7044-44P Does not boot from mksysb-Tape

Hi,

my 7044-44P refuses to boot from a mksysb -i-Tape.

What happens: When I try to boot the System from a mksysb-Tape the system accesses the Tape-Drive several Times, but doesn't really load. After a long time (~15 min.) it starts displaying that it loads the kernel off the Tape (shows st and the Drives SCSI ID 2). Then it again takes ~15 min. until I get an Error 4B27D4C4. However, all Diag-Runs show the system is OK as shows it's normal day-to-day Operation. There is also NO problem booting from CDROM or Disk!

What I tried:
The drive is a HP DDS-III Tape which was previously used in a FreeBSD-Machine. Before I moved the Drive I connected to a Windows-PC and ran HP-Diagnostics and also checked if the drive was at the latest Firmware Level (it was - and it was tested w/o Problems). I put it into the second Media Bay of the 7044 and assigned it SCSI ID 2 (CD-ROM is 1, the Disk-Drives are 6 and 5).

The Jumpers are set according to the drives manual and the AIX FAQ. I also checked recent Info on the HP-WebSite which confirmed the Settings (I use the ones for MRS: On / On / Off / On / On / Off / Off / On). I checked this several times and even switched all Switches to their opposite and then back, in case there were contact problems.

When I backup the System to the Drive using mksysb, while I cannot boot from the Tape, the Backup itself is OK, i.e. I can read it and, after booting from CD-ROM, I can also restore the whole System w/o any Problems from that same Tape that refuses to boot.

I, however, was unable to restore a System that was backed up w/o -p (got an error duing decompression).

I tried this several times, i.e. mksysb -i to multiple Tapes, but the Problem persists. Btw: After a test-read of the Tape there are no entries in errpt.

I searched around the AIX FAQ and this Newsgroup but, unfortunately, didn't find any hint.

Would be nice to get some helpfull hints!
MTIA,
cheers,
_ralf_
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Prime 2550
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    (comp.sys.prime)
  • Re: mksysb recovery problems
    ... Dave, ... booting from tape. ... Subject: mksysb recovery problems ... We are now attempting to boot into the SMS menu and change ...
    (AIX-L)
  • Re: 7044-44P Does not boot from mksysb-Tape
    ... When I try to boot the System from a mksysb-Tape the system accesses the Tape-Drive several Times, ... The drive is a HP DDS-III Tape which was previously used in a FreeBSD-Machine. ... The Jumpers are set according to the drives manual and the AIX FAQ. ... When I backup the System to the Drive using mksysb, while I cannot boot from the Tape, the Backup itself is OK, i.e. ...
    (comp.unix.aix)
  • Re: mksysb recovery problems
    ... > which is on the mksysb ... > Dave Zarnoch ... > booting from tape. ... > We are now attempting to boot into the SMS menu and change ...
    (AIX-L)
  • Fwd: Re: mksysb recovery problems MORE INFO
    ... To recover specific files from a backup made with mksysb, ... Said the tape was not in backup format ... We are now attempting to boot into the SMS menu and change ...
    (AIX-L)