Time for new hardware - Suggestions?

[charlesk 2]

Well my windows 10 server has finally died after 12 odd years. Won't boot up, even with a USB boot disk.

So time to replace the hardware!   Any suggestions?  Run a windows 11 machine?  Run a proper NAS?  Which one?  I"m happy to build my own.

I usually only have 1080p media, so not much required on transcoding.  At least for now, who knows in another 10 years.

Currently got the media on 5 x 3.5 WD Red HDDs.  I wasn't using Raid but a software duplicator to duplicate each media across at least 2 drives.

I don't have anything plugged in directly to the server, it just serves it up via ethernet to a Samsung TV, Xbox one, and sometimes via the internet to handheld.

So ... just use Windows 11 again in a mini ATX case?  Worth getting a seperate graphics card for any transcoding, or not bother (the last one didn't).

Or just go with a plug & play NAS?

Thoughts?

TIA!!

Edited yesterday at 11:49 AM by charlesk
Typo

[all4dom 102]

I do something similiar. I run win 11, the newer intel core ultra 5, 32 gigs of ram, 2 ssd drives with secondary handling recordings, etc, mid size tower case becasue it holds all the drives, I extra sata card, 2 dvd drives with one having custom firmware and I have 6 drives, 3 with media ans 3 that are complete copies. I dont use a graphics card and i dont rememebr my power supply size. Its efficient because its always on and whe. I built it last year, it was around 700 ans change. Probably more. Also I plan on moving away from ring and adding new cameras that will record onto my home server. 

[Q-Droid 1043]

Server is 12 years old? Check your CMOS battery.

 

[Babatom 20]

2 hours ago, charlesk said:

Worth getting a seperate graphics card for any transcoding, or not bother (the last one didn't)

You’re better off going for an Intel CPU with an integrated GPU; QSV is ideal for transcoding.

I’ve built myself a Unraid server and I’m very happy with it

[charlesk 2]

10 hours ago, Q-Droid said:

Server is 12 years old? Check your CMOS battery.

 

Good idea, but I think it's a windows issue.  Blue screen on start up saying it's missing the "winload.efi".  I think the MBR is corrupted.  Weird though that I can't boot from USB.  The bios firmware is 2015 (last available update), wondering if there's something there incompatible with the latest Win 10 USB boot file.  I've turned off rapid and secure boot etc.  If I could boot from USB I would think I could probably repair it.  But guessing it's simply motherboard/bios too old now or something.

[Q-Droid 1043]

Booting from USB was a thing well before 2015. When you stated that it died and wouldn't boot from disk or USB I interpreted that to mean it wasn't even POSTing. Hence the battery recommendation.

It would be good to bring it back to life while you build a new one and can take your time doing it. Maybe try different USB ports, drives and even OS to see if it gets further.

 

[RanmaCanada 555]

I've mentioned before, I just use a laptop as my server and keep my files on a NAS in the basement. Laptop uses 15-20 watts of power, has a built in mouse and keyboard if needed, and a built in screen (mine is smashed but I paid less than $200 for it). My current server is an i5-1235u laptop with a smashed screen. Easy to tuck away, super power power, and quicksync is a beast when it comes to transcoding. They can be had for under $300 still on eBay, and sometimes less if you get one with a damaged screen like mine. The AI/Surveillance centre apocalypse has destroyed pricing sadly.