Need Help with an installation problem

I'm trying to update a 7025-F50 from AIX 4.3.3 to AIX 5.2. After hitting F5 on startup, the system hangs (wait for over 20 minutes) during the boot from the installation CD. The LED prompt is 0c31 (waiting for console to be defind) but the screen never changes from the white display to the F1 prompt window. I do not have this problem when I boot off of the AIX 4.3.3 installation CD.

To correct the problem, I updated my platform to 4.3.3 maintainence level 11 and loaded the latest firmware/microcode updates but still no help.

Is there something that I haven't configured/updated to allow the AIX 5.2 install to proceed? Or is there a way to force the AIX system to move past this situation.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

1) are you sure your hardware supports AIX 5.2 ?
2) Instead of hitting F5 during the boot, try someting else :
a) While AIX 4.3 is running, type "bootlist -m normal cd0 hdisk XX"
(where XX is the name of your bootlist, juste type lspv and see where rootvg is).
b) put the 5.2 CD-ROM and type "shutdown -Fr", it should boot directly from the CD.

I guess that your graphic terminal is not supported, maybe you should connect a dumb terminal at the serial1 plug, at least during the first step of the install.

By the way, before doing what I say, you should make a "smit mksysb" tape backup. So you can go back in case of trouble.

Went through this same upgrade myself not to long ago on the same hardware. Yes, it is possible to migrate to 5.2. I know F5 is "supposed" to boot from the CD, but for giggles try getting to the splash screen where you can push F1 to get into SMS. See if that makes a difference.

Depending on how much hardware is in your machine it could take a while for it to boot off the CD. Be patient, let it run for as long as you can before giving up all hope. Go to dinner, a long dinner, then check it again.

Good things come to those who wait.