Status: Service is Closed. Like all good things, they must come to an end. Effective 4/13/2017 (almost 9 years running), the service is closed indefinitely. Thank you to all my customers and friends who purchased a debug adapter and stood by me over the years. I really enjoyed helping everyone out. I will still be checking in on this forum every now and then so feel free to leave questions/responses below. I'm leaving this posting mostly untouched for historic reasons. Thank you all for the great memories.I am running a small and humble service to all of my HP MediaSmart Server comrades who wish to have a VGA/PS2 Keyboard/PS2 Mouse/Serial debug board and would rather buy (and not build) the board.
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Why should you buy a debug board?-- You want to play with the BIOS settings or re-flash your BIOS
-- You want to boot from a USB stick to install another OS (Windows Home Server 2011, Ubuntu/Debian Linux, Windows Server 2012, OpenSolaris)
-- You are a software/kernel/addons developer
-- You want to tinker but not risk shorting your MediaSmart Server
-- You don't have the time to build your own custom cable
-- You don't want to buy expensive tools for a one time project
-- You want the ability to troubleshoot any bootup problems without running a recovery that will destroy existing data
-- Buying is cheaper than building!
What others are saying about my debug board.I have been building the debug boards/cables for this community since May of 2007 and I have had many happy customers.
"Fortunately, there's a debug board you can buy to retrofit a VGA-less server, so you can install Windows Server 2012, Ubuntu, or whatever you want." -
J. Peter Bruzzese, InforWorld"The debug board is very well constructed and has a high quality look and feel which gave me no concerns or worries about connecting it up to my HP server." -
Steve Crick, mswhs"With this cable, I can see the boot sequence, enter the BIOS setup screen, install new OS to the hardware if I want" -
kamlau.com"[VOV Technology] sells a cable that plugs into this header with PS/2 ports to connect a mouse and keyboard, as well as a VGA monitor" -
Ed Tittel, Tom's Hardware"It’s completely worth it. Being able to change boot devices, change fan settings and connect a monitor if something goes wrong – it’s just absolutely essential." -
Bjørn Froberg, IT SupporterPlus the
countless comments from the members of the mediasmartserver.net community.
What is the difference between this generation and previous generations (Gen1, Gen2, Gen3)?- The debug board is 30% smaller than Gen2/3 boards, making it fit easily inside the HP MediaSmart Server machine.
- The debug board and faceplates are now black and use a lasered finish, making it look amazing (blending nicely with the black MediaSmart Server finish).
- VGA lines have ESD Protection, Level Shifting, and RGB Termination meeting IEC-61000-4-2 Level-4 ESD Requirements.
- PS2 Keyboard and PS2 Mouse implements a low pass filter to limit EMI levels and provide ESD protection meeting IEC 61000-4-2 Level-4 ESD Requirements.
The Gen4 debug board has full support for the latest HP MediaSmart Server hardware. We also added protection against electrostatic discharges (ESD) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the VGA and PS2 lines.
Price:-- $95.00 USD for the VGA + PS2 Keyboard + PS2 Mouse Assembly (The Most Popular Set)
[Add To Cart]-- $115.00 USD for the VGA + PS2 Keyboard + PS2 Mouse + Serial Assembly (The Complete Set)
[Add To Cart - SOLD OUT]-- $40.00 USD for an Extra Black Cable (note: each assembly already includes one black cable)
[Add To Cart - SOLD OUT]-- Texas residents must add 8.25% sales tax to their order.
Shipping to USA:-- Free shipping via USPS (3-10 business day delivery time, no insurance, no tracking number)
-- $8.00 USD via FedEx Ground (3-4 business day delivery time, insured with tracking number)
-- $21.00 USD via FedEx 2Day (2 business day delivery time, insured with tracking number)
-- $52.00 USD via FedEx Standard Overnight (1 business day delivery time, insured with tracking number)
Shipping to Canada:-- Free shipping via USPS (5-20 business day delivery time, no insurance, no tracking number)
-- $28 USD via USPS Priority Mail International (4-8 business day delivery time, insured with tracking number)
-- $35 USD via FedEx International Ground (4-5 business day delivery time, insured with tracking number)
Shipping to Europe and All Other Places:-- $28.00 USD via USPS Priority Mail International (4-8 business day delivery time, insured with tracking number)
Notes about Shipping (Please Read):-- If shipping via FedEx, please do not specify a P.O. Box shipping address (this is not my wishes, but the courier's wishes).
-- FedEx rates are applicable to the lower 48 states.
-- About International Duties and Taxes: Typically items that are under one pound (16 ounces) and less than $100 in value are not charged duties and taxes. However, it is at the discretion of the customs officer who handles that particular package on that particular day. You (the buyer) are responsible to pay any duties or taxes that your country decides to charge (if any). If this is your first International order, please take the time to review your country's import laws and taxes before making the order (so there are no surprises). Some countries in Europe may charge approximately £10-£25 to import the cable. Please check with your country's import laws to determine the exact fees (if any). There may be shipping delays if the VAT fees are not paid.
Notes:-- The debug board kit consists of a printed circuit board (PCB) inside an enclosure with a black 26 terminal pass-through cable.
-- Black cable is 18 inches (45.72 centimeters) long and 0.5 inches (2.54 centimeters) thick.
-- The assembly ships 1-3 business days after payment is cleared.
-- All shipments are made from Austin, Texas, USA.
-- Payment is accepted from PayPal (
http://www.paypal.com). You don't need a PayPal account to pay.
-- You will be doing business with a company called
VOV Technology.
-- Be sure you have read and understood the "Known Issues" section (below) before placing an order.
-- All sales are final. Items that arrive defective are replaced if reported within seven days of arrival. Customer pays the shipping for returned products. Replacement assembly is shipped when returned assembly is received (undamaged)--no cross shipping.
Hardware Compatibility:-- HP MediaSmart Server EX-470 and EX-475
-- HP MediaSmart Server EX-485 and EX-487 *
-- HP MediaSmart Server EX-490 and EX-495 *
-- HP StorageWorks X510 DataVault *
-- Acer Aspire easyStore H340 *
Customer Tested Hardware Compatibility:-- Acer Aspire easyStore H341 *
-- Acer Aspire easyStore H342 *
-- HP LX195 MediaSmart Server
-- HP LX197 MediaSmart Server *
-- HP DataVault X310, X311, X312 and X315
-- Lenovo Ideacentre D400 *
If you are interested in getting a Gen4 Debug Adapter you can either:- Add your item to the cart (via the "Add to Cart" links above) and checkout
OR - Email "mss_cable_service<at>vovtech<dot>com" with:
- The board specifications (VGA + PS2 Keyboard + PS2 Mouse or VGA + PS2 Keyboard + PS2 Mouse + Serial) and price (as stated above).
- Your first and last name
- The address where the cable should be shipped***. If this is a business address, please include the name of the business.
- Your shipping preference and price (as stated above)
- Your phone number (couriers typically require the destination phone number)
- (OPTIONAL) Let me know your Windows Home Server box (i.e HP EX-485, Acer H340, other) or ask any question.
- (OPTIONAL) Tell me something funny/interesting about yourself that puts a face to this cable.

* Requires a jumper to unlock the the PS2 keyboard and PS2 mouse capabilities. Instructions can be found
here and
here.
** If you already have a PayPal account, please send your cable request from the email address bound to your PayPal account.
*** Your shipping address must match your PayPal address (for security reasons and to qualify for PayPal's buyer/seller protection program). Your cable will, by default, ship to the address specified at the PayPal transaction.
Upon receiving your request, you will receive a PayPal invoice from VOV Technology. Your cable will ship one to two business days after your payment has cleared. You will receive an email alert that will confirm shipment (along with tracking info if applicable).
Thanks and happy MSS tweaking!
Charles
Status: Service is Closed.