Document 1902
Troubleshooting Terminals
04/13/92
MG

        TROUBLESHOOTING TERMINAL HANGING PROBLEMS - MULTIUSER DOS

1. Make sure the user has the Multiuser DOS Business Update of September,
1991 or later. This is available on the Digital Research Host System, at
408-649-3443. Download the file DRMDOS52.EXE, and execute this file to
create two 5.25" 1.2Mb installation disks.

2. If hanging problems occur that do not occur under singleuser DOS, slow
down all hardware options.  The user could disable Turbo (if the computer
has Turbo), disable shadowing, disable any onboard cache, and increase wait
states in the CMOS setup.  If the video card is anything other than
standard CGA/EGA/VGA, switch the card or monitor to one of these standard
modes.

3. To check for drive fragmentation, run CHKDSK *.* on the hard drive.  The
first time CHKDSK is run, the user should choose NOT to convert anything to
files, and just see what's going to be converted.  After the names of the
affected files and directories have been noted, run CHKDSK *.* /F on the
drive.  NETDRIVE must be set to LOCAL in order for CHKDSK to run in
Multiuser DOS.

4. Be sure to turn the computer off daily, to minimize the effect of memory
fragmentation.  (If 1k is used each time a program is loaded, eventually
these 1k pieces will add up to all the available memory.)

5. Check the power supply.  A dedicated, grounded line with surge protector
is ideal.  The humidity around the computer and peripherals ought to be kept
between 40% and 60%, as static electricity can also cause hanging problems.

6. If the computer is too near appliances or the wall, or if the area isn't
well ventilated, the computer could overheat and cause unpredictable
problems.

7. Periodically (once every 6 months or so), the system administrator should
open up the machine, clean the insides of the computer with canned air, and
remove and reseat the cards, reseat the chips, and check the contacts.  This
will correct the effects of heat or dust on the computer.
