Our next article will show you some of the basics of setting up and using your new Home Digital Assistant (HDA). Windows Home Server is not the only NAS solution available and it certainly is not the cheapest, but it is really easy to use and with add-ons, it can serve a lot of extra uses as well. Because the HP MediaSmart Server is already a low powered, multi-drive server, it makes a great candidate for a free upgrade. But the extras, especially the memory, can certainly be worth it. The tight fitting components of the MediaSmart servers don't make it easy, so this isn't for the timid. I recently upgraded my HP ex470 server with a faster CPU (dual core) and 4 GB of RAM (3,4 GB usable) as well as a SSD drive for the OS.
#HP MEDIASMART SERVER EX470 MEMORY UPGRADE HOW TO#
Tom's Hardware has come to the rescue with a guide on how to bring your old, decrepid server up to scratch. Recently, HP released the EX485 and EX487 models, bumping up CPU power and memory making the EX470 and EX475 look like capable but weak workers. The HP MediaSmart Servers are among the more popular and prominent Windows Home Server incarnations. Note that Vail requires 1GB of RAM to install, and since the EX470 and EX475 shipped with only 512MB of RAM you will need to upgrade the memory in these. Uninstall the HP MediaSmart Server and Windows Home Server Connector. Rebooting your server into recovery mode. You’ll wind up with a system that’s as good or better than the newer, more expensive models, while saving some money in the bargain." HP MediaSmart Server Software Upgrade from v.1 to v.3 4. "Although the new generation of HP MediaSmart Servers offers more memory and a somewhat more powerful CPU, with bargain prices like those for refurb units readily available (not to mention even lower prices on used units), you can apply some modest hardware hacks to these older servers.