Note: Please be aware that even opening the case of your MediaSmart Server will void your warranty. It is my understanding that since HP has upgraded the amount of memory in the new MediaSmart Server, the warranty exemption for the EX470/EX475 for memory upgrades does not apply to the EX485/EX487.
When I first took apart the EX487 and saw that it had the same debug connector as the EX475 for video, keyboard, mouse, and serial input/output, I was excited to take a look at the BIOS to see what had changed and what possibilities existed for tweaking. I hooked up my cable for VGA output, connected a USB keyboard, and powered on the system (with a fan blowing across the motherboard since the server is only passively cooled). I saw the system POST with the memory count and other usual information, then pressed the DEL key as instructed to enter the BIOS setup. You can imagine my surprise and disappointment when the system reported that it was “Entering Setup”, paused for a moment, then started booting off the embedded USB bootflash that contains the Server Recovery boot image. There was also an option to enter the Boot Order Select menu, but it failed with the same behavior.
EX487 POST screen
I pondered on this awhile, trying various key presses in the hope that a magic key sequence would gain me access, with no luck. I then decided to take apart my EX475 and do a little comparison, as I couldn’t imagine that HP would totally lock out all access to the server BIOS. The board layout is very similar, and I noticed a new jumper had been added next to the connector for the SATA backplane. The jumper was labeled “J”, and was staring back at me, daring me to close its circuit.
The two pins shown must be closed with a jumper to access the BIOS
And of course I had to. I have to admit to some trepidation as I pressed the power button after applying a spare jumper from a donor piece of equipment to the “J” connection. The server powered on normally, I was presented with the POST screen, I pressed the DEL key on my USB keyboard, and finally reached the BIOS setup menu. Woohoo!
BIOS Main page
The first thing I did was navigate to the Hardware Health Status menu to make sure I had adequate cooling from the floor fan blowing across the heatsinks, and all appeared good as the CPU was reading 38C. The backplane was reading -128C since it was disconnected, and the voltage readings appeared normal. The most interesting part of this menu is the adjustments provided for controlling fan speed, ramp rate, and activation thresholds. It appears that the thermal policy is now fully implemented in the BIOS rather than partially in the operation system as it was in the EX475, which may mean that an Add-In such as MSS Fan Control may be more difficult or impossible, however futher investigation is definitely needed to be certain.
BIOS Fan speed settings
BIOS Health screen
After being sure I wasn’t going to cause thermal damage to the system while it was running bare on my test bench, I took a more leisurely stroll through the settings tabs of the BIOS. The main page had shown the basic system overview with processor and memory information. Under the North Bridge section of the Chipset tab, I found some memory settings that indicate the system may be able to handle even faster 1067Mhz RAM for a slight performance increase.
BIOS RAM speed settings
Many users that performed the blind manual steps to enable automatic power on of the server after power loss will be happy to see that the BIOS now defaults to remember the last state the server was in when it lost power. This means that if your server is on when your power goes out, when the power comes back on the server will also automatically power on.
BIOS USB and Power-On settings
There is an HP tab that contains settings to Enable the onboard (Server Recovery) flash as well as define the “Initial PWM Duty Cycle”, which determines how fast the fans spin for the first 5 seconds of server power-on.
BIOS HP settings
The Advanced tab contains many additional areas to explore, though none jumped out at me as being extremely exciting.
BIOS Advanced settings
I was also able to access the Boot Select Menu, which listed both the onboard Server Recovery flash and the option for a PXE network boot. I have not yet investigated these options but will let you know what I uncover.
BIOS Boot Select Menu
Unfortunately I did not find any “golden bullet” or “holy grail” that would enable the eSATA port to work with port multiplier external enclosures, but I will continue to investigate if any driver updates can help with this situation. Also, I have not captured photos of every single BIOS page, instead focusing on the ones I found to be of most interest. Let me know if there’s something you’d like to see and I’ll do my best to get a photo for you.
And remember, doing this will most likely void your warranty.
Article by Alex Kuretz
I'm Alex Kuretz, and I'm the founder of MediaSmartServer.net. I was the Lead Test and Integration Engineer at HP for the MediaSmart Server until April 2008 when I moved on to other opportunites outside HP. I've kept active in the WHS community, creating several add-ins and helping users make the most of their Home Servers.
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Alex, you are my hero! I was minutes from exchanging my VGA cable for a PS/2 model after going through the same frustration back in December.
Glad this helps you, Donavon.
The PS2 keyboard wouldn’t have worked either, the block is for all keyboards not just USB.
I found some memory settings that indicate the system may be able to handle even faster 1067Mhz RAM for a slight performance increase.
Does the EX47x Have a setting like this also? if so what is the fastest memory it will hold?
The motherboards are the same so should the max memory right?
Hi Scott, no, the EX47x uses an AMD chipset, and the board are BIOS are different in that respect. You can put faster memory into the EX470 but it will still run at only 667mhz.
Can you share what options are available under Advanced / “CPU Configuration” ?
ymboc, I’ll for sure get a picture of this for you the next time I have the case apart, it might take me a couple days though.
If ever my HP MS system ever goes bad and I can not recover it thru the normal chanels can I send it to you for recovery? Think of it you have a business waiting for you.
Best of luck, we need people like you, best of wishes
Ernie
Thanks Ernie, I’m happy to help people on the forums, not sure if I’m ready to set up a mail-order repair shop.
So, there is no way to install DDR2-800 memory in EX47x and to run it on the full speed?
You can install DDR2-800 memory in the EX47x servers, however it will not perform at the higher speed due to chipset limitations.
ymboc, so sorry for the massive delay. Here’s the screenshot you wanted for the Advanced->CPU Configuration screen, and I’m leaving the server open on my bench for a little while so let me know if you want to see something else.
Alex
Cool! Thanks! I don’t know what else there is to see… Off the top of my head I think I’d be curious to know what SuperIO chip HP is using in the new MSS. That and I guess anything else ‘juicy’ you might find.
Cheers
Alex- thanks much for sharing your info and experience inside the MSS boxes. I just got a 470, and was going to upgrade the processor to the Orleans 2.6GHz 1MB L2 version. Do you know if there is any ability in the 470 bios to overclock at all? (Not that it will likely make a lot of difference … just curious.) Also planning on bumping the memory to 2GB.
Thanks for your help,
Dave
Hi Dave,
I do not believe there is any capacity for overclocking within the BIOS of the EX47x servers. For all the dirt on how to upgrade your 470, including which processors work, which don’t, how to update the BIOS, etc, Ed Tittel wrote a great article that covers most of this. His article was based in large part on information gathered on this site, particularly this topic in the forums.
I hope this helps,
Alex
Alex:
Great article! Have you considered upgrading the CPU to something like an Intel Dual Core E5200?
Do you know if the EX48x can handle it?
Hi Marcos,
I’ve definitely thought about it, but the concern is that there are very few Intel CPUs with a low enough TDP to imagine they would be able to function. There’s some discussion here of ideas people have about possible CPU upgrades in the EX48x servers.
I have a new EX485 and want to up the amount of memory so some of my more heavy duty server apps can run.
To avoid cracking open my new box, how many slots are available for memory? It believe there are 4 slots but is memory limited by the bios?
DDR2, PC2-6400 (400 MHz), 2048 MBytes, Samsung
Hi Tomas,
There is a single DIMM slot on the motherboard, you’d need to replace the existing 2GB stick with a 4GB stick if you want an upgrade. This should work fine though I’ve not tried it.
Thanks Alex,
It is kind of sad that they limit the memory on a server box, even one for the home.
Thanks again for your help,
Have you taken a look at the server? There’s no room, this thing is pretty tiny!
True, but my laptop has 8 gig of RAM.
Has anyone had an issue with the keyboard still not working after setting the jumper? I have tried both a USB and PS2 and nothing. The first time I boot with a keyboard attached the num lock light flickers then disapears. I do a hard boot and the NUM lock light doesn’t even flicker.
Does the USB keyboard need to be in a specific port? Sounds stupid but so does the fact the the jumper doesn’t work.
I should add I tried 3 different jumpers just in case it was dusty, dirty, or something else. I have never heard of a jumper not working.
I’ve actually had that issue.. unfortunately I don’t have a resolution yet, it’s just nice to know it’s not just me.
http://www.mediasmarthome.com/forum/thread/11977/HP-EX-485-CPU-upgrade-sucessful/?page=7
I hope to be able to try some more permutations in the next day or so, I’ll post back if I figure anything out.
I’ve had no issues entering the BIOS with either PS2 or USB keyboards. I presume you are trying to enter the BIOS, do you see any indication on-screen that the keyboard is detected?
In my case, we were getting a “Keyboard/Interface Error” flash and then the system wouldn’t load the BIOS, it would boot the OS.
We plugged in a PS/2 keyboard and the error went away, but we couldn’t interact with the system. We finally thought to leave the PS/2 keyboard in place to satisfy the ‘interface error’ issue and also plugged in a USB keyboard on the bottom port of the back and it allowed us in. We now both have working 485’s with E5200’s.
Thanks much for the information in this thread!
tkris, I have the exact same symptoms. I will try plugging in both Keyboards and see where that gets me. Thanks for posting back! I’ll post back my findings.
Still not working
. I too left the PS/2 Keyboard plugged in (It did satisfy the keyboard error)and the lights on the PS/2 Keyboard flashed. I also had the USB keyboard plugged in however the USB interfaces don’t initialize until after the “Press Del for Setup”. Once the USB interfaces were up the USB keyboard lights flashed and I pressed “Del” and nothing. It continued to run through the POST and eventually WHS begain booting.
How did you get the USB interface working quicker? Did you press del after or before they were initialized?
Thanks
Okay, got it working now.
Apperantly the IDE Hardrive Jumpers (3 of them I tried) don’t work or the Jumper posts are screwy. I ended up using a jumper and also shorted out the soldered ends on the under side of the MOBO with a car key. I had the PS/2 Keyboard and the USB keyboard both plugged in. The USB Keyboard was on the Bottom USB port on the rear of the unit.
Now I just need to figure out where the speed steping option is… I don’t see it any where.
Guys,
With all due respect to Alex (who is clearly a very smart guy), it’s not called the “J” jumper, it’s called “JP2″ and is clearly maked as such in the photo (look to the right on the pins). The “J” is in an outlined box with various resistor and capacitor numbers (ex: C389, R437, etc). This is the “legend” to the capacitors and resistors that sit directly behind the CN9 connector. If you look, you can partialy see the matching “J” behind the two rightmost pins on CN9.
I couldn’t bite my tounge any longer. This misnaming of the jumper has gone on long enough.
Donavon West
HomeServerHacks.com
On ours, the speed stepping option appeared in the bios after we changed the CPU over to the E5200 and went back in. I actually left speed stepping on – It seems to work correctly for me, I get 2.5GHz under load, and it drops back to 1.7 or 1.8GHz at idle. I don’t know that the stock CPU supports speed stepping, so the bios must be hiding it.
Hi Alex,
I have been reading through the related and threads and was wondering whether anyone has had any luck with the LX-195? I’d like to put Ubuntu Server on mine and am curious whether:
1) I can get away with using just the VGA cable (vice one with keyboard/mouse).
2) I can get BIOS access via the jumper like you mention above.
3) Whether I can boot from attached USB on an LX-195.
Thanks for enlightening all of us!
-Jared
@tkris (or anyone else)
Did you have to update bios to support that chip or was it a direct replacement? What is the temp like with that chip? Anything to be aware of if I wanted to try the same replacement?
I was wondering if anyone had run into problems doing this on the EX-495? I’ve got the VGA+PS/2 KB+PS/2 Mouse cable, I’ve put the jumper on JP2, and I can’t get a keyboard to work. I’ve tried two different keyboards that both work on other systems. Is there something that I’m missing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Is there any mention/option to enable hardware virtualisation (intel vt) in the bios?
If you pull the power on my powered EX485 and then plug the AC back in, it will not turn on as mentioned in the original post. I want the HP to power up when the power is restored no matter what state it previously was in. Does anyone have the “in the blind” steps to change the BIOS power setting for the EX485 using just a USB keyboard? I prefer to not get into the connection of a monitor at the debugging port since I intend to do this only once. Occasionally, we get a power failure here which outlasts my backup power. I would like to be able to reboot remotely with a power module that I can access over the net thru a home automation system. I can do that with a generic WHS running on an old PC but not with the HP EX485.