Question about HP CD subscription ?????

[Darrenrd]

Hi, All
Perhaps someone from HP can explain to me why customers should now pay for a utility that used to be free with Smart Start version 6.4 etc. Currently every new server purchase you receive a foundation pack that contains Smart Start 7.0 and the management CD
Apparently HP took out what used to be a free utility that is need to perform HD firmware update " The ROM utility" and put it on a CD that you have to pay for, that's now part of the maintenance software CD subscription. This approach doesn't seem to be appropriate for HP customers.. Why should we pay for a tool that addresses HP bugs and fixes??

-Darren

[Doug de Werd]

The subscription service is a proactive deal where you automatically get sent the new SmartStart whenever a new one comes out. So I can see why this would be a paid service. All of the individual utilities and drivers are still available for free download.

I believe that the Foundation Pack will be made available as a free ISO download starting with the next revision, probably available in late summer.

Thanks,
Doug

[MC1903 · Accepted solution]

Darren,

I raised this exact same issue with our HP Account Manager back in April and last week I finally got a positive reply.

As of the 2nd August 2004, the ISO download option (P/N: 356574-B21) will be made available free of charge.

The media kit will remain a chargeable option, which is fair enough I think.

Hope this helps.

Martin

[Jonas Back_2]

Thanks for the info that it will be possible to download ISO:s after the summer.

Since there are some utilities that are not possible to download from the HP web - like the Diagnostics Utility and some ROM update utility for RAID-cards I think.

Anyway, that will be all over after the summer then.

[Darrenrd]

Thanks info Martin.. I'm happy to hear that HP is going to have an ISO available for download !!

[MC1903]

The downloads are available now - See http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/management/smartstart/ss-agreement.html

Martin