Analyzing "Can't boot/boot fails" on Sun X64 servers

Asset ID:	1-75-1004257.1
Update Date:	2011-04-15
Keywords:

Solution Type Troubleshooting Sure

Solution 1004257.1 : Analyzing "Can't boot/boot fails" on Sun X64 servers

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Related Categories


GCS>Sun Microsystems>Servers>x64 Servers

PreviouslyPublishedAs
205885

Description
This document will assist with analyzing boot problems on Sun X64 servers.

Summary:

This document addresses issues you may run in to during the boot process on a Sun X64 server, from the time the system is powered on, until the operating system starts to boot.

Symptoms:

System will not boot

Boot fails

Can't power up

Please validate that each troubleshooting step below is true for your environment. The steps will provide instructions or a link to a document, for validating the step and taking corrective action as necessary. The steps are ordered in the most appropriate sequence to isolate the issue and identify the proper resolution. Please do not skip a step.

Steps to Follow

Step 1. Verify system power

Refer to: <Document: 1002926.1> : How to check if a Sun X64 server is powered on

If after you have checked for power and find that the system is powered off:

Refer to: <Document: 1002941.1> : How to check why the system powered off, on Sun X64 servers

If the system is still powered off or you find any indicator for issues which could have caused the system to power off, please collect all the data as described in the document and proceed with step 6 below to contact Sun Support.

If you checked and the system is powered ON, continue on to the next step.

Step 2. Check for errors on the system

Refer to: <Document: 1008409.1>: How to verify platform health on a Sun X64 Server

Step 3. Verify boot media exists and is bootable

Refer to: <Document: 1005506.1> : How to verify your boot media exists and is bootable, on a Sun X64 server

Step 4. Confirm that the OS starts to boot

If you are able to see the boot loader of your system, e.g. GRUB for Sun Solaris or Linux, LiLO for Linux or the MS Windows boot loader, than you have confirmed that the OS is starting to boot

When starting the GRand Unified Bootloaded (GRUB) on a system running Linux or Solaris[TM], and you do not see the GRUB menu for selecting the image to boot, you may have an issue with a corrupted boot archive. In this case please refer to <Document: 1018947.1> Boot problem because of corrupted boot_archive file

You may also find the following useful, <Document: 1005352.1> : Configuring and understanding GRUB

Step 5. Raise a Sun service request

At this point, if you have validated that each troubleshooting step above is true for your environment, and the issue still exists, further troubleshooting is required. For additional support contact Sun Support.

NOTE: Since you can't boot your server, the amount of data you can gather is limited. For example, if you are running Solaris, you will not be able to complete an explorer data capture.

However, please capture the errors you are getting, using the procedures outlined in <Document: 1008409.1> : How to verify platform health on a Sun X64 Server

You will also find the Server Service and Diagnostic Guides helpful:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/documentation/oracle-x86-servers-190077.html

Product
Sun Fire X4600 Server
Sun Fire X4600 M2 Server
Sun Fire X4200 Server
Sun Fire X4200 M2 Server
Sun Fire X4100 Server
Sun Fire X4100 M2 Server
RoHS Sun Fire X4200 Server
RoHS Sun Fire X4100 Server

Internal Comments
At this point, if the customer has validated that each troubleshooting step above is true for their environment, and the issue still exists, escalate to your Sun escalation path.

This document contains normalized content and is managed by the the Domain Lead(s) of the respective domains. To notify content owners of a knowledge gap contained in this document, and/or prior to updating this document, please contact the domain engineers that are managing this document via the "Document Feedback" alias(es) listed below:
Normalization team alias: tsc-emea-x64@sun.com

x64, normalized, x4100, x4200, x4600, M2, boot, PXE, DVD
Previously Published As
91614
Change History
Date: 2010-5-25
User Name: james.j.carter@oracle.com
Action: Checked for currency, updated content.

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