the breakpoint at !XL (hex) will cause the STx_C at !XL to fail; the LDx_L is at !XL Facility: DEBUG, VMS Debugger Explanation: The debugger has limited support for debugging of critical sections delimited by memory locking/unlocking (e.g. LDx_L/STx_C (load-locked/store-conditional) instructions. The exception mechanisms used by the debugger causes the lock-flag set by the locking instruction to be cleared. This action affects the behavior of subsequent instructions that rely on memory being locked. Such critical sections are (or should be) coded to retry when the LDx_L or STx_C fail. User Action: Cancel or deactivate all breakpoint events that might trigger while the application being debugged is executing the critical section; a breakpoint at the LDx_L is permissible (will not effect the the lock-flag); a STEP issued from the load_ lock instruction without interfering breakpoints or watchpoints will completely step over the critical section.