After updating SLED 10 on HP 625 computer does not start up

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop SLED Updates
1

I have bought the HP on Amazon at least two years ago, SLED 10 installed.
After a while a message indicating “problems with a software source” showed up so I registered the computer with NCC.
Could install a lot of updates via Yast but still not the one whch was causing trouble (seems to be some emergency source). It did not accept my NCC user name and password.
I unchecked the repository and dowloaded all other ones.
Was very happy with the updates, the machine ran great.
I shut it down and when I wanted to continue working the next day it did not start up.
I tried the “failsafe” boot entry but even that failed.
It showed that it was searching/waiting for dev/sda3, however the machine only has one hard disk.

Unfortunately I do not have a backup of all my data so I am hesitant to choose the boot entry “factory recovery”.
I know it asks if I want to keep the data in my home partition.

Can anybody help me please?
Is there a chance of doing something else except factory reset?

Thanks,
Nadine

2

Hi
Sounds like a mkinitrd issue, you need a iso image (which matches your
SLED 10 system [as in SP level]) to boot from in rescue mode;

https://www.suse.com/support/kb/doc.php?id=7005233

Else you could just boot from say and openSUSE rescue cd/usb device for
your arch (32bit maybe?) http://software.opensuse.org/131/en

Then mount your data partition and copy off to an external device (hdd
usb) with the capacity to hold your data and then restore. This may be
the easiest option?

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.2 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

3

Dear Malcolm,

thanks!
I could save almost all my data with the rescue disc!
Some pdf-files could not be copied to a usb hdd, I don’t know why.
But nevermind, the most important was to save my photos.
I am running recovery mode at the moment and will then try to update again.
Will keep you posted.

Thanks again!
Nadine

4

Hi
If you can, you should look at upgrading the system to SLED 11 SP3 once
the system has recovered and registered.

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.2 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

5

Hi Malcolm,

thanks for all your help.
I did the recovery, which went well, all my painstakingly saved data was still there!
The only repository which is still giving me a hard time is this one:
HP-SBSO-Emergency-Channel
URL: https://nu.novell.com/repo/$RCE/SLED11-SP1-HP-CNB-Unregistered-Updates/sle-11-i586/
Kategorie: YUM

I did all the other available updates again and this time they went well.
So I am now at SLED 11 SP 1, all through Yast.
I have read in the Suse help forums that I can only get to SP3 through first installing SP2 and then SP3, all from boot media.
Fine with me, but where do I get a 586 iso for SP 2 and SP 3?
Could not find an official download site for them.
Or is there another easy way of updating?

Thanks so much again and best regards
Nadine

6

Hi
I would guess you need an active subscription from HP for that?

You can get them from here (You only need i586-GM-DVD1);

SP2 download: https://download.novell.com/Download?buildid=HJJrgsvxzd4~

SP3 download: https://download.novell.com/Download?buildid=Nw5At9_UZaA~

So all your hardware is working ok without the above repo added?

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.2 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

7

Hi Malcolm,

sorry or my late reply. Was it busy the last days.
Yes, the hardware is working. I had to do the recovery twice because it seems that the provided ATI Graphics driver ist causing the problem. Until I downloaded and installed that update, everything was perfect. But that update causes conflicts which Linux requires to be solved manually by providing alternative options.
I chose other options than the frist time, but the result was the same. So after doing the recovery for the second time, I decided not to update the driver since I do not have any problems with the graphics. And now everything runs smoothly.
I will now try to make my way to SP 2 and then SP 3.
Do I actually have to update SP 2 via online update before going to SP 3 or can I patch to SP 2 and then immediately to SP 3?

Thanks,

regards
Nadine

8

Another question:
For SP 2 it seems I need an activation code, for SP 3 not. Correct?
Although I do not understand why this is: Can I install SP 2 on the evaluation license and then continue to SP 3?
Will SP 3 then be fully activated or only for the 60 days from SP 2?
Just curious because my current SP 1 is active until 2017. Would not want to lose that.

Thanks,
Nadine

9

Hi
Thinking about it, you should be able to update via YaST wagon. I’m
assuming that since it’s pre-installed, you got your activation code
via HP? If so, I suggest you contact them in the first instance and see
if they can provide a procedure. If not post back and will see what I
can find out.

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.2 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

10

Now I am a bit confused.
You mean I should be able to update from SP 1 to SP 3 via Yast wagon?
I only have Yast on my computer. Is Yast wagon something different?
Do I need to install or unlock it?
I was planning to upgrade via DVD isos. That is why I am afraid of losing the activation.
Re activation code:
I just went through the online activation and in my profile I can see that it is active until 2017. From HP I have absolutely nothing.

11

OK, you will be fine to use the DVD’s to update then. Since you have an
active subscription, make a local copy of the info (activation code
and email) as it may need deleting and re-activating.

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.2 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!