Colleagues,

There was a bad storm yesterday, lights went out for about a minute and after that the server comes up, all lights are blue, but I cannot access the server at all from either the console or RDP from any of the clients; can't ping it either. I have reset the modem, the router, and rebooted the server and clients several times to no avail.

The error I get if I click on the Share Folders shortcut icon is 0x80070035; from reading on the web, this means that Windows can't find a computer or device named <servername> (Windows can communicate with the name resolution server but can't find the host name).

I am not good with networking issues so I don't know what to do.

Best regards.

_________________
Custom build: NZXT Classic H2, Cooler Master Silent Pro M600, Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2-B3 rev 1.1, Intel Core i5-2310, Kingston ValueRAM 4GB, 1 Hitachi 500GB Deskstar, 2 Samsung 2TB EcoGreen F4 HD204UI, 1 Hitachi 2TB, WHS 2011.

Hi jdomi,

Sorry to hear about your EX47x server having connectivity issues. First I would like to rule out the LAN port to see if its working or not. If you could back out all your drives so they are not connected to the servers backplane and also disconnect any USB connected devices and then turn it on this will caused your server to actually boot into recovery mode but more importantly if the LAN port is working it will show up on your routers DHCP listing as MININT followed by other things.

So when you turn the server on and you see the health light blinking RED/PURPLE thats when you want to logon to your router and check the DHCP listing to see if its lists a device with the name MININT followed by other things. If you see this then your LAN Port is working.

Check that out and let me know what you see. In the event that the storm took out your LAN Port there is a way to restore network connectivity to your server using a guide which I have written but before sending you to that guide I really want to determine if your LAN port is functional or not.

Also with the server off and still connected to your network can you tell me what the LEDs on the LAN port are doing and also when you turn it on. Even with the server off the LAN port LEDs should be active.

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Comp1962,

Thanks for your response and I am looking forward to your assistance.

It's an EX475.

Following your instructions, I powered down the server, disconnected the network cable and all cables from attached peripherals (an external drive and a UPS), removed all 4 disks.

Powered the server on, the server's front leds show blue, blue and blinking purple/red, the NIC's left led is off and the right led is solid amber, the DHCP client table in my Linksys WRT160N router doesn't show MININT, just shows the same as before (I checked it before starting your instructions).

I powered the server down, the NIC's left led is off and the right led is solid amber. Connected all cables back, inserted all 4 disks back.

Powered the server on, the server's front leds show blue, blue and blue, the NIC's left led is off and the right led is solid amber.

Best regards.

_________________
Custom build: NZXT Classic H2, Cooler Master Silent Pro M600, Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2-B3 rev 1.1, Intel Core i5-2310, Kingston ValueRAM 4GB, 1 Hitachi 500GB Deskstar, 2 Samsung 2TB EcoGreen F4 HD204UI, 1 Hitachi 2TB, WHS 2011.

It appears your servers LAN Port has failed. However all is not lost as you can install a USB to LAN Adapter to restore network connectivity to your server. If this is of interest to you please read my guide at the following Link:

http://www.mediasmartserver.net/2010/06 ... ur-server/

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

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Comp1962,

It looks like issues with the NIC are more common than usual and as our 1st generation servers get older many more servers will have it.

Great article about using a USB-LAN Adapter to solve this issue. Would it be better to just have the motherboard replaced (I understand the NIC is built into the motherboard) or even better yet to purchase a new model (EX495) given the age of the server?

Regardless of the answer I have ordered the adapter because I think I will need it to transfer to a new server, or for future NIC failures.

Best regards.

_________________
Custom build: NZXT Classic H2, Cooler Master Silent Pro M600, Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2-B3 rev 1.1, Intel Core i5-2310, Kingston ValueRAM 4GB, 1 Hitachi 500GB Deskstar, 2 Samsung 2TB EcoGreen F4 HD204UI, 1 Hitachi 2TB, WHS 2011.

Getting a replacement motherboard is not impossible but might take you sometime. The USB-LAN Adapter is an afforable way to resolve the issue at hand and its not exactly a waste becuase it can be used with other computers including a MAC.

Replacing the server with one of the newer EX49x's is also an alternative and Alex did write an article on how to move your drives and as my memory recalls perform a server recovery using the new servers discs. Here is the link to Alexs Guide http://www.mediasmartserver.net/2010/01 ... me-server/

Another alternative is a DIY Build where you have more control over the hardware your using but if you happen to like the way the HP MediaSmart Server works then maybe the DIY Build may not be worth exploring. I did a write up on this not to long ago that you might want to review to better help you decide which path you might want to go. http://www.mediasmartserver.net/2010/05 ... er-debate/

In the end only you can determine what works best for you but you do have many options to chose from and what works best for one may not be good for another. As you make your decision and consider the newer HP MediaSmart Servers you may want to take the time to read what has been written by those who actually own them.

What ever you decide I hope it servers you well for many years to come and should you have questions about one option or another I can tell you there are many here who would be glad to answer your questions.

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Sorry to hear about your problem.

I would go with what Comp1962 said.

Cheapest fix it to buy a USB-LAN...that should get you going...but with the prices for brand new MSS falling, you might be able to snatch one for cheap as well..maybe even sell this one...some folks wouldn't mind buying one, with the failed NIC and all.


Good luck.

MetalRasaM, Comp1962,

The USB-LAN Adapter should be arriving today and I will try the whole thing today; I will post here the results.

I thought about it and if this fixes the problem I will stick with this server until a new HP MSS model comes out with the new Vail OS; I don't think I can go wrong with this.

Regards.

_________________
Custom build: NZXT Classic H2, Cooler Master Silent Pro M600, Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2-B3 rev 1.1, Intel Core i5-2310, Kingston ValueRAM 4GB, 1 Hitachi 500GB Deskstar, 2 Samsung 2TB EcoGreen F4 HD204UI, 1 Hitachi 2TB, WHS 2011.

Comp1962,

I guess I am not one of the lucky ones who got this to work.

I followed your instructions to the letter and when I had to wait 5 minutes to let the flash drivers to be found and loaded the server either shut down or went into hibernation (I have LightsOut installed!) perhaps because I waited more than 5 minutes, maybe 10. So, I pressed the power button to bring it back up and the health light indicator started blinking blue, however, all the hard drive lights were on. Waited for like 15 minutes and nothing changed so I pressed the power button to completely shut down the server.

I started all over again, this time I made sure that after 5 minutes I continued immediately; I was able to finish everything, but I still don't have connection to the server.

One thing I noted is that the USB-LAN Adapter's led's are off, not sure if this is ok or not.

Best regards.

_________________
Custom build: NZXT Classic H2, Cooler Master Silent Pro M600, Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2-B3 rev 1.1, Intel Core i5-2310, Kingston ValueRAM 4GB, 1 Hitachi 500GB Deskstar, 2 Samsung 2TB EcoGreen F4 HD204UI, 1 Hitachi 2TB, WHS 2011.

For some reason a couple of users had some issues with the disks that were supplied with their Lan Adapter and so I sent them to a rapidshare link where I have the copy of the disk. After they downloaded that archive they were able to get their adapters to work.

Here is the link to that file => http://rapidshare.com/files/408719775/S ... S.zip.html

Good luck and let me know how you make out

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Comp1962,

There were no disks in the package but a note to download the drivers from a website, which I did. But I will try the ones on your link tonight and report back.

Thanks for sticking with me and regards.

_________________
Custom build: NZXT Classic H2, Cooler Master Silent Pro M600, Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2-B3 rev 1.1, Intel Core i5-2310, Kingston ValueRAM 4GB, 1 Hitachi 500GB Deskstar, 2 Samsung 2TB EcoGreen F4 HD204UI, 1 Hitachi 2TB, WHS 2011.

Ok now I understand fully and everyone who has gone to that website to pull drivers had difficulty getting their LAN Adapter to work properly but when they downloaded the files I provided they had success. Both my Sabrent USB-LAN Adpaters came with install disks.

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Comp1962,

I'll be as brief and clear as I can: After spending about 4 hours today trying again and again using the drivers from your link I still could not connect to the server, USB-LAN Adapter's led's are off.

But... I noticed that the logo on the USB-LAN Adapter I got was different than the one in the picture you have in your instructions: mine says plugable and yours says Sabrent. So... I went back to the Amazon product link I bought and indeed it is a different product, and being optimistic this could be the reason why I cannot get it to work. Not sure how I made this mistake but it's already done.

This is what I bought: http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Gigabit-Ethernet-Network-Adapter/dp/B003VSTDFG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1282172326&sr=8-3

This is what I believe I should buy: http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-USB-G1000-Gigabit-Ethernet-Converter/dp/B000XFVZ5G

If you don't mind correcting me on all the above I will place the order tonight with next day shipping again and try to return the first one. Also, since I have performed a few driver "installations" do I need to do some sort of cleanup on the server before I attempt again?

Best regards.

_________________
Custom build: NZXT Classic H2, Cooler Master Silent Pro M600, Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2-B3 rev 1.1, Intel Core i5-2310, Kingston ValueRAM 4GB, 1 Hitachi 500GB Deskstar, 2 Samsung 2TB EcoGreen F4 HD204UI, 1 Hitachi 2TB, WHS 2011.

Wow they actually look the same don't they. I will tell you what you can do and you can see if it works or not. Do you have say an XP Machine you could load the drives on and test the USB-LAN Adapter with? The drivers you are to use are 32 bit Drivers for XP and one other unit as I listed in the Guide. Anyway you could load what you originally had to test the adapter out with and if it works then there should be no reason why you could not get it to work on your server. Now if you then remove the drivers and then install the drivers that I provided you can see if those drivers will run your adapter or not.

This is why I suggest you do this...

Many components are made by a manufacturer and then private labeled for others. I work in the plastics industry and its highly unlikely that someone will copy another case design without paying some sort of licence to do so otherwise they would get sued. Since the case moldings are so similar I believe the unit you have and the one I tested may be the same just private labeled. So installing the device on another unit to test it out as mentioned above would be the first thing I would do before buying another unit which may indeed be the same. Installing the drivers for the adapter will not harm your existing setup as it will be just another network device that your computer can use if available no different then say using different USB Wireless devices.

Let me know how you make out with that I would be very interested in what you find out but also interested in knowing if your unit is functional or not as well.

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~ 3 Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8

Comp1962,

I don't have an XP machine but I have a Vista desktop I could try it with, do you think? Remember though that I have already tried the adapter on the server with both the drives that the package said to download from a site and the drives from your link and it didn't work with either.

Regards.

_________________
Custom build: NZXT Classic H2, Cooler Master Silent Pro M600, Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2-B3 rev 1.1, Intel Core i5-2310, Kingston ValueRAM 4GB, 1 Hitachi 500GB Deskstar, 2 Samsung 2TB EcoGreen F4 HD204UI, 1 Hitachi 2TB, WHS 2011.