[cobalt-users] Re: [qube3] rebooting takes over 1h!!

[Peter Frederick <pfred@xxxxxxxxx>]

>
>Hi there Peter :)
>
>Could you please give me some advices on using the null modem cable on
>my qube3? It's the first time I do such a procedure and I really really
>don't want to mess up with my data!! 

1) Make sure the console port (9 pin on back of Qube) is ON. Shutdown the
Qube cleanly using the GUI or buttons. Using a paper clip, hold the tiny
button below the power switch in until Cobalt Networks -> Console On/Off
appears. If it says console off, then power down immediately (the system
has not yet booted) and repeat the process. It will now toggle from Console
off to Console On. You only need to use the paper clip if you get nothing
from your serial port or you want to verify that it is still enabled. Every
time you reboot with that switch depressed it will toogle between on and
off or off and on.

2) Connect up your cable to your PC serial port. You want a baud rate of
115200. 8 data bit, no parity, 1 stop bit. I have RTS/CTS on but that is
less important - speed, #bits, parity and stop bits are important. Set
these in your comms program - eg CRT, Hyperterm, Kermit etc.

3) As it boots up you will see the normal boot prompts appearing and all
the steps that it goes through. In particular, you may see that it has
actually got past the checking disks stage and is actually failing
somewhere else - eg: starting the cce processes or what ever.

4) You may want to use the screen capture mode on your terminal emulator as
it boots so you can save a copy of the screen output. You can then post
parts of it to help other people interpret your situation. 
 
>How can I bypass the 'checking disk..*' part.. Or how do I get my disks
>back up without loosing any data or being forced to restore the OS once
>again?

I think you need to confirm first of all that that is really what the issue
is. A serial console will help you do this.

>
>1. How do I setup my terminal to connect the qube3 through serial cable?
>2. What commands do I use to get the disk back?

The serial console can also be enabled as you rebuild from the OSRCD. It is
quite interesting to view this as the system rebuilds.

>
>Thanks for your help!! 
>
>Cheers, 
>
>Andreas Cahen
>
Good Luck
Peter

-- 
Peter Frederick
MIS Director, Indiana Packers Corp, Delphi IN
Phone: (765) 564-9705   Fax: (765) 564-3684
Work: pfred@xxxxxxxxx   (Qube3 Professional running 6.4)
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'Tis better to light one candle than to curse the darkness a thousand times!