We are currently running R83 v3.1m (33 user) on an old 200 Mhz
Pentium with 16Mb Mem and 2.x gif HD (the actual partition is
smaller)

We have run this for a number of years without ANY significant
problems.

Last week (just as my family was in the middle of "the move from
Hell") the system decides to take a major dump. A bad link of some
sort in the ABS area.

THEN - the systems disks have disappeared. After much screaming and
gnashing of teeth I got the system running again.

OH! did I mention that the previous evenings file save tape was bad?

Anyhow, the bottom line is that I REALLY need a set of 33 user 3.1m
disks.

Any Ideas/Help? I do have a 25 user version of r83 v3.1 (no 'm') with
a monolith loader diskette (5.25) but it doesn't seem to hook up with
the PICK diskettes (just keeps rebooting)

If I can get a sister machine running with the 25 user - does anyone
have any trick to bump it to 33 user. There must be just a byte or 2
in the ABS area that regulates # of users.

Again - Help! Help! Help!

Van

PS: The reason we haven't upgraded is that I am using a 4GL called
Envision that was written a long time ago and about half of it was
done in assembler and won't run on any of the later version of PICK.
I've been meaning to re-write it in Basic but it's a pretty daunting
project.

I'd get busy rewriting the software if I were you. If anyone actually has
the disks, there's no guarantee they will work. You got lucky this time.
Next time you may not be so lucky.

"Van Mog" <vmog (AT) execpc (DOT) com> wrote

Man, if I tried real hard to come up with a funnier scenario, I couldn't do
it. I had to read this thing three times before I could get through it
without tears.

What Jeff said.

Ed

"Jeffrey Kaufman" <jkaufman (AT) keydata (DOT) us> wrote

Goo'day,

On Thu, 02 Mar 2006 21:21:56 GMT, Van Mog <vmog (AT) execpc (DOT) com> wrote:

It really is like moving the TV or the fridge, isn't it?
Bloody things work unattended for years, and then you move them to
sweep behind them, and.....Oh Bother!!
And probably every other one for the past three years......

Sorry, but I can be of no help...but....

Better prepare yourself to be seriously daunted.....

And don't be too surprised to see your words quoted and requoted over
the coming years as a warning to others with either "no time" or
"short arms and long pockets".....

Regards,

Bruce Nichol
Talon Computer Services
ALBURY NSW Australia

http://www.taloncs.com.au

If it ain't broke, fix it until it is....

Hi
What is so unique about your business requirements that any of us could not
supply an upgrade system. You have had several lifetimes use out of what
you have, a system upgrade is called for. Anything is cheaper than going
broke because your business cannot run.
Peter McMurray
"Van Mog" <vmog (AT) execpc (DOT) com> wrote

You have been very lucky this time, why would you even consider
pressing your luck,
and the future of the business, any further.

Time to roll up the sleeves and tackle the "..pretty daunting
project.." before the system
dies again, and provide a more secure future for the business.

Good Luck....

Goo'day, again,

The word "Envision" rattled my chain a bit... and "Bingo!"
Who said us ol' pissants have sawdust for brains?
Within the past couple of days (thank your lucky stars it was *that*
recent, though) we've had a poster on the OpenQM list whose
application, he says, is written using Envision.... Perhaps he can
help you in your rewrite... Seems as if he's got no problems running
his stuff on newer environments....

Give him a buzz: cstewart(number2) - wiithout the"number" and the
brackets - ATearthlink.net...

That'd be very similar to csmith2.....

HTH....

On Thu, 02 Mar 2006 21:21:56 GMT, Van Mog <vmog (AT) execpc (DOT) com> wrote:

Regards,

Bruce Nichol
Talon Computer Services
ALBURY NSW Australia

http://www.taloncs.com.au

If it ain't broke, fix it until it is....

It didn't sound as if a T-VERIFY was done on the backup tape. That should
be a standard practice after a file-save. If it was verified, then it may
be that the tape is worn out or dirty, the tape drive head is dirty, or that
the tape drive may be going bad.

I would suggest to purchase another dozen backup tapes, so that you can have
more backups available before they get recycled (you can't have too many).
And if your current tapes are over a couple of years old, replace them in
the rotation with new tapes. It would also be a good time to buy a spare
tape drive, if it is a type that is getting difficult to find. And use a
cleaning tape on a regular basis.

With all your bad luck described below, I'd also make sure to keep many
recent backups offsite (noting that the definition of "offsite" means "at a
different location", not "oh, using this fire safe is MUCH easier...")


"Van Mog" <vmog (AT) execpc (DOT) com> wrote

Commandment Number 11 --
Thou shalt backup when thou hast done more than thou carest to re-do.

Commandment Number 12 --
Thou shalt verify all backups.

And, keep in mind that that backup/verify may be more than one time per
day, especially in times of "critical operations" like end-of-month and
end-of-year routines.

Dave Weaver, Weaver Consulting

NoNo Dave You have it all wrong.
End of Month and End of Year is when we are too busy to waste time doing
backups.
As for when we have brought our sleeping bags in to the office and worked
through the night for the last three days before Xmas to get the system
totally wrapped up for the new owners who take possession on Dec 27. You
have got to be joking! I mean, as if we would get overtired and at 2:30 am
Dec 24 decide to stop a job with the three finger salute, and accidentally
find an undocumented engineering feature of a different third finger that
halts the machine instantly!
Genuine example. At least grateful client said thank you, paid cash and
shouted expensive dinner for two.
Peter McMurray

"Dave Weaver" <weaver22 (AT) pacbell (DOT) net> wrote