Home Server Show

HP Update Slowing down MediaSmart Windows Home Servers?

In Podcast 11 I reported a slowdown of my HP Media Smart Server after installing PVConnect.  I attributed this to PVConnect creating a database of the many Photos, Videos, and Music files I have stored on my MSS.  I viewed it as a normal process.  Indexing takes CPU cycles and hits the hard drives hard.

Engadget is reporting much worse symptoms but it seems they are reporting issues with both PVConnect installed and the new McAfee Antivirus Add-In installed.  This would certainly make sense but you would think this issue would have been addressed. The MS and HP bashers are having fun with the comments section.  “Doood, Leeeenix can cure that.”  Oh, sorry, I’m supposed to be professional.  Give me a break though Linux guy.

A good explanation of the slowdown can be found at withinwindows.com as reported by mswhs.com.  Could we see an officially supported RAM Upgrade procedure from HP?  I hardly think so but it’s looking more likely that my virgin MSS is soon to be violated.

Here is your chance…sound off about the new Add-Ins and the HP Update in general.  Did you have the cajones to install both Add-Ins?  At the same time?

Tags: HP Update, MSS, WHS

How to access PVConnect from a Web Browser

It is possible to access the PVConnect settings from a browser but you first have to enable it.  In order to access it from PC’s on your network you have to first make changes from the local browser.  You will need to be comfortable with Remote Desktop in order to continue.

1.       Start a Remote Desktop Session to you HP Media Smart Server.

2.       Login as administrator.

3.       Open a web browser.

4.       Access your http://yourservername:9000.  Example:  http://hpserver:9000.  If you are blocked by browser security it may be necessary to add this to your trusted sites.

You should be greeted with this screen.  Click Twonky Media Settings.

Click Network.

Now change the web access to Public Access and save changes.  You are done!  You can now access this page from any browser on your network.

But wait!  Did you see the mobile browser links on that first page?

Oh yeah baby!  Have fun!

Update: Here is a shot of my HTC connected to WHS via it’s Wi-Fi.

Disclaimer:  I have only used web access to PVConnect in order to view settings.  I have not made changes and I cannot say if it has any effect or ill-effect on the WHS Add-In.   I’m just recklessly publishing what I found!  Thanks goes out to the twonky forums and mediasmartserver.net forums for keeping us up to date on PVConnect.

Tags: Add-In, PVConnect

HP MediaSmart Server Webinar HP EX 470 for $464.99!

The live webinar is over and there are a couple of points that I would like to share with you.

The biggest was an announcement by Allen Buckner of HP that PP1 and the HP update will be released in the “coming weeks.” That is a direct quote. He stated that they have synchronized the HP release with PP1 in order to save time by only releasing one version instead of multiple. PP1 Beta, non PP1, PP1 RC, etc.

That’s good news.

Also, there is a New Egg offer of $75 off a WHS. Check the slide below.  I have a previous post of offers on WHS at Newegg.  Click and put in the promo code of HP75MS.  At checkout apply the promo code and your total will be $464.99 with FREE Shipping!!!  Awesome deal.  Click the link below.

I will post a full synopsis of the webinar as well as the question and answer session.  Stay Tuned!

Dave

Here is the Q&A session, well, it’s most of it anyway.

Tags: Deal, webinar