ECO NUMBER:     VMS72_MEM_CHAN-V0100
             PRODUCT:        OpenVMS Alpha OPERATING SYSTEM 7.2
             UPDATE PRODUCT: OpenVMS Alpha OPERATING SYSTEM 7.2




                                COVER LETTER


1  KIT NAME:

     VMS72_MEM_CHAN-V0100


2  KITS SUPERSEDED BY THIS KIT:

     None.


3  KIT DEPENDENCIES:

     3.1  The  following  remedial  kit(s)  must  be  installed   BEFORE
          installation of this, or any required kit:

     VMS72_UPDATE-V0100 or VMS72_HARDWARE-V0100


     3.2  In order to receive all the corrections listed  in  this  kit,
          the following remedial kits should also be installed:

     None.


4  KIT DESCRIPTION:

     4.1  Version(s) of OpenVMS to which this kit may be applied:

     OpenVMS Alpha V7.2


     4.2  Files patched or replaced:


      o  [SYS$LDR]SYS$MCDRIVER.EXE (new image)



5  PROBLEMS ADDRESSED IN VMS72_MEM_CHAN-V0100 KIT


      o  Customers who install or upgrade to V7.1-2 or later versions of
         OpenVMS ALPHA may experience Hub Timeout errors, Memory Channel
         port re-initialization and virtual circuit  closure  on  Memory
         Channel 1.0 or 1.5 devices.  This problem is not seen on Memory
         Channel 2.0 devices.  In some cases the memory channel  adapter
         has  been set offline and the customer must reboot to re-enable
         it.

         Image(s) Affected:

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                                                        5 October 1999


          -  [SYS$LDR]SYS$MCDRIVER.EXE


      o  CPUSPINWAIT system crashes may  occur  if  Memory  Channel  1.x
         adapters  experience hardware errors while Heartbeat Timeout is
         enabled.

         Image(s) Affected:

          -  [SYS$LDR]SYS$MCDRIVER.EXE




6  KIT INSTALLATION RATING:

     The following kit  installation  rating,  based  upon  current  CLD
     information,  is  provided  to  serve as a guide to which customers
     should apply this remedial kit.  (Reference attached Disclaimer  of
     Warranty and Limitation of Liability Statement)

     INSTALLATION RATING:

       INSTALL_2 : To  be  installed  by   all  customers  using  the  following
           feature(s):   Memory Channel Users



7  INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

     Install this kit with the POLYCENTER Software Installation  utility
     by logging into the SYSTEM account, and typing the following at the
     DCL prompt:

     PRODUCT INSTALL VMS72_MEM_CHAN /SOURCE=[location of Kit]

     The kit location may be a tape drive, CD, or a disk directory that
     contains the kit.

     Additional help on installing PCSI kits can be found by typing
     HELP PRODUCT INSTALL at the system prompt


     The images in this kit will not take effect  until  the  system  is
     rebooted.

     If you have other nodes in your OpenVMS cluster, they must also  be
     rebooted  in  order  to make use of the new image(s).  If it is not
     possible or convenient to reboot the entire cluster at this time, a
     rolling re-boot may be performed.


     Copyright  (c)  Compaq  Computer  Corporation,  1999   All   Rights
     Reserved.   Unpublished rights reserved under the copyright laws of
     the United States.

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                                                        5 October 1999


     The software contained on this media is proprietary to and embodies
     the   confidential   technology  of  Compaq  Computer  Corporation.
     Possession, use, or dissemination of  the  software  and  media  is
     authorized  only  pursuant  to  a valid written license from Compaq
     Computer Corporation.

     DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

     THIS PATCH IS PROVIDED AS IS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF  ANY  KIND.   ALL
     EXPRESS  OR  IMPLIED  CONDITIONS,  REPRESENTATIONS  AND WARRANTIES,
     INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED  WARRANTY  OF  MERCHANTABILITY,  FITNESS  FOR
     PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED TO THE
     EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.  IN NO  EVENT  WILL  COMPAQ  BE
     LIABLE  FOR  ANY  LOST REVENUE OR PROFIT, OR FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT,
     CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, HOWEVER  CAUSED  AND
     REGARDLESS  OF  THE  THEORY OF LIABILITY, WITH RESPECT TO ANY PATCH
     MADE AVAILABLE HERE OR TO THE USE OF SUCH PATCH.