V/386 hanging on the console

[D.B. Stephens and Assoc]

     I'm looking for some advice on a problem with V/386.  I have the
following configuration at our site. 

Compaq Deskpro 386/20 (original)             MicroPort V/386 Ver.
3.0e 3MB RAM                                    Limited Runtime 
WD 1007A - WA2 Controller                         Link Kit
NDR 4175 ESDI 150MB Drive                         Software Development Kit 
1.2MB floppy
Digiboard COM/8x
CGA monochrome graphics (a mistake)
                                             MERGE 386 Ver. 1.1L
                                                  also limited

The problem is kind of "fun".  Simply put the system hangs.  It occurs
with the following symptoms: The hard drive does something like sync
(most frequently) next the keyboard on the console changes states and
locks.  For an indefinite period this continues until the drive once
again (for whatever mystical reason) is accessed (or completes access). 
Associated with this, tty02 has a PC XT, which occasionally either hangs
as per the console, or if not connected is greeted with "Login Limit,
try again later".  Which is unique considering it is the sole active
external line at the time.  Now, there is also on tty03 a PC AT, which
never hangs, and continues to run even when the console is (hung). 

>From comments I've seen posted here it seems that getty may be in part
at fault.  However, I think I've got more than one problem, like maybe
bad interrupt addresses.  Just to add insult to injury all of these
problems started two days after I learned of uport's woes.  Due to SUN
4.0 upgrade problems, our local link has been off the net for a few
weeks, and I've missed what's been going on out here.  As uport seems to
be belly up I will listen to any helpful comments I can get.  Along
which lines I am also looking for a replacement UNIX, information on
rumored discounts, or even a few well placed flames. 


     Bret Badgett
     dbs at nmt.edu

     Daniel B. Stephens & Associates
     (Hydrology not Law)
     P.O. Box 740 
     Socorro, (means HELP) NM 87801
     Phone: (505) 835-3162
     Fax:   (505) 835-3190