How to recover system directory, such as /dev, /bin, /lib ??

[Tony, Lim]

I made a big mistake !!
It was deleted the system direcoty & files, /dev, /bin, /lib by mistake to use 'rm' command in root position (/).
Hp workstation has never backed up by tape or other device, media.
Most of all, There is an important application installed by foreigner engineer in this workstation.
It means If I can not recover this system, I will have to be fired !! (So serious situation).
How can I recover this system & application ?
Is there any method to preserve present application filesystem & to recover or upgrade system files in directories for installing HPUX 11i ?
If you have any good think or solution, don't hesitate & just send to mail to me.
I need your help.
thanks..

[Pete Randall]

Without a backup, your only hope would be to try copying from another workstation. Other than that, you would have to backup your foreign engineer's application, reinstall the operating system and then restore the application.


Pete

[Tony, Lim]

In addition, the application that doesn't have to be deleted is located in /home directory.
It must be preserved even though system is needed re-installing.
I hope to solve this situation wisely.
thanks so much.

[Tony, Lim]

To Pete
I appreciate your concern.
You recommended using copy method from other workstation, dosen't you ?
At that case, Is there any constraint condition ? I mean, they must be a same HW model, same OS version, and so on.
Anything is OK concerning this situsation.
I need more detail information about this.
So much thanks..

[Pete Randall]

The more similar they are, the better off you're going to be. You might actually be able to salvage the /dev directory by simply running "insf -e", but I would copy /bin and /lib first, then try it.


Pete

[Robert-Jan Goossens]

/lib and /bin are linked to /usr/lib and /usr/bin --> are those directories removed, or did you remove the link ?

[Chakravarthi]

How about connecting this workstation disk to another workstation and take a backup and then i guess you can reinstall

[Tony, Lim]

thanks repliers..
I skiped one information.
I can use just one thing to operate that.
It is the system console not telnet.
I can not using any command and connect from remote site because of deleting system directories.
Just can use console directly connected to workstation.
Gosh..Your helps are the big bless to me.
Refer to upper information I mentioned, Please, give me a big help or addvises.
thanks every repliers

[Kent Ostby]

Your other option is to use support media to back up the /home directory.

You will only have tar so if it is a very complex directory, this may not work for you.

Another option is to use support media to re-load files from another system.

You mentioned preserving /home .

If /home is in a different volume group then there is no issue, just reinstall and vgimport that volume group.

If /home is part of / then you will probably have to attempt the support media fix.

The document: KBRC00011457 which you can look for in the database will provide information on how to use support media on 11.x