Restoring to a different server

[nashcom]

We have an old Digital Prioris LX 590 server with one Unix partition with /root filesystem on a SCSI disk. It has an on-board SCSI controller. It’s running SCO Openserver 5.0.0.

I have Emergency boot floppies (both system-specific and generic).

We’ve experienced some problems that appear to be hardware related (possibly power supply etc). We’ve replaced the hard disk drive (which additionally was showing media errors), and were able to successfully restore the entire system to the new drive.

However, it looks like we’re going to have to try to transfer the system to a ‘new’ server. We have a Compaq ProSignia server that had been running Novell Netware, and I’d like to know if it’s possible to get our OpenServer system running on the Compaq server.

I tried booting on the Compaq with the system-specific emergency floppies, and not surprisingly it said it couldn’t find an hd controller.

I’d really appreciate an outline of the various steps I’d have to take in order to get the new system up and running. For example, do I have to perform a fresh install on the new server then selectively restore data (not sure what directories to exclude), or can I do some sort of disaster recovery restore to the new server, then tweak some files so that the thing boots and springs into life?(!) I have a feeling that we may not have the original media for OpenServer 5.0.0, but people are checking for this. I’ve come across the boot/installation and additional driver floppies, but not the cd-rom.

 

[motoslide]

Please see faq58-1382.

You will need to know the specific SCSI controller used in the Compaq. A driver was probably available for 5.0.0 years ago, but might be hard to locate. Give us a try when you know which SCSI controller is in use.

I can probably dig up an original 5.0.0 bootable floppy and provide a "dd" image. It might not do you any good if you don't have the corresponding tape or CD-ROM.

If this will be a server which needs to be operational for years to come, now would probably be a good time to move to current hardware AND current SCO. Version 5.0.0 is about as old as WINDOWS-95. Think about it.

 

[nashcom]

Thanks Motoslide

The Compaq has a 'cha' SCSI controller. I have the Compaq SmartStart CD, and have made the Openserver 5 EFS set which includes the BTLD disk.

I still can't find the SCO OpenServer CD. I've asked around, but nothing's turned up yet. If I can't find it, I may need to do a restore of the Digital server onto a new hard drive (for safety), then relink the kernel with the compaq driver (as in the link you suggested), before trying to boot the hard drive in the Compaq. It all sounds dodgy! I think this job may take me a while to sort out! I don't want to upgrade to a later SCO version because it's running a cashroom system, and the support is limited (or non-existent) on the OS and techie level. We'll be looking at a different application within a year, so the priority is just to keep the existing system running if possible!

 

[Jasone3299]

If you can get a hold of the SCO openserver CD, do a base install of SCO with the btld for the hd install. create a emergency boot disk. Restore the old version of sco from the other machine. Then use the emergency boot disk to boot the system up, and then you can install the new btld and relink the kernel. I have just done this from a NEC to a Compaq ML370.