Device Management

Display Adapters
OS/2 2.0 runs DOS, Windows, and OS/2 applications side-by-side in window sessions on the desktop when the primary display adapter is configured for video graphics adapter (VGA) modes. OS/2 2.0 also runs text-based DOS applications side-by-side in window sessions when the display adapter is configured for XGA(*) or 8514A modes. Windows applications will run on XGA or 8514/A video adapters only in full-screen mode.

Other Peripheral Devices
OS/2 2.0 supports a broad range of hardware devices, including hard disk drives, diskette drives, tape drives, CD-ROM drives, optical disc drives, display adapters, and pointing devices. Support for devices utilizing the SCSI has been improved. In addition, OS/2 2.0 provides a complete SCSI solution by supporting both the Micro Channel(*) and non-Micro Channel architectures.

OS/2 and Presentation Manager
Most standard devices are supported for Presentation Manager and OS/2 command prompt sessions. Devices that are specifically supported by OS/2 2.0 printer and other device drivers are listed in Appendix A, "Supported Hardware."

DOS
Block Devices
- Some DOS applications rely on device drivers that do not work in DOS sessions. These device drivers, primarily for block devices, cannot use the virtual device driver capacities of DOS sessions. If a system has an exceptional device requirement, try the application and device in a DOS session to determine if there is a problem retrieving or recording data.

To compensate for one of these devices for which there is no compatible OS/2 device driver, install a copy of the appropriate DOS version.

NOTE:
Because the device drivers are supplied by DOS and not by the OS/2 operating system, they will not accommodate multiple session activity.

Consider contacting the hardware manufacturer to find out if an OS/2 2.0 device driver or application exists that will run the device driver.

Touch-Sensitive Screen
- If you have a touch-sensitive screen and the mouse or touch screen pointer responds incorrectly when a DOS application is in a window, a DOS setting can be changed to correct the problem. See "DOS and WIN-OS/2 Settings" for information about DOS settings.

WIN-OS/2 Sessions
Displays
- There are two types of WIN-OS/2 sessions: window and full screen. A WIN-OS/2 session runs Windows applications in a window that covers only part of the screen. By using a WIN-OS/2 window session, there is the advantage of displaying the contents of WIN-OS/2 sessions side-by-side on the desktop with other sessions. Without it, it is necessary to switch between a full-screen WIN-OS/2 session that covers the entire screen and any other window session that is started.

At the time of this publication, VGA is the only video resolution that can display WIN-OS/2 window sessions. If the display has super VGA or XGA capabilities, it is necessary to choose between running the video at its full capacity or running WIN-OS/2 window sessions. If the display has less than VGA resolution (for example, an EGA display), the system only can display full-screen WIN-OS/2 sessions.

Printer Drivers
- If an OS/2 printer driver is installed, and the system detects that WIN-OS/2 sessions are enabled, then OS/2 2.0 attempts to find and install the appropriate printer driver for applications that run in WIN-OS/2 sessions.

If a printer does not have a driver that is supplied on either the OS/2 2.0 distribution media or Windows 3.0 distribution media, a manufacturer-supplied printer driver can be installed by selecting UNLISTED PRINTER from the printer list during Windows printer installation.


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