How to boot from HP-UX 11i CD on a blank (no OS) server...???

[cninham]

I am trying to install HP-UX 11i onto a new/blank server (the hard drives have *NO* OS installed). The server is a HP 9000 / 800 / L2000 server. There is no internal CD/DVD-Rom drive in the server, but there is an external C4318B CD/DVD-Rom & Tape drive unit connected, via external SCSI. I have inserted the HP-UX 11i CD in the DVD Rom drive, and powered up the server.

The server is displaying the GSP interface (console), but I cannot figure out how to get the server to search for the bootable CD drive (containing the HP-UX 11i install CD), and boot off of this CD...???

Any help will be appreciated, please.

Thank you.

Cameron

[Pete Randall]

Cameron,

If you're at the GSP prompt, enter "CO" to return to console mode. When you re-boot in console mode, you should see a prompt telling you have 10 seconds to interrupt by hitting any key - do so. Then you can search for your install media by entering "sea ipl", then selecting your CD/DVD and booting from it.


Pete

[Patrick Wallek]

At the ISL prompt, or whatever prompt you have type:

ISL> sea ipl

This should display a list of bootable devices. At this point it should probably only list the CD/DVD and maybe the LAN. Each device will have a P number (P0, P1, etc). After the search finished type 'bo P0' where P0 is the number associated with the CD drive.

ISL> bo p0

[Steven E. Protter]

At console

shutdown -ry now

or powerswitch if you don't have the root passwrd.

after boot:

Interupt at the 10 second prompt

sea


One of those devices displayed will be the cdrom in which th Core OS cd is installed

lets say its p3

boot P3

Interact? N

The install will start and you will interact with that.

SEP

[Mark Grant]

You need to hit the space key when asked to hit the space key and do "sea" to search for bootable devices. One of them, hopefuly, will be your external cdrom drive and will have a nice "PX" next to it where X is a different number for each device found. Then go "bo PX" replacing X for the correct number.

Alternatively, press the sapce when asked to press the space ang go "bo " but only if can work out what the hardware path is.

For both of the above select "N" for interact with IPL.

[cninham]

Thank you all for your replies, and help. The problem is that I *never* see the IPL Command Propmt so that I can do a "SEA BO" or "SEA IPL" or "BO P0" etc... I am taken directly to the GSP command interface. When at the GSP command prompt, when I enter "CO", I leave the GSP interface, but *NOTHING* else happens, I am not given the option to search for any bootable devices or any other boot options...

[Sridhar Bhaskarla]

Hi Cameron,

When you typed "co" at the GSP, try to hardboot (power the switch off and on) the server (don't exit the console back to GSP) and see if you are getting the diagnostic messages. After a while, it should prompt you to 'press any key before 10 seconds'. Once you enter any key, it will put you into bootadmin prompt. There you can search for the bootable devices using "sea ipl"

-Sri

[cninham]

I have tried the following: At the GSP command prompt, I enter "CO" to go to the command prompt. Next, I power down the server (power switch), wait a little while, then power the server back up... Nothing! No boot sequence, no messages, blank/nothing... I can do a Ctrl+B to get to the GSP prompt, GSP commands seem to work, but that is all.

Cameron

[Patrick Wallek]

If this is a brand new server, I think it's time to call HP on this one too. You should at least be getting to ISL/IPL prompt so you can search for bootable devices.

[Pete Randall]

Cameron,

How do you have this console connected? My L2000 has a 3-way plug labeled: UPS, remote, and console. You need to be plugged into the console plug.


Pete

[cninham]

Pete, yes -- I am connected to the correct "console" connector at the back. (Our servers also have the three connector "thingy" at the back.) I am getting the messages from the GSP command prompt... But nothing else...

Cameron

[Pete Randall]

Cameron,

I'm at a loss then. Time to call HP, I guess!


Pete

[Chris Watkins_1]

Just curious... but how long are you waiting?
It could be some time before seeing anything.

From the GSP prompt... issue co command, then powercycle.

If you've waited more than five minutes... and still see nothing,
then I have to agree it's defitely time for a service call.

[Sridhar Bhaskarla]

Hi Cameron,

I believe the other post today by you is related to the same problem.
In that post, you attached the startup diagnostic messages of the
system and it seems like there is a problem with the memory modules.
But that shouldn't stop you getting upto bootadmin level unless it is
a serious hardware issue.

If you are not getting to bootadmin prompt at all even after acknowledging
the error, then you would need to get it fixed. Probably by starting with
pairs of memory DIMMs as suggested by others in that thread is a good
way of troubleshooting the problem. HP may be able to help you getting
it fixed. Once it is fixed and you go to bootadmin level, the rest should
be easy. Just pay little extra attention while handling the DIMMS. They are
very sensitive to static charges.

-Sri

[cninham]

To Sri and everyone,

Thank you for your replies.

The first problem was that a second processor was installed into the box, but the actual screws that hold down the CPU was never tied/screwed down. That is why the server did not boot... (In effect CPU slot # 3 was not terminated) Duhhh!!!

Sri: yes, the second problem (although a DIFFERENT server) was related to memory problems. The memory was not installed into the memory banks per the required seating order, i.e. 0a/b, 1a/b, 2a/b, etc... Once the memory was removed and installed into the correct slots, the problem was resolved.

Thank you all for your generous help! This forum rocks!!!

Cameron