Topic: Changing Mother Board - HDD boot fails

[wlbeattie]

Hi all,

Can the hardware data information configured on a SME Server hard disk be updated to run on another mother board ?

The history of this is interesting.

1. Using CD Install - I got SME running on a 4GB HDD on a 800Mhz PC
2. I decided to use the 4GB disk on an older Abit TX5 board with an AMD K6 CPU but NO CD ( I can't get any CD drive to boot).
3.  The system starts -> splash up -> loading .... -> crash back to PU Boot.
4. I did a net install using Bennets HTTP method - I can only do a "reinstall" using this method - I did this (after fdisk removing of all partitions).
5. I selected make "boot recovery disk".
6. The System boots from HDD -> splash -> SMUServer ..up -> crash and burn.
7. I then Boot from the recovery disk -> it asks for login ID and password (no SME Setup was shown or ran - hence no password ).
8. I did a fresh CD install to the 4GB HDD using the original PC - it worked all "cool and fruity" !!
9. I stopped the install at point before it had rebooted etc., (prior to SME Setup Menu).
10. I then put the HDD back in the Abit TX5 MB and booted using the HDD - it crashed
11. I then Booted from the boot recovery disk -> (it worked) and went thru the SME Setup Menu (and continued to work "normally" ).
12. But if I try and boot from the HDD then it goes - PU tests -> Splash -> loading ..... -> back to power up tests..

Any suggestions ?

cheers
Will Beattie

[BoZz]

Your problem seems to me to be a hardware issue or bios setup not Contribs.

[wlbeattie]

Hi Bozz,

It probably is - I am just looking for suggestions because it boots from floppy quite happily and will then run from the HDD it just will not boot from the HDD. Windows used to boot from the HDD ok though.

cheers
Will Beattie

[BoZz]

mmmmm reseat all cards, video card  etc and remove ram and reseat. check bios setting, even use default settings to start off with. also double jumper setting on HDD and CD-Rom EG HDD master and Rom slave. Try putting both on master IDE.

See how ya go

 

[sspfunk]

Typically, you cannot install an OS on a certain MB/CPU combo and move it to another without re-installing the OS. The kernel is built for the particular CPU when it is installed, with code specific for that CPU/chipset.

To move it to another motherboard/CPU, first backup to desktop your current properly working server.
Then install the hardware.
Do a fresh install of SME server.
Restore from backup.

voila, old server on new hardware.

sspfunk

[BoZz]

Using older hardware I have no problem moving contribs from pc to pc, via to intel etc, kudza is your friend

[splunk]

OK, I thought I'd use this thread before starting a new one.

I have made many changes to files within SME 6.0.1 that is running on my P3-450.  I am doing a total switch to a new machine, all new parts.  If I do a backup to desktop, will that backup all of my custom files, user files, databases, email, little hacks and things like that?  I want to get a total backup.  

I'll be putting 6.0.1 onto the new machine as a fresh install, then doing a restore from desktop, and would like for everything to be working as it was on the old system.  Am I asking too much or is that exactly what backing up to desktop will preserve?

[sspfunk]

I think that when u backup to desktop it gets all user files (home dirs), email, installed contribs, custom templates, etc. But check the documentation on the website first.
There is a 2 GB limit on the backup file.
So if u have alot of user files, copy/backup them off the server first, to make the backup file less than 2 GB.
You can try just installing the new hardware and hook the HD up and see what happens. If the architecture is close enough, it will sort itself out.
If that does not work, install SME fresh, then do a restore from backup, easy.

hmmm....come to think of it...if you have an older version, booting from a CD of newer version, and choose upgrade....just might work.

there are many ways to skin a cat.

sspfunk

[splunk]

There's definitely gonna be a huge change in the structure...I'm going from that P3-450 which I've had since 99, to a mini-itx set up  I'll hope for the best and experiment while keeping the original secure.


OK, the faq states the following is backed up...
/home/e-smith
/etc/e-smith/templates-custom
/etc/e-smith/templates-user-custom
/etc/ssh
/root/.ssh
/etc/passwd
/etc/shadow
/etc/group
/etc/gshadow
/etc/smbpasswd

so on top of that I'll need to backup my sql databases and email correct?  Or are they stored in /home?

[sspfunk]

It will definitely get the email, and I am pretty certain it will get the mysql databases as well.
Perhaps someone else will chime in here.
If you are going with a new HDD as well, you could ghost the old one to the new one so you have a backup.

sspfunk