                                FYI
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          TITLE:  Terminals locking up
   DOCUMENT ID#:  FYI-M-1902
           DATE:  28DEC92
        PRODUCT:  DR Multiuser DOS
PRODUCT VERSION:  5.x
     SUPERSEDES:  13APR92

        SYMPTOM:  Terminals lock up or hang.

  ISSUE/PROBLEM:  

1. Make sure the user has the DR Multiuser DOS Business Update of
September, 1991 for version 5.0 or DR Multiuser DOS 5.1.

2. If hanging problems occur that do not occur under a single
user DOS, slow down all hardware options.  The user could disable
Turbo (if the computer has Turbo switch), 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.
