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Conference bulova::decw_jan-89_to_nov-90

Title:	DECWINDOWS 26-JAN-89 to 29-NOV-90
Notice:	See 1639.0 for VMS V5.3 kit; 2043.0 for 5.4 IFT kit
Moderator:	STAR::VATNE

Created:	Mon Oct 30 1989
Last Modified:	Mon Dec 31 1990
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	3726
Total number of notes:	19516

2569.0. "Hanging after pausing" by HYEND::PSWANSON ($set job/keep) Wed Apr 04 1990 11:49

    Hi folks,

    Occasionally, my workstation "hangs" after returning from a paused session.
    Here's what happens:  I pause the session, then attempt to get back in
    later.  I type my password, press Return, the red OK box comes on as usual,
    but then nothing happens.  It just sits there.

    I then have to set host to the system account from the CI-VAXcluster and
    perform a shutdown and automatic reboot.  This allows me to get back into
    my machine, and everything works fine (but, of course, I've lost any work
    I was doing in my windows -- a real drag).

    Specs:  My lady is a VAXstation 3100 (model 40) with 16 MB of memory.  I
    have 2 RZ23 disks (dkb300 has a 40,000-block secondary page file), a TZ30
    tape drive, and a smile on my face 'cause I love DECwindows (I'm on version
    2).  VMS version is 5.3.

    Couldn't find a note about this...anyone have any ideas??

    Thanks,
    Paul

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2569.1	me too...	CXCAD::DAVIES	Outside is America	`Fri Apr 06 1990 00:08`	6
	No ideas. I've seen the same behavior on my machine twice in the last couple of weeks. VAXstation 3500 w/24 MB, VMS 5.3, DECWindows V2, not clustered. I did a sho sys remotely and found that my session manager was MUTEX - waiting for something, but what? Ian
2569.2	Deadlocked, but why?	HYEND::PSWANSON	$set job/keep	`Fri Apr 06 1990 11:35`	10
	Thanks Ian. I should also have mentioned that after getting into the system account remotely, I too found that my session manager was in a MUTEX wait (sorry to have left out this piece of info, developers). So...now, is there a way to find out what the session manager wants but can't have? If so, I'll be glad to send along this info if/when the problem occurs again. Regards, Paul
2569.3	BYTLM?	NITMOI::PESENTI	Only messages can be dragged	`Fri Apr 13 1990 09:57`	12
	I've had this happen because I was running out of BYTLM. Each time you start an application, you lose about 1200 from this quota. When it gets low enough, MUTEX. Solution (workaround), give yourself LOTS of BYTLM. I have a batch job that runs out of SYSTEM (so I don't need the privs, and can keep inspect happy). Periodically, it makes sure OPCOM messages are directed at my session manager window, and while it is at it, it checks the session manager's BYTLM. It broadcasts a message to the session manager's window letting me know if my BYTLM is ok or not. If it is too low, I log out and back in.
2569.4	Pre-V5.4 session manager exhausts BYTLM quota	STAR::DICKERSON	Philip - an Aussie in VMSland (ZK3-4)	`Mon Jul 09 1990 18:16`	17
	We have discovered the cause of a workstation hanging in MUTEX state when attempting to restart from a paused window. When applications are started from the Session Manager, some BUFIO quota is used that is not released when the application exits. When the remaining BUFIO quota is low enough, DECwindows is unable to complete the process of restarting from a paused window. The problem will occur after the Session Manager is used to start many applications which are subsequently terminated. (As stated in a previous note, the account's BYTLM should be set high.) This problem has been fixed in VMS V5.4. In the meantime, if the problem occurs, the only solution is to reboot the workstation (or perhaps to stop and restart the session manager by setting host to the workstation). A workaround may be to start any needed applications from the Session Manager and then just iconify them (rather than exiting) when not needed so that the BUFIO quota is not repeatedly reduced.
2569.5	Fileview vs. Session Manager?	HYEND::PSWANSON	Blinded by delights	`Tue Jul 10 1990 11:30`	9
	Thanks to everyone for investigating this problem. Regarding work- arounds -- other than upgrading to 5.4 this afternoon 8^) -- would starting applications using Fileview instead of the Session Manager help? It seems as if everyone around here except me uses Fileview. And I'm the only guy around here whose Session Manager gets MUTEXified. Am I jumping to workarounds/conclusions/idle speculation?