An enthusiast named Eric has posted instructions on doing the memory upgrade for the MSS.
REMEMBER: THIS VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY!!

EDIT/JohnBick 4/3/2009: HP later relented and agreed that an upgrade to 2GB of memory would NOT void the EX47x warranty.

http://www.myhomeserver.com/?p=12

The coolest thing, is that his entire site is running off of his MSS.

Good stuff, Eric!

Sweet instructions! Thanks.

I haven't considered upgrading the ram yet, but this will help if I do.

Is there anything specific that the added ram helps with performance wise? Or is it just a general feeling of snappiness?

From what I've heard, just general snappiness. HP added some additional services that run and consume memory, and while their engineers obviously think 512 is enough, some customers just can't leave well enough alone and must tinker. (My memory stick is on the way for the upgrade, so I'm guilty as well )

Just ordered the Crucial 2GB module. This is the crucial part number if anyone is interested (I wasn't able to order through newegg).

CT25664AA667

Just make sure its DDR2-533 (667mhz) RAM!

Famous Quote: "640K of memory is all that anybody with a computer would ever need."

I just did the upgrade. I used this memory:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6820231119

It worked fine. the remote connection seems to have speeded up a bit, file transfers are about 20% faster.

My only problem was the tiny screws holding the front grill on. They are really tiny, I have a jewelers set of screwdrivers, and I had to use the smallest one. Even then the screwdriver stripped the screw because they were on REALLY tight. I ended up having to drill the screws out, and taping the grill back in place when done.

Other than that, it was a simple process.

[Added 8/5/08]
I have had a few more MMS servers come through my workshop and on none of them did I have a problem removing the tiny screws from the front grill. I think the first MSS had overtightened or misthreaded screws.

I'd DEFINATELY say that VOIDED YOUR WARRANTY! LOL

Yup Greg, thats the breaks for the hardcore tweaker though eh?

You put tape on a several hundred dollar piece of equipment?

Duct tape fixes ANYTHING.

For those of you who have upgraded the ram, what would you say your performance increase rate was for things?

Also where id you notice the largest increase? specific app? network traffic? etc...

Would love to hear....

FYI, if you want to avoid stripping those small screws, go get a #00 Phillips head screwdriver. I had one from an iPod repair kit and it is the perfect fit, allowing you to handle the tightness of the screws without stripping them.

Jerry

Using 2GB 240-PIN UNBUFF DIMM 256MX64 DDR (PC2-5300) Crucial Memory from EggHead, the install went well. Don't forget to make sure the backplane fits back in ALL the slots and snaps in place - otherwise you will end up with no drive lights (like I did). I reopened the box and made sure everything fit into place again. You might also put some numbers on your HDs so that you put them back in the same order. [Also there are some really inexpensive yet good screwdrivers you can purchase in a set from Amazon dot com manufactured by Fuller. And for a few more bucks you can get some perfect fitting screwdrivers and other tools from Amazon manufactured by Allied. You want the #00 for a perfect fit on those front screws. You can't even tell I've opened up the case!]

I notice there is "perkiness" in the server now. Much faster response in Remote Desktop Connection and WHS Console. There is very little latency - truly amazing what a few GB of RAM can do. The temps and voltages are exactly the same (although the CPU temp is lower by 3 degrees C ). I tested out 6+GB HiDef file transfers and noticed a steady transfer and noticible improvement. [But not as fast as I would like]. I also increased page files 3000-4000 as suggested. I think any bottleneck in my network may be at the router or switches, so I will be tweeking that as well. [Using all Netgear gigabit hardware and Cat-6].

By the way when on Remote Desktop Connection with my MSS I noticed someone on my network named "alex." alex on sj-build.fc.hp.com (//sj-build.fc.hp.com\alex). Do we now have to worry about HP warranty spies checking out if we have tinkered with our MSS?

I immediately noticed that share in my "network tab".

"alex." alex on sj-build.fc.hp.com (//sj-build.fc.hp.com\alex). Do we now have to worry about HP warranty spies checking out if we have tinkered with our MSS?

I DELETED that, period! You can't FTP to that site though . . . .

Maybe that was there on purpose, or maybe it was inadvertendly left there when they were testing/building the systems.

A good question for HP tech support, but I am sure they would be clueless.