I've been considering the purchase of an HP MediaSmart Server for quite some time and am finally going to make the leap now that the EX485/EX487 models are nearing release. Before I pre-order one, though, I just have a couple of questions:

- Is there any difference (even subtle) between the EX485 and the EX487 other than the initial hard drive capacity? An extra 750GB drive for an additional $150 seems very steep, if that's the only difference.

- Once I pick one up, can I pull the 750GB drive(s) right away and install some 1.5TB drives instead, without much trouble? Or is restoring the basic OS difficult to do with brand new drives? Are there any other negatives to replacing the factory installed drive(s) before using the server?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hi, and welcome to the forums.

The only difference between the EX485 and EX487 is the additional 750GB drive, which enables data duplication out of the box.

You can easily replace the system drive with a larger if you prefer, details on that process are here. The process should be the same, though I have not yet performed a Server Recovery/Factory Reset on the EX487 yet. I expect the only difference to be in LED behavior.

I hope this helps.

_________________
Alex Kuretz
Remote Notification: Monitoring and alerting for your Home Server via email, Twitter, text message, RSS, push notifications, and on your Mac desktop
Have you tried our Add-Ins?

I was thinking of returning my EX470, until I read your post regarding the eSata Multiplier issue...Definitely a show stopper for me...Although I have 3TB now, I do see in the future of adding a eSata Enclosure w/multiple drives. Sad that HP will NOT address this issue.

I've already performed the AMD LE1640 CPU and 2GB GSkill Memory Upgrade, and it is fabulously working.

However there are times and it always seems to occur when I'm not there or asleep and the Server had shut down - turned off. Can't figure it out... I mean it does work perfectly...all I can assume is a power surge or my 1 pc, router/ att gateway/4port switch/19" monitor/etc all hooked into same wall outlet? I probably should place a UPS w/the 470 on it just to test. When I look at Event Viewer by remote desktop to the server, it is shows this:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: EventLog
Event Category: None
Event ID: 6008
Date: 1/3/2009
Time: 7:45:37 PM
User: N/A
Computer: My server name
Description:
The previous system shutdown at 7:33:21 PM on 1/3/2009 was unexpected.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: d9 07 01 00 06 00 03 00 Ù.......
0008: 13 00 21 00 15 00 a5 01 ..!...¥.
0010: d9 07 01 00 00 00 04 00 Ù.......
0018: 03 00 21 00 15 00 a5 01 ..!...¥.

Also,
I see errors for my networked/local printers not being installed on the server, but is recognized that it is on the other pcs. Should I install the drivers on the 470 Home Server?

Here is the messages:
Event Type: Error
Event Source: TermServDevices
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1111
Date: 1/5/2009
Time: 12:24:44 AM
User: N/A
Computer: my server name
Description:
Driver Brother MFC-9840CDW Printer required for printer Brother MFC-9840CDW Printer is unknown. Contact the administrator to install the driver before you log in again.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 00 00 00 00 12 0d 00 00 ........

thanks for your help...

It would be nice if HP just did ONE BIOS UPDATE on the EX 470/475, just to allow Power Management ability and possibly update CPU model support.

All in all I love the machine , and wont be returning for the EX 487, as it is not eSATA Port Muliplier aware.

You can get rid of the errors for the local printers by changing the options on the remote desktop connection. When the RDC comes up hit options and then go to local resources and uncheck bring printers. All errors on local printers will be gone.

_________________
HP EX470, 4 GIG, 4200+ EE SFF, WHS V1, Production
HP EX485, 4 GIG, E5800, WHS 2011, Stablebit Drive Pool, Transfer Server, Backup Server
HP EX490, 4 GIG, Q9400S, WHS 2011, Stablebit Drive Pool, Mediaserver
HP EX485, 4 GIG, Q8200S, WHS 2011, ITUNES Server

You might take a look at this thread given your unexpected shutdowns and processor upgrade. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3015

_________________
HP MSS EX490 with Intel E6300
4 GB RAM
7 TB Drive Storage

MediaSmartServer.net Wiki, it's loaded with helpful information about WHS and the HP MediaSmart Server.

It seems HP has not learned anything from the first two machines.
Go over to www.homeserverhacks.com and you get a detailed description why it is always better to by the cheaper of the two systems.
Cheers,
Lars

_________________
HP Microserver, 8GB, 2x1.5TB, WHS2011
HP G42, Core i3, 4GB, Win7 64bit
13" MacBook Pro, 8GB, OSX 10.6.7
Apple Network infrastructure & 2 Apple TVs

I agree totally with Donavon's assessment, however there are a class of users that want duplication out of the box and don't feel comfortable picking the right size/brand/speed/interface hard drive to add to the EX485. These users probably prefer to be "told" what is best to be used in the server, have confidence that HP is selling them a turnkey solution that meets their needs out of the box, and are willing to pay a (arguably small) premium for it.

That's smart business, IMHO.

_________________
Alex Kuretz
Remote Notification: Monitoring and alerting for your Home Server via email, Twitter, text message, RSS, push notifications, and on your Mac desktop
Have you tried our Add-Ins?

AND that class of users frequently wants a single point of contact for their warranty support. And a few want to buy a "single item" due to the SAF (Spousal Acceptance Factor).

When I purchased the price differential was VERY close to the price of the (500GB) drive and, for a couple bucks, it was "convenient". Shortly after that the 1TB drives came out...!

I always recommend the single drive models these days.

_________________
....JBick

EX475, 2 GB, LE-1640
PC1: Vista-->W7 Ultimate/32, (D-Drive RAID-5 Array)
PC2: Lenovo Laptop, Win XP Home SP3
2xLinksys WRT54G v1.1 and 2xNetGear GS105 Gbit switch