ABSTRACT: Recovery from rm * from the Root (/) Directory in AIX 4.x
Published date: 19981210

Recovery from rm * from the Root (/) Directory in AIX 4.x

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Contents

About This Document
Summary of the Recovery Procedure
Procedure
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About This Document

This document describes how to recover after running the rm command in the
root directory and applies to AIX Versions 4.x.
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Summary of the Recovery Procedure

Deleting the files in the root directory will delete the following links:

    bin -> /usr/bin
    lib -> /usr/lib
    u -> /home
    unix -> /usr/lib/boot/unix_up   ( or unix_mp )

In the root directory, removing the bin directory link disables the korn 
shell needed for login. The recovery will boot in service mode and rebuild 
the links.

NOTE: The following procedure describes how to boot the machine into
maintenance mode, access the rootvg volume group and start a shell prior to
mounting the file systems. If the system does not have a key or if 
additional details are needed, please contact your AIX support center.
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Procedure

  1. Turn the key to the Service position.

  2. With BOOTABLE MEDIA OF THE SAME VERSION AND LEVEL AS THE SYSTEM, boot 
     the system.

     The bootable media can be ANY ONE of the following:
       o Bootable CD-ROM
       o NON_AUTOINSTALL mksysb
       o 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 prompts the Maintenance menu.
       1. Choose Access a Root Volume Group (Option 1).
       2. Choose 0 continue and Select Volume group by number.

          At this stage the console should display information about rootvg 
          and also display a menu with two options.
       3. Choose Access this volume group and start a shell before mounting 
          the file systems (Option 2).

     NOTE: If there are errors from the preceding option, do not continue 
     with the rest of this procedure. Correct the problem causing the error.
     If you need assistance in correcting the problem causing the error, 
     contact one of the following:
       o local branch office
       o your point of sale
       o your AIX support center

     If no errors occur, proceed with the following steps.
  4. Mount the root file system. Enter:

         fsck -y /dev/hd4
         mount /dev/hd4 /mnt

  5. Rebuild the missing links. Enter:

         cd /mnt
         ln -s /usr/bin bin
         ln -s /usr/lib/boot/unix_up unix  OR  
         ln -s /usr/lib/boot/unix_mp unix

         ln -s /usr/lib lib
         ln -s /home u

  6. Enter:

         cd /
         umount /dev/hd4
         exit
         sync;sync;sync
         turn the key back to normal mode
         reboot

  7. This should allow the machine to reboot in normal mode so logging in is
     possible. Depending on what else was in the root directory, files may 
     have to be restored from a backup tape at this point.


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