x86: How to Boot a System Interactively

1. Press any key to reboot the system if the system displays the Type any key to reboot prompt. You can also use the reset button at this prompt. If the system is shut down, turn the system on with the power (on/off) switch.

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

2. Type b -a to boot the system interactively.

   If you do not make a selection within 5 seconds, the system is automatically booted to run level 3.

3. Answer the system prompts as described in Table 9-2.

   Table 9-2 x86: Interactive Boot Procedure Steps

   If the System Displays ...	Do the Following ...
   Type any key to reboot	Press any key to reboot the system if the system displays the Type any key to reboot prompt. You can also use the reset button at this prompt. If the system is shut down, turn the system on with the power (on/off) switch. The Primary Boot Subsystem menu is displayed after a few minutes.
   The Primary Boot Subsystem menu	Select the Active Solaris slice as the boot device. Press Return. If you do not make a selection within 30 seconds, the active boot slice is selected automatically.
   Select (b)oot or (i)nterpreter:	Type b -a and press Return.
   Enter default directory for modules: [/platform/i86pc/kernel /kernel /usr/kernel]:	Provide an alternate path for the modules directory and press Return, or press Return to use the default modules directory path.
   Name of system file [etc/system]:	Provide the name of an alternate system file and press Return, or press Return to use the default /etc/system file. Enter /dev/null as the file if your /etc/system file has been damaged.
   root filesystem type [ufs]:	Press Return to use the default root file system type: UFS for local disk booting or NFS for diskless clients.
   Enter physical name of root device [physical_device_name]:	Provide an alternate device name and press Return, or press Return to use the default physical name of the root device bootpath.

x86: Example--Booting a System Interactively

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

Type any key to reboot
            .
            .
            .
 
                     <<< Current Boot Parameters >>>
Boot path: /eisa/eha@1,4000/sd@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
 
 
                     <<< timeout in 5 seconds >>>>
Select (b)oot or (i)nterpreter: b -a
Enter default directory for modules [/platform/i86pc/kernel 
/kernel /usr/kernel]: Return
Name of system file [etc/system]:Return
(Copyright notice)
root filesystem type [ufs]: Return
Enter physical name of root device
[/eisa/dpt@5c88,0/cmdk@0,0:a]: Return
Configuring network interfaces:  smc0
Hostname: venus
(fsck messages)
The system is coming up.  Please wait
(More messages)
venus console login: