Several things... see getting into maintenance mode below and then you can
recover the root password from single user mode. If you boot from diags..there should be an option to go to single user mode? If so try it...Otherwise use the below steps:
Recovering the root password
1.If the system has a Service/Normal key, turn it to the Service position.
2.With bootable media as the same version and level as the system, boot the system. The bootable media can be any ONE of the following:
Bootable CD-ROM
NON_AUTOINSTALL mksysb
Bootable Install Tape
Follow the prompts to the Welcome to Base OS menu.
3.Choose Start Maintenance Mode for System Recovery (Option 3). The next screen
displays prompts for the Maintenance Menu. Choose option 1:
Access a Root Volume Group
The next screen prints a warning message and asks you to select 0 to continue. Select 0.
0 Continue
The next screen asks you to select the proper volume group. Select the proper volume group for your machine.
The console will display information about rootvg and a menu with two options. Choose option 1:
Access this volume group and start a shell
If you get errors from the preceding option, do not continue with the rest of this procedure. First, correct the problem. If you need assistance correcting the problem, contact one of the following:
local branch office
your point of sale
your AIX support center
4.Run the passwd command from the command prompt:
passwd
Changing password for "root"
root's New password:
Enter the new password again:
5.With the key in Normal position (if applicable), issue the reboot command:
sync;sync;sync;reboot
===============================
Booting PCI-based systems into Service mode
When booting an RS/6000 PowerPC system into Service mode, cd0 or rmt0 must be before the hdisk in the bootlist. If not, change the bootlist at boot time. On some models, you can set the machine to use a default bootlist that includes both cd0 and rmt0. If a bootable CD or tape is in the CD-ROM or tape drive, the
machine will boot from this device.
For most of the newer PCI-based models, selecting the default bootlist, with a bootable tape or CD loaded in the machine, causes the system to automatically boot from that device. Generally, the next menu on the screen asks the administrator to define the system console.
For all machines discussed here, if you are using a graphical terminal, you will use a function key such as F5. If you are using an ASCII terminal, use an equivalent number key such as 5. Use the numbers across the top of the keyboard, not the numbers on the numeric keypad. On ASCII terminals, the icons may not be displayed on
the screen; the number can be pressed between the second and third beeps, the second beep being a series of three clicks.
PCI machine-specific information
The following systems all use the F5 or 5 key to read from the default boot list, which is written into the system firmware:
MODEL 7017 7024 7025 7026 7043 7137
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TYPE S70 E20 F30 H10 43P-140 F3L
S7A E30 F40 H50 43P-150
F50 H70 43P-240
43P-260
On these machines, use 5 (on the keyboard, not the keypad) if you are using an ASCII terminal. On a locally attached graphics console, use the F5 function key. The F5 or 5 key must be pressed just after the keyboard icon or message is displayed on the console.
-----------
Accessing rootvg and mounting file systems
For AIX Version 4, choose Start Maintenance Mode for System Recovery , option 3. The next screen will be called Maintenance; select option 1, Access a Root Volume Group. At the next screen, type 0 to continue, and select the appropriate volume group by typing the number next to it. A screen like the following will display.
Example:
Access a Root Volume Group
Type the number for a volume group to display the logical volume information and press Enter.
1) Volume Group 0073656f2608e46a contains these disks:
hdisk0 2063 04-C0-00-4,0
Once a volume group has been selected, information will be displayed about that volume group.
Example:
Volume Group Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Volume Group ID 0073656f2608e46a includes the following logical volumes:
hd6 hd5 hd8 hd4 hd2 hd9var
hd3 hd1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type the number of your choice and press Enter.
1) Access this Volume Group and start a shell
2) Access this Volume Group and start a shell before mounting filesystems
99) Previous Menu
If the logical volumes listed do not include logical volumes like hd4, hd2, hd3, and so on, you may have selected the wrong volume group. Press 99 to back up one screen and select again.
Now you may select one of two options: Access this volume group and start a shell ,
option 1, or Access this volume group and start a shell before mounting file
systems , option 2. Option 2 allows you to perform file system maintenance on /, /usr, /tmp, and /var before mounting them.
NOTE: If you intend to use SMIT or vi, set your terminal type in preparation for editing the file. xxx stands for a terminal type such as lft, ibm3151, or vt100.
TERM=<xxx>
export TERM
Errors from these steps may indicate failed or corrupt disks in rootvg. These problems should be corrected. For additional assistance, contact your vendor, your local branch office, or your AIX support center.
#-)
Now if we are talking H80...it is a different way to boot into service mode.
), I figured c45 was a false error based on a damaged CD-ROM.