[Syrah]

Hi All,

I have been following the many threads here and at Computer Audiophile about moving to Server 2012 and Audiophile Optimizer.

Right now I'm running at Caps Zuma v3 with Windows 8 and JRiver and a Chord QuteHD.  I'm NOT great with computers!

I'm making my way through the Audiophile Optimizer guide.  So far I've managed to load Server 2012 on to a USB, so my next step is to load it.  I have a few questions.

1.  I plan to do a partition so that I can keep my Windows 8.  If I manage to do that successfully, how would I then switch back to Windows 8 if things go horribly wrong?  In a perfect world, it would give me the option when I boot up.

2. I'm using a Synology NAS and I'm not entirely clear what happens to that if I decide to go with an Audio PC and Control PC.  Does the Synology, the Control PC, and the Audio PC all get plugged into my router and they somehow figure out that the Control PC is supposed to read the Synology and send the info to the Audio PC?  Unless I'm missing it, the guide doesn't seem to mention the use of a NAS.

3. Here's the really stupid question.  Drivers.  I don't really understand what they do and where they come from.  I have a Chord DAC and I know that I downloaded that driver and then installed it on my PC.  I assume that all of the other drivers came with my PC on Windows 8.  Should they all be on Server 2012, and I just need to load them?  Or do I need to find them all somewhere?  I've read some confusing posts when people have driver issues after installing Server 2012.

If I go with the 2 PC plan, I'd like to get a laptop as a control PC (maybe something like the Lenovo Yoga 11s) just for ease of use and the touch screen.  Is that a bad idea compared to getting a second audiophile type computer?  I'm not that keen on the iPad control for JRiver.

If I move ahead with this, I suspect that I'll have a few more questions.

Thanks.

[WGH]

If your case has the room and your budget allows it I recommend putting in another SSD drive for Server 2012 instead of dual booting. Unplug the Win8 drive, install Server 2012 on the second drive, when all is done plug the Win8 drive back in and choose which OS/Drive to boot from with the BIOS.

Wayne

[kenreau]

If your case has the room and your budget allows it I recommend putting in another SSD drive for Server 2012 instead of dual booting. Unplug the Win8 drive, install Server 2012 on the second drive, when all is done plug the Win8 drive back in and choose which OS/Drive to boot from with the BIOS.

Wayne

Hi Wayne - if you don't mind, I'm a windows neophyte and have a related question to setting up a CAPS clone PC.

With a new dedicated SSD for the OS, do I need to start with a Windows 7 OS, or some other MS OS first, in order to download Server 2012 on it?  (I'm starting fresh, with no MS products or OS on hand)

Once the Server 2012 OS is installed, I'll refer to Phils A-O optimizer to set that up.  After that point, does JRiver, JPlay and any other interface programs also get install on the same SSD as the OS?  I wasn't tracking if the JRiver, et al get installed elsewhere, like on the separate music library drive or NAS.

Thanks
Kenreau

[WGH]

I don't use Server 2012 but installing it is just like any other OS. Using any computer you want to, first download the Server 2012 .iso file and either burn it to a disk (if your CAPS has a disk drive) or USB thumb drive. If your motherboard needs drivers, put those on the disk or thumb drive too.

Reading the System Requirements is always a good idea: http://technet.microsoft.com/library/dn303418.aspx

Start up CAPS, insert disk or thumb drive into CAPS. F6 to load drivers and/or select to boot from the disk or thumb drive. The motherboard manual should have better directions.

Wayne


 

[kenreau]

I don't use Server 2012 but installing it is just like any other OS. Using any computer you want to, first download the Server 2012 .iso file and either burn it to a disk (if your CAPS has a disk drive) or USB thumb drive. If your motherboard needs drivers, put those on the disk or thumb drive too.

Reading the System Requirements is always a good idea: http://technet.microsoft.com/library/dn303418.aspx

Start up CAPS, insert disk or thumb drive into CAPS. F6 to load drivers and/or select to boot from the disk or thumb drive. The motherboard manual should have better directions.

Wayne

Excellent info, thank you very much!

Kenreau