System Administration Guide

What to Do If Rebooting Fails

If the system does not reboot completely, or if it reboots and then crashes again, there may be a software or hardware problem that is preventing the system from booting successfully.

Problem -- A System Won't Boot Because ...	How to Fix the Problem
The system can't find /platform/`uname -m`/kernel/ unix.	You may need to change the `boot-device` setting in the PROM on a SPARC system. See "SPARC: How to Change the Default Boot Device" on page 14.
There is no default boot device on an x86 system. The message displayed is: `Not a UFS filesystem.`	Boot the system using the Configuration Assistant/Boot diskette and select the disk from which to boot.
There's an invalid entry in the `/etc/passwd` file.	See Part III for information on recovering from an invalid `passwd` file.
There's a hardware problem with a disk or another device.	Check the hardware connections: Make sure the equipment is plugged in. Make sure all the switches are set properly. Look at all the connectors and cables, including the Ethernet cables. If all this fails, turn off the power to the system, wait 10 to 20 seconds, and then turn on the power again.

If none of the above suggestions solve the problem, contact your local service provider.