Overwritten /dev/root -recovery of SCO OpenServer 5.0.4

UNIX SCO
1

Due to my own stupidity I managed to overwrite my /dev/root device using dd (don't ask).

Current state is

  • Have current backup created using cpio (command used was 'find . -mount -depth -print|cpio -ocB > $TAPE')

  • Once I realised what was happening powered off the server but this was too late

  • Have a set of boot floppies and have booted off them

  • Have mounted /dev/hd0root and run fsck so it is "fixed"

  • It is pretty empty (no surprise) but does have unix and unix.old, /etc only has default in it

  • The emergency floppies are old and /dev/Stp0 doesn't point to the tape drive we use for backup (DAT)

What I need to work out is how to restore /dev/root from the backup.

Thanks in advance.

2

How does it go.... he who play in root eventually kill tree.

Re-install the operating system, add the tape drive, make new boot floppies, then restore the root file system from the backup.

3

Thanks to jgt for at replying but that was not required. Was able to repair and get server all sorted with no data loss. Will post a more detailed description here later for other people to refer to.