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Conference bulova::decw_jan-89_to_nov-90

Title:DECWINDOWS 26-JAN-89 to 29-NOV-90
Notice:See 1639.0 for VMS V5.3 kit; 2043.0 for 5.4 IFT kit
Moderator:STAR::VATNE
Created:Mon Oct 30 1989
Last Modified:Mon Dec 31 1990
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3726
Total number of notes:19516

2379.0. "Icon box and window headers disappear -- known bug?" by KAZUBI::BISHOV () Thu Mar 01 1990 17:54

    A few members of our LAVc running DECwindow (first under VMS 5.1, now
    upgraded to 5.3) have had this problem.
    
    While working in DECterm windows, suddenly the icon box disappears,
    as well as the headers from all the windows (including the session
    manager).  Usually it has been possible to recover without a reboot
    by getting back to the session manager Session menu and quitting
    (of course if the session manager was reduced to an icon, you're in
    trouble since there is no way I've figured out to get it back, since
    the icon box is not there).
    
    I've scanned other notes in this conference that seem related, but
    have not come across a similar problem. (Note, this problem is
    not related to any DECwindows programs we're writing; we're 
    using standard DECterm or application windows.)
    
    Any information or pointer to another note or conference appreciated.
    If this is a bug, and assuming it has not been reported, 
    information on SPR reporting channel also appreciated.
    
    Thanks.
    
    Sheldon
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2379.1Window manager crashDELPHI::VATNEPeter Vatne, VMS DevelopmentThu Mar 01 1990 21:368
The symptoms you describe (icon box disappears, headers from all the
windows disappear) will occur when the window manager crashes.  This
is a bug.

The interesting thing about the window manager is that it is just
another X application.  If you still have a DECterm window available,
just RUN SYS$SYSTEM:DECW$WINMGR, and your icon box and headers
will all come back.
2379.2Thanks for quick reply.KAZUBI::BISHOVFri Mar 02 1990 11:154
    Peter, thanks for the quick response.  I'll spread the information
    around the group.
    
    Sheldon
2379.3obtain logSTAR::CYPRYCHFri Mar 02 1990 14:0912
    Define the system logical decw$winmgr_output to point
    to a file.  The window manager will log messages to
    this file which will inform you if the server has
    disconnected the window manager connection or if
    there is another problem.
    
    There was a problem (which has been fixed) where the
    link between the wm and server was getting disconnected.
    (I believe there is a note in this file somewhere describing
    this)
    
    Nancy
2379.4Does that work for other DECW$app's?GOFER::HARLEYSkyking, Skyking, do not answer...Fri Mar 02 1990 14:407
    re .-1
    
    Are there other DECW$mumble_OUTPUT logicals that can be defined to log
    output from DECwindows applications (ie, can I trace SM problems by
    defining DECW$SM_OUTPUT)?
    
    /harley
2379.5Don't scroll Icon BoxCHOVAX::LAYTONDave Layton Software Specialist @CHOSat Mar 03 1990 11:588
    Just yesterday I had a customer have the icon box disappear on him.
    Since it had happened to him previously, I asked him to try and
    reproduce it.  Surprsingly, he was able to reproduce it.  If he
    scrolled the ICON box while running a program using the dw debugger
    the icon box would disappear.  Hopefully this will help to isolate
    the problem.  BTW we are at VMS V5.3.
    
    Dave Layton
2379.6Send log with qar pleaseSTAR::CYPRYCHMon Mar 05 1990 15:309
    Definitely sounds like a bug... If its at all possible
    to obtain the log produced when the system logical
    decw$winmgr_output is pointing to a file (need to
    log in again after setting the logical) it would helpful.
    
    You can include the log when you file a qar.
    
    Thanks,
    Nancy
2379.7Will try to reproduce bug -- need info. on reporting procedure pleaseKAZUBI::BISHOVFri Mar 09 1990 11:228
    I'll try the method for logging output and will send report if
    possible to reproduce the error.  I'm not very experienced at the
    process of problem reporting -- can someone provide a quick
    overview (or pointer to information elsewhere) on the qar procedure?
    
    Thanks.
    
    Sheldon
2379.8Info on QAR procedure now in note 2.0STAR::VATNEPeter Vatne, VMS DevelopmentFri Mar 09 1990 17:502
To answer the perennial question, "How do I enter a QAR?", I have
posted the directions in note 2.0 of this conference.
2379.9RE: .8: Thanks -- very useful informationKAZUBI::BISHOVMon Mar 12 1990 17:391
    
2379.10icon box didn't appear....NURSE::BURACKNot Fade AwayMon Oct 29 1990 14:5623
    Hi,
    
    I just ran across an interesting problem with the icon box and window
    headers. Mine wouldn't appear... this is what I did last friday:
    
    I changed the header text on the session manager window to:
    
    Nothing left to do but :) :) :)
    
    I had to shutdown my system, so I quit out of my session. When I
    rebooted and logged into my account, I didn't get an icon box and 
    window headers. My background screen, my decterms, Bookreader and
    the session manager window came up, but couldn't do anything.
    
    Getting a generic DECW$SM_GENERAL.DAT fixed the problem (editing the
    file did not work).
    
    Is this a bug? Is it documented that you shouldn't use :) in your
    message text?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Ruth-Ellen
2379.11HKOVC::TERENCEFrom Middlesex, UWOMon Oct 29 1990 23:1721
              <<< Note 2379.10 by NURSE::BURACK "Not Fade Away" >>>
                        -< icon box didn't appear.... >-

#    I just ran across an interesting problem with the icon box and window
#    headers. Mine wouldn't appear... this is what I did last friday:

    That means your window manager has dead. If you do have a decterm window,
    just click on it (although you can't push/pop/iconify/deiconify a window
    without a window manager, you can still use it) and do a $ show system,
    you will find that the DECW$WM_n process disappeared.
    
#    I had to shutdown my system, so I quit out of my session. When I
#    rebooted and logged into my account, I didn't get an icon box and 
#    window headers. My background screen, my decterms, Bookreader and
#    the session manager window came up, but couldn't do anything.

    You don't need to shutdown your system. All you have to do is to do a
    @sys$startup:decw$startup restart.

    -Terry
    
2379.12window manager never got started.....NURSE::BURACKNot Fade AwayTue Oct 30 1990 12:2919
    Hi,
    
    I don't think I explained the problem clearly... I changed the message 
    text on the session manager window on friday to read:
    
    Nothing left to do but :) :) :)
    
    Instead of pausing the session, I had to quit the session so I could
    shut down all of my systems. When I rebooted on Monday and logged into
    my account, I didn't get an icon box or window headers. I couldn't do
    anything with the DECterm window. I tried to restart DECwindows from
    another terminal. It didn't work. 
    
    The only thing that fixed the problem was a new DECW$SM_GENERAL.DAT.
    
    Again, is this a bug or should it be documented that you can't use
    characters in the message header?
    
    Ruth-Ellen