12/14/94
 
  Service Mode Prompt in AIX 3.2.3e to 3.2.5
 
 
 
  SPECIAL NOTICES
 
       Information in this document is correct to the best of our
       knowledge at the time of this writing.  Please send feedback
       by fax to "AIXServ Information" at (512) 823-4009.
 
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       operational environment.
 
       +----------------------------------------------------------+
       |                                                          |
       | NOTE:  The information in this document has NOT been     |
       | verified for AIX 4.1.                                    |
       |                                                          |
       +----------------------------------------------------------+
 
 
  ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
 
       This document describes a workaround that makes it possible
       to get a command prompt in service mode or after booting
       from diagnostic diskettes.
 
       This document applies to AIX 3.2.3e to 3.2.5.
 
  OVERVIEW
 
       Starting with AIX 3.2.3e, AIX no longer allows a user to get
       a command prompt from either service mode or the diagnostic
       diskettes.  This function is no longer allowed because it
       could possibly be a security hole.
 
       AIX DOES allow the user to get a command prompt after
       booting from BOSboot diskettes or a mksysb tape.  (To do
       this, boot from the diskettes or tape, select choice number
       4, and use getrootfs to start a maintenance shell.)
 
  WORKAROUND
 
       Perform the following steps (in Normal mode) to make it pos-
       sible to get a command prompt the next time you are in
       Service mode or have booted from diagnostic diskettes.
 
       This workaround will cause "pg" to set the SHELL environment
       variable.  If the SHELL variable is set, pg will allow a
       shell escape.
 
       1.  Enter the following commands:
 
              cd /bin
              mv pg pg.orig
 
 
                           Service Mode Prompt in AIX 3.2.3e to 3.2.5  1
 
 
                                                                12/14/94
 
       2.  Create a shell script called "pg" with the following
           contents:
 
              #!/bin/ksh
              export SHELL=/bin/ksh
              /bin/pg.orig $*
 
           NOTE:  Be sure that the string "#!/bin/ksh" starts in
           the first column on the first line of the file con-
           taining the code.
 
       3.  Enter the following commands:
 
              chmod 555 /bin/pg
              chown bin /bin/pg
              chgrp bin /bin/pg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                           Service Mode Prompt in AIX 3.2.3e to 3.2.5  2
 
 
                                                                12/14/94
 
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  END OF DOCUMENT (maint.shell.32e.cmd, 4FAX# 3051)
 
 
 
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