garym@genat.UUCP (Gary Mittleman) (08/26/87)
I have developed a complex PC based voice response system that runs multiple tasks under DOS using a home grown context switching system. With additional code, our product sometimes hangs the PC. I am looking for a product that allows me to look at memory dumps even though the PC is hung. I once heard of a product called PERISCOPE that hooked up to the XT chip. Does anyone know of a product I can use for an AT, either hardware or software? Many thanks Gary S. Mittleman Votek Systems Limited (416)889-7977 -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the standard guest account disclaimer - Gary's opinions are his own (or atleast not ours)
matt@inuxf.UUCP (Matt Verner) (08/27/87)
> I have developed a complex PC based voice response system that runs multiple > tasks under DOS using a home grown context switching system. With additional > code, our product sometimes hangs the PC. I am looking for a product that > allows me to look at memory dumps even though the PC is hung. I once heard of a > product called PERISCOPE that hooked up to the XT chip. > > > Does anyone know of a product I can use for an AT, either hardware or software? We use the Periscope III debugger here at Graphics Software Labs and love it. You can trace back through the last 8K worth of instructions, set hardware breakpoints on code, data or I/O. In short it is the best debugger I have seen or read about for the PC or AT. They can be reached at 1-800-722-7006 (or for those outside the US 404-256-3860) I have no affiliation to Periscope other than as a satisfied customer. Matt Verner UUCP: ...ihnp4!inuxc!matt AT&T Graphics Software Labs AT&T: (317) 844-4364 Indianapolis, IN "The whole point of this sentence is to clearly explain the point this sentence is making."
locke@pdn.UUCP (Richard Locke) (08/27/87)
In article <201@genat.UUCP>, garym@genat.UUCP (Gary Mittleman) writes: > I have developed a complex PC based voice response system that runs multiple > tasks under DOS using a home grown context switching system. With additional > code, our product sometimes hangs the PC. I am looking for a product that > allows me to look at memory dumps even though the PC is hung. I once heard of a > product called PERISCOPE that hooked up to the XT chip. > > Does anyone know of a product I can use for an AT, either hardware or software? > Gary S. Mittleman > Votek Systems Limited (416)889-7977 A couple of years ago I worked on a complex voice processing system which ran multiple tasks under Intel's iRMX (tm) operating system. My code frequently hung too! We had a copy of PERISCOPE (tm?). I personally have never used it. This was not a hardware debugger. The people I worked with told me that they had used it previously and found it unsuitable for our particular application. It may be suitable for yours. After weeks of fruitless debugging, I contacted one of our suppliers for advice. They recommended the Atron hardware debugger. You plug their board into the bus, and their processor into the slot. This product allows you to look at memory (even when hung), disassemble code, set breakpoints, and lots of other neat stuff. Atron does make a product for the AT, but it ain't cheap. Incidentally, the day after the Atron stuff came, I had figured out what the problem. Some sort of hardware debugger is a must. Disclaimer: My opinions are mine, I have no affiliation with the aforementioned products/companies!
dsd@hpsadla.UUCP (08/29/87)
A company named ATRON in the SF Bay area makes hardware and software debuggers. I got a copy of their software debugger (symbolic) and it's fairly impressive. Give 'em a call at 408-741-5900. -- Just a satisfied customer.
gary@apex.UUCP (Gary Wisniewski) (08/29/87)
In article <201@genat.UUCP> garym@genat.UUCP (Gary Mittleman) writes: >I have developed a complex PC based voice response system that runs multiple >tasks under DOS using a home grown context switching system. With additional >code, our product sometimes hangs the PC. I am looking for a product that >allows me to look at memory dumps even though the PC is hung. I once heard of a >product called Periscope that hooked up to the XT chip. I have been using the Periscope III hardware debugger during the the development of a memory resident product. I have used the product for about 2 months and am very satisfied. Periscope III is very robust. Periscope always responds, even after some pretty odious bugs (like overwriting memory from 0:0 upwards for 64K with a rampant MOVSW). It is reasonably priced ($900, compared to $2000-3000 for Atron's, I believe inferior, product). The user interface isn't as nice as PFIX or CODEVIEW, but I've adapted to it rather easily. Also, Periscope is virtually invisible to the application you're debugging. All memory and code is on the board. On the down side, Periscope doesn't run on some of the clones. We had two SPERRY ITs and an Emulex AT and Periscope wouldn't work on either. It turns out that some clones have a slightly different bus architeture. We bought a PCs LIMITED 286 for the sole purpose of running Periscope and feel it was worth the investment (the board/computer purchase). In fact, the cost of the computer PLUS Periscope is still less than the Atron board and required software. By the way, Atron has the same clone problems as Periscope does. Another minus is the 64K slot of memory (D000:XXXX, but configurable) Periscope takes up. This might be a conflict for those which require EMS or special graphics boards. Another plus: Periscope is not AT-specific. It runs on XT's as well as AT's. Atron makes a board for each type of hardware. Periscope has been especially effective at helping us to track down memory corruption and pointer problems. Once you master the many types of breakpoint combinations, it is possible to catch subtle problems with timing as well as intermittent bugs. Gary Wisniewski {allegra,bellcore,cadre}!pitt!darth!apex!gary