ECO NUMBER:     VMS721_DV-V0100
             PRODUCT:        OpenVMS Alpha OPERATING SYSTEM 7.2-1
             UPDATE PRODUCT: OpenVMS Alpha OPERATING SYSTEM 7.2-1




                                COVER LETTER


1  KIT NAME:

     VMS721_DV-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2  KITS SUPERSEDED BY THIS KIT: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:


      o  VMS721_PCSI-V0100

      o  VMS721_UPDATE-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 V7.2-1


     4.2  Files patched or replaced:


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



5  PROBLEMS ADDRESSED IN VMS721_DV-V0100 KIT


      o  Compaq has advised owners of DS10,  DS10L,  ES40  AlphaServers,
         and XP900 and VS-10 AlphaStations that Compaq has determined in
         laboratory testing that there is a theoretical possibility that
         during  read  and  write operations to the floppy disk on these
         systems, a single byte of data  may  be  inaccurately  read  or
         written  without  notice  to the user or system.  The potential
         for this anomaly exists only  if  floppy  disk  read  or  write
         operations are attempted while there is extremely heavy traffic

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         on these Alpha system's internal input/output busses.

         Although Compaq has observed the  anomaly  only  in  laboratory
         tests  designed  to  create atypical system stresses, including
         almost constant use  of  the  floppy  disk  drive,  Compaq  has
         informed  owners  of  the  remote  possibility that the anomaly
         could occur so that they may take precautions to prevent it.

         This VMS721_DV-V0100 ECO kit implements a software solution for
         this condition.

         Images Affected:

          -  [SYS$LDR]SYS$DVDRIVER.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):

         DS10, DS10L, ES40 AlphaServers, and XP900 and VS-10 AlphaStations 



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 VMS721_DV /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


     This kit requires a system reboot.  Compaq strongly recommends that
     a  reboot  is performed immediately after kit installation to avoid
     system instability

     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

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     rolling re-boot may be performed.


     Copyright  (c)  Compaq  Computer  Corporation,  2000   All   Rights
     Reserved.   Unpublished rights reserved under the copyright laws of
     the United States.

     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.