Solaris[TM] x86 doesn't boot because of syntax error in bootenv.rc

Asset ID:	1-72-1005096.1
Update Date:	2011-03-22
Keywords:

Solution Type Problem Resolution Sure

Solution 1005096.1 : Solaris[TM] x86 doesn't boot because of syntax error in bootenv.rc

Related Items


Sun Fire V60x Server
 Sun Fire V65x Server

Related Categories


GCS>Sun Microsystems>Servers>x64 Servers

PreviouslyPublishedAs
207159

Symptoms
System keeps booting continuesly or boot hangs with error message
"eeprom: syntax error in /boot/solaris/bootenv.rc line xxx"

Typical causes are missing SINGLE quotes around values in bootenv.rc
and incorrect values of input-device or output-device -variables.

Resolution
1) Boot from CDROM (1 of 2 Solaris[TM] x86)

2) Continue as doing new installation (F2 to continue and select CDROM as
boot device)
3) Type "b -s" (instead of typing 1 "Solaris[TM] Interactive" or 2 "Custom
Jumpstart" from the menu) and it will drop you straight to single-user mode
4) Mount / partition to /tmp/mnt
5) Check from /tmp/mnt/etc/vfstab if /boot is on separate partition.
- If yes mount that to /tmp/mnt/boot. Notice that it is pcfs filesystem.
6) Edit bootenv.rc file adding single quotes around values set
# vi /tmp/mnt/boot/solaris/bootenv.rc
Eg. output-device and input-device should look like
(NOTE: Remember to put values in SINGLE QUOTES)
setprop output-device 'ttyb'
setprop input-device 'ttyb'
or if you are using screen & keyboard setup.
setprop output-device 'screen'
setprop input-device 'keyboard'
7) Unmount filesystems mounted.
# umount /tmp/mnt/boot    (if necessary)
# umount /tmp/mnt
8) Reboot system.

Additional Information
"Sun Fire [TM] V60x and Sun Fire[TM] V65x Server Solaris Operating Environment
Installation Guide, 817-2875-10" has incorrect syntax for setprop -cmd
on pages 11 and 32;

It reads
setprop input-device ttyb
setprop output-device ttyb
but correct format is
setprop input-device 'ttyb'
setprop output-device 'ttyb'
(single quotes are missing from example in manual. If you follow
instructions in manual, system will be rendered unbootable !)

Product
Solaris 9 Operating System
Sun Fire V65x Server
Sun Fire V60x Server

Internal Comments
For internal Sun use only.

Similar issue is described in Bug ID 4172289
x86, bootenv.rc, setprop
Previously Published As
73059

Change History
Date: 2004-01-27
User Name: 114390
Action: Approved
Comment: editted document for trademark updates and submitted to publish
Version: 0
Date: 2004-01-23
User Name: 71176
Action: Approved
Comment: Tested, both problem and solution are as described.
Version: 0

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