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WHS Server Recovery / Factory Reset Screw Up! RRS feed

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    I've searched the forum and the internet and couldn't find an answer to my problem...so please forgive me if it has been addressed before.

    I set up my HP Mediasmart Server X475 and connected two HP laptops and a Linksys media connector.  Everything worked fine for about 2 days.  one of my laptops (one with "first" server and media connector software installed) started getting kicked off the network every 15 minutes or so (IP conflict).  Then, all of a sudden I could no longer log into the server and it would give me the following error message:

    "This computer cannot connect to your home server. Check your network connection and make sure your home server is powered on. If your home server has recently restarted, try again in a few minutes."

    Being a true amature at this, I figured I had installed something wrong (or just forgot my password) and figured I'd just start from scratch since I hadn't actually put anything on to my server yet (nothing to lose!).  Well, I followed the instructions for the WHS Server Recovery, uninstalling both the HP Mediasmart Server and Windows Home Server Connector from my laptop.  I then powered off the server and pressed the reset button once it started up and the status light was blinking blue/red.

    When I hit "next" on my laptop, the software started looking for the server and of course gave me the essentially same message as before (couldn't find the server).  Now the status light is a permanent red.  In complete despiration, I then tried reinstalling the original server software.  Still, same error that the server can't be found.

    Funny thing is, when I restart the server and let it start without hitting the reset, I can then see the server on the network.  That is, I can use explorer (logging in to the connector software when prompted) and look at all the files, etc.  But when I try to log into the Server Console, no luck...it gives me the original error message that started the whole problem:

    "This computer cannot connect to your home server. Check your network connection and make sure your home server is powered on. If your home server has recently restarted, try again in a few minutes."

    Please please help.  how can I reset my server?  I don't care about any of the data on it as it is still essentially a blank slate.

    Thank you.

     

    Monday, September 14, 2009 10:40 AM

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    There is a procedure given in the manual for your home server, which involves the delivered disk and perform a server recovery or factory reset.
    Before you start this, you should remove the Connector software from the client you are using for this.

    An IP conflict means, another system got the same address - not sure why, but could be caused by too short leasing expiration times for DHCP addresses configured in the router. Maybe your WHS has a different address now. Try to run discovery.exe on the client in C:\Program Files\Windows Home Server to reestablish the connection.

    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    Monday, September 14, 2009 9:21 PM
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    I followed the manual.  deleted connector software, etc.  Problem was when I restarted the server and depressed the reset button as directed, the server could not be found to finish the factory reset

    I can see the server using windows explorer...i can navigate the directories.  but i cannot execute any of the files (e.g., discovery, setup, etc) that reside on the server and when i run the factory reset software or the install software, it cannot find the server.
    Saturday, September 26, 2009 7:20 AM
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    Both the factory reset and reinstalling the server require, that you push a button on the server with a paperclip at powerup according to this description.
    This starts the server in a special mode, in which you will not be able to access any shared folders any more, but the installation software should be able to find it.
    (Given both the installing client and the server are attached to the same subnet.)
    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    Saturday, September 26, 2009 8:18 AM
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    I've done that.  When I hit the reset button, the software gives me the error:  "No Server Found.  Click help..."

    If I restart without hitting the reset button, then I can see it on the network.

    I've reset the modem, wireless adapter, then the server...always get the "no server found" error.
    Saturday, September 26, 2009 8:30 AM
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    Does the Health indicator light blink purple and red repeating, as stated in the mentioned link?
    You also can try to connect both (PC and Server) to a switch without Internet connection and reboot them before going on or disconnect the router from the Internet or use a cross link cable between PC and server directly.
    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    Saturday, September 26, 2009 9:09 AM
    Moderator