Error Diagnosis

This chapter of the ETOS system manual provides guidance for system managers on handling non-standard operations and troubleshooting. It covers the following key areas:

• Terminal Management: The TTYSET program is introduced as a tool for adding, removing, or reconfiguring terminals without requiring a full system shutdown.
• Non-System Drive Operation: Procedures are outlined for modifying ETOS to run from alternative disk drives (such as RK05 packs in non-zero drives) when standard system drives are unavailable due to hardware issues.

• Error Diagnosis: The document explains how to use specialized diagnostic programs:

  • ERRCPY for retrieving and clearing logged disk errors from an internal buffer.
  • 3040 for formatting and diagnosing disk hardware problems on System Industries drives.
  • FUTIL for verifying disk blocks and identifying bad sectors through cyclic redundancy checks (CRC).

• File Structure: Technical details are provided regarding the Master File Directory (MFD), User File Directory (UFD), and map blocks used to manage variable-length segmented files and disk space allocation via the FREEBLO.CKS file.

• System Recovery and Debugging: Instructions are provided for creating crash dumps, debugging the monitor using XDDT7, and examining physical memory via front-panel controls.
• Support and Maintenance: The chapter details how to report issues through Software Performance Reports and explains the importance of maintaining system integrity through "Mandatory" and "Optional" software patches distributed via Technical Summaries. It also includes recommendations for media management, emphasizing the use of separate disk packs for distribution, maintenance, and daily/weekly backups.