Night Owl 6/Night Owl's Shareware - PDSI-006 - Night Owl Corp (1990).iso/036a/os2faq.zip/FAQ.OS2

Text File | 1991-10-04 | 27KB | 598 lines

OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions
Release 1.3; September 27, 1991

For changes/suggestions/additions please mail
[e-mail].  Include subject line "OS/2 FAQ."  This
list may be freely distributed.  Answers to questions closer to
the bottom of the list may rely on information given in earlier
answers.

This version contains additions relating to OS/2 2.0 along with
other refinements.  Changes have been made to questions 1, 2, 4,
5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 22, 25, 27, 31.  A new
question has been added (34).

Questions Addressed in this Release:

(1)    What is OS/2?
(2)    What are the differences between versions?
(3)    What is the difference between Standard and Extended
    Edition?
(4)    What about DOS and Windows compatibility?
(5)    Where can I buy OS/2?
(6)    How much does OS/2 cost?
(7)    Can I upgrade to IBM OS/2 1.3 SE from DOS?
(8)    Can I upgrade to IBM OS/2 1.3 SE from an older version?
(9)    If I buy IBM OS/2 1.3 now, how much will it cost to get 2.0?
(10)    Does IBM offer educational discounts on purchases of OS/2?
    Site licenses?
(11)    What hardware do I need to run IBM OS/2 1.3 SE?
(12)    What applications are available for OS/2 1.x?
(13)    Where can I obtain OS/2 freeware and shareware?
(14)    My Logitech mouse doesn't seem to be working with OS/2.
    What's wrong?
(15)    Is there a driver available for Seagate's SCSI adapters?
(16)    How about a high resolution driver for my video adapter?
(17)    How about a driver for my printer?
(18)    How do I access HPFS partitions on my hard drive without
    booting from the hard drive?  I've done something (like
    changing CONFIG.SYS) that doesn't let me boot OS/2.
(19)    I can't install OS/2 from Drive B.  What's wrong?
(20)    Is there a Norton Utilities for OS/2?
(21)    Sometimes Presentation Manager will freeze when I run an
    application, and I have to reboot.  What's wrong?
(22)    My dealer doesn't know OS/2 from Unix.  How can I get
    answers to my OS/2 questions?
(23)    How can I get ahold of the beta release of OS/2 2.0?
(24)    Why should I use HPFS?  What does it offer me?  Does it work
    with DOS?
(25)    I'm a Unix wizard.  How do I make OS/2 resemble Unix?
(26)    I would like to set up an OS/2 BBS.  What is available?
(27)    The printed and online manuals do not document REXX in any
    detail.  Where can I obtain more information?
(28)    Doesn't OS/2 have applets like Windows?  I miss Solitaire.
(29)    How do I redirect printer output to a file?
(30)    Can I use COM3 and COM4 in OS/2?
(31)    On my 1024x768 high resolution display I get obnoxiously
    large icons (64x64).  How do I make them smaller?
(32)    How do I start a background process from the OS/2 command
    line?
(33)    How do I start a DOS application from a PM icon?
(34) What are CSDs, how do I tell which I have, and where do I
     get them?
_______________

(1)    What is OS/2?

OS/2 is an advanced operating system for PCs and PS/2s with an
80286 processor or better.  It was codeveloped by Microsoft and
IBM and envisioned as the successor to DOS.

It was designed from the ground up with multitasking and
multithreading in mind.  It also protects applications from one
another (a single misbehaved program will not typically bring
down the entire system), supports up to 16 MB of physical RAM,
and supplies virtual memory to applications as requested.

As shipped, it does not support multiuser operation, although
several third parties have grafted multiuser (character mode)
capabilities onto the base operating system.  Citrix, Remote-OS,
and Polymod are three such products.  Remote-OS is published by
The Software Lifeline, tel. [phone].  [Other tel. nos?]

(2)    What are the differences between versions?

Version 2.0 (to be released Fourth Quarter, 1991) will run only
on machines with an 80386SX processor or better.  IBM is (now)
developing 2.0 independently but is involving third party PC
manufacturers in its testing.  Improvements will include the
ability to preemptively multitask DOS, Windows 2.x, and Windows
3.x (standard mode) applications (without purchasing any of these
environments) in separate, robust, protected sessions; an object-
oriented WorkPlace shell (including a "shredder" icon); a
multiple operating system boot mechanism; 32-bit programming
interfaces; support for more than 16 MB of RAM; and more third
party device drivers.  It will also provide EMS 3.2/4.0 and DPMI
1.0 (expanded and extended memory) services to DOS and Windows
applications.  Version 2.0 will demand a minimum of 3 MB of RAM.

IBM OS/2 Version 1.3 (CSD Level 05016; see Question 34) is
currently the latest commercially available release.  This
version distinguishes itself with built-in Adobe Type Manager and
reduced memory requirements.  Procedures Lanuage/2 (a.k.a. REXX),
a powerful batch-oriented programming language, became a part of
Standard Edition with this release.  (Microsoft Version 1.3 is
just becoming available to OEMs.)

OS/2 Version 1.2 was the first to incorporate the High
Performance File System (HPFS, which supports long file names)
and a dual boot mechanism.  IBM OS/2 Version 1.2 Extended Edition
introduced REXX.

OS/2 Version 1.1 was the first to include the Presentation
Manager (PM) GUI/API, now an integral part of the operating
system.

OS/2 Version 1.0, introduced in 1987, was the first release of
OS/2.  Task switching was accomplished through a character-based
shell and limited DOS compatibility was provided.

(3)    What is the difference between Standard and Extended
    Edition?

IBM makes this marketing distinction between two different
flavors of OS/2 1.x.  OS/2 1.x is available either in its
Standard Edition (SE, i.e. the base operating system) or in
Extended Edition (EE, with several extra bundled software
products including the Communications Manager and the Database
Manager).  EE includes enhanced mainframe, network, and
communications support.

The distinction will change slightly when OS/2 2.0 is released.
IBM will upgrade EE features and drop LAN Requester from the
package, to be renamed Extended Services (ES).  LAN Requester
will be included in IBM's OS/2 LAN Server product.  The new ES
will still work with OS/2 1.3 and will be tested on a wide
variety of PC compatibles.

(4)    What about DOS and Windows compatibility?

All 1.x versions of OS/2 include the DOS compatibility mode
(sometimes called the penalty box) which allows a single, well-
behaved DOS application to run alongside multiple OS/2
applications.  The DOS application stops running when the user
switches to an OS/2 program.  However, OS/2 programs will run in
the background while a DOS program is running.

IBM OS/2 Version 1.3 SE yields approximately 520K free memory in
the DOS box.  Windows 3.0 will run in real mode in the DOS box.
Also, DOS may be started by itself (in native mode) in two ways:
by using the dual boot mechanism in OS/2 (described in detail in
the printed manual) or by booting from a floppy disk.  In both
cases DOS has access to all FAT (non-HPFS) partitions on the hard
disk (that are not themselves preceded by a HPFS or other
"foreign" partition).

Version 2.0 will preemptively multitask DOS and Windows (real and
standard mode) applications in separate, protected sessions.
Windows applications will be well integrated into the overall
OS/2 PM environment, with DDE, OLE 1.0, Clipboard, and Adobe Type
Manager hooks.  Each DOS application will have roughly 640K
conventional memory available plus access to expanded and
extended memory services.  DOS applications can run either full
screen or in PM windows.  With OS/2 2.0 high resolution displays,
windowed DOS applications will be able to use text mode or any
VGA graphics mode.  DOS and Windows device drivers will work with
DOS and Windows applications running under OS/2 2.0, but if an
OS/2 2.0 driver is available a DOS or Windows device driver is
unnecessary.

(5)    Where can I buy OS/2?

Microsoft versions of OS/2 are available only through OEMs (e.g.
Compaq, Dell) or by purchasing the Microsoft OS/2 Software
Development Kit (SDK).

IBM OS/2 Version 1.3 is available from any authorized IBM dealer
(although persistence helps) or by calling 1-800-3 IBM OS2.  IBM
OS/2 1.3 SE on 5.25 inch disks is IBM part no. 84F7587.  For 3.5
inch disks ask for part no. 84F7588.  Media are high density.
Corresponding EE part nos. are 15F7196 and 15F7195.

IBM OS/2 Version 1.3 is also available from several mail order
sources, including Egghead Discount Software (tel. [phone])
and Elek-Tek (tel. [phone]).

(6)    How much does OS/2 cost?

IBM OS/2 Version 1.3 SE retails for USD 150.

(7)    Can I upgrade to IBM OS/2 1.3 SE from DOS?

Yes, as long as you are upgrading from IBM PC-DOS.  The upgrade
retails for USD 99.

(8)    Can I upgrade to IBM OS/2 1.3 SE from an older version?

Yes, as long as the previous version is an IBM version.  After
September 30, 1991, there will be a charge for this upgrade.

(9)    If I buy IBM OS/2 1.3 now, how much will it cost to get 2.0?

Nothing.  Upgrades to 2.0 will be sent free of charge to
customers who purchase or upgrade to OS/2 1.3 on or after April
17, 1991.  Other Version 1.3 licensees will be assessed a nominal
media charge (once per site).  Version 1.3 EE licensees will
receive the full 2.0 ES upgrade.  IBM reserves the right to
revise or add to these terms after December 31, 1991.

(10)    Does IBM offer educational discounts on purchases of OS/2?
    Site licenses?

IBM has both.  The educational price is approximately USD 99 for
OS/2 1.3 SE.  SE also comes in non-media (manual and license
only) packages at a reduced price, part no. 84F8528.  An SE
additional license (entitles holder to make one copy of media and
manual) is part no. 15F1655; EE, 15F7201.

(11)    What hardware do I need to run IBM OS/2 1.3 SE?

You need a PC, PC compatible, or PS/2 with at least an 80286 CPU,
2 MB or more of RAM (configured as 640K base plus the remainder
as extended memory), a 20 MB or larger hard disk, a supported
video adapter (CGA, EGA, VGA, MCGA, 8514/A, XGA, or third party
driver) with appropriate display, and a high density 3.5 or 5.25
inch floppy drive for installation.  A mouse is recommended.

PM will not operate with the Monochrome Display Adapter or the
Hercules Monochrome Graphics Adapter.  Usually PM will fail to
work with monochrome EGA.  However, some EGA adapters (e.g.
Paradise Monochrome EGA Card, ATI EGA Wonder) will emulate all
color EGA modes on TTL monochrome monitors and, thus, will work
with PM.  "Autoswitching" on non-IBM EGA adapters should be
disabled (usually with a DIP switch or jumper setting).

On ISA bus machines, OS/2 supports 16-bit hard drive adapters
which conform to the Western Digital chipset interface standard
(i.e. nearly all MFM, RLL, IDE, and ESDI adapters).  An adapter
capable of sector remapping should be used (and enabled) with
hard drives larger than 1024 cylinders.  (The 1024 cylinder limit
is a BIOS constraint.)

SCSI devices on ISA machines require specialized device drivers,
and it should be noted that SCSI support under OS/2 can best be
characterized as spotty.  Two makers of entry level SCSI
adapters, CE Infosys (tel. [phone]) and Adaptec (tel. 408-
946-8600), provide OS/2 support.  IBM OS/2 1.3 is compatible with
IBM PS/2 SCSI adapters.

At present, CD-ROM support is also spotty, but at least one
company, Corel Systems (publisher of Corel Draw, tel. 613-728-
8200) supplies OS/2 compatible CD-ROM (and rewritable) systems.
Irwin (tel. [phone]) manufactures OS/2 compatible tape
backup systems.

IBM OS/2 1.3 runs on a wide array of clones with a wide variety
of hardware.  However, compatibility cannot be assured with every
non-IBM device.  Often problems can be fixed with a BIOS upgrade
or an OS/2 CSD (see Question 34).  Version 2.0 will, however, be
officially tested and supported on a wide variety of non-IBM
equipment, including machines manufactured by Acer, Apricot, AST,
AT&T, Compaq, CompuAdd, Dell, Epson, Everex, HP, NCR, NEC,
Netframe, Olivetti, Parallan, Reply, Siemens, Tandon, Tandy/Grid,
Tricord, Wyse, Wang, Northgate, DEC, and Toshiba.

Supported printers include the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet family;
IBM ExecJets, Proprinters, Quickwriters, Quietwriters,
Pageprinters, and Laserprinters; Epson dot matrix printers;
Postscript devices; and other printers compatible with these
families.  A variety of IBM and HP plotters is also supported.

(12)    What applications are available for OS/2 1.x?

They number in the low thousands at present and include
applications from almost every category imaginable.  Some are
character based applications; some are PM based.

DOS applications with OS/2 counterparts include Lotus 1-2-3 (both
character and PM), Microsoft Word (both character and PM),
Multiplan, Aldus Pagemaker, Corel Draw, WordPerfect,
DisplayWrite, Microsoft Excel, PC SAS, SPSS, HyperAccess/5,
DynaComm, Borland Sidekick, Wingz, and many others.  In some
cases DOS and OS/2 versions ship together (e.g. Microsoft Word
5.0, Lotus 1-2-3 3.0).  Applications unique to OS/2 include
Describe and the GUI version of Lotus Freelance.  Utilities
include PKZIP/UNZIP, SEA's ARC, LHA, Zoo 2.1, the GNU tools, tens
of different file finders, desktop clocks, calculators, and many
more.  Programming languages include Assembler, C++, Cobol,
Pascal, C, Fortran, BASIC, REXX, Smalltalk, Modula-2, and still
more.

The IBM NSC BBS (tel. [phone]) provides an online product
database of hardware and software compatible with OS/2.

(13)    Where can I obtain OS/2 freeware and shareware?

Many BBSes hold large OS/2 libraries.  Fernwood (tel. 203-483-
0348) has over 50 MB worth.  The OS/2 Shareware BBS (tel. 703-
385-0931) and the Windows & OS/2 Magazine BBS (tel. [phone],
fee req.) carry still more.  The IBM NSC BBS has some
shareware/freeware as well, along with CSDs (see Question 34) and
the PS/2 Assistant (an invaluable resource for locating almost
any sort of information on OS/2).  The Usenet conference
comp.binaries.os2 carries OS/2 software.  And several sites are
available via anonymous ftp.  (No ftp?  Send a single line
message with the word HELP to [e-mail] to learn about
Princeton's ftp mail server.)  They include (with Internet node
numbers and subdirectories):

mims-iris.waterloo.edu     129.97.129.116     os2
mtsg.ubc.ca                137.82.27.1        os2:
luga.latrobe.edu.au        131.172.2.2        pub/os2
funic.funet.fi             128.214.6.100      pub/os2
novell.com                 130.57.4.1         os2

The last site should not be accessed between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30
p.m. Pacific Time.

(14)    My Logitech mouse doesn't seem to be working with OS/2.
    What's wrong?

The Logitech Series 7 and 9 serial mice work with the Mouse
Systems PC Mouse driver; all other Logitech serial mice, the
Microsoft Serial Mouse driver; bus mice, the Microsoft Bus Mouse
(199) driver; PS/2 mice, the IBM PS/2 Mouse driver.

The full text of the Logitech technical bulletin from which this
information was obtained, including information on potential
conflicts with DOS and Windows, is available from the Logitech
Support BBS, tel. [phone].

(15)    Is there a driver available for Seagate's SCSI adapters?

No.  Seagate has chosen not to supply an OS/2 driver for their
ST-01/02 SCSI adapters.  The Seagate Support BBS can be reached
at tel. [phone].

(16)    How about a high resolution driver for my video adapter?

In many cases an up-to-date OS/2 driver is available.  If not, a
driver for an older version of OS/2 may work.  If all else fails,
standard VGA must suffice.

Drivers are available directly from the manufacturer of the video
adapter or, in many cases, through the shareware/freeware sources
listed above.  Many of these sources also carry a "generic"
800x600 driver for OS/2 PM.  Tseng Labs, Trident, and Video 7
(among others) have released high resolution drivers for OS/2
1.3; ATI has not.  Most OS/2 2.0 features will be available using
an OS/2 1.3 display driver.  DOS and Windows programs running
under OS/2 2.0 will work with their own device drivers as well as
with any OS/2-supported device.

(17)    How about a driver for my printer?

If your printer is not compatible with one of the drivers
supplied with OS/2, check with the printer manufacturer first
then with the IBM NSC BBS.  For example, a Hewlett-Packard
LaserJet III driver for IBM OS/2 1.3 is now available on the NSC
BBS.  If you own an IBM printer, check with the Lexmark BBS (tel.
606-232-5653).

Non-PM applications may supply their own printer drivers, and
text only output is always an option.

(18)    How do I access HPFS partitions on my hard drive without
    booting from the hard drive?  I've done something (like
    changing CONFIG.SYS) that doesn't let me boot OS/2.

With IBM's OS/2, insert the Installation Diskette in Drive A and
reboot.  When the logo appears on screen, press ESC.  You will be
given an OS/2 command line prompt.

Make sure you backup CONFIG.SYS before making any changes so that
you can easily revert to the old version should things go wrong.

Incidently, you may use this method to run CHKDSK on your OS/2
boot partition.  After obtaining the OS/2 command line prompt,
remove the Installation Diskette and insert Diskette 1.  Type
CHKDSK C: /F to repair damage to the boot partition.

(19)    I can't install OS/2 from Drive B.  What's wrong?

IBM OS/2 can only be installed from Drive A.  If you have the
wrong disk size the easiest workaround is to go inside your
machine and swap floppy drive cables, use your system's setup
utility to set the new CMOS parameters, and then install OS/2
from the new Drive A.

IBM is working to make the install process friendlier in future
releases of OS/2.

(20)    Is there a Norton Utilities for OS/2?

Not yet.  But the GammaTech Utilities should fill the role.
Contact their publisher at tel. [phone].

(21)    Sometimes Presentation Manager will freeze when I run an
    application, and I have to reboot.  What's wrong?

Often the problem can be traced to the DOS box.  If at all
possible, upgrade to true OS/2 applications.  OS/2 provides far
more protection in native mode.

PM has some protection of its own.  It can trap applications that
do not respond to input, but you have to give it a chance.  Press
CTRL-ESC (to attempt to bring up the Task Manager), then wait up
to a full minute before rebooting; a dialog box may appear with
further instructions.

(22)    My dealer doesn't know OS/2 from Unix.  How can I get
    answers to my OS/2 questions?

If your question is not answered in this FAQ list, post a note to
the appropriate Usenet conference: comp.os.os2.apps carries
discussions related to finding or using any OS/2 application,
comp.os.os2.programmer addresses anything related to OS/2
programming, and comp.os.os2.misc is for any other OS/2-related
discussion.  These groups are watched closely by IBM's OS/2
development team.

Your local FidoNet BBS may carry the OS/2 echo conference.  If
not, ask your system operator to get ahold of it.

The IBM NSC BBS was established as a support forum.  That BBS's
message areas, product database, and PS/2 Assistant file(s) are
invaluable resources.  And the company has launched an OS/2
hotline (tel. [phone]) for user inquiries and orders.  (Ask
about the OS/2 T-shirts and videocassettes.)

OS/2 is getting its own magazine as well.  Windows & OS/2
Magazine is splitting into separate publications.  [Details on
subscriptions?]

(23)    How can I get ahold of the beta release of OS/2 2.0?

IBM is providing beta copies of OS/2 2.0 to any resident of the
United States for a nominal charge.  Details are available on the
IBM NSC BBS.  Also, members of the Early Experience Program and
certified developers can receive OS/2 2.0.  Details on both
programs are available on the BBS and through the Hotline.
Residents of other countries should contact local IBM branches
for specific information on availability of OS/2 2.0 beta.  IBM
may, at any time, limit availability of OS/2 2.0 beta.

(24)    Why should I use HPFS?  What does it offer me?  Does it work
    with DOS?

HPFS offers long file names (greatly exceeding the "8 dot 3"
limit in FAT/DOS file systems) and speedier disk operation,
particularly on large hard disks.  HPFS is not case sensitive,
although it does preserve case in file names.

However, HPFS is not currently supported on removable media,
although some programs (e.g. BACKUP) preserve long file names on
such FAT disks.  Also, native mode DOS cannot access a HPFS
partition.  However, the DOS compatibility box "sees" all files
that conform to the "8 dot 3" naming conventions, even if they
are stored on HPFS volumes.

(25)    I'm a Unix wizard.  How do I make OS/2 resemble Unix?

A great number of GNU and other standard Unix utilities have been
ported to OS/2 native mode and are available from the
shareware/freeware sources listed above.  A uucp package,
UUPC/Extended, is available via anonymous ftp from
sun.soe.clarkson.edu, directory pub/uupc; netmail [e-mail]
with questions.  FSUUCP for OS/2, a uucp package with FidoNet BBS
interface support, can be obtained by asking your local FidoNet
system operator to file request (FREQ) the files FRDSAK01.ZIP
(for OS/2 source code) and/or FRDBAK02.ZIP (OS/2 executables)
from 2:241/7200.  Or netmail [e-mail] for more
information.

In addition, the Hamilton C Shell is available from Hamilton
Labs, tel. [phone] or netmail [e-mail].  The
Thompson Toolkit, a Bourne-like shell, is published by Thompson
Automation, tel. [phone].  Thompson offers a version of awk
as well.  MKS (tel. [phone] or netmail [e-mail])
publishes a number of standard Unix utilities for OS/2.  TCP/IP
support is available from IBM (and no longer requires EE) or FTP
Software (send netmail to [e-mail]).  [BSD shell?]

(26)    I would like to set up an OS/2 BBS.  What is available?

Many packages are available from the shareware/freeware sources
listed above.  OS/2 is an excellent environment for BBS
operation, including large multiline facilities.  Related
software will enable FidoNet capabilities, gateways to
Usenet/UUCP, nodelist processing, additional file transfer
protocols, and more.

Two popular OS/2 BBSes are Maximus (available from the Fernwood
BBS) and Omega Point/2 (BBS tel. [phone]).

(27)    The printed and online manuals do not document REXX in any
    detail.  Where can I obtain more information?

IBM publishes two separate manuals:

"IBM Operating System/2 Procedures Language 2/REXX User's Guide,"
Part No. 01F0272, Document No. S01F-0272; and

"IBM Operating System/2 Procedures Language 2/REXX Reference,"
Part No. 01F0271, Document No. S01F-0271.

An alternative is "The REXX Language: A Practical Guide to
Programming (2nd Ed.)" by Mike Cowlishaw, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-
13-780651-5.

In addition, there are at least two different versions of REXX
online references available from one or more of the
shareware/freeware sources listed above.

(28)    Doesn't OS/2 have applets like Windows?  I miss Solitaire.

All the Windows applets have been ported to OS/2.  The package is
called Windows Libraries for OS/2 (WLO) Version 1.0.  They should
be available on CompuServe and may soon arrive at the
shareware/freeware sites listed above.  IBM OS/2 2.0 will ship
with several applets.

(29)    How do I redirect printer output to a file?

The Postscript printer driver has a built-in option for printing
to a file.  Navigate through the PM Print Manager configuration
options to access this feature.

For all other drivers, first hold (pause) the Print Manager queue
then print from the application.  The output file will be located
in the SPOOL subdirectory.  COPY the file elsewhere then cancel
the job from the Print Manager.

(These methods assume the IBM Print Manager (spooler) is
installed and active.)

(30)    Can I use COM3 and COM4 in OS/2?

IBM OS/2 ships with a driver that supports COM3 on Microchannel
PS/2s only.  However, the Fernwood BBS (and perhaps other sites)
carries a replacement driver which supports COM3 and/or COM4 on
ISA bus machines.  This driver also supports speeds greater than
19,200 bits per second.  Ports must not share interrupts on ISA
bus machines, however.  Fernwood also carries files that describe
patches to the stock communications driver to enable certain
features.

"Smart" (coprocessor controlled) multiport communication adapters
should be used when installing more than four ports.  Such an
adapter will work with OS/2 if the manufacturer has written an
appropriate driver.  Examples include IBM's own ARTIC products.

(31)    On my 1024x768 high resolution display I get obnoxiously
    large icons (64x64).  How do I make them smaller?

Patch the display driver file, DISPLAY.DLL, using a program like
DOS's DEBUG.  Search for the byte sequence 40 00 40 00 20 00 20
00 (hexadecimal) (sometimes the sequence is 28 00 28 00 20 00 20
00) and change it to 20 00 20 00 20 00 20 00.

(32)    How do I start a background process from the OS/2 command
    line?

Look up the START and DETACH commands in the online reference.

(33)    How do I start a DOS application from a PM icon?

In IBM OS/2 1.3 DOS applications can be started from a PM program
group icon just like native OS/2 and PM programs.

From the PM desktop go to a program group and select New.  Enter
the DOS program's title (e.g. "Lotus 1-2-3"), the path to the
program (to an EXE, COM, or BAT file, e.g. "C:\Lotus\Lotus.Exe"),
and any optional parameters like command line options and/or the
DOS application's working directory (e.g. "C:\Lotus").  Select
the Add button, and PM will create a DOS icon with that
application's name in the program group.  These parameters may be
altered by highlighting the icon and selecting Properties.
Double clicking on that application's icon will cause OS/2 to
switch to the DOS compatibility box and start the application.

(34) What are CSDs, how do I tell which I have, and where do I
     get them?

CSDs are Corrective Service Diskettes, or bug fixes, periodically
issued by IBM.  The OS/2 CSD level number may be obtained using
the command SYSLEVEL from the OS/2 command line prompt.

CSDs may be ordered by anyone with an IBM customer number
(usually large sites) directly from IBM.  OS/2 users without
customer numbers should ask an authorized IBM dealer to order the
CSD.  Many dealers do not know about this program, so be
persistent.  CSDs may also be downloaded from the IBM NSC BBS.

--
T.F.S.                        [e-mail]
Timothy F. Sipples                Department of Economics
"Keeper of the OS/2 FAQ List."            University of Chicago