TOPS-20 Beware File Version 7(21017) Last Revision: 01 Jun 88 COPYRIGHT (C) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION 1976, 1987, 1988. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS SOFTWARE IS FURNISHED UNDER A LICENSE AND MAY BE USED AND COPIED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF SUCH LICENSE AND WITH THE INCLUSION OF THE ABOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICE. THIS SOFTWARE OR ANY OTHER COPIES THEREOF MAY NOT BE PROVIDED OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY OTHER PERSON. NO TITLE TO AND OWNERSHIP OF THE SOFTWARE IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED. THE INFORMATION IN THIS SOFTWARE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION. DIGITAL ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE USE OR RELIABILITY OF ITS SOFTWARE ON EQUIPMENT WHICH IS NOT SUPPLIED BY DIGITAL. TOPS-20 Beware File - Version 7(21017) Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 FUNCTION OF THIS DOCUMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2.0 CRITICAL CAUTIONS AND CORRECTIONS (READ THESE CAREFULLY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2.1 New KL Microcode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2.2 DFCIA Use With Login Structures . . . . . . . . . 3 2.3 Edit 7449 And SKDCL1 BUGHLTs . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2.4 Job 0 Forks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3.0 LESS CRITICAL PROBLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3.1 New System Logical Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3.2 INFO% JSYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3.3 Canceling Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3.4 The Old Mailers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3.5 Dump-on-BUGCHK Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 TOPS-20 Beware File - Version 7(21017) Page 3 FUNCTION OF THIS DOCUMENT 01 Jun 88 1.0 FUNCTION OF THIS DOCUMENT This document supplements the TOPS-20 manuals by pointing out hints and potential problems discovered at the last minute. 2.0 CRITICAL CAUTIONS AND CORRECTIONS (READ THESE CAREFULLY) 2.1 New KL Microcode Version 7.0 of TOPS-20 uses the new PMOVE and PMOVEM instructions. These instructions were made available in KL microcode version 2.1(442). This microcode version is required for TOPS-20 version 7.0. 2.2 DFCIA Use With Login Structures DFCIA can no longer be run under TOPS-20 if that TOPS-20 system has a Login Structure that is on an RA81 or a dual ported disk. This is because you need to dismount all CI-accessible structures and OPR>SET PORT CI UNAVAILABLE to run DFCIA, but you can't dismount the Login Structure. 2.3 Edit 7449 And SKDCL1 BUGHLTs It was discovered that edit 7449 had adverse side-effects on the loading of DN60s. This edit was intended to prevent SKDCL1 BUGHLTs which can occur after a powerfail restart during the loading of the DN60. This edit was removed and the problem will be addressed differently in a future Autopatch tape. In the interim, be aware that these BUGHLTs may reappear. We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause. 2.4 Job 0 Forks It is strongly suggested that the GALAXY processes run under their own job and be under the control of PTYCON. Also, NEBULA should be run in a separate job as it uses many sub-forks for DECnet communication. Provided in the first saveset on the Installation tape are sample 7-SYSJOB.RUN and 7-PTYCON.ATO files which can be used as guides in setting up a more flexible and efficient arrangement for the important system forks. TOPS-20 Beware File - Version 7(21017) Page 4 LESS CRITICAL PROBLEMS 01 Jun 88 3.0 LESS CRITICAL PROBLEMS 3.1 New System Logical Names The Login Structure feature introduces new logical names to the system. At startup, the following new logical names are defined: o BS: => Points to the swapping structure (PS: unless using a Login Structure) o SERR: => BS:<SYSTEM-ERROR> o SPOOL: => BS:<SPOOL> o TGHA-DATA: => BS:<SYSTEM> If any of these logical names are changed, programs which use them (including GALAXY, TGHA, ACTGEN, SETSPD, CHKPNT, and the monitor) could fail to work properly. Also, as of TOPS-20 version 7.0, there cannot be a structure called BS: as this is assumed to be the swapping structure. 3.2 INFO% JSYS When using the INFO% JSYS, argument blocks for information to be returned cannot be in ACs 1-4. The reason is because INFO% preserves user's T1-T4 because it uses them at will during JSYS call simulation. 3.3 Canceling Requests A privileged user can no longer just give the request number of a request to cancel if that request is not his. He must now also specify the /USER: switch. 3.4 The Old Mailers The old TOPS-20 mail system (MAIL/MAILER/RDMAIL) is no longer supported. These programs have been placed on the tools tape along with the old ARMAIL.MAC (renamed MAILER-ARMAIL.MAC). The supported mail system, MS/MX, has replaced MAIL/MAILER/RDMAIL and the supported ARMAIL.MAC will communicate with MX. Therefore, any programs which use ARMAIL, such as the GALAXY subsystem, will also communicate with MX. TOPS-20 Beware File - Version 7(21017) Page 5 Dump-on-BUGCHK Timing 01 Jun 88 3.5 Dump-on-BUGCHK Timing The Dump-on-BUGCHK (DOB) facility turns off timesharing while the system is being dumped. If the DOB takes an extended period of time, LAT and/or DECnet and/or Arpanet connections may be lost. Therefore the fastest available device should be used for DOB dumps. A couple of example memory dumping times follow. Device Memory size DOB time ------ ----------- ---------- RP07 1.5 Mw 6 seconds RP07 4.0 Mw 16 seconds RP06 1.5 Mw 11 seconds RP06 4.0 Mw 32 seconds RA60/81 1.5 Mw 21 seconds RA60/81 4.0 Mw 56 seconds