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- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS);faqs.411
-
-
-
- Win-OS/2 departs from Microsoft Windows in that it allows more than one
- Windows desktop and can preemptively (rather than cooperatively)
- multitask Windows applications in separate, robust, protected sessions.
- Also, while many Windows 3.1 enhancements are functionally incorporated
- into Win-OS/2, Win-OS/2 is not technically Windows 3.1 compatible. IBM
- has demonstrated 3.1-level Win-OS/2, and a 3.1-level update should be
- available by January, 1993. Fortunately there are few (if any) Windows
- 3.1-specific applications. Win-OS/2 will run the Windows 3.0 applets,
- but it does not include them. Instead, true OS/2 2.0 spreadsheet,
- database, communications, time planning/scheduling, and other applets
- are provided.
-
- Some Windows applications require OLE DLLs or custom settings in
- WIN.INI. If such a Windows application has been installed under the DOS
- version of Windows, Win-OS/2 may not be able to find the appropriate
- files or configuration. Try reinstalling the Windows application under
- Win-OS/2.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (5) Where can I buy OS/2, and how much does it cost?
-
- In the U.S. IBM OS/2 Version 2.0 is available from most software dealers
- (including Corporate Software, 800-677-4000) and directly from IBM (800-
- 3-IBM-OS2, or 800-222-7257 for educational inquiries). Upgrades are $79
- from any version of Windows, $99 from any version of DOS, and $149
- without an upgrade. Discounts are available for multiple licenses and
- educational purchases. (Call for details on upgrades from OS/2 1.x. In
- Canada call 800-465-1234 to order. In the U.K. call the OS/2 User Group
- at 0285-655888. In other countries, contact any IBM dealer.)
-
- OS/2 2.0 on 3.5 inch diskettes is part no. 84F7586. For 5.25 inch
- diskettes, 10G2991. Media are high density. For compact disc, 10G2992.
- IBM OS/2 Version 1.3 is still available and may be ordered through many
- IBM dealers.
-
- IBM is trying to make OS/2 2.0 available everywhere DOS is purchased.
- If your dealer does not stock OS/2 2.0, take your business elsewhere
- (and explain why). IBM bundles OS/2 2.0 with some PS/1, all but one
- ValuePoint, and all 386SX (and above) PS/2 systems; Dell will preload
- OS/2 2.0 on request.
-
- IBM offers two money back guarantees in the U.S.: a 30-day, no questions
- asked, money back guarantee, and a 90-day compatibility guarantee (see
- Question 6).
-
- Microsoft versions of OS/2 1.x are available only through OEMs (e.g.
- Compaq, Dell) or by purchasing Microsoft's LAN Manager 2.1a or SQL
- Server products. Microsoft has all but ceased OS/2 development, working
- instead on Windows and the future, high-end NT (formerly OS/2 3.0).
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (6) What hardware do I need to run IBM OS/2 2.0? Do I need a PS/2?
-
- You need any PC compatible with at least an 80386SX CPU, 4 MB (6 MB or
- more strongly recommended) of RAM, a 60 MB or larger hard disk (with 15-
- 30 MB free), a supported video adapter (CGA, EGA, VGA, Tseng 4000
- SuperVGA, 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 or other pointing device is strongly recommended. Allow extra RAM
- and hard disk space for OS/2-based networking, ES, and/or extra system
- loads (i.e. an extraordinary number of large applications running
- simultaneously). When calculating hard disk space requirements,
- subtract space occupied by files already on the hard disk which are
- functionally included in OS/2 2.0 and may be deleted, e.g. DOS, a 386
- memory manager, Windows, Adobe Type Manager with base typefaces, etc.
-
- The WPS will not operate with the Monochrome Display Adapter or the
- Hercules Monochrome Graphics Adapter. Usually the WPS 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 the WPS. Certain dual
- monitor configurations are supported; consult IBM for advice.
-
- On (E)ISA bus machines, OS/2 specifically supports hard drive adapters
- which conform to the Western Digital chipset interface standard (nearly
- all MFM, RLL, IDE, and ESDI adapters) and Adaptec, Future Domain, and
- IBM SCSI adapters. (True OS/2 2.0 drivers for some SCSI adapters, e.g.
- Trantor and Procom, are available directly from the adapter
- manufacturer.) In addition, "generic" INT13 support is provided for all
- other hard disk adapters. This "generic" support even embraces such
- devices as Iomega's Bernoulli and SyQuest's removeable media products
- (but for best results contact Iomega or SyQuest for an OS/2 2.0 driver).
-
- CD-ROM support (for IBM CD-ROM drives; Hitachi models CDR-1650S, CDR-
- 1750S, CDR-3650, and CDR-3750; NEC models CDR-36, CDR-37, CDR-72, CDR-
- 73, CDR-74, CDR-82, CDR-83, and CDR-84; Panasonic models CR-501 and LK-
- MC501S; Texel models DM-3021, DM-3024, DM-5021, and DM-5024; Toshiba
- models 3301T, TXM3301, 3301B, and XM-3201; and Sony models CDU-541, CDU-
- 561, CDU-6111, CDU-6211, and CDU-7211; only when attached to IBM, Future
- Domain, Adaptec, or other SCSI adapters with native OS/2 2.0 support) is
- available from sources listed in Question 8, and others (e.g. Mitsumi)
- will follow. This support includes single session Kodak Photo CD
- services for those drives which support the standard. (Storage Devices
- and other companies offer OS/2 CD-ROM drivers for their products. Corel
- Systems offers a set of drivers for many more CD-ROM drives and
- adapters.) The DOS device drivers, when installed using a specific DOS
- session, will still provide CD-ROM services to DOS/Windows programs for
- the remainder. See Question 11 for information on printer and plotter
- support.
-
- Version 2.0 is explicitly supported on PC compatibles. IBM is offering
- a money back compatibility guarantee in the U.S. Should OS/2 2.0 fail
- to work on your compatible within the first 90 days of use, and should
- IBM be unable to fix the problem, your purchase price will be refunded.
- To date over 260 non-IBM models have been tested in IBM's own labs.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (7) What applications are available for OS/2?
-
- In addition to the thousands of applications available for DOS and
- Windows, there are a couple thousand OS/2-specific applications
- representing almost every category imaginable.
-
- The DOS/Windows applications with 16-bit OS/2-specific counterparts
- include Lotus 1-2-3, Freelance, Notes, cc:Mail; Microsoft Word, Excel,
- Multiplan, Mail; Aldus Pagemaker; Ventura Publisher; Corel Draw;
- WordPerfect; DisplayWrite; DeScribe; Micrografx Designer; AutoCAD;
- Oracle; RBase; SAS; SPSS; HyperAccess/5; DynaComm; Pro-YAM; Borland
- Sidekick, Paradox, Brief; Wingz; QEdit; 4DOS; and many others. In some
- cases DOS and OS/2 versions ship together (e.g. Microsoft Word 5.5,
- Lotus 1-2-3 3.0, Wingz).
-
- OS/2 2.0 provides an attractive, 32-bit, Workplace Shell environment for
- new applications; many do not have DOS/Windows predecessors. This new
- class of 32-bit applications will include Lotus 1-2-3, Freelance,
- cc:Mail, Notes, AmiPro; WordPerfect 6.0; N/Joy; DeScribe; Publisher's
- Paintbrush; PFS:Works; CorelDraw; HyperAccess; BitFAX; FAX/PM; all
- Micrographx applications; RBase; Advanced Revelation; Norton Commander;
- and many more. Over 1200 new 32-bit OS/2 2.0 applications are slated
- for release in the coming months.
-
- OS/2-specific versions of popular utilities include ZIP/UNZIP, ARC, LH2,
- Zoo 2.1, many GNU tools, tens of different file finders, desktop clocks,
- calculators, and many more. Programming languages include Assembler,
- C++, COBOL, Pascal, C, Fortran, BASIC, REXX (included with every copy of
- OS/2 2.0), Smalltalk, Modula-2, LISP, Forth, and still more, from
- vendors such as Borland, Clarion, Watcom, Symantec (through its Zortech
- subsidiary), IBM, Microway, and many more. Two ports of the 32-bit GNU
- C/C++ 2.2.2 compiler, GCC/2 and EMX/GCC, are available from sources
- listed in Question 8. Fortran to C (f2c) and Pascal to C (p2c)
- translators are also available. (See the Programmer's Edition of this
- List for more information.)
-
- The IBM NSC BBS (404-835-6600) provides an online product database of
- OS/2-specific software. A directory of OS/2 applications, IBM document
- number G362-0029-02, is published by Graphics Plus (800-READ-OS2). TINF
- is an applications directory (for use with the OS/2 VIEW facility)
- available from shareware/freeware sources listed below.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (8) Where can I obtain OS/2 shareware and freeware?
-
- Many BBSes, including Fernwood (203-483-0348), OS/2 Shareware (703-385-
- 4325), Bay Area OS/2 (510-657-7948), Gateway/2 (314-554-9313), Greater
- Chicago Online (708-895-4042), OS/2 San Diego (619-558-9475), IBM
- Germany (049-711-785-7777), IBM Denmark (45-42-88-72-22), OS/2 UK (0454-
- 633197), and OS/2 Australia (61-2-241-2466) hold large OS/2 libraries.
- (The monthly Worldwide OS/2 BBS Listing, available from these BBSes,
- lists others.) The IBM NSC BBS has some shareware/freeware as well,
- along with CSDs (see Question 23) and the PS/2 Assistant (an invaluable
- resource for locating almost any sort of information on OS/2). For
- information on IBM's new OS/2 BBS call 800-547-1283. IBM Canada
- maintains several support BBSes (416-946-4255, 514-938-3022, 604-664-
- 6464, and 416-946-4244).
-
- 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 bitftp@pucc.bitnet or
- ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com to learn about ftp mail servers.) They include
- (with Internet node numbers and subdirectories):
-
- ftp-os2.nmsu.edu 128.123.35.151 pub/os2
- software.watson.ibm.com 129.34.139.5 pub/os2
- mtsg.ubc.ca 137.82.27.1 os2:
- access.usask.ca 128.233.3.1 pub/archives/os2
- luga.latrobe.edu.au 131.172.2.2 pub/os2
- funic.funet.fi 128.214.6.100 pub/os2
- pdsoft.lancs.ac.uk 148.88.64.2 micros/ibmpc/os2
- ftp.uni-stuttgart.de 129.69.1.12 soft/os2
- src.doc.ic.ac.uk [?] computing/systems/os2
-
- The ftp-os2.nmsu.edu library is available on CD-ROM from Walnut Creek
- (510-947-5996).
-
- Other sources include CompuServe ("FIND OS/2") and archive servers (send
- a single line message with the word HELP to listserv@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be
- or mail-server@rus.uni-stuttgart.de for more information, or use ftp).
-
- IBM has been releasing freely distributable employee written software
- (e.g. Visual REXX) and OS/2 patches to these sites.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (9) I am having trouble installing OS/2 2.0. What should I do?
-
- First consult the Installation Guide and other materials accompanying
- OS/2 2.0. Make sure your PC meets the system requirements in Question
- 6.
-
- And if the following instructions do not help, fall back on IBM's toll
- free technical support (800-237-5511 in the U.S.) and/or consult IBM's
- Tips and Techniques file, available from sources listed in Question 8.
-
- Certain PC compatibles have difficulty accepting OS/2 2.0 (CSD level
- 02000 only; see Question 23), particularly AT bus systems with RLL, MFM,
- or ESDI adapters. The problem usually appears in the form of FDISK
- errors, extremely slow copying to the hard disk, or a whining/grating
- noise emanating from the hard disk. A replacement IBM1S506.ADD file,
- available from sources listed in Question 8, alleviates the problem.
-
- When installing, the Logitech Mouse selection should be chosen only if
- you have a Mouse Systems PC Mouse (or compatible, e.g. certain Genius
- models) or a Logitech C7 or C9 serial mouse. (If you have another
- Logitech pointing device, it is likely Microsoft compatible when powered
- up, so select the appropriate Microsoft driver, e.g. "Serial Pointing
- Device.") If you are using a Logitech C7 or C9 serial mouse and have
- been using native DOS, be sure to issue the command MOUSE PC (or MOUSE 2
- PC if your mouse is attached to COM2) before booting into or installing
- OS/2. Alternatively, turn off the system (to reset the mouse) before
- booting or installing OS/2.
-
- Some PCs have trouble printing under OS/2 2.0. This problem can often
- be traced to an interrupt conflict, a substandard cable, an interfering
- "dongle," or a faulty printer adapter. LPT1 uses IRQ 7, and LPT2, if
- installed, uses IRQ 5. Interrupts should not be shared on AT bus
- machines. The SoundBlaster, for example, comes set to IRQ 7. Reset it
- to an unused interrupt.
-
- Make sure adapters with onboard ROMs are not conflicting with other
- adapters. For example, many SuperVGA adapters use large chunks of upper
- memory, and many hard disk adapters have onboard ROMs which can be
- mapped into the same areas. Adapters must not share address space or
- interrupts. Check your product manuals for more help.
-
- Be sure adequate free disk space is available before installing,
- including space for a swap file. Drives compressed using Stacker or
- similar utilities should be uncompressed before installing (unless
- access to these drives from OS/2 is not needed). An OS/2 2.0 version of
- Stacker is forthcoming, and Proportional Software's DCF/2, a Stacker-
- like utility, is now available (303-484-2665).
-
- Do not select HPFS when installing if your machine has 6 MB of RAM or
- less, or diminished performance will likely result. Change the
- IFS=...HPFS line in your CONFIG.SYS to REM IFS=... if necessary.
-
- Automatic migration of your DOS CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files is not
- recommended. If you have Windows 3.1 installed on your system do not
- migrate your Windows desktop.
-
- Be sure your CMOS setup parameters are set correctly, especially those
- relating to floppy drives. RAM should be given sufficient wait states
- and precharge cycles. Test with cache memory and/or shadow RAM
- disabled. The AT bus should run at 8 MHz.
-
- If you are using the IBMINT13.I13 driver to access an MFM, RLL, or ESDI
- hard drive, and the hard drive has more than 1024 cylinders, be certain
- your hard disk adapter's sector translation mode is enabled.
-
- Some Quantum LPS105AT IDE hard disks require a free ROM update (to Ver.
- 2.6) from the manufacturer to work with OS/2.
-
- If your AMI keyboard BIOS is below Rev. F you may need an update.
- Contact Washburn & Assoc. (716-248-3627).
-
- Check to make sure keyboard DIP switches are set correctly. For
- example, if the keyboard is attached to a system with an AT bus it
- should typically be switched to "AT" mode.
-
- "Autoswitching" on non-IBM EGA adapters should be disabled (usually with
- a DIP switch or jumper setting). In rare cases it may be necessary to
- switch third party VGA/SuperVGA adapters into 8-bit mode and/or disable
- "autosense." See Question 10 for more SuperVGA advice.
-
- OS/2 is particularly sensitive to bad RAM or cache memory (often
- reflected in TRAP 2 error messages). Use a thorough RAM testing
- utility, and try not to mix 9 chip and 3 chip SIMMs/SIPPs.
-
- A driver for HP DeskJet printers, including color models, is available
- for download from sources listed in Question 8.
-
- Allow several minutes for OS/2 2.0 to build your desktop (and display
- icons) at the end of installation -- take the Tutorial offered to you in
- the meantime. Select Shutdown and reboot once after installation
- completes to ensure that DOS/Windows applications will operate properly.
- Avail yourself of the "Start Here" icon, the Welcome folder (if
- applicable), the other online help, and the README file located in the
- root directory. They will help in getting started with the WPS and in
- properly configuring your system.
-
- When installing over a beta version of OS/2 (except OS/2 2.0 level
- 6.177H, the Limited Availability release) be sure to reformat.
-
- To install the Upgrade Version of OS/2 2.0, DOS or OS/2 must already
- reside on the hard disk. If Diskette 1 is not write protected then the
- installation program will record a file indicating that upgrade terms
- have been satisfied and, in the future, will not require DOS or OS/2 on
- the hard disk to install.
-
- OS/2 uses the same diskette format as DOS, so use DISKCOPY to backup the
- installation diskettes and verify that none have been corrupted.
-
- Owners of IBM PS/2s should make sure that any applicable ECAs
- (engineering changes) have been performed and that the most recent
- Reference Diskette is in use. Reference Diskettes are available from
- the IBM NSC BBS.
-
- Try disconnecting any tape backup device if "Cannot find COUNTRY.SYS"
- messages are encountered when booting OS/2.
-
- Contact IBM for a fix to install OS/2 2.0 (CSD level 02000 only) on
- certain Zeos notebooks.
-
- An Always IN-2000 SCSI adapter with BIOS 3.06A or 3.20 requires an
- updated version from the manufacturer. A companion 8-pin serial PROM
- chip may also need to be updated. Contact Always at 818-597-9595. Also
- ask about non-IBMINT13.I13 driver support.
-
- The TI TM4000 notebook may require a BIOS update to run OS/2 2.0; call
- 817-771-5856 for help.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (10) Will OS/2 2.0 work with my SuperVGA adapter?
-
- If you have a SuperVGA adapter, OS/2 2.0 should initially be installed
- using the standard VGA driver. Then consult the README file OS/2 copies
- to your root directory for more information on SuperVGA support.
-
- OS/2 2.0 comes with basic mode switching capabilities to handle
- applications which utilize SuperVGA modes. If OS/2 2.0 detects a
- SuperVGA adapter it will list two SuperVGA support files, VSVGA.SYS and
- BVHSVGA.DLL, in your CONFIG.SYS file. (A replacement VSVGA.SYS file,
- dated April 20, 1992, or later, fixes Tseng 4000 and TRAP E problems. A
- replacement BVHSVGA.DLL file, dated April 21, 1992, or later, fixes
- installation problems involving Western Digital/Paradise PVGA1D chipset
- adapters. Both are available from sources listed in Question 8.)
-
- To enable this mode switching support, available for most SuperVGA
- adapters, you must start a DOS full screen session, issue the command
- SVGA ON, EXIT, Shutdown, and reboot. (In the same DOS full screen
- session and prior to SVGA ON you may run utilities which customize
- refresh rates. The new refresh rates will take effect after you reboot.
- You may also wish to run such a utility from AUTOEXEC.BAT.) SVGA ON
- creates a text file called \OS2\SVGADATA.PMI which describes your
- SuperVGA adapter to the system. Then you may install high resolution
- drivers.
-
- Aside from DOS applications (which may require their own drivers), OS/2
- 2.0 requires up to three high resolution support files:
-
- \OS2\DLL\DISPLAY.DLL Workplace Shell display driver
- \OS2\MDOS\WINOS2\SYSTEM\VGA.DRV Win-OS/2 full screen driver
- \OS2\MDOS\WINOS2\SYSTEM\SWINVGA.DRV Win-OS/2 "seamless" driver
-
- You may replace any one of these individually for high resolution
- operation in each given mode, but be sure to keep a backup copy of the
- original file(s). The "seamless" Win-OS/2 and WPS desktop driver files
- must match (in terms of resolution and number of colors) if you wish to
- run Windows programs "seamlessly." Any suitable Windows SuperVGA driver
- will work as a Win-OS/2 full screen driver, but be sure to use the
- EXPAND utility (as described in README) when installing.
-
- OS/2 1.3 SuperVGA drivers often serve, with some limitations, as WPS
- desktop drivers. Use the command DDINSTAL to replace DISPLAY.DLL.
- Setting IOPL=YES in CONFIG.SYS may be required with a SuperVGA adapter.
-
- (For OS/2 2.0 CSD level 06055 or later, \OS2\DLL\DISPLAY.DLL should not
- be replaced, using DDINSTAL or otherwise. Instead, create a separate
- directory (e.g. \DISPLAY) and copy the vendor supplied DLL file to
- \DISPLAY\DISPLAY.DLL. In CONFIG.SYS, place the \DISPLAY pathname,
- including drive letter, before \OS2\DLL in the LIBPATH line. The
- exception to this procedure is Tseng 4000 SuperVGA. To install any of
- the available 256 color Tseng 4000 SuperVGA drivers, use OS/2 System ->
- System Setup -> Selective Install. Check the Primary Display box,
- reselect SuperVGA, then proceed.)
-
- Drivers for adapters based on Trident, Tseng 4000, Compaq QVision, and
- ATI chipsets are available, and other manufacturers have promised
- drivers. A "generic" 800x600 16 color driver (available from sources
- listed in Question 8) works with any adapter recognized by SVGA ON. The
- Tseng 4000 drivers are available as part of the Service Pak (see
- Question 23).
-
- Some SuperVGA adapters cause problems with DOS/Win-OS/2 sessions. Try
- turning VIDEO_ROM_EMULATION off, HW_ROM_TO_RAM on, and/or DOS_RMSIZE to
- 624 in DOS Settings.
-
- If you have an ATI Ultra, Vantage, or other 8514/A hardware compatible
- adapter, install OS/2 using the 8514/A driver.
-
- IBM was unable to test all SuperVGA adapters, so if you are experiencing
- problems report them through IBM's toll free support (800-237-5511 in
- the U.S.) and to the adapter manufacturer.
-
- If SuperVGA continues to cause problems the stock VGA driver may be used
- (preventing DOS/Windows applications from using SuperVGA modes,
- however). In CONFIG.SYS change DEVICE=...VSVGA.SYS to ...VVGA.SYS and
- SET VIO_VGA...(BVHVGA,BVHSVGA) to ...(BVHVGA). This procedure may be
- required for first generation SuperVGA adapters based on Trident 8800
- and Tseng 3000 chipsets, for example.
-
- OS/2 2.0's installation program (CSD level 02000 only) has difficulty
- with certain Oak video adapters. Temporarily replace the video adapter
- to install OS/2, or contact IBM for a patch.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (11) Will OS/2 2.0 work with my printer?
-
- OS/2 2.0 includes support for Hewlett-Packard LaserJets, DeskJets (see
- Question 9), and PaintJets; IBM/Lexmark ExecJets, InkJets, Proprinters,
- Quickwriters, Quietwriters, Pageprinters, and Laserprinters; Epson dot
- matrix and laser printers; Postscript devices; and other printers (e.g.
- Panasonic) compatible with these families. A variety of IBM and HP
- plotters is also supported.
-
- DOS/Windows printer drivers continue to work for DOS/Windows
- applications. OS/2 2.0 includes a large assortment of Windows printer
- drivers for Win-OS/2. If necessary install Windows printer drivers
- using the Win-OS/2 Control Panel. OS/2 2.0 and OS/2 1.3 printer drivers
- are interchangeable quite often.
-
- If your printer is not compatible with one of the drivers supplied with
- OS/2, check with the printer manufacturer first then with sources listed
- in Question 8. If you own an IBM printer, check with the Lexmark BBS
- (606-232-5653).
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (12) How do I access HPFS partitions on my hard drive without booting
- from the hard drive? I'm getting error messages now -- how do I
- "repair" my hard disk?
-
- With IBM OS/2 2.0, insert the Installation Diskette, Shutdown (if
- necessary), and reboot. When prompted insert Diskette 1 and press
- ENTER. When prompted, press ESC. You will be given an OS/2 command
- line prompt. From there you can make necessary changes to your hard
- disk -- an OS/2 character mode text editor on diskette is handy for such
- changes. (Make sure you backup CONFIG.SYS before making any changes so
- that you can easily revert to the old version should things go wrong.)
-
- You may use this diskette boot method to run CHKDSK on your FAT or HPFS
- volumes. After you reach the command line, insert Diskette 2. Do not
- log to another drive. Type CHKDSK X: /F to repair most kinds of damage
- to your hard disk, replacing X with the appropriate drive letter. (If
- you are checking a HPFS disk, use /F:3 if you have the time.) OS/2
- CHKDSK will also mark your hard disk as accessible, if possible, should
- OS/2 "lock it out" for some reason.
-
- "Errors" may be reported by CHKDSK if OS/2 was booted from the hard
- disk. These "errors" are normal. Since the hard drive is in use by
- OS/2 itself (and files are open) CHKDSK is unable to accurately report
- errors.
-
- The best way to avoid the need to perform CHKDSK is to always select
- Refresh then Shutdown. Click on the Workplace Shell desktop background
- using mouse button two to bring up the appropriate menu. Also, avoid
- manipulating OS/2-related files when using native DOS. Finally, enable
- autochecking for all your hard disk volumes. For HPFS volumes use the
- /AUTOCHECK parameter in the IFS=...HPFS line in your CONFIG.SYS. For
- FAT volumes use the AC parameter in the DISKCACHE line of your
- CONFIG.SYS. See the online Command Reference for details.
-
- Several utilities (including SE20BOOT), available from sources listed in
- Question 8, can create a single, bootable OS/2 diskette (as a
- convenience). Preloaded versions of OS/2 2.0 can create a bootable
- diskette pair from the Welcome folder. (This step, along with a full
- BACKUP after a diskette boot, should be performed immediately upon
- receipt of any IBM preloaded OS/2 2.0 system.)
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (13) I can't install OS/2 2.0 from Drive B. What's wrong?
-
- IBM OS/2 2.0 can only be installed from Drive A, like DOS (unless your
- BIOS supports booting from Drive B), or across a network (see "Remote
- Installation and Maintenance," IBM Pub. No. GG24-3780-00). If you have
- the wrong disk size go back to your dealer and obtain the correct media.
-
- [Continued.]
-
- --
- Timothy F. Sipples | Read the OS/2 FAQ List 2.0h, available from
- sip1@ellis.uchicago.edu | 128.123.35.151, anonymous ftp, in /pub/os2/all/info
- Dept. of Econ., Univ. | /faq, or from LISTSERV@BLEKUL11.BITNET (send "HELP")
- of Chicago, 60637 | [Read the List, THEN post to ONE OS/2 newsgroup.]
- Xref: bloom-picayune.mit.edu comp.os.os2.misc:43034 comp.os.os2.apps:9295 news.answers:4354
- Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc,comp.os.os2.apps,news.answers
- Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!enterpoop.mit.edu!spool.mu.edu!uwm.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!uchinews!ellis!sip1
- From: sip1@ellis.uchicago.edu (Timothy F. Sipples)
- Subject: OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions Rel. 2.0h (2 of 2)
- Message-ID: <1992Dec2.033717.17753@midway.uchicago.edu>
- Followup-To: comp.os.os2.misc
- Sender: news@uchinews.uchicago.edu (News System)
- Supersedes: <1992Oct26.002516.25594@midway.uchicago.edu>
- Reply-To: sip1@midway.uchicago.edu
- Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations
- Date: Wed, 2 Dec 1992 03:37:17 GMT
- Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu
- Expires: Sat, 30 Jan 1993 23:59:59 GMT
- Lines: 643
-
- Archive-name: os2-faq/user/part2
- Version: 2.0h
-
- [Continued from Part 1.]
-
- Otherwise you could open your machine and swap floppy drive cable
- connectors, use your system's setup utility to set the new CMOS
- parameters, and then install OS/2 from the "new" Drive A. Sometimes the
- floppy drive cable connectors will not be the same. If so you can
- obtain an adapter plug.
-
- You may also use IBM's twin "bootstrap" diskette images, available from
- sources listed in Question 8, to boot from a 5.25 inch Drive A and
- install using 3.5 inch OS/2 diskettes inserted into Drive B. However,
- this procedure is not recommended.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (14) Is there a Norton Utilities for OS/2?
-
- Not yet, although Norton Desktop, Norton Utilities, and Norton Commander
- all work under OS/2 2.0's DOS/Windows sessions (with limitations noted
- in Question 4). But the GammaTech Utilities should fill the role.
- Contact their publisher at 405-359-1219. Note that OS/2 2.0 has a
- built-in UnDelete utility (see the README file or online help), and HPFS
- is resistant to fragmentation (see Question 17).
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (15) Sometimes OS/2 2.0 will freeze when I run an application. What do
- I do?
-
- Before rebooting with CTRL-ALT-DEL, try CTRL-ESC. Do not hit additional
- keys, do not move the mouse. Wait up to a minute. Either the Window
- List or an error message should pop up. You may close the offending
- application at that point; allow some time for it to close. (Try ALT-
- ESC if you have disabled CTRL-ESC in that application's DOS Settings.)
- Note that the WPS can recycle, independent of running applications, if
- it crashes.
-
- If the system is badly disabled, sometimes pressing CTRL-ALT-NUMLOCK
- twice will result in a prompt to create a dump diskette. You may do so
- (the online Command Reference describes dump diskettes), or at that
- point you may reboot with CTRL-ALT-DEL.
-
- To prevent applications from automatically restarting, see Question 28.
- To restore the desktop to "factory defaults," use ALT-F1 when OS/2 2.0
- starts. See the README file in your OS/2 root directory for details.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- (16) How can I get answers to my OS/2 questions?
-
- If your question is not answered in this List, post a note to the
- appropriate Usenet conference: comp.os.os2.apps carries discussions
- related to finding or using any application running under OS/2,
- comp.os.os2.networking looks at networking issues, comp.os.os2.advocacy
- deals with opinions and speculation, 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 OS/2
- experts from IBM. Also, comp.lang.rexx discusses REXX programming. A
- LISTSERVer distributes its own OS/2 conference by mail; send a single
- line message with the word HELP to listserv@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be for full
- instructions; or send the same message to listserv@frors12.circe.fr for
- information on an unedited mailing list. To subscribe to the Multimedia
- Presentation Manager/2 mailing list, send a single line message with the
- phrase SUBSCRIBE MMOS2-L to mail-server@knex.gwinnett.com.
-