Re: Computer Question - DTC

["Switched On" <yaropolk@hotmail.com>]

Notagunzel wrote in message ...
>DOS/4GW
>
>What is it?
>
>The other day I watched a QR driver restart his DTC computer, and after the
>screed about testing memory blah blah, starting HIMEM it muttered something
>about DOS/4GW protected mode or suchlike, before starting the DTC program.
>
>For those who care, QR changed the database version on the DTC from V1.0.0
>to V1.0.7 at 1500 on 28/11, this meant that each Driver when starting the
>computer for the first time had to change the Database Version on the
>computer.  This needed a 'password', (610 xxx xxx) which the train
>controller must of muttered about 412 times on this day...
>
>It did seen an unusual way to do things, but I gather that without the
>correct version database, the startup codes given by the driver to the
>controller would have been rejected by the office computer.


Everything on the DTC is password based so that it can be verified correct
by the controller. This is one of its strong selling points - short of a
driver going psycho or a train failing mechanically, nothing can happen
without controller confirmation - including an upgrade to the database.
Imagine if drivers updated to a new database before they were authorized
to - ie before the controller had updated his dBase. What chaotic mysteries
would be unleashed then, I shudder to think, but fortunately we don't have
to find out. DTC has it covered.

>Several locos didn't have the V1.0.7 database installed, so they had to be
>worked with manual forms.


I guess these must have missed out on that particular day because they were
unavailable (ie out in the field), but they'll get around to it. Rome wasn't
built in a day.

>I think the change had something to do with integrating GPS with the DTC
>computer in the loco, AFAIK the GPS co-ordinates aren't sent back to
>Control.  How is the GPS co-ords sent to the DTC computer?

This is a good question. In the words of the great Joh Bjelke-Petersen.. you
just wait and see... you notagunzels are a curious breed... and so...
anonymous... who knows, you could be working for those socialists down south
there... :-)

>The only computer
>I had a good look at was in a RM with no GPS.  Kinda narrows down which
>service I travelled on doesn't it. |-)


Was it the shiny metal box with a flip-top lid kind of computer or the
bolted-to-the-roof ultra-industrial space-age indestrucible variety? All
depends on what kind of loco it came from...

>I have seen the recent IRSE paper on all the QR computer systems, but it
>didn't really get into the guts of the DTC system.


No, it didn't - probably because the new version of the DTC system is still
under development and is very interesting to a lot of other rail operators
around the world because it leaves paper-based safeworking for dead. It
would be hoped that other operators might purchase this technology off QR,
since it is unique and highly innovative, and much much better than anything
in the ballpark.


>Hope someone out there has some answers, a visit to QR is highly
recommended
>for anyone from the southern states wanting to see a different way of doing
>things.


It's nice to see something run smoothly for a change, isn't it?

Regards,

Mr Switched On.