Xref: utzoo comp.unix.ultrix:3098 comp.sys.dec:2910
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uunet!cbmvax!grr
From: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.ultrix,comp.sys.dec
Subject: Re: Paging problem on Decstaion 3100
Keywords: 3100 paging memory
Message-ID: <10425@cbmvax.commodore.com>
Date: 29 Mar 90 10:20:57 GMT
References: <2112@kiwi.mpr.ca>
Reply-To: grr@cbmvax (George Robbins)
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA
Lines: 29

In article <2112@kiwi.mpr.ca> nakamoto@joplin.mpr.ca (Alan Nakamoto) writes:
> 
> 
> I am currently trying a Beta version of some software for the Decstation
> 3100. On the instructions, it tells about a problem in the paging
> algorithm in Ultrix which causes virtual memory accesses that will put
> the machine into some kind of paging loop. When I tried the software,
> some of the things that I tried which would require virtual memory
> access did cause this problem.

There are alledgedly some problems with the Ultrix paging mechanism such
that it doesn't page effectively when there isn't enough memory.  It's not
clear exactly what the DEC position on the problem is, but the only effective
workaround I've heard of is to add more memory.  This would typically mean
expansion to 24Mb for a windowed environment, perhaps 16MB otherwise.

It might be that the problem is addressed in Ultrix 3.1C which runs on the
3100 but isn't "supported" in the 3100/UWS environment.  On the other hand,
it might not make a bit of difference.

As far as I know the only effective option is to add memory, though if you
have software support, you might attempt to log it as a critical problem
(software problem makes it impossible to effectivly utilize system) and see
if you get any satisfaction.

-- 
George Robbins - now working for,     uucp:   {uunet|pyramid|rutgers}!cbmvax!grr
but no way officially representing:   domain: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com
Commodore, Engineering Department     phone:  215-431-9349 (only by moonlite)