HP MediaSmart Server EX487 and question on installing McAfee Total Protection Service firewall

[BillAllen]

I've been running my EX487 for a few months and installed the McAfee Total Protection Service add-in (trial-ware).  That installs only the antivirus component of the full McAfee Total Protection Service suite.  Ever since, I've been receiving begware in my McAfee status reports to install their firewall on the server (also on a trial basis).  I'd love to but the methods I have checked [on McAfee] for installing the additional software either don't apply to my configuration or (so far) fail to complete the installation.  The default install method is to copy-and-paste a key into an email to be sent to the target PC for installation (doesn't apply to a server machine).  The other method I'm currently trying is their Push Install Utility that, if successful, would install the firewall on only those machine defined in my McAfee configuration (only the HP server machine).  I can't get get this utility to actually finish.

My overall configuration is 2 Windows XP Pro laptops, 1 Windows XP Pro desktop (all of them XP SP3 running Norton 360 Rel 3) plus the HP MediaSmart Server EX487 running the latest version of Windows Home Server and McAfee Total Protection Service (antivirus only).

As of today, the Windows Home Server Console reports my server to be in a "Network Critical" (red) condition because the McAfee firewall is not installed.

My license for Norton 360 is not up for renewal until September and there is a strong likelihood that I might switch all of my security software from Symantec to McAfee Total Protection Service due to McAfee supporting server devices and Norton failing to support server devices.  But my problem is RIGHT NOW, not September.

Please help, somebody!

Bill Allen

[david5706]

I am having the same problem with my HP Mediasmart server EX487. MacAfee will not update. Purchased the upgrade and still will not update. Did you find a fix?

[BillAllen]

Yes.  After not getting any response on this forum for a long while, I contacted McAfee for help.

The following clip is McAfee's response.

==== Clip ====

The issue with update failure could have happened due to try that you did to install the firewall on the home server.

 

Since home servers are already provided with a firewall, it conflicts with any of the third party firewall that is installed and it cuts of any communication done by the server. McAfee does not recommend firewall installation on a home server.

 

Please follow the steps below to uninstall and reinstall McAfee in home server.

 

1. Take remote of the home server from other computer then open the server console 2. Click on "Settings" on the top and then "Add-ins" and on the page select the "Installed" tab.

3. Check if you have any previously installed McAfee Total Protection service, if yes click on uninstall in Total Protection service.

4. Your server will be restarted.

5. View the add/remove software in the control panel to check for any McAfee found there

 

Once the server gets restarted

 

1. Click on "Settings" on the top and then "Add-ins" and on the page select available tab 2. Under the available tab look for the Total protection service and click on the install button.

3. Once installed it will ask you for the activate key, login to the www.mcafeeasap.com  with your email and password 4. Click on the My Account tab on the top and then click on the fourth tab accounts and keys, generate a new key under the section "Enrollment Key"

5. Enter the key in the activation window and click on activate.

6. It will take around 30 minutes to get activated and then it will show the tasks as enabled.

==== End Clip ====

I did as they instructed and everything is back to normal.  The key lesson here is that although McAfee gives the impression of encouraging the user to install more components of their Total Protection suite of software-as-service program, YOU SHOULD NEVER attempt to install the firewall.  Possibly you should never attempt to install other components they offer, too, but I didn't try anything else.  It will fail and cause and will (as a bonus) disable your original add-in on the server.

BTW: since you bought their license this no longer applies to you, but when I re-installed  their VirusScan add-in the way I was told it set the clock back on my 6-month trial period.  Now, my trial doesn't expire until like March 2010.

William Allen

[david5706]

Thanks for the quick response. That worked.

[ValeriaPSa]

Can one of you help me?

I have been trying to renew my trial version of Mcafee total protection but it does not show any tabs or options to make the renewal. When I try to log in to total protection Mcafee says my mail is not registered. I have tried to unistall and reinstall and I am sure I have activated the software before but nothing works. If I buy a new antivirus software, how do I install only in the server?]

[joeldb]

ValeriaPSa,

Unfortunately, I can't help, I can only commiserate.  I've been on the phone with McAfee several hours over the last few days and have not been able to get my renewal subscription of Total Protection Service activated.  My initial symptom was that there was no "Activate" link that showed up after installation.  They downloaded a newer version of the install package and once that was installed, an Activate link showed up.  Unfortunately, when it is clicked, nothing happens.  It just sits there as if it was never clicked.  I'm about ready to ask for my money back.

Joel

EX470 with 2GB memory upgrade

[Gordon2]

My EX470 (1.5 TB, 2GB RAM, AMD 1640) is running Windows Home Server with Power Pack 3. I have previously looked into upgrading to newer software but never found where to order the disks from HP (see this if you want to go down that path: Upgrading the HP MediaSmart Server EX470/EX480 Series With the 3.0 Update)

Regarding McAfee trial version and renewal:

Click on this link to see McAfee's offer.

Or, log into the Windows Home Server Console. Click on “Settings” in the upper right hand side of the console. On the “Windows Home Server Settings” window that pops up, click on “Add-ins” on the left side. There should be two tabs, “Installed” and “Available”. If McAfee is on the available tab, install it. When you have McAfee installed, it will show up on the “Installed” tab. After you have McAfee installed, click on “Cancel” on the bottom of the “Windows Home Server Settings” window. On the Windows Home Server Console, the McAfee icon should be visible along with other items at the top such as, “MediaSmart Server”, “Computers and Backup”, “User Accounts”, … You may have to scroll to see McAfee depending on what you have installed on your system. Click on the McAfee icon. There should be a “buy now” link near the top center of the screen.

Here is another option: ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus on WHS.

==

When I previously had trouble with McAfee, I uninstalled it and re-installed it. That may help.

[kevin33330]

Thanks BillA for the great instructions!  You saved my Saturday.