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| HP EX470 MediaSmart Home Server (AMD Live, Windows Home Server, 500 GB Hard Drive) | 
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| Brand: Hewlett-Packard
Category: Personal Computer
List Price: $659.99
Buy New: $449.99
You Save: $210.00 (32%)
Buy New/Used from $449.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  (106 reviews)
Sales Rank: 30
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
CPU Manufacturer: AMD
CPU Speed: 1.8
Processors: 1
Hard Drive Size: 500
Modem: None
Shipping Weight (lbs): 19
Dimensions (in): 9.7 x 9.2 x 5.5
MPN: GG795AA
Model: EX470
UPC: 883585222636
EAN: 0883585222636
ASIN: B000UY1WSK
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Didn't work out for me October 21, 2008
First off, I bought this unit strictly to handle backups. I like the idea of having a device in the background that handles this. I previously had a Mirra server but it crapped out, so I got this. On the first day of use, the management console stopped letting me log in, it just returned to the login screen as if I had not typed anything. So I had to get on with HP tech support. At least I can say that for this device, the tech support is all on shore and the MediaSmart tech staff is very good. So I had to perform a complete factory reset - twice. Then the unit appeared to be working all right.
After a day or two, I noticed that the only Vista machine (which is my most critical from a backup perspective) was failing on backup. The C: drive was backing up okay, but not the D: partition (Data). Bummer. So back on with HP.
The technician was helpful and pointed me to a number of Microsoft KB articles regarding VSS (volume shadow service). Look, if there was a registry hack to do, or some software to install, or a patch to run, I'm up to it. But the fact is that Vista users seemed to be having lots of backup problems with this device as well as Windows backup all related to VSS. And there was no simple or straight-forward resolution. So that was it for me. Took it back (to Costco)
We have a Synology DS207+ at work which really does everything this device can do and seems to work very well. I recommend it. With two 500GB drives it came in under $[...]
And that's my story.
 WOW You don't have to be a geek to use this! October 17, 2008
I ordered this directly from Amazon with standard shipping and got it in two days directly from a depot.
Installation was very satisfactory for such a complicated product. I didn't have enough Ethernet ports coming out of my router (an older Motorola Wireless-G) so I ordered a Linkysis 5 port switch at the same time. I chained the switch to my router and took a couple of connections off the router so I could connect the Homeserver Directly to the router.
Setup is complicated, but the written and on screen instructions are very good. Be sure to write down all the usernames and passwords and pick as simple a name as possible for the remote homeserver internet name.
I would say 80-90% of the setup went off without any problem. I got one PC (Windows XP) set up and used this as the install console access. Then set this unit up for remote access and created the Microsoft homeserver (it's free) web ID. Keep in mind that the address is https:// not www.
Password requirements are stiff.
With unit #1 set up for access, automatic back-up and remote file access I then set up my laptop (wireless connection) using a different username.
Both units performed backups the first evening. I figured out how to quickly get to the user and other directories on the drive (I ordered the small 500GB unit for starters). It was quick and easy to transfer data files, photos and video files to the server.
The next step was remote access. This was only partially successful during my initial install which I did in stages over about two days. Through the internet, I was able to log onto the Homeserver and upload and download files. I eventually created another user just for the fileserver so I could allow others to access files that pertained to a joint project (just like a VPN that the big boy s use). Outside users had no difficulty uploading 15MB CAD files to the server.
Now for the 10-20% difficult part. A couple of times I had to restart the server (full power off) to get around some difficulties or clear a reported problem. That wasn't bad. What really bothered me was that I couldn't get the Remote Access feature to allow me to access the programs, files and printer resources of my PC via the internet. Everything seemed to be in order but I received errors which indicated Remote Access was blocked. I thought some router settings would need to be changed, but didn't know what to do so I just decided this was not something I needed to bang my head against the wall for.
Finally after about one month of running I got some sort of error that the server could not connect to the internet. One of the recommended fixes was to add the remote access internet site https://xxx.homeserver.com to the list of trusted sites. After doing this, on a hunch, I used my laptop to remote access my PC through the internet. It worked. After logging on with username and password I took control of the PC. I picked a fairly complicated application that I had on the PC but not on the laptop and ran a program using data on the PC. Then still at the laptop remote access, I printed the document. Not only did it work, but the speed was amazingly fast.
Now I'm at 98% satisfaction. (Some people can never be fully satisfied) The only remaining abnormality is that I have things to display Network Health Notifications and sometimes the notifications are not so important (such as laptop not backed up for 8 days---it was in the bag!!)and other times when the notification icon stayed "unhealthy" while everything worked properly. Eventually the second issue cleared itself after 10 hours.
One big item of caution! Unless you have more that one disk drive in the unit, you cannot take advantage of the "duplicate" function. If you use the homeserver as the primary and only source for files, you have no backup unless there is more than one drive in the box and you set it up for duplication.
Gives more time to play. October 2, 2008
This server does a fine job of integrating tasks like backups so I have
more time to get other important things done. Serves up Itunes libraries
in fine fasion. The review should really be divided into hardware/software
since they are both integrated into one product. The hardware should have
been shipped with at least 1GB of RAM. HP was figuring that since this box
was only serving up files only 512 K was needed. WRONG!! By the time you
start adding other add-in software like virus protection and regular
maintenence, etc.... There it goes and your system slows down. This box
and software was desinged to set it and forget it and does a pretty good
job of keeping to that intention.
Awesome little box - does everything it says. September 29, 2008
This little server is a jewel. I love it!
It serves up my iTunes collection, streams video, backs up every PC in the house, and runs 24/7 in my closet.
The public side is nice for giving me remote desktop to my PCs in the house, and the web sharing of thing is nice too.
All in all, this is one of those rare boxes that does what it says.
I dropped an extra 400 GB drive in it, and had no problems whatsoever. Easiest addition... ever.
Surpisingly good product September 22, 2008
Now that MS has released the Power Pack 1 for this (it was really a service pack) this product works great, backs up 4 computers in my home every night and I have had ZERO disk errors once they fixed their software. It's a shame that MS made us wait so long for a fix but now that it is out I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this product.
One word of warning, the 512 megs of RAM that it comes with are fine if you use it as is but if you add *ANYTHING* to this machine the user interface will slow down to a crawl. For example, HP has a companion download update that goes with the power pack 1 and it includes MacAfee Anti-Virus; sound like a good idea? Don't do it because the machine will crawl. MacAfee is a resource pig and there just isn't a lot of resources to spare on this machine. It is possible to add more ram to this machine and I myself have done it but it isn't a casual operation, it is beyond the skill level of most computer users and it will void your warrantee.
If you want to use it as a file server and to backup your PCs then this is great, if you want an application server then purchase the Windows Home Server software without this machine and install it on a standard Windows PC.
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