Yes, you would have to start from scratch. There is no way to get back to a safe state from the first attempt at the cluster patch when you were not in single user. The second/third attempts would have just totally screwed up the system.
This is something we all learn - if you search the forum for patch and single user, you will find others that have done the same thing. I've done it (after many times of it going just fine it finally bit me). Check out Info Doc 18465 on Sunsolve - here is a small portion of it:
Quote:
Step Two- Avoid More Problems Before Installation
Go to Single User Mode. This avoids so many problems in and of itself, and it the
*FIRST STEP* in the installation stage of ANY patch cluster, kernel, or firmware
patch. Often, people will be in the habit of installing when in multiuser mode, and
claim to have never had problems as a result. I understand that going to
single user mode involves down time for the system, but scheduling down time
for other activities is normal for sys admins, and patch installation should be
included in the mix of things to be done when scheduled downtime is available.
Also, this step is in the README files of every patch and patch cluster I have
spoke of, for good reason. Modifying your live kernel is not a good idea.