[cobalt-users] Single User Mode (RAQ2 )

[Jay Summers <jay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey all,

Well, I've done something really awful to the group file on our staging
(thank god) Raq2 and now I can no longer su to root. I've tried the old
paper clip method and I'm successful in resetting the admin password but not
the root password.

I've done some searching through the archives and have found some great
instructions for bringing the machine into single user mode posted by Graeme
Fowler.

http://list.cobalt.com/pipermail/cobalt-users/2000-July/015901.html

<snip>
1. Find another machine (laptop perhaps) with serial port free.
2. Find a null-modem serial cable
3. Connect the two together via their serial ports (use port 1 on the
RaQ)
4. Run a terminal emulator on the other machine (whatever takes your
fancy)
5. Reboot the RaQ. At the start of the boot sequence press 'space' when
it says to and you will enter ROM mode - similar to the BIOS on a PC.
6. type (not the enclosing quotes) 'boot' <return>
7. type (not the enclosing quotes) 'set_params "single"' <return>
8. type (not the enclosing quotes) 'bfd' <return>
9. wait for the prompt. You are now in single user mode .
</snip>

The problem I'm having is at step 5. I don't get anything saying 'hit the
space key'? Is this because the RAQ2 is a Mips processor and these
instructions are for the later X86 architecture common in the Raq3's and up?
Is there a way to get into single user mode on a Raq2 or is it a matter of
getting out the old restore CD?

Thanks for any advice you can give (kicking myself in the @ss).

cya,
Jay