HP MediaSmart Server 1.3-R1 update
HP has released an update package for the MediaSmart Server, labeled HPMSS-1.3-R1. The update appears to have been built on Jan 12 2009 and just made available today. Files are included that make it appear that it will support all language versions of the MediaSmart Server, however I have not tested anything but English at this point.
On the install section of the MediaSmart Server tab, there is now the option to “RollBack” the latest update.
New option to Rollback Updates
The System Temperature has been removed from the Hardware Status tab, presumably due to the numerous instances of incorrect readings that have been reported from the thermal sensor located on the backplane.
System temp removed from Hardware Health
There are also updated Webshare and MediaSmartUpdate packages delivered, though changes to it are not immediately obvious to me. At this time there appear to be no client updates available.
Be sure to watch the forum topic for details as we learn more about the contents of this new update.
Update: I can confirm that the Rollback feature worked for me, so if you just can’t live without your system temperature indicator, you should be able to easily revert back to the 1.3.6.21622 version.
Update 2: With Cougar’s help I found some README items in the .pkcg file, with the following changes listed:
MediaSmart Server Update 1.3 version 1.3.8.25155
The MediaSmart Server update will improve image processing performance in HP Photo Webshare, correct error messages displayed using SSL and TZO certificates, and remove unnecessary temperature sensor displays.
I’ve also found a minor bug, where many error messages are logged to the Application Event Viewer when your Webshare photos have captions. Fortunately this does not seem to affect the functionality of the Webshare application.
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 opportunities outside HP. I've kept active in the Windows Home Server community, creating several add-ins and helping users make the most of their Home Servers.
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The update installed with no trouble, but it seems a few settings was changed. All backups were “reset” to 3 days. (month, week, day) I’m pretty sure I had 5 days. And the itunes server was enabled, which I’m certain it wasn’t before the upgrade.
Anyway. No biggies. Just check your own settings after you upgrade.
I also like the rollback-feature a lot but I hope I will never need it.
Hello Alex
I’ve checked this – my Console is showing me the last update on 2008_12_03 – but it seems to be no German version available at the moment. Let’s wait and see…
Best Regards
Wonko
From the error log:
Error 1720.There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A script required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor. Custom action stop_services script error -2147217388, : Line 19, Column 1,
=== Logging stopped: 1/23/2009 9:44:36 ===
How about adding an option to automatically turn back on when the power goes out and then back on?
Wonko, thanks for the update. I misspoke, I think the localized files are delivered, but the localized packages do not yet appear to be available for download.
Tony, I suggest you post in the Software forum (linked in the blog post) where we have a topic about the update, I bet we can help you get it working.
Jeff, this requires a BIOS change. We have documented the blind steps needed to make this change in the BIOS if you feel up to trying, it’s relatively safe. It does require a USB keyboard. The instructions are here: http://www.mediasmartserver.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=609
Hi there,
“remove unnecessary temperature sensor displays” … that’s great, that’s Hewlettt-Packard. They fixed the known temperature-problem with the top-sensor by removing an entry in the menu… unbelievable!
This sensor is not “unnecessary”, it is vital to see the health status of the hard-drives. A lot of MediaSmart-Servers do have a bug – my server was showing a system-temperature of about 85 degrees (!) in the last days (CPU: 27 degrees). Actually the temperatures were below 40 Degrees. I installed a hot-fix from HP to make sure the system does not shut down because of a sensor-failure.
pit
Hi Pit,
The problem is with a faulty hardware sensor that is of arguable value. Rather than get users worked up over a sensor that has shown to be unreliable in some systems, they removed the sensor. I believe the sensor is of questionable use because it exists on the backplane between the 3rd and 4th drive bays and is basically just an ambient air sensor, I don’t believe it would prove very useful in most hard drive failure scenarios.
I believe the hotfix you received just modified the interpreted values of the sensor and did not actually change the behavior of the sensor. I have not looked closely at it, however so am not positive.
I believe a good SMART utility would be vastly superior in usefulness over the System temperature sensor. I’ve started on a SMART Add-In for the MSS that would issue Health Notifications in the event of high drive temperatures, but unfortunately have found it to be more difficult than I was hoping. Perhaps I’ll resurrect that project and make it compatible with both the EX47x and EX48x series servers.
Alex
Hi Alex,
I am using a plug-in for my HP-MediaSmart-Servers (I have two of ‘em) called “disk management” to make sure my hard drives are not overheating. Nevertheless I think it is the wrong way to solve a problem with a faulty sensor by removing a menu-entry.
Btw. you are right: the sensor-hotfix did’t change the behavior itself. The software now ignores the critical temperature value and does not shut down the system…
Yeah I’ve used Disk Management, the way I think Sam is doing it is the direction I was headed, but I was hoping to get more SMART info than the shares in that Add-In. This should be possible since I’m targeting specific hardware. And to the best of my knowledge, he doesn’t issue health alerts for drive temperature thresholds or impending failures, right?
I’m curious what you think would be the right way to solve a hardware problem using only software? Is bad data better than no data at all?
Hi Alex,
you’re right, “disk management” has no health alerts. So this plug-in is not the best solution at all. Your SMART-plug-in sounds very interesting.
Hi Alex,
you’re right, “disk management” has no health alerts. So this plug-in is not the best solution at all. Your SMART-plug-in sounds very interesting.
–>Is bad data better than no data at all?
No, it is not. But what about sending a new sensor by snail mail for experienced users? I would prefer that. So I could fix the problem for myself, still catching a glimpse of the health status without using remote-desktop or the console.
The sensor is a surface mount thermister the size of half a grain of rice, I know I wouldn’t be able to re-solder it onto the backplane!
Hi Alex,
I didn’t know that, I thought it would be easier to fix the problem. In summary: I believe the temperature sensor is a very useful feature for this machine. When I learned it has a defect in so many cases I was very disappointed. Even more, since the HP-update removed the menu-entry, which does not solve the hardware-problem. If it is not possible to replace the sensor I probably need the customer service to replace my frames – if this is really the only way to get the job done. The point is: I think HP won’t do it – since the menu-entry vanished there is no more reason to replace the unit or to fix a sensor-problem…
Hi Pit,
Take a look two or three posts down from here to see pictures of the backplane, and I also note the location of the sensor. It’s between drives 3 and 4, and with the fans so close sucking air past it I find it hard to believe you’d see a significant temperature change from a hot drive unless it was on fire.
I do hear that you like the sensor, I just want to make sure you understand where it is located and how that affects it’s usefulness.
Alex
Hi Alex,
thanx for that, nice pictures – a tiny thermistor with huge problems… let’s hope, my seagate-drives – yes, the one with a critical firmware-bug – do not get on fire at least.
P.S.: Sorry for any inconvenience caused by my english – I come from germany.
How do I know that this update is installed on my HPServer?
I don’t think I have it installed.
Automatic update does not download the update?
Hi all
I have tried to install R1 a few times now and its not working! The last try ended with an “last update” – date 1970-01-01 01:00:00!!! The health indicator is blinking blue. I dont know what to do. Any ideas?
Software version: 1.3.6.21622
BIOS version: R02 13/7-2007
MediaSmart: EX475
Best regards
Richard
I applied HPMSS-1.3-RI on the 22nd Jan. When trying to login to my sight..the browser connect icon just spun, after several attempts I finally got a response and logged on. Happened again the following day. Just remembered today that I had applied the upgrade and was still having the same problem. As soon as I rolled back the problem stopped. You might want to check connectivety and confirm there are no issues similar to this.
Rich
DvO, I’ve got a screenshot in my blogpost of the version info that should be displayed in the Hardware Status settings tab.
Richard, are you trying to manually install via the download link I posted, or are you using the built-in software update utility? I’ll probably suggest you post a topic in the Troubleshooting forums where we can more easily help you.
Alex
my mediasmart hp ex475 doesn’t find this update when i run the software update. i’m in canada…. what’s going on?
i have the same software version & bios version as richard above.
I noticed that my mediasmart doesn’t find this update either.
Hi all
I will move to the Troubleshooting forum. I used HPs built-in function set to download and notify. I then clicked Install. I have never reached the point where I se the roll-back function.
I have now changed to auto download and install, but it doesnt help.
Richard
back from skiing and the localized (German) version is available… it’s installed without any problems…
Alex,
Regarding the post above about the unit remaining off during a power outage. I understand there is a blind way of making a BIOS change but I don’t want to risk bricking it. Not to mention that the procedure link you sent clearly states that it will void the warranty. I think it is ridiculous that HP wouldn’t make it an option in the regular software. Why would a device that is supposed to be used for backup and file storage by default not come back on by itself after losing power or at least allow us to change the option without voiding the warranty?
I installed 1.3 update and now when I log onto the console it comes up with a blank blue screen. any ideas?
Have you rebooted the server? If so, check the discussion link above in the blog post, and if none of that helps you I’d recommend posting in the Troubleshooting section of the Forums.
Alex
It shows my last update was on 1/26/2009. When I tell it to check for updates, it says it’s downloading file to c:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\2\updatefile.
It never downloads anything and it seems to get stuck . It never finishes. I let it sit for over a day.
I’ve tried multiple times, so I’m not even able to update to it.
Any suggestions?
Maybe I’m going blind but I can’t find a download link ANYWHERE… I need to install this, where can I find the download?
Ray
Hi Ray, the update is acquired through the “Software Update” feature in the MediaSmart Server tab of the Home Server Console, you should be able to Check for Updates and get the download if you haven’t enabled automatic updates.
my 470 still sits at 1.1.3.19049 even though I have checked for updates and recently set to auto update. Is there a way to force the update?
I’ll request you sign up with the Forums and post in the Troubleshooting forum, that way the community can help determine what’s going on. It would be helpful if you’d share any error messages you may receive, screenshots if possible.
I also have an older ex475 and the latest version i have is from Jan 09 which I assume isn’t the latest.. so sign up it is then ?
The last update on my EX47x is also in January, you need to check the version number to be sure.
Hi,
I have now the same issue with “overheating” indication, but the air is round abou 35° C coming out the fans.
Could anybody email me the new patch, or does anybody know where to download it?
Best regards
Matthias
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