MediaSmart EX490: server restore/reset fails

[RobatHP]

I've replaced the primary disk that came with the server and I'm trying to do a reset/restore. I've hoked up the PC directly to the ex490, reset it and ran the server restore DVD.

The process seems to get so far and states "working" but then it fails at step 3 out of 4. The "Help" it offers just say an unidentified error has occurred.

I've tried it from more than one pc and from different OS's with exactly the same result. I have the firewall and AV disabled and the Homeserver and mediasmart client programs uninstalled and now I'm stuck.

I'm really disappointed as the error it gives is meaningless and I can't think of anything else to try....

Any help greatly appreciated.

[tonjohn]

Were you ever able to resolve this? I am trying to perform a restore after getting an error that is not documented anywhere and have been unable to do so.

Where in the world can I get support for this darn product? I don't want to sit on the phone w/ someone. Do they not have any sort of email / online ticket system support? 

[grantcv1]

Uh, does anyone from HP watch this forum? I am about to attempt this myself. Seeing as there is no response for HP support, I am suddenly very concerned about how well my HP EX490 is going to be supported.

[KarelNu]

I have exactly the same problem. It fails on step 3, and no HP support.

The reason I has to recover is a frozen console.

Please help us HP!

[h00ligan76]

DId you ever sort it out.  I Just received a new server and wanted to place a 2 tb as the primary.. luckily to find out the same error.

[KarelNu]

I've taken out the system disk, and inserted the disk into a PC, then I've renamed the shared folder (D partition) and replaced the disk into the server. With a crosscable connection server-PC the recovery started, with success.

[Jumpit]

You really didn't expect support from HP on this product did you? All the good answers for problems like this are on other web forums etc.

It is too bad that all the "Web" information cannot be consolidated on HPs site.

Remember that Remote Desktop Connection is your friend. Especially since the Server interface takes so long to display and then the limitations it has on system control. Bah - yet another consumer product rip-off.

[KATK]

KarelNu, I would love to hear more details on how you did that creative drive swap.

I have been posting a similar problem here repeatedly with no answers. I didn't even replace my OS drive -- I had a simple drive failure and it seems to have corrupted the backup services on server -- they won't start (what is the point of "RAID" when a single drive failure takes down your machine?).

I have tried repeatedly for MONTHS now to connect to the Mediasmart to do a repair but even when connected directly through a 'dumb' hub, the two PCs never see each other during the recovery seek. And yet, if I boot up the Mediasmart all the way, I can Remote Console into it. Which tells me that the server is running, but HP seems to have no provision for repairing the server directly like that. It's a viscious loop.

I would love to be able to remove the drive, mount it into another PC, and then push an image onto it or something. I don't even care about my data -- I've written that off. I just need the server back up.

Burns me up that HP's email support doesn't even allow questions about the Mediasmart series as an option in their drop-downs.

[MikePBuchanan]

Has anyone found a resolutionto this?  I am having the same issue, and I am unable to get past step 3 of 4.  Any help would be appreciated. 

MIke

[skoosh]

I had this problem and i managed to resolve it.  All i had to do after it failed a few times was reboot my PC i was using to do the recovery with connect the pc and media server with a crossover network cable and then turned the server on and pressed the recovery button on the server and it worked, hope this helps with everyone's problems.