console (HP 700/94) responding slowly; everything else normal

[Richard Darling]

Hi to all,
When I use our 700/94 system console on an L1000; 11.0 it responds extremely slowly during logon or accessing GSP; but no errors in GSP or syslog. I had this same problem two years ago and a battery had to be replaced on the gsp board. Not having any other issues.
HP support wants me to upgrade my GSP because I'm still running A.01.09.

Here is my dilemma - last time I patched the system I ended up having major problems with both of our software packages that cost our company some bucks. We are one of the last US manufacturers of suits and we are struggling as it is...I can't afford to have to spend money right now if things blowup again.

Any opinions appreciated, with points.
RD

[G. Vrijhoeven]

Richard,

Did you ask HP for advise. They might be able to help you. I would go for an ignite tape, patch the server in a service window and check if it works, if not resore the tape.

HTH,

Gideon

[Bill Hassell]

Your patch experience is unusual but not unheard of. By the way, that's the reason that all sysadmins recommend the use of Ignite/UX to backup your HP-UX opsystem prior to patching. Then in case something goes wrong, you can simply restore the backup image. However, the GSP has nothing to do with HP-UX. It is a separate computer that just talks to the processor and memory. It is a good idea to keep the GSP firmware up to date since it also logs errors and sends them to HP-UX, specifically the EMS hardware monitoring system. It is a low risk patch.

[Bruno Ganino]

I am not expert of GSP but i don't think that your problem to be caused by version of GSP.

[Bharat Katkar]

I am just thinking of one options, don't know whether it is worth but just check out for Interface cable and by chance if any other signal interference is occuring around.

[Bill Hassell]

When you say 'responds slowly', is there a long delay between each character, or is there a delay after each Return/Enter, or is it random? You certainly may have oddball settings on your 700/94. These can be reset to (still not optimalfor HP-UX) a workable set of defaults by turning off the terminal, hold down the 'D' key on the keyboard (D=default) and turn on the power, wait for a couple of seconds while the terminal senses the key, then release the D key and the terminal should say something about being reset to factory defaults.

Now check for normal response. NOTE: the console should only be used for system maintenance, not reading email or running programs. And problems with settings on the terminal are often caused by listing binary files. These files contain data patterns that often include the escape character which can then change settings in the terminal. When in doubt, always list unknown files with: cat -v some_file | more

[Richard Darling]

Thanks for responses:
1) G - I did ask HP, as I stated in original post
"HP support wants me to upgrade my GSP because I'm still running A.01.09..."
that is why I'm posting

2) Bill - I do use Ignite - Software vendors determined that the software had to be recompiled; so we decided to go that route - probably could have gone back to previous system state.

Console is located in secure room and used for administration only. I logon in AM once daily to check functionality of console.

The issue is after hitting enter - no intercharacter delay.

RD

[Sanjay_6]

Hi,

Have you checked the console settings. I mean the physical settings on the console that has nothing to do with the Operationg system. Maybe your console is set to smooth scroll in place of Jump scroll.

Maybe i'm just throwing something else to look at.

Hope this helps.

Regds

[Richard Darling]

Additional Information:
It always hangs at the same character:

Restricted Rights Legend
Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to rest_

The underscore is where the cursor hangs.
In addition:
If I issue command "ps -ef | grep console"
I always get the same results:

root 5055 710 0 11:21:14 console 0:00 cat /etc/copyright
The copyright file hasn't been touched:
r--r--r-- 1 root sys 1275 May 15 2000 copyright


Any other thoughts..
RD

[Juergen Tappe]

Just a try:

move /etc/copyright away and create an empty one using "touch /etc/copyright".

Is it still hanging ?

Then its something wrong with the file.
Perhaps it is using a disk block got defect inbetween ?

[Richard Darling]

Thanks Juergen, but I have issued other commands from the console, and they are also executing slowly (ll; top; who). No problems from any other terminal or emulator.
RD

[Richard Darling]

Hi to all,
I researched the GSP firmware upgrade, and itdidn't require any UX patch installation to go from A.01.09 to A.01.12; so I downloaded the patch (PF_CPREGSPA0112) and installed it.

It solved the problem.

Thanks to all.
RD