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Convert SS4200-EHW to SS4200-E

Page history last edited by CyberLeo 14 years, 9 months ago

SS4200-EHW is a "hardware only" version of SS4200-E and requires the end user to install their own server software (usually, Windows Home Server), and it retails for much less than the SS4200-E. However, it is possible to inexpensively convert SS4200-EHW to SS4200-E.

 

Requirements

To perform the conversion, you will need:

  • USB memory stick 256 Mb or larger (temporarily, to run the installer program from)
  • Windows computer to run the installer software
  • Flash storage device with IDE interface (256 Mb or larger). For instance, it can be a CompactFlash adapter like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822998002 with an inserted CompactFlash card. Note that it must have a male IDE connector; most direct insertion adapters will not work as they are usually way too tall to fit in SS4200 case. However, 90-degree direct insertion adapters with female connectors, like the one pictured on the right, will work, but then you have to ensure they are oriented the right way before purchasing. Or, you can buy a ready-made DOM like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-IDE-Flash-Module-Vertical/dp/B00138NFBE/
  • 80-wire IDE cable (unless you're using a direct insertion adapter)
  • Power cable for the flash storage device (usually it would be male Molex to floppy drive power connector, like the one pictured)

 

Steps to perform

  1. Connect the flash storage device using a 80-wire IDE cable to the blue header on the motherboard and affix it to the bottom of the case using double-sided tape or some other means.
  2. Connect the flash storage device to power using the appropriate cable
  3. Download the EMC NAS Software from Intel website using the following link: http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/ss4200-e/sb/cs-029094.htm
  4. Unzip the archive and carefully read the instructions
  5. Format the USB stick using FAT32 filesystem. This is important, the installer will not work properly with FAT16 or NTFS.
  6. Follow the installation instructions supplied with the downloaded software.

 

Comments (19)

Cjell said

at 9:41 pm on Jun 6, 2009

I want to convert a Scaleo HS to SS4200-E. The Scaleo HS comes with an 256MB IDE Storage Dongle. The Dongle contains an Recovery System (Linux - MW NT?). Can i format the dongle an go on with step 2. till 6.? Does it work? If i press the reset and ON/OFF button now on my Scaleo it boot up from the IDE Dongle-System.

Wesha said

at 1:27 am on Jun 7, 2009

I don't see why not; the dongle is just a fancy packed flash device like the one I'm described.

Dave Hansen said

at 11:52 am on Oct 4, 2009

What kind of speeds are you getting from the IDE port? I'm starting to suspect that the chipset just can't do DMA, at least to the DOM port. I seem to only be able to get 2-3MB/s. That's perhaps why the Intel software copies itself to a ramdisk.

Wesha said

at 11:55 am on Oct 4, 2009

So slow I didn't even bother to measure. FreeNAS also does the RAM disk trick. But, it's the flash card problem, not the blue IDE port problem -- a friend uses an IDE HDD and gets decent speeds.

Incubant said

at 7:20 pm on Nov 29, 2009

I have a 256MB CF Card with the compactFlash Adapter just like the one in the article, i installed the update on an 4GB USB Stick and started the update with the reset button explained in the intel update pdf. After releasing the reset, the update procedur starts and runs for more than two hours without shutting down automatically. When i shutdown the NAS Manualy and check the data on the DompactFlash, there is no data on the storage card.

Can someone mention what i have done wrong or what i have to change in the procedure.

Wesha said

at 10:27 pm on Nov 29, 2009

It shouldn't take that long, it only takes a few minutes. I wonder if something is wrong with your CF card.
1) since it's 256MB, it's pretty old. Are you sure it's still functional? Run a full surface test on it -- maybe it has bad blocks.
2) The manual says 256 MB is needed, but I actually used a 512MB card since it's the smallest one I have. Try it with a larger card?

Incubant said

at 10:35 pm on Nov 29, 2009

Thanks Wesha for the quick answer. Its true, the flash card is very very old and was used for my very very old first digital camera. The flash cards behaves very strange too, because, when i put the card into my computer after i try to install the update, the computer cant read any data from the card and wants to reset the compact flash?!? is this behavior normal? Tomorrow i can get a new compactflash with 1Gb storage and industrial grade, so i will retry the routine.
Thanks again, i will repost tomorrow in the evening.

Wesha said

at 10:44 pm on Nov 29, 2009

"the computer cant read any data from the card" -- definitely not normal. Try a different card.

(account deleted) said

at 7:15 pm on Jan 30, 2010

How involved is it to use a standard IDE HDD instead of a flash w/ IDE? Should this be formatted FAT32 as well or should it be without a partition?

Pascal Bouwman said

at 5:59 am on Feb 19, 2010

I'm not able to get this fixed.

I've bought a Transcend 2GB DOM.
I've downloaded the EMC NAS software via the link as mentioned here above.
Installed the DOM (it is vissible in the BIOS set up).
Plugged in the USB device on which I installed the EMC NAS software.
Everything look allright.
I see a "SLAX" start up screen (I've plugged in a PCI-E video card).
Than the machine powers down.
When I start the NAS backup nothing happens.
If I check the DOM there is no data on it.
The DOM is working fine when I plug it in another computer and it is formatted in FAT32.

Can anybody please help me out?

Pascal Bouwman said

at 6:03 am on Feb 19, 2010

Additional INFO:
The NAS has previously worked with WHS.
But I don't think this could be the problem (or am I wrong?)

Wesha said

at 6:11 am on Feb 19, 2010

Try disconnecting all the hard drives (except for DOM) before performing the steps above.

Pascal Bouwman said

at 6:37 am on Feb 19, 2010

There are no hard disk connected (other than the DOM).

Pascal Bouwman said

at 3:57 am on Feb 20, 2010

Can anybody please help me!

I'm really stuck, I've tried the entire cyclus over and over again and have done everything just as mentioned in the discription.

Is there perhaps somebody who has made an image or copy of its own DOM and is able (and willing) to send this to me?

James Weber said

at 11:13 pm on Apr 23, 2010

I also had just notice that "http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15845/eng/EmcImager-1.1.1-1.0.8.29352.zip" is no longer available. How can I restore the software without it?

Doug Cowan said

at 12:40 am on Apr 27, 2010

I have also noticed that http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15845/eng/EmcImager-1.1.1-1.0.8.29352.zip is not there. I can find http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2910&DwnldID=16310&lang=eng which perhaps can be used. Anyone tell me how I could you that or give an idea of how to proceed ?

James Weber said

at 1:26 am on Apr 27, 2010

I don't know how that one could be used. It is only the firmware file for the latest version. If someone had a copy of the EmcImager file that would be great, but maybe someone else can tell us how to use just the latest firmware file to image a blank DOM.

Maurice said

at 4:52 am on Sep 13, 2010

The file is available from a few individuals.
Look here:
http://groups.google.com/group/ss4200/browse_thread/thread/5e05393c5760f144

Scroll down and as of today there are at least 2 valid DL links..

Maurice said

at 4:53 am on Sep 13, 2010

If anyone needs 8GB DOM, I sell the Apacer modules for $60

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