Solaris

I need to install Sol8 on a V240 box but I have a couple of issues first.

Right now V240 box has the Sol9 OS and I installed this probably 1.5 years ago. Right now the root password does not work and my userid does not work too. Not sure if someone changed the root password and if my acct expired. But I was thinking, since I need to install Sol8 I can just restart the box and boot from the CD. Wrong idea...

When restarting the box, it comes up with probing memory, probing I/O bus, probing system devices and keeps this cycle. I tried to get out of it by typine #. and when I do this, it brings me back to the login prompt.

How do I get to the ok prompt? I believe there is some variables need set to get it to boot to the CD. But I am not getting to the ok prompt. I am connected via the laptop to the serial mgt port and doubt this would be a problem.

Any help on this issue of why when restarting the box, the system does not boot from the CD (I think its a boot parameter that needs setting but am unable to get to the ok prompt).

Thanks for your help.

you need to send a "break" during the boot process. then boot cdrom for the install. If you want to reset the root password you can boot off the cdrom into single user mode.

What terminal client are you using? Did you check the menus and or documentation for a sending a break?

Frank,

Thanks for your help. Yes, I have a Solaris 9 book "Inside Solaris 9" (I know its not Sol 8 but should be pretty similiar) and also have looked high and low across the internet primarily on Unix boards like this one.

I am connected via the serial mgt port to a laptop running Solaris 9 I believe, if not Solaris 10.

I have been trying to send a break and have tried different combinations but found some docs on this board or another board mention using #. (supposedly #. is equivalent to Stop+A) and this still does not work. Also, when powering down...that is removing the power cord, and then pulgging back in it seem the system comes up in ALOM which is fine because once logged in, can go down to the ok prompt. However, Sun Docs says to use #. when you see the ALOM and I tried this and it still did not work at all. The interesting thing is when you plug in the power cord, the system comes up with a login prompt and if you wait a few minutes it will go to ALOM prompt...after that keying #. does not work. I've tried so many ways and it is not working...so hope you guys can offer suggestion. Meanwhile the saga continues...

I have another thought. I recall some Solaris Admin telling me a couple years ago that some things cannot be accomplished via the serial port...but I forgot what cannot be accomplished. I know one should be able to get into the ok prompt via the serial port but this is another thought.

you should be able to do it via serial. #. is used to access to the LOM. If your server supports LOM and you can get to the lom> prompt then you might be able to use the break command. If this does not work try using a different terminal client like teraterm or something like that. I know for sure this supports a "send break" over the serial.

When I am connected to the console, it states to type in #. to get to ALOM, and when I type this in it comes up with a login and password prompt. I presume this is the password to get to the console, and I do not know it. I know another guy was using this server and he is not Unix savvy, he is a Windows guy.

After waiting a few minutes at the Login prompt, the server reverts back to probing memory/I/O Bus/System device and goes in cycles with this message.

I tried a Window laptop and am still having the same problem with a Solaris laptop.

Do you know the default login/password for console or LOM that systems are shipped with. I read on the internet that it is admin/admin? I am not sure, but I think Unix boxes like the V240 are shipped without a console password and the SysAdmin sets this only, right?

This is sort of a major problem when different people use these systems and set passwords and then a few months later, do not remember.

Anyone know how you can get to the POST/OBP prompt?

There should be a way to reset the lom passwords. Search on google. I found a few docs on it.

You should be able to get the OBP without accessing lom though. You need to use a terminal client that has the capability to send a break. If you cannot get it to work with what your currently using I would suggest teraterm because its free and works pretty good. I know for a fact that this client can send a break.