If you encouter this issue with the HP SmartStart 8.40 CD (unable to connect, http://127.0.0.1:2381), this means that you have plugged in NICs. For some obscure reason HP Insight Diagnostics won’t run if you have active NICs on your system, therefore unplug all network cables from your server and restart the server with your HP SmartStart CD/USB. HP claims that this will be addressed in their next SmartStart release, but you know the thing: better safe than sorry.
Maybe some more blogging this week, meanwhile take care!
Max
P.S. : Yes, I got married this weekend.
P.P.S. : So far, so good!