No Migration Option from AIX 3.2.5 to 4.1 -- Pad String Problem

Environment

Problem

In an attempted migration from AIX Version 3.2.5 to 4.1.x, no migration option is presented. The only options given are for a preservation and a new and complete overwrite.

This problem results from a string in the blv (boot logical volume) that is checked by the 4.1.3 install programs. Check this string by executing the following:

        dd if=/dev/hd5 bs=512 count=2 of=/tmp/blv.lst
        strings /tmp/blv.lst |grep string

If you see

                4.1.1 pad string:~!~#$%@@%$#~!~
                4.1.1 pad string:~!~#$%@@%$#~!~

then this disk has had 4.1.x installed at some time previously and may have the migration problem.

If you see

                3.2 pad string:~!~#$%@@%$#~!~
                3.2 pad string:~!~#$%@@%$#~!~

then the string is not the problem. In this case make SURE that hd9var exists in rootvg.

Solution

For the migration install menu to appear, hd5 must have "3.2 pad string" in the second block. To restore this string, do the following:

        run /usr/lpp/bosinst/blvset -d /dev/ipldevice -p menu </etc/settings

Check the results:

        dd if=/dev/hd5 bs=512 count=2 of=/tmp/blv.lst
        strings /tmp/blv.lst |grep string

If you see

                3.2 pad string:~!~#$%@@%$#~!~
                3.2 pad string:~!~#$%@@%$#~!~

then the change was successful.

A 3.2.5 to 4.1.x migration install should be possible at this point.

[ Doc Ref: 93326371714380     Publish Date: Aug. 20, 1999     4FAX Ref: none ]