Sharp eyed reader Chuck Coleman has spotted a software update package for the HP MediaSmart Server and HP Storageworks X510 DataVault products. The software package shows a version of 3.2.1.34990 and appears to be the rumored Patch 2 release we’ve heard mentioned in the forums.
The package does appear to be for all languages, and is available to download for all hardware versions of the MediaSmart Server that are running the 3.0 software (note that this excludes the LX195). However, since HP has been having trouble getting the 3.0 update disks shipped to customers, the patch isn’t going to be very useful for owners of the previous generation servers until you’ve performed the 3.0 upgrade.
Nigel “Cougar” Wilks and I have spent some time digging into the installer package, and discovered that the only changes included are the 5.1.1 version of the Twonky Media Streamer that is already included in the 3.0 software update for the previous generation servers, and new client software for Mac users. There are no changes to the HP code that runs on the server, and several known bugs with 3.0 patch 1 remain unresolved, such as broken help links, the broken image on the Remote Access Home Page, and various other issues we’ve documented in the forums.
Here’s the official wording from the DataVault download page.
This update will reduce CPU load when the media streamer is scanning for media and includes several improvements for the Mac backup feature.
The update is not yet coming down through the HP Software Update built in to the MediaSmart Server or Data Vault even when a manual update check is performed, however it is possible to manually install the package via the Software Update tab of the Home Server Console.
Note: I’ll recommend that most users wait for the automatic update to come down from HP. For those of you tinkerers that are interested in trying the new patch, here’s how to get it installed on your server.
The first step is to download the package for your server, and move it to the Software share of your server. You can find your download by going to HP.com, and clicking “Support”, and then browsing for your model of server. The update will be found under the Windows Home Server or Server 2003 operating system updates. The packages are the same for all versions (we’ve applied the EX495 download to an EX475 running the 3.0 Software Update), but to be safe here are the individual links for each version of the MediaSmart Server and DataVault Hardware.
HP MediaSmart Server EX470 or EX475
HP MediaSmart Server EX485 or EX487
HP MediaSmart Server EX490 or EX495
HP StorageWorks X510 Data Vault
Next, start the Windows Home Server Console, navigate to the Settings tab, then the MediaSmart Server or Data Vault tab, and finally the HP Update tab.
Click “Check for Updates”, and let it check. When that completes (likely with No updates found), click the “Search” button.
Check the “Select file” radio button, and browse for the software update package you have stored in the server Software share.
Click “Next” and your server will retrieve the package, and then launch the installer.
After clicking “Next” to launch the installer, you’ll see the installation proceed and then complete.
The Home Server Console will restart, and you’ll notice your shiny new version number on the Server Status tab.
Note that if you have modified your Twonky config (for example, I add the Converted Videos share to the Twonky shared folders), your changes will be lost when Twonky is installed and you’ll need to reconfigure those settings.
I have not yet had a chance to install the updated Mac client software, when I get it installed on my wife’s Macbook I’ll update here if I notice any changes or improvements.
This update appears to be a “balance” release that is designed to get all versions of the MediaSmart Server and Data Vault up to the same patch level. Hopefully this provides a simpler platform for future updates from HP.
I’ve not received any official word on this from HP, but I’ll be sure to share more details if they do send me any notice. If you’ve tried the update, post in the comments or forums and let us know how it’s working for you.
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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Anyone else having delays getting their 3.0 update shipped? I placed my order on Friday night with a 3-5 day FedEx delivery and my account hasn’t even had the money deducted from my account yet.
@Jason – I mention the delays in this post with a link to more discussion about it. You can find that here.
All I NEED is the latest Twonky Media Streamer/Server. I don’t need the whole 3.0 update, but it would be nice to have.
If anyone at HP is reading these posts (I am sure they are), please make the TMS component a separate download. With current state of software distribution, that is not going to happen.
So does anyone know how to extract and install the TMS part from this update?
Twonky is no longer delivered as an Add-In, it’s bundled into the install. Your original MSS should have come with a previous version of Twonky (aka PacketVideo) with the only difference being the lack of Remote Media Streaming and iStream.
Downloaded the update and installed on my EX495 without issues; however, it did not fix the problem I’ve had with the media collector. I still get a client error that raises the red flag: “HP Media Collector – Please update the client software. The version of software on “client name” is not compatible with the server. Please uninstall the client software and reinstall it from the server.”
Anyone else having this problem?
@Kurt, do try joerito’s suggestion. Are you seeing the message since installing patch 2 or did you already have the message? Is it on your PC or Mac client? This message occurs when you haven’t installed the latest HP client software on all your PCs. A reboot of the server is also required to detect that the client PCs are updated.
They change the numbers, take the money, and leave the customer with the problems. Same old HP. Nice to hear they dropped the feature I bought the server to get, i.e. media streaming. Collector issues still?
Why don’t they just rename these Media Dumb Servers.
@Gary – Sorry if my previous comment was confusing. As Steffen mentioned, the original Twonky did not have the Remote Media Streaming or iStream features. HP has not dropped any significant features in the MediaSmart product.
@Gary: No, Remote Media Streaming and iStream are additional features of the new Twonky Media Server (former PVConnect).
@Kurt. Check your control panel for MediaSmart Server 3.0 update 1 or 2. If there, reboot your server and the warning will disappear. the reboot will let the server see the new version of the client software.
Hi, if the HP Data Vault update wizard does not have a search option. Can I simply wun the installer via remote desktop or via the Advanced Admin Console ?
Should be no problem with that, I’ve seen a couple other people do it this way.
http://www.mediasmartserver.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=7355
I installed the upgrade on my EX490 this afternoon, and the has been running at 100% CPU Utilization for over two hours now .. When I logged on (remote desktop) I noticed TwonkyMediaServer was causing the load (98%). Is this normal behaviour or did something go wrong in the upgrade process? If so, how can I undo the install??
Thanks!
@marco – Unfortunately I saw this behavior too, in my case it was a specific file that caused the problem. You can try looking at the status (Media Server tab of the Console) and see if it says “In progress” and stuck on a specific directory. If so, try moving those files to another location, if you have one in use it means Twonky is stuck indexing it.
@Alex,
Thanks for the quick reply … hmm, that doesn’t look to good, server was running fine before the upgrade. Indeed the database update is still in progress, but the folder mentioned can be moved without any problem … Any chance of undoing the patch to restore to the previous situation?
It seems TwonkyMediaServer.exe is looking up network addresses and is getting stuck there: I seen a failure when attempting to open the following registry key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\DnsClient
The error is “NAME NOT FOUND”. This process repeats every 30 seconds and fails. Could thsi be causing the problem?
@marco – unfortunately no way to uninstall.
I did it through Add/Remove programs on the server and it leaves things in a bad state.
I didn’t see the network lookups. In my case, the offending file was one directory above the directory shown in the progress status.
Got it! You´re right, there was a movie file (mpg) in the pictures folder that was causing the problem. Now the registry key problem is no longer reported … Thanks for the help!
Great site. Thanks
Installing today.
1) Did it via remote desk top. I have to find the “OK to RUN” dialog that was hidden underneath the console window and press RUN
2) Media smart system status still shows no CPU utilization and the event log continues to fill up with:
UpdateCPUInfo: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
Exception:System.NullReferenceException
3) Made a copy of my audtranscode-mp3.desc file but left it in the twonkey directory, so I needed to make the changes manually.
What was in this update (maybe I should have asked before installing!)
Working the media collector error message – I get the feeling that my connector clients are not the latest… after upgrading 2 of the clients on my network and rebooting the server, I still get the red flags and an “incompatible” connection status in the Console Media Collector window. On the client, in the Control Panel, I just see “HP MediaSmart Server 3.0″, no update designation. Hovering over the entry, the status bar says Product Version 3.0.6.31975. I installed directly from the Software folder on the server. What is the latest client version and how can I be sure it is avialable to me on the server for download/install?
Thanks,
Kurt
@Mark – the article describes what is in the update.
@Kurt – You can view the software version in the MediaSmart Server settings tab in your Server Console. That version is Patch 1. I’ll probably suggest you post in the forums where it’s easy to share screenshots, logs, etc and we’ll try to get you working.
Alex — ok, I will RTFM, or I guess in this case RTFA!
I’ve solved my problem listed as #2 above and posted in the “Troubleshooting and Support” forum. Link below.
http://www.mediasmartserver.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7370
Cheers
Mark
Alex, I just orderd a new EX490. Do you recommend adding in this patch or does it cause more problems than it solves?
A few people have had issues beyond the two I documented, but they have been pretty few. If you’re willing to make the modifications I describe then there should be no reason to avoid it, especially if you use a Mac as there are supposed to be some changes in there.
Use a Mac? I didn’t know HP made them yet!
Just kidding you Apple folks.
Alex, how did your wife’s MacBook work out?
I installed 3.0 on my EX487 last night & have updated it to 3.2. I have most of my PC functions working now, so am almost ready to configure my wife’s MacBook Pro to backup to the rejuvenated server. Time Machine never liked 2.x in any form, a constant source of frustration. I will find out, or perhaps you already have, whether TM & Server 3.2 actually work as HP claims (but they said ‘OK’ about Macs before this Mac-related update
What do you know?
Thanks!
Hi Paul – My wife’s Macbook has been working great with the base 3.0 software, and since it is her primary computer for both work and play I decided not to risk anything by upgrading it. I believe most people have upgraded successfully, however I’ll suggest you check out the Mac forum here on the site, and if you don’t find the answer you’re looking for you can post up for other people’s experiences. Sorry I don’t have a personal answer for you.
Thanks, Alex. Didn’t realize there was a Mac forum–I’ll go have a look.
BTW my server updated itself to 3.2 while I was having coffee…I have auto updating on “yes.” I’ll presume that it is fine. One step at a time!
Cheers,
P
Hi Paul, do note that you’ll need to manually install the updated Mac client software on your Mac from the \\servername\software\Mac shared folder, it doesn’t auto-update the clients. Let us know how it works out, either here or in the forums!
After this update gets applied, my WHS is totally random and sporadically decides to be non-responsive. I can ping it fine, but any WHS console sees it as disconnected. All solid lights on the front and no health warnings. If I do a hard reset on the WHS it eventually comes back, but then goes away again.
I’ve done system restores, tried different network cables, etc, etc.
HELP!?
Tim, you didn’t have any troubles prior to the update? Which model server do you have? Have you done any hardware upgrades? I might suspect that you have a drive with issues, you can remove each drive, connect it to a PC, and perform a chkdsk to see if any drive has issues.
Be sure to see this post:
http://www.mediasmartserver.net/2010/03/04/how-to-fix-twonky-issues-in-3-0-patch-2/
And if none of that works, I’ll ask you to post in the Troubleshooting section of the forums where the community can help you get this resolved.
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