MediaSmart Home - Server Modifications and Hacking

Upgrading the HP EX485/487 MediaSmart Server Processor, Removing the Smoke and Mirrors

StarNet — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:54:37 GMT

Purpose: This article is a culmination of the work of many on this and other web sites. The sole purpose is to clearly define and outline the steps necessary to modify your HP EX485/487 MediaSmart Server (or MSS) from a single core Intel Celeron 440 to the more powerful Intel Dual Core. It will present various options for the MSS user and provide a one stop resource for the complete upgrade process. Choosing a CPU, performance gains/benchmarks, power consumption temperature and memory upgrades are discussed as well. I will try to sort through some of the technical jargon and issues that can make this process complicated. While the scope of this article will toward the E5200 CPU that has been extensively tested, it will also list other CPU designations reported to work for your consideration. Depending on your level of expertise you might find some topics interesting or boring, but they're listed here regardless of your abilities. Some useful tips have been included and some very useful links have been placed in the reference sections at the end of the article. Warning and Disclaimer: Read this document completely before diving in! The author of the article assumes no responsibility for...

HDD and CPU spec for EX490

Finn Brodersen — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:33:31 GMT

Hi I have a EX490 coming my way any time soon. A couple of questions: a) What HDD is installed in the EX490, i.e. vendor and type b) what CPU to change to if I want to upgrade the CPU, I have read somewhere the E5200 or E5400 is ok to use Thanks for any input

EX 470 CPU Upgrade

bhallo0217 — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:52:58 GMT

I found an article about upgrading the CPU of the EX470 to a 2.6Ghz AMD LE-1640 Orleans AM2 (940) I haven't found this particular proc anymore since the article was a couple years old. Anyone have a later upgrade that you know works? Thanks. Barry

HP EX485 4GB Memory Upgrade Success!!!

Amit — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:29:12 GMT

Just Upgraded my Server with Some G.Skill 4GB DDR2 Memory. Everything works and runs well. I have alot of things running in the background like sql server. So should hopefully notice a difference. Higher Rez Picture: http://members.shaw.ca/kristan100/P1010580.JPG --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HP EX485, 4GB Ram, E5200 2.5Ghz, 4TB WD Green

Dreambox

AC — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:46:11 GMT

Has anyone connected a Dreambox too WHS. 1. use the WHS as hardrive too record programs. 2. Stream the channels from Dreambox so it can be reached from the internet. (HP home media server , Dreambox 800HD-C , Smartwii cardsplitter)

Upgrade Assistance

tallassazn — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:14:03 GMT

Hi, First off I appreciate everyone taking the time to read this thread. I'm sure a lot of questions may be rather basic and have already been answered. There is just so much information across the board that I've been swimming in it without gathering exactly what I need. I have an ex475 and was a very early adopter however it gave me fits early on and I had to do a restore losing a lot of my data and I haven't used it to its full potential since. Here are a few of my questions: 1) If I am paying for a domain name, can I associate my MSS with the domain name and use it as my website file server and ftp site? 2)What I remember of the photo sharing software, it was very basic and it didn't actually allow users to access the full sized file, rather just a compressed version. Was I doing something wrong? I am about to purchase the 3.0 discs but have read that the photo sharing software is actually a step back. Compared to flickr and maybe fb, I felt the MSS photo GUI was a bit clunky, but I might not...

Changing the LX195 into a PC

EB75 — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:20:02 GMT

Forum Members: There has been considerable discussion of how to convert an unused PC into a server. Are you aware of the reverse: Converting the LX 195 into a PC. The form factor is great! And its versatility should lend it to many useful purposes. I'm considering upgrading and will have a spare server Is this possible? Can you provide any DIY references? EB75

Stock EX490 Processor Upgrade and other questions...

phybersplice — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:39:33 GMT

Hi All This is my first post in the community - and I've been reading some other posts of successful CPU upgrades and I have a few other questions... My past: I'm an I.T. guy - I rip apart PC's and Macs with ease - the work itself isn't a problem - it's more of once the processor is inside with thermal compound, and the server is put back together... 1) What is the procedure? I've noticed there isn't a clear concise walkthrough posted as of yet detailing how to verify that the CPU is installed properly, etc ... 2) What about the stock heatsink? Replace it? 3) What are the recommended CPU upgrade paths? I plan on using streaming with my iPhone / PS3 / AppleTV 4) Are people able to see a Start button in Windows? I can only see the HP Console screen - how do I see the Start Bar? 5) I have data on my 2 x 2TB Seagate drives and the stock 1TB- if I was to replace the 1.0 with a 2TB and restore the system, would I lose my data? Even if I pull my 2 drives out? 6) I heard about...