Update troubleshooting.md

oilcan-productions · web-flow · commit 31dd9b080d2e · 2024-08-27T13:47:15.000-07:00
Updating with the latest steps to fix COMSAT
diff --git a/troubleshooting.md b/troubleshooting.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ Thanks to eswenson for the intial steps here
 
 In order for INQUIR entries to stick, you must have COMSAT running. 
 
-If you run PEEK, you should see two COMSAT jobs. One has the JNAME IV and the other JOB.nn.  If these jobs are not present, then COMSAT may have started and died.
+If you run PEEK, you should see two COMSAT jobs. One has the JNAME IV and the other JOB.nn.  If these jobs are not present, then COMSAT may have started and died or not started at all
 ```
 *:peek
 KA ITS 1651  Peek 631   8/14/2024 09:59:35  Up time = 5:05
@@ -30,38 +30,174 @@ Logout time =         Lost 0%  Idle 98%  Null time = 5:07
 As you can see above none of the COMSAT process is running.
 
 There are several reasons why COMSAT may die upon startup The most common are:
+Lets start going through those one by one:
 
-1) network parameters for COMSAT are not correct.
+### Network parameters for COMSAT are not correct.
+When you bring up KA ITS, you'll see a message on the operator console like this:
 
-2) host configured for the BUGHST doesn’t match ITS’ IMPUS3 value.
+ LOGIN  TARAKA 0 12:09:11
+TOP LEVEL INTERRUPT 200 DETACHED JOB # 4, USR:COMSAT IV     12:09:12
 
-3) Mail initialization files were not created.
+This means that COMSAT has crashed.
 
-4) .MAIL. directory is full.
+If you look at the IP address that COMSAT is configured with:
+```
+comsat$j
+$l .mail.;comsat launch
+bughst/'NEW$:   SHOWQ+50,,PAT+6   =30052000544
+```
+
+you'll note that that octal address is: 192.168.1.100
+
+If you look at the value that ITS has for the machine's IP address:
+
+```
+sys$j!
+*impus3=1200600006
+```
+
+You'll see that that that octal address is: 10.3.0.6
+
+And if you look at the host table (SYSHST;H3TEXT >), you'll find an entry like this:
+```
+HOST : CHAOS 177002, 192.168.1.100 : DB-ITS.EXAMPLE.COM, DB : PDP-10 : ITS : :
+```
+
+(And there is no HOST entry for a machine with the name KA).
+
+The easiest fix is to:
+
+1) fix the host table
+2) fix COMSAT's variables
+3) generate COMSAT's database files
+4) fix COMSAT's mailing lists file
+5) restart COMSAT
+
+To fix the host table, change the line:
+```
+HOST : CHAOS 177002, 192.168.1.100 : DB-ITS.EXAMPLE.COM, DB : PDP-10 : ITS : :
+```
+to
+```
+HOST : CHAOS 177002, 10.3.0.6 : KA : PDP-10 : ITS : :
+```
+Save the updated `SYSHST;H3TEXT >` and then compile the host table:
+```
+:SYSHST;H3MAKE
+```
+Make sure that there were no errors (look for a `H3ERR` file) and make
+sure that there exists a file `SYSBIN;HOSTS3 NNNNNN` where `NNNNNN` matches
+the `FN2` of the `SYSHST;H3TEXT NNNNNN` you just created.
+
+Now your host table matches your ITS IP address.
+
+Next, you need to fix COMSAT.
+
+To do that, create a job for COMSAT:
+```
+comsat$j
+```
+Then load in the compiled (but not dumped) binary for COMSAT
+```
+$l .mail.;comsat bin
+```
+And now set various variables:
+```
+BUGHST/1200600006
+DEBUG/0
+xvers/0
+```
+And then purify the binary:
+```
+purify$g
+```
+and when DDT prints out:
+```
+:PDUMP DSK:.MAIL.;COMSAT LAUNCH
+```
+Type an `<enter>` to confirm.
+
+Now, you have an correct `.MAIL.;COMSAT LAUNCH` executable.  This will be
+launched by `TARAKA` on startup, or by `:MAIL` when invoked if `COMSAT` isn't
+running.
 
-You can check the network parameters by doing:
+However, before you do this, you need to make sure that COMSAT's database
+files are created.
+
+To do that, do this:
 ```
-foo$j     ; $ is <escape>
+comsat$j
 $l .mail.;comsat launch
-bughst/
-tcpgat/
-domgat/
+debug/-1
+mfinit$g
+```
+You should see a message like:
+```
+:$ File Directory Initialization successfully completed...
+Proceeding will launch Comsat. $
+*
+```
+Don't proceed the COMSAT job, because it will be run as your
+UNAME rather than COMSAT's.  Simply kill the COMSAT job:
+```
+:kill
+```
+Now, there is one last step.  The file `.MAIL.;NAMES >` has entries
+for DB (ITS) rather than KA.  It needs updating.
+
+In emacs, open up `.mail.;names >` and do a query replace of all instances of DB
+with KA.
+
+To do that, enter the Query Replace command:
+```
+<escape>%
+```
+The echo area should display:
+```
+MM Query Replace$
+```
+Type in `DB<escape>KA<escape><escape>`
+
+Your cursor will be positioned at the first instance of the string DB.
+
+Type in
+
+`!`
+
+Yes, just the exclamation point character.  This will replace all instances
+of `DB` with `KA`.
+
+Save the file. (`<control>x<control>s`) and return to DDT (`<control>x<control>c`).
+
+Now, you are ready to launch `COMSAT`.
+
+But first, make sure there is no (dead) comsat running, but running `peek$k`
+
+Look for any job with the UNAME COMSAT (and the JNAME IV).  If you find one,
+kill the job by typing:
+
+`<job number>X`
+
+Then, exit PEEK with the "q" command.
+
+Now, send yourself a message:
+```
+:MAIL <your-uname>
+<some message>
+<control>c
 ```
-this produces this output
+You should see the message:
 ```
-bughst/   SHOWQ+50,,PAT+6   tcpgat/   SHOWQ+50,,55   domgat/   SHOWQ+50,,55
+C Communications satellite apparently dead.
+Re-launching, hang on... now in orbit!
 ```
-BUGHST should match IMPUS3 in ITS and be the IP address of your ITS.
+Now, COMSAT should be running.  You can check with PEEK.
 
-You can check the value of IMPUS3 by doing:
+You also should see that your mail was delivered. Type:
 ```
-Its$j
-impus3=
+:PRMAIL<enter>
 ```
-TCPGAT and DOMGAT should be the IP address of your host (eg raspberry pi).
+to read (and optionally delete) it.
 
-If all these are correct, check to see if your .MAIL. directory is full:
 
-:dskuse .mail.
 
-List out your .MAIL. directory to see if you have these files:
