sharp@snuffleupagus.csd.scarolina.edu (Harry Sharp) (02/11/91)
I have a most perplexing problem that I hope someone out there can help me solve: I am in possession of a 3B2/300 (ok, groan now) which appears to be in fine working order *except* for the fact that I can't get in. The system was set up in our College of Public Health some years ago and left to gather dust since no one wanted it. I would like to use it, but I can't get in to update software or even log on. I have tried pressing the Reset button to force a boot from the floppy, but this does not get the desired response. All i get is a system error message and a rerun of the diagnostics. Is there a way in to a system such as this? Or should I simply put it in my pile of trade-in equipment? Harry Sharp sharp@snuffleupagus.csd.scarolina.edu
cmilono@netcom.COM (Carlo Milono) (02/15/91)
In article <1991Feb10.232259.8141@opusc.csd.scarolina.edu> sharp@snuffleupagus.csd.scarolina.edu (Harry Sharp) writes: >I have a most perplexing problem that I hope someone out there can help >me solve: > >I am in possession of a 3B2/300 [ stuff deleted ] >fine working order *except* for the fact that I can't get in. >I have tried pressing the Reset button to force a boot from the floppy, but >this does not get the desired response. All i get is a system error message >and a rerun of the diagnostics. > >Is there a way in to a system such as this? There was a thread about what I believe is your problem just last week... here is a snippet of the resolution: When you get the 'system error message', you are in firmware mode. You would then type a password to enter the firmware routines; the default password is 'mcp' (I remember something about speed/parity being important). You must have the first floppy of the core package with no write-protection as you will be running UNIX from the floppy and you need the swap space. After you enter 'mcp' (and I hope you have a Floppy Key if this doesn't work) you will be prompted for a boot program...enter UNIX. You will then answer the question about the drive...answer 0 for the first floppy, and then when prompted for install/restore/upgrade, enter the words "magic mode". Then the jist is that you will mount the Hard Drive *on* the floppy! This is done with either the /etc/mount command or 'fsys'. Once mounted, you will need to remember absolute paths to get to the 'vi' or 'ed' and you can now edit the /etc/passwd file (since you are a floppy root) If you want more info...browse through earlier postings in this group. -- +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Carlo Milono: cmilono@netcom.apple.com or apple!netcom!cmilono | |"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, | |that the dunces are all in confederacy against him." - Jonathan Swift | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+