Topic: Server setup crashes

[spook]

After installing without a glitch, the server restarts, and I am prompted to enter the new root password. And then the machine is dead. It responds to nothing at all. Typing in the new password and pressing enter does nothing. Tab does nothing, space or ESC does nothing, it is quite plainly DEAD.

What to do?

[mercyh]

Is the keyboard even recognized? Does the capslock key or Numlock key change the lights?

It should boot directly into admin not the login...........

[spook]

The keyboard (standard IBM keyboard) is recognized (LEDs light up during boot, bios responds to it), and I tried the keyboard from my server (Logitech Ultra-X) - same lack of response from the setup.

Just checked - the bios is dated 12/02/2002. Think I'll do an upgrade then...

[mercyh]

Is this that IBM Netvista machine you talked about in your other post? I tried SME on a Netvista a couple of years ago with SME 5.? or 6.?. Mine had a PXE boot option in the bios that did not like the Linux Bootloader (I think we used LILO back then but it has been a long time). I know I found a workaround but I am going to be very unhelpful here because it has been so many installs ago I can't remember what it was.

If you are getting through the machine bios, seeing the linux modules load and ending up with a login you are past that problem anyway.

I still don't understand why you are booting to a login instead of the administration screens............

What about trying remote? can you hit the IP address?

[mercyh]

After installing without a glitch, the server restarts, and I am prompted to enter the new root password.

You are seeing the server modules load?? I am remembering on the machine I was talking about before that someone had turned on IBM's BIOS password which wouldn't let it get to the harddrive until that was supplied.

PS> That is one cool wallmount flatpanel you have  

[spook]

Yes, it is the Netvista 8305-21G i talked about in the other post. I get to the admin screen - the first one, after the first reboot after the install. Where I have to select my root/admin PW. So no go on the IP approach either...

I'm thinking about tearing apart the old server, and using the mobo from that one. It meas I have to solder a few wires (go to hell, IBM case designers) but it should be possible.

Updating the bios did NADA, will try a new install - if that doesnt help, I'll swap the motherboards.

Mercyh: Thanks! If there was any sarcasm in your statement about my tft, I'm choosing to ignore it.  

[mercyh]

No Sarcasm. I may borrow the idea unless you have a patent.

[spook]

just for fun, I tried entering the SME server boot menu, and selecting SME server ***** -UP instead of the other option. BAM, I'm in!  

[spook]

No Sarcasm. I may borrow the idea unless you have a patent.

Got some better pictures, the design is hereby declared free. As in free speech, not free beer.

[mercyh]

You might checkup on this thread as it looks like somebody else has had to select the SERVER UP mode on reboot and it continues to happen now and then.

http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=34289.0

you also may want to check the bugtracker and leave your experience there although with all the hardware issues you had it may be hard to troubleshoot.

[spook]

Succesful restore on the new hardware - Running like a charm! Thanks all, you guys have been a great support - yet again.