Server Boots up to colon only

[baxwink]

We have several Netware 5 servers (P II 400) that we have replaced with newer servers and Netware 5.1. After pulling the old servers (which were working fine at the time they were removed) I now have need to extract a file from one of them however when I attempt to boot the server up it seems to load everything ok except that it will stop at a colon for the curser and
doesn't seem to finish booting so that I can access the sys volume. I have tried 3 different servers that were removed from service but they all do the same thing. Can you give me any suggestions? I really need the file.

 

[MDonato]

Has ANYTHING changed on these servers since they were removed from service? If you pulled hard drives and are trying to bring up in a different box, make sure your disk drivers are loading correctly. Also, do you not have a backup tape from these servers that you can extract this file from?
Michael A. Dontato MCNE, MCSE, CCA
mdonato@site-technologies.com

http://www.site-technologies.com

 

[baxwink]

Nothing should have changed however we had a vendor change the servers out and I'm not sure. The backup tapes are faulty and corrupt.

 

[NetwareDoc]

1)If you can access sys check if the autoexec.ncf file has executed. if not type autoexec.ncf from the console prompt.
2) the netware enviorment files may need to be recreated see support.novell.com for details

 

[JenC]

Are you trying to boot the old server when the new server is up? If so do they have the same name / internal IPX number. If autoexec.ncf is bypassed, you do get a : prompt so that you can specify server name and Int IPX #

 

[Guest_imported]

I have seen a similar problem on a server with a strange mirroring issue. Have you gone into nwconfig and killed any mirrors? This might allow sys to mount and for the files to be obtained. At least it worked for me...