4.3.3. downgrade to 4.2.1

[Mushr00m]

I've an old system backup tape which there is some important data in it. I tried to reinstall my F50 with 4.2.1 in order to restore the backup. Currently the F50 is running on 4.3.3.10 with only one 9.1GB disk. I've tried so many ways to bootup using (pressing either F5 or F1), still unable to bootup using the cd or the tape. Changing the bootlist also doesn't do much help. Anybody has a better idea on how to overcome this matter?
Thanks in advance

 

[czins]

Hello,

please try this:

tctl -f /dev/rmtX.1 fsf 3 (X your tape number)

either
(I have never used 4.2 and do not know if mksysb was made with tar or with backup)

tar -xvf /dev/rmtX.1
or
restore -xvf /dev/rmtX.1

in a directory with enough space ( at least 4 Gb). So you will get the files on your tape without an installation.

Regards
Stefan

 

[Mushr00m]

I would want to try using the method you showed here, but the problem is, the F50 hangs after showing starting software.. Does this got to do with upgrading of firmware of the cdrom and system processor. (this was done while F50 + 4.3.3)I've tried inserting a brand new disk into the system, able to bootup and tried restore the backup. After restoring the system boots up and hangs during system initialization. ( after i change the cdrom to another cdrom which haven't been upgraded yet). Any ideas?

 

[aixat]

Hello,

Questions.
1) When the backup was done what version of AIX was running.
2) What version of AIX you are running right now.
3) Did you do the makesysb to back up the system.
4) go to

http://www.redbooks.ibm.com

find book on system admin on AIX and look at section on save/restore.

 

[Mushr00m]

The system backup was on AIX 4.2.1
The current system is running on AIX 4.3.3.10.
Yes it is a mksysb.
Let us forget about the tape backup for the time being. I'm able to install AIX 4.2.1 into the server. Finished installing, the server reboots. Then it stop after Starting Software windows pops up. This is the main problem now. Does it got to do with me upgrading the System Processor and Cdrom Firmware to the latest level? if it is so, what shall I do? DO I need to downgrade the firmware, or is there any other solutions to go about with...

Cheers

 

[LHLTech]

What is the last code number displayed on your LED on the front of the F50? This might give a clue as to which part of the boot process it is hanging on.

Regards,
LHLTech

IBM Certified Specialist - AIX System Support
Halfway through CATE exams!

 

[aixqueen]

If I remember correctly, when you try to go from 4.3 to 4.2 you have to unplug and
remove the battery because AIX 4.3.3 rewrites the nvram in a completely different way from 4.2 to 4.3

Giving us also the LED that it stops is a good deal also

Worth a look?

 

[Mushr00m]

It differs at time depends on which key I pressed first. ( either 1 or 5 during bootup).
LED codes :
Key 1 pressed - 0000 (this happens after i change the boot devices from hdisk0 to cdrom)
Normal bootup - 0551 0554
After managed to install 4.2.1 - 40A0000 ( this LED refers to the system Firmware IPL Failure. When i plug in a disk with 4.3.3 in it, the system bootup perfectly.. I'll give the battery removal a try...

Cheers

 

[aixat]

Hello,
I guess you have 2 hdisk. one with 421 and other with 433.

First install 421 on the disk. then use the 421 media to boot the system then restore 421 makesysb tape. Then reboot the system and it will comeup.

I have seen people do upgrade and it fails for reason, instead of trying to figure out what is wrong they restore the system to previous version of makesysb and use the current version of AIX CD ROM to boot then restore and reboot fails.

On some of the other post there is url for
techsupport.service.ibm.com then you can search on restore of makesysb and it explain what steps has to be done.

 

[tkat]

to begin with, do not mix operating systems to accomplish what you want. First, do a mksysb of your current 4.3.3.1 os. Then, erase and format all the drives.
Now you should be able to load the 4.2.1 tape in the drive (power
on), then power down, and re-power up. The tape should go.
make sure that you have enough hard drive capacity for the
4.2.1 files. I don't know if the F50 has a service mode, if it does, use it.
I hope you don't have a sysback tape to work with as this is more difficult to accomplish