# From: hoffman@xdelta.zko.dec.nospam & Sent: Friday, January 07, 2000 9:38 PM To: Info-VAX@Mvb.Saic.Com ; Subject: OpenVMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Part 1/3        Archive-name: dec-faq/vms/part1  Posting-Frequency: monthly Last-modified: 7 January 2000  Version: VMS-FAQ-1.TXT(3)      Changes since last edition ==========================@ Various        update numerous references from DIGITAL to Compaq& Update ALPHA4  removed the OEM pointer Update ALPHA8  add restrictions  Update ALPHA11 add another bit- Update DECW3   add pointer to sys$qio example 9 Update DECW10  add CDE backdrop customization information I Add    DECW12  Why do the keyboard arrow keys move the DECwindows cursor?  Update DOC2    update URL - Update FILE5   IDE capacity information added  Update FILE8   new pointers 7 Update MISC13  Add information on compression, overhead / Add    MISC14  So what happened to sys$cmsuper? A Add    MISC15  How can I send radio pages from my OpenVMS system? 9 Add    MISC16  What is flow control and how does it work? A Add    MISC17  How do I reset the LAN (DECnet-Plus NCL) counters? ! Update MGMT2   new product owners 9 Update MGMT7   updated title, additional DTSS information ! Update MGMT12  Correct the syntax  Update MGMT20  ftp options Update MGMT22  add link  Update MGMT25  additional URLs Update MGMT30  fix typo 1 Add    MGMT31  How do I reset the error count(s)? H Add    MGMT32  How do I find out if the tape drive supports compression?F Add    MGMT33  Can I copy SYSUAF to another version? To VAX? To Alpha?1 Update SOFT1   new pointers, more inclusive title 6 Add    SOFT6   Obtaining user input in DCL CGI script?6 Add    SOFT7   How do I get my own batch entry number?5 Add    SOFT8   How do I convert to new CMS libraries? G Add    SOFT9   Where can I get new certificates for Netscape Navigator? 8 Add    SOFT10  Why doesn't DCL symbol substitution work?I Add    SUPP1   Where can I get software and hardware support information? L Add    SUPP2   Where can I get hardware self-maintenance support assistance?+ Update UTIL3   new URL, Ensoniq information + Update VAX8    the in grammar the title fix E Add    VAX9    Which serial port is the console on the MicroVAX 3100? = Update VMS7    Add source listings part numbers, point to SPD F Add    VMS12   Are there any general-access OpenVMS systems available?( Add    Y2K7    ANSI tape headers and Y2K       Overview ========E This is part 1/3 of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) posting for  < the comp.os.vms and vmsnet.misc newsgroups.  (comp.os.vms isC bidirectionally-gatewayed to the INFO-VAX mailing list - see INTRO3 > for further details.)  It contains answers to frequently askedB questions about Compaq's OpenVMS operating system and the computer> systems on which it runs.  (Please see INTRO5 before posting.)  9   The OpenVMS FAQ is archived in the following locations:   :     http://www.openvms.digital.com/wizard/openvms_faq.html9     ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/dec-faq/OpenVMS.txt 1     ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/dec-faq/vms :     ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/dec-faq/vms,     comp.answers and news.answers newsgroups  A   Other internet FAQs are generally available in these locations:   ,     comp.answers and news.answers newsgroups%     ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/...   ?   User-created HTML versions of the OpenVMS FAQ are located at:        http://www.kjsl.com/vmsfaq'     http://eisner.decus.org/vms/faq.htm   I Please do NOT send technical questions to the Frequently Asked Questions  H (FAQ) editor -- well, please do not email any questions that do not alsoG include the answer(s).  Please post these questions to the appropriate  I newsgroup instead -- and see INTRO5 before posting.  To make suggestions  G for changes or additions to this FAQ list, please send mail to the FAQ  I editor at hoffman@xdelta.zko.dec.com.  Again, the FAQ editor is *not* in  ' a position to answer general questions.    Some general notes:   L The term "VMS" is synonymous with "OpenVMS".  "Alpha", "AlphaGeneration" or G "AXP" generally refers to any system or product based on or related to  J Compaq's Alpha processor architecture.  OpenVMS manual names mentioned areC those as of V7.2 -- names may be different in other editions of the  documentation set.  H World-Wide Web Universal Resource Locator (URL) notation is used for FTP
 addresses.  F Many people have contributed to this list, directly or indirectly.  InG some cases, an answer has been adapted from one or more postings on the D comp.os.vms newsgroup.  Our thanks to all of those who post answers.H The name (or names) at the end of an entry indicate that the informationD was taken from postings by those individuals; the text may have beenG edited for this FAQ.  These citations are only given to acknowledge the 
 contribution.   A Although the editor of this FAQ is an employee of Compaq Computer A Corporation, this posting is not an official statement of Compaq.   L AlphaGeneration, AlphaServer, AlphaStation, Alpha AXP, AXP, DEC, DECstation,J DECsystem, OpenVMS, ULTRIX, VAX and VMS are trademarks of Compaq.  Compaq M and the names of Compaq products are trademarks and/or registered trademarks  L and/or service marks of Compaq Computer Corporation.  OSF/1 is a registered K trademark of the Open Software Foundation.  UNIX is a registered trademark  G in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through  K X/Open Company Ltd.  Other names are properties of their respective owners.      Table of Contents - Part 1/3 ____________________________   Introduction( ========================================* INTRO1.  What is the scope of comp.os.vms?= INTRO2.  What other newsgroups carry VMS-related information?  INTRO3.  What is INFO-VAX?< INTRO4.  How do I subscribe to or unsubscribe from INFO-VAX?F INTRO5.  How do I submit a question or a response?  What is etiquette? INTRO6.  What is DECUS? = INTRO7.  What archives of comp.os.vms/INFO-VAX are available?    General questions about OpenVMS ( ========================================. VMS1.   What is OpenVMS?  What is its history?7 VMS2.   What is the difference between VMS and OpenVMS? * VMS3.   How do I port from VMS to OpenVMS?* VMS4.   Which is better - OpenVMS or UNIX?= VMS5.   Is Compaq continuing funding and support for OpenVMS? 3 VMS7.   What OpenVMS CD-ROM products are available? , VMS8.   In what language is OpenVMS written?2 VMS9.   How do I obtain or transfer a VMS license?= VMS10.  What is OpenVMS doing about the Euro currency symbol? ? VMS11.  Why hasn't OpenVMS been ported to Intel (IA32) systems? ? VMS12.  Are there any general-access OpenVMS systems available?    Alpha and Alpha-based systems ( ========================================, ALPHA1.   What do the letters AXP stand for?A ALPHA2.   What are the OpenVMS differences between VAX and Alpha? 2 ALPHA4.   How do I join Compaq Solutions Alliance?F ALPHA5.   Seeking performance information for Alpha (and VAX) systems?E ALPHA6.   Where can I get updated console firmware for Alpha systems? D ALPHA7.   How do I boot an AlphaStation without monitor or keyboard?= ALPHA8.   Will OpenVMS run on a Multia? AlphaPC 164LX? 164SX? C ALPHA9.   What is the least expensive system that will run OpenVMS? < ALPHA10.  Where can I get more information on Alpha systems?, ALPHA11.  What are the APB boot flag values?   VAX and VAX-based systems ( ========================================8 VAX1.   Please explain the back panel of the MicroVAX II< VAX2.   What is the layout of the VAX floating point format?2 VAX3.   Where can I find more info on VAX systems?? VAX4.   Where can I find information on NetBSD for VAX systems? H VAX5.   What system disk size limit on the MicroVAX and VAXstation 3100?2 VAX6.   How does OpenVMS VAX maintain system time?* VAX7.   What are the VMB boot flag values?A VAX8.   What is the Accuracy of the VAX Time of Year (TOY) Clock? > VAX9.   Which serial port is the console on the MicroVAX 3100?  ' Hardware and Software Support resources ( ========================================B SUPP1.  Where can I get software and hardware support information?E SUPP2.  Where can I get hardware self-maintenance support assistance?   ! Documentation and other resources ( ========================================: DOC1.   Where can I find online copies of OpenVMS manuals?- DOC2.   What online information is available? 2 DOC3.   What books and publications are available?5 DOC4.   How do I extract a HELP topic to a text file? 6 DOC5.   Does OpenVMS Marketing have an e-mail address?5 DOC6.   What OpenVMS-related WWW sites are available? > DOC7.   Where can I find patches for OpenVMS layered products?B DOC8.   Where can I find info about undocumented OpenVMS features?@ DOC9.   Where is documentation on the DECnet Phase IV protocols?G DOC10.  Where can I learn about how the VMS executive works internally? D DOC11.  Where can new users find tutorial information about OpenVMS?   Year 2000 Issues( ========================================6 Y2K1.  Does OpenVMS have a problem with the year 2000?> Y2K2.  What happens with the C tm_year field in the year 2000?. Y2K3.  What happens with the year 2038 with C?$ Y2K4.  Is the year 2000 a leap year?5 Y2K5.  What is covered by the OpenVMS Y2K Evaluation? > Y2K6.  Do I need to consider Y2K?  Do I even need the Y2K ECO?. Y2K7.  Y2K-compatible ANSI tape label support?   Table of Contents - Part 2/3 ____________________________   System Management ( ========================================# MGMT1.  What is an installed image? 0 MGMT2.  Are there any known viruses for OpenVMS?1 MGMT3.  How do I mount an ISO-9660 CD on OpenVMS? 4 MGMT4.  How do I extract the contents of a PCSI kit?; MGMT5.  I've forgotten the SYSTEM password - what can I do? 9 MGMT6.  How do I connect a PostScript printer via TCP/IP? ? MGMT7.  Why can't I do a SET TIME command?  Help Managing DTSS? D MGMT8.  How do I change the timezone differential and time in batch?; MGMT9.  How do I change the node name of an OpenVMS System? E MGMT10. What is the correct value for EXPECTED_VOTES in a VMScluster? < MGMT11. Why doesn't OpenVMS see the new memory I just added?9 MGMT12. How do I write a BACKUP saveset to a remote tape? 3 MGMT13. Tell me about SET HOST/DUP and SET HOST/HSC 4 MGMT14. How do I install DECnet Phase IV on VMS 7.1?< MGMT15. How do I change the text in a user's UIC identifier?3 MGMT16. What are the OpenVMS version upgrade paths? G MGMT17. Why do I have negative number in the pagefile reservable pages? C MGMT18. Do I have to update layered products when updating OpenVMS? 3 MGMT19. How do I change the volume label of a disk? . MGMT20. How do I fix a corrupt BACKUP saveset?, MGMT21. How can I set up a shared directory?H MGMT22. Why does my system halt when I power-cycle the console terminal?8 MGMT23. Why do I get extra blank pages on my HP Printer?C MGMT24. How do I configure ELSA GLoria Synergy graphics on OpenVMS? : MGMT25. How do I acquire OpenVMS patches, fixes, and ECOs?. MGMT26. How do I rename a DSSI disk (or tape?)1 MGMT27. How do I move the queue manager database? > MGMT28. How do I set a default IP route or gateway on OpenVMS?? MGMT29. How do I switch between AlphaBIOS/ARC and SRM consoles? C MGMT30. How do I delete an undeletable/unstoppable (RWAST) process? * MGMT31. How do I reset the error count(s)?A MGMT32. How do I find out if the tape drive supports compression?    MAIL( ========================================$ MAIL1.  How do I send Internet mail?J MAIL2.  How do I get IN% or MX% added automatically to Internet addresses?K MAIL3.  How do I automatically append a signature file to my mail messages? A MAIL4.  Do I have to use VMS MAIL?  I like my Unix mailer better. L MAIL5.  How can I forward my mail?  Can I forward it to an Internet address?9 MAIL6.  How can I forward my mail to a list of addresses? J MAIL7.  MAIL keeps saying I have new messages, but I don't.  What do I do?; MAIL8.  How do I extract all of my mail messages to a file? 6 MAIL9.  How do I send or read attachments in VMS MAIL?   Other Utilities ( ========================================4 UTIL1.  How do I play an audio CD on my workstation?: UTIL2.  How do I access a MS-DOS floppy disk from OpenVMS?L UTIL3.  How do I play sound files on an AlphaStation?  DECsound doesn't work   DCL and command usage ( ========================================. DCL1.   How do I run a program with arguments?/ DCL2.   How can I redefine control keys in DCL? * DCL3.   How can I clear the screen in DCL?2 DCL4.   How do I do a REPLY/LOG in a batch stream?1 DCL5.   How do I generate a random number in DCL? % DCL6.   What does the MCR command do? 2 DCL7.   How do I change the OpenVMS system prompt?< DCL8.   Can I do DECnet task-to-task communication with DCL?   File System and RMS ( ========================================" FILE1.  How can I undelete a file?B FILE2.  Why does SHOW QUOTA give a different answer than DIR/SIZE?B FILE3.  How do I make sure that my data is safely written to disk?C FILE4.  What are the limits on file specifications and directories? @ FILE5.  What is the largest disk volume size OpenVMS can access?E FILE6.  What is the maximum file size, and the RMS record size limit? 1 FILE7.  How do I write recordable CDs on OpenVMS? 7 FILE8.  What I/O transfer size limits exist in OpenVMS?      Table of Contents - Part 3/3 ____________________________   Programming ( ========================================: PROG1.  How do I call <routine_name> from <language_name>?9 PROG2.  How do I get the arguments from the command line? = PROG3.  How do I get a formatted error message in a variable? D PROG4.  How do I link against SYS$SYSTEM:SYS.STB on an Alpha system?8 PROG5.  How do I do a SET DEFAULT from inside a program?M PROG6.  How do I create a shareable image transfer vector on an Alpha system? H PROG7.  How do I turn my Fortran COMMON into a shareable image on Alpha?< PROG8.  How do I convert between IEEE and VAX floating data?= PROG9.  How do I get the argument count in a Fortran routine? ? PROG10. How do I get a unique system ID for licensing purposes? ? PROG11. What is an executable, shareable, system or UWSS image? / PROG12. How do I do a file copy from a program?  PROG13. What is a descriptor? + PROG14. How many bytes are in a disk block? , PROG15. How many bytes are in a memory page?9 PROG16. How do I create a process under another username? D PROG17. Why do lib$spawn, lib$set_symbol fail in detached processes?I PROG18. Where can I obtain Bliss, and the libraries and supporting files? 0 PROG19. How can I open a file for shared access?  
 DECwindows( ========================================F DECW1.  How do I let someone else display something on my workstation?9 DECW2.  How do I create a display on another workstation? F DECW3.  How can I get the information from SHOW DISPLAY into a symbol?0 DECW4.  How do I get a log of a DECterm session?E DECW5.  Problem - the DELETE key deletes forward instead of backward! 7 DECW6.  Problem - On a DEC2000-300, Motif doesn't start < DECW7.  Problem - My LK401 keyboard unexpectedly autorepeatsI DECW8.  Problem - My LK411 sends the wrong keycodes or some keys are dead 3 DECW9.  How do I set the title on a DECterm window? B DECW10. How do I customize DECwindows, including the login screen?4 DECW11. Why doesn't XtAppAddInput() work on OpenVMS?B DECW12. Why do the keyboard arrow keys move the DECwindows cursor?  
 Miscellaneous ( ========================================- MISC1.  Looking for connector wiring pinouts? E MISC2.  Where can I find information on escape and control sequences? ? MISC3.  Can I reuse old keyboards, mice and monitors with a PC? : MISC4.  What connectors and wiring adapters are available?F MISC5.  Where can I find performance info and specs for older systems?C MISC6.  What does "failure on back translate address request" mean? 6 MISC7.  How to determine the network hardware address?G MISC8.  Why does my system halt when I powercycle the console terminal? @ MISC9.  Why can't I use PPP and RAS to connect to OpenVMS Alpha?A MISC10. Which video monitor works with which graphics controller? 8 MISC11. Where can I get information on storage hardware?> MISC12. Does DECprint (DCPS) work with the LRA0 parallel port?9 MISC13. How do I check for free space on a (BACKUP) tape? ( MISC14. So what happened to sys$cmsuper?: MISC15. How can I send radio pages from my OpenVMS system?2 MISC16. What is flow control and how does it work?: MISC17. How do I reset the LAN (DECnet-Plus NCL) counters?4 MISC18. What are the prefixes for the powers of ten?   Software( ========================================A SOFT1.  Where can I find freeware/shareware/software for OpenVMS? > SOFT2.  Where can I find the UNIX <whatever> tool for OpenVMS?G SOFT3.  Where can I get the Netscape Navigator Mozilla.org Web Browser? ) SOFT4.  Where can I get Java for OpenVMS? H SOFT5.  VAX C and DEC C, and other OpenVMS C Programming Considerations?/ SOFT6.  Obtaining user input in DCL CGI script? / SOFT7.  How do I get my own batch entry number? . SOFT8.  How do I convert to new CMS libraries?@ SOFT9.  Where can I get new certificates for Netscape Navigator?1 SOFT10. Why doesn't DCL symbol substitution work?   < ------------------------------------------------------------* INTRO1.  What is the scope of comp.os.vms?  E The comp.os.vms newsgroup is the primary newsgroup for discussion of  F Compaq's OpenVMS operating system and the computer systems on which itE runs.  Questions about layered products which run on OpenVMS are also C welcome, though many of them (in particular, language compilers and C database systems) have more specific newsgroups.  If a question has . some relationship to OpenVMS, it belongs here.  < ------------------------------------------------------------= INTRO2.  What other newsgroups carry VMS-related information?   D The vmsnet.* hierarchy, run by DECUS, contains several newsgroups ofI interest, including vmsnet.misc and vmsnet.alpha, the latter being mostly ; devoted to Alpha topics.  There's also vmsnet.sources (and  J vmsnet.sources.d) to which sources for or pointers to freeware are posted.F See the separate "What is VMSNET" monthly posting for further details.  C The comp.sys.dec newsgroup carries discussions about Compaq systems , acquired from Digital Equipment Corporation.  < ------------------------------------------------------------ INTRO3.  What is INFO-VAX?  D INFO-VAX is a mailing list which is bidirectionally gatewayed to theC comp.os.vms newsgroup.  This means that postings to comp.os.vms get L automatically sent to INFO-VAX subscribers and messages sent to the INFO-VAXK list are automatically posted to comp.os.vms.  INFO-VAX can be a useful way F to participate in the newsgroup if you can't access the group directly through a news reader.  H An important point to keep in mind is that propagation delays vary, bothD within the newsgroup and with INFO-VAX mailings.  It's possible thatI postings may not be delivered for several days and some may appear out of  order.  < ------------------------------------------------------------< INTRO4.  How do I subscribe to or unsubscribe from INFO-VAX?  H The address for subscription requests, as well as notes intended for theO moderator, is Info-VAX-Request@Mvb.Saic.Com.  Subscription requests are handled N automatically by a mail server.  This mail server ignores the subject line andL processes each line of the message as a command.  The syntax for subscribing< and unsubscribing and setting digest or non-digest modes is:   0 SUBSCRIBE INFO-VAX      (ADD is a valid synonym)G UNSUBSCRIBE INFO-VAX	(REMOVE, SIGNOFF, and SIGN-OFF are valid synonyms) 5 SET INFO-VAX DIGEST     (to receive in Digest format) > SET INFO-VAX NODIGEST   (to receive each message individually)   K Case is irrelevant and attempts to fetch a copy of the mailing list will be J rejected (I consider the information to be confidential).  Any message notI understood by the mailserver will be forwarded to a human (allegedly) for  manual processing.  				[Mark.Berryman@Mvb.Saic.Com]  > If you are on Bitnet, send a mail message containing the text L "SUBSCRIBE INFO-VAX" to LISTSERV@(nearest listserv system).  To unsubscribe,L send a message containing the text "SIGNOFF INFO-VAX" to the *SAME* listserv	 address.    C If you are on the Internet in the UK, send a message containing the F word SUBSCRIBE (or UNSUBSCRIBE) to info-vax-request@ncdlab.ulcc.ac.uk.  < ------------------------------------------------------------F INTRO5.  How do I submit a question or a response?  What is etiquette?  J If you are using a news reader, post your question to comp.os.vms.  If youK want to submit through INFO-VAX, send the message to Info-VAX@mvb.saic.com.   J Before posting, please use available local resources, such as the manuals,L HELP and this FAQ first.  Also make a point of reading the release notes forJ the product you're using, generally placed in SYS$HELP.  Often you'll findM the answer, and will save time and effort for all concerned.  (And you won't   "annoy the natives"...)   8 When posting, please consider the following suggestions:  E     1.  Include a valid e-mail address in the text of your posting or D         in a "signature" appended to the end.  Reply-to addresses in 	headers often get garbled.   F     2.  If you are submitting a question, please be as specific as youJ         can.  Include relevant information such as processor type, productF 	versions (OpenVMS and layered products that apply), error message(s),M         DCL command(s) used, and a short, reproducible example of problems.   M         Say what you've tried so far, so that effort isn't duplicated.  Keep  K         in mind that there's not yet a telepathy protocol for the Internet. M         (The more detailed your description, the better that people can help            you with your question.)  I     3.  If responding to a posting, include in your reply only as much of F         the original posting as is necessary to establish context.  AsE 	a guideline, consider that if you've included more text than you've  E 	added, you've possibly included too much.  Never include signatures   	and other irrelevant material.   E     4.  Be polite.  If the question isn't worded the way you think is C         correct or doesn't include the information you want, try to > 	imagine what the problem might be if viewed from the poster's< 	perspective.  Requests for additional information are often> 	better sent through mail rather than posted to the newsgroup.  J     5.  If you have a problem with Compaq (or any other vendor's) product,F         please use the appropriate support channel.  Don't assume that? 	newsgroup postings will get read, will be responded to by the  B         appropriate developers, or will be later followed up on...  J Before posting your question to the comp.os.vms newsgroup or sending your L message to the INFO-VAX list, also please take the time to review available H etiquette information, such as that included in the following documents:  @   ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/usenet/primer/part1=   ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/usenet/faq/part1 H   ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/usenet/emily-postnews/part1G   ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/usenet/writing-style/part1 G   ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/usenet/posting-rules/part1   G This information will document the etiquette of newsgroups, as well as  F providing you with the knowledge the vast amount of newsgroup-related E information that is readily available to you, and where to find it...   < Please ***DO NOT POST SECURITY HOLES OR SYSTEM CRASHERS ***.  I Rather, please report these problems directly to Compaq.  (Why?  So that  J Compaq has a change to resolve and distribute a fix before other customer L sites can be affected.  Most folks in the newsgroups are honest and deserve M to know about potential security problems, but a few folks can and will make  K nefarious use of this same information.  Other sites will hopefully return  J the favor, and not post information that will potentially compromise YOUR # site and YOUR computer environment.   < ------------------------------------------------------------ INTRO6.  What is DECUS?   D DECUS, the Digital Equipment Computer Users Society, is a World WideF organization of Information Technology professionals interested in theC products, services, and technologies of Compaq and related vendors.      J Membership in the Chapter is free and provides participants with the meansI to enhance their professional development, forums for technical training, G mechanisms for obtaining up-to-date information, advocacy programs, and G opportunities for informal disclosure and interaction with professional  colleagues of like interest.  M For further information, see the separate monthly "What is DECUS" posting, or H refer to the US DECUS WWW server at http://www.decus.org or the Canadian) DECUS WWW server at http://www.decus.ca/.   < ------------------------------------------------------------= INTRO7.  What archives of comp.os.vms/INFO-VAX are available?   : Everything posted since 1990 is archived and available at:   ftp://crvax.sri.com/info-vax/    					[Arne Vajhj]  < ------------------------------------------------------------. VMS1.   What is OpenVMS?  What is its history?  N OpenVMS, originally called VMS (Virtual Memory System), was first conceived inL 1976 as a new operating system for the then-new, 32-bit, virtual memory lineN of computers, eventually named VAX (Virtual Address eXtension).  The first VAXI model, the 11/780, was code-named "Star", hence the code name for the VMS M operating system, "Starlet", a name that remains to this day the name for the I system library files (STARLET.OLB, etc.).  VMS version X0.5 was the first N released to customers, in support of the hardware beta test of the VAX-11/780,D in 1977.  VAX/VMS Version V1.0 shipped in 1978, along with the first revenue-ship 11/780s.   L OpenVMS was designed entirely within Compaq (Digital Equipment Corporation).G The principal designers were Dave Cutler and Dick Hustvedt, with a wide K variety of other contributors.  OpenVMS was conceived as a 32-bit, virtual  J memory successor to the RSX-11M operating system for the PDP-11.  Many of K the original designers and programmers of OpenVMS had worked previously on  E RSX-11M, and many concepts from RSX-11M were carried over to OpenVMS.   F OpenVMS VAX is a 32-bit, multitasking, multiprocessing virtual memory H operating system. Current implementations run on VAX systems from Compaq and other vendors.  G OpenVMS Alpha is a 64-bit multitasking, multiprocessing virtual memory  C operating system. Current implementations run on Alpha systems from  Compaq, and other vendors.   				[Paul Winalski]  				[Arne Vajhj]   G For more details on OpenVMS and its features, read the OpenVMS Software  Product Description at:   %   http://www.digital.com/info/SP2501/   A Additional information on the general features of various OpenVMS @ releases, release dates, as well as the development project code, names of specific releases, is available at:  H   http://www.openvms.digital.com/openvms/os/openvms-release-history.html  J Additional historical information -- as well as pictures and a variety of > other trivia -- is available in the VAX 20th anniversary book:  9   http://www.openvms.digital.com/openvms/20th/vmsbook.pdf   < ------------------------------------------------------------7 VMS2.   What is the difference between VMS and OpenVMS?   I VMS and OpenVMS are two names for the same operating system.  Originally, D the operating system was called VAX-11/VMS; it changed to VAX/VMS atE around VAX/VMS V2.0.  When the VMS operating system was ported to the G Alpha platform, it was renamed OpenVMS, for both VAX and Alpha, in part D to signify the high degree of support for industry standards such as5 POSIX, which provides many features of UNIX systems.    H For those versions with POSIX, an OpenVMS license allows you to install G and run POSIX for OpenVMS at no additional charge; all you need is the  L media and documentation which can be found on the Consolidated Distribution I and On-Line Documentation CD-ROMs.  Support for the POSIX package on more H recent OpenVMS releases is not available, various parts of POSIX such asI calls from the API are being integrated more directly into OpenVMS.  For  4 more information on POSIX for VMS see question SOFT2  C What became confusing is that the OpenVMS name was introduced first F for OpenVMS AXP V1.0 causing the widespread misimpression that OpenVMSF was for Alpha AXP only, while "regular VMS" was for VAX.  In fact, theI official name of the VAX operating system was changed as of V5.5, though  E the name did not start to be actually used in the product until V6.0.   G The proper names for OpenVMS on the two platforms are now "OpenVMS VAX" @ and "OpenVMS Alpha", the latter having superseded "OpenVMS AXP".   				[Arne Vajhj]   < ------------------------------------------------------------* VMS3.   How do I port from VMS to OpenVMS?  9 You already did.  Wasn't that easy?  (See question VMS2.)   < ------------------------------------------------------------* VMS4.   Which is better - OpenVMS or UNIX?  M This question comes up periodically, usually asked by new subscribers who are M long-time UNIX users. Sometimes, it is ignored totally; other times, it leads N to a long series of repetitive messages that convince no one and usually carryD little if any new information.  Please do everyone a favor and avoid- re-starting this perpetual, fruitless debate.  					[leichter@lrw.com]   F Seriously, OpenVMS and the better implementations of UNIX are all fineE operating systems, each with its strengths and weaknesses.  If you're E in a position where you need to choose, select the one that best fits C your own requirements, considering, for example, whether or not the @ layered products or specific OS features you want are available.   					[Steve Lionel]   < ------------------------------------------------------------= VMS5.   Is Compaq continuing funding and support for OpenVMS?    Yes.  ? Active development of new OpenVMS releases is underway, as well  as the continuation of support.   @ Please see the following URLs for details, roadmaps, and related information:      http://www.compaq.com/openvms/6   http://www.openvms.digital.com/OPENVMS/strategy.html:   http://www.openvms.digital.com/openvms/roadmap/index.htm.   http://www.openvms.digital.com/openvmstimes/   http://www.compaq.com/inform/   < ------------------------------------------------------------' [VMS6 removed, replaced by Y2K section]   < ------------------------------------------------------------3 VMS7.   What OpenVMS CD-ROM products are available?   $ Various distributions are available.  B For information on the available part numbers and current productsF (OpenVMS distribution kits, media, documentation, etc) and associated K licensing information, please see the OpenVMS Software Product Description   (SPD), available at:  %   http://www.digital.com/info/SP2501/ %   http://www.digital.com/info/SP4187/   F The following CD-ROMs contain just the OpenVMS Alpha operating system.> These are bootable, and can be used to run BACKUP from CD-ROM.  >   QA-MT1AP-H8   OpenVMS Alpha V6.1-1H2 hardware release CD-ROM>   QA-MT1AG-H8   OpenVMS Alpha V6.2-1H3 hardware release CD-ROM>   QA-MT1AD-H8   OpenVMS Alpha V7.1-1H1 hardware release CD-ROM?   QA-MT1AR-H8   OpenVMS Alpha V7.1-2 maintenance release CD-ROM ?   QA-MT1AT-H8   OpenVMS Alpha V7.2-1 maintenance release CD-ROM   J The following are the consolidated ECO distribution kit subscriptions, andH these provide sites with eight updates of the current ECO kits per year:     QT-3CQAA-C8   OpenVMS Alpha    QT-3CRAA-C8   OpenVMS VAX   E OpenVMS VAX and OpenVMS Alpha source listings CD-ROM sets include the I source listings of most of OpenVMS, and these CD-ROM sets are invaluable  G for any folks working directly with OpenVMS internals, as well as folks @ interested in seeing examples of various programming interfaces.  4   QB-MT1AB-E8   OpenVMS Alpha Source Listings CD-ROM<   QT-MT1AB-Q8   OpenVMS Alpha Source Listings CD-ROM Updates2   QB-001AB-E8   OpenVMS VAX Source Listings CD-ROM:   QT-001AB-Q8   OpenVMS VAX Source Listings CD-ROM Updates   < ------------------------------------------------------------, VMS8.   In what language is OpenVMS written?  2 OpenVMS is written in a wide variety of languages.  N In no particular order, OpenVMS components are implemented using Bliss, Macro,O Ada, PLI, VAX and DEC C, Fortran, UIL, VAX and Alpha SDL, Pascal, MDL, DEC C++, G DCL, Message, and Document.  And this is certainly not a complete list. K However, the rumor is NOT true that an attempt was made to write pieces of  O OpenVMS in every supported language so that the Run-Time Libraries could not be I unbundled.  (APL, BASIC, COBOL and RPG are just some of the languages NOT 
 represented!)   I There are a large variety of small and not-so-small tools and DCL command P procedures that are used as part of the OpenVMS build, and a source code controlI system capable of maintaining over a hundred thousand source files across A multiple parallel development projects, and overlapping releases.   < ------------------------------------------------------------2 VMS9.   How do I obtain or transfer a VMS license?  H If you are a DECUS member and are considering acquiring and using a VAX E or Alpha system for hobbyist use, (free) licenses for OpenVMS VAX and K OpenVMS Alpha are available to DECUS members.  In addition to the license,  C VAX and Alpha distribution CD-ROM kits are available with OpenVMS,  E DECwindows Motif, DECnet and TCP/IP networking, compilers, a variety  C of layered products, and an OpenVMS Freeware kit for a nominal fee. 2 The OpenVMS Freeware is also available separately.  ! For further information, link to:   #   http://www.montagar.com/hobbyist/   E Further information on DECUS and on DECUS membership is available at:      http://www.decus.org/   C To transfer a commercial OpenVMS license from one owner to another, D or to purchase a commercial license, you can contact Compaq ComputerA Corporation at 1-800-DIGITAL (in North America), or your local or  regional sales office. 					[Stephen Hoffman]6                                         [Scott Snadow]  < ------------------------------------------------------------= VMS10.  What is OpenVMS doing about the Euro currency symbol?   B For information on the current status and plans for support of the? European Monetary Union's Euro currency symbol in OpenVMS, see:   &   http://www.openvms.digital.com/euro/  < ------------------------------------------------------------? VMS11.  Why hasn't OpenVMS been ported to Intel (IA32) systems?    Why?  Business reasons...   B Because there is a belief that there would be no market to justifyA the effort and the expense involved in porting OpenVMS to systems A using the Intel IA32 architecture.  (Each maintainer of a product A or package for OpenVMS would have to justify the port to "OpenVMS D IA32", akin to a port from OpenVMS VAX to OpenVMS Alpha.  The effort8 involved in porting OpenVMS from VAX to Alpha was huge.)  B Because every one of the core applications would have to be portedB from Alpha to IA32, and then customer and third-party applications would also have to be ported.   C Because there are design features that required by OpenVMS that are F not available on IA32, features that would require redesigning OpenVMSB to operate in the environment, making ports rather more difficult.; ASTs and interlocked operators are obvious prerequirements.   C Because Alpha is faster than Intel IA32 systems -- if OpenVMS is to ? be ported, a port to a slower system is more difficult to sell.   @ Because Intel is expecting to replace IA32 processors with IA64.  B Because hobbyists have been easily able to acquire OpenVMS systems( and the DECUS hobbyist OpenVMS licenses.  @ Because OpenVMS already operates on Compaq and third-party AlphaF systems; specific features in support of third-party vendor-customizedD bootstrap capabilities for use on third-party systems are present in( OpenVMS Alpha V7.1-2 and later releases.  C Because there are assumptions that some of the stability of OpenVMS D arises from the stability of the underlying VAX and Alpha hardware, C and systems based on components such as ISA and random memory SIMMs  might not be as stable.   " But yes, it would be nice to have.  <                                            [Stephen Hoffman]< ------------------------------------------------------------? VMS12.  Are there any general-access OpenVMS systems available?    Yes.  
   o Hobbes  B       Hobbes is a MicroVAX 3100 Model 40 for which free access andA       accounts are available to OpenVMS enthusiasts.  This system <       has BASIC, Pascal, Fortran, and C compilers installed.  >       If you would like an account on Hobbes, please email to:            hobbesthevax@hotmail.com  <       The following information is required: Name, address, :       telephone number, and what you expect to use it for.  5       This system is strictly for non-commercial use. 9                                           [Scott Squires]      o OpenVMS Galaxy Test Drive   B       Compaq currently offers an OpenVMS Galaxy Test Drive system,F       based on an AlphaServer 4100 series configured as two instances @       of the OpenVMS operating system.  For details, please see:  /         http://www.testdrive.compaq.com/galaxy/      < ------------------------------------------------------------, ALPHA1.   What do the letters AXP stand for?  I While there are many fanciful "definitions" which have circulated widely, H the truth is that AXP is not an abbreviation nor an acronym; the lettersC do not mean anything.  They are just three letters chosen to form a 
 trademark.  E When it came time to chose a "marketing name" for the Alpha AXP line, I the company was in a quandary.  The internal "code name" for the project, K Alpha, was widely known and would seem the ideal choice, but it was already J in common use by a number of other companies and could not be trademarked.G A well-known "name search" firm was hired and was asked to come up with F two lists of possible names.  The first list was intended to evoke theC feeling of "extension to VAX", while the second list was to suggest G "not a VAX".  Unfortunately, none of the choices offered were any good; I for example, "VAX 2000" was found on the first list while the second list < contained "MONDO" (later to be used for a kids' soft drink).  J Shortly before announcement, a decision was made to name the new line ARA,H for Advanced RISC Architecture.  However, an employee in Israel quickly K pointed out that this name, if pronounced in the "obvious" manner, sounded  E very much like an Arabic word with decidely unfortunate connotations. F Eventually, AXP was selected; the architecture would be referred to as= "Alpha AXP" whereas products themselves would use just "AXP".   G Use of the AXP term has been phased out in favour of using Alpha.  For  G example, "OpenVMS AXP" is now officially refered to as "OpenVMS Alpha".   < ------------------------------------------------------------A ALPHA2.   What are the OpenVMS differences between VAX and Alpha?   I Very few.  As of OpenVMS V6.1, the VAX and Alpha platforms are very close B to "feature parity".  Most applications can just be recompiled and& run.  Some differences to be aware of:  A     - The default double-precision floating type on OpenVMS Alpha D       is VAX G_float, whereas on VAX it is usually D_float.  D_float@       is available on Alpha, but D_float values are converted toA       G_float for computations and then converted back to D_float E       when stored.  Because the G_float type has three fewer fraction E       bits than D_float, some applications may get different results. ;       IEEE float types are also available on OpenVMS Alpha.   C     - Data alignment is extremely important for best performance on ?       Alpha.  This means that data items should be allocated at C       addresses which are exact multiples of their sizes.  Quadword ?       alignment will offer the best performance, especially for A       character values and those smaller than 32 bits.  Compilers B       will naturally align variables where they can and will issue3       warnings if they detect unaligned data items.   E     - Compaq C is the only C compiler Compaq offers on OpenVMS Alpha. A       It is compatible with DEC C on OpenVMS VAX, but is somewhat L       different from the older VAX C compiler most people are familiar with.D       Read up on the /EXTERN_MODEL and /STANDARD qualifiers to avoid       the most common problems.   K     - The page size on Alpha systems is variable, but is at least 8K bytes. E       This can have some effect on applications which use the $CRMPSC B       system service as well as on the display of available memoryF       pages.  The page size is available from $GETSYI(SYI$_PAGE_SIZE).  K There are also a number of manuals which discuss migration to OpenVMS Alpha K available on the documentation CD-ROM media, both in the main documentation * and in the archived documentation section.  F On more recent OpenVMS Alpha versions, OpenVMS Alpha has begun to add F features and support not available on OpenVMS VAX.  Salient new areas  include the following:  7     - 64-bit addressing in OpenVMS Alpha V7.0 and later :     - Multi-host SCSI support (SCSI TCQ) in V6.2 and later&     - PCI support (platform-dependent).     - OpenVMS Galaxy support in V7.2 and later  < ------------------------------------------------------------& [ALPHA3 removed, information obsolete]  < ------------------------------------------------------------2 ALPHA4.   How do I join Compaq Solutions Alliance?  H The Compaq Solutions Alliance (CSA) is a (free) program that is open to H and that supports software partners, consultants, and service providers:      http://www.compaq.com/csa/   H CSA provides members with discounts on hardware, porting assistance, and many other benefits.  H For those familiar with the program, the DIGITAL Association of SoftwareG and Application Parterns (ASAP) program has been incorporated into CSA.   H The Compaq Solutions Alliance Technical Journal (CTJ) is "web-published" monthly, and available at:  %   http://www.intercontent.com/compaq/   < ------------------------------------------------------------F ALPHA5.   Seeking performance information for Alpha (and VAX) systems?  F   Compaq makes a wide range of performance documents available through.   its FTP and WWW Internet servers (see DOC2).  F   The following contain information on current Alpha and VAX products:  4     http://www.digital.com/alphaserver/products.html+     http://www.digital.com/alphaserver/vax/   D   The following sites contain information on various retired VAX and   Alpha products:   J     http://www.compaq.com/products/workstations/digital/retired/index.html9     http://www.digital.com/alphaserver/archive/index.html @     http://www.digital.com/alphaserver/performance/perf_tps.html     Also see CPU2000:   $     http://www.spec.org/osg/cpu2000/8     http://www.spec.org/osg/cpu2000/results/cpu2000.html    < ------------------------------------------------------------D ALPHA6.  Where can I get updated console firmware for Alpha systems?  = Firmware updates for Compaq Alpha systems are available from:   2 	ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/6 	http://www.service.digital.com/alpha/server/firmware/  F The files are structured similiar to those on the firmware CD, and are? separated by CD release.  For example, the contents of the V3.7  firmware CD are located at:   7 	ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/v3.7/   E The latest and greatest firmware (if released since the last firmware  CD) is located at:  : 	ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/interim/  J Please send your comments and feedback to alpha_server@service.digital.com  F For information on creating bootable floppies containing the firmware,6 and for related tools, please see the following areas:  C   ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/DEC/Alpha/firmware/utilities/mkboot.txt F   ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/DEC/Alpha/firmware/utilities/mkbootarc.txtE   ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/DEC/Alpha/firmware/utilities/mkntboot.txt   < ------------------------------------------------------------D ALPHA7.   How do I boot an AlphaStation without monitor or keyboard?  H The AlphaStation series will boot without a keyboard attached.  To use aN serial terminal as the console, issue the console command SET CONSOLE SERIAL -I after that, it will use the terminal.  Older Alpha workstations generally # can't be booted without a keyboard.   K The usual settings for the console serial terminal (or PC terminal emulator  acting as a serial console are:   >   9600 baud, 8 bits, no parity, one stop bit (9600 baud, 8N1).  K The AlphaStation and AlphaServer series use the PC DIN serial connector for E the "COM1" and "COM2" serial lines, see MISC1 for details and pinout.   < ------------------------------------------------------------< ALPHA8.  Will OpenVMS run on a Multia? AlphaPC 164LX? 164SX?  F Yes, there are a set of unsupported images that permit recent OpenVMS H Alpha versions to bootstrap on the Multia UDB system.  These images and J the associated instructions are available at the OpenVMS Freeware website:  1   http://www.openvms.digital.com/freeware/multia/   > Instructions are included IN the kits.  READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.  E Some of the restrictions involved when running OpenVMS on the Multia  > system include (but may well not be limited to) the following:  A   o The PCMCIA support was completely removed, because the Intel  B     chip on the Multia was not compatable with the Cirrus chip on      the Alphabook.  @     This means, of course, that you will not see and cannot use !     any PCMCIA cards on a Multia.   B   o The Multia uses shared interrupts, and as a result, a special B     ZLXp-E series graphics device driver -- one that does not use A     interrupts -- is needed.  This driver is provided in the kit.       o The serial lines don't work.  ?   o If you have a Multia with a PCI slot, you can't use any PCI "     card that requires interrupts.  @   o The SRM console on this system is very old and very fragile.D     (This SRM console was designed only and strictly for diagnostic ?     use, and was not particularly tested or used with OpenVMS.)   B   o If things don't work for you, don't expect to see any OpenVMS 6     updates, nor SRM console updates, nor any support.   F The Multia images are not included on the OpenVMS Freeware V4.0 CD-ROMD kit, the kit that was distributed with OpenVMS V7.2.  (These images . became available after Freeware V4.0 shipped.)  ; Other sources of information for OpenVMS on Multia include:   <   http://home.earthlink.net/~djesys/vms/hobbyist/multia.html>   http://home.earthlink.net/~djesys/vms/hobbyist/mltianot.html=   http://home.earthlink.net/~djesys/vms/hobbyist/support.html 2   http://www.netbsd.org/Ports/alpha/multiafaq.html   					[Stephen Hoffman];                                         [David J. Dachtera]   > OpenVMS Alpha is not supported on the AlphaPC 164LX and 164SX,> and the OpenVMS CPU-specific routines and images necessary to 2 bootstrap on these systems do not presently exist.    < ------------------------------------------------------------B ALPHA9.  What is the least expensive system that will run OpenVMS?  ? The cheapest systems presently offered by Compaq that will run  C OpenVMS are the AlphaServer DS10 server and the AlphaStation XP900  B workstation.  Other companies sell Alpha-powered systems and AlphaA motherboards, some of which will run (and can be purchased with)  B OpenVMS -- see the OpenVMS Software Product Description (SPD) for E details on the supported systems and configurations.  There are also  C many used AlphaStation, AlphaServer, and DEC 3000 models available  ? which are quite suitable.  For more experienced OpenVMS system  @ managers, the (unsupported) Multia can bootstrap OpenVMS -- see  ALPHA8 for details.   @ Depending on the OpenVMS version and configuration, the OpenVMS 3 Software Product Description (SPD) is available at:   %   http://www.digital.com/info/SP2501/ %   http://www.digital.com/info/SP4187/   F When purchasing a system, ensure that the system itself is supported, D that the system disk drive is supported or closely compatible, that B the CD-ROM drive is supported or is closely compatable and that itF also specifically supports 512 byte block transfers, and particularly D ensure that video controller is supported.  Use of supported Compaq H hardware will generally reduce the level of integration effort involved.  ; A CD-ROM drive is required for OpenVMS Alpha installations.  					[Stephen Hoffman]  < ------------------------------------------------------------< ALPHA10.  Where can I get more information on Alpha systems?  5 Compaq operates an AlphaServer information center at:   %   http://www.digital.com/alphaserver/   > Alpha Technical information and documentation is available at:  3   http://www.digital.com/alphaserver/technical.html .   ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/DEC/Alpha/systems/  B Alpha motherboard products and Alpha microprocessor documentation:  +   http://www.digital.com/alphaoem/alpha.htm    Compaq OEM Website:      http://www.digital.com/oem/   / Information on Multia hardware is available at:   2   http://www.netbsd.org/Ports/alpha/multiafaq.html   					[Stephen Hoffman]  < ------------------------------------------------------------, ALPHA11.  What are the APB boot flag values?  ? The following flags are passed (via register R5) to the OpenVMS @ Alpha primary bootstrap image APB.EXE.  These flags control the & particular behaviour of the bootstrap:     >>> BOOT -FL root,flags         bit      description 9      ---   ----------------------------------------------   #       0    Conversational bootstrap )       1    Load SYSTEM_DEBUG.EXE (XDELTA) F       2    Stop at initial system breakpoints if bit 1 set (EXEC_INIT)4       3    Diagnostic bootstrap (loads diagboot.exe):       4    Stop at bootstrap breakpoints (APB and Sysboot)<       5    Secondary bootstrap does not have an image header       6    Inhibit memory test.       7    Prompt for secondary bootstrap file6       8    Halt before transfer to secondary bootstrap       9    Boot from shadow set        10   LAD/LAST bootstrap        11   Unused 5       12   Transfer to intermediate primary bootstrap        13   Mark CRD pages bad 3       14   Report unaligned data traps in bootstrap        15   Unused 4       16   Enable verbose boot messages in EXEC_INITA       17   Enable subset of verbose boot messages (user messages)   H   If you want to set the boot flags "permanently" use the SET BOOT_FLAGS   command, e.g.             >>> SET BOOT_OSFLAGS 0,1    < ------------------------------------------------------------7 ALPHA12.  What are Alpha console environment variables?   = Alpha systems have a variety of variables with values set up  ; within the SRM system console.  These environment variables ; control the particular behaviour of the console program and ? the system hardware, the particular console interface presented B to the operating system, various default values for the operating < system bootstrap, and related control mechanisms -- in other> words, "the environment variables provide an easily extensible. mechanism for managing complex console state."  < The specific environment variables differ by platform and by: firmware version -- the baseline set is established by the Alpha Architecture:   :   AUTO_ACTION ("BOOT", "HALT", "RESTART", any other value ;   assumed to be HALT),  BOOT_DEV, BOOTDEF_DEV, BOOTED_DEV,  8   BOOT_FILE, BOOTED_FILE, BOOT_OSFLAGS, BOOTED_OSFLAGS, :   BOOT_RESET ("ON", "OFF"), DUMP_DEV, ENABLE_AUDIT ("ON", 1   "OFF"), LICENSE, CHAR_SET, LANGUAGE, TTY_DEV.     = OpenVMS Galaxy firmware can add console environment variables B beginning with such strings as LP_* and HP_*, and each particular > console implementation can (and often does) have various sorts9 of platform-specific extensions beyond these variables...   C The contents of a core set of environment variables are accessable  B from OpenVMS using the f$getenv lexical and the sys$getenv system B service. (These calls are first documented in V7.2, but have been B around for quite a while.)  Access to arbitary console environment> variables is rather more involved, and not directly available.9                                         [Stephen Hoffman]   < ------------------------------------------------------------8 VAX1.   Please explain the back panel of the MicroVAX II  J The MicroVAX-series console bulkhead was used with the KA630, KA650, KA655 processors.   B There are three controls on the console bulkhead of these systems:  *   Triangle-in-circle-paddle: halt enable. -     dot-in-circle: halt (<break>) is enabled, -                    and auto-boot is disabled. 2     dot-not-in-circle: halt (<break>) is disabled,,                    and auto-boot is enabled.  5   Three-position-rotary: power-up bootstrap behaviour      arrow: normal operation.      face: language inquiry mode.)     t-in-circle: infinite self-test loop.   4   Eight-position-rotary: console baud rate selection4     select the required baud rate; read at power-up.   K Those versions of the console bulkhead that do not have an MMJ have a 9-pin I submini connector (DB9), and the pinout of this connector predates the PC H 9-pin pinout -- the console pinout is consistent with the EIA232 pinout.J See MISC4 for details of the DB9 pinout.  For those bulkheads not equippedH with an MMJ, use the H8575-B adapter to convert the console connector to$ MMJ.  See MISC1 for further details.  K Also present on the bulkhead is a self-test indicator: a single digit. This C matches the final part of the countdown displayed on the console or N workstation, and can be used by a service organization to determine the natureN of a processor problem.  The particular countdown sequence varies by processorN type, consult the hardware or owner's manual for the processor, or contact theN local hardware service organization for information the self-test sequence forM a particular processor module. Note that self-tests 2, 1 and 0 are associated N with the transfer of control from the console program to the booting operating system. 9                                         [Stephen Hoffman]   < ------------------------------------------------------------< VAX2.   What is the layout of the VAX floating point format?  K The VAX floating point format is derived from one of the PDP-11 FP formats, H which helps explain its strange layout.  There are four formats defined:H F 32-bit single-precision, D and G 64-bit double-precision and H 128-bitI quadruple precision.  For all formats, the lowest addressed 16-bit "word" F contains the sign and exponent (and for other than H, some of the mostK significant fraction bits).  Each successive higher-addressed word contains N the next 16 lesser-significant fraction bits.  Bit 15 of the first word is theF sign, 1 for negative, 0 for positive.  Zero is represented by a biasedM exponent value of zero and a sign of zero; the fraction bits are ignored (but J on Alpha, non-zero fraction bits in a zero value cause an error.)  A valueK with biased exponent zero and sign bit 1 is a "reserved operand" - touching I it causes an error - fraction bits are ignored.  There are no minus zero, % infinity, denormalized or NaN values.   M For all formats, the fraction is normalized and the radix point assumed to be J to the left of the MSB, hence 0.5 <= f < 1.0.  The MSB, always being 1, isK not stored.  The binary exponent is stored with a bias varying with type in ' bits 14:n of the lowest-addressed word.   L   Type    Exponent bits    Exponent bias    Fraction bits (including hidden)L   ==========================================================================4    F           8                128               244    D           8                128               564    G          11               1024               534    H          15              16384              113  D The layout for D is identical to that for F except for 32 additional fraction bits.  J Example:  +1.5 in F float is hex 000040C0 (fraction of .11[base 2], biased exponent of 129) 					[Steve Lionel]   < ------------------------------------------------------------5 VAX3.   Where can I find more info about VAX systems?   " Compaq runs a VAX "InfoCenter" at:  )   http://www.digital.com/alphaserver/vax/   1 Jim Agnew maintains a MicroVAX/VAXstation FAQ at:   3   http://anacin.nsc.vcu.edu/~jim/mvax/mvax_faq.html   , James Lothian maintains a VAX-11/750 FAQ at:  3   http://www.dcs.napier.ac.uk/~oose5002/750faq.html   " The VAXstation 3100 Owner's Guide:  7   http://www.whiteice.com/~williamwebb/intro/DOC-i.html   ; A field guide to PDP-11 (and VAX) Q-bus and UNIBUS modules   can be found at:  8   http://metalab.unc.edu//pub/academic/computer-science/+     history/pdp-11/hardware/field-guide.txt   < ------------------------------------------------------------? VAX4.   Where can I find information on NetBSD for VAX systems?   / Gunnar Helliesen maintains a NetBSD VAX FAQ at:    http://vaxine.bitcon.no/  < ------------------------------------------------------------H VAX5.   What system disk size limit on the MicroVAX and VAXstation 3100?  M System disks larger than 1.073 gigabytes (GB) -- 1fffff hexidecimal blocks -- L are not supported on any member of the VAXstation 3100 series and on certainH older members of the MicroVAX 3100 series, and are not reliable on theseJ affected systems.  (See below to identify the affected systems -- the moreE recent members of the MicroVAX 3100 series systems are NOT affected.)   M Various of the SCSI commands used by the boot drivers imbedded in the console I PROM on all members of the VAXstation 3100 series use "Group 0" commands, I which allow a 21 bit block number field, which allows access to the first J 1fffff hexidecimal blocks of a disk.  Any disk references past 1fffff willL wrap -- this wrapping behaviour can be of particular interest when writing aN system crashdump file, as this can potentially lead to system disk corruptionsA should any part of the crashdump file be located beyond 1.073 GB.   N More recent systems and console PROMs use "Group 1" SCSI commands, which allow a 32 bit block number field.  L There was a similar limitation among the oldest of the MicroVAX 3100 series,M but a console boot PROM was phased into production and was made available for I field retrofits -- this PROM upgrade allows the use of the "Group 1" SCSI N commands, and thus larger system disks.  There was no similar PROM upgrade for the VAXstation 3100 series.   ( Systems that are affected by this limit:G   o VAXstation 3100 series, all members.  No PROM upgrade is available. B   o MicroVAX 3100 models 10 and 20.  No PROM upgrade is available.E   o MicroVAX 3100 models 10e and 20e.  Only systems with console VMB  B     versions prior to V6.4 are affected.  A PROM upgrade for these-     specific systems is (was once) available.   	 Also see: 7   http://www.whiteice.com/~williamwebb/intro/DOC-i.html    						[Stephen Hoffman]   < ------------------------------------------------------------2 VAX6.   How does OpenVMS VAX maintain system time?  = VAX systems maintain an interval clock, and a hardware clock.   N The VAX hardware clock is called the TOY ("Time Of Year") clock.  The registerF associated with the clock is called the TODR ("Time Of Day Register").  H The TOY clock -- as used -- stores time relative to January first of theJ current year, starting at at 00:00:00.00.  It is a 100 Hz, 32-bit counter,B incremented every 10ms, and thus has a capacity of circa 497 days.  F OpenVMS (on the VAX platform) stores system date information -- and inH particular, the current year -- in the system image, SYS$SYSTEM:SYS.EXE.   E The TOY is used, in conjunction with the base date that is stored and L retrieved from the system image, to initialize the interval clock value that is stored in EXE$GQ_SYSTIME.  N Once the interval clock is loaded, the system does not typically reference theJ TOY again, unless a SET TIME (with no parameters) is issued.  The intervalN clock value is updated by a periodic IPL22 or IPL24 (depending on the specificF VAX) interrupt.  (When these interrupts are blocked as a result of theM activity of higher-IPL code -- such as extensive driver interrupt activity or L a hardware error -- the clock will "loose" time, and the time value reported- to the user with appear to have slowed down.)   L Because the TOY has a resolution of 497 days, you need to issue a "SET TIME"N (with no parameters) at least once between January 1st and about April 11th ofL each year.  The SET TIME is issued during various OpenVMS procedures such asH SHUTDOWN, and can be issued directly.  Issuing SET TIME resets the valueJ stored in the TOY, and updates the current year saved in the system image.  M This usage is the reason that OpenVMS installation kits explicitly prompt for H the time during bootstrap, and why the time value can "get weird" if theN system crashes outside the 497 day window (if no SET TIME was issued to updateH the saved values), and why the time value can "get weird" if a differentK SYS$SYSTEM:SYS.EXE is used (alternate system disk, standalone BACKUP, etc).   M On most (all?) VAX systems, the battery that is associated with the TOY clock L can be disconnected and replaced if (when) it fails -- TOY clock problems inN VAX systems do regularly get tracked back to a failed nicad or lithium battery pack.  					[Stephen Hoffman]  < ------------------------------------------------------------) VAX7.  What are the VMB boot flag values?   ? The following flags are passed (via register R5) to the OpenVMS > VAX primary bootstrap image VMB.EXE.  These flags control the & particular behaviour of the bootstrap:  > The exact syntax is console-specific, recent VAX consoles tend to use the following:      >>> BOOT/R5:flags   @   Bit     Meaning                                               @   ---     -------                                               N                                                                               @    0      RPB$V_CONV                                            @           Conversational boot. At various points in the         @           system boot procedure, the bootstrap code             @           solicits parameter and other input from the           @           console terminal.  If the DIAG is also on then        @           the diagnostic supervisor should enter "MENU"         @           mode and prompt user for the devices to test.           @    1      RPB$V_DEBUG                                           @           Debug.  If this flag is set, VMS maps the code        @           for the XDELTA debugger into the system page          @           tables of the running system.                         @                                                                 @    2      RPB$V_INIBPT                                          @           Initial breakpoint. If RPB$V_DEBUG is set, VMS        @           executes a BPT instruction immediately after          @           enabling mapping.                                     ?                                                                 @    3      RPB$V_BBLOCK                                          @           Secondary boot from the boot block.  Secondary        @           bootstrap is a single 512-byte block, whose LBN       @           is specified in R4.                                   @                                                                 @    4      RPB$V_DIAG                                            @           Diagnostic boot.  Secondary bootstrap is image        @           called [SYSMAINT]DIAGBOOT.EXE.                        @                                                                 @    5      RPB$V_BOOBPT                                          @           Bootstrap breakpoint. Stops the primary and           @           secondary bootstraps with a breakpoint                @           instruction before testing memory.                      @    6      RPB$V_HEADER                                          @           Image header. Takes the transfer address of the       @           secondary bootstrap image from that file's            @           image header.  If RPB$V_HEADER is not set,            @           transfers control to the first byte of the            @           secondary boot file.                                  @                                                                 @    7      RPB$V_NOTEST                                          @           Memory test inhibit. Sets a bit in the PFN bit        @           map for each page of memory present.  Does not        @           test the memory.                                      @                                                                 @    8      RPB$V_SOLICT                                          @           File name. VMB prompts for the name of a              @           secondary bootstrap file.                             @                                                                 @    9      RPB$V_HALT                                            @           Halt before transfer.  Executes a HALT                @           instruction before transferring control               @           to the secondary bootstrap.                           @                                                                 @   10      RPB$V_NOPFND                                          @           No PFN deletion (not implemented; intended to         @           tell VMB not to read a file from the boot device      @           that identifies bad or reserved memory pages,         @           so that VMB does not mark these pages as valid        @           in the PFN bitmap).                                   @                                                                 @   11      RPB$V_MPM                                             @           Specifies that multi-port memory is to be used        @           for the total EXEC memory requirement.  No local      @           memory is to be used.  This is for tightly-coupled    @           multi-processing.  If the DIAG is also on, then       @           the diagnostic supervisor enters "AUTOTEST" mode.     @                                                                 @   12      RPB$V_USEMPM                                          @           Specifies that multi-port memory should be used in    @           addition to local memory, as though both were one     @           single pool of pages.                                 @                                                                 @   13      RPB$V_MEMTEST                                         @           Specifies that a more extensive algorithm be used     @           when testing main memory for hardware                 @           uncorrectable (RDS) errors.                           @                                                                 @   14      RPB$V_FINDMEM                                         @           Requests use of MA780 memory if MS780 is              @           insufficient for booting.  Used for 11/782            @           installations.                                        @                                                                 @   <31:28> RPB$V_TOPSYS                                          @           Specifies the top level directory number for          @           system disks with multiple systems.                      < ------------------------------------------------------------A VAX8.   What is the Accuracy of VAX the Time of Year (TOY) Clock?   A   The VAX Time-Of-Year (TOY) clock (used to save the time over a  A   reboot or power failure) is specified as having an accuracy of  ;   .0025%.  This is a drift of roughly 65 seconds per month.   ?   The TOY value is used in conjunction with a year value stored C   in SYS.EXE -- the TOY clock resolution is circa 497 days, meaning A   that a SET TIME must be issued early each year in order to keep A   the SYS.EXE and TOY clock values synchronized, and must also be =   issued whenever a new or different SYS.EXE image is in use.   C   The VAX Interval Time is used to keep the running time, and this  F   has a specified accuracy of .01%.  This is a drift of approximately    8.64 seconds per day.   E   Any high-IPL activity can interfere with the IPL 22 or IPL 24 (this D   depends on the VAX implementation) clock interrupts -- activities B   such as extensive device driver interrupts or memory errors are    known to slow the clock.  B   To help keep more accurate system time, NTP, DECdtss, and other C   techniques are commonly used.  If you do not have IP access to a  @   time-base, then you could use dial-up access to NIST or other D   authoritative site.  (There exists code around that processes the B   digital-format time that is available via a modem call into the F   NIST clock, and code that grabs the time off a GPS receiver digital    link.)     The web sites:  #     http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~ntp/      http://www.nist.gov//     http://www.bldrdoc.gov/timefreq/faq/faq.htm   "   are good time-related resources.  < ------------------------------------------------------------> VAX9.   Which serial port is the console on the MicroVAX 3100?  G Just to keep life interesting, the MicroVAX 3100 has some "interesting" A console ports behaviours based on the setting of the BREAK enable C switch.  When the console is not enabled to respond to BREAK, MMJ-1 D is the console port.  MMJ-3 will (confusingly) output the results ofC the selftest in parallel with MMJ-1. When the console is enabled to @ respond to BREAK, MMJ-3 becomes the console port, and MMJ-1 willD (confusingly) output the results of selftest in parallel with MMJ-3.  < ------------------------------------------------------------B SUPP1.  Where can I get software and hardware support information?  D Contact Compaq Customer Support.  Services and information, manuals,A guides, downloads, and various other information is available at:       http://www.compaq.com/support/  : Various hardware and system documentation is available at:  1   http://www.digital.com/lists/QB_archive_HD.html ;   http://www.europe.digital.com/info/CUHOME/BACK_ISSUES.HTM ?   http://www.compaq.com/support/techpubs/user_reference_guides/   < ------------------------------------------------------------E SUPP2.  Where can I get hardware self-maintenance support assistance?   C The Compaq Assisted Services program is available to customers that G wish to maintain their own systems (self-maintenace), but that require  F some assistance with acquiring hardware diagnostics, hardware manuals,# and with hardware swaps and spares:   %   http://www.digital.com/info/DAHOME/     < ------------------------------------------------------------: DOC1.   Where can I find online copies of OpenVMS manuals?  D The Compaq OpenVMS and layered product documentation is copyrighted 	 material.   C HTML format on-line product documentation sets for specific Compaq  , OpenVMS products are presently available at:  &   http://www.openvms.digital.com:8000/%   http://www.openvms.digital.com/doc/   F Documentation is offered on separately orderable CD-ROM media through J a subscription to the Consolidated On-Line Documentation (ConOLD) product M (see VMS7.)  ConOLD manuals are readable with BNU, a viewer that is supplied  K with the documentation distribution.  BNU can display HTML, Bookreader, and ! documentation in other formats.     E MGBOOK, a viewer for Bookreader-format documentation is available for I character-cell terminals (eg. VTxxx) via the WKU VMS Freeware file server " -- see question SOFT1 for details. 					[Steve Lionel]  					[Stephen Hoffman]    < ------------------------------------------------------------- DOC2.   What online information is available?   M On your OpenVMS system, the HELP command can provide a wealth of information, J not only on DCL commands but on system services (HELP System_Services) andJ Run-Time Library routines (HELP RTL_Routines).  The introduction displayedK when you type the HELP command with no additional keywords provides further 	 pointers.   E OpenVMS Marketing runs a WWW server at http://www.compaq.com/openvms/ M (http://www.openvms.digital.com/).  Here, you will find product information,  K strategy documents, the contents of the latest OpenVMS Freeware CD-ROM and  
 much more.  G Product information for just about everything Compaq sells is available H from Digital's Internet servers.  If you're using a World-Wide-Web (WWW)H browser, use http://www.digital.com/info.html  For anonymous FTP access,@ log in to ftp.digital.com.  Software Product Descriptions (SPDs)M (http://www.digital.com/info/SPHOME/), system performance data (see ALPHA5),  > product infosheets, release notes and much more are available.   In addition,  /   http://www.digital.com/info/forms/search.html   H provides a handy method to search all of Compaq's public web servers for information of any kind.  G Compaq's Customer Services organization also hosts an Internet server.  D Various contract-access and non-contract access ECO (patch) kits are available at the URL:   %   http://search.service.digital.com/     For ftp access use        ftp://ftp.service.digital.com/  I The Compaq Systems and Options Catalog (SOC) and the Interactive Catalog   are available at:   1   http://www.digital.com/info/SOHOME/SOHOMEHM.HTM !   http://www.systems.digital.com/   G The Systems and Options Catalog is being replaced by Compaq QuickSpecs.   H Compaq's Business Link provides product information, prices and permits  online ordering:  '    http://www.businesslink.digital.com/   C Information on Compaq hardware, software, products and services is  , available through various telephone numbers:  G     1-800-AT-COMPAQ     : voice : Compaq (including DIGITAL and Tandem) 7                                   products and services 9     1-800-DIGITAL	: voice : DIGITAL products and services 0     1-800-DEC-2717	: voice : The DECchip Hotline9     1-508-568-6868	: voice : (alternate number for above) >     1-800-STORWORK      : voice : The Compaq StorageWorks team  G David Mathog offers two HTML documents which contain useful information  about OpenVMS.  7   http://seqaxp.bio.caltech.edu:8000/www/vms_sheet.html ?   http://seqaxp.bio.caltech.edu:8000/www/vms_beginners_faq.html   < ------------------------------------------------------------2 DOC3.   What books and publications are available?  C A bibliography of current and recent OpenVMS books is available at:   ,   http://www.levitte.org/~ava/vms_book.htmlx  C The Butterworth-Heinemann Digital Press imprint offers a number of  * OpenVMS books.  A website is available at:     http://www.bh.com/  ; Information on specific OpenVMS books is also available at:   3   http://www.openvms.digital.com/openvms/books.html     < ------------------------------------------------------------E DOC4.   How do I extract the contents of a HELP topic to a text file?   J To extract all the text of a HELP topic (and its subtopics) to a text fileE for perusal with a text editor, printing out, etc., use the following  command:  7      $ HELP/OUT=filename.txt help-topic [help-subtopic]   B If the help text you want is not in the standard help library (forC example, it's help for a utility such as MAIL that has its own help E library), add /LIBRARY=libname after the HELP verb.  To see the names 8 of help library files, do a directory of SYS$HELP:*.HLB.  < ------------------------------------------------------------6 DOC5.   Does OpenVMS Marketing have an e-mail address?  F Yes - if you can't get the answers to questions elsewhere, if you haveJ comments or complaints about OpenVMS, send mail to openvms-info@compaq.comI (This address is NOT a support channel, and is solely intended to provide K informal method to communicate directly with members of OpenVMS Marketing.)   < ------------------------------------------------------------5 DOC6.   What OpenVMS-related WWW sites are available?   F     http://www.openvms.digital.com/   (Sponsored by OpenVMS Marketing)C     http://www.montagar.com/          (Sponsored by DECUS - DFWLUG) @     http://www.levitte.org/~ava/      (Sponsored by Arne Vajhj)B     http://www.saiga.com/             (Sponsored by Saiga Systems)=     http://www.tachyon.com/	      (Sponsored by Wayne Sewell) D     http://www.progis.de/openvms.htm  (Sponsored by proGIS Software)A     http://www.jcameron.com/vms/      (Sponsored by Jeff Cameron)   A The following web site is sponsored by "The Beave", and provides  C information that is directly relevent to system managers, security  C managers, and others interested in ensuring the continued security   of OpenVMS systems:   3     http://www.vistech.net/users/beave/hack-vms-faq   E Suggestions (indirectly) provided by the above include disabling the  > port 11 and 15 stats provided by IP packages such as Multinet.  < ------------------------------------------------------------> DOC7.   Where can I find patches for OpenVMS layered products?  F Compaq is now providing many patches (correction kits) for OpenVMS andM layered products on the Internet.  The easiest way to search for and retrieve  the patches is through:   :     http://www.service.digital.com/html/patch_service.html  A You can also find the patches and the associated README files at:   (     ftp://ftp.service.digital.com/public  K but you must know what you are looking for.   See VMS7 for info on ordering  a CD-ROM with patch kits.   > For a list of OpenVMS ECO kits recently released, you can use:  B     http://Eisner.DECUS.org/conferences/OpenVMS-patches_new_1.HTML  ? You can also sign up for ECO kit email notifications (Digest or 2 individual notifications) directly from Compaq at:  =     http://www1.service.digital.com/patches/mailing-list.html   < ------------------------------------------------------------B DOC8.   Where can I find info about undocumented OpenVMS features?  E After all this discussion about undocumented VMS features I started a 4 collection of some documentation :-)) about them on   5     http://axp623.gsi.de:8080/www/vms/qaa/undoc.htmlx  						[zinser@axp603.gsi.de]   Also see the following:   -     http://www.levitte.org/~ava/vms_tip.htmlx =                                                 [Arne Vajhj]   C Various examples of undocumented features are also available on the  OpenVMS Freeware:   ,     http://www.openvms.digital.com/freeware/  @ DOC9.   Where is documentation on the DECnet Phase IV protocols?< ------------------------------------------------------------  3 Specifications for DECnet Phase IV can be found at:   ?     http://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/DEC/DECnet/PhaseIV/index.html   < ------------------------------------------------------------G DOC10.  Where can I learn about how the VMS executive works internally?   F The OpenVMS Internals and Data Structure book explains how the OpenVMSF executive works. The book covers the operating system kernel: process J management; memory management; the I/O subsystem; and the mechanisms that P transfer control to, from, and among these. It gives an overview of a particularN area of the system, followed by descriptions of the data structures related to; that area and details of the code that implements the area.   M The first edition of the OpenVMS Alpha internals book describes Version 1.5.  N Although there have been several releases of  OpenVMS Alpha since Version 1.5 H (V6.1, V6.2, V7.0, and V7.1) and many details in the book are no longer E accurate, it continues to provide a strong conceptual description of   OpenVMS internals.    I This book has been split into five pieces, each to be updated separately. M The first such volume, published in early 1997, was "OpenVMS Alpha Internals  G and Data Structures: Scheduling and Process Control," which covers the  M Version 7.0 implementation of true multithreading and the changed scheduling   model it implies.   F The internals books are available through Digital Press, an imprint ofC Butterworth-Heinemann. You can order by phone (from US and Canada,  K 1-800-366-2655, or from elsewhere, 781-904-2500). You can also fax an order L to 1-800-446-6520 or 781-933-6333. The order form and additional information, are available on their web site www.bh.com .   ISBN           Title  F 1 55558 156 0  OpenVMS Alpha Internals: Scheduling and Process ControlE 1 55558 120 X  OpenVMS AXP Internals and Data Structures: Version 1.5 A 1 55558 059 9  VAX/VMS Internals and Data Structures: Version 5.2    					[Ruth Goldenberg]  < ------------------------------------------------------------D DOC11.  Where can new users find tutorial information about OpenVMS?  P First, see if your local site has information on this topic.  Each site can haveM site-specific features and configuration.  Some sites will have site-specific H new user's documentation, covering various site-specific things that areG difficult or impossible for the general OpenVMS documentation to cover.   L Various introductory manuals are available in the OpenVMS documentation set,J including the OpenVMS User's Guide.  The OpenVMS manuals -- including the ) OpenVMS User's Guide -- are available at:   '     http://www.openvms.digital.com:800/   C Some of the OpenVMS books available from the Butterworth-Heinemann  2 Digital Press imprint (http://www.bh.com) include:  ,        Introduction to OpenVMS, 5th Edition,        Lesley Ogilvie Rice        ISBN 1 55558 194 3   /        The OpenVMS User's Guide, Second Edition         Patrick Holmay         ISBN 1 55558 203 6           Introduction to OpenVMS        David W Bynon        ISBN 1 878956 61 2   &        OpenVMS System Management Guide        Richard Berry        ISBN 1 55558 143 9   )        Using DECwindows Motif for OpenVMS         Margie Sherlock        ISBN 1 55558 114 5   3        Writing Real Programs in DCL, Second Edition "        Hoffman and Anagnostopoulos        ISBN 1 55558 191 9   1   For various features OpenVMS books, please see: 5     http://www.openvms.digital.com/openvms/books.html   B   Various user-maintained websites are also available, including aD   beginner's FAQ, various user-written FAQs, a bibliography of booksD   on OpenVMS, and information on various other hardware and software	   topics:   -     http://www.levitte.org/~ava/vms_faq.htmlx .     http://www.levitte.org/~ava/vms_book.htmlx4     http://seqaxp.bio.caltech.edu/www/vms_sheet.html<     http://seqaxp.bio.caltech.edu/www/vms_beginners_faq.html?     http://multivac.jb.man.ac.uk:8000/helbig/BOOKMARKS/VMS.HTML   D   Members of the DECUS DFWLUG maintain a website with many materialsE   available, including an Overview of OpenVMS, an Introduction to DCL >   and the TPU Editor, Advanced DCL Command Procedures, OpenVMSH   Operations: Batch, Print, Tape, an Introduction to OpenVMS Management,C   to OpenVMS User Management, to OpenVMS Network Management, and to A   OpenVMS Cluster Management.  These training materials have been B   presented at various DECUS symposia, and can be downloaded from:  *     http://www.montagar.com/openvms_class/  @   Compaq offers training information and Technical Resource Kits   (TRKs) for OpenVMS at:  ,     http://www.compaq.com/training/home.html  < ------------------------------------------------------------7 Y2K1.   Does OpenVMS have a problem with the year 2000?   H There are Year 2000 (Y2K) ECO kits available for the following releases:  .   OpenVMS VAX V5.5-2, V5.5-2H4, V6.2, and V7.1L   OpenVMS Alpha V6.2, V6.2-1H1, V6.2-1H2, V6.2-1H3, V7.1, V7.1-1H1, V7.1-1H2  8 The following releases include integrated Y2K readiness:     OpenVMS VAX V7.2, and later '   OpenVMS Alpha V7.1-2, V7.2, and later   D No other generally-released Y2K readiness ECO kits for other (older)C OpenVMS releases are currently planned.  OpenVMS releases after the < releases specified above will have integrated Y2K readiness.  F The Y2K readiness kits for specific OpenVMS releases prior to V7.1 areF currently available to customers with an OpenVMS prior version supportE software support contract, and can also be purchased separately.  The C V7.1 Y2K readiness kits are presently available at the service area  website:  $   http://search.service.digital.com/    http://www.compaq.com/support/  K For the official, most complete, and most current information on the status J of Y2K compliance of Compaq hardware and software products, including that< of OpenVMS and various OpenVMS layered products, please see:  !   http://www.compaq.com/year2000/ <   http://www.openvms.digital.com/openvms/products/year-2000/  E Information on the customer testing procedures recommended by OpenVMS E Engineering are also accessable via the second URL above.  Failure to E follow  the recommended Y2K testing procedures -- particularly around E the necessity for performing a disk BACKUP and restoration around any E Y2K testing -- can and has led to various problems at customer sites.     < ------------------------------------------------------------> Y2K2.  What happens with the C tm_year field in the year 2000?  H The localtime() function and various other functions maintain the numberF of years since 1900 in the "struct tm" structure member tm_year.  ThisB field will contain a value of 100 in the year 2000, and the yearly' incrementation is expected to continue.   H The VAX C "two digit" documentation for this area is in error, the VAX C4 Run-Time Library (RTL) returns a three-digit year.    I The VAX C RTL and the other integrated RTLs are covered under the OpenVMS J operating system Y2K evaluation.  For curent information on the Y2K statusE of OpenVMS language compilers and layered products, see section Y2K1.     < ------------------------------------------------------------. Y2K3.  What happens with the year 2038 with C?  P The C epoch typically uses a longword (known as time_t) to contain the number ofL seconds since midnight on 1-Jan-1970.  At the current rate of consumption ofL seconds, this longword is expected to overflow (when interpreted as a signedO longword) circa 03:14:07 on 19-Jan-2038 (GMT), as this time is circa 0x7FFFFFFF  seconds since the C base date.  M One could see this longword time value used in any C program that manipulates H time using the standard C library routines, regardless of the particular operating system platform.  N There is currently no standard mechanism for dealing with this overflow (shortM of promoting all longword integers to quadwords), as the format of the time_t M value is implementation-specific.  Some implementations and applications will M treat time_t as an unsigned longword value, while others treat it as a signed P longword value -- the format of time_t is specifically left up to the C compiler" implementation by the C standards.  N Applications written in C will likely have to revisit something similar to the> current "Year 2000" evaluation process sometime prior to 2038.  F The OpenVMS Y2K evaluation does not extend into 19-Jan-2038, or later.  H For information on OpenVMS and 2038, please see the OpenVMS Y2K website.   					[Stephen Hoffman]  < ------------------------------------------------------------$ Y2K4.  Is the year 2000 a leap year?  E The year 2000 is a leap year.  (That is, the year 2000 is a leap year F in the Gregorian calendar, the calendar that is currently used in most parts of the world.)  C The leap year algorithm that was created by Aloysius Giglio, Father G Christopher Clavius, and the Coucil of Trent for the Gregorian Calendar H dates back to the 16th Century.  The algorithm is simple, but effective:H the years that are evenly divisible by 4 are leap years, while the yearsH that are divisible by 100 are not, while the years that are divisible byG 400 are.  Thus, 1800, 1900, and 2100 are not leap years, while 2000 is.   J And whenever working with dates, please determine what the local calendar,I timezone, and daylight savings time rules are: the Gregorian calendar was J adopted in 1698 in some areas of the world, in 1752 in others, and in 1918F in yet others.  The specific rules vary both by geography and by date.  H For further details on this, please see the DECwindows Calendar Help, or@ please see the answer to SPR number 11-60903, dated 13-Oct-1983:  E   http://www.openvms.digital.com/openvms/products/year-2000/leap.html   < ------------------------------------------------------------5 Y2K5.  What is covered by the OpenVMS Y2K Evaluation?   B All supported components of OpenVMS are covered by the OpenVMS Y2KE evaluation, including the language run-time libraries and the OpenVMS @ system-integrated products such as shadowing and RMS journaling.  F For information on other Compaq products, or for additional details onH the OpenVMS Y2K evaluation, please see http://www.digital.com/year2000/.  < ------------------------------------------------------------> Y2K6.  Do I need to consider Y2K?  Do I even need the Y2K ECO?  D To answer this, you will need to trade off the risks of Y2K failuresA with the time and money that will be spent performing a local Y2K A evaluation.  The performance of a Y2K evaluation is much like the  purchasing of insurance.  A It is quite possible to create an entirely a Y2K safe environment B from tools and products that are not Y2K ready, just as it is alsoF possible to have serious Y2K problems in an environment based entirelyC on Y2K ready products.  In other words -- short of knowing that the B product has catestrophic Y2K failures, and short of learning whereE specific known Y2K problems lurk in the products -- you cannot really 9 determine with any certainty that your site is Y2K ready.   A The only way to tell for certain that your site is Y2K safe is to D test your systems and your applications.  For some suggested testing/ procedures, please see the OpenVMS Y2K website.   C The OpenVMS operating system is in good shape in regard to Y2K, but D there are a few small areas of OpenVMS that do require an update forC Y2K readiness -- if you are certain that no local software is using E any these areas OpenVMS, then you will likely not require the update. B If you are not certain, then you have will likely need to test forC Y2K problems at your site, and you will also likely want to acquire F and install the update.  For details on the update process and on whatA was found in OpenVMS, please see the information in the Y2K kits.   D And you will obviously need to consider software products other than> OpenVMS when making your Y2K readiness determination, as well.  < ------------------------------------------------------------. Y2K7.  Y2K-compatible ANSI tape label support?  C A change was made to (as it was then known) VAX/VMS V5.1-1 (back in H 1988) that added support for the then-new ANSI X3.27-1987 magnetic tape G label standard.  Prior to the ANSI X3.27-1987 standard, the date field  E in the ANSI HDR1 record permits dates only as far as the end of Year  D 1999.  With ANSI X3.27-1987, dates through Year 1999 and dates from ! Years 2000 to 2099 are permitted.   C Versions of INIT.EXE and MTAACP.EXE from VAX/VMS releases prior to  ? V5.1-1 will potentially have problems properly processing ANSI  ? magnetic tapes when Y2K and later dates are involved -- the DCL B INITIALIZE command is known to encounter access violation (ACCVIO) errors. B                                                [Hoffman, Dachtera]   [End of Part 1/3]   N  --------------------------- pure personal opinion ---------------------------L    Hoff (Stephen) Hoffman   OpenVMS Engineering   hoffman#xdelta.zko.dec.com