion of the PCIe card. And then definitely a dedicated NAS as your long term solution (purchase parts cheaply over time)
- esoterix - 2011-02-19
poofyhairguy Wrote:Option 4: Get a PCIe Sata controller. A Sil 3132 one should work.
In the long run, an new NAS is the best longterm option...
This is exactly the option that I was looking for. I am kind of embarassed because I was actually looking at Sata controllers while pricing an Unraid server. However, the more I look into Unraid, the more I want to pull the trigger on putting a server together.
I have an old CM Centurion 5 case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068&cm_re=centurion-_-11-119-068-_-Product&RandomID=94092199731120110218220012) with a 465w Enermax PSU sitting in storage from an old system that had a motherboard die. It's missing 3 of the 5.25" bay covers but I figure popping in a 5-in-3 and a supermicro card down the road would take the case to 12 HDD's. I'll have to talk to my friend at Fry's and see if he can get me another deal on a clearance board. I'm thinking another Sempron 140, micro-ATX board w/4 SATA ports, and a gig of ram should be all I need to get it up and running. If I can get another deal on a board that should put me around 80 dollars running UnRaid Basic until I need to expand. Any thoughts?
- wsume99 - 2011-02-19
I think you are on the right track with a Sempron 140. I'd go check out this thread on the unRAID forums for MB advice. I'd try to get one with 6 sata ports if you can.
- eskro - 2011-02-19
a recommended Mobo on the unRAID Forum is this Biostar A760G M2+
- esoterix - 2011-02-19
Just picked up some stuff at Fry's on the way home.
Gigabyte GA-MA78LMT-S2 Open box for $32
Sempron 140 for $34
2gb of DDR3 for $35 (Expensive, but will be returning as soon as I get a cheap 1gb from Newegg)
The board isn't on their compatibility list but I am going to give it a shot. I think I have an old 256mb Sandisk flash drive in a tub somewhere as well. Will report back with results when I can.
- eskro - 2011-02-20
i think its suggested to avoid Gigabyte mobo's for unRAID,,,
Their HPA (Host Protected Area) causes some issues i believe....
http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=5820.0
- poofyhairguy - 2011-02-20
You can do it, just disable HPA. Both of my Unraid servers are Gigabyte, but I researched how to disable HPA for each.
- esoterix - 2011-02-20
Everything seems to be working. Just having troubles getting it on the network at the moment.
- esoterix - 2011-02-20
Alright, so it turns out my old Sandisk flash drive was the culprit. I can get the server on the network just fine using my newer 16gb. Does anyone know if I can set up everything on this flash drive until I can buy a new smaller flash drive and then swap them? I want to start migrating my data but am not sure if I would have to reformat my disk when I set it up on the new flash drive.
- wsume99 - 2011-02-20
If you're using the free version you can swap flash drives at will. I've done it multiple times without any problems. Just copy all the contents of the existing drive onto your new one and you should be good to go.