Good Cheap Server - HP Proliant Microserver 4 BAY - OWNERS THREAD

bremen1874 · 3 Sep 2011 at 00:50

elnino90 said:
yeah it is plugged in

I installed Server 2008 R2 and SBS 2011 onto my Microserver and I'm sure I never had to supply drivers. WHS 2011 has the same code base, so it shouldn’t need drivers for the install.

The one time I had a problem was with a client’s Microserver. I’d taken it apart to upgrade the memory and then found that the Windows installer couldn’t find the drives. I eventually realised that although the plug looked okay it was actually wasn't inserted properly.

If you haven’t already done so just try unplugging the hard drive connector and then plug it back in making sure it clicks right down into place.

elnino90 · 3 Sep 2011 at 00:57

the hard drive cable is the one next to the usb port on the mobo, correct?

bremen1874 · 3 Sep 2011 at 01:00

elnino90 said:
the hard drive cable is the one next to the usb port on the mobo, correct?

Yes, in mine it's a black plug with a black braided cable.

elnino90 · 3 Sep 2011 at 01:17

i took the cable out and plugged it back in. gonna wait for the usb to be loaded with whs2011 and try again. hopefully it works this time. thanks

elnino90 · 3 Sep 2011 at 02:28

thanks for your help. got it working. too late to setup so just installed whs and will mess around with it tomorow. thanks for all your help

aldo1234 · 3 Sep 2011 at 11:22

If I get http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-265-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat= do i also need a sound card or does the card pass sound over the hdmi port?

Currenly have the microserver in the living room hopw to replace the ps3.

Thanks

ubern00b · 3 Sep 2011 at 15:48

aldo1234 said:
If I get http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-265-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat= do i also need a sound card or does the card pass sound over the hdmi port?

Currenly have the microserver in the living room hopw to replace the ps3.

Thanks

No sound card required as that card has one built in.

_SBradley_ · 3 Sep 2011 at 16:22

Just noticed that there's a new BIOS available: 2011.07.29 (A) (25 Aug 2011).

Probably not all that interesting to a number of folks here, but you might as well install it, if you're only running HDDs in the four main bays. (If anyone sees a newer patched version, let us know! Maybe over on the original Russian forum... I had the address at some point.)

Cheers,
Simon

Evoss · 3 Sep 2011 at 19:13

I have asked this before but not 100% certain.

If I put FreeNAS on the server and connect it to my network. Can I control it completely via my computer? E.g. Via a web interface.

Thanks

bremen1874 · 3 Sep 2011 at 19:53

Evoss said:
I have asked this before but not 100% certain.

If I put FreeNAS on the server and connect it to my network. Can I control it completely via my computer? E.g. Via a web interface.

Thanks

Yes. Web interface or CLI over SSH.

_SBradley_ · 3 Sep 2011 at 21:19

Question about AMD drivers for WHS 2011: The link from hp.com is to v8.73.4, but the dates are confusing (HP claims 8 Sep 2010, whereas the AMD page says 08/10/2011!).

I just did a search, and it turned up embedded drivers version 8.88. I'm assuming, from the similar version numbers, that this is a newer version of what's linked from HP's site, and I should just use the one direct from AMD?

Also, on FreeNAS: You need a keyboard and monitor hooked up for the initial setup (literally five minutes). After that, as bremen says, you can do everything via the web interface (probably with some low-level tasks performed in a shell over SSH).

Cheers,
Simon

_SBradley_ · 3 Sep 2011 at 21:24

Also, I seem to remember something about the Microsoft drivers being better than the 3rd party ones -- I think this was the AMD SATA drivers?

Should I be installing the Broadcom network drivers (cp013024/14.2.0.5)?

And the firmware update following that (cp013823/2.1.5.9)?

Thanks!

badcompany · 5 Sep 2011 at 09:27

These still going
cheap?

minimadmotorman · 5 Sep 2011 at 09:32

grumpybeard · 5 Sep 2011 at 11:24

HI,

Just taken delivery of this little beauty of a server.

Trying to install W7 and got the "No suitable SATA driver found" issue. Disconnected DVD and created a flash USB drive and put the W7 iso on that. Get so far as choosing language but no joy after selecting "Start install". Went into BIOS and tried toggling between IDE mode of IDE and AHCI(?) and rebooting. Guess the preinstalled hard drive wants a SATA driver.

Any ideas gratefully received!

spudbynight · 5 Sep 2011 at 11:28

I was thinking of grabbing a NAS but with the price on these am I better going this way?

I was thinking of a 4 bay NAS with RAID5 but that is getting into prices over what I want to spend.

Is FreeNAS the best route to take? How does this work for Torrents. I currently use my main rig and leave it on 24/7. I was hoping that being able to use this instead will enable me to stop that and the power savings over a year will pay for it.

bremen1874 · 5 Sep 2011 at 14:16

grumpybeard said:
HI,

Just taken delivery of this little beauty of a server.

Trying to install W7 and got the "No suitable SATA driver found" issue. Disconnected DVD and created a flash USB drive and put the W7 iso on that. Get so far as choosing language but no joy after selecting "Start install". Went into BIOS and tried toggling between IDE mode of IDE and AHCI(?) and rebooting. Guess the preinstalled hard drive wants a SATA driver.

Any ideas gratefully received!

Have you dismantled it to upgrade the memory?

Make 100% sure that the motherboard hard drive plug is properly inserted. Remove it and reinsert to make sure, it should click down into place.

Have a look back at posts 2299 to 2305.

Evoss · 5 Sep 2011 at 15:10

Mine just came today, waiting on the F4s though. I opened it and went "awwww" what a cute little box

grumpybeard · 5 Sep 2011 at 16:40

bremen1874 said:
Have you dismantled it to upgrade the memory?

Make 100% sure that the motherboard hard drive plug is properly inserted. Remove it and reinsert to make sure, it should click down into place.

Have a look back at posts 2299 to 2305.

Did upgrade the memory, rechecked hard drive plug, ok, still unable to locate the hard drive after choosing a SATA driver SB7xx as located on the AMD site.

bremen1874 · 5 Sep 2011 at 17:32

grumpybeard said:
Did upgrade the memory, rechecked hard drive plug, ok, still unable to locate the hard drive after choosing a SATA driver SB7xx as located on the AMD site.

Windows 7 doesn't need any additional drivers to see the drives. I’ve just tried it to make sure.

If the installer can’t see the drives you’ve got a problem. My money is still on the motherboard hard drive connector. One of the Microservers I worked on had an awkward socket that needed several attempts before it would insert correctly.