[JohnnySmith2u]

I need to do a re-install of 5.1 over 5.3. 5.3 on this box is inoperable and the only install media I have is 5.1. So What I want to do is overwrite 5.3 and then patch the system. So far I have been unable to get the machine to boot from the 5.1 install CD-ROM.

Any help you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated. This thing is currently a "boat anchor" and I need it to at least work even if it's at an earlier release than the current oslevel of 5.3.0.0


Thanks
Dave

[cdelgadop]

Hi

What is the type/model of the server you are trying to install ??, Remember you have to update to the latest available microcode in order to install AIX 5L in several types of RS6000/pSeries Servers.

[JohnnySmith2u]

It's a 7044-170 CHRP machine. It appears that it just fails to install because there is 5.3 on it and Im trying to install an earlier version.

Thanks
Dave

[ross.mather]

If its not booting from CD then there is a chance that its not related to the 5.3 on the Hard Disk as it won't look at that till it has booted from the CD.

It could be that the relevant device drivers for your hardware are not available on the CD, and that is why it is not booting.

To help more, what do you mean by not booting? Is there a LED code, or does it handg in the SMS menu?

[JohnnySmith2u]

Thanks for your reply.

On the SMS menu, I changed the boot order from default to boot from CD-ROM 1st. The machine tries to boot but then I get an error message "0c31" and a message that the machine is closing stdin and stdout. Obviously, at that point Im screwed because I have no interface with the machine.

Thanks again for your help.

Dave

[ross.mather]

Well 0c31 is the Console not yet configured error. Do you have a graphics Workstation or console unit attached to the server?

If its a console it may be the console or the cable used to connect it that is causing the problem.

If its a graphics console try seting it to ASCII mod before booting the CD from SMS

It has also been known that a corrupt CD has caused the problem.

Good Luck!

[JohnnySmith2u]

Ross: I used to be an IBM'er as well. Had to quit due to health reasons. I have 4 certs in AIX 4.3 including advanced sys-admin. I just havent touched a RISC box since leaving IBM in 2000. I just ordered AIX 5.3.0.0 install media so I can put this problem to bed once the media arrives, in about 10 days or so.

Thanks for all your help. I'll probably be back on here after my install media comes asking for more help, but maybe it will all go smoothly, one can only hope.

One more BTW, have you heard of the massive layoffs allegedly coming to IBM? See the article here. Cringely has excellent credentials: Digg - I, Cringely - Is IBM about to layoff 100,000 employees in the US?

Thanks for all your help.

dave

[ross.mather]

Hey no problem.

As to the other article, I'll plead the official line of, Call PR :-)

[JAMPAR]

Hi

I ran into this problem last year where our vendor installed 5.1 on an H80 but I needed to have the O/S at 4.3.3 so after re-installing 4.3.3 the server wouldn't so like you I tried everything, but in the end it was simple, since the NVRAM was using 5.1 I had to clear it and only way is shutdown the Server and removed the battery and waited for 20-30min and restarted the Server and booted with 4.3.3 ..


Later
James Parsons

[cdelgadop]

Hi

I remember i had the same problem once and i updated server firmware as well as CDROM device firmware.

However Parsons's last post is quite razonable.

Hope this helps