x86: How to Boot a System Interactively

Use this procedure to boot a system when you need to specify an alternate kernel or the /etc/system file.

1. If the system displays the Press any key to reboot prompt, press any key to reboot the system.

   You can also use the reset button at this prompt. If the system is shut down, turn the system on with the power switch.

   The Primary Boot Subsystem menu is displayed after a few minutes.

2. Select the Solaris partition (if not marked as active) from the list. Press Enter.

   If you do not make a selection within five seconds, the active boot partition is selected automatically.

   The Current Boot Parameters menu is displayed after a few minutes.

3. Type b -a to boot the system interactively. Press Enter.

   If you do not make a selection within five seconds, the system is automatically booted to run level 3.

4. Answer the following system prompts:

   1. When prompted, enter the name of the kernel to use for booting.

      Press enter to use the default kernel file name. Otherwise, provide the name of an alternate kernel, press Enter.

   2. When prompted, provide an alternate path for the module directories.

      Press enter to use the default module directories. Otherwise, provide the alternate paths to module directories, press Enter.

   3. When prompted, provide the name of an alternate system file.

      Type /dev/null if your /etc/system file has been damaged.

   4. When prompted, enter the root file system type.

      Press enter to select local disk booting with UFS, which is the default, or enter NFS for network booting.

   5. When prompted, enter the physical name of root device.

      Provide an alternate device name or press return to use the default.

5. If you are not prompted to answer these questions, verify that you typed the boot -a command correctly.

Example 16–5 x86: Booting a System Interactively

In the following example, the default choices (shown in square brackets []) are accepted.

Press any key to reboot.
Resetting...
.
.
.
Autobooting from bootpath: /pci@0,0/pci-ide@7,1/ide@0/cmdk@0,0:a


If the system hardware has changed, or to boot from a different
device, interrupt the autoboot process by pressing ESC.


Initializing system
Please wait...


                     <<< Current Boot Parameters >>>
Boot path: /pci@0,0/pci-ide@7,1/ide@0/cmdk@0,0:a
Boot args:

Type    b [file-name] [boot-flags] <ENTER>     to boot with options
or      i <ENTER>                              to enter boot interpreter
or      <ENTER>                                to boot with defaults
Running Configuration Assistant...
                  <<< timeout in 5 seconds >>>

Select (b)oot or (i)nterpreter: b -a
Enter default directory for modules [/platform/i86pc/kernel /kernel /usr/kernel]:
Press Enter
Name of system file [etc/system]: Press Enter
SunOS Release 5.10 Version amd64-gate-2004-09-30 32-bit
Copyright 1983-2004 Sun Microsystems, Inc.  All rights reserved.
Use is subject to license terms.
DEBUG enabled
root filesystem type [ufs]: Press Enter
Enter physical name of root device[/pci@0,0/pci-ide@7,1/ide@0/cmdk@0,0:a]: Press Enter
Hostname: venus
NIS domain name is example.com
checking ufs filesystems
/dev/rdsk/c1d0s7: is logging.
venus console login: