System Startup, Configuration, and Shutdown Reference Manual (32650-90892)

18 Chapter1
Introduction
What Is System Startup?
What Is System Startup?
System startup refers to the procedure for starting the computer software, namely the
operating system, and other programs. System startup does not refer to installing the
system for the first time. (A separate installation guide for your first loading of the new
fundamental operating software (FOS) comes with each FOS tape. See below.) Also, system
startup does not refer to turning on the power to the computer, disk drives, tape drives,
printers, or the system console. Normally, computer hardware remains powered on
continuously.
How System Startup is Carried Out
System startup involves several steps:
• resetting the system
• placing system files on the system disk, if the files do not already reside there
• starting the system using an autoboot or interactive sequence
Starting procedures are administered and controlled through initial system loader (ISL)
utilities.
The initial system loader is software that provides a command-driven user interface for
accessing boot utilities or issuing commands to display or change system startup functions.
You can access ISL by resetting the system. (Refer to Chapter 2 , “Initiating System
Activity,” for information on resetting the system.)
The START utility enables the system operator or system manager to start (boot or
initialize) the system after system files have been placed on disk by the ISL INSTALL or
UPDATE utilities, or after system memory has been stored to tape or disk by the ISL DUMP
utility.
NOTE If you are installing the operating system for the first time, or if you are
updating your current system, please follow the instructions in the HP e3000
MPE/iX System Software Maintenance Manual. This manual is packaged
with the FOS and system load tape (SLT) that you receive from
Hewlett-Packard.
There are two booting sequences available for the HP e3000 (Series 900): autoboot and
interactive. The autoboot sequence takes its utility commands from an autoexecute file,
also referred to as an autoboot file, and requires no operator intervention to start the
operating system. The interactive sequence prompts the system manager or system
operator for the utility commands and options to start the operating system.
Autoboot and interactive sequences are discussed in detail in Chapter 2 , “Initiating
System Activity,”and Chapter 3 , “System Startup Functions.”