Notes on DTCERT for the Installer Note on PI assignment. DTCERT must run on a channel high enough so it does not get the error message DATA MISSED. Anything higher is nice but not necessary. PI1 is the highest priority level and PI7 is the lowest. The easiest way to find out what channel to run DTCERT on is by trial (unless you know how your system PI channels are used. If so, DTCERT will need to be higher than the clock). At the University of Arizona, due to our configuration, we run DTCERT on PI channel 1. Other sites may wish to start by setting the symbol PIA to 4. Assemble DTCERT as per the instructions below. Run DTCERT and try to certify some tapes. If you get the message DATA MISSED, reassemble for a higher PI channel. If you get the message RATTRP UUO FAILED, you either are not priviliged or the PI channel is occupied by a BLKI/O and cannot be used by this program. Try all the PI channels until you have tried PI1 if necessary. DTCERT must interupt the processer once ever 400uS when writing the timing marks and spends about 50uS to 90uS at interrupt level when doing so. If you get DATA MISSED even on the highest PI channel, it may be necessary that you certify DECtapes on a lightly loaded system (not on prime shift). DTCERT will use about 12% to 20% of the processer when certifying tapes depending on the processer used. The author has certified DECTAPEs in the middle of the day when the system was heavily loaded on KI-10s and on KL-10s and found that DATA MISSED errors occur every 3 to 4 tapes certified. We know of nothing that can be done. Some other program is probably spending too much time with the PI system disabled or at a higher channel every once in a while. The only known solution is to try to certify the tape again. We have never had any trouble with any tape certified or recertified using this DTCERT program. Assembly instructions: .R MACRO *DTCERT,DTCERT/CREF=DTCERT *^C .LOAD DTCERT.REL .SAVE DTCERT .R CREF *DTCERT.LST=DTCERT.CRF *^C If you have any problems with DTCERT, please report them to the University of Arizona Computer Center so that they may be repaired. Suggested code and enhancements are welcome. Chris Janton System Programmer University of Arizona Computer Center Tucson, Arizona 85721 Phone: (602) 884-1233