topic Re: Problem with x windows login to a vms server in Operating System - OpenVMS

Problem with x windows login to a vms server

MarkOfAus — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:44:54 GMT

Hi all,

Some people use X windows (Exceed, Reflections, and my old favourite, Xcursion).

They connect within the same vlan to a server, There is no NAT or firewall between the users and the server.

The command used to connect is:
@sys$manager:decw$startsm

Here is a log from eXcursion:
14/08/2007 10:40:18 AM X Server Information eXcursion V7.2.177 (Intel) logging enabled.
14/08/2007 10:40:18 AM Network Information WSAStartup(1): "WinSock 2.0", "Running"
14/08/2007 10:40:18 AM Network Information WSAStartup(1): "WinSock 2.0", "Running"
15/08/2007 6:46:31 PM X Application Startup Information rexec: connection succeeded
15/08/2007 6:46:31 PM X Application Startup Information DCL-E-OPENIN, error opening SYS$SYSROOT:[SYSEXE]PCX$SERVER.COM; as input -RMS-E-FNF, file not found
1

The procedure fails and no Xwindows starts, because it is looking for pcx$server, yet pathworks is NOT installed, to my knowledge, on the server.

If they run this exact same command on another server in the same vlan, they can connect without a problem. I think this rules out any network issues?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark

Re: Problem with x windows login to a vms server

Richard Brodie_1 — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:10:40 GMT

PCX$SERVER.COM is provided by eXcursion, I'm fairly sure. There are instructions at the top for copying it and installing it on other systems.

Whether there is an explicit (or implied) licence for you do do that, I couldn't say.

Re: Problem with x windows login to a vms server

MarkOfAus — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 06:12:05 GMT

Richard,

" PCX$SERVER.COM is provided by eXcursion, I'm fairly sure. There are instructions at the top for copying it and installing it on other systems."

Ok, I don't have access to the other one, so I will get them to copy it to the server in question. Thanks!
"
Whether there is an explicit (or implied) licence for you do do that, I couldn't say.
"
Hmm, me neither.

I guess my next question is how did the pcx$server.com file arrive on the other server? The other server, according to my product list, has no pathworks installed on it.

Thanks,
Mark.

Re: Problem with x windows login to a vms server

The Brit — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:28:36 GMT

Mark,
I had a similar problem with ReflectionsX. Cut and paste the attached file into a text file (STARTAPP.COM), in your VMS system, and place it in SYS$COMMON:[SYSMGR]. This was supplied by ReflectionsX, and works for me.

Make this the "command file for X-Windows to execute"

Dave

Re: Problem with x windows login to a vms server

Leif R. Jansson — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:26:51 GMT

Hi

Some extra information from the eXcursion (Pathworks 32)installation guide.

Handling Expired OpenVMS Passwords

eXcursion displays a DECterm that lets users supply a new password if their
old password has expired, thus allowing them to start X applications from
OpenVMS accounts This facility is not enabled by default, and a short
procedure is required to enable it.

To enable checking for expired passwords:

1. On the OpenVMS system, copy the file PCXPWD.EXE to
SYS$COMMON:[SYSEXE]PCX$CHKPWDEXP.EXE.
The file PCXPWD.EXE is located in the \HOST\VMS_A(for
Alpha) or \HOST\VMS_V(for VAX) subdirectory of your
eXcursion directory.

2. Set the file protection to allow world RE access.

3. Install the new version of PCX_SERV.COM (located in the
\HOST\VMS_A or \HOST\VMS_V subdirectory of the eXcursion kit
tree).

4. Rename the PCX_SERV.COM file to PCX$SERVER.COM.

During a remote start, PCX$SERVER.COM searches for the executable
file (PCX$CHKPWDEXP.EXE) required to check for expired
passwords. If found, the executable file runs.

If the user's OpenVMS password is expired, an error message is
displayed, and a DECterm is started to allow the user to log in and
change his or her password.

If the password is not expired, and you have selected the appropriate
logging settings in the Control Panel, the following message appears in
your SYS$LOGIN:NETSERVER.LOG file:

PCX$SERVER_MSG: check for expired password enabled.

This message indicates that the facility for checking passwords is
functioning correctly.
_____________________ Note______________________
You will receive no error message in the log file if
PCX$SERVER.COM searches for the executable file
PCX$CHKPWDEXP.EXE and cannot locate it.
________________________________________________

/Regards
Leif J

Re: Problem with x windows login to a vms server

MarkOfAus — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:38:33 GMT

Thanks to all for their superb answers. The problem has been solved, thanks.