Re: [cobalt-developers] Cannot get any intelligent response from Qube 3

[Bruce Timberlake <bruce.timberlake@xxxxxxx>]

Andrew Reid wrote:
> 
> When I picked it up off the
> floor, the power was disconnected, so I'm assuming that there's been
> an incorrect shutdown.[1]

Sounds like it... that shouldn't cause your problems though. Worst case
is that you will have to wait a while longer during booting while the
"file system check (fsck)" takes place.

> I've attached a patch cable to the primary NIC (labeled 'I'), and
> plugged it into a switch, and both ends are reporting links.
> 
> I'm not particularly familiar with the Cobalt products. I've had
> extensive exposure to Linux on "normal" machines and FreeBSD. I assume
> that it's not that different as the Qube-3 appears to be an x86
> running Linux with a web interface attached.

More or less correct. :)

> I hit the power switch and the fan starts whirring. The link light on
> the primary NIC is on, and the orange light flickers every now and
> then.

That's good. Orange light = activity on the interface.

> The each "block" of the top row of the LCD screen is filled in
> completely, and it just sits there.

That's not good. It should scroll "Cobalt Networks" and then come up
with a "Loading Kernel..." message, followed by "Booting" and other
startup messages. Eventually it should display the hostname of the box
and the IP address on the LCD when booting is completed.

> I've just noticed that the bright
> green light across the front of the box isn't on at all.

That's not good either.

> That's about as far as I get. I've tried swapping network cables,
> interfaces etc., to no avail. I'm really interested as to why its
> suddenly shat itself.

Depends on how much "dust" it's gathered... Seems like some sort of
hardware failure. Could have been a power surge or something...?

> Under the power button, there's a little button that you need a pen to
> push. Can someone tell me what this does?

Password reset button. Resets admin/root password to be blank.

> Can someone offer any advice to help me get this thing going? There
> isn't any important data on it -- it can be obliterated if it needs to
> be. I'd just like to get it working the way a normal Qube would.

Try the OS Restore CD that came in the box with the product to rebuild
it.  If that doesn't work, call 800-526-0484 and go through the RMA
process to get the Qube swapped out.

-- 
Bruce Timberlake
Technology Engineer
Sun Cobalt Server Appliances
Sun Microsystems, Inc.

E: bruce.timberlake@xxxxxxx
U: http://www.sun.com/cobalt/