cpio Backup and restore to spare server fails

Our company purchased a spare HP ML350 server - identical to current one in use to act as minimal downtime replacement should the inevitable happen.

After install of OS 5.0.7 and restore of cpiobackup I get this message:
-: Syntax error: Hostname= $inexpected

The SCO licence policy manager daemon (sco_pmd)..........

This is usually due to a read only root filesystem, lack of a system licence or a damaged program image file (/etc/sco_pmd) If this is not the ase, please contact your SCO service provider for help.
Depending on the reason for the failure, the system may shutdown without warning in one hour. Please boot to single user and correct the problem.

As it has been some time since I've done bup and restore, I had to rely on the notes written 15 years ago. I'm not sure its the cpio restore or re-valuating the SCO licence. The server boxes are identical except the live one has a 8 port serial card.

fyi -
Automated backup command is:
cd /
find . -depth -print | cpio -ocvB -O /dev/rct0

My restore command is:
cd /
cpio -icvdumB /dev/rct0

Any ideas?

Check the date in the CMOS on the new system.
If you did a fresh install, and then did a restore of the root file system, and or the /stand file system, then the dates could also be messed up.
Run scoadmin, and remove and re-install the licences.

if your cmos time is wrong then you logon in single user mode.
Set the correct time and reboot your system.
open license manager and be sure the all settings are ok.

if your problem continues then re-try restore from tape and repeat up directions..

if your problem continues then check the your backup for corruption

cpio -invt -I /dev/rct0 

make sure the .rhosts file is setup on the target server.

Thanks guys for your help, I eventually gave up on the fresh install and restore over the top and went for the boot/root floppies and two backup tapes installation.

Looks like everything is installed and working, now to test network connections and printing.....