DECWindows fails to start

[Anne Jamieson]

We have an AlphaServer DS25 running OpenVMS 7.3-2 which fails to start DECWindows. We have a monitor plugged in so it is using the graphics but the display is just as if it was a console terminal.

Does anyone know what could be stopping DECwindows from starting or if there are any DECwindow log files I can look at that may tell me why it is failing to start?

Many thanks for any help

Anne

[Volker Halle]

Anne,

the system parameter WINDOW_SYSTEM needs to be set to 1.

A valid DW-MOTIF license must be loaded.

SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM should NOT include the following line:

$ DEFINE DECW$IGNORE_DECWINDOWS TRUE

Check file sys$manager:decw$server_0_error.log for errors.

Try to restart DECwindows using:
@SYS$STARTUP:DECW$STARTUP RESTART
and look for error messages.

Volker.

[Anne Jamieson]

Thanks Volker, I will give your suggestions a try and see if I can solve the problem.

Many thanks for your help.

Regards

Anne

[comarow]

In addition to the excellent suggestions above, we often find the global pages needs to be increased. Even higher than the autogen reboot from Windows.

[Anne Jamieson]

I have checked all of the suggestions by Volker and all are correctly configured and the global page value is ok. I have checked the error log file and it contains the following text:

"The OpenVMS license check failed and the display server was not started."

Now I know your going to suggest that our license file is wrong but I've checked and double checked with the PAK and it is correct and is loaded without any errors.

I have run the decw$startup.com file in sys$startup and if I wait until a while after the system has booted it will successfully start DECwindows.

I'm totally baffled by this one and can't think of anything else to try!

Many thanks for any help on this.

Anne

[Jim_McKinney]

Got a OPENVMS-ALPHA-USER or -ADL license in addition to the OPENVMS-ALPHA license. How about either MOTIF or NAS license?

[Volker Halle]

Anne,

this message is generated by SYS$STARTUP:DECW$STARTUP.COM - please have a look at that procedure to try to follow what it's doing:

It looks like the process logical DECW$LICENSE_CHECK must have been FALSE to get that error message.

LICENSE_CHECK.EXE will be run in the BASEENVIRON phase (see VMS$VMS.DAT).

Did you check with DIR/DAT whether this is a current .LOG file ?

Consider to add a SHOW LOG DECW$LICENSE_CHECK into the beginning of DECW$STARTUP.COM and set STARTUP_P2 = "D" to get a SYS$SYSTEM:STARTUP.LOG during written during the next boot.

I have seen a similar problem after adding a CPU and missing to add the OPENVMS-ALPHA SMP extension license. Please carefully re-check for any license load errors during startup.

Volker.

[Anton van Ruitenbeek]

Anne,

Wat is youre systemparameter WINDOW_SYSTEM ?
This should be 1.

On the rest of the answers it also looks like you got a license problem.

AvR

[Anne Jamieson]

I have double checked my system parameter WINDOWS_SYSTEM and it is definately set to 1.

We have an OPENVMS-ALPHA-ADL license on the system but I haven't checked this one out which I will do to make sure it is ok.

I will also try and track the license check process to see if I can highlight any errors during this process as suggested.

Thanks to everyone for all your help and I will keep you informed.

Regards

Anne

[Edgar Ulloa]

Hi

My comments

1.- Edit modparams.dat
Min_gblsections=10000 (if you have upper is fine)
2.-@sys$update:autogen getdata tsetfiles nofeedback
3.- @sys$manager:decw$getparams
4.-@sys$update:autogen genparams reboot nofeedback

and check with your provide if the ADL licence include dec windows motiff.

For Alpha I dont Think so only for I64

If the licence is included you need unload, delete, add and reload again this license and try.

good look

[Volker Halle]

Anne,

an OPENVMS-ALPHA-ADL is a Distributed Interactive User License and also requires an operating system base license (named OPENVMS-ALPHA), do you have one loaded ? Is this a new system or did you change anything ?

Volker.