I know that similar questions have been posted in this forum, but so far, after days of working the problem and searching for solutions, I'm still unable to get the WHS Restore CD it see my network card or install the drivers. I'm hoping that some kind folks on the forum might be able to finally set me straight. Here's the general info:
1) Acer Aspire EasyStore H340
2) WHS with Power Pack 2
3) clinent PC - Dell Studio XPS Laptop
4) Windows Vista 64bit (service pack 2)
5) Broadcom Netlink Gigabit Ethernet (chipset 5784)
6) I've downloaded the latest WHS Dual Boot Restore CD (version 1800, dated 7/21/2008)
7) I've placed the Broadcom drivers into a folder named "DRIVERS" in the root directory of my USB drive.
8) I've tried 4 different sets of drivers.
a) from C:\DELL\Network\Drivers
b) from my laptop's - C:\Windows Home Server Drivers for Restore
c) from a WHS backup image - C:\Windows Home Server Drivers for Restore
d) downloaded latest drivers directly from the Broadcom website.
When I boot with the restore disc, NO Ethernet adapters show up in the Network Devices portion of the Detect Hardware window. I click on "Install Drivers" and the click "Scan" to get the drivers from the USB drive. I ALWAYS receive a message that "Drivers were found for your hardware", however the ethernet adapter is NEVER added to the Ethernet Devices window. I've tried briefly to get things working correctly on an XP machine (running Service Pack 3) and have had very similar network issues. So at this point, my issues don't seem to be a Vista vs. XP thing.
At this point, I'm simply at a loss for what I can try next. I really like WHS. It's been great for serving music, photos, video, etc. I also use it with Avast Anti-virus for WHS to protect all my networked computers. However, in my opinion, the MOST IMPORTANT function of my WHS is to backup all my networked computers so that I have a reliable means of restoring any computer should the need arise. WHS backs up each computer wonderfully, but unfortunately, the key feature of RESTORING a computer seems to be VERY problematic. In the past I've always used Norton Ghost with an external USB hard drive. I've been hoping to move away from that method, but at this point... at least that works!
Any help that anyone might be able to provide would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!!