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Question

Which NAS OS

Sep 4, 2014 4:47AM PDT

I have a HP Media Smart Server EX490that used to run Windows Home Server.

For some reason Windows Home Server stopped working and despite best attempts failed to respond. This leaves me with the above server but no OS on it.

I don't think it's worth putting windows Home Server back on it as we are all on Windows 8.1 and I don't think I will have sufficient confidence in it working with 8.1.

What alternatives have I got to run it as a NAS? I would want something reasonably easy to install and maintain and as its a headless installation a guide that is idiot proof (hopefully lots of pictures).

Can anyone make some suggestions please?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Answer
The problem I see
Sep 4, 2014 5:05AM PDT

Is that headless install step. I've done headless servers before but we attach the keyboard and display during install then remove to run headless.

Since you have this product, get over to a WHS forum like http://www.mediasmartserver.net/category/guides/

http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Network-Attached-Storage-NAS/EX490-Recovery-Disc/td-p/5957277#.VAi3ZRagvvE goes round and round about restore operations. If that fails, then the WHS server is likely dead. Given how many routers can host a HDD that is how I run mine today.
Bob

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PS. CNET reviews on routers with NAS.
Sep 4, 2014 5:26AM PDT
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Not thought about a router
Sep 4, 2014 5:56AM PDT

I have a ASUS router with this capability but as the HP unit has 3 bays I thought that could be a useful amount of storage.

It does have video out and usb ports so hopefully I can view what's going on. Do you know anything about FreeNAS? I've looked at their website but it seems geared towards techies.

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Oh, here's my paltry but usefull NAS
Sep 5, 2014 2:20AM PDT
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Sold
Sep 5, 2014 4:17AM PDT

I did find the FreeNAS site a bit too techy as you say. Your setup seems to be the solution - I'm presuming from your picture the drive doesn't need a separate power source?

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Yup.
Sep 5, 2014 4:27AM PDT

I went for simple. It's as simple as it gets and with today's small 2TB USB HDDs more than what it needs to be for my use. Your HP had a 1TB drive so maybe this ain't so bad.

Plus it seems to be under 2 Watts of power most of the time. The HP is much more.
Bob