OSMKCM04 - COMMON PROBLEMS AND SOLUTUIONS
10/13/94

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          COMMON PROBLEMS AND SOLUTUIONS
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Please Read Entire Document for Full Explanation of Procedures
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NOTE: Make sure you have the latest COM.SYS and VCOM.SYS
      installed.


SYMPTOMS:

1.  SYS1201 driver not installed

2.  "COM port not available" or "IRQ not available"

3.  Can not open a DOS or Windows application.

4.  SYS3175 and SYS3176

5.  SYS0049

6.  SYS0099 or SYS1798

7.  Application does not recognize COM port

8.  Mode command causes session to hang



RESOLUTIONS:

1.  Path statements & physical devices

2.  IRQ conflict or incorrect hardware configuration

3.  Check path commands

4.  DOS settings and APARS.

5.  An attached device problem

6.  The port is being used by another application

7.  Application settings, configuration

8.  IRQ conflict or APAR



RESOLUTION:

1.  SYS1201 driver not installed error can be caused by a number
    of problems.

     - The path statement for the driver in the CONFIG.SYS file
       may be incorrect.

        A. When COM.SYS does not install:

           - Physical ports may not exist.

           - Physical ports are not configured correctly
             in bios (reference configuration for MCA) .

           - Physical ports may be defective or incorrectly
             setup.

     - The driver specified is defective or non existant.



2. IRQ conflict or incorrect hardware configuration

    IRQ conflicts can cause many problems.  They can result in
    problems unrelated to the immediate point of conflict.  You
    can eliminate IRQ conflicts by creating a table with rows
    that rows represent each slot of the machine and columns that
    columns represent the "Card Type" "IRQ Level" "I/O Address"
    "DMA Address" "Manufacturer Info".  Change this information
    as the configuration changes to save time and ensures
    configuration integrity.  Use the documentation that came
    with the adapter for the switch settings.  Each adapter must
    be assigned to a unique IRQ level and I/O port address.  DMA
    address' should also be unique.



3. Can not open a DOS or Windows application.

   - Make sure that the latest communications drivers are
    installed.

  - Make sure the application is installed correctly.

    A. Path commands may be incorrect.

    B. Applications installed under real DOS may need to be
       reinstalled under OS/2.



4. SYS3175 and SYS3176

   - If the application is an OS/2 application, contact the
     vendor of the application.

   - Sometimes adjusting the DOS_HIGH and DOS_UMB
     adjustments remedy this problem.

   - Running the application in full screen helps.

   - Slowing down the processor and disabling external
      cache on faster machines also helps.

   - XR6200 includes fixes for computers with Pentium, DX,
     processors with this problem. Check for current APARS
     listed for specific applications and the error
     message.



5. SYS0049

    Usually indicates a non-functioning attached device.  Use the
    MODE command to check if the port is installed correctly.  If
    the mode command functions correctly, use the use the
    "spurious interrupt" that is passed on the command line of
    the COM.SYS device driver in the CONFIG.SYS.  Make sure the
    hardware is configured correctly and functioning optimally.



6. SYS0099 or SYS1798

    Usually means the port requested is being accessed by another
    application.  Some applications automatically take all
    available system resources.  If the problem occurs, view the
    task list and note applications that are running.  Verify
    that these applications are not, or should not, use the port.
    OS/2 provides a DOS property in the DOS settings to hide COM
    ports from applications.  Set the COM_SELECT property to none
    or the specific port being used; for example, COM_SELECT =
    COM1.



7. Application does not recognize COM port

   - Check for an IRQ conflict.

   - Make sure the application port and line settings are
     configured correctly.

   - If using COM3 and COM4 or COM1 and COM2 with
     non- default configuration settings on an ISA machine,
     check the following:

      A. Verify the command line parameters on the
         COM.SYS device driver in the CONFIG.SYS file are
         correct.

    - For MS Windows applications make sure the Windows
      port setup is correct.



8. Mode command causes session to hang

   -  Can be caused by IRQ conflicts (see sections on IRQ
      conflict and resolution).

   -  Check the APAR data base. There may be situations
      where defective hardware had in similar results.


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