Updating from Original HP Update to Latest 1.3

MediaSmartServer.net have got steps documented to help those folks that either inadvertently got the original (broken) HP 1.3 update, or manually installed it from the HP website. The steps require RDP access to the server, and are NOT HP supported.

  1. Download the new 1.3 update from here: ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software10/COL22922/dv-60259-3/
  2. Remove the old 1.3 add-ins McAfee and PVConnect
  3. Uninstall old 1.3 update from Add/Remove programs on the server via RDP
  4. Install newly downloaded 1.3 update.

Note: If you were running 1.3 (pre-release) with the McAfee Add-In installed, you’ll also need to remove the McAfee folder from the c:\program files folder before you install 1.3 again. If you don’t, McAfee won’t install correctly, and you get some weird results.

Otherwise the alternative is to perform a Server Recovery.

Support is available in the MediaSmartServer.net forums.

HP MediaSmart Server Update Release Notes

HP MediaSmart Server Update Readme

The award-winning HP MediaSmart Server continues to benefit from the extensibility of the platform, adding robust software enhancements.

What’s new?

  • About HP Add-ins for Windows Home Server
    • Enhanced Media Streaming with the PVConnect Add-in
    • McAfee Server Side Anti-virus Protection Add-in
  • Windows Vista 64-bit Operating Systems Compatibility
  • HP MediaSmart Server Defect Fixes and Enhancements

About HP Add-ins for Windows Home Server

HP add-ins are software programs that extend the functionality of Windows Home Server. HP is working with PacketVideo to provide enhanced media streaming using the PVConnect add-in. The McAfee add-in delivers server side anti-virus protection.

Enhanced Media Streaming with the PVConnect Add-in

HP is building upon the Windows Home Server platform and working with PacketVideo to enhance the media streaming process from the server to other digital media devices in the home, such as the MediaSmart TV. The PacketVideo PVConnect add-in includes advanced graphics, such as thumbnails of photos, in-menu browsing, and album art.

McAfee Server Side Anti-virus Protection Add-in

In response to customer feedback, HP now integrates server-side anti-virus software into the HP MediaSmart Server.
The McAfee anti-virus add-in with Total Protection Service is optimized for your Windows Home Server multimedia environment. It continually monitors activity on the server to ensure that scanning operations do not interfere. When another activity places high demand on the server’s processing capabilities, Total Protection Service pauses its scan, then resumes it when greater processing capability becomes available. This means that a scheduled scan might take longer than you anticipate, but will never degrade the performance of another activity, such as viewing a movie.
The McAfee anti-virus add-in is free for the first seven months after which there is a minimal charge. Internet access is required to receive updates.

Windows Vista 64-bit Operating Systems Compatibility

The HP MediaSmart Server also supports Windows Vista 64-bit operating systems for serious computer users who have advanced, high-performance needs.
Windows Vista 64-bit support requires Windows Home Server Power Pack 1. See www.Microsoft.com for additional information on WHS Power Pack 1 or see Configuring Windows Update in the Windows Home Server Console Help.

To install the 64-bit client computer software on Windows Vista

Note: Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 must be installed prior to installing the HP MediaSmart Server client software. To find out which version of Windows Home Server you have installed, double-click the Windows Home Server icon in the system tray. Click Settings, and then click Resources in the left menu of the Windows Home Server Settings dialog box. The version should say Windows Home Server with Power Pack 1.

  1. At the computer, click Start, and then click Network.
  2. Under Network Tasks, click Add a network place.
  3. In the Network Place Wizard, use the following UNC network address:
    \\\software
    For example, \\HPSERVER\software
    When the wizard completes, you should see the name you chose for the network place in the window.
  4. Double-click the network place, and then open the Home Server Connector Software folder.
  5. Double-click Install.exe and follow the instructions on the installation wizards.

HP MediaSmart Server Defect Fixes and Enhancements

The following defect fixes and enhancements are included in this update.

  1. Online User’s Guide enhancements which correspond to HP MediaSmart Server software changes.
  2. Improvements to the French and Spanish online User’s Guide.
  3. Various modifications to Photo Webshare, including improved image quality, better handling of daylight savings time, minor improvements to user work flows, and a security enhancement.
  4. Improved Control Center performance in certain situations.

Thanks to HP’s MediaSmartHome for the info.

HP Update Available

Hot on the heels after Microsoft’s Power Pack 1 release, HP has released a software update for the HP MediaSmart Server. This update delivers enhanced media streaming capability from PacketVideo and server-side anti-virus protection from McAfee called the Total Protection Service. The HP MediaSmart Server is also prepared for compatibility with 64-bit operating systems.

The software update is available now via an automatic update, or users can select “Check for Updates” in the Windows Home Server console.

A McAfee Total Protection Service User Help guide for Windows Home Server is also available for download in PDF format.

Power Pack 1 RTM

Great news everybody, Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 (PP1) has been released to manufacturing (RTM). The English version is now available from Microsoft’s Download Center with it’s range of enhancements:

  • Support Windows Vista x64 editions
  • Backup of home server Shared Folders
  • Improvements to remote access
  • More efficient power consumption
  • Better performance
  • Fix for the data corruption bug (KB946676)

Windows Home Server OEM partners will be updating their systems with Power Pack 1 and HP will be releasing a software update for the HP MediaSmart Server, which will deliver enhanced media streaming capabilities from PacketVideo, server-side anti-virus from McAfee and compatibility with 64-bit home PCs.

  • German, Spanish and French language versions will be available on the Download Center soon
  • Windows Home Server customers who don’t download it from the Download Center will receive Power Pack 1 via Windows Update in August
  • Chinese and Japanese versions will RTM in August

A description of the Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 update is available in KB944289, whilst English language release documentation is available in .doc format from here.

Download Power Pack 1 (PP1) from the Microsoft Download Center.

Windows Home Server Disk Management Add-In 1.0.9.5

Sam Woods ad-in has been updated to version 1.0.9.5 with finalized localization support for all forms and controls and refactored Enum processing for localization support.

Disk Management 1.0.9.5

The Windows Home Server Disk Management Add-In is designed for users who need more detail about their server’s storage status than what the standard WHS Server Storage interface provides.

More info.

Knowledge Base List Updated

We have updated our list of Microsoft’s Knowledge Base articles, which now include 32 KB articles that will help solve issues for Windows Home Server. You can find it here.

Microsoft Publishes KB955690

Microsoft have published a Knowledge Base article that highlights applications that will not work with Windows Home Server, prior to the release of Power Pack 1 (PP1).

If you store Outlook.pst files and/or Quicken files on your home servers then you could run into problems as either of these solutions are not supported on any file server.

KB955690 is available here

2 Contrasting Windows Home Server Part Lists

We have two contrasting Windows Home Server part lists for you. The first is on Home Server Hacks with the cheapest money can buy budget build, which works out at only $379. Whilst We Got Served has a money’s no object, maxed out build that cost a staggering $1033.40. Wow!

The Home Server Show #10

The Home Server Show Podcast

The Home Server Show is now in double digits with episode 10, and over 68 countries are tuning in, great stuff.

This weeks show has the usual news plus a review of a SATA to USB & eSATA external enclosure. You can listen to it here.

Hi-Grade Home-serv 2000 Reviewed

Computer Shopper has tested the Hi-Grade Home-serv 2000 and have given it a dismal 2 out of 5 stars.

Hi-Grade Home-serv 2000

Why just 2 stars?

Size, too big as it is the same size as a standard midi-tower PC, noise. It’s noisy being one of the loudest computers Computer Shopper had tested and file transfers were very sluggish at copying large files and remarkably slow at transferring small files.

You can read the full review here.