The PC UI software configuration for the 4635/4635 MX System User Interface requires Microsoft Windows 3.1 and MS DOS 6.2. The required system software configuration is UI Dialog D.20.19 and the ESS V3A R8.3 software or later.
Disk allocation must be managed to insure adequate space is available for UI Software processing. Failure to do so, will result in failure of file conversions or transfers and possible system hangs. Due to a bug in the Microsoft Windows Memory Manager, which locks out the System UI in this situation, the UI Software is not able to provide a message to the user and the system will hang. Disk management consist of backups to diskettes or deletion of obsolete files. This must be performed on a regular basis; daily or weekly as needed.
6.3.2 Hardware
Refer to Section 3.0, Hardware Configuration Requirements.
6.3.3 Software
6.3.3.1 Multi-National Keyboard
Microsoft Windows treats accented keys slightly different from the ADM- 11 and UI90. Whereas the existing terminals immediately display the accent when <ALT> <4>, <ALT> <5>, <ALT> <6>. <ALT> <7>, or <ALT> <8> is pressed, Windows only shows the accent when the second key is pressed as part of the character. For example <ALT> <5> followed by 'a' yields ’à’ in all cases. But the older terminals show the accent immediately, before the next character is
pressed.
6.3.3.2 Screen Display
If the WAIT Cursor (hourglass) is visible, do NOT perform other functions. Doing so may cause serious operating problems and, possibly, crashes.
If the CAPS LOCK key is pressed and the mouse moved while the UI is refreshing icons because of a boot or change in log lever, multiple I/O Windows will appear as if both mouse buttons were pressed. This seldom occurs but the PC UI must be restarted to recover.
The Screen Saver will activate after 5 minutes of inactivity. An ESS message, mouse movement or keyboard activity will deactivate the Screen Saver.
6.3.3.3 File Naming
PC UI file names may consist of one to eight (8) ASCII characters with exception of the following: period (.), colon (:), dash (-), forward slash (/), backward slash (\), asterisk (*), question mark (?), vertical bar (|), greater than (>), less than (<), spaces, or multi-national characters. The following are MS-DOS reservered words and cannot be used as file names: CLOCK$, CON, AUX, COMn(where n=1-4) LPTn(where n=1- 3), NUL, and PRN.
6.3.3.4 Console Log
In the event the time in the PC UI is reset due to a return to standard time in October or any time the ESS clock is reset backwards in time, the chronological sequence of records in the console log will no longer be valid. The log should be immediately saved and then emptied in
may have to use additional window scrolling until the correct records are displayed.
Converted logs are stored on the hard disk for such cases where multiple floppies are required. Exit to DOS in necessary to backup the file to floppy. The identical version of DOS must be used to restore the file on another PC.
Console Logs saved on the hard disk are always stored to the C:\DIALOG\LOG directory, not the C:\FILES directory.
6.3.3.5 File Management
Copy or Convert of a file to multiple diskettes is not supported. Files requiring multiple diskettes may be copied from the DOS.
6.3.3.6 Error Recovery
When the “Unrecoverable Application Error“ message is displayed on the Sys UI, keying in “manui“ to restart is not sufficient. The PC UI must also be rebooted.
If PC drive b: was used for some activity (such as format or copy), “a:“
must be entered before restarting the System UI software.
When a System UI Error condition has occurred and the appropriate
steps taken to provide Dr. Watson debug information, selecting the SYSUI icon to restart is not sufficient. The PC UI must also be rebooted.
After any Microsoft Windows or System UI fatal error, do not select "continue" or select the icon to restart. To clear the error condition, the PC UI must be rebooted.
6.3.3.7 PC UI/ESS Resynch Procedure
While running in TEM mode, if the PC UI has been rebooted for any reason, the ESS must also be rebooted to continue communication.
The following procedure may be used to get the ESS and PC UI back in synch after a mini sysgen resulting in the ESS talking to the PC UI as a ”dumb” terminal:
1) If the PC is already at the DOS prompt, skip to step 3. Otherwise, select the System Control icon.
2) From the “System Control“ menu select “Exit to DOS“. You will be prompted for confirmation. Select “YES“.
3) At the DOS command line prompt, enter “syncui“. This will start Windows and the Terminal program.
4) Boot the ESS. The “Ready $“ prompt will appear in the Terminal window.
5) Enter “BD“ (note that this must be in upper case) at the prompt and proceed with aMINI sysgento reconfigure for the PC UI.
6) After saving the MINI sysgen changes, reboot the ESS and the UI PC. Once they both reinitialize, the boot menu should appear.
6.3.3.8 UI/ESS SCSI Interface
Loaded, the system switches to the SCSI interface. The first message displayed in the command window with SCSI is "Xerox 4635". The messages displayed prior to this message are delivered via the serial interface.
6.3.3.9 Audit Logging
If the PC should crash or be reset while executing a large job that generates over 100 small (15 pages or less) reports, it may appear to be hung. If the system appears hung, check the disk light. If the light is flashing, the PC is processing data. It is recommended that a large job which generates multiple reports as described above, be restructured into several smaller jobs.
Performing a LIST of several hundred Audit Reports may be slow due to the large number of files.
Logging stops when 999 revisions of a report exist.
Error message #12030 (Not an AUD file Mgr file, or created by too early an AUD File Mgr version) may also be the result of intermittent read errors encountered on a floppy disk. Replace the floppy disk, copying files, if possible to other media.
6.4 IOT - points to note