BOSboot Diskette Information for AIX 3.1 or 3.2

Contents

About this document

This document contains BOSboot Diskette information for AIX Versions 3.1 and 3.2. Creating BOSboot diskettes is only possible at AIX levels 3.1 and 3.2.

Creating BOSboot diskettes on AIX 3.1

1. Insert a blank, formatted, high-density diskette in the diskette drive.

2. Run the bosboot command. Enter:

      bosboot -c -m -d /dev/rfd0 -p /usr/bin/dskt.proto
               -f /usr/bin/dskt.fs -b /usr/bin/dskt.image
   

3. Copy the dskt.image file to the diskette. Enter:

      dd if=/usr/bin/dskt.image of=/dev/rfd0 conv=sync
   

4. Insert a blank, formatted, high-density diskette in the diskette drive.

5. Create the display diskette. Enter:

      /usr/lpp/bosinst/display/mkdispdskt
   

6. Insert a blank, formatted, high-density diskette in the diskette drive.

7. Create the install/maintenance diskette. Enter:

      /usr/lpp/bosinst/diskette/mkinstdskt
   

About BOSboot diskettes on AIX level 2006

BOSboot diskettes cannot be created at the 2006 level. The alternative is to order PTF U401313 from AIX defect support. If you are uncertain of your level of 3.1, run the following command:

   lslpp -h bos.obj

If you are at the 2006 level, the last line of the output should read:

   ACTIVE     COMMIT     10/26/91  03.01.0006.0008 root

About BOSboot diskettes on AIX 3.2

The following diskettes are in the diskette boot/install package:

• Boot diskette
• Optional display extensions diskette (required for 3.2.5)
• Display diskette
• Install/maintenance diskette
• Optional communications extensions diskette (3.2.5 only)

The display extensions diskette is required for AIX 3.2.5. For earlier AIX 3.2 levels it is only needed to support POWER Gt3 and POWER Gt4 displays as console devices during the install process and to support the model 730 graphics display.

The communications extensions diskette is only needed if you have AIX 3.2.5, a fddi network install was used, and that option was selected for the install device. If those conditions are not true, you do not need this diskette.

Creating BOSboot diskettes on AIX 3.2

1. Format five high-density diskettes and verify that they are good diskettes.

2. Insert a blank, formatted, high-density diskette in the diskette drive.

3. Run the bosboot command. Enter:

      bosboot -a -d /dev/fd0
   

4. Insert a blank, formatted, high-density diskette in the diskette drive.

5. If you do not need the display extensions diskette, skip to step 7.

   If you need the display extensions diskette (required for 3.2.5), create it with the following command:

      /usr/sbin/mkextdskt
   

6. Insert a blank, formatted, high-density diskette in the diskette drive.

7. Create the display diskette. Enter:

      /usr/sbin/mkdispdskt
   

8. Insert a blank, formatted, high-density diskette in the diskette drive.

9. Create the install/maintenance diskette. Enter:

      /usr/sbin/mkinstdskt
   

10. If you have AIX 3.2.5 and fddi is loaded, the system will prompt for another diskette. In that case, insert a blank, formatted, high-density diskette in the diskette drive.

11. If fddi is not loaded and you are asked for a second diskette, it means that the size of one or more of the variable length files (/etc/filesystems, /etc/group, /etc/passwd, /etc/protocols, /etc/services, or /etc/vfs) is too large.

    APAR IX26534 addresses this problem by storing default copies of these files in the /usr/lpp/bos/inst_root/etc directory. You can obtain IX26534 by ordering U493240, the 3240 PMP tape. To work around this problem without applying the fix, re-create a generic /etc/passwd file (or whichever file has become too large) containing system-defined users including root. Then, run the /usr/sbin/mkinstdskt command again.

Booting from BOSboot diskettes on AIX 3.1 or 3.2

1. Turn the key to the Service position.

2. Insert the boot diskette and power the system on.

3. When c07 appears on the LED:
   • For AIX 3.1: Insert the display diskette.
   • For AIX 3.2: If you have made an optional display extensions diskette, insert that diskette; otherwise, insert the display diskette.

4. If the optional display extensions diskette was used in step 3, then when c07 appears in the LED display again, insert the display diskette; otherwise, continue with step 5.

5. When c31 appears in the LED display, you should see a prompt with a list of possible console devices. After you select the console, either a c32 or c33 will be displayed indicating that a TTY or HFT display was selected as the console. This LED display may remain for a long time; please be patient.

6. Next, a message will be displayed on the console device indicating that the install/maintenance diskette needs to be inserted. A value of c01 is also displayed in the LEDs, indicating the same thing. After inserting the install/maintenance diskette, you will need to press enter on the keyboard.

7. The Install/Maintenance menu should now be displayed.