Getting /etc/init cannot exec error. No emergency boot media.

[unixfox]

Alright, I have a customer who has an old HP Netserver with a HP
NetRaid 3m controller that uses the amird driver. It has (2) 4 Gb
drives and a spare in a Raid 1 config. It's running SCO 5.04 (not sure
of the patches) but when it boots I get the /etc/init cannot exec
error. I can reload the O/S from scratch because I have good verified
data on tapes. So...

I boot from the original floppy and load the amird driver using the
defbootstr link="amird" at Boot. Once there it checks the CD media and
seems to load until it gets to the screen saying:

Checking system state and loading installation files.
Please wait....

That's where it ends. My question is, is there a way to do an fsck and
to mount the cd drive and the hard drive and then try reloading the /
etc/init file without having emergency boot floppies or CD?

Thanks in advance!

[Pat Welch]

I'm not sure "amird" was part of the default boot drivers in 5.0.4.

Unless you forgot to mention putting in a floppy with the BTLD for
amird, you need to find the Compaq/HP EFS BTLD that has the amird driver
for 5.0.4 and load that when prompted.

The oldest EFS I have a copy of is from 1/2003 and is for 5.0.5 and
5.0.6, but might work under 5.0.4. It's EFS 5.56. Let me know if you
need me to send you a copy.

If you do have the right BTLD, then here's how to get to a command shell
using the installation media:

This is from TA#105094:

Once you get past identifying the installation media device, and are at
the point where you are asked for the keyboard type, press the <F8> key.
Go to the Shell escape.

In order to access the root filesystem you will have to re-create the
device node:

# mknod /dev/root b 1 42

To run a filesystem check on the root filesystem:

# fsck -o full /dev/root

To mount the root filesystem:

# mount /dev/root /mnt

Be sure to umount /mnt, then just type exit at a prompt to return to the
installation screen.

I just replaced the last of my Netserver machines still in the field
with an HP ML-350 g5. The Netservers were well built for their era, but
nothing lasts forever.

Good luck.

--
----------------------------------------------------
Pat Welch, UBB Computer Services, a WCS Affiliate
SCO Authorized Partner
Microlite BackupEdge Certified Reseller
Unix/Linux/Windows/Hardware Sales/Support
(209) 745-1401 Cell: (209) 251-9120
E-mail: pat...@inreach.com
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