pwd_mkdb (and dev_mkdb) go into loops:

(gdb) c
Continuing.
dev_mkdb in free(): warning: page is already free.

Breakpoint 1, 0x00020dd7 in free (252032)
(gdb) bt
#0  0x00020dd7 in free (252032)
#1  0x0001928f in __buf_free (266240, 1, 1)
#2  0x00016cfe in __hash_open (266240)
#3  0x00016ac1 in __hash_open (254016)
#4  0x0001052f in main (1, 2147478472, 2147478480)
#5  0x00010154 in ___start (1, 2147478472, 2147478480, 0, 0, 2147483632)
#6  0x000100eb in _start ()
(gdb) c
Continuing.
dev_mkdb in free(): warning: chunk is already free.

Breakpoint 1, 0x00020dd7 in free (274432)
(gdb) bt
#0  0x00020dd7 in free (274432)
#1  0x000192a8 in __buf_free (266240, 1, 1)
#2  0x00016cfe in __hash_open (266240)
#3  0x00016ac1 in __hash_open (254016)
#4  0x0001052f in main (1, 2147478472, 2147478480)
#5  0x00010154 in ___start (1, 2147478472, 2147478480, 0, 0, 2147483632)
#6  0x000100eb in _start ()
(gdb) 

ad-nauseum.

something in libc/db/hash is going horribly wrong on vax.

-- 
  Aaron J. Grier | "Not your ordinary poofy goof." | agrier@poofygoof.com
              "silly brewer, saaz are for pils!"  --  virt