HP 9000 rp3440 cannot start.

[LuisFSalas]

Hello,

Thank you so much to everybody belonging to this community. I have found really interesting things. Now I write here because I have a problem and I cannot continue solving it.

I have a really old HP-9000 rp3440 server that was broken and I had to replace many hardware. I replaced these items:

- Motherboard 52JAPE4509005139

- HP A7231-66520 SCSI Backplane Board 

- HD SCSI motherboard.

- 4 Gb DDR2 266

Now I can switch on server but it cannot boot from SCSI HD. I used the console to look for message but I have these messages:

MP login: Admin
MP password: *****

Hewlett-Packard Integrated Lights-Out HP Integrity and HP 9000

(c) Copyright Hewlett-Packard Company 1999-2006. All Rights Reserved.

MP Host Name: omn01console

Revision E.03.30

*************************************************************************
MP ACCESS IS NOT SECURE
Default MP users are currently configured and remote acce
Modify default users passwords or delete default users (see UC command)
OR
Disable all types of remote access (see SA command)
*************************************************************************

*************************************************************************
Your Certificate is expired.
Use the SO command to generate a new certificate.
******************************************************************

MP MAIN MENU:

CO: Console
VFP: Virtual Front Panel
CM: Command Menu
CL: Console Log
SL: Show Event Logs
CSP: Connect to Service Processor
SE: Enter OS Session
HE: Main Help Menu
X: Exit Connection

[omn01console] MP> co

(Use Ctrl-B to return to MP main menu.)

- - - - - - - - - - Prior Console Output - - - - - - - - - -
Attempting to load Support Tape using the command
HPUX (;0):SRECOVERY

Utility file header inconsistent: Bad system ID.

ISL> HPUX (;0):SRECOVERY

Utility file header inconsistent: Bad system ID.

ISL>
- - - - - - - - - - - - Live Console - - - - - - - - - - - -

MP MAIN MENU:

CO: Console
VFP: Virtual
CM: Command Menu
CL: Console Log
SL: Show Event Logs
CSP: Connect to Service Processor
SE: Enter OS Session
HE: Main Help Menu
X: Exit Connection

[omn01console] MP> cm

(Use Ctrl-B to return to MP main menu.)

[omn01console] MP:CM> help

HE

==== MP Help: Main Menu =======================================================

Hardware Revision a5 Firmware Revision E.03.30 Oct 27 2006,13:43:15

Integrated Lights-Out for HP Integrity and HP 9000 - Management Processor (MP)

MP Help System

Use Ctrl-B to exit MP command interface and return to the main MP menu.

Enter a command at the help prompt:
OVerview : Launch the help overview
LIst : Show the list of MP Command Menu commands
<COMMAND> : Enter the command name for help on individual command
TOPics : Show all MP Help topics and commands
HElp : Display this screen
Q : Quit help

====
MP:HE>

---------------------------------------------------

Please, can someone help me to try to restore server?. I have the old HD and I think it is ok. I just need to configure server to boot up from it.

Thank you so much in advance.

My best regards,

Luis.

[Torsten.]

>> Attempting to load Support Tape using the command
HPUX (;0):SRECOVERY

Server is trying to boot from tape.

Stop boot process and boot manually from disk.

[LuisFSalas]

Hello Torsten,

Thank you so much for you info and for helping me!. You are quite kind.

I could see that Server try to start from tape but to be honest, I am not expertise in these area, so I don't know how to stop the process and to try start from HD.

I use the console command (hyperterminal) and it looks to be "locked". I press Ctrl-B or any other and nothing happen. Also I have the Tape unit connected with a backup of the system and nothing happen....

Please, may you indicate me how to stop the process and how to try start-up from HD placed in scsi socket 2?

Thabk you so much again!!!

Luis.

[Torsten.]

From this prompt

ISL>

type

sea bo

(search boot devices)

then select one of them, let's say

ISL> bo P1

(boot path 1)

[LuisFSalas]

Hello again!!!

Thank you so much for your quick reply. I am going to do it and I will post agan tomorrow morning. The main problem is that when I start server autpomatically try to start from tape and it remain there (i cannot write anything). When I press Ctrl-B I go to the main menu and I can select only the commands:

MP MAIN MENU:

CO: Console
VFP: Virtual Front Panel
CM: Command Menu
CL: Console Log
SL: Show Event Logs
CSP: Connect to Service Processor
SE: Enter OS Session
HE: Main Help Menu
X: Exit Connection

If I press "co" then again try to strat from tape and I cannot write.

Shall I go to "CM" option to try your suggestion?. (sea bo)

Thank you again!!!

Luis.

[Torsten.]

Type "co" to get the console.

There you should see the ISL> prompt after boot from tape has failed.

[Torsten.]

Sorry, this was not correct.

From MP type "co" then CTRL+e followed by c f to get write access for console.

You will see something like this:

Duplex Console IO Dependent Code (IODC) revision 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Copyright 1995-2000, Hewlett-Packard Company, All rights reserved
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor Speed State CoProcessor State Cache Size
Number State Inst Data
--------- -------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------
0 440 MHz Active Functional 512 KB 1 MB
1 440 MHz Idle Functional 512 KB 1 MB
2 440 MHz Idle Functional 512 KB 1 MB
3 440 MHz Idle Functional 512 KB 1 MB

Central Bus Speed (in MHz) : 82
Available Memory : 2097152 KB
Good Memory Required : 11588 KB

Primary boot path: 0/0/1/1.2
Alternate boot path: 0/0/2/0.2
Console path: 0/0/4/0.0
Keyboard path: 0/0/4/0.0

Processor is booting from the first available device.

To discontinue, press any key within 10 seconds.

Press any key now!

Type

Main Menu: Enter command or menu > sea

Main Menu: Enter command or menu > sea ipl

Searching for device(s) with bootable media
This may take several minutes.

To discontinue search, press any key (termination may not be immediate).

IODC
Path# Device Path (dec) Device Path (mnem) Device Type and Utilities Rev
----- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------------- ----

P0 0/0/2/0.0 ide.0 Random access media 1

IPL
P1 0/1/1/0.0 intscsia.0 Random access media 1

IPL
P2 0/1/1/1.2 intscsib.2 Random access media 1

IPL
P2 intscsib.2 Random access media 1

P1 and P2 are the internal disks in this example.

Type "bo P1" or P2 now.

[LuisFSalas]

Hello 
Torsten again.

I have done one step thanks to you. Now I have this error message:

- - - - - - - - - - - - Live Console - - - - - - - - - - - -

Firmware Version 46.34

Duplex Console IO Dependent Code (IODC) revision 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Copyright 1995-2004, Hewlett-Packard Company, All rights reserved
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor Speed State CoProcessor State Cache Size
Number State Inst Data
--------- -------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------
0 1000 MHz Active Functional 67108864 67108
864
1 1000 MHz Idle Functional 67108864 67108
864

Central Bus Speed (in MHz) :
Available Memory : 4194304 KB
Good Memory Required : Not initialized. Defaults to 32 MB.

Primary boot path: 0/1/1/0.0
Alternate boot path: 0/0/2/0.3
Console path: 0/7/1/1.0
Keyboard path: 0/0/4/0.0

Processor is booting from the first available device.

To discontinue, press any key within 10 seconds.

10 seconds expired.
Proceeding...

Trying Primary Boot Path
------------------------
Booting...
Not a valid boot device (DEV CLASS ERR).
.... FAILED.

Trying Alternate Boot Path
--------------------------
Booting...
Failed to initialize with ENTRY_INIT Status = -7

fffffff9 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
454e4841 0 0 454e4841
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
.... FAILED.

Trying Default Boot Path(s)
--------------------------
Booting...
Not a valid boot device (DEV CLASS ERR).
.... FAILED.

Booting...
Failed to initialize with ENTRY_INIT Status = -7

fffffff9 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
454e4841
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
.... FAILED.

Terminating selection process.
No boot device found.

---- Main Menu ---------------------------------------------------------------

Command Description
------- -----------
BOot [PRI|ALT|<path>] Boot from specified path
PAth [PRI|ALT] [<path>] Display or modify a path
SEArch [DIsplay|IPL] [<path>] Search for boot devices

COnfiguration menu Displays or
INformation menu Displays hardware information
SERvice menu Displays service commands

DIsplay Redisplay the current menu
HElp [<menu>|<command>] Display help for menu or command
RESET Restart the system
----
Main Menu: Enter command or menu > sea bo

ERROR: Unknown device

Search Table has been cleared

Main Menu: Enter command or menu > sea

Searching for potential boot device(s)
This may take several minutes.

To discontinue search, press any key (termination may not be immediate).

IODC
Path# Device Path (dec) Device Path (mnem) Device Type Rev
----- ----------------- ------------------ ----------- ----
P0 0/0/2/0.0 ide.0 Random access media 1

P1 0/1/1/1.2 intscsib.2 Random access media 1

P2 0/3/1/0.3 Sequential access media 3

Main Menu: Enter command or menu > bo p1
Interact with IPL (Y, N, or Cancel)?> n

Booting...
Boot IO Dependent Code (IODC) revision 1

HARD Booted.

ISL Revision A.00.43 Apr 12, 2000

ISL booting hpux

Boot
: disk(0/1/1/1.2.0.0.0.0.0;0)/stand/vmunix
Exec failed: Exec format error

ISL>

As you can see, now the error is an Exec failed. Does it means that HD is damaged?. Must I try some commands here?.

I have the option to restore a backup from a Tape... Do you klnow the commands to do it?.

My best regards,

Luis.

[Torsten.]

P2 is the tape

P2 0/3/1/0.3 Sequential access media 3

try to boot from ("bo P2").

[LuisFSalas]

Hello Torsten, how are you?.

Finally, following your indications and extra verifications, I have found more hardware problems. I identified that hard disk was damaged, so I used other HD and swapped the motherboard (hard disk motherboard). Now server rp3440 identify HD and it can be acceded. The problem now looks to software. After to try to boot up from P1 device I have these messages:

Information Menu: Enter command > bin

BOOT INFORMATION

Processor Boot ID
--------- -------
0 2
1 2

Autoboot: ON
Autosearch: ON
Autostart: OFF
Fastboot: OFF

Primary boot path: intscsib.
0/1/1/1.2
0/01/01/01.2 (hex)
Alternate boot path: ide.3
0/0/2/0.3
0/0/02/0.3 (hex)
Console path: 0/7/1/1.0
0/07/01/01.0 (hex)
Keyboard path: 0/0/4/0.0
0/0/04/0.0 (hex)

LAN Station Address: 001635-7370d4 (BOOT LAN: 0/1/2/0)

Fri Sep 10 08:54:53 GMT 2021 (20:21:09:10:08:54:53)

Information Menu: Enter command > ls

---- Information Menu --------------------------------------------------------

Command Description
------- -----------
ALL Display all system information
BootINfo Display boot-related information
CAche Display cache information
ChipRevisions Display revisions of major VLSI
COprocessor Display coprocess
FwrVersion Display firmware version
IO Display I/O interface information
LanAddress Display Core LAN station address
MEmory Display memory information
PRocessor Display processor information
WArnings Display selftest warning messages
IORevisions Display IO/Memory Chip revision info

BOot [PRI|ALT|<path>] Boot from specified path
DIsplay Redisplay the current menu
HElp [<command>] Display help for specified command
RESET Restart the system
MAin Return to Main Menu
----
Information Menu: Enter command > bo pri
Interact with IPL (Y, N, or Cancel)?> n

Booting...
Boot IO Dependent Code (IODC) revision 1

IPL error: bad LIF magic.
.... FAILED.

---- Main Menu ---------------------------------------------------------------

Command Description
------- -----------
BOot [PRI|ALT|<path>] Boot from specified path
PAth [PRI|ALT] [<path>] Display or modify a path
SEArch [DIsplay|IPL] [<path>] Search for boot devices

COnfiguration menu Displays or sets boot values
INformation menu Displays hardware information
SERvice menu Displays service commands

DIsplay Redisplay the current menu
HElp [<menu>|<command>] Display help for menu or command
RESET Restart the system
----
Main Menu: Enter command or menu >

As you can see, the last error was:

Booting...
Boot IO Dependent Code (IODC) revision 1

IPL error: bad LIF magic.
.... FAILED.

What is "bad LIF magic" error?. Can I solve it with some verification or commands?.

Thank you so much in advance.

Luis.

[LuisFSalas]

Hello Torsten again.

I read other message from you in other part of this community saying:

"Re: IPL error: bad LIF magic

Looks like the LIF area of the boot disk is bad and the system can't find another disk to boot.

If the disks are mirrored, try the secondary.

If not, try to repair the boot area of the disks (using the recovery shell on the install DVD)."

I can see the steps to solve this.... the problem is that I have not the installing DVD. It is quite old and administrator of the company in that moment is not anymore here, so I cannot access it. Also, this server has only one (1) HD, so there is not any mirrored disk.

Do you know if I can download this DVD from anywhere?.

Thanks in advance.

Luis.

[LuisFSalas]

Hello again.

Finally I have solved the problem after to replace a lot of hardware.

Fortunatelly I could restore a back-up from the tape thanks to your instructions. Now HP UX-11 is running and server looks to be ok.

My problem now is to access to this server using Hummingbird Exceed. I can connet just with a single session just typing:

xterm&

Then a new window open and I have a terminal screen. My problem is that I need to open a Windows view, as UNIX, with the four desktop in the bottom and the clasic UNIX Windows view.

Please, can you indicate me how to configure this link using Exceed?.

Thank you so much in advance!!

Luis.

[LuisFSalas]

Hello Torsten,

Thank you so much for all your great help and interest.

Finally I could solve the problem with the server. I had many hardware broken, so after to replace almost full elements I could restart the HP UX-11 using the tape (back up) that I had. Now server is not working 100% but UNIX works and I can continue with the rest of the problems (software).

I just want to thank you your great help.

My best regards,

Luis.

[Torsten.]

You are welcome.

For xwindows access, try mobaxterm.

[LuisFSalas]

Hello Torsten,

Thank you for your suggestion. I know MobaXterm but the problen is not in the software of the client. I have read the handbook of Exceed and I know how it works (not in deepth but enought). The problem is UNIX. I think that server has a problem with X windows. I have also downloaded other handbook about X Window and I am trying to configure it.

I will write more next week if I can advance in it.

My best regards.

Luis.

[LuisFSalas]

Hello Torsten, how are you?.

I write you again because I have advanced a little bit but I am still unable to solve the problem.

Just to sumarice, I hava a HP rp3440 server with only one HD. I could repair the server after to replace motherboard, HD, SCSI, and a long etc. of hardware. Now server works ok and my problem is to restore the software.

I have a tape with a backup copy but, unfortunatelly, it is corrupted. I made the backup in 2009 and it is too old.

Now, when I try to restore the system, in some poit I have error coming from the tape, so I have to continue with errors.

* Loading configuration utility...
* Beginning installation from source: /dev/rmt/c4t3d0BEST
======= 08/04/22 13:26:15 EDT Starting system configuration...
* Configure_Disks: Begin
* Mapping LUN Instance Data
* Will install B.11.11 onto this system.
* Using LVM for disk 0/1/1/0.0.0 (c2t0d0), group: vg00
* Creating LVM physical volume "/dev/rdsk/c2t0d0" (0/1/1/0.0.0).
* Creating volume group "vg00".
* Creating logical volume "vg00/lvol1" (/stand).
* Creating logical volume "vg00/lvol2" (swap_dump).
* Creating logical volume "vg00/lvol3" (/).
* Creating logical volume "vg00/lvol4" (/opt).
* Extending logical volume "vg00/lvol1" (/stand).
* Extending logical volume "vg00/lvol2" (swap_dump).
* Extending logical volume "vg00/lvol3" (/).
* Extending logical volume "vg00/lvol4" (/opt).
* Making HFS filesystem for "/stand", (/dev/vg00/rlvol1).
* Making VxFS filesystem for "/", (/dev/vg00/rlvol3).
* Making VxFS filesystem for "/opt", (/dev/vg00/rlvol4).
* Setting rotational delay to 0 for "/stand".
* Configure_Disks: Complete
* Download_mini-system: Begin

.....

.....

....

x ./monitor_bpr, 1568768 bytes, 3064 tape blocks
* Download_mini-system: Complete
* Loading_software: Begin
* Installing boot area on disk.
* Enabling swap areas.
* Backing up LVM configuration for "vg00".
* Number of archives to install: 1
* Processing the archive source (Recovery Archive).
* Thu Aug 04 13:29:57 EDT 2022: Starting archive load of the source (Recovery Archive).
* Positioning the tape (/dev/rmt/c4t3d0BESTn).
* Looking for Archive...
* Found the Archive Position. Now load the Archive.
* Archive extraction from tape is beginning. Please wait.

.....

....

pax_iux: [offset 0g+1m+0k+566]: I/O error
pax_iux: [offset 0g+1m+0k+566]: I/O error
pax_iux: opt/webadmin/obam/obam5_0.jar : The archive file appears to be corrupt.
pax_iux: /dev/rmt/c4t3d0BEST : This doesn't look like a tar archive
pax_iux: /dev/rmt/c4t3d0BEST : Skipping to next file...
pax_iux: [offset 0g+1m+0k+580]: I/O error
pax_iux: [offset 0g+1m+0k+580]: I/O error
pax_iux: [offset 0g+1m+0k+580]: I/O error

.....

RROR: Cannot load OS archive (Recovery Archive)

The configuration process has incurred an error, choose one of the following options

1) abort and reboot
2) ignore error and continue
3) push a shell for troubleshooting the problem
(At any time within the shell, type "exit" to return to this menu)

Choose an option from above [1 by default] :2

finally I have a bootable HD with UNIX but a lot of error, so I try to use some CD's with the OS in order to restores it, but I am not able to do CDE to become in operation.

Please, may you help me?.

I have tryed to install CDE from CD-rom but even in this I cannot open a remote Xsession.

My best regards,

Luis.

[LuisFSalas]

Hello Again Torsten,

Can we speak my email (or any other way)?. I'd like to share with you more detailled info (of course, if it is nice for you spent some time ehlping me).

I am not quite sure I can give my email here.

My best regards,

Luis.