rogerj@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu (Roger Jagoda) (09/12/89)
We just had a weird system crash on our NeXT cubes and I'm pleading to the system folks at NeXT for help (Avi?) for some insights. We run a NeXT-only net in this arrangement with one "/" file-server (netinfo-wise) and four other client servers. There are also 25 diskless clients that use the main server for kernel launch but find all other programs on their respective file-servers. Basically, the main file server no longer seems to launch WindowManager. The sceen comes up with a "login:" prompt just as if someone typed CONSOLE and hit return twice. You can log in, and netinfo seems to be working (niutil works) and the group loaded into "." is recognized, but if I tail the file: /usr/adm/messages for errors I see a BIG problem. The last few lines are as follows: NFS IO error in pagein (bread) ---pass 9 NFS IO error in pagein (bread) ---FATAL target 0 media error -- FATAL timeout Now does this mean that the hard drive (a 660MB) is just trashed? FSCK reports no errors even after repeated reboots. The other servers and clients all get their window managers going fine, and SUM reports that the file on the main server (vmunix, WindowManager) are the same as on the other machines. BTW, we nfs mount everything among the servers and I have discovered that netinfo and NFS don't really get along that great. Is there anything I can do to remedy this situation? We haven't had anything like this ever before so our experience is just a little limited. Really, if anyone has ever seen anything like this, or someone at NeXT know where the problem is...PULEESE don't be shy. Post away, or better yet mail to below as this machine is really no ours...just borrowed. Thanks in advance. Roger Jagoda Cornell University (607) 255-8960 FQOJ@CORNELLA.CIT.CORNELL.EDU
avie@wb1.cs.cmu.edu (Avadis Tevanian) (09/13/89)
In article <8828@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu> rogerj@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu (Roger Jagoda) writes: >Basically, the main file >server no longer seems to launch WindowManager. The sceen comes up >with a "login:" prompt just as if someone typed CONSOLE and hit return >twice. You can log in, and netinfo seems to be working (niutil works) At this point it looks like someone has edited your /etc/ttys file and changed it to run a getty instead of the WindowServer. However, after reading on... >and the group loaded into "." is recognized, but if I tail the file: > >/usr/adm/messages > >for errors I see a BIG problem. The last few lines are as follows: > >NFS IO error in pagein (bread) ---pass 9 >NFS IO error in pagein (bread) ---FATAL > >target 0 media error -- FATAL timeout > I first wonder why you are getting NFS IO errors, which server might you be referencing and does it seem to be functioning normally? The target 0 media error looks like some type of disk drive problem. In any case, it looks like you are experiencing some type of disk failure and should seek hardware help. Avie -- Avadis Tevanian, Jr. (Avie) Manager, System Software Group / Chief Operating System Scientist NeXT, Inc. avie@cs.cmu.edu or avie@NeXT.com