Cobalt raq3i

[twix]

I recently purchased an almost NIB cobalt raq 3i, which was apparently kept in storage as a back-up.

The machine looks great. I replaced the battery and it booted right up. Unfortunately, the machine was already configured. I thought of re-installing the OS, but copies of the OS are nowhere to be found. Any ideas how to get it back into working order?

[uunix]

There is a reset button on the back? Hold for 10 seconds?

[twix]

I am afraid not. There is a small hole in the front that accepts a bent paperclip to reset the admin password. The raq2 manual has some screen-shots of the server management interface that might help to access the server settings.

Although support was dropped a long time ago, it's hard to believe that there is not a single copy of the installation CD's to be found on the internet. After all, Sun provided them free of charge, while it lasted.

[uunix]

I am afraid not. There is a small hole in the front that accepts a bent paperclip to reset the admin password. The raq2 manual has some screen-shots of the server management interface that might help to access the server settings.

Although support was dropped a long time ago, it's hard to believe that there is not a single copy of the installation CD's to be found on the internet. After all, Sun provided them free of charge, while it lasted.

I think I have some.
[Edit... Sorry, I do have a folder called Cobalt-Server with a load of PDFs etc but nothing opens]

[Titox]

I have all the restore cd images on iso format. It were free downloadable from Sun website so I don't think there will be any problem if I reupload. But I need some time.

[kramlq]

Likewise, I mirrored a couple of ftp sites holding many cobalt ISOs and packages (tens of Gb). I should still have them on an external HD somewhere.
If you know the name of what ISO you are looking for, and Titox doesn't have it, send me a PM.

[twix]

I am not sure about the exact filenames. They should be in the form: raq3_(date).iso. I think that either the iso for the raq3 or raq4 should work.

[twix]

Some file names that I found:

960-RAQ30101AU RaQ 3/3i English
960-RAQ40101BU RaQ 4i English
RaQ3-050901.iso

A web page with a copy of the contents of the sun cobalt ftp site:

https://archive.li/95rpL

[twix]

Hmmm, might just have found a ftp site:

http://ftp04.data-hotel.biz/pub01/Cobal ... un-cobalt/

[twix]

Ok: found, downloaded, and burned some ISO's. The installers boot, but require networks cards that most users dumped 20 years ago. This is going to be fun.

[twix]

Problem already solved. Used a HP E-PC computer that has a supported network card and did a net re-install. The Raq3 now works. The cool part is looking at the system messages as the system installs and configures:

Next is some memory and maybe a second disk for raid, then on to try to make some simple websites.