What to do when Envox (openvms) won't boot because diskspace is at 0 blocks

[Alosi, Tim [EPMR002/NEC]]

In Some cases on the system disk (usually) disk space may become totally full due to errors or report files etc.   When this happens the machine may not be able to boot because of insufficient disk space.  Therefore it will be necessary to boot from CDRom or from a standalone backup or boot minimum.

 

Here are some procedures for correcting the problem.

 

Booting OpenVMS minimum to clear disk space

 

1. To get to the >>> prompt, hit the reset button after the Alpha fails to start.
2. From the >>> prompt enter
1. >>>> BOOT –FLAGS 0,1
3. From the SYSBOOT> prompt, enter the following to start the system without running startup files (systartup_vms.com)
1. SYSBOOT> SET STARTUP_P1 “MIN”
2. SYSBOOT> CONTINUE
4. Log into the system account and purge old files to get free space, and then shutdown the system.  Press the reset button to get to the >>>>
5. Type the following commands to ensure that the Alpha boots normally
1. >>>> SET STARTUP_P1 “”
2. >>>> BOOT –FLAGS 0,1
3. SYSBOOT> SET STARTUP_P1 “”
4. SYSBOOT> CONTINUE
6. Confirm that normal boot can take place.  Shutdown the Alpha again and halt it to get to the >>> prompt.  At the prompt confirm a normal boot will work
1. >>>> B

 

 

Alpha Booting from CD Rom when autoboot enabled

The Alpha may be set for autoboot on power up when you cycle power, it will then be necessary to halt the boot.  When you see the system check count down end, you should hit (alt F2 or the reset button on front)  this will give you a boot chevron (>>>)

 

CD Rom boot method:

 

1. Put the VMS binaries CD in the drive

 

2. >>> boot –flags 0,0 dka400        

 

(where dka400 is the cdrom drive. Find out by doing a >>>show dev what device names are)

 

This will then boot a minimal VMS system that will allow you to purge files.

 

3. At the menu select item 4  DCL

 

4. When a dollar prompt appears (DCL language) perform the following:

 

$mount/over=id DKA0:   (this is if your system disk is DKA0, could be  DKA300)

$mount/over=id DKA100:    (This may be the users disk?)

$show device d                     (this will show you the volume name)

$set def DKA0:[000000]      (This sets the default directory to the root system dir)

$dir                                                                 (to see directory listing)

$purge […]*.*            (this purges all subdirectories, all files leaving latest file only)

$do another $show device d      (to see disk free sace (blocks divided by 2 = MB)

 

When done  log off

 

5. Type $LO   to logout of

 

6.Select shutdown system  to reboot regular method.

 

 

Timothy Alosi | Vice President - Engineering Services

New England Controls | 9 Oxford Road | Mansfield | MA | 02048 | USA

T +1 508 339 5522 | M +1 617 901 7217 | F +1 508 339 9144

Tim....@NewEnglandControls.com