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Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc,comp.os.os2.apps,news.answers,comp.answers,uchi.comp.os2 Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!noc.near.net!MathWorks.Com!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!uchinews!kimbark!sip1 From: sip1@kimbark.uchicago.edu (Timothy F. Sipples) Subject: OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions List Rel. 2.1D (2 of 4) Message-ID: <1993Nov22.213930.8057@midway.uchicago.edu> Followup-To: comp.os.os2.misc Sender: news@uchinews.uchicago.edu (News System) Reply-To: sip1@midway.uchicago.edu Organization: Dept. of Econ., Univ. of Chicago Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 21:39:30 GMT Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu Expires: Fri, 31 Dec 1993 05:59:59 GMT Lines: 1363 Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu comp.os.os2.misc:85652 comp.os.os2.apps:26000 news.answers:14981 comp.answers:2742 Archive-name: os2-faq/user/part2 Version: 2.1D [Part 2 of 4] recording capabilities under OS/2. Price: $235 from IBM Direct (phone 800-IBM-2YOU). {{ Lower close-out pricing may be available now that the MWave Windsurfer Communications Adapter, the successor to M-Audio, is available for both the AT bus and Microchannel. }} o MediaVision ProAudio Spectrum 16. The PAS 16, as it is known, offers compact disc quality audio reproduction and recording capabilities and an on board SCSI port (for CD-ROM drives and other peripherals). Available from several dealers for about $150. The Logitech SoundMan 16 is identical to the PAS 16 (and sometimes less expensive), although it does not include a SCSI port. MediaVision's new ProAudio Studio, a more expensive adapter, is also supported under OS/2 2.1. All three are AT bus adapters. Related information: (2.1) Hardware Requirements (2.2) SuperVGA Support (2.4) COM3 and COM4 Support (2.6) More Than 16 MB RAM (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources (2.6) More Than 16 MB RAM Can I use more than 16 MB of RAM? OS/2 2.1 will address all the RAM in your system. If the BIOS recognizes the memory, OS/2 will find it and use it. However, on certain systems the RAM beyond the 16 MB boundary may be used as a fast swap area. OS/2 relies on its swap file, SWAPPER.DAT, to hold code and data which cannot fit into real memory (i.e. to provide virtual memory). If the swap file (and applications) can only be accessed via a hard disk adapter which uses 24-bit DMA for disk access (e.g. the Adaptec 154x series), then the system must move code and data below the 16 MB boundary before it can write it to disk. This "double move" is costly (in terms of performance), and often OS/2 will merely use all the RAM above the 16 MB boundary as a fast swap area (before writing to disk) to avoid the problem. It is up to the hard disk adapter driver, however, to decide how to handle this situation. Only AT bus adapters are limited to 24-bit DMA. Microchannel, EISA, VESA LocalBus, and other 32-bit adapters are not so limited. Moreover, only a select few AT bus hard disk adapters utilize DMA. Nearly all MFM, RLL, and IDE adapters, and many SCSI adapters, do not use DMA for disk access. Suffice it to say that, regardless of your present hardware, OS/2 will take advantage of it as best it can. However, if you are planning new hardware purchases, you may wish to take this particular hardware design limitation into account. Specifically, if you plan to install more than 16 MB of RAM in your system, either choose a 32-bit hard disk adapter (Microchannel or EISA, for example) or choose an AT bus adapter which does not utilize DMA for disk access (a standard IDE adapter, an Adaptec 152x series SCSI adapter, or a Future Domain SCSI adapter, for example). The performance trade-off is highly system dependent, however. You may find that even DMA adapters such as the Adaptec 154x series outperform the alternatives in certain cases. Related information: (2.5) Specific Hardware Recommendations (2.7) Device Driver List What device drivers are available that aren't included with OS/2? Here is a list of device drivers (and their common filenames) available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources. {{ New and updated OS/2 device drivers are being released almost every day, so use this list only as a rough guide. If you do not see the driver you need listed, you may be able to use one of OS/2's built-in drivers or a "generic" driver (such as the IBM-produced Mitsumi CD-ROM or S3 video card drivers). NDIS drivers for network cards are not included in this list. o Actix Graphics Engine 32: ACTIXS3.ZIP o Altrix S3 911, 924, 80x, 928: S3ALTRIX.ZIP o Always IN-2000 SCSI: IN2KADD.ZIP o ATI Mach8/Mach32 (Ultra and Vantage): ATI32V11.ZIP o BusLogic SCSI: BT-OS2.ZIP o Canon CaPSL Printers: CANON38.ZIP o Cirrus Logic SuperVGA: (various) o Compaq QVision 1024/E, 1024/I: QVISION.ZIP o Dell S3 86C805 On-Board Video: S3_DELL.ZIP o Diamond Stealth VRAM (S3 911): STLOS21.ZIP o Diamond Viper: VPROS21.ZIP o Generic SuperVGA 800x600 16 Color: SVGA16.ZIP o Genoa 7000 Series: GENOA7K.ZIP o Hercules Dynamite/Tseng ET4000-W32(i): DYNAMITE.ZIP o Hewlett-Packard HIL Mouse: HPMOUSE.ZIP o IBM Printers (Older Models): IBMPRINT.ZIP o LockDrive (Enables HPFS for Magneto-Optical and Similar): LOCKDRV.ZIP o MediaVision ProAudio Mixer and SCSI Port: MVOS2.ZIP and/or MVPRODD.ZIP o Mitsumi CD-ROM Drive (Most): MITFX.ZIP o NCR 77C22/77C22E: NCRVID21.ZIP o NEC PowerMate 386/25si (Enables Turbo Mode): OS2SPD.ZIP o Number Nine GXE: NO9OS2.ZIP o Oak 067 and 077 SuperVGA: 77OS221.ZIP o Oak 087 ProStar SuperVGA: 87OS221.ZIP o Orchid F1280(+), 1280-D, VA: FOS221.ZIP o Orchid P9000: P9KOS2-B.ZIP o Plus Hardcard IIXL: HRDCD2XL.ZIP o Rodent (Improved Mouse Driver): RODNT100.ZIP o S3 Chipset Video Cards (Most): S3.ZIP o Seagate ST-01/02 SCSI: ST01_102.ZIP o Sixgraph Wizard 900VL: P9OS2140.ZIP o Sony CDU-31A CD-ROM Drive: SONY31A.ZIP o Sony CDU-53x CD-ROM Drive: CDU535.ZIP o SoundBlaster 16/Pro (Panasonic) CD-ROM Drive: SBCD2.ZIP o Spea Video7 Mirage: V7MIRAGE.ZIP o Spider BlackWidow VLB: BWOS2-2M.ZIP o Standard PC Speaker (MMPM/2): SPEAKER.ZIP o Summa MM1201 (and compatible) Graphics Tablet: SUMMA.ZIP o Trantor SCSI: OS2_TSL6.ZIP o Ultrastor 14F: 14OS22X.ZIP o Ultrastor 24F: 24F-OS2.ZIP and/or 24OS220.ZIP o Ultrastor 34F: 34F-OS2.ZIP }} Related information: (2.2) SuperVGA Support (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources (3.0) Software The following questions are addressed in this section: (3.1) What applications are available for OS/2? (3.2) Where can I obtain OS/2 shareware and freeware? (3.3) What are the "must have" shareware and freeware titles? (3.4) Is there a Norton Utilities for OS/2? (3.5) I would like to set up an OS/2 BBS. What is available? (3.6) What do I need for OS/2 multimedia applications? (3.7) Should I worry about viruses when running OS/2 2.1? (3.8) What networking products are available for OS/2 2.1? (3.9) What is Extended Services? (3.10) Are there any special software offers I should know about? (3.11) What backup software is available? (3.12) What multiuser extensions and security options are available? (3.13) What on-the-fly disk compression software is available? (3.14) Are there any dealers that specialize in OS/2 products? (3.1) Applications 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: o Aldus - Pagemaker o AutoDesk - AutoCAD o Borland - Sidekick - Paradox - Brief o Corel Systems - CorelDraw o DeScribe - Word Publisher o FutureSoft - DynaComm o Hilgraeve - HyperAccess/5 o IBM - DisplayWrite - DisplayWrite Composer o Informix - Wingz o JP Software - 4OS2 (4DOS for OS/2) o Lotus Development - 1-2-3 - Freelance Graphics - Notes - cc:Mail o Micrographx - Designer o Microrim - R:Base o Microsoft - Word - Excel - Multiplan - Mail o New England Software - Graph-in-the-Box o Omen - Pro-YAM o Oracle - Database o SAS Institute - SAS o SemWare - QEdit o SPSS Inc. - SPSS o Ventura - Publisher o WordPerfect Corp. - WordPerfect 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 2.1 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 (or does) include: o BocaSoft - System Sounds - WipeOut Screen Saver o Borland - ObjectVision - C++ o Computer Associates - C++ - CommonView - Compete! - Datacom - dBFast - Easytrieve Workstation - IDMS - PAN/LCM - QbyX - Realia COBOL - Realizer - RET - Simply Accounting - SuperProject - Telon/PWS - Textor - Unicenter o Corel Systems - CorelDraw o DeScribe - Word Publisher o Fifth Generation Systems - FastBack Plus o Hilgraeve - HyperAccess/PM o HockWare - VisPro/REXX o IBM - DB2/2 - C Set ++ - CICS - Communications Manager/2 - Person to Person/2 - Personal Application System/2 - PL/1 - Programmer's Toolkit - Prolog - TCP/IP - Time and Place/2 - Ultimedia Builder/2 - Ultimedia Perfect Image/2 - Ultimedia Workplace/2 - {{ Ultimedia Video IN }} - (Many others) o Lotus Development - 1-2-3 - Freelance Graphics - Notes - cc:Mail - Ami Pro o Microformatic - Fax/PM o Micrographx - Draw - Designer o Microrim - R:Base o OneUp - WindowWasher o Proportional Software - DCF/2 (disk compression) o SofNet - FaxWorks o Software Corp. of America - TalkThru o Spinnaker - PFS:Works o Stac Electronics - Stacker o Symantec - Norton Commander - Zortech C++ o Vienna Software Publishing - N/Joy: The World of Objects o Watcom - C++ - Fortran - VX REXX o WordPerfect Corp. - WordPerfect - Office - Presentations o ZSoft (WordStar) - Publisher's Paintbrush and many more. Over 1200 new 32-bit OS/2 2.1 applications have been released to date. OS/2-specific versions of popular utilities include ZIP/UNZIP, ARC, LHA, Zoo 2.1, many GNU tools, tens of different file finders, desktop clocks, calculators, and many more. Programming languages include Ada, APL, Assembler, BASIC, C, C++, COBOL, Forth, Fortran, Icon, LISP, Modula-2, Pascal, PL/1, Prolog, REXX (included with every copy of OS/2 2.1), Smalltalk, and still more, from vendors such as Borland, Clarion, IBM, Microway, Symantec (through its Zortech subsidiary), Watcom, and many more. Two free ports of the 32-bit GNU C/C++ compiler, GCC/2 and EMX/GCC, are available [See (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources]. 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 PC Company BBS (919-517-0001) provides an online product database of OS/2-specific software. A directory of OS/2 applications, IBM document number G362-0029, is published by Graphics Plus (phone 800-READ-OS2). The OS/2 Development Tools Guide is available free of charge by calling the IBM Developer Assistance Program at (407) 982-6408. TINF [See (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources] is an applications directory (for use with the OS/2 VIEW facility). Related information: (1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources Where can I obtain OS/2 shareware and freeware? See (4.11) OS/2 BBSes for information on bulletin board systems that support OS/2. On the Internet, 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.) Some are (with Internet node numbers and subdirectories): ftp-os2.cdrom.com 192.153.46.2 pub/os2 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 146.169.2.1 computing/systems/os2 zaphod.cs.uwindsor.ca 137.207.224.3 pub/local/os2 ftp.luth.se 130.240.18.2 pub/pc/os2 ftp.informatik.tu-muenchen.de 131.159.0.198 /pub/comp/os/os2 The ftp-os2.nmsu.edu library is available on CD-ROM from Walnut Creek (phone 510-947-5996). A quarterly subscription is available. Profit Press (phone 800-843-7990) also offers OS/2 shareware and freeware on CD-ROM. EMS (phone 301-924-3594) offers an OS/2 shareware/freeware library on diskette. 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). TRICKLE servers are also available outside the United States. For more information on TRICKLE services, including automatic file subscription procedures, send a single line message with the word HELP to any one of the following sites nearest you: Country Address Austria TRICKLE@AWIWUW11.BITNET Belgium TRICKLE@BANUFS11.BITNET Colombia TRICKLE@UNALCOL.BITNET France TRICKLE@FRMOP11.BITNET Germany TRICKLE@DEARN.BITNET Israel TRICKLE@TAUNIVM.BITNET Italy TRICKLE@IMIPOLI.BITNET Netherlands TRICKLE@HEARN.BITNET Sweden TRICKLE@SEARN.BITNET Turkey TRICKLE@TREARN.BITNET TRICKLE@TRMETU.BITNET IBM has been releasing freely distributable employee written software (e.g. Visual REXX) and OS/2 patches to these sites. Related information: (3.3) "Must Have" Shareware and Freeware (3.5) Running a BBS Under OS/2 (3.7) Viruses (4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes (4.11) OS/2 BBSes (3.3) "Must Have" Shareware and Freeware What are the "must have" shareware and freeware titles? Here are some of the shareware and freeware selections that have proven popular among OS/2 users. Where available, an approximate filename is provided. However, since version numbers are changing frequently, please bear in mind that some of this information may be dated. Also, please register any shareware you use -- your support will ensure a continuing supply of capable OS/2 shareware. o 4OS2 Version 1.11 (4OS232.ZIP): A replacement command interpreter from JP Software. A must for command line users. o BlackHole (BLCKH3.ZIP): A Workplace Shell object that destroys anything dragged to it. o BookShelf (BOOKSHLF.ZIP): Utility which presents a coherent menu of all available INF files on your system. o BootOS2 (BOOT2X.ZIP): Creates an OS/2 bootable diskette. o C-Kermit 5A(189) (CK5A189.ZIP): A terminal emulation and modem communications program featuring the Kermit file transfer protocol. o CONFIG.SYS Editor (CFGED1B.ZIP): A Presentation Manager utility which eases CONFIG.SYS editing. o emTeX (various): Provides professional typesetting and document composition. o EMX/GCC (various): Powerful C/C++ compiler with programming aids and enhanced libraries. o Enhanced Editor Toolkit and Accessories (various): Add-ons to the Enhanced Editor (EPM) which provide editor macro capabilities, documentation, and various accessories. o Extended Attributes Backup (EABK202.ZIP): Saves extended attributes so that non-EA aware backup software preserves all necessary OS/2 data. o Galleria (GALLER.ZIP): Graphics manipulation and screen capture utility. Also try PM Camera for screen capture. o GhostScript PM (GS252PM.ZIP): Postscript interpreter and viewer. o GTAK GNU tar (GTAK212B.ZIP): Tape archive (backup and restore) utility. Supports SCSI tape drives. o HSwitch (HSWTCH02.ZIP): A task list for full screen sessions. o IBM Configurator and Pricer (ICPAUSA.ZIP): Prices IBM personal computer systems and accessories. o Icon Extractor (ICON_170.ZIP): Converts Windows icons to OS/2 format. Icons can be extracted from Windows executables. Assigns icons via drag and drop. Deletes undeleteable objects. o Icon Programming Language (ICON88.ZIP): A simple yet powerful programming language for many platforms, including OS/2. Supports graphical applications. o Info-Zip's UnZip 5.0 (UNZ50X32.EXE): Extract files from ZIP archives. PKZip 2.x compatible. Supports extended attributes. Companion utility, Zip 1.9, also available. o INI Maintenance (INIMT21B.ZIP): Edit and maintain your vital OS/2 INI files. o McAfee's Virus Scan (OSCN109.ZIP): Detects viruses. Companion Virus Clean and Net Scan utilities also available. o Minesweeper (DMINE120.ZIP): A game which requires you to avoid the mines in a minefield. Several other versions are available. o Mousey (MOUSEY10.ZIP): Shareware utility which allows you to change the default mouse pointer to a candy cane, chicken head, or other icon of your choosing. o MR/2 (MR2_151.ZIP): Reader for BBS QWK mail packets. o Mr. File/PM (MRFILEPM.ZIP): File manager and program launcher. o OS2Exec (OS2EXEC.ZIP): Start any OS/2 program from any OS/2 DOS session. o OS2You (OS2YOU27.ZIP): OS/2 remote control over a modem or LAN connection. Companion program PM2You, for control of graphical applications, including DOS and Windows, is also available. o PMComm (PMCOM110.ZIP): As full featured as TE/2, but with a Presentation Manager interface. o {{ PMView (PMVIEW86.ZIP): Shareware GIF, JPEG, etc. image viewer with slideshow and drag-and-drop features. Other image viewers include JoeView, Image Archiver, and PMJPEG. }} o PS/2 Assistant (PS2AST.ZIP): Provides information on most of the IBM personal computer product line, including OS/2. o psPM (PSPM2.ZIP): Displays a graphical representation of the processes running on an OS/2 system and allows termination of any or all. o SIO COM Drivers (SIO120.ZIP): Replacement serial port drivers which offer enhanced performance. o StartD (STARTD22.ZIP): Provides the capability to start DOS sessions with specific, custom DOS Settings from the OS/2 command line. o TE/2 (TE2_124.ZIP): A full featured terminal emulation and modem communications program. o TinyEd (TINYED.ZIP): Text editor, under 10K in size -- perfect for an emergency boot diskette. o UUPC/Extended (various): Provides uucp connection for mail, news, and other services. o Visual REXX (VREXX2.ZIP): Provides the ability to write REXX programs which use Presentation Manager windows, scroll bars, menus, and other features. o Workplace Shell Backup (WPSBK202.ZIP): Backup the OS/2 desktop. o Workplace Shell Tools (WPTOOL09.ZIP): Creates or deletes standard Workplace Shell objects. o Worldwide OS/2 BBS List ( OS2WORLD.ZIP): List of BBSes around the world where OS/2 is the predominant area of discussion and where large OS/2 software archives are held. Related information: (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources (3.4) Disk Utilities Is there a Norton Utilities for OS/2? Not yet, although Norton Desktop, Norton Utilities, and Norton Commander all work under OS/2 2.1's DOS/Windows sessions [with limitations; See (1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility]. Also, Norton Commander is now available for OS/2 2.1. However, the GammaTech Utilities should fill the role. Contact their publisher, {{ SofTouch Systems, at 405-947-8080 or FAX 405-632-6537. }} Note that OS/2 2.1 has a built-in UnDelete utility (see the online Command Reference), and HPFS is resistant to fragmentation [See (1.5) High Performance File System]. Related information: (1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility (1.5) High Performance File System (3.5) BBS Software 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 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources), Omega Point/2 (BBS 404-564-1961), Magnum (phone 818-706-9800, BBS 818-706-9805), and Multi-Net (phone 503-883-8099, BBS 503-883-8197). For more information on operating a BBS under OS/2 (with conferences devoted to the subject) log on to one of the OS/2 BBSes listed in (4.11) OS/2 BBSes. Related information: (2.4) COM3 and COM4 Support (4.11) OS/2 BBSes (3.6) Multimedia (MMPM/2) What do I need for OS/2 multimedia applications? OS/2 2.1 includes both the Win-OS/2 multimedia extensions and MMPM/2, the OS/2 multimedia extensions, at no extra charge. OS/2 2.1's MMPM/2 includes software motion video support for both IBM Ultimotion and Intel Indeo files. Software motion video provides playback of video clips in a window under OS/2. (Video for Windows will operate correctly under Win-OS/2, but Ultimotion is far more capable than Video for Windows. Ultimotion supports higher frame rates, larger image sizes, better synchronization of video and audio, and, often, simultaneous playback of two or more video clips, even with background tasks running.) An accelerated display adapter and a fast processor can help improve the quality of software motion video. Drivers for the Creative Labs SoundBlaster series, MediaVision ProAudio series, and IBM M-Audio Capture and Playback Adapter are provided with MMPM/2. Other drivers should be available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources, or contact your adapter vendor for information on OS/2 driver support. (The original SoundBlaster and certain ATI SoundBlaster clones may require a low cost upgrade from the manufacturer to work with MMPM/2.) A driver for the PC speaker has been released by IBM, but this driver demands a huge amount of processor attention and does not provide the fidelity that audio adapters do. Note that the MediaVision ProAudio Spectrum Plus operates correctly when using the built-in MMPM/2 ProAudio Spectrum 16 driver. However, to obtain full functionality you must change the PARAMSTRING line in the [ibmwavepas1601] section of the file \MMOS2\MMPM2.INI after installation of MMPM/2. Using a text editor (like the OS/2 System Editor), change the line so that BPS=8 instead of BPS=16. This change causes MMPM/2 to default to 8-bit audio (since the ProAudio Spectrum Plus does not support 16-bit audio). The MMPM/2 driver for the original SoundBlaster supplied with OS/2 2.1 contains a special check which may render it inoperable with SoundBlaster clones (like the MediaVision Thunderboard). Advanced users may patch the driver using the following commands: CD \MMOS2 COPY SBD2.SYS SBD2.OLD DEBUG SBD2.SYS -e 3fd8 00 -w -q MMPM/2 drivers should also be available for Digitan and Omni sound adapters, directly from their manufacturers. VideoLogic's (phone 617-494-0530) DVA-4000 supports video capture and video display in OS/2 windows as does New Media Graphics's (phone 508-663-0666) Super VideoWindows. Tecmar (phone 800-624-8560 or 216-349-1009, or FAX 216-349-0851) offers various OS/2 multimedia products, including the ProSound audio adapter. REXX programs [see (5.11) REXX] can be used to play, record, and manipulate MMPM/2 audio and video files. For more information on REXX and MMPM/2, consult the online Multimedia with REXX document (located in the Multimedia folder). More information on IBM's OS/2 multimedia extensions (MMPM/2) and tools, Ultimotion, multimedia hardware, and IBM multimedia titles (e.g. Illuminated Manuscript) is available through IBM's Multimedia Office (phone 800-426-9402 ext. 150). To install a Windows sound driver under Win-OS/2, make sure that the line drivers=mmsystem.dll appears in the file \OS2\MDOS\WINOS2\SYSTEM.INI under the [boot] section. In some cases an installation bug prevents this line from being set up properly. Related information: (1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility (2.5) Specific Hardware Recommendations (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources (4.5) Technical Support (5.11) REXX (3.7) Viruses Should I worry about viruses when running OS/2 2.1? At present there are no OS/2-specific viruses. However, DOS/Windows viruses can conceivably infect an OS/2 2.1 system. DOS/Windows antivirus tools are just as useful in preventing such infection. Also, IBM has an antivirus package (AntiVirus/2) which runs under OS/2 directly (without DOS/Windows emulation). To order AntiVirus/2, call 800-551-3579 (800-465-7999 in Canada). McAfee's OS/2 SCAN and CLEAN have been released, as has Dr. Solomon's Antivirus Toolkit for OS/2 from Ontrack Systems. Others (Dr. Cohen, for example) are in development. But OS/2 2.1 is likely to be much more resistant to viruses because of its design. Viruses running in one virtual DOS/Windows session are likely to be confined to that session. Low level disk access is curtailed under OS/2 2.1, thus preventing most virus infection at that level. And when a DOS/Windows virus does trigger, it is far less likely to disrupt the entire system. In fact, OS/2 is most vulnerable when it isn't in charge (i.e. when native DOS is being used). A DOS virus then has free reign to write to the hard disk and possibly disable OS/2. The greater risk comes from leaving OS/2. OS/2 2.1 is by no means virus proof -- no system is. But it should prove more resistant to virus infection. Related information: (1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility (3.8) Networking What networking products are available for OS/2 2.1? In addition to DOS/Windows products, OS/2-specific TCP/IP support is available from IBM (phone 800-IBM-CALL), Essex Systems (phone 508-750-6200 or FAX 508-750-4699), FTP Software (send mail to info@ftp.com), Wollongong (phone 415-962-7100 or FAX 415-969-5547), {{ Novell, Ipswitch Inc. (phone 617-942-0621 or mail support@ipswitch.com), }} and others. (A freeware SLIP implementation, PMNOS, is available; see (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources.) {{ Optional add-ons to IBM's TCP/IP package provide X-Window System server and/or client support. Hummingbird Communications offers the eXceed X-Window System server for OS/2. }} The NetWare Workstation Kit 2.01 for OS/2 is available from Novell (phone 800-873-2831) and IBM for a small charge; it is also available free of charge from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources. Note that NetWare {{ 4.01 }} Server (including all the NLMs) can run alongside OS/2 2.1 at the same time, making OS/2 2.1 the only operating system providing nondedicated NetWare {{ 4.01 }} server and client capability (a boon for administration and dual LAN Server/NetWare servers, for example). The package to enable NetWare {{ 4.01 }} Server to run alongside OS/2 2.1 is available from IBM Direct (800-IBM-2-YOU), Part No. 53G5730. IBM also offers both NetWare and LAN Server 3.0 (Basic and Advanced) with LAN requesters. Microsoft sells LAN Manager (which comes bundled with OS/2 1.3). An OS/2 2.1 LAN Manager Requester, part no. 96F8359, is available from IBM; Microsoft offers a similar requester with LAN Manager 2.1a (or later). DEC sells Pathworks (Version 2.0b or later) for OS/2. Banyan Vines 5.5 (or later) includes an OS/2 2.x requester. OS/2 NDIS MAC drivers for most network adapters are available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources, as well as vax.ftp.com via Internet anonymous ftp. Drivers for 3Com adapters are available via anonymous ftp from ftp.3com.com, from the 3Com Support BBS, or from CompuServe (GO THREECOM). Drivers for Cabletron adapters are available via anonymous ftp from ftp.ctron.com. Peer-to-peer networking under OS/2 2.1 is best accomplished (at the moment) with either a TCP/IP or APPN product, like IBM's TCP/IP or Communications Manager/2, respectively. TCP/IP (with NFS) is available for nearly all platforms, so it is a particularly good choice in a mixed environment. Artisoft is reportedly working on an OS/2 version of LANtastic; contact the company for details. Note that LANtastic 5.0 can run in an OS/2 2.1 DOS session, providing either client or server capability (including access to HPFS long filenames for DOS clients). IBM may have its own offering in the near future (a repackaging and upgrade of the peer-to-peer support already provided in LAN Server 3.0). This support can already interoperate with Microsoft Windows for Workgroups. Infoworld recently called OS/2 the best PC operating system for networking in a mixed environment (i.e. with multiple network protocols and/or platforms). With IBM's Network Transport Services/2 at the base (i.e. by working through a single NDIS interface, using ODI "shims" if necessary), multiple network protocols can share the same network adapter under OS/2, avoiding contention. OS/2 is equally adept as network client, server, and/or peer. It is flexible enough to meet the needs of almost any network user. Related information: (1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources (3.9) Extended Services (3.12) Multiuser Extensions and Security (5.9) Specific DOS Sessions (3.9) Extended Services What is Extended Services? Prior to Version 2.0, IBM offered two separate packages with each release of OS/2: Standard Edition and Extended Edition. Extended Edition included extra, bundled software products: the Communications Manager (for communication with IBM mainframes, minicomputers, and other hosts), Database Manager (a full, network aware, relational database), and LAN Requester. IBM has now unbundled the Extended Edition features, dropped LAN Requester from the package (now available separately, with IBM's LAN Server), updated it for OS/2 2.x, and renamed it Extended Services 1.0. ES, by itself, no longer includes the base operating system as Extended Edition once did. This new arrangement makes it easier to update the base operating system with CSDs [See (4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes]. And now ES 1.0 will run under OS/2 1.3 Standard Edition as well as OS/2 2.x. Also, ES 1.0, like OS/2 2.x itself, is designed to operate on both IBM and non-IBM systems [See (2.1) Hardware Requirements]. While Extended Services will remain available, IBM has decided to further separate the ES components. DB2/2, a full 32-bit relational database, is available separately as a replacement for ES's Database Manager. Communications Manager/2 is now also available by itself. With each component available "a la carte," you can configure your OS/2 system to your exact specifications (almost always at a lower cost), and you are free to substitute similar products from other vendors (so you aren't locked into IBM's offerings). To install Extended Services 1.0 under OS/2 2.1, you must replace the ESSTART.CMD file on ES Diskette 1 with the ESSTART.BAK file found in the \OS2\INSTALL directory Keep a backup of the old file. Related information: (1.2) Differences Between Versions (2.1) Hardware Requirements (3.8) Networking Products (4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes (3.10) Special Software Offers Are there any special software offers I should know about? Here are some of the OS/2 software products that represent particularly good values. Most prices do not include shipping and handling. o SQA:Replay Macro Recorder. {{ SQA:Replay, produced by Software Quality Automation, is a macro recorder and player for OS/2. Use it to record mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes for playback at any time. SQA:Replay is $59 from Programmer's Paradise (phone 800-445-7899, 908-389-8950, or FAX 908-389-9227). }} o Canadian Bundle. {{ Canadian residents only can purchase four OS/2 software packages and one book for a low price of $349.95 Canadian. The bundle consists of two choices from Category 1, two from Category 2, and one from Category 3. Category 1 includes Lotus 1-2-3, Ami Pro, CorelDraw, DeScribe, Faxworks, Footprint Works, Freelance Graphics, VX-REXX, and Stacker. Category 2 includes DeskMan/2, IBM AntiVirus/2, Blackjack, Performance 2.1, and Window Washer. Category 3 consists of the books OS/2 2.1 Complete, OS/2 2.1 Unleashed, and OS/2 for Dummies. To order your chosen bundle, phone 800-465-7999 Ext. 454 before December 31. }} o Low Prices on OS/2 2.1. Katy Computer Systems in St. Louis (phone 314-230-8200 or netmail sales@katy.com) {{ offers some of the lowest prices in the United States on both OS/2 2.1 and OS/2 for Windows. }} o Novastor's Novaback Tape Backup Software. This package supports a wide variety of tape drives, but check ahead to see if yours is supported. Available for $112 from Programmer's Connection, phone 800-336-1166 or 216-494-8715. o Borland C++ for OS/2. Available from Below Zero in Calgary (phone 800-461-2777, 403-547-0669, or FAX 403-547-1018) for about $136 U.S., including shipping. Add GST in Canada. Below Zero will export outside North America. Also available from IBM Direct (800-IBM-2-YOU) for $139. o IBM TCP/IP 2.0 for OS/2. The universal peer-to-peer networking solution, now updated to take advantage of OS/2 2.x's special features. In the United States the base package (IBM Part No. 65G1220) is available for $150 from IBM (phone 800-IBM-CALL ext. S83) through December 31. Discounts apply for additional licenses. The Base Services package includes basic server and client software (finger, ftp, talk, telnet, etc.), an NNTP newsreader (NR/2), a mailer (LaMail), SLIP support, and much more. Ask about available TCP/IP add-ons if you need them: X Window System Server, X Window System Client, NFS, DOS/Windows Access, Programmer's Toolkit, Domain Name Server, Extended Networking, NetBIOS, OSF/Motif, Asia/Pacific Kit, and MultiMail. o Lotus Applications. Lotus 1-2-3 2.0, cc:Mail 2.0, {{ Ami Pro 3.0, }} and Freelance Graphics 2.0 for OS/2 are now available. These 32-bit, Workplace Shell, and HPFS aware applications are available at the same prices as the DOS and Windows counterparts. For educational discounts in the United States contact Douglas Stewart Co. (phone 800-279-2795). {{ All four may be purchased together in the Lotus SmartSuite which, for a limited time, includes a free copy of OS/2 2.1. For example, Corporate Software (phone 800-677-4003) is selling the OS/2 SmartSuite for $319 (competitive/upgrade package; $419 otherwise). And A-Prompt (phone 800-523-9511 Ext. 207) is offering the SmartSuite to educational purchasers for a mere $159. }} o Imara ScanTool. Imara Research Corp. is offering its OS/2 ScanTool software at a special price of $99 with a 30 day money back guarantee. Works with HP ScanJet, ScanJet Plus, ScanJet IIP, and ScanJet IIC scanners. Saves files as PCX, raw TIFF, or compressed TIFF. Phone Imara at 416-581-1740 (or FAX 416-581-1605) for more information or to order. o Conner Backup Exec. Conner, through some recent acquisitions, has obtained expertise in OS/2 backup software. Backup Exec is the latest effort, on sale at a special price of $69. Call 800-468-2587 for more information or to order. o CorelDraw 2.5. Corel Systems has dropped the price of CorelDraw 2.5 for OS/2 to just $199 (list). {{ For example, IBM Direct (phone 800-IBM-2-YOU) is selling CorelDraw for OS/2 for only $139. }} o Corel SCSI Software. Corel Systems offers a SCSI driver package which will give you additional support for removeable media (such as magneto-optical drives) under OS/2 (and DOS). This package is available for $64.95 from Computability (phone 800-554-9948 or FAX 414-357-7814). o PFS:Works. Spinnaker has slashed the price of PFS:Works for OS/2, an integrated software package providing word processing, spreadsheet, charting, database, and communications functions. Many dealers are carrying PFS:Works for OS/2 for under $40, including Indelible Blue (phone 800-776-8284 or 919-834-7005, FAX 919-783-8380). o Relish. Relish is a 32-bit PIM (personal information manager), handling scheduling and calendar functions. Relish is now available for only $69 directly from Sundial Systems; mention the "OS/2 User Group Special" when ordering. A demonstration version of Relish is available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources. Related information: (3.1) Applications (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources (3.11) Backup Software What backup software is available? Generally DOS backup programs will work under OS/2 2.1, but they may not capture some OS/2 data (especially extended attributes) on the hard disk without the assistance of utilities such as EABackup [See (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources]. OS/2 backup tools are available, notably: Software Title Company Telephone PMTape and PS2Tape IBM (800) IBM-CALL Sytos Plus Sytron (508) 898-0100 BBS (508) 898-2608 EZTape and Backup Exec Irwin (Conner) (800) 821-8782 DMS/Intelligent Backup Sterling (916) 635-5535 FileSafe Mountain (800) 458-0300 Back in a Flash! CCT Inc. (612) 339-5870 NovaBack NovaStor (818) 707-9900 OBackup ? See (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources BackMaster MSR Development (409) 564-1862 MaynStream Maynard (407) 263-3500 BakupWiz PCX (619) 259-9797 The OS/2 BACKUP utility is best used from an OS/2 diskette boot [See (4.4) Starting OS/2 from Diskette]. Related information: (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources (4.4) Starting OS/2 from Diskette (3.12) Multiuser Extensions and Security What multiuser extensions and security options are available? As shipped, OS/2 does not support multiuser operation, although third parties have grafted multiuser capabilities onto the base operating system. These products include: Software Title Company Telephone Remote-OS Software Lifeline (407) 994-4466 OS2You Ridax Sweden 031-196074 programutveckling Citrix Citrix Systems (305) 755-0559 PolyMod2 MemSoft (407) 997-6655 DCAF IBM (800) IBM-CALL PC/DACS (Pyramid, phone 203-257-4223) offers security (for multiple users, one at a time, in a lab setting for example). IBM LAN Server provides local security (as well as LAN-oriented multiuser features). Related information: (3.8) Networking Products (3.13) Disk Compression What on-the-fly disk compression software is available? Stacker {{ 1.1 }} for OS/2 and DOS (Stac Electronics, {{ phone 619-431-7474 }}) and DCF/2 (Proportional Software, phone 303-484-2665) are available for OS/2. Stacker provides on-the-fly disk compression for FAT drives only. {{ The product provides compression for both DOS and OS/2 in the same package, and it will convert MS-DOS DoubleSpace and PC-DOS SuperStor/DS disk compression into Stacker format. }} Early purchasers of the product {{ (Version 1.01 or earlier) }} should download a patch available from CompuServe to address problems with the handling of extended attributes. DCF/2 compresses both FAT and HPFS drives. The DCF/2 container file can even be located on other devices besides hard disks. However, many users have not been satisfied with the product's performance. Related information: (0.2) Recent Developments (4.7) Online Services (3.14) OS/2 Software Dealers Are there any dealers that specialize in OS/2 products? The following software dealers are either totally or predominantly geared to OS/2 customers: o Below Zero (800-461-2777, 403-547-0669, or FAX 403-547-1018). Based in Calgary. Will export to the United States and other countries. o The Corner Store (800-I-BUY-OS2 or 203-567-3463). The world's first OS/2-only store. Located in Litchfield, Connecticut. o Indelible Blue (800-776-8284, 919-834-7005 or FAX 919-783-8380). Offers a huge selection of OS/2 software at reasonable prices. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and will export. o International OS/2 User Group (44-285-641175 or FAX 44-285-640181). Primarily for European OS/2 users, but will export elsewhere. Offers some OS/2 titles available no where else. Located in Gloucestershire, England. Discounts available to members. Related information: (3.10) Special Software Offers (4.0) Installation, Maintenance, and Support The following questions are addressed in this section: (4.1) I am having trouble installing OS/2 2.1. What should I do? (4.2) I can't install OS/2 from Drive B. What's wrong? (4.3) What is the best way to partition my hard disk for OS/2? (4.4) 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? (4.5) How can I get answers to my OS/2 questions? (4.6) What are CSDs, how do I tell which I have, and where do I get them? (4.7) Which online services support OS/2, and how do I join? (4.8) Are there any OS/2 user groups? (4.9) What OS/2 books and magazines are available? (4.10) How do I report an OS/2 problem to IBM? (4.11) What OS/2 BBSes can I dial? (4.12) IBM has so many telephone numbers. Which one do I use? (4.1) Installation I am having trouble installing OS/2 2.1. What should I do? First consult the Installation Guide and other materials accompanying OS/2 2.1. Make sure your PC meets the system requirements in (2.1) Hardware Requirements. And if the following instructions do not help, fall back on IBM's toll free technical support (phone 800-992-4777 in the United States) and/or consult IBM's Tips and Techniques file [See (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources]. o Midway through installation of OS/2 2.1 from CD-ROM, do not place a check mark in the box next to the CD-ROM Device Support option on the System Configuration screen. Do not attempt to view or change this CD-ROM drive selection. o When installing OS/2 2.1 from a CD-ROM drive that requires a driver not supplied by IBM, copy the OS/2 .ADD driver file to a copy of Diskette 1 and add the line: BASEDEV=xxxxxxxx.ADD to the end of the diskette's CONFIG.SYS file. After installation, if your CD-ROM drive is not functioning correctly, follow these steps (changing "C:" if necessary): 1. Copy the files OS2CDROM.DMD and CDFS.IFS from Diskette 1 to directory C:\OS2. 2. Edit CONFIG.SYS and add the following lines to the end of the file: BASEDEV=OS2CDROM.DMD /Q IFS=CDFS.IFS /Q 3. Reboot. 4. Start Selective Install from the System Setup folder. Check the CD-ROM Device Support checkbox on the System Configuration screen. Click OK to display the list of CD-ROM drives. Select the appropriate choice (usually OTHER) and click OK. 5. Continue the Selective Install procedure until complete, then reboot. o If you have formatted any of your hard drives with HPFS under OS/2 2.0, and you have upgraded to OS/2 2.1, go to an OS/2 command line (window or full screen) and type: CHKDSK x: where x is the drive letter. Repeat for all HPFS drives on your system. If you see the error SYS0551 you should immediately contact IBM for the "OS2DASD Fix," {{ usually filename 21DISK.ZIP }} (or download it from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources). o Some PCs have trouble printing under OS/2 2.1. This problem can often be traced to an interrupt conflict, a substandard cable, an interfering software security "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. o Make sure adapters with onboard ROMs are not conflicting with other adapters. For example, many SuperVGA adapters use large segments 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. {{ To resolve conflicts, try writing down the DMA channel(s), interrupt (IRQ) level(s), I/O or port addresses, and ROM or upper memory addresses used by every device in your system. Conflicts should then be readily apparent. }} o Be sure adequate free disk space is available before installing, including space for a swap file. Drives compressed using Stacker, DoubleSpace, or similar utilities should be uncompressed before installing (unless access to these drives from OS/2 is not needed). [A DoubleSpace {{ converting, }} OS/2 version of Stacker is available, as is Proportional Software's (phone 303-484-2665) DCF/2 on-the-fly disk compression package.] o 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. o 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 if necessary. The AT bus should run at 8 MHz. For best performance, make sure all your RAM is set to be cacheable. o 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. Regardless of the driver you use, make sure your boot partition is completely inside the first 1024 cylinders. o Older Adaptec SCSI adapters may require a free BIOS upgrade to recognize hard disks larger than 1 GB. Adaptec can be reached at 800-442-7274 or 408-945-8600. Some Quantum LPS105AT IDE hard disks require a free ROM update (to Version 2.6) from the manufacturer to work with OS/2. o If your AMI keyboard BIOS is below Revision F you may need an update. Contact Washburn & Assoc. (phone 716-248-3627) for an inexpensive replacement. o 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. o "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 (2.2) SuperVGA Support. o OS/2 is particularly sensitive to bad RAM or cache memory (often reflected in TRAP 0002 error messages). Use a thorough RAM testing utility, and try not to mix 9-chip and 3-chip SIMM/SIPP memory modules. When upgrading, avoid adding RAM which is not rated (in nanoseconds) at least as fast (i.e. with an equal or lower number) as the RAM already in the system. o Allow several minutes for OS/2 2.1 to build your desktop (and display icons) at the end of installation -- take the Tutorial offered to you in the meantime. Avail yourself of the "Start Here" icon, the other online help, and the README file located in the root directory. They will help in getting started with the Workplace Shell and in properly configuring your system. o When installing over a beta version of OS/2 be sure to reformat. o To install the Upgrade Edition of OS/2 2.1, 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. o OS/2 uses the same diskette format as DOS, so use DISKCOPY to backup the installation diskettes and verify that none have been corrupted. o 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 PC Co. BBS (modem 919-517-0001). o Try disconnecting any tape backup device if "Cannot find COUNTRY.SYS" messages are encountered when booting OS/2. {{ This error message may also indicate that OS/2 cannot find its boot drive, usually because of an improperly loaded or omitted hard disk .ADD device driver. }} o 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. o The TI TM4000 notebook may require a BIOS update to run OS/2 2.1; phone 817-771-5856 for help. Also ask about an OS/2 driver for the QuickPort trackball. Before installing OS/2 on this machine, be sure to set Advanced OS Power off and HDD Motor Timeout Always On in the second page of the machine's setup screen. o For the technically advanced user, the following list of TRAP error codes may help you in addressing OS/2 problems. Report any such TRAPs to IBM using the (4.10) Problem Report Form. Code Description 0000 Divide by zero error [End of Part 2 of 4] -- Timothy F. Sipples | READ the OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions List sip1@kimbark.uchicago.edu | 2.1D, available from 192.153.46.2, anonymous Dept. of Econ., Univ. | ftp, in /pub/os2/all/info/faq. of Chicago, 60637 | OS/2: The World's Most Popular Way to 32 Bits!