Can't gain console access...desperate...please help

[bopritchard]

I'm unable to gain any sort of access to my console...when i came in this morning the console screen was littered with messages saying:
"sendmail queueup cannot create data temp file...file table overflow

crt 0: error couldn't open /usr/lib/dld.sl errno 000000023

command is respawning too rapidly

id: cons "/usr/sbin/getty console console"

i have no prompt to login or to type anything commands....just a blank screen...i can type all day but when i enter it just returns to the next line down...i'm out of any command mode...

i can't telnet to it...what can i do to gain control enough to down it...

 

[MikeLacey]

If you can't gain proper access eventually you will just have to turn the thing off...

Before you do that - get the system as quiet as you can, stop everyone using any applications it supports etc. Then unplug it from the network(s) and wait for the disk activity to subside and settle down - if it does. Then wait a little more.

The idea of this is to minimise the amount of repair work that will be needed as the system comes up again. Looks as if there's some damage already.

I'm sure you know this already - but taking a production machine down like this is no trivial matter. If this is a production server you should be talking to the senior people in your organisation and getting their agreement to any course of action you decide to take.

Mike

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at faq219-2884

 

[vinky]

Hi,

Check the nfile kernel parameter. I think you may need to increase the nfile kernel parameter after the reboot.

 

[pete91z]

You can also use the sar utility to display file table stats, useful if an app is taking up resource and not releasing when finished.

 

[MikeLacey]

bopritchard hasn't logged in since the day he started this thread.

Mike

"Deliver me from the bane of civilised life; teddy bear envy."

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at faq219-2884