The never ending quest to upgrade from S11.0 to S11.1

[YTC#1]

Every couple of weeks I find the time to attempt some patching and
upgrading to my laptop, the holy grail being S11.1

Currently

I am hitting this error

---8<
root@ytc-laptop:~# pkg update
Recursing into linked image: zone:ytcJET
Returning from linked image: zone:ytcJET
Packages to remove: 1
Packages to install: 5
Packages to update: 246
Create boot environment: Yes
Create backup boot environment: No

Recursing into linked image: zone:ytcJET
Packages to install: 5
Packages to update: 206
Create boot environment: No
Create backup boot environment: No
Services to change: 4

Returning from linked image: zone:ytcJET
DOWNLOAD PKGS FILES XFER (MB)
Completed 252/252 7694/7694 246.8/246.8

Recursing into linked image: zone:ytcJET
DOWNLOAD PKGS FILES XFER (MB)
Completed 211/211 5453/5453 132.5/132.5

Returning from linked image: zone:ytcJET
pkg: An unexpected error happened during update: Error invoking
/usr/lib/grub2/bios/sbin/grub-mkconfig
--prefix=/rpool/boot/grub/i386-pc: ([Errno 2] No such file or directory)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/pkg", line 5956, in handle_errors
__ret = func(*args, **kwargs)
File "/usr/bin/pkg", line 5939, in main_func
pargs=pargs, **opts)
File "/usr/bin/pkg", line 2323, in update
reject_list=reject_pats, update_index=update_index)
File "/usr/bin/pkg", line 1583, in __api_op
ret_code = __api_execute_plan(_op, _api_inst)
File "/usr/bin/pkg", line 1269, in __api_execute_plan
api_inst.execute_plan()
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/pkg/client/api.py", line
2130, in execute_plan
self.__be_name)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/pkg/client/bootenv.py", line
409, in init_image_recovery
ret, self.be_name_clone, not_used = be.beCopy()
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/libbe.py", line 220, in beCopy
commit(mybc, devlist)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/libbe.py", line 30, in commit
boot_devices=["/dev/rdsk/" + d for d in devlist])
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/bootconfig.py",
line 622, in commit_boot_config
force)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/bootconfig.py",
line 439, in commit_boot_config
self.boot_loader.install(boot_devices, force)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/bootloader.py",
line 739, in install
verbose_file, platdict)
File
"/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/backend/loader/grub2.py",
line 2256, in install
verbose_file, platdict)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/bootloader.py",
line 462, in install
self._write_config(None)
File
"/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/backend/loader/grub2.py",
line 1103, in _write_config
return self._write_config_disk(basepath)
File
"/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/backend/loader/grub2.py",
line 1145, in _write_config_disk
grub_cfg_tuple_list = self._generate_grub_cfg(target, basepath)
File
"/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/backend/loader/grub2.py",
line 1390, in _generate_grub_cfg
self._generate_grub_cfg_file(target, basepath, defs_dict, outfile)
File
"/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/backend/loader/grub2.py",
line 1339, in _generate_grub_cfg_file
self._invoke_grub_mkconfig(target, outfile)
File
"/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/backend/loader/grub2.py",
line 1470, in _invoke_grub_mkconfig
'%s grub.cfg generation' % target, outfile)
File
"/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/bootmgmt/backend/loader/grub2.py",
line 2818, in _execute_cmd
raise BootmgmtConfigWriteError('Error invoking %s' % fullcmd, oserr)
BootmgmtConfigWriteError: Error invoking
/usr/lib/grub2/bios/sbin/grub-mkconfig
--prefix=/rpool/boot/grub/i386-pc: ([Errno 2] No such file or directory)


pkg: This is an internal error in pkg(5) version 5146cc9fddc9. Please
log a Service Request about this issue including the information above
and thi smessage.
---8<


The zone in question is my JumpStart zone, so I would rather not remove
it as I need it on site.

currently I have my publisher set like this

root@ytc-laptop:~# pkg publisher
PUBLISHER TYPE STATUS URI
solaris origin online
file:///net/192.168.0.14/export/repoS11/repo/

This is a repo, patched to SRU13. This has worked against my desktop.
(which also has a zone for JumpStarts)

Current SRU level is
---8<
pkg info entire
Name: entire
Summary: entire incorporation including Support Repository
Update (Oracle Solaris 11 11/11 SRU 8.5).
Description: This package constrains system package versions to the same
build. WARNING: Proper system update and correct package
selection depend on the presence of this incorporation.
Removing this package will result in an unsupported
system. For
more information see
https://support.oracle.com/CSP/main/article
?cmd=show&type=NOT&doctype=REFERENCE&id=1372094.1.
Category: Meta Packages/Incorporations
State: Installed
Publisher: solaris
Version: 0.5.11 (Oracle Solaris 11 SRU 8.5)
Build Release: 5.11
Branch: 0.175.0.8.0.5.0
Packaging Date: June 18, 2012 05:39:55 PM
Size: 5.45 kB
FMRI:
pkg://solaris/ent...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.8.0.5.0:20120618T173955Z
---8<

Is it "fresh" build time yet ??? :-(

[John D Groenveld]

In article <khvis0$vj$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
> Summary: entire incorporation including Support Repository
>Update (Oracle Solaris 11 11/11 SRU 8.5).

You could try updating to S11 SRU 13.4.

# pkg update pkg://solaris/ent...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.13.0.4.0

John
groe...@acm.org

[YTC#1]

That is what I am currently trying to get to :-(

The repo I am pointed at is patched to that, I had the same result
pointing at a mounted file of SRU13 as well.

[John D Groenveld]

In article <khvl0u$dkm$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>On 03/15/13 05:01 PM, John D Groenveld wrote:
>> You could try updating to S11 SRU 13.4.
>>
>> # pkg update pkg://solaris/ent...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.13.0.4.0
>
>That is what I am currently trying to get to :-(

Try being explicit in your pkg(1) invocation.

>The repo I am pointed at is patched to that, I had the same result
>pointing at a mounted file of SRU13 as well.

GRUB2 is new with S11.1.

John
groe...@acm.org

[YTC#1]

On 03/15/13 05:28 PM, John D Groenveld wrote:
> In article <khvl0u$dkm$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>> On 03/15/13 05:01 PM, John D Groenveld wrote:
>>> You could try updating to S11 SRU 13.4.
>>>
>>> # pkg update pkg://solaris/ent...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.13.0.4.0
>>
>> That is what I am currently trying to get to :-(
>
> Try being explicit in your pkg(1) invocation.

Ah, sorry I see what you are getting at

>
>> The repo I am pointed at is patched to that, I had the same result
>> pointing at a mounted file of SRU13 as well.
>
> GRUB2 is new with S11.1.

I know, I need to get there so I can dual boot my laptop with Linux Mint
14 :-)

>
> John
> groe...@acm.org
>

[YTC#1]

On 03/15/13 05:28 PM, John D Groenveld wrote:
> In article <khvl0u$dkm$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>> On 03/15/13 05:01 PM, John D Groenveld wrote:
>>> You could try updating to S11 SRU 13.4.
>>>
>>> # pkg update pkg://solaris/ent...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.13.0.4.0
>>
>> That is what I am currently trying to get to :-(
>
> Try being explicit in your pkg(1) invocation.

No, its just the same.

>
>> The repo I am pointed at is patched to that, I had the same result
>> pointing at a mounted file of SRU13 as well.
>
> GRUB2 is new with S11.1.

So, the question is, why is my S11.0 (SRU8) to S11.0 (SRU13) barfing on
something that should not be there yet ?

>
> John
> groe...@acm.org
>

[YTC#1]

Interestingly, if I try and apply SRU12, I get a different error

---8<

pkg update
Recursing into linked image: zone:ytcJET
Returning from linked image: zone:ytcJET

Creating Plan -
pkg update: No solution was found to satisfy constraints
Plan Creation: Package solver has not found a solution to update to
latest available versions.
This may indicate an overly constrained set of packages are installed.

latest incorporations:


pkg://solaris/consolidation/userland/userland-in...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.4.0:20121002T160549Z
pkg://solaris/ent...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.4.0:20121002T161728Z

pkg://solaris/consolidation/cns/cns-inco...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.10.0.4.0:20120731T142644Z

pkg://solaris/consolidation/osnet/osnet-inc...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.4.1:20121002T155703Z

pkg://solaris/consolidation/install/install-in...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.10.0.4.0:20120731T141438Z

pkg://solaris/consolidation/desktop/desktop-in...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.4.0:20121002T161024Z

pkg://solaris/consolidation/l10n/l10n-inco...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.2.110:20120914T170159Z

pkg://solaris/consolidation/X/X-incor...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.2.1233:20120914T170555Z

pkg://solaris/consolidation/ips/ips-inco...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.11.0.4.0:20120830T143219Z

pkg://solaris/consolidation/desktop/gnome-inc...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.4.0:20121002T161026Z

pkg://solaris/consolidation/sunpro/sunpro-inc...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.11.0.3.0:20120824T162258Z

The following indicates why the system cannot update to the latest version:

No suitable version of required package
pkg://solaris/consolidation/userland/userland-in...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.4.0:20121002T160549Z
found:
Reject:
pkg://solaris/consolidation/userland/userland-in...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.4.0:20121002T160549Z
Reason: All versions matching 'incorporate' dependency
pkg:/web/server/apac...@2.2.22,5.11-0.175.0.10.0.2.0 are rejected
Reject:
pkg://solaris/web/server/apac...@2.2.22,5.11-0.175.0.10.0.2.0:20120716T221431Z
Reason: A version for 'require' dependency on
pkg:/library/apr-util-13/apr-...@1.3.9,5.11-0.175.0.0.0.2.537 cannot be
found
No suitable version of required package
pkg://solaris/consolidation/osnet/osnet-inc...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.4.1:20121002T155703Z
found:
Reject:
pkg://solaris/consolidation/osnet/osnet-inc...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.4.1:20121002T155703Z
Reason: A version for 'incorporate' dependency on
pkg:/system/library/boot-ma...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.12.0.4.1 cannot
be found

---8<

Unlock ?

[John D Groenveld]

In article <khvnp0$ubd$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>So, the question is, why is my S11.0 (SRU8) to S11.0 (SRU13) barfing on
>something that should not be there yet ?

The README for S11 SRU 13.4 notes several CRs for GRUB2, but
the migration to GRUB2 shouldn't happen until you upgrade
to S11.1.

For sanity's sake, copy the S11 SRU 13.4 to your laptop,
mount the image, remove the publishers, add the local publisher,
and update...
# mount -F hsfs full_path_to/sol-11-1111-sruN-bldnum-incr-repo.iso /mnt
# pkg set-publisher -G '*' solaris
# pkg publisher
# pkg set-publisher -g file:///mnt/repo solaris
# pkg update ent...@0.5.11,5.11-0.175.0.13

John
groe...@acm.org

[YTC#1]

Hmm, something is very broken :-(

---8<
pkg change-facet facet.version-lock.system/library/boot-management=false
facet.version-lock.web/server/apache-22=false
facet.version-lock.library/apr-util-13/apr-ldap=false

Recursing into linked image: zone:ytcJET
Returning from linked image: zone:ytcJET

Packages to update: 855
Variants/Facets to change: 3
Create boot environment: No
Create backup boot environment: Yes

pkg: An unexpected error happened during change-facet: Error invoking

/usr/lib/grub2/bios/sbin/grub-mkconfig
--prefix=/rpool/boot/grub/i386-pc: ([Errno 2] No such file or directory)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/pkg", line 5956, in handle_errors
__ret = func(*args, **kwargs)
File "/usr/bin/pkg", line 5939, in main_func
pargs=pargs, **opts)

File "/usr/bin/pkg", line 2222, in change_facet

update_index=update_index)
File "/usr/bin/pkg", line 1583, in __api_op
ret_code = __api_execute_plan(_op, _api_inst)
File "/usr/bin/pkg", line 1269, in __api_execute_plan
api_inst.execute_plan()
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/pkg/client/api.py", line

2113, in execute_plan
be_name=self.__backup_be_name)
File "/usr/lib/python2.6/vendor-packages/pkg/client/bootenv.py", line
376, in create_backup_be
ret, be_name_clone, not_used = be.beCopy()

[YTC#1]

That is what I have been doing.

At some point, somehow, I seem to have managed to obtain an element of
s11.1 as far as I can see

I don't think it should be calling this

/usr/lib/grub2/bios/sbin/grub-mkconfig

[John D Groenveld]

In article <khvq78$bou$2...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>That is what I have been doing.
>
>At some point, somehow, I seem to have managed to obtain an element of
>s11.1 as far as I can see
>
>I don't think it should be calling this
>
>/usr/lib/grub2/bios/sbin/grub-mkconfig

Agreed but I'm working from WAGs and memory, my S11 hosts are
now S11.1.


What are your publishers and what is the MD5 of your S11SRU13.4
image?

# pkg publisher
# openssl md5 /path/to/S11/SRU13.4.iso

John
groe...@acm.org

[YTC#1]

On 03/15/13 07:03 PM, John D Groenveld wrote:
> In article <khvq78$bou$2...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>> That is what I have been doing.
>>
>> At some point, somehow, I seem to have managed to obtain an element of
>> s11.1 as far as I can see
>>
>> I don't think it should be calling this
>>
>> /usr/lib/grub2/bios/sbin/grub-mkconfig
>
> Agreed but I'm working from WAGs and memory, my S11 hosts are
> now S11.1.
>

Lucky you :-)

>
> What are your publishers and what is the MD5 of your S11SRU13.4
> image?

Publishers change all the time as I flip around :-)

pkg publisher
PUBLISHER TYPE STATUS URI

solaris origin online file:///mnt/repo/
solaris origin online
http://pkg.oracle.com/solaris/release/

>
> # pkg publisher
> # openssl md5 /path/to/S11/SRU13.4.iso
>

just had the same issue with SRU12, and SR13 was used on my desktop and
some VMs a few hours agou. Desktop is now upto S11.1

openssl md5 sol-11-1111-sru12-04-incr-repo.iso
MD5(sol-11-1111-sru12-04-incr-repo.iso)= c7f1b9c69c5efd7b541e0ae7d6425571

openssl md5 sol-11-1111-sru13-04-incr-repo.iso
MD5(sol-11-1111-sru13-04-incr-repo.iso)= 8c0a0fc32272c390bbbbb3c4a06e88ac


Giving up for tonight, will look at it again next week.

Thanks for the help so far, but I am thinking something very serious has
gone wrong with the install on my laptop :-(





> John
> groe...@acm.org
>

[John D Groenveld]

In article <khvrom$nhs$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>Publishers change all the time as I flip around :-)
>pkg publisher
>PUBLISHER TYPE STATUS URI
>
>solaris origin online

>http://pkg.oracle.com/solaris/release/

"pkg set-publisher -G '*' solaris" should have removed
that publisher, but ok..
# pkg set-publisher -G http://pkg.oracle.com/solaris/release/ solaris

John
groe...@acm.org

[Ian Collins]

<snip>

> pkg: This is an internal error in pkg(5) version 5146cc9fddc9. Please
> log a Service Request about this issue including the information above
> and thi smessage.
> ---8<
>
>
> The zone in question is my JumpStart zone, so I would rather not remove
> it as I need it on site.

To rule out the zone, halt and detach it. You can always reattach with
a -u later.

--
Ian Collins

[YTC#1]

Ah, good shout.

Will try that next week (had enough of pkg update for this week).

I have had a horrible thought though.

In Feb I bought a new HD for the laptop and had to zfs send the
everything to another box so I could swap HDs and restore.

In between I played with installing S11.1, but decided I had too many
apps etc to reinstall and too little time.

So I booted from DVD, and restored my OS to the new bigger HD.

I may have done this from the S11.1 DVD ...... could this have fubared
something for me ?



--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://blog.maui.co.uk/index.php/ytc/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

[YTC#1]

I re-added it, as without it the pkg update generated another error
related to packages not being available.

I think this system is royally fubared.

But at least it works as is :-)

Maybe I will leave it alone until I need a new one, or am forced to
re-install

[Ian Collins]

YTC#1 wrote:
> On 15/03/13 20:09, Ian Collins wrote:
>> YTC#1 wrote:
>>>
>>> The zone in question is my JumpStart zone, so I would rather not remove
>>> it as I need it on site.
>>
>>
>> To rule out the zone, halt and detach it. You can always reattach with
>> a -u later.
>>
>
> Ah, good shout.
>
> Will try that next week (had enough of pkg update for this week).

I understand your pain, my desktop also barfs when I try to upgrade it
to 11.1. Different problem though:

/usr/lib/grub2/bios/sbin/grub-probe: error: Unable to determine device.

> I have had a horrible thought though.
>
> In Feb I bought a new HD for the laptop and had to zfs send the
> everything to another box so I could swap HDs and restore.
>
> In between I played with installing S11.1, but decided I had too many
> apps etc to reinstall and too little time.
>
> So I booted from DVD, and restored my OS to the new bigger HD.
>
> I may have done this from the S11.1 DVD ...... could this have fubared
> something for me ?

You never know... Did you repartition the disk when you reinstalled?

--
Ian Collins

[John D Groenveld]

In article <ki041m$84m$2...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>I re-added it, as without it the pkg update generated another error
>related to packages not being available.

Remove the release publisher and add the support one:
# pkg set-publisher -G http://pkg.oracle.com/solaris/release/ \
-g https://pkg.oracle.com/solaris/support \
-c /var/pkg/ssl/Oracle_Solaris_11_Support.certificate.pem \
-k /var/pkg/ssl/Oracle_Solaris_11_Support.key.pem \
solaris

John
groe...@acm.org

[YTC#1]

On 16/03/13 00:25, Ian Collins wrote:
> YTC#1 wrote:
>> On 15/03/13 20:09, Ian Collins wrote:
>>> YTC#1 wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The zone in question is my JumpStart zone, so I would rather not remove
>>>> it as I need it on site.
>>>
>>>
>>> To rule out the zone, halt and detach it. You can always reattach with
>>> a -u later.
>>>
>>
>> Ah, good shout.
>>
>> Will try that next week (had enough of pkg update for this week).
>
> I understand your pain, my desktop also barfs when I try to upgrade it
> to 11.1. Different problem though:
>
> /usr/lib/grub2/bios/sbin/grub-probe: error: Unable to determine device.

Interesting, similar path

In mine though
---8<

BootmgmtConfigWriteError: Error invoking
/usr/lib/grub2/bios/sbin/grub-mkconfig
--prefix=/rpool/boot/grub/i386-pc: ([Errno 2] No such file or directory)

---8<

When I look at the system /rpool/boot/grub/i386-pc exists but
/usr/lib/grub2/bios/sbin/grub-mkconfig doesn't, so I assume that is the
issue.

What we need is a "pkg checkmysystemandfixstuffformeplease" command :-)

>
>> I have had a horrible thought though.
>>
>> In Feb I bought a new HD for the laptop and had to zfs send the
>> everything to another box so I could swap HDs and restore.
>>
>> In between I played with installing S11.1, but decided I had too many
>> apps etc to reinstall and too little time.
>>
>> So I booted from DVD, and restored my OS to the new bigger HD.
>>
>> I may have done this from the S11.1 DVD ...... could this have fubared
>> something for me ?
>
> You never know... Did you repartition the disk when you reinstalled?
>

Probably not :-(

[YTC#1]

Will give that a shot next week

[YTC#1]

It was a long shot, but no, exactly the same scenario :-(

---8<

[John D Groenveld]

In article <kic78v$40a$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>It was a long shot, but no, exactly the same scenario :-(

Do you have a previous S11 BE which hasn't been broken with
S11.1 GRUB2 transition bits?

I just booted a VirtualBox S11 FCS image and successfully
updated it to S11 SRU 8.5 and then SRU 13.4.

John
groe...@acm.org

[YTC#1]

On 03/20/13 02:57 PM, John D Groenveld wrote:
> In article <kic78v$40a$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>> It was a long shot, but no, exactly the same scenario :-(
>
> Do you have a previous S11 BE which hasn't been broken with
> S11.1 GRUB2 transition bits?
>

No unfortunately not. I've not managed this bit very well have I :-(

The issue has probably been there a while, I did roll back as far I
thought was needed.

I am learning a harsh lesson :-(

> I just booted a VirtualBox S11 FCS image and successfully
> updated it to S11 SRU 8.5 and then SRU 13.4.
>

I have been using a locally set up repo, patching that and the updating
from there. But I did not try and update my laptop between 8.5 and 12,
unlike my desktop.

Somewhere along the way something has broken, and as I said earlier I
can only point it at when I restored my data to the new larger HD.

A rebuild (with S11.1) is in the pipeline, I just need to work out what
I desperately need to get off the laptop, and when I can do it. Work
wise I am solid for the next 4 weeks and need the laptop.

[John D Groenveld]

In article <kiclc5$o9l$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>I have been using a locally set up repo, patching that and the updating
>from there. But I did not try and update my laptop between 8.5 and 12,
>unlike my desktop.
>
>Somewhere along the way something has broken, and as I said earlier I
>can only point it at when I restored my data to the new larger HD.
>
>A rebuild (with S11.1) is in the pipeline, I just need to work out what
>I desperately need to get off the laptop, and when I can do it. Work
>wise I am solid for the next 4 weeks and need the laptop.

I'm thoroughly baffled how the pkg and BE machinery allowed you
to create a franken-S11SRU8.5 entire with some, but not all of the
S11.1 transition bits that came in a later S11 SRU.
I tried mightily to reproduce and could not.

I think the rebuild is your best option.
Install S11.1 to an external USB drive, update to S11.1 SRU 5.5
and then recover your bits on the laptop internal drive.

John
groe...@acm.org

[YTC#1]

On 03/20/13 02:57 PM, John D Groenveld wrote:

> In article <kic78v$40a$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>> It was a long shot, but no, exactly the same scenario :-(
>
> Do you have a previous S11 BE which hasn't been broken with
> S11.1 GRUB2 transition bits?

It turns out I still had a pre-update BE

Things went slightly differently

---8<
Oracle may contact you to ask if you had a satisfactory experience
installing and using this OTN software download.



WARNING: The boot environment being modified is not the active one. Changes
made in the active BE will not be reflected on the next boot.

Packages to remove: 5
Packages to install: 56
Packages to update: 766
Mediators to change: 3

Create boot environment: Yes
Create backup boot environment: No

DOWNLOAD PKGS FILES XFER (MB)

Completed 827/827 37911/37911 886.0/886.0

PHASE ACTIONS
Removal Phase 9921/9921
Install Phase 23047/23047
Update Phase 27676/27676

PHASE ITEMS
Package State Update Phase 1591/1591
Package Cache Update Phase 770/770
Image State Update Phase 2/2
pkg: '/sbin/bootadm update-archive -R /tmp/tmp_fJBci' failed.
with a return code of 1.
installgrub failed for device /dev/rdsk/c4t0d0s0: Return code 1
Output was:
cannot read stage1 file /tmp/tmp_fJBci/boot/grub/stage1
Error opening /tmp/tmp_fJBci/boot/grub/stage1

pkg: unable to activate solaris-2-backup-2

The following unexpected or editable files and directories were
salvaged while executing the requested package operation; they
have been moved to the displayed location in the image:

var/crash -> /tmp/tmp_fJBci/var/pkg/lost+found/var/crash-20130320T230135Z
var/statmon ->
/tmp/tmp_fJBci/var/pkg/lost+found/var/statmon-20130320T230135Z

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Please review release notes posted at:

https://support.oracle.com/CSP/main/article?cmd=show&type=NOT&doctype=REFERENCE&id=1372094.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---8<

[YTC#1]

On 03/20/13 05:25 PM, John D Groenveld wrote:
> In article <kiclc5$o9l$1...@dont-email.me>, YTC#1 <b...@ytc1-spambin.co.uk> wrote:
>> I have been using a locally set up repo, patching that and the updating
>>from there. But I did not try and update my laptop between 8.5 and 12,
>> unlike my desktop.
>>
>> Somewhere along the way something has broken, and as I said earlier I
>> can only point it at when I restored my data to the new larger HD.
>>
>> A rebuild (with S11.1) is in the pipeline, I just need to work out what
>> I desperately need to get off the laptop, and when I can do it. Work
>> wise I am solid for the next 4 weeks and need the laptop.
>
> I'm thoroughly baffled how the pkg and BE machinery allowed you
> to create a franken-S11SRU8.5 entire with some, but not all of the

That makes 2 of us, but if there is one thing in life I have been good
at it is breaking systems :-)

> S11.1 transition bits that came in a later S11 SRU.
> I tried mightily to reproduce and could not.
>
> I think the rebuild is your best option.
> Install S11.1 to an external USB drive, update to S11.1 SRU 5.5
> and then recover your bits on the laptop internal drive.

In the world of "I can't win", I bought a new 500Gb external dive today,
and it keeps failing (io errors, drops off the system and upsets ZFS).
Back to the shop tomorrow.

>

[John D Groenveld]

# zpool status
# beadm list
# bootadm list-menu
# pkg info entire | grep Version
# pkg publisher

John
groe...@acm.org

[YTC#1]

Its just stuffed, I am backing up now (by using the S11.1 live DVD). I
have had multiple USB drive failures but they don't happen when using
the dvd.