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OS/400 Alert: Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta
by Shannon O'Donnell
This issue of "OS/400 Alert" brings you up to date on defective IBM PTFs. Using the list provided, you can analyze your own PTF strategy to see if you need to apply patches or remove PTFs before they cause problems on your system. In addition, users of Microsoft Windows XP will want to read on to find out how they can take part in the Windows XP Service Pack 2 beta program.
WINDOWS XP SP2 BETA ALMOST READY
If you are one of those folks who like to be on the bleeding edge of new technology, and you are a Microsoft business partner, be sure to register for the Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 beta. In Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft is providing an operating system that has tighter Internet security through its new built-in firewall technology, something users have been asking for ever since Windows XP came out. In addition to, or perhaps as part of the new firewall technology, Microsoft has developed a strategy that is supposed to keep your computer safe from viruses, even if you have not yet downloaded the latest hot-fix from Microsoft to prevent them. That sounds like a pretty good trick, if they can accomplish it. Of course, there are many more new features and fixes in Windows XP SP2, including reduced privileges for RPC service (a known hole for virus exploiters), a Web browser security pop-up manager, hardware-enforced data execution protection, and recompiling of core Windows components.
If you are a Microsoft business partner, you can register for the Windows XP Service Pack 2 beta on Microsoft's Web site.
PTF ANALYSIS
As any programmer can attest, sometimes fixing one problem causes new problems. The same holds true with fixes issued by IBM. Many times a PTF is released only to be suddenly recalled or superseded days, or even hours, later. To save you the trouble of having to wade through the defective PTFs, and to give you a flavor for the kinds of things that can backfire, here is a list of interesting and possibly havoc-wreaking defective PTFs for V5R2 for the month of April. We are showing this to you just in case you have been ignoring the defective PTF listings from IBM. This is a bad idea if you are doing this.
Here's a short list of defective PTFs for V5R2 in April, with their fixes:
Defective PTFs: MF32431, MF32441, MF32509, MF32516, MF32571 and/or MF32614
Licensed Program: 5722999
Users Affected: All OS/400 users with LIC PTFs MF32431, MF32441, MF32509, MF32516, MF32571 and/or MF32614 applied
Reason Defective: Users may experience performance degradation when using "Database" functions.
Recommendation: Apply the fixing LIC PTF MF33029.
Defective PTF: MF32646
Licensed Program: 5722999
Users Affected: All OS/400 users with PTF MF32646 applied.
Reason Defective: IPLs may fail with System Reference Code (SRC) B600 5121 or B600 0102.
Recommendation: Apply the fixing LIC PTF MF32964.
Defective PTF: MF32793
Licensed Program: 5722999
APAR Number: MA29178
Users Affected: All OS/400 users with PTF MF32793 applied. If you have not experienced problems, no action is required.
Reason Defective: Tape libraries may not be operational.
Recommendation: Apply the fixing LIC PTF MF32983.
Defective PTFs: SI10194 and/or SI10929
Licensed Program: 5722SS1
APAR Number: SE14571
Users Affected: All OS/400 Java users with PTFs SI10194 and/or SI10929 applied.
Reason Defective: Java applications may encounter a fatal JDBC error, causing the job to end.
Recommendation: Apply the fixing PTF SI12813.
Defective PTFs: SI11894 and/or SI12105
Licensed Program: 5722SS1
APAR Number: SE14359
Users Affected: All OS/400 users with PTFs SI11894 and/or SI12105 applied.
Reason Defective: Incorrect output will occur when using the Pinchange/unblock function.
Recommendation: Apply the fixing PTF SI13643.
Defective PTF: MF32127
Licensed Program: 5722999
APAR Number: MA28665
Users Affected: All OS/400 LPAR users with PTF MF32127 applied.
Reason Defective: An error may occur when trying to create a new partition using the iSeries (Operations) Navigator. If using the Service Tools interface, the create partition function works properly.
Recommendation: Apply the fixing LIC PTF MF32302.
Defective PTF: SI10705
Licensed Program: 5724B41
APAR Number: SE12965
Users Affected: All OS/400 MQSeries users with PTF SI10705 applied.
Reason Defective: The queue manager may end unexpectedly during a journal rollover.
Recommendation: Apply the fixing PTF SI11236. SI11236 is included in cumulative PTF package C4077520.
Defective PTF: MF31834
Licensed Program: 5722999
APAR Number: MA28508
Users Affected: All OS/400 LPAR users with PTF MF31834 applied.
Reason Defective: LPAR users may experience hang condition.
Recommendation: Apply the fixing LIC PTF MF32127.
Defective PTF: SI10896
Licensed Program: 5722SS1
APAR Number: SE13436
Users Affected: All OS/400 users with PTF SI10896 applied.
Reason Defective: Incorrect output may occur when compiling using the ILE C compiler with source containing pointer arithmetic.
Recommendation: Apply the fixing PTF SI08753.
Defective PTF: MF31271
Licensed Program: 5722999
APAR Number: MA28245
Users Affected: All OS/400 users that have PTF MF31271 applied and have a device type (D/T) 3995 Model C48 Optical Library. MF31271 is included in cumulative PTF package C3364520.
Reason Defective: Users will lose access to the Optical volumes. If you have experienced this problem, contact your software service provider.
Recommendation: Apply the fixing LIC PTF MF31825. MF31825 is included in cumulative PTF package C4077520.
A complete list of defective PTFs for 2004 is available on IBM's Web site. Remember, you don't just have to apply the PTFs; you have to look for bad PTFs and apply fixes to those, too.
PTF'S AND FIXES FOR OS/400 AND RELATED PROGRAMS
IBM released the latest cumulative package for V5R2 customers on March 30.
The latest HIPER package was released May 11.
The Database Group PTF was updated March 30.
GET THE LATEST OS/400 PTF GUIDE
Our partner DLB Associates has been keeping track of IBM's PTF updates to OS/400 and its related programs. Here are the latest OS/400 PTF Guides:
May 1
May 8
May 15
May 22
May 29
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