Originally posted by: rb7

Hi,

I am trying to migrate e-server p5 from AIX 5.3 to 6.1. When I boot my system with the 6.1 media DVD the system hangs at the point where it says " Starting AIX". And then nothing happenes. The system has 1 processor and 4 GB RAM. I tried waiting for few hours but it just sits there.

Any ideas?

Regards,
RB.
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Originally posted by: tony.evans

What machine/model is your server, what firmware level?

What LCD code is it displaying at the point it hangs?
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Originally posted by: rb7

Its an IBM 9114-275 workstation. Following are the LCD codes:

The last code that it displays is
E105
and then the LCD displays
"Starting AIX"
"Loading Kernel" and this is were it hangs.

Firmware level:
Platfrom Firmware Level: 3F050502
System Firmware Level: RG0505405-d79e05-regatta

Not sure it this model of IBM workstation supports 6.1

Regards
RB
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Originally posted by: The_Doctor

A couple of things I noticed:

1. seems to me a 9114-275 is a p4 machine not a p5
2. regardless, firmware 3F050502 isn't anywhere close to current. I'd install firmware 3F080425 & retry. IBM Support will ask/demand that you upgrade the firmware anyway, so might as well do it before calling them for help. 3F070425 included a major fix for booting from CD/DVD with large boot images..... but just skip 3F070425 & go to 3F080425. This may not be your problem, but like I said IBM support will ask you to do it anyways.

If 3F080425 doesn't help or the symptoms don't change.... then calling IBM Support is probably your next step.
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Originally posted by: rb7

I tried to upgrade the firmware to 3F080425, but upgrade never worked. I used the following command

#/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/update_flash -f /tmp/flash/<filename>.BIN

Then the system prompted that it will be rebooted. I said yes. Now system reboots and comes back after some time but lsmcode still shows me older version of firmware level. I tired this twice but it did not work. Am I missing something?

/RB.
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Originally posted by: The_Doctor

Why are you trying to install a BIN file ? The file you want to install is "3f080425.img", isn't it ?

What is the file size & checksum of "3f080425.img" ? Best to check the file size & checksum against the instructions that came with the micorcode update.

Once you properly create the img file, I'm sure it will install fine.
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Originally posted by: rb7

The Doctor,

Thanks. Yes, you were right. I had to unzip the BIN file to get to the .img file of the firmware. Once done, firmware upgrade worked like a charm.

#/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/update_flash -f /tmp/3f080425.img
This reboots the box and flashes 99FF & 99FD alternatively on the LCD screen, which means that the firmware is being upgraded. Took like 20 mins for the upgrade.

Also, I was able to install AIX 6.1 on the box without any problem.

Thanks a lot to everyone for their valuable input.

Regards,
RB.
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Originally posted by: garethr

Just wondered if you have distinguished between "permanent" and "temporary" images.

Has it flashed the temporary? If so, you need to use "diag" to copy the temporary image over the permanent one.

Using "diag" and "Microcode Tasks" showing temporary and permanent:

DISPLAY MICROCODE LEVEL                                                                                                                                802811 IBM,9110-510   The current permanent system firmware image is SF240_382 The current temporary system firmware image is SF240_382 The system is currently booted from the temporary firmware image.

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Originally posted by: The_Doctor

well I'd be asking a few questions, like:

a) what kind of p5 is it ? machine type / model # ?
b) what firmware level is this machine ? and is it current ?
c) what LED codes are on the operator display panel or HMC ?
d) has this DVD every been boot'd before on another machine ? I have run into bad DVD media before, so am wondering if the DVD you have is any good.
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Originally posted by: dvdt

Are you using EFS ? AIX 6100-03 Technolog Level Bulletin
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Originally posted by: rb7

dvdt,

I am not using EFS. And the problem described in the Bulletin comes after the upgrade is done. In my case upgrade never starts.

Thanks for your effort though. Any other ideas would be highly appreciated.

Regards,
RB
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Originally posted by: rb7

The Doctor,

Look at my response above for your questions. As for DVD media, I tried to install another box just to check if the DVD was fine and it worked like a charm. But that was not the same model.

Regards,
RB
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