NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #19/NN_1992_19.iso/spool/comp/os/os2/misc/29148

Internet Message Format | 1992-09-02 | 10.3 KB

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Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: [5 of 6] OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions Rel. 2.0e
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Date: 02 Sep 92 07:53:02 CST
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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 18).

------------------------------

(16)    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.  In most cases the
Window List or an error message will pop up.  If you wish you may close
the offending application at that point.  (Try ALT-ESC if you have
disabled CTRL-ESC in that application's DOS Settings.)

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 29.
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.

------------------------------

(17)    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 many
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 [e-mail] for full
instructions; or send the same message to [e-mail] for
information on an unedited mailing list.

Your local FidoNet BBS may carry OS/2 echo conferences.  If not, ask
your system operator to get ahold of them.  CompuServe ("GO IBMOS2") and
Prodigy are also excellent resources.

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.  Information on the new OS/2 BBS is included in the OS/2 2.0
package.  In the U.S. IBM has toll free technical support (800-237-
5511), an OS/2 Hotline (general information, orders, upgrades, 800-3-
IBM-OS2), the HelpWare Center (800-PS2-2227), a software order line
(800-IBM-CALL), an automated FAX information service (800-IBM-4FAX), and
an educational inquiries line (800-222-7257).  In Canada call IBM
Personal Systems Software at 800-465-1234.  OS/2 2.0 developers should
contact the IBM Developer Assistance Program at 407-982-6408.  IBM
offers classes worldwide to help in using and programming OS/2 2.0; call
your local IBM branch office (or the OS/2 Hotline) for more information.

OS/2 has its own magazines as well.  To subscribe to OS/2 Developer
Magazine call 800-WANT-OS2.  For information on OS/2 Monthly send mail
to JDS Publishing at [e-mail] or call 800-365-2642.  To
subscribe to Inside OS/2 write The Cobb Group, P.O. Box 35160,
Louisville, KY, 40232.

OS/2 2.0 books include:

Deitel and Kogan, "The Design of OS/2," ISBN 0-201-54889-5;
Minasi, "Inside OS/2 2.0," ISBN 1-56205-045-1;
"Using OS/2 2.0," IBM No. G362-0007-00;
"OS/2 Complete," ISBN 1-55755-157-X;
"Stepping Up to OS/2 V2," ISBN 1-55755-160-X;
IBM's popular "Redbooks," IBM No. GBOF-2254;

and many titles from Van Nostrand-Reinhold (800-296-2665).  (To order
IBM publications phone your local IBM office and ask for the Librarian
or call 800-7654-IBM.)

Any of the regular DOS or Windows resources (e.g. books, magazines,
shareware/freeware sources) will be useful since both environments come
with OS/2 2.0.

------------------------------

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

HPFS offers long file names (up to 254 characters including the path,
greatly exceeding the "8 dot 3" limit in DOS's FAT file system),
contiguous storage of extended attributes (without the EA DATA. SF file
used by FAT), resistance to file fragmentation, improved media error
handling, smaller cluster size, support for larger file storage devices
(up to 512 GB), and speedier disk operation, particularly on large hard
disks, on systems with more than 6 MB of RAM.  HPFS is not case
sensitive, although it does preserve case in file names.

However, HPFS is not currently supported on removeable 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,
DOS/Windows sessions running under OS/2 can use all files that conform
to the "8 dot 3" naming conventions, even if they are stored on HPFS
volumes.

------------------------------

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

A great number of GNU and Unix utilities have been ported to OS/2 native
mode and are available from shareware/freeware sources (see Question 9).
A uucp package, UUPC/Extended, is available via anonymous ftp from
sun.soe.clarkson.edu, directory pub/uupc; mail [e-mail] with
questions.

In addition, the Hamilton C Shell is available from Hamilton Labs (508-
358-5715 or mail [e-mail]).  The Thompson Toolkit, a Bourne-
like shell, is published by Thompson Automation (206-224-1639).
Thompson offers a version of awk as well.  MKS (519-884-2251 or mail
[e-mail]) publishes a number of standard Unix utilities for OS/2.
Argosoft (510-795-7921) publishes ARGO/UX, a BSD 4.3 Unix compatible
environment.  For OS/2-specific X Windows server support, IBM provides
an optional package available with its TCP/IP 1.2.1 for OS/2.  The
TCP/IP 1.2.1 base package includes a news reader as a sample
application.

DOS and Windows based utilities and aids still work fine under OS/2 2.0.

------------------------------

(20)    I prefer Windows.  How do I make OS/2 2.0 resemble Windows (or
    OS/2 1.3)?

At first the Workplace Shell may seem strange and different.  Use it for
a while and then decide.

If you still feel you want change how OS/2 2.0 works, follow the
instructions beginning on p. 29 in the "Migrating to the OS/2 Workplace
Shell" booklet.

------------------------------

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

OS/2 is an excellent environment for BBS operation (even using
DOS/Windows software), including large multiline facilities.  Related
software will enable FidoNet capabilities, gateways to Usenet/UUCP,
nodelist processing, additional file transfer protocols, and more.

Five popular OS/2-specific BBSes are Maximus and Simplex (available from
the shareware/freeware sources listed above), Omega Point/2 (BBS 404-
564-1961), Magnum (818-706-9800, BBS 818-706-9805), and Multi-Net (503-
883-8099, BBS 503-883-8197).

------------------------------

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

COM3 and COM4 are supported on PS/2s without any additional effort.  On
(E)ISA machines, some additions are required to CONFIG.SYS.  Using a
text editor, include "(port number, base address, interrupt number)"
parameters next to the COM.SYS and VCOM.SYS filenames.  One example:
    DEVICE=C:\OS2\COM.SYS (3,3E8,5) (4,2E8,2)
    DEVICE=C:\OS2\MDOS\VCOM.SYS (3,3E8,5) (4,2E8,2)
Parameters for COM1 and COM2 need not be included (unless they are
somehow nonstandard).  OS/2 must end up with sequentially numbered
logical COM ports.  For example, if (physical) port two is not installed
but port three or port four is installed start numbering using (2,...)
in the DEVICE lines.  Note that IBM has released patched COM drivers
which may be of some assistance.

Note that AT bus COM ports cannot be used at the same time if they share
interrupts because of bus design limitations (cf. "Under the Hood: How
Interrupts Work," Byte, February, 1992).  PolyCom, a replacement driver
available from shareware/freeware sources (see Question 9), supports up
to eight ports with the right hardware.

"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 ARTIC products, Digiboard (213-645-1082) and
Stargate (800-782-7428) adapters.

------------------------------

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

Look up the START and DETACH commands in the online Command Reference.

------------------------------

(24)    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 an OS/2 command line prompt.  CSDs are cumulative, i.e.
only the most recent CSD is required to bring a system up from any
previous CSD level.  However, CSDs only apply within a major version
number.  For example, an upgrade, not a CSD, would bring OS/2 Version
1.3 up to Version 2.0.  Note also that each national language (e.g.
French, U.K. English) uses a distinct CSD.

CSDs may be ordered by anyone with an IBM customer number (usually large
sites) directly from IBM Defect Support (800-237-5511).  OS/2 users
without customer numbers should ask authorized IBM dealers to order CSDs
from that source.  Many dealers do not know about this program, so be
persistent.  CSDs may also be downloaded from the IBM NSC BBS,
CompuServe ("GO IBMOS2"), or from other shareware/freeware sources (see
Question 9).  And CSDs may be ordered through IBM's new OS/2 BBS.

The most recent OS/2 2.0 CSD level will be listed in this List and in
the PS/2 Assistant files.

------------------------------

(25)    How do I add new Adobe Type Manager typefaces?

OS/2 2.0 comes with built-in Adobe Type Manager for OS/2 and Win-OS/2.
A basic set of typefaces comes with OS/2 2.0 and is installed for use