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From: sip1@kimbark.uchicago.edu (Timothy F. Sipples)
Subject: OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions List Rel. 2.1D (1 of 4)
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Archive-name: os2-faq/user/part1
Version: 2.1D

[Part 1 of 4]

 OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions List 
 User's Edition (U.S. English)
 Release 2.1D
 November 23, 1993 
 Compiled by Timothy F. Sipples
 Copyright (c) 1993 by Timothy F. Sipples 
 All Rights Reserved.
 
For changes, suggestions, or additions please mail sip1@kimbark.uchicago.edu 
or write:  
                                                   
 Timothy F. Sipples 
 Center for Population Economics 
 University of Chicago 
 1101 East 58th Street 
 Chicago, IL  60637
 U.S.A.
 
I cannot acknowledge your contribution(s), but they are greatly appreciated.  

Mention of a product does not constitute an endorsement.  Customers outside 
the United States should not necessarily rely on 800 telephone numbers, page 
numbers, part numbers, or upgrade policies contained in this List.  
Electronic mail addresses are in Internet form; use addressing appropriate 
to your mail system.  

This List is freely distributable {{ for noncommercial purposes.  (For 
commercial purposes, please contact the author.)  }} If you redistribute the 
List, please include all the original files.  

This List is updated monthly and is distributed through various computer 
networks and online services, including the Internet, CompuServe, GEnie, and 
many BBSes.  

Both ASCII text and OS/2 Information Presentation Facility (INF) versions of 
the List are provided.  To view the INF version of the List, go to any OS/2 
command line prompt (e.g.  double click on "OS/2 Window") and type:  

 VIEW OS2FAQ.INF 

The ASCII text version may be viewed using any text editor, word processor, 
or file listing utility.  The text version is intended to answer any 
questions you may have before actually obtaining and using OS/2.  You will 
find that the INF version provides a much more attractive List, with 
hypertext links, fast indexing, and, increasingly, illustrations.  

If you have not received all three files (OS2FAQ.ICO, OS2FAQ.INF, and 
OS2FAQ.TXT), please ask your system operator to make sure he/she is 
receiving the correct and complete package every month.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (0.1) Release Notes 
 

(0.1) Release Notes

{{ Text which has been revised or updated since the last release will appear 
in the same color as this paragraph and will be enclosed in double braces.  
(Revision marking in magenta proved to be so unpopular that now a dark 
green/brown shade is used.  Thank goodness.)  }} 

{{ This release of the OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions List has been delayed 
to follow the release of IBM's newest member of the OS/2 family, OS/2 for 
Windows.  To read more about this exciting product, see (0.4) Special Report 
on OS/2 for Windows.  }} 

{{ A Spanish language translation of the OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions 
List is now distributed in Spain.  Italian and Japanese versions are under 
consideration.  Volunteers for other languages are encouraged to step 
forward.  }} 

At some point in the future I plan to add Master Help Index entries.  

BBS operators and archive maintainers:  please retain Versions 2.0L and 1.9G 
of this List, the last versions to deal specifically with OS/2 Versions 2.0 
and 1.3, respectively.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (0.0) Introduction and Credits 
 (0.2) Recent Developments 
 (0.3) Questions in this Release 
 (0.4) Special Report on OS/2 for Windows 
 

(0.2) Recent Developments

{{ IBM's newest member of the OS/2 family, OS/2 for Windows, is now 
available.  This low cost, specially designed Windows add-on brings the 
power of OS/2 to the millions of Windows users currently searching for 
better performance and more features.  For more information on what will 
probably be IBM's best selling software product ever, please see (0.4) 
Special Report on OS/2 for Windows.  }} 

{{ BMDP Statistical Software (phone 800-238-2637 or FAX 310-312-0161) 
announces the release of BMDP/Diamond, a "highly interactive graphical 
visualization tool for exploring relationships in multivariate data."  }} 

{{ Skill Dynamics, IBM's training and education company, now offers 
professional certification for OS/2 and LAN Server experts.  Certification 
testing is administered by Drake Training and Technologies, with classroom 
training provided by Skill Dynamics (phone 800-426-8322).  }} 

{{ IBM's Worldwide Developer Assistance Program (WWDAP) announces its new 
Internet e-mail address, wwdap@vnet.ibm.com, to add yet another means of 
communicating with IBM's programmers.  WWDAP provides direct IBM support to 
developers of all sizes for the creation of OS/2 software.  }} 

{{ Congratulations to David Whittle (IBM Personal Software Products, 
Austin), winner of the 1993 OS/2 Professional "Team OS/2" Award.  }} 

{{ IBM is now shipping LAN Distance, software which enables remote access to 
IBM LAN Server, NetWare, Banyan Vines, and other PC-based LANs.  LAN 
Distance works over dial-up and other asynchronous (serial) communications 
links to provide protocol transparent remote access.  The OS/2 version is 
available immediately; DOS and Windows versions will follow.  For more 
information on LAN Distance, phone 800-IBM-CALL in the United States, or 
contact any IBM software dealer.  }} 

{{ Rightware Inc.  (phone 301-762-1151 or FAX 301-762-1185) is now shipping 
LinkRight, a parallel port and serial port file transfer utility (similar to 
LapLink) with OS/2 Presentation Manager, OS/2 character mode, and DOS 
versions included.  Extended attributes are retained, even when transferring 
to/from a DOS system.  }} 

{{ IBM has released a DCE (Distributed Computing Environment) runtime client 
for OS/2 (Part No.  96F8691) and a Software Development Kit for OS/2 and 
Windows (Part No.  96F8690).  DCE allows programmers to construct 
sophisticated, cross-platform client-server applications.  }} 

{{ FTP Software (phone 800-282-4FTP or mail info@ftp.com) is now shipping 
PC/TCP Version 1.3.  This TCP/IP software features several enhancements over 
the previous version:  a virtual device driver (for WinSock and DOS PC/TCP 
application compatibility), a print redirector, and an IBM TCP/IP-compatible 
DLL.  }} 

{{ IBM has released Screen Reader/2 Version 1.1, software which enables 
blind and visually impaired computer users to access DOS, Windows, and OS/2 
applications running under OS/2 2.1.  For more information, call 
800-426-4832 (voice), 800-426-4833 (TDD), or 800-465-7999 (Canada).  }} 

{{ CA-Realizer 2.0 from Computer Associates (phone 800-CALL-CAI) is now 
shipping.  Realizer, a visual BASIC development system, is QuickBASIC 
compatible.  Both OS/2 and Windows versions are included in the same box, 
priced under $100.  }} 

IBM is now shipping Pen for OS/2, a powerful pen computing system that 
offers pen capabilities, with handwriting recognition, to almost any OS/2, 
DOS, or Windows application.  Pen for OS/2 is just $89.  For more 
information or to order call 800-3-IBM-OS2.  A developer's toolkit is also 
available.  

{{ IBM has introduced C Set ++ Version 2.1 and C Set ++ FirstStep.  C Set ++ 
Version 2.1 now includes Version 2.1 of the OS/2 Toolkit, the Workplace 
Shell enabled WorkFrame/2 Version 2.1, new class libraries, and the KASE:Set 
GUI builder.  C Set ++ FirstStep is a lower cost package designed for all 
but the most power hungry OS/2 C/C++ programmers, with a nonoptimizing 
compiler, three basic class libaries, Toolkit 2.1, and WorkFrame/2 1.1.  C 
Set ++ FirstStep sells for just $99 (or less).  Reduced price upgrades to C 
Set ++ 2.1 are available from previous versions of C Set.  Call 800-IBM-CALL 
or 800-3-IBM-OS2 to order.  }} 

IBM is now offering developers access to their new Continuous Speech Series 
for OS/2.  Beta level software and an array of support services and 
discounts are available for developers who wish to produce applications 
based on IBM's new OS/2- and AIX-based continuous speech recognition 
software, the most advanced technology of its kind.  For more information on 
IBM Continuous Speech Series, contact the Developer's Program at 
800-627-8363 or 301-240-3356.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (0.3) Questions in this Release 
 (0.4) Special Report on OS/2 for Windows 
 

(0.3) Questions in this Release

The following questions are addressed in this release:  

 (1.0)  Fundamentals 

      (1.1)  What is OS/2? 

      (1.2)  What are the differences between versions? 

      (1.3)  How good is OS/2 2.1's DOS and Windows compatibility? 

      (1.4)  Where can I buy OS/2, and how much does it cost? 

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

      (1.6)  Why should I choose OS/2 over its competitors? 

  
  (2.0)  Hardware 

      (2.1)  What hardware do I need to run IBM OS/2 2.1?  Do I need a PS/2? 

      (2.2)  Will OS/2 2.1 work with my SuperVGA adapter? 

      (2.3)  Will OS/2 2.1 work with my printer? 

      (2.4)  Can I use COM3 and COM4 in OS/2 2.1? 

      (2.5)  Are there any specific hardware recommendations? 

      (2.6)  Can I use more than 16 MB of RAM? 

      (2.7)  What device drivers are available that aren't included with
             OS/2?

  
  (3.0)  Software 

      (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? 

  
  (4.0)  Installation, Maintenance, and Support 

      (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? 

  
  (5.0)  Using OS/2 

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

      (5.2)  I prefer Windows.  How do I make OS/2 2.1 resemble Windows
             (or OS/2 1.3)?

      (5.3)  Sometimes OS/2 2.1 will freeze when I run an application.
             What do I do?

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

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

      (5.6)  How do I tweak OS/2 2.1 for maximum performance? 

      (5.7)  How do I measure OS/2 performance and memory usage? 

      (5.8)  My background bitmap does not display correctly.  What's wrong? 

      (5.9)  How do I boot a real version of DOS from within OS/2 2.1? 

      (5.10)  Are there any clever tricks that apply to OS/2 2.1? 

      (5.11)  How do I use REXX?  What does it do? 

      (5.12)  What ANSI escape sequences can be used? 

  
  (6.0)  Miscellaneous 

      (6.1)  What can I do to promote OS/2? 

      (6.2)  How can I create INF files? 

  
  (7.0)  Glossary of Terms 


(0.4) Special Report on OS/2 for Windows

{{ On November 9, IBM announced widespread, on-the-shelf availability in the 
United States of its newest software product, OS/2 for Windows.  

OS/2 for Windows is the newest member of the OS/2 family, joining OS/2 2.1 
and OS/2 2.1 Upgrade Edition in satisfying the growing demands of PC users 
for a more powerful yet easy to use environment.  This newest member is 
specifically targeted at current Windows users who are becoming frustrated 
with the limitations of their aging 16-bit operating environment.  It offers 
a smooth, low cost way of upgrading today to take advantage of the future 
technologies that all pundits acknowledge will matter tomorrow.  

OS/2 for Windows is no stripped down sibling; it contains all the features 
found in its bigger brothers.  Those features include true preemptive 
multitasking, multithreading, advanced memory management, Adobe Type 
Manager, the drag-and-drop ease of the object-oriented Workplace Shell (or 
the familiar Windows Program Manager, if desired), state-of-the-art 
multimedia (including the best software motion video technology for the PC), 
support for long filenames through the High Performance File System (HPFS), 
and superb compatibility with DOS, Windows, and OS/2 software.  In fact, 
OS/2 for Windows shares the same base OS/2 2.1 code as its brothers.  

However, IBM has designed OS/2 for Windows to be a true Windows upgrade.  
That means that the Windows compatibility code, Win-OS/2, found in OS/2 2.1 
has been removed.  The installation program has been modified so that OS/2 
for Windows will install over a system which already has DOS 5.x (or later) 
with Microsoft Windows 3.1 installed (including OEM and national language 
versions).  

How does OS/2 for Windows manage to work this magic?  

The installation program in OS/2 for Windows modifies certain Windows files 
just enough so that Windows 3.1 is compatible with the new OS/2 environment.  
However, OS/2 for Windows preserves the existing DOS/Windows setup through 
DualBoot.  In other words, the modified version of Windows 3.1 will still 
execute under regular DOS just as it always did, and OS/2 for Windows will 
let you switch back and forth at will, much as you do now when switching 
between Windows and DOS.  Yet you still use Microsoft's Windows code to run 
your Windows applications regardless of whether you do so under DOS or under 
OS/2 for Windows.  It's like giving your copy of Windows an upgrade without 
getting rid of the old version (should you need it).  

Why is IBM producing a special Windows upgrade?  

IBM is producing OS/2 for Windows for several reasons.  First, since OS/2 
for Windows uses your existing copy of Microsoft Windows 3.1 for Windows 
compatibility, IBM does not have to pay royalties to Microsoft for use of 
the code.  That means that IBM can ship OS/2 for Windows at a lower price 
(with fewer diskettes) than regular OS/2 2.1 -- you do not have to pay twice 
for the same code.  

Moreover, IBM believes there is a large market among Windows users who are 
frustrated with their current environment.  Most of those users do not 
believe that Microsoft's NT (with tremendous hardware requirements and a 
price tag of $300 and up) is a viable upgrade, and many of those users are 
not willing to wait until Microsoft attempts to offer equivalent 
functionality some time in the future.  

What media sizes are available, and how much will OS/2 for Windows cost?  

OS/2 for Windows is available in four packages:  3.5 inch diskettes (IBM 
Part No.  71G5391), 5.25 inch diskettes (71G5392), CD-ROM (71G5395), and 
without media (additional license certificate, 71G5397).  Street prices in 
the United States are expected to be $49 to $59 for either of the diskette 
packages, $39 to $49 for the CD-ROM package, and $29 to $39 for an 
additional license.  (You would pay more for a Windows desktop replacement 
or accessory!)  

At those prices, what about toll free technical support?  

IBM will provide exactly the same toll free technical support to OS/2 for 
Windows customers as it does its regular OS/2 customers, that is, 60 days of 
toll free technical support per copy purchased starting from the first call.  
(Outside the United States, support policies may differ.)  In addition, all 
the other support vehicles are available indefinitely (such as BBSes, 
CompuServe, etc).  

Will OS/2 for Windows support "seamless" mode?  Enhanced mode?  VxDs?  
Win32s?  

While operating under OS/2 for Windows, both "seamless" and enhanced modes 
are supported.  (Seamless Windows is the ability to execute Windows 
applications on the OS/2 Workplace Shell desktop.  Enhanced mode is the 
default Windows mode on 386 or higher processors and is required by certain 
Windows applications.)  VxDs, or Windows virtual drivers, are not supported 
while executing under OS/2 for Windows and, by implication, neither is 
Win32s.  Only a tiny number (four at last count) of applications require one 
or both of these features.  (Microsoft NT, in fact, does not support VxDs at 
all.)  Again, OS/2 for Windows preserves an existing Windows 3.1 setup, so 
such applications, if absolutely necessary, can be run under DOS/Windows.  
On the other hand, OS/2 for Windows allows Windows users to run any of the 
thousands of OS/2 applications available (none of which are available to 
users running DOS with Windows, NT, or any other environment except OS/2).  

Should VxD and/or Win32s support become important in the future, IBM has 
stated that it will support these technologies.  

If I do not have a copy of Microsoft Windows 3.1, can I install OS/2 for 
Windows and use it to run DOS and OS/2 applications?  

Yes!  While OS/2 for Windows is designed primarily for people upgrading from 
Windows, it will install if you have DOS alone on your hard disk.  You will 
not be able to run Windows applications within OS/2 for Windows, however.  
When used as a DOS upgrade, you might think of OS/2 for Windows as "OS/2 
WOW":  OS/2 WithOut Windows.  

If I install OS/2 for Windows on a DOS-only system, and I later decide I 
need support for Windows applications, can I install Windows 3.1?  

Yes!  When you install OS/2 for Windows on a DOS-only system, the DualBoot 
facility (for switching between native DOS and OS/2 for Windows) is provided 
by default.  To add Windows 3.1 to a system with OS/2 for Windows already 
installed, simply DualBoot into native DOS, install Windows 3.1, DualBoot 
back into OS/2 for Windows, then use Selective Install to "migrate" Windows 
3.1.  (Precise instructions should be available in the OS/2 for Windows 
package.)  

If I have to install OS/2 for Windows over a DOS/Windows system, how do I 
use HPFS?  

OS/2 for Windows itself may be installed on a High Performance File System 
(HPFS) formatted volume, but Windows 3.1 must reside on a DOS File 
Allocation Table (FAT) volume (since DOS cannot read and write to HPFS).  
Since DOS (and Windows when it is installed and running under DOS) requires 
a FAT (File Allocation Table) file system, and since OS/2 for Windows needs 
the existing Windows code on your hard disk to provide Windows application 
compatibility, the part of your hard disk which holds Windows 3.1 must be 
FAT.  Other parts of your hard disk (including the section holding OS/2 for 
Windows itself) may be formatted to HPFS if you wish.  If you have no 
intention of ever running Windows 3.1 under native DOS, you can back up any 
FAT volumes (using OS/2 backup software), repartition/reformat for HPFS, 
then restore.  (This procedure is recommended only for those users who are 
reasonably familiar with OS/2.)  

Can I still use OS/2's Boot Manager?  

Yes, Boot Manager may be used provided there is unpartitioned space 
available on the hard disk.  Repartitioning may be required (using the FDISK 
utility supplied with OS/2 for Windows) if this is not the case.  

Can I still use MS-DOS's DoubleSpace?  

IBM recommends that DoubleSpace users either (a) move files off DoubleSpace 
drives completely and get rid of DoubleSpace, or (b) purchase Stacker for 
OS/2 and DOS along with OS/2 for Windows, to provide on-the-fly disk 
compression under both environments (and allow conversion of DoubleSpace 
volumes).  Users may keep DoubleSpace compressed files, but such files will 
not be accessible while inside OS/2 for Windows.  

Are there any extra drivers included with OS/2 for Windows?  

Yes.  With OS/2 2.1, users of S3-based video cards have to download a driver 
disk for support.  The S3 driver diskette is included inside the OS/2 for 
Windows box.  

Will OS/2 for Windows require separate Service Paks?  

No.  OS/2 for Windows will use the same Service Paks, when available, as 
OS/2 2.1.  See (4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes for more information.  

I already have OS/2 2.1.  What does OS/2 for Windows do for me?  

There are minimal functional differences.  OS/2 for Windows brings the power 
of OS/2 in a lower cost package to a key audience.  Windows users are now 
even more inclined to experience OS/2 technology for themselves.  The most 
substantial difference is that the "About" dialog boxes in Windows, even 
when running under OS/2 for Windows, still say Microsoft (and do not betray 
IBM influence as those in Win-OS/2 do).  So, if you have regular OS/2 2.1 or 
OS/2 2.1 Upgrade Edition, relax and watch as a new wave of new users join 
you in the OS/2 world.  For future purchases, you may wish to consider OS/2 
for Windows (as either a DOS or Windows upgrade).  

Will there be an upgrade to OS/2 for Windows from regular OS/2 2.1 or OS/2 
2.1 Upgrade Edition?  

No.  OS/2 for Windows is another member of the OS/2 family and is designed 
primarily as an upgrade for Windows users (and for DOS users who are not 
concerned about Windows compatibility).  It is not an upgrade (nor for that 
matter a downgrade) for OS/2 2.1 users.  

What will happen to regular OS/2 2.1 and OS/2 2.1 Upgrade Edition?  

Both regular OS/2 2.1 and OS/2 2.1 Upgrade Edition will continue to be sold 
alongside OS/2 for Windows (possibly in even greater numbers than before).  
Regular OS/2 2.1 is designed as IBM's premier operating system for new PCs 
-- PCs purchased without any operating system whatsoever.  OS/2 2.1 Upgrade 
Edition is intended for those PC users who do not have a copy of Microsoft 
Windows 3.1 but who run DOS or for those who are running a previous version 
of OS/2.  Both regular OS/2 2.1 and OS/2 2.1 Upgrade Edition include 
built-in Windows application support (Win-OS/2).  (OS/2 2.1 is also slightly 
more convenient for those users who wish to run with only HPFS, or for those 
users at larger sites who perform such tasks as OS/2 remote installation and 
maintenance.)  

How do I order OS/2 for Windows?  

IBM will sell OS/2 for Windows directly through its toll free telephone 
number (800-3-IBM-OS2), but you really ought to ask your local software 
vendor (Egghead, Software Etc., Babbages, or wherever) for a copy.  Prices 
from dealers should be lower than those offered by IBM directly.  
Availability will vary by country, so consult your local IBM dealer if you 
happen to live outside the United States.  }} 

 
 Related information: 
 
 (4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes 
 

(1.0) Fundamentals

The following questions are addressed in this section:  

 (1.1)  What is OS/2? 

 (1.2)  What are the differences between versions? 

 (1.3)  How good is OS/2 2.1's DOS and Windows compatibility? 

 (1.4)  Where can I buy OS/2, and how much does it cost? 

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

 (1.6)  Why should I choose OS/2 over its competitors? 


(1.1) What is OS/2?

What is OS/2?  

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

It was designed from the ground up with preemptive multitasking and 
multithreading in mind.  "Preemptive multitasking" means that the operating 
system is responsible for allocating processor time to the one or more 
applications which are running.  (Cooperative multitasking, as found in 
Microsoft Windows or the Macintosh's System 7, requires that each 
application surrender the processor after a certain amount of time.  If one 
application refuses to yield, all the other applications stop running.)  
"Multithreading" means that programs can start subtasks which will then be 
executed by the operating system in the background.  For example, a word 
processor may create a separate thread (subtask) to handle printing or 
saving to disk.  When the user asks the word processor to perform one of 
these tasks, the word processor creates a new thread and control returns to 
the word processor (and the user) immediately.  The subtask is executed by 
the operating system in the background.  The user is then free to ask the 
word processor to perform another task without waiting for the thread to 
complete.  Applications which utilitize multithreading can be much more 
responsive to the user.  

OS/2 also protects applications from one another (a single misbehaved 
program will not typically disrupt the entire system), supports all 
addressable physical RAM, and supplies virtual memory to applications as 
requested, breaking DOS's 640K barrier.  

An OS/2 demonstration diskette (which will run on any PC with VGA or better, 
and DOS or OS/2) is available from IBM by calling 800-3-IBM-OS2.  The OS/2 
2.1 demo diskette may also be downloaded; see (3.2) Shareware and Freeware 
Sources.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (1.2) Differences Between Versions 
 (1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 (3.9) Extended Services 
 

(1.2) Differences Between Versions

What are the differences between versions?  

o IBM OS/2 Version 2.1 is the latest release of OS/2, offering Windows 3.1 
compatibility, multimedia support (including software motion video), and 
more device drivers.  With Version 2.1 IBM has ended the practice of 
including extra features in its own, preinstalled versions of OS/2 2.0 that 
were not found in the off-the-shelf package.  {{ See (0.4) Special Report on 
OS/2 for Windows for details on the new, lower cost member of the OS/2 2.1 
family.  }} 

o IBM OS/2 Version 2.0 is the first release of OS/2 which will run only on 
machines with an 80386SX processor or better.  With this release IBM started 
developing OS/2 (and its Intel and non-Intel-based successors) independently 
but continued to involve third party PC manufacturers in its testing.  
Improvements included an object-oriented Workplace Shell (WPS); a multiple 
operating system boot mechanism; better DOS and Windows support [See (1.3) 
DOS and Windows Compatibility]; new 32-bit programming interfaces; support 
for more than 16 MB of physical RAM [See (2.6) More Than 16 MB RAM]; and 
more third party device drivers.  OS/2 1.x applications, unmodified, still 
run under OS/2 2.0.  

o IBM OS/2 Version 1.3 is the last release of OS/2 to operate on PCs with 
80286 CPUs.  This version introduced built-in Adobe Type Manager (ATM) [See 
(5.5) Adobe Type Manager], providing scalable typefaces for screen and 
printer.  Procedures Language/2 (REXX), a powerful batch-oriented 
programming language, became a part of Standard Edition with this release.  
[See (5.11) REXX.] (A few OEMs are shipping Microsoft OS/2 Version 1.3, but 
Microsoft has ceded all OS/2 development to IBM.)  

o OS/2 Version 1.2 was the first to incorporate the High Performance File 
System (HPFS) [See (1.5) High Performance File System].  With this release 
IBM OS/2 added a dual boot mechanism and IBM Extended Edition [See (3.9) 
Extended Services] introduced REXX.  

o OS/2 Version 1.1 was the first to include the Presentation Manager (PM) 
GUI/API.  Microsoft OEM versions added a dual boot mechanism with this 
release.  

o OS/2 Version 1.0, introduced in late 1987, was the first release of OS/2.  
Task switching was accomplished using a character-based shell and limited 
DOS compatibility was provided.  
  
  
  Related information: 
  
  (0.4)  Special Report on OS/2 for Windows 
  (1.1)  What is OS/2?
  (1.3)  DOS and Windows Compatibility 
  (2.6)  More Than 16 MB RAM 
  (3.9)  Extended Services 
  (5.5)  Adobe Type Manager 
  (5.11) REXX 
  

(1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility

How good is OS/2 2.1's DOS and Windows compatibility?  

OS/2 1.x [See (1.2) Differences Between Versions] justifiably earned a 
reputation for poor DOS compatibility.  Since it was hampered by the 80286, 
it could not run more than one DOS application at a time.  

The situation changed dramatically with OS/2 2.0, and Version 2.1 adds 
further refinements.  Version 2.1 preemptively multitasks DOS and Windows 
(standard and enhanced mode) applications in separate, protected sessions, 
without purchasing either environment.  

OS/2 2.1 provides a complete DOS emulation equivalent to DOS 5.0.  The 
operating system can provide each DOS application with up to 32 MB of EMS 
4.0 (expanded memory), 16 MB of XMS 2.0 (extended memory), and/or 512 MB of 
DPMI 0.95 (DOS Protected Mode Interface extended memory), all from its pool 
of physical and/or virtual memory (meaning you do not have to have as much 
RAM in your system as your applications request).  These limits are in 
addition to the up to 730K free conventional memory supplied to each DOS 
application, even after mouse and network drivers [See (3.8) Networking 
Products] are loaded.  As in DOS 5.0, DOS code and device drivers may be 
loaded into high memory.  A 386 memory manager like QEMM is not needed -- 
these features are provided by OS/2 2.1 directly.  

The DOS emulation allows customization of device driver sets -- each DOS 
application shares a systemwide CONFIG.SYS and the equivalent of its own 
CONFIG.SYS.  Also, there is a systemwide AUTOEXEC.BAT file; however, batch 
commands particular to each DOS application can be invoked using separate, 
application-specific AUTOEXEC.BAT files.  And many DOS Settings are provided 
to fine tune [See (5.6) Performance Tuning] each DOS/Windows application's 
behavior (e.g.  IDLE_SENSITIVITY).  Most of the popular DOS/Windows 
applications on your hard disk will be migrated automatically when you 
install OS/2 2.1.  

In addition, OS/2 2.1 will boot one or more specific versions of DOS in 
separate sessions, to assist in running particularly difficult applications 
(e.g.  DOS networks, MSCDEX and CD-ROM drivers).  So, for example, it is 
possible to multitask DOS 3.3, DOS 4.0, DOS 5.0, {{ DOS 6.0, DOS 6.2, 
DR-DOS, }} emulated DOS, and Desqview running atop DOS, all in separate 
sessions, either windowed or full screen, all with the same and/or separate 
device drivers, TSRs, environment variables, etc.  DOS boot images may be 
stored on a hard disk.  These procedures are described in the online Command 
Reference (under VMDISK), Master Help Index, and in the Installation Guide 
(Appendix E).  [See also (5.9) Specific DOS Sessions.] 

Standard graphics modes [generally up to the resolution of the desktop; See 
(2.2) SuperVGA Support] are supported in DOS windows, as are selectable text 
mode fonts.  Cut/paste to/from windowed DOS applications is supported 
(to/from other DOS, OS/2, and Windows applications), including graphics 
cut/paste.  Theoretically, OS/2 2.1 can run up to 240 simultaneous 
DOS/Windows sessions; the practical maximum depends on system resources.  

OS/2 2.1 will, in fact, run virtually all DOS applications in existence, 
including notorious ones such as Microsoft Flight Simulator, Wing Commander, 
Maple, MatLab (Version 3.5k or later), {{ AutoCAD (Release 12 requires 
maintenance version C2 or later), }} and others.  Those that do not run 
generally fall into the following categories:  

1. Programs that use Virtual Control Program Interface (VCPI) memory 
extenders or other extenders which require direct access to 80386 control 
registers.  Since such applications are also all but incompatible with 
Windows, most vendors have updates for DPMI compatibility; 

2. Applications which attempt to directly address the physical sectors of an 
OS/2 managed nonremoveable hard disk drive.  Such programs include UnErase 
in Norton Utilities [See (3.4) Disk Utilities].  Fortunately OS/2 2.1 has a 
built-in UnDelete feature which is more robust than Norton's approach.  
(Consult the online Command Reference for information on how to enable 
UNDELETE); 

3. Timing sensitive DOS applications.  Certain DOS programs that generate 
digitized sound through the PC's internal speaker may have distorted sound.  
High speed, real time data collection may be compromised.  These problems 
can often be minimized or even eliminated using OS/2 2.1's DOS Settings.  

4. Certain DOS programming debuggers.  DOS applications running under OS/2 
2.1 are not permitted to access debug registers DR0-DR7 from a DOS session.  
Also, DOS debuggers will not be able to set hardware breakpoints, and all 
read/write operations to debug registers in virtual 8086 mode will be 
ignored.  
  
See (3.11) Backup Software for information on OS/2 backup issues.  

DOS-based disk caching software is not required since OS/2 includes a 
built-in, highly configurable, efficient disk cache.  Also, the OS/2 CD-ROM 
file system's cache may be adjusted; see the online Command Reference for 
details.  

DOS programs running under OS/2 2.1 are extremely fast.  A single DOS 
application (no other applications open) running full screen under OS/2 2.1 
typically achieves 95-97% of the performance it would have under native DOS.  
If the DOS application performs any disk I/O it can actually operate up to 
several times faster than it would if running under native DOS.  

If pure DOS is absolutely required, OS/2 2.1 includes a utility called the 
Boot Manager.  The Boot Manager can provide a listing of all the operating 
systems available on the system and will allow selection of any one at 
startup, with a default after timeout.  The OS/2 DualBoot method (to switch 
between DOS and OS/2 only) is still available as well.  Consult the 
Installation Guide for instructions on how to use Boot Manager or DualBoot.  
Note that OS/2 2.1 need not be installed on Drive C -- it can reside on 
other volumes [See (4.3) Hard Disk Partitioning].  

Compatibility with Windows, a popular DOS extender, is provided by Win-OS/2, 
an environment based on Microsoft's Windows source code.  It runs Windows 
3.x enhanced mode and standard mode applications under OS/2 2.1, either on a 
full screen Windows desktop (with the familiar Program Manager and one or 
more Windows applications) or "seamlessly," alongside OS/2 applications on 
the Workplace Shell desktop.  "Seamless" operation is available in VGA, many 
SuperVGA, 8514/A, and XGA resolutions with OS/2 2.1 as it ships.  [See (2.2) 
SuperVGA Support.] 

Several icon conversion utilities can convert Windows icons for use by the 
OS/2 Icon Editor and/or OS/2-specific programs [See (3.2) Shareware and 
Freeware Sources].  (No conversion is necessary if the icons are to be used 
with Windows programs running under OS/2 2.1.)  

OS/2 2.1 directly provides all Windows enhanced mode features save one:  
support for Windows virtual drivers (VxD).  Only two major applications are 
affected:  MathCAD 4.0 and Microsoft Visual C++.  Services provided by 
WINMEM32.DLL are supported.  

Windows applications are well integrated into the overall OS/2 Workplace 
Shell environment with DDE and Clipboard hooks, and OLE (Object Linking and 
Embedding) is supported among Windows applications.  Adobe Type Manager [See 
(5.5) Adobe Type Manager] and TrueType for Win-OS/2 comes with OS/2 2.1.  
Windows screen (for a full screen desktop) and printer device drivers will 
work under Win-OS/2 [See (2.2) SuperVGA Support].  Such notorious Windows 
applications as Word, Norton Desktop (save portions described above), 
Toolbook, and After Dark work fine under Win-OS/2.  Even applications which 
rely on the Windows Multimedia Extensions (supplied as part of Win-OS/2) 
operate without trouble.  [See (3.6) Multimedia for information on the OS/2 
multimedia extensions, MMPM/2.] All the Windows applets (except those made 
redundant by OS/2's applets) are provided.  

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, at the user's 
option.  Also, both DOS and OS/2 applications can be started from the 
Win-OS/2 Program Manager.  

Some Windows applications require 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.  (Note that several 
options are available for Win-OS/2 interaction with the Windows INI files.  
For example, the Windows INI files may be migrated during installation.  Or 
both Win-OS/2 and Windows can share a single set of INI files.)  

In short, OS/2 2.1 is generally regarded as the most DOS and Windows 
compatible among the new crop of 32-bit operating systems (NT included).  It 
is also generally regarded as a better DOS multitasker than Desqview.  

  
  Related information: 
  
  (1.2)  Differences Between Versions 
  (2.2)  SuperVGA Support 
  (3.2)  Shareware and Freeware Sources 
  (3.4)  Disk Utilities 
  (3.6)  Multimedia
  (3.8)  Networking Products 
  (3.11) Backup Software 
  (4.3)  Hard Disk Partitioning 
  (4.4)  Starting OS/2 from Diskette 
  (5.5)  Adobe Type Manager 
  (5.6)  Performance Tuning 
  (5.9)  Specific DOS Sessions 
  

(1.4) Availability and Cost of OS/2

Where can I buy OS/2, and how much does it cost?  

In the United States IBM OS/2 Version 2.1 is available directly from IBM by 
calling 800-3-IBM-OS2.  {{ Call for the latest information on pricing -- 
promotional pricing may be in effect.  Diskette versions (5.25 or 3.5 inch 
media) are typically priced lower than the CD-ROM version (which contains 
only only the CD-ROM plus 5.25 inch and 3.5 inch "bootstrap" diskettes), and 
an Upgrade Edition is available.  Express shipping is provided with all 
orders placed through this toll free number.  }} 

IBM part numbers are as follows:  61G0900 for 3.5 inch media, 61G0902 for 
3.5 inch media Upgrade Edition, 61G0901 for 5.25 inch media, 61G0903 for 
5.25 inch media Upgrade Edition, 61G0904 for compact disc, 71G1877 for 
compact disc Upgrade Edition.  An additional license certificate (no media 
or manuals) is 61G0910; an additional license Upgrade Edition certificate is 
61G0911.  

However, OS/2 2.1 is now available from almost any software dealer 
(including Corporate Software, Egghead, Software Etc., and many others).  
Software dealer pricing is lower than that available directly from IBM -- 
often $10 or $20 lower.  

Additional license certificates are available for second and subsequent 
copies.  {{ Note that each OS/2 CD-ROM or diskette package }} includes a set 
of OS/2 manuals and 60 days (per package) of toll free technical support.  
An additional license certificate does not come with either.  

These prices mean that OS/2 2.1 costs about the same as Microsoft Windows 
for DOS and roughly one fifth to one third as much as the base (not server) 
versions of Windows NT, NeXTStep, Solaris, and UnixWare.  

In Canada phone 800-465-1234 to order.  In the U.K.  phone the OS/2 User 
Group at 0285-655888 or IBM at 0256-841818 or 0800-919-929.  In other 
countries, contact any IBM dealer or office.  Pricing varies from country to 
country.  

IBM OS/2 Version 1.3 is still available and may be ordered through many IBM 
dealers.  

IBM is trying to make OS/2 2.1 available everywhere DOS is purchased.  If 
your dealer does not stock OS/2 2.1, take your business elsewhere (and 
explain why).  IBM bundles OS/2 2.1 with some PS/1, most ValuePoint, and all 
386SX (and above) PS/2 systems, {{ as requested.  }} Several other vendors, 
including AST, Compaq, Everex, Northgate, ALR, Unisys, Dell, Ariel Design, 
and Tangent, will preload OS/2 2.1 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 (2.1) 
Hardware Requirements].  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (0.4) Special Report on OS/2 for Windows 
 (1.2) Differences Between Versions 
 (2.1) Hardware Requirements 
 (3.8) Networking Products 
 

(1.5) High Performance File System (HPFS)

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

{{ HPFS is an installable file system (IFS) provided with OS/2 which may 
optionally be used instead of (or alongside) the standard DOS-style FAT 
(File Allocation Table) file system.  }} 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.  {{ (FAT is not 
required for compatibility with DOS and Windows applications.)  }} 

 
 Related information: 
 
 (3.4) Disk Utilities 
 (4.3) Hard Disk Partitioning 
 (4.4) Starting OS/2 from Diskette 
 

(1.6) Why OS/2?

Why should I choose OS/2 over its competitors?  

(Information from other sections of the OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions List 
will be brought here in a future release.)  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility 
 

(2.0) Hardware

The following questions are addressed in this section:  

 (2.1)  What hardware do I need to run IBM OS/2 2.1?  Do I need a PS/2?

 (2.2)  Will OS/2 2.1 work with my SuperVGA adapter? 

 (2.3)  Will OS/2 2.1 work with my printer? 

 (2.4)  Can I use COM3 and COM4 in OS/2 2.1? 

 (2.5)  Are there any specific hardware recommendations? 

 (2.6)  Can I use more than 16 MB of RAM? 

 (2.7)  What device drivers are available that aren't included with OS/2? 


(2.1) Hardware Requirements

What hardware do I need to run IBM OS/2 2.1?  Do I need a PS/2?  

You need any ISA (AT bus), EISA, VESA LocalBus, {{ PCI, }} or Microchannel 
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 15-37 MB free, 
depending on which features you wish to install), a supported video adapter 
(CGA, EGA, VGA, many 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 [See (3.8) 
Networking Products], Extended Services [See (3.9) Extended Services], 
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 2.1 and may be deleted, e.g.  DOS, a 
386 memory manager, Windows 3.1, Adobe Type Manager [See (5.5) Adobe Type 
Manager] with base typefaces, etc.  

{{ The performance of OS/2 itself will not be increased appreciably with the 
addition of a math coprocessor.  However, certain applications may benefit.  
}} 

The Workplace Shell (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.  

The following dual monitor configurations are supported:  VGA or most 
SuperVGA with Monochrome Display Adapter (not Hercules), 8514/A with VGA, 
XGA with VGA, and XGA with one or more other XGA.  A secondary monitor is 
most often used with code debuggers that explicitly support such 
configurations.  The Workplace Shell desktop is currently shown only on the 
primary display (except for the STB MVP-2 and MVP-4 ISA and Microchannel 
display adapters which do support the Workplace Shell desktop spanning 
multiple monitors -- contact STB at 214-234-8750 or FAX 214-234-1306 for 
more information; {{ and the Double Edge video card from Nth Graphics, phone 
800-624-7552 }}).  

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, DPT, and IBM SCSI adapters.  [True 
OS/2 2.1 drivers for most SCSI adapters, e.g.  {{ Always, }} Trantor, 
Rancho, Procomp, Corel Systems, BusLogic, Seagate, Mylex, CE Infosys, 
Ciprico, MediaVision ProAudio Spectrum, and others are available directly 
from the adapter manufacturers or from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware 
Sources.] 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 2.1 driver).  

OS/2 driver support is available for the following CD-ROM drives (and close 
cousins, {{ including later models }}):  

  o Apple {{ (uses Sony driver) }} 

     - CD 300 
     - CD SC 

  o Hitachi 

     - CDR-1650S 
     - CDR-1750S 
     - CDR-3650 
     - CDR-3750 

  o IBM 

     - all models 

  o NEC 

     - CDR-25 
     - CDR-36 
     - CDR-37 
     - CDR-38 
     - CDR-55 
     - CDR-72 
     - CDR-73 
     - CDR-74 
     - CDR-80 
     - CDR-82 
     - CDR-83 
     - CDR-84 
     - {{ (most others) }} 

  o Panasonic 

     - CR-501 
     - LK-MC501S 
     - MC501B 
     - MC521 

  o Pioneer 

     - DRM-600 
     - DRM-604X 

  o Sony 

     - CDU-541 
     - CDU-561 
     - CDU-6111 
     - CDU-6211 
     - CDU-7211 

  o Texel 

     - DM-3021 
     - DM-3024 
     - DM-5021 
     - DM-5024 

  o Toshiba 

     - XM-3201 
     - XM-3301 
     - XM-3401 
  
when attached to IBM, Future Domain, Adaptec, DPT, or other SCSI adapters 
with native OS/2 2.1 support.  The OS/2 CD-ROM support includes audio, ISO 
9660/High Sierra, CD-ROM/XA, and Kodak Photo CD compatibility for those 
drives which support these standards.  

Drivers for non-SCSI Sony CD-ROM drives (e.g.  CDU-535, CDU-31A, and related 
models), {{ Creative Labs/Panasonic CD-ROM drives, and later model Mitsumi 
drives }} are available from several sources [See (3.2) Shareware and 
Freeware Sources].  Drivers for Mitsumi CD-ROM drives (and compatibles, e.g.  
Tandy CDR-1000 and DAK) are {{ also }} available from either Systems 
Integration Technologies (BBS 305-979-1976 or netmail 
76130.2321@compuserve.com) or Totronik (49-711-244272, FAX 49-711-6406815 or 
netmail 100064.1346@compuserve.com).  Drivers for non-SCSI Hitachi CD-ROM 
models are available by calling either Laser Resources (800-535-2737) or 
Proline (415-692-5262); ask for CDREXT5D.  A Philips CD-ROM driver is 
available from Aha Computers (49-4531-17070 or FAX 49-4531-170737).  Storage 
Devices offers OS/2 drivers for its parallel port attached peripherals, 
including its CD-ROM drive.  Corel Systems offers a set of OS/2 drivers (in 
its "Corel SCSI" package) for many more CD-ROM drives, magneto-optical 
drives, and other SCSI devices when attached to any of a number of SCSI 
adapters.  DOS device drivers, when installed using a specific DOS session 
[See (5.9) Specific DOS Sessions], will still provide CD-ROM services to 
DOS/Windows programs for the remainder.  

See (2.3) Printer Support for information on OS/2 printer and plotter 
compatibility.  

Version 2.1 is explicitly supported on non-IBM PC compatibles.  IBM is 
offering a money back compatibility guarantee in the U.S.  Should OS/2 2.1 
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 750 non-IBM models have been tested in IBM's own labs.  

  
  Related information: 
  
  (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
  (3.8) Networking Products 
  (3.9) Extended Services 
  (5.5) Adobe Type Manager 
  (5.9) Specific DOS Sessions 
  

(2.2) SuperVGA Support

Will OS/2 2.1 work with my SuperVGA adapter?  

Consult the OS/2 2.1 Installation Guide and Using the Operating System 
manuals for complete information on SuperVGA support.  

OS/2 2.1 contains built-in 256 color drivers for most SuperVGA adapters 
based on the following chipsets:  

  o ATI 28800 
  o Cirrus Logic CL-GD5422 and CL-GD5424 
  o Headland Technologies HT209 
  o IBM VGA256C 
  o Trident Microsystems TVGA8900B and TVGA8900C 
  o Tseng Labs ET4000 
  o Western Digital/Paradise WD90C11, WD90C30, and WD90C31 (in WD90C30 mode) 
  
Some SuperVGA adapters (notably ATI's Vantage and Ultra lines) are 8514/A 
hardware compatible and will function in 1024x768 256 color mode with OS/2's 
built-in 8514/A driver.  

Drivers for other SuperVGA adapters (along with installation instructions), 
and modified versions of the built-in drivers (such as 16 color versions or 
small icon versions) should be available from the adapter vendors directly 
or through (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources.  In addition, IBM has 
released a set of drivers for SuperVGA adapters based on S3 chipsets to 
these public sources.  (However, certain S3-based adapters require custom 
drivers from vendors.)  

Regular Windows 3.1 display drivers may be used for the full screen Win-OS/2 
desktop.  To install a Windows 3.1 display driver under Win-OS/2, simply 
replace the \OS2\MDOS\WINOS2\SYSTEM\VGA.DRV file with the Windows .DRV file 
supplied by the vendor.  (Be sure to make a copy of the original 
OS/2-supplied driver file first.)  Note that you may have to use the EXPAND 
program supplied with Win-OS/2 to decompress the vendor's .DRV file.  

OS/2 2.1 has now routinized the procedure for setting customized refresh 
rates using DOS-based utilities (such as VMODE).  You will be prompted 
during installation of a SuperVGA driver, and you can specify the DOS 
utility you wish to execute along with its parameters (if any).  You may 
also need to invoke the utility in your OS/2 AUTOEXEC.BAT file so that DOS 
sessions are properly configured to your monitor's specifications.  Read the 
OS/2 manuals carefully for details on how to use the DSPINSTL program to 
install SuperVGA drivers and customize refresh rates for your monitor.  
[Note that for SuperVGA adapters based on the Tseng 4000 chipset ONLY you 
may use the command SVGA MONITOR from any full screen DOS session to 
customize refresh rates for your particular monitor.] 

  
  Related information: 
  
  (2.5) Specific Hardware Recommendations 
  (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
  (5.8) Displaying Background Bitmaps 
  

(2.3) Printer Support

Will OS/2 2.1 work with my printer?  

OS/2 2.1 includes support for Hewlett-Packard LaserJets (including the 
LaserJet 4 series), DeskJets (including the new 1200C and 510 models), and 
PaintJets; IBM/Lexmark ExecJets, InkJets, Proprinters, Quickwriters, 
Quietwriters, Pageprinters, and Laserprinters; Epson dot matrix, ink jet, 
and laser printers; Postscript devices; and other printers (e.g.  Panasonic, 
Okidata) compatible with these families.  A variety of IBM and HP plotters 
(including HPGL/2 plotters) is also supported.  Drivers for NEC dot matrix 
printers and Canon laser and BubbleJet printers are now available for 
download [See (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources or contact the Canon 
Support BBS at 714-438-3325].  Most BubbleJet printers also work quite well 
with either the IBM 4072 ExecJet or IBM {{ 4070 }} InkJet driver.  If your 
printer model is not listed when you install OS/2 2.1, consult your Using 
the Operating System manual starting on Page 351 for advice.  Or check your 
printer's manual to see if the printer emulates one of the models that is 
listed.  

DOS/Windows printer drivers continue to work for DOS/Windows applications.  
OS/2 2.1 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 2.1 and OS/2 1.3 printer drivers are interchangeable in 
many cases.  

If your printer is not compatible with one of the drivers supplied with 
OS/2, check with the printer manufacturer first then with (3.2) Shareware 
and Freeware Sources.  If you own an IBM printer, check with the Lexmark BBS 
(modem 606-232-5653).  Drivers for older IBM printers (including the 
original IBM 5152 Graphics Printer) are available from (3.2) Shareware and 
Freeware Sources.  

If you are using a Postscript printer, and you are having difficulty 
printing under Win-OS/2 3.1, particularly over a network, try adding the 
following line to the Postscript section of your WIN.INI file:  

 CtrlD=0 

If you are having trouble printing generally, see the configuration advice 
in (4.1) Installation for assistance.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 (4.1) Installation 
 

(2.4) COM3 and COM4

Can I use COM3 and COM4 in OS/2?  

COM3 and COM4 are supported on most PS/2s without any additional effort.  On 
ISA, EISA, {{ PCI, }} and VESA LocalBus 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) (4,2E8,10)
 DEVICE=C:\OS2\MDOS\VCOM.SYS (3,3E8,5) (4,2E8,10)
 
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, if possible.  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.  See the OS/2 2.1 Using the Operating System manual, 
starting on Page 374, for more information on COM ports under OS/2.  If 
these efforts fail, try the SIO drivers [available from (3.2) Shareware and 
Freeware Sources].  Note that IRQ 2 is actually redirected to IRQ 9 on the 
AT bus, so use (...,...,9) in the above COM.SYS and VCOM.SYS settings if 
your serial port is set to use IRQ 2. 

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).  An adapter which provides more flexibility in 
interrupt selection [e.g.  the 16-bit model from STB; See (2.5) Specific 
Hardware Recommendations] may prove helpful.  Also, PolyCom, a replacement 
driver available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources, supports up to 
eight ports with the right hardware (Xenix-compatible multiport adapters).  

"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:  

  Company           Telephone Number 
  
  IBM (ARTIC)       (800) PS2-2227 
  Digiboard         (612) 943-9020 
  Stargate          (216) 349-1860 
  Arnet             (615) 834-8000 
  Computone         (404) 475-2725 
  Comtrol           (612) 631-7654 
  CTC Systems       (415) 966-1688 
  Equinox           (305) 255-3500 
  I-Concepts        (214) 956-7770 
  Specialix         (408) 378-7919 
  Stallion          (408) 395-5775 
  {{ Quatech        (216) 434-3154 }} 
  
  
  Related information: 
  
  (2.5) Specific Hardware Recommendations 
  (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
  

(2.5) Specific Hardware Recommendations

Are there any specific hardware recommendations?  

Here are some of the peripherals and adapters that are particularly well 
suited to OS/2.  Some true bargains are included.  Prices do not include 
shipping and handling.  

o S3-based Display Adapters.  {{ Since IBM has produced high resolution 
device drivers for video cards based on S3 chipsets, there are many S3 cards 
which work well under OS/2.  Choose one based on either the S3 801 or 928 
chipset.  Orchid, Diamond, Actix, and Number Nine all manufacture S3-based 
display adapters with varying capabilities and prices.  }} 

o Toshiba 3201 CD-ROM Drives.  {{ R.S.T.  Computer Services (phone 
603-595-8708 or FAX 603-889-5250) is selling Toshiba 3201 external CD-ROM 
drives for just $200.  These drives feature a data transfer rate of 
150K/second and an average access time of 380 ms.  }} 

o NEC CD-ROM Drives.  ITG Computers (tel.  708-259-1129 or FAX 708-259-1130) 
is selling NEC CDR-73 ($225), CDR-83 ($205), CDR-74 ($315), and CDR-84 
($295) SCSI CD-ROM drives.  The CDR-73 (external) and CDR-83 (internal) 
feature an average access time of about 350 ms and a 150K/second data 
transfer rate.  The CDR-74 (external) and CDR-84 (internal) increase the 
data transfer rate to 300K/second and add Kodak Photo CD compatibility.  
Some models are refurbished.  Or you may wish to order the CDR-37 (portable, 
caddyless, 150K/second, 450 ms, Photo CD) for just $139 from JEM (phone 
617-254-5500).  Say "Summer Sizzler" when ordering.  Finally, MPS Multimedia 
(phone 800-533-4677, 415-731-4075, or FAX 415-731-1217) sells the CDR-55 
(300K/second, 340 ms, Photo CD) for $299 (internal) or $379 (external).  

o Toshiba CD-ROM Drive.  The latest, super fast (200 ms average access time; 
300K+/second sustained data transfer rate) Toshiba CD-ROM drive, Model 
XM-3401, is available from many dealers for about $500 (internal model; 
external model is priced higher).  The Toshiba is the best choice when 
performance is critical.  

o SCSI Adapters Two good values are the Adaptec 1522 (available for $79 from 
Smart Computer Systems, tel.  510-656-6794 or FAX 510-656-6685) and the 
Future Domain 1680 (only $129 from Computability, phone 800-554-9948 or FAX 
414-357-7814).  Both are 16-bit AT bus SCSI-2 adapters with on board 
diskette controllers (which can be disabled if necessary), and both are 
supported by drivers that ship with OS/2 2.1.  Neither use DMA [see (2.6) 
More Than 16 MB RAM].  Other possibilities include the bus mastering, AT 
bus, Adaptec 1540B ($100 from Discount Electronics Trading Int'l, tel.  
619-341-1107 or FAX 619-341-2217) and the Microchannel Adaptec 1640 ($139 
from Discount Electronics Trading Int'l).  These, too, are supported by 
drivers included with OS/2 2.1 itself.  For EISA and LocalBus systems, 
consider BusLogic SCSI adapters (which come with OS/2 2.1 drivers and 
complete instructions).  

o Wangtek Tape Drives.  Super Technologies (phone 909-393-4648) offers a 
seven month warranty on several Wangtek SCSI tape drives.  The Wangtek 
5150ES (250 MB) is {{ $305, }} the 5525ES (525 MB) is $495, and the 6200HS 
(2 GB DAT) model is $650.  All will work with GTAK tape backup software [See 
(3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources] when attached to an OS/2 supported 
SCSI adapter.  

o 16550AFN Buffered UART Serial Port Adapters.  Improves high speed serial 
communications performance.  Price:  $35 for a two port adapter from 
Zero-One Networking (phone {{ 800-255-4101 }} or 714-693-0808).  Ask about 
adapters with parallel ports.  

o Four Port 16550AFN Buffered UART Serial Adapter.  The STB 4-COM adapter is 
available for $110 delivered by calling 800-735-5266 Ext.  64 {{ (or 
919-286-1502 Ext.  40).  }} The 16-bit STB adapter provides four buffered 
serial ports, each with an independently selectable interrupt and address.  
IRQs above 7 are supported for each port.  Up to two of these adapters may 
be installed in the same system (for up to eight buffered serial ports).  
Four six inch 8-pin DIN to DB9 male converter cables are supplied.  Fifteen 
month manufacturer's warranty and free technical support from STB.  

o Creative Labs SoundBlaster.  Original (Revision 2.0), Pro, and 16ASP 
models are available from many suppliers and provide audio output for OS/2 
multimedia applications.  The original SoundBlaster ($50; confirm Revision 
2.0 or later; speakers $5 extra) and SoundBlaster Pro ($90 with free 
speakers) are available from Stata (tel.  510-656-9848 or FAX 510-656-9891).  

o IBM M-Audio Adapter.  Available in either AT bus or Microchannel models 
for the same price.  Provides compact disc quality audio reproduction and 

[End of Part 1 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!
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>
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[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!
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!usc!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 (3 of 4)
Message-ID: <1993Nov22.214008.8141@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 21:40:08 GMT
Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu
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Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu comp.os.os2.misc:85651 comp.os.os2.apps:25999 news.answers:14980 comp.answers:2741

Archive-name: os2-faq/user/part3
Version: 2.1D

[Part 3 of 4]

     0001           Debug exception 
     0002           Non Maskable Interrupt (usually memory parity error) 
     0003           Breakpoint (one byte INT 3 instruction) 
     0004           Overflow 
     0005           Bounds check (BOUND instruction) 
     0006           Invalid opcode 
     0007           Coprocessor not available 
     0008           Double fault 
     0009           (Reserved) 
     000A           Invalid TSS 
     000B           Segment not present 
     000C           Stack exception 
     000D           General protection 
     000E           Page fault 
     000F           (Reserved) 
     0010           Coprocessor error 
     0011-001F      (Reserved) 
     0020-00FF      Available for external interrupts via INTR pin 

o For the technically advanced user who wishes to install a secondary 
diskette controller (provided it uses a separate DMA channel, IRQ, and I/O 
address), the following parameters are available for the 
BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD line in CONFIG.SYS:  

     Parameter   Description 
     /MCA        Load on Microchannel machine 
     /A:x        Adapter ID (where x is 0 or 1) 
     /IRQ:x      Interrupt level (where x is a number) 
     /DMA:x      DMA channel (where x is a number) 
     /P:hhhh     Controller I/O address (hhhh) 
     /U:x        Drive number (where x is 0 to 3) 
     /F:ccc      Drive capacity (where ccc is 360KB to 2.88MB) 
     /CL:tttt    Changeline type (where tttt is NONE, AT, or PS2) 
     /SPEC:hh    Controller specify bytes (hh) 

    Example: 
    
    BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD /A:0 /DMA:3 /IRQ:10 /P:370 /U:0 /F:360KB
    
  
  
  Related information: 
  
  (2.1)  Hardware Requirements 
  (2.2)   SuperVGA Support 
  (3.2)  Shareware and Freeware Sources 
  (4.6)  Corrective Service Diskettes 
  (4.10) Problem Report Form 
  

(4.2) Installing from Drive B

I can't install OS/2 2.1 from Drive B. What's wrong?  

IBM OS/2 2.1 can only be installed starting from Drive A, like DOS (unless 
your BIOS supports booting from Drive B).  After booting from Drive A, OS/2 
can then be copied from CD-ROM or across a network.  (For more information 
on installation across a network, see Remote Installation and Maintenance, 
IBM Publication No.  GG24-3780.  Related publications include Automated 
Installation for CID Enabled OS/2 2.0, IBM Pub.  No.  GG24-3783, and 
Automated Installation for CID Enabled Extended Services, LAN Server 3.0 and 
Network Transport Services/2, IBM Pub.  No.  GG24-3781.)  If you have the 
wrong disk size go back to your dealer and obtain the correct media.  
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 [See (3.2) Shareware 
and Freeware Sources and download INS21L.ZIP if your diskette labels are 
blue or INS21M.ZIP if your diskette labels are salmon] to boot from a 5.25 
inch Drive A and install using 3.5 inch OS/2 diskettes inserted into Drive 
B. This procedure should only be used if absolutely necessary.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 (4.1) Installation 
 

(4.3) Hard Disk Partitioning

What is the best way to partition my hard disk for OS/2?  

There is no single best way to partition your hard disk for OS/2.  For some 
advice on the subject you should consult the IBM OS/2 Installation and 
Planning Guide, available for download from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware 
Sources, and the OS/2 Installation Guide in the OS/2 package.  

It can be useful to place OS/2 by itself in a separate partition of about 40 
or 50 MB.  If you then elect to experiment with beta releases of OS/2, you 
can reformat that particular partition quite easily to erase all old code.  
The swap file can be placed on another partition; its location is determined 
by the SWAPPATH line in CONFIG.SYS.  

Partitioning should be performed by booting the OS/2 Installation Disk.  
Executing FDISK from the command line will not allow certain functions to be 
performed.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (1.5) High Performance File System 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 

(4.4) Starting OS/2 from Diskette (and CHKDSK)

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 2.1, 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.  OS/2 CHKDSK will 
also mark your hard disk as accessible, if possible, should OS/2 "lock it 
out" for some reason.  It will also allow Workplace Shell drive objects to 
open properly if they are not functioning correctly.  Repeat twice for each 
drive letter you wish to check and/or repair.  

"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 BOOTOS2; See (3.2) Shareware and Freeware 
Sources] 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.)  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (1.5) High Performance File System 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 

(4.5) Technical Support

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.porting helps 
programmers move applications over to OS/2 from other operating systems and 
environments, comp.os.os2.programmer.misc addresses anything else related to 
OS/2 programming, comp.os.os2.beta explores beta releases of OS/2, 
comp.os.os2.ver1x supports all releases of OS/2 prior to Version 2.0, 
comp.os.os2.announce carries important OS/2 announcements, comp.os.os2.bugs 
discusses possible bugs found in released versions of the operating system, 
comp.os.os2.multimedia fosters conversation about OS/2 multimedia (including 
MMPM/2), comp.os.os2.setup offers a place to talk about setup and 
installation issues, 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.  

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) has a dedicated channel (#os/2) which provides 
round-the-clock, real time OS/2 support and information thanks to the 
efforts of several volunteers.  If you are not familiar with IRC, ask your 
system administrator for help.  

The latest IBM AIX, RS/6000, and OS/2 related product announcements are now 
available via Internet anonymous ftp from ibminet.awdpa.ibm.com 
(192.35.233.1) in directory /pub/announcements.  

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 [See (3.6) Multimedia] mailing list, send a single 
line message with the phrase SUBSCRIBE MMOS2-L (Your Name) to 
mail-server@knex.via.mind.org.  

Your local FidoNet BBS may carry OS/2 echo conferences and/or OS2NET.  If 
not, ask your system operator to join them.  CompuServe (FIND OS/2), 
Smartnet (an international network of PCBoard BBSes), and Prodigy {{ (JUMP 
OS/2 CLUB) }} are also excellent resources.  

The IBM PC Co.  BBS 's (modem 919-517-0001) message areas, product database, 
and PS/2 Assistant file(s) are invaluable resources.  Information on the IBM 
OS/2 BBS is included in the OS/2 2.1 package.  In the United States IBM has 
toll free technical support (phone 800-992-4777), an OS/2 Hotline (general 
information, orders, upgrades, phone 800-3-IBM-OS2; ask about OS/2 
videotapes, T-shirts, and other accessories), the HelpWare Center (phone 
800-PS2-2227), a software order line (phone 800-IBM-CALL), and two FAX 
information services (phone 800-IBM-4FAX and/or 800-IBM-3395).  In Canada 
phone IBM Personal Systems Software at 800-465-1234.  

OS/2 2.1 developers should contact the IBM Developer Assistance Program 
(phone 407-982-6408); membership is free.  (You may also join on CompuServe 
with GO OS2DAP.  {{ IBM's DAP can also be reached by Internet mail at 
wwdap@vnet.ibm.com.)  }} The OS/2 Developer's Connection CD-ROM, containing 
a wide selection of development tools and code, is available from IBM (phone 
{{ 800-6-DEVCON to order in the United States; in Canada, phone 
800-561-5293; in Europe, phone 45-3-252-6588 or FAX 45-3-252-8203; 
elsewhere, phone 61-2-354-7684 or FAX 61-2-354-7766.)  }} The OS/2 Device 
Driver Source Kit CD-ROM is also now available from IBM, Part No.  71G3703.  
To order phone 1-407-982-4239 (FAX 1-407-982-4218) in North America and 
Europe, 61-2-354-7684 (FAX 61-2-354-7766) in most of the Far East and 
Pacific Rim, 81-3-5563-5897 (FAX 81-3-5563-4957) in Japan, 81-2-528-1548 
(FAX 82-2-528-1414) in Korea, or 52-627-1846 (FAX 52-395-7812) in Latin 
America.  

IBM offers classes worldwide to help in using and programming OS/2 2.1; 
phone your local IBM branch office (or the OS/2 Hotline) for more 
information.  Or contact one of these third party providers of classes and 
training materials:  

  Company                                 Telephone 
  Acumen People and Productivity          61-3-853-6662 
  Adaptive Research and Design            305-889-0070 
  Adar International                      212-750-5820 
  Allied Computer Service                 Singapore 2948741 
  AOSI                                    415-586-3454 
  Applied Learning                        708-369-3000 
  ATI                                     310-823-1129 
  Ron Beauchemin                          203-285-5896 
  Bell and Associates                     61-2-953-7619 
  Broadway and Seymour                    800-274-9287 
  Chapman and Associates                  714-831-4442 
  Charles Hatvany and Associates          617-648-4100 
  CIE                                     800-882-3981 
  Computer Information Associates         708-766-4677 
  Computer Training Center                901-753-9706 
  CompuTrainers                           212-984-0522 
  Comsell                                 404-872-2500 
  Creative Systems Programming            609-234-1500 
  David Bernstein Company                 206-282-8711 
  Denenfeld Systems Design                519-396-8088 
  Descriptor Systems                      319-362-3906 
  Development Technologies                803-790-1234 
  Edutrends                               201-838-6700 
  Chris Eldridge Pty Ltd.                 61-2-016-289-093 
  Electronic Directions                   212-213-6500 
  Fermier Consulting and Education        817-481-4966 
  Future Enterprises                      202-662-7676 
  Gateway Technologies Corp.              203-693-1097 
  Hailey Griffin Corp.                    416-475-4200 
  Huffman and Associates                  805-461-1053 
  Iconisys                                805-522-8863 
  InfoLink Solutions                      404-876-1512 
  Infotec Training Institute              800-282-7990 
  Instruction Set                         617-890-4930 
  Instructional Systems Co.               212-477-8800 
  Instructware                            800-267-0101 
  iQ Training Systems                     44-71-613-5771 
  IS International                        407-994-4373 
  JRT Information Services                407-547-0178 
  Jensen Enterprises                      616-429-9599 
  Kee Systems                             301-880-0880 
  Kemtex Services                         212-661-5770 
  Knowhow Solutions                       61-2-955-9592 
  Dr. Michael S. Kogan                    904-246-8341 
  Logical Operations                      716-482-7700 
  Management Technology Education         61-2-261-5555 
                                          61-3-629-5811 
                                          61-7-840-9248 
                                          61-8-231-3048 
                                          61-9-324-1142 
  Mannix Enterprises                      914-229-8109 
  Mentor Technologies                     614-265-3170 
  Microtransfer                           44-869-50340 
  Minasi and Company                      703-276-8940 
  Object Management Laboratory            818-879-9620 
  One on One Computer Training            708-628-0500 
  One Up Corp.                            214-620-1123 
  PC Dialogs                              212-663-3459 
  PC Etcetera                             212-736-5870 
  PCLC                                    212-953-9800 
  Professional Development Assoc.         Singapore 2272883 
  Pinnacle Technology                     918-455-2520 
  Productivity Point International        800-848-0980 
  Productivity Solutions                  215-631-5685 
  Professional Development Assoc.         44-71-706-3744 
  Progressive Software Technologies       303-932-2051 
  QED Information Sciences                800-343-4848 
  Rockey and Assoc.                       215-640-4880 
  SCS Computer Consulting                 718-321-1572 
  Kenneth E. Sanger                       914-948-8496 
  SE International                        407-241-3428 
  Sims Software Technology                415-731-2222 
  Software Education Corp.                908-946-0606 
  Software Paradise                       44-222-887521 
  Soza & Company                          703-560-9477 
  Stratemm Pacific Ltd.                   New Zealand 07-578-5100 
  Testek                                  207-539-8825 
  Touchstone Systems Group                312-263-1444 
  User View                               612-331-7212 
  ViaGrafix U.S.                          918-825-6700 
  VisGrafix Australia                     61-9-417-3178 
  Wave Technologies Training              214-650-9283 
  William H. Zack & Assoc.                203-255-2979 
  Worthman & Assoc.                       303-290-9700 
  
For a free copy of the IBM IV League catalog (with OS/2 books, videotapes, 
and other support materials), phone 800-342-6672.  For more information on 
the IBM IV (Independent Vendor) League, an organization of individuals and 
companies who develop and market products and services that support OS/2, 
call 203-262-3769 or 203-262-3776.  You may also dial the IV League BBS at 
203-380-8264.  

If you need to reach any individual at IBM, but you do not know that 
person's direct telephone number, call the IBM Switchboard at 800-IBM-3333.  
If you need to send electronic mail to any IBM employee who is reachable via 
the Internet, but you do not know that employee's address, try sending a 
message to nic@vnet.ibm.com with a Subject line that reads whois Smith, John 
(replacing Smith, John with the last name and first name of the person you 
are trying to reach).  Leave the body of the message empty.  

See (4.9) Books and Magazines for information on OS/2 publications.  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 2.1.  

  
  Related information: 
  
  (1.3)  DOS and Windows Compatibility 
  (3.2)  Shareware and Freeware Sources 
  (3.6)  Multimedia
  (4.8)  User Groups 
  (4.9)  Books and Magazines 
  (4.10) Problem Report Form 
  

(4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes

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

CSDs are Corrective Service Diskettes, or bug fixes (Service Paks), 
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 2.0 up to 
Version 2.1.  Note also that each national language (e.g.  French, U.K.  
English) uses a distinct CSD.  

{{ CSDs may be ordered by phoning 800-494-3044.  Customers with IBM customer 
numbers (usually large sites) should order through IBMLink.  }} Outside the 
United States, ask an authorized IBM dealer or representative for the CSD.  
CSDs may also be downloaded from the IBM PC Co.  BBS (modem 919-517-0001), 
CompuServe (FIND OS/2), or from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources.  And 
CSDs may be ordered through IBM's OS/2 BBS.  

The latest, current OS/2 2.1 CSD level will be listed in this List and in 
the PS/2 Assistant files.  At present there is no Service Pak for OS/2 2.1.  
{{ A second Service Pak, Level XR06100, has been released for OS/2 2.0.  }} 

 
 Related information: 
 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 

(4.7) Online Services

Which online services support OS/2, and how do I join?  

IBM's official non-IBM online service for OS/2 user and developer support is 
CompuServe (FIND OS/2).  In the United States you can obtain a free 
introductory CompuServe membership by calling 800-524-3388 and asking for 
Representative 239.  

IBM maintains an unofficial presence on many other networks.  For 
information on the Internet consult one of the many books describing the 
network.  One example:  The Whole Internet by Ed Krol, O'Reilly & Associates 
(phone 707-829-0515), ISBN 1-56592-025-2.  Once you start using the Internet 
you should peruse the information files posted to the news.answers newsgroup 
to familiarize yourself with Internet resources.  

The OS/2 Roundtable (Page 1400, Keyword OS2) has opened on GEnie.  To 
subscribe to GEnie, set your communications software to half duplex and 
either 1200 or 2400 bps then have your modem dial 800-638-8369 (800-387-8330 
in Canada).  Upon connection, type HHH and press RETURN.  At the U#= prompt 
type SIGNUP and press RETURN, then follow the directions given.  

{{ Delphi not only provides full access to the Internet (GO INT), but there 
is also a dedicated OS/2 forum (GO CUS 41) available on the service.  The 
base rate is only $20 for 20 hours of access per month.  To sign up for 
Delphi's five hour free trial and save the $19 signup fee (if you end up 
joining permanently), (1) call 800-695-4002 with your modem; (2) at the 
CONNECT message press ENTER a couple times; (3) at the USERNAME prompt type 
JOINDELPHI and press ENTER; (4) at the PASSWORD prompt type CUSTOM41 and 
press ENTER; (5) follow the instructions to sign up for the service.  (Your 
five free hours expire at the end of the calendar month you sign up for 
Delphi, so you probably will not want to sign up at the end of the month 
unless you use the free time right away.)  }} 

See (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources, (4.5) Technical Support, and 
(4.11) OS/2 BBSes for information on other online services with high OS/2 
content.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (3.2)  Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 (4.5)  Technical Support 
 (4.11) OS/2 BBSes 
 

(4.8) User Groups

Are there any OS/2 user groups?  

The following OS/2 user groups meet regularly:  
      
      Northeast Ohio (Akron) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Garey Smiley (phone 216-630-3565)
      
      {{ Alaska Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box 240945, Anchorage, AK, 99524 }}
      
      {{ Fox Valley (Appleton, Wisconsin) Tech. Clg. PCUG, OS/2 SIG
      Contact: 1825 N. Bluemound Dr., Appleton, WI, 54913 }}
      
      {{ OS/2 User Group for Northern Arizona 
      Contact: Keith Wood (1448 E. Maricopa, Cottonwood, AZ, 86326) }}
      
      Atlanta OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Robert Cannon (phone 404-908-2121)
      
      {{ Central Texas (Austin) PCUG, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: John Dierdorf (8109 Greenslope, Austin, TX, 78759) }}
      
      {{ Styrian OS/2 User Group (Austria)
      Contact: Vogelweiderstrasse 6, Graz, 8010 }}
      
      Spanish OS/2 User Group (Barcelona)
      Contact: Miguel Cruz (phone 34-1-683-33-75)
      
      Baton Rouge OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: David Arbour (phone 504-753-9637)
      
      {{ Bay Area (California) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Guy Scharf (Software Architects, 2163 Jardin Dr., Mountain
           View, CA, 94040) }}
      
      {{ Central Jersey (Bayville) PCUG, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Peter Cohen (306 Ryan Ave., Bayville, NJ, 08721) }}
      
      {{ Golden Triangle PC Club, OS/2 SIG (Beaumont, Texas)
      Contact: Ira Wilsker (5770 Clint Ln., Beaumont, TX, 77713) }}
      
      {{ Boston Computer Society, OS/2 Users' Group 
      Contact: Marcia Gulesian (1073 Main St., Concord, MA, 01742) }}
      
      {{ OS/2 Working Group GUIDE (Belgium)
      Contact: Karel Van der Haegen, KU Leuven - DTEW, Dekenstraat,
           2, Leuven, B-3000 }}
      
      {{ South Florida (Boca Raton) OS/2 User's Group 
      Contact: Doug Azzarito (2399 NW 30th Rd., Boca Raton, FL, 33431) }}
      
      {{ MIT OS/2 Technical Users' Group (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
      Contact: MIT Room 38-591, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139 }}
      
      {{ Champaign-Urbana (Illinois) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Sean Chou (phone 217-367-3424) }}
      
      {{ Channel Islands (California) PC Users' Group, OS/2 Corner 
      Contact: P.O. Box 1213, Camarillo, CA, 93011 }}
      
      Charlotte (North Carolina) OS/2 Users Group 
      {{ Contact: Steve Riley (phone 919-469-7261) }}
      
      {{ Chattanooga (Tennessee) OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Steve Harris (TVA MP 3B-C, 1101 Market St.,
           Chattanooga, TN, 37401) }}
      
      {{ Assoc. of PC Professionals, OS/2 SIG (Cherry Hill, New Jersey)
      Contact: Nick Cvetkovic (808 Richard Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ, 08034) }}
      
      North Suburban Chicago OS/2 User's Group 
      Contact: James Schmidt (phone 708-317-7405)
      
      Greater Chicago OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Lisa Der Mateosian (phone 312-245-6418)
      
      West Suburban Chicago OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Dwight Cannon (phone 708-742-0700 ext. 2170)
      
      {{ Christchurch (New Zealand) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: P.O. Box 3712, Christchurch, 8001 }}
      
      {{ Team OS/2 Cincinnati Users Group 
      Contact:Kevin Royalty (11460 Mill Rd., Cincinnati, OH, 45240) }}
      
      {{ Inland Empire OS/2 Users Group (Claremont, California)
      Contact: Scot Gould (Keck Sci. Ctr., 925 N. Mills Ave.,
           Claremont, CA, 91711) }}
      
      {{ Gateway/2 OS/2 Users Group (Clayton, Missouri)
      Contact: John Kelley (P.O. Box 11583, Clayton, MO, 63105) }}
      
      {{ Pinellas IBM PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG (Clearwater, Florida)
      Contact: Michael Grogg (1510 Barry St. #J2, Clearwater, FL, 34616) }}
      
      {{ Greater Cleveland PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Charlie Sweet (Society Nat'l Bank, 127 Public Sq.,
           Cleveland, OH, 44114) }}
      
      {{ CWRU (Cleveland) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Douglas Bell (2585 Euclid Heights Blvd. #1, Cleveland,
           OH, 44104) }}
      
      {{ Space Coast PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG (Cocoa, Florida)
      Contact: P.O. Box 369, Cocoa, FL, 32923 }}
      
      {{ Texas A&M OS/2 Users Group (College Sta., Texas)
      Contact: Christopher Menegay (Dept. Computer Sci., Texas A&M Univ.,
           College Sta., TX, 77843) }}
      
      Old (Colorado Springs) Colorado Inf. Svcs. OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Robert Woeger (phone 719-471-8306)
      
      Mid Missouri (Columbia) OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Woody Sturges (BBS 314-446-0016)
      
      {{ Central Maryland (Columbia) Micro Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: 9337 Angelina Circle, Columbia, MD, 21045 }}
      
      {{ Palmetto PC Club, OS/2 User Group (Columbia, South Carolina)
      Contact: Paul Beverly (P.O. Box 10, Columbia, SC, 29202) }}
      
      {{ Columbus (Ohio) Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: David Jackson (IBM Corp., 140 E. Town St., Columbus,
           OH, 43216) }}
      
      Copenhagen OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Erik Maaloe (phone 45-33-91-68-06, FAX 45-33-32-03-84)
      
      {{ Dallas/Ft. Worth OS/2 User's Group 
      Contact: Toby Pennycuff (1211 Wilshire Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76012) }}
      
      {{ Danbury (Connecticut) Area Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: 12 Noteworthy Dr., Danbury, CT, 06810 }}
      
      {{ Dayton (Ohio) Microcomputer Assoc., OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Donald Purnhagen (4030 Backview Ct., Dayton, OH, 45424) }}
      
      Denver OS/2 User's Group 
      Contact: Ronald Van Iwaarden (BBS 303-744-0373)
      
      {{ Des Moines (Iowa) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Bob Wruck (12824 NW 127th Ct., Des Moines, IA, 50325) }}
      
      {{ Pennsylvania (Dresher) Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Bill Wolff (836 Redgate Rd., Dresher, PA, 19025) }}
      
      {{ Southwest Int'l PC Club, OS/2 SIG (El Paso, Texas)
      Contact: Andrew Gnoza (P.O. Box 10125, El Paso, TX, 79992) }}
      
      Computer Users of Erie (Pennsylvania) OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Tom Kuklinski (phone 814-866-5396)
      
      {{ Delta DOS User's Group, OS/2 SIG (Escanaba, Michigan)
      Contact: Dr. John Faughnan (Clg. of Human Med., 2500 7th Ave.
           South #120, Escanaba, MI, 49829) }}
      
      {{ Fort Lauderdale (Flordia) Computer Users' Group, SIG-32
      Contact: Steve Matus (8461 NW 31st Pl., Sunrise, FL, 33351) }}
      
      Fort Wayne OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Stephen Gutknecht (phone 219-484-0062)
      
      {{ Fresno PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box 5987, Fresno, CA, 93755 }}
      
      {{ OS/2 User Group Deutschland 
      Contact: Heide Davis (PC & PR GmbH, Kolner Strasse 51,
           Mechernich-Kommern, D-5353) }}
      
      {{ Hagerstown (Maryland) Computer Club, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Eric Erickson (12 W. Magnolia Ave., Hagerstown, MD, 21742) }}
      
      {{ Atlantic OS/2 Users Group (Halifax)
      Contact: Omkar Atwal (IBM Canada Ltd., 1969 Upper Water St.,
           11th Flr., Purdy's Wharf II, Halifax, NS, B3J 3R7) }}
      
      {{ Hilton Head Island Computer Club, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Harry Skevington (16 Forest Dr., Hilton Head Island,
           SC, 29928) }}
      
      {{ Holland User Group OS/2 (HUGO)
      Contact: Paul Van Keep (Lange Kerkdam 113, Wassenaar, BT, 2242) }}
      
      {{ Houston Area League of PC Users, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Odis Wooten (1200 Post Oak #106, Houston, TX, 77056) }}
      
      Indianapolis OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Jay Schultz (phone 317-634-8080)
      
      {{ Kansas City (Missouri) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Dan Cox (phone 913-829-7300) }}
      
      {{ East Tennessee (Knoxville) PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Arnold Sprague (808 Fairfield Dr., Knoxville, TN, 37919) }}
      
      {{ NEPA/2 (Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania)
      Contact: R.L. Frank (RR 6, Box 779, Lake Ariel, PA, 18436) }}
      
      {{ Users' PC Organization, OS/2 SIG (Lansing, Michigan)
      Contact: P.O. Box 80086, Lansing, MI, 48908 }}
      
      Las Vegas OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Karu Karunaratne (phone 702-435-0018, BBS 702-433-5535)
      
      {{ Lincoln (Nebraska) OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Robert Peinado (IBM Corp., 1111 Lincoln Mall, 4th Flr.,
           Lincoln, NE, 68508) }}
      
      {{ London (Ontario) OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: John Roesner (c/o Links Custom, 1000 Pond Mills Rd., London,
           ON, N6N 1A2) }}
      
      {{ Long Beach (California) IBM Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: 4176 Woodruff Ave., Suite 517, Long Beach, CA, 90713 }}
      
      Long Island OS/2 User's Group 
      Contact: Jeffrey Altman (phone 516-466-5495)
      
      Los Angeles OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Paul Duncanson (phone 805-584-6721)
      
      {{ Greater South Bay PCUG, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Fred Zimble (355 S. Grand Ave., 22nd Flr., Los Angeles,
           CA, 90071) }}
      
      {{ Kentucky-Indiana PCUG, OS/2 SIG (Louisville)
      Contact: P.O. Box 3564, Louisville, KY, 40201 }}
      
      {{ Madison (Wisconsin) PC User's Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box 2598, Madison, WI, 53701 }}
      
      {{ Central Florida (Maitland) Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box 948019, Maitland, FL, 32794 }}
      
      {{ New Hampshire (Marlow) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Frank Richards (P.O. Box 71, Marlow, NH, 03456) }}
      
      {{ Melbourne PC User Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: 66 Albert Road, 2nd Floor, S. Melbourne, Victoria, 3205 }}
      
      {{ Memphis PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box 241756, Memphis, TN, 38124 }}
      
      {{ Miami OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: 8780 SW 82nd St., Miami, FL, 33173 }}
      
      {{ Milwaukee Area IBM PCUG, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box 2121, Milwaukee, WI, 53201 }}
      
      Minnesota OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Marcus Krumpholz (phone 612-869-7956, BBS 612-379-8272)
      
      Montreal OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Gilbert Daigle (phone 514-923-9964)
      
      {{ Music City (Nashville) PC User Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Alan Ashendorf (488 Saddle Dr., Nashville, TN, 37221) }}
      
      New England OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Dave Pinard (phone 203-954-1872)
      
      {{ Oklahoma City PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box 12027, Oklahoma City, OK, 73157 }}
      
      {{ Omaha (Nebraska) OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Finis Cook (IBM Corp., 450 Regency Pkwy., Omaha, NE,
           68114) }}
      
      {{ Orange County IBM PCUG, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box 1779, Brea, CA, 92622 }}
      
      {{ North Orange County (California) Computer Club, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box 3616, Orange, CA, 92665 }}
      
      {{ Central Florida (Orlando) Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Bill Vermillion (mail bill@bilver.oau.org) }}
      
      {{ Ottawa (Ontario) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Evan Champion (phone 613-523-6844) }}
      
      {{ Kawartha Computer Club (Peterborough, Ontario), OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Neil Eaton (1304 Clonsilla Ave., Peterborough, ON,
           K9J 5Z2) }}
      
      {{ Philadelphia Area Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Larry Lavins (phone 215-878-9608) }}
      
      {{ Delaware Valley (Philadelphia) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: P.O. Box 784, Philadelphia, PA, 19105 }}
      
      Phoenix PC Users' Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Bill Schindler (phone 602-222-8511)
      
      {{ Pittsburgh OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Nick Vucich (IBM Corp., 4 Allegheny Ctr., 6th Flr.,
           Pittsburgh, PA, 15212) }}
      
      {{ Central Wisconsin (Plover) Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Joe Mangal (3440 Evergreen Dr. #4, Plover, WI, 54467) }}
      
      {{ Portland (Oregon) PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: 921 SW Morrison, Suite 545, Portland, OR, 97205 }}
      
      {{ Utah Valley (Provo) PC User Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Neil Wagstaff (P.O. Box 233, Provo, UT, 84606) }}
      
      Triangle (Raleigh, North Carolina) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Steve Gallagher (phone 919-254-5637)
      
      Regina OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: P. Takis Skagos (3438 Keohan Cr., Regina, SK, S4V 1J5) }}
      
      {{ Richmond (Virginia) PC User's Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box 17068, Richmond, VA, 23226 }}
      
      {{ Frog Computer Society, OS/2 SIG (Rochester, New York)
      Contact: Nick Francesco (321 Executive Office Bldg., Rochester,
           NY, 14614) }}
      
      {{ Rockland (New York) PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: H. Stanley Smith (9 Chestnut Grove Court, New City, NY,
           10956) }}
      
      {{ Russian OS/2 User Group (ROSUG)
      Contact: Dr. Levon K. Amdilyan (Proyezd Serova, 4, Znanie Bldg.,
           Moscow, 101813) }}
      
      Sacramento OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Charlie Kotan (phone 916-641-4007)
      
      {{ Utah (Salt Lake City) Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Bill Harris (P.O. Box 510811, Salt Lake City, UT, 84151) }}
      
      {{ Alamo PC Organization, OS/2 SIG (San Antonio, Texas)
      Contact: P.O. Box 65180, San Antonio, TX, 78265 }}
      
      San Diego OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Craig Swanson (BBS 619-558-9475)
      
      Bay Area (San Francisco) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Sanford Rockowitz (phone 415-755-3124)
      
      {{ San Jose IBM PC Club, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact:Chris Martin (F63/099, IBM AdStaR, 555 Bailey Ave., San
           Jose, CA, 95141) }}
      
      {{ San Leandro (California) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Gerald Brown (World Savings & Loan, 794 Davis St.,
           San Leandro, CA, 94577) }}
      
      {{ Groupe des Utilisateurs d'OS/2 de l'Estrie
      Contact: Francois Menard (P.O. Box 142, Sherbrooke, Quebec,
           J1H 5H8) }}
      
      {{ Sierra Vista (Arizona) IBM PC UG, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Kevin McCrory (4931 Loma Loop, Sierra Vista, AZ, 85635) }}
      
      Singapore (NUS) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: N. Sriram (Internet: swknasri@nuscc.nus.sg)
      
      {{ Central Illinois OS/2 Users Group (Springfield)
      Contact: Britt Hagen (IHCCCC, 516 E. Monroe, Suite 200, Springfield,
           IL, 62701) }}
      
      {{ Sydney PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: P.O. Box E162, St. James, Sydney, NSW, 2000 }}
      
      {{ Central New York (Syracuse) PC Users Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Stewart Davis (4760 Broad Rd., Syracuse, NY, 13215) }}
      
      Tampa Bay OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Paul Wylie (phone 813-786-4567)
      
      {{ Usuarios de OS/2
      Contact: Tulio Enrique Tercero (GBM de Honduras, APDO 310,
           Tegucigalpa) }}
      
      {{ Toronto OS/2 Sysops (TorontOS/2)
      Contact: John Chamberlain (126 Celest Dr., Scarborough, ON,
           M1E 2V1) }}
      
      {{ OS/2 Corporate Focus Group (Toronto)
      Contact: George Oliver (Royal Bank of Canada, 315 Front St.
           West, Toronto, ON, M5V 3A4) }}
      
      {{ Tucson Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: John Aucott (P.O. Box 1489, Tucson, AZ, 85702) }}
      
      {{ Tulsa (Oklahoma) Computer Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Don Singleton (3311 S. 127 E. Pl., Tulsa, OK, 74146) }}
      
      International OS/2 User Group (based in the U.K.)
      Contact: Mike Gove (phone +44(0)285-641175 or FAX +44(0)285-640181)
      
      {{ Kharkov (Ukraine) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: 47 Lenin Ave., Inst. for Low Temp. Physics & Engineering,
           Kharkov, 310164 }}
      
      {{ Vancouver PC Users' Society, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: Jonathan Story (P.O. Box 12, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2L8) }}
      
      {{ Victoria ( British Columbia) OS/2 LAN Users Group 
      Contact: Tracey Kerr (IBM Canada Ltd., 1803 Douglas St., 2nd Flr.,
           Victoria, BC, V8T 5C3) }}
      
      {{ Greater Victoria (British Columbia) PC User's Assoc.,
           Multitasking SIG
      Contact: P.O. Box 5309, Station B, Victoria, BC, V8R 6S4 }}
      
      {{ Mid-Atlantic OS/2 User Group (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
      Contact:1478 Petite Court, Virginia Beach, VA, 23451 }}
      
      {{ Capital (Washington, DC) PC User Group, OS/2 SIG 
      Contact: 51 Monroe St., Plaza East 2, Rockville, MD, 20850 }}
      
      {{ Waterloo (Ontario) OS/2 User's Group 
      Contact: Ian Johnston (mail idjohnst@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca }}
      
      Wellington (New Zealand) OS/2 Users' Group 
      Contact: Andrew McMillian (phone 801-4764 days, 233-9123 evenings)
      
      Westchester (New York) OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Patrick Pearce (phone 914-762-8950)
      
      {{ Winnipeg OS/2 User Group 
      Contact: Paul Marcino (P.O. Box 2914, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4B5) }}
      
      {{ Winston-Salem (North Carolina) OS/2 Users Group 
      Contact: Steve Gallagher (phone 919-254-2238) }}
      
[OS/2 user groups:  please send information on your group to the author.  
See (0.0) Introduction and Credits.] See (6.1) Promoting OS/2 for 
information on IBM assistance to OS/2 user groups.  

  
  Related information: 
  
  (0.0) Introduction and Credits 
  (4.5) Technical Support 
  (6.1) Promoting OS/2
  

(4.9) Books and Magazines

What OS/2 books and magazines are available?  

OS/2 has its own magazines:  OS/2 Developer Magazine (phone 800-WANT-OS2 or 
708-647-5960, FAX 708-647-0537), OS/2 Monthly (mail 
72550.2440@compuserve.com or phone 800-365-2642), Inside OS/2 (phone 
502-491-1900), OS/2 Professional (phone 301-770-7302), {{ OS/2 Magazine 
(Miller-Freeman; write 600 Harrison St., San Francisco, CA, 94104, U.S.A.), 
}} and the OS/2 Newsletter (phone 714-495-3757).  

Many OS/2 2.x books can be ordered by calling IBM Fulfillment Headquarters 
at 800-342-6672.  Or you may obtain OS/2 books through most computer book 
sellers.  

Here are just a few of the OS/2 2.x books available, with ISBN and IBM 
Publication Number, if available:  

o Designing OS/2 Applications, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 0-471-58889-X, IBM 
Publication No.  SC28-2701.  

o Easy OS/2, QUE, ISBN 1-56529-145-X.  

o The Little Book of OS/2:  2.1 Edition, Peachpit Press.  

o Micro Focus COBOL/2 Workbench for the Application Developer, QED.  

o OS/2 for Non-Nerds, New Riders, ISBN 1-56205-153-9, IBM Pub.  No.  
SR28-4319.  

o OS/2 Inside & Out (2.1), Osborne McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-07-881871-0.  

o OS/2 2.x Notebook:  The Best of OS/2 Developer Magazine, Van Nostrand 
Reinhold, ISBN 0-442-01522-4, IBM Pub.  No.  G362-0015.  

o OS/2 2.1 Complete, Abacus.  

o OS/2 2.1 Programming, Osborne McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-07-881910-5.  

o OS/2 2.1 Unleashed, Sams, ISBN 0-672-30240-3, IBM Pub.  No.  SR28-4318.  

o The Shell Collection:  OS/2 2.1 Utilities, Van Nostrand Reinhold.  

o Stepping Up to OS/2 2.1, Abacus, ISBN 1-55755-185-5.  

o Ten-Minute Guide to OS/2 2.1, Alpha, ISBN 1-56761-185-0, IBM Pub.  No.  
SR28-4322.  

o Using OS/2 2.1:  Special Edition, QUE, ISBN 1-56529-118-2, IBM Pub.  No.  
SR28-4317.  

o Your OS/2 Consultant, Sams, ISBN 0-672-30317-5.  

o Advanced OS/2 for Programming Managers, John Wiley & Sons.  

o Dvorak's Guide to OS/2, Random House.  

o OS/2 for Dummies (2.1), IDG, ISBN 1-878058-76-2.  

o OS/2 Instant Reference Book, Sybex.  

o The OS/2 2.1 User's Bible, Abacus.  

o OS/2 2.1 Power User's Guide, Van Nostrand Reinhold.  

o Real-World Programming for OS/2, Sams.  

o Learn OS/2 in a Day, Wordware Publishing.  

o Micro Focus CICS Option:  Developing CICS Applications on the PC, QED.  

o OS/2:  The Workplace Shell, A User's Guide & Tutorial for Release 2.1, 
Computer Information Associates.  

o PC Learning Labs Teaches OS/2, Ziff-Davis Press.  

o Quick Reference Guide for OS/2 2.1, DDC.  

o Van Wolverton's Guide to OS/2, Random House.  
  
IBM's OS/2 "redbooks" (power user guides) are IBM Publication No.  
GBOF-2254.  (To order these and other IBM publications phone your local IBM 
office and ask for the Librarian or phone 800-765-4IBM.)  These redbooks are 
also available in electronic form [See (3.2) Shareware and Freeware 
Sources].  Other OS/2 publications, such as the OS/2 Technical Library, IBM 
Part No.  10G3356, are available by calling IBM Technical Books at 
800-IBM-PCTB.  

IBM also offers the OS/2 Online Book Collection CD-ROM, Part No.  53G2166.  
This CD-ROM provides nearly all of the OS/2 publications produced by IBM in 
electronic form.  The CD-ROM includes the following titles:  

  o IBM C Set ++ Version 2.0

     - IBM WorkFrame/2 Introduction 
     - IBM C/C++ Tools: Browser Introduction 
     - Collection Class Library Reference 
     - IBM C/C++ Tools C Library Reference 
     - IBM C/C++ Tools: C Language Reference 
     - IBM C/C++ Tools: C++ Language Reference 
     - IBM C/C++ Tools: Debugger Introduction 
     - IBM C/C++ Tools: Programming Guide 
     - IBM C/C++ Tools: Standard Class Library Reference 
     - User Interface Class Library Guide 
     - User Interface Class Library Reference 
     - IBM C/C++ Tools: EXTRA Introduction 

  o IBM International Technical Support Center (Red Books) 

     - OS/2 V2.0 Vol 1: Control Program (ITSC) 
     - OS/2 V2.0 Vol 2: DOS and Windows Environment (ITSC) 
     - OS/2 V2.0 Vol 3: PM and Workplace Shell (ITSC) 
     - OS/2 V2.0 Vol 4: Application Development (ITSC) 
     - OS/2 V2.0 Vol 5: Print Subsystem (ITSC) 
     - OS/2 2.1 Technical Update 

  o OS/2 LAN Server Version 2.0 

     - OS/2 LAN Server Migration Handbook 
     - Problem Determination Reference Volume 1: Problem Determination Guide
     - Network Administrator Reference Volume 2: Performance Tuning 
     - DOS LAN Requester User's Quick Reference 
     - LAN Server User's Quick Reference 
     - Problem Determination Reference Volume 3: LAN Error Messages 
     - LAN Support Program User's Guide 
     - Network Administrator Reference Volume 1: Planning and Installation
            Guide
     - Network Administrator Reference Volume 3: Network Administrator's
            Tasks
     - Problem Determination Reference Volume 2: LAN Alerts 
     - DOS LAN Requester Windows User's Guide 
     - OS/2 LAN Server Productivity Aids 
     - Network Administrator Reference Supplement for OS/2 2.0 

  o OS/2 LAN Server Version 3.0 

     - PC LAN Program Migration Guide 
     - Problem Determination Reference Volume 1: Problem Determination Guide 
     - Network Administrator Reference Volume 2: Performance Tuning 
     - DLR and DLR Windows User's Quick Reference 
     - OS/2 LAN Requester User's Quick Reference 
     - Problem Determination Reference Volume 3: LAN Error Messages 
     - IBM LAN Support Program User's Guide 
     - Network Administrator Reference Volume 1: Planning and Installation
            Guide
     - Network Administrator Reference Volume 3: Network Administrators
            Tasks
     - Problem Determination Reference Volume 2: LAN Alerts 
     - OS/2 LAN Server Productivity Aids 
     - LAN Adapter and Protocol Support Configuration Guide 
     - IBM Network Transport Services/2 Redirected Installation and
            Configuration Guide
     - Messages and Problem Determination Guide 

  o Multimedia Presentation Manager/2 Version 1.1 

     - MMPM/2 Application Programming Guide 
     - MMPM Toolkit/2 
     - CUA Guide to Multimedia User Interface Design 
     - MMPM/2 Programming Reference 
     - OS/2 Multimedia Advantage 

  o Network Transport Services/2 Version 1.0 

     - LAN Adapter and Protocol Support Configuration Guide 
     - IBM Network Transport Services/2 Redirected Installation and
            Configuration Guide
     - Messages and Problem Determination Guide 

  o OS/2 2.0 

     - OS/2 2.0 Information and Planning Guide 
     - Getting Started with Workplace Shell (White Paper) 
     - Upgrading to OS/2 2.0 (White Paper) 
     - IBM OS/2 2.0 Getting Started 
     - OS/2 2.0 Installation Guide 
     - OS/2 2.0 Quick Reference 
     - OS/2 2.0 Command Reference 
     - IBM OS/2 2.0 Migrating to the OS/2 Workplace Shell 
     - OS/2 2.0 Using the Operating System 
     - Tips and Techniques 
     - OS/2 2.0 Adobe Type Manager for WIN-OS/2 
     - OS/2 2.0 Compatibility Information 
     - OS/2 2.0 Using Bidirectional Support 

  o OS/2 2.1 

     - OS/2 2.0 Information and Planning Guide 
     - Getting Started with Workplace Shell (White Paper) 
     - Upgrading to OS/2 2.0 (White Paper) 
     - OS/2 2.1 Using the Operating System 
     - OS/2 2.1 Book Catalog 
     - OS/2 2.1 Installation Guide 
     - OS/2 2.1 Quick Reference 
     - OS/2 2.1 Command Reference 
     - OS/2 2.0 Using Bidirectional Support 
     - OS/2 2.1 Performance Tuning for End Users (White Paper) 
     - OS/2 2.1 Performance Improvements (White Paper) 

  o Operating System/2 2.0 Technical Library 

     - OEM DASD and SCSI Device Driver Support 
     - OS/2 2.0 Programming Guide: Volume III 
     - Getting Started: OS/2 2.1 Toolkit 
     - Getting Started: Toolkit 
     - Information Presentation Facility 
     - Physical Device Driver Reference 
     - Presentation Manager Programming Reference: Volume I 
     - Presentation Manager Programming Reference: Volume II 
     - Presentation Manager Programming Reference: Volume III 
     - Application Design Guide 
     - Procedures Language 2/REXX User's Guide 
     - Presentation Driver Reference 
     - Virtual Device Driver Reference 
     - System Object Model Guide and Reference 
     - OS/2 2.0 Programming Guide: Volume I 
     - OS/2 Programming Guide: Volume II 
     - Bidirectional National Language Support 
     - Control Program Programming Reference 
     - OS/2 2.1 PM Programming Reference: Volume I 
     - OS/2 2.1 PM Programming Reference: Volume II 
     - OS/2 2.1 PM Programming Reference: Volume III 
     - OS/2 2.1 CP Programming Reference 
     - Procedures Language 2/REXX Reference 
     - SAA CUA Advanced Interface Design Reference 
     - SAA CUA Guide to User Interface Design 

  o PL/I Package/2 Version 1.1 

     - PL/I Package/2 Programming Guide 
     - PL/I Package/2 Language Environment Run-Time Messages 
     - PL/I Package/2 Installation 
     - PL/I Package/2 Language Reference 
     - PL/I Package/2 Reference Summary 
     - PL/I Package/2 Fact Sheet 

  o SAA Common User Access Controls Library/2 Version 1.0 

     - Common User Access Controls Library/2 Programming Guide 
     - Common User Access Controls Library/2 PM Reference 
     - Common User Access Controls Library/2 Windows Reference 

  o Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol Version 1.2 for OS/2 

     - IBM TCP/IP Version 1.2 for OS/2: User's Guide 
     - IBM TCP/IP Version 1.2 for OS/2: Installation and Maintenance 
     - IBM TCP/IP Version 1.2 for OS/2: Programmer's Reference 
     - IBM TCP/IP Version 1.2 for OS/2: Quick Reference Guide 

  o Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol Version 1.2.1 for OS/2 

     - IBM TCP/IP Version 1.2.1 for OS/2: User's Guide 
     - IBM TCP/IP Version 1.2.1 for OS/2: LAN Adapter and Protocol Support 
     - IBM TCP/IP Version 1.2.1 for OS/2: Installation and Maintenance 
     - IBM TCP/IP Version 1.2.1 for OS/2: Programmer's Reference 
     - IBM TCP/IP Version 1.2.1 for OS/2: Quick Reference Guide 
  
  
  Related information: 
  
  (4.5) Technical Support 
  

(4.10) Problem Report Form

How do I report an OS/2 problem to IBM?  

If you would like to send an OS/2 bug report to IBM, you may phone IBM at 
800-992-4777 (in the U.S.)  or you may fill in the OS/2 Problem Report Form 
and mail it to IBM via CompuServe or the Internet.  

The Problem Report Form helps IBM solve your problem more quickly, 
especially if you include all the relevant details.  IBM then has to ask 
fewer questions in order to determine the problem.  

To use the Problem Report Form, follow these steps:  

1. If you are reading the INF version of this List, press CTRL-F.  This 
panel will then be saved to a file named TEXT.TMP.  

2. Using a text editor (like the OS/2 System Editor), open either TEXT.TMP 
or the plain text version of this List.  

3. Delete all the extra lines in the file so that only the OS/2 Problem 
Report Form remains.  

4. Fill in all the requested information using your text editor.  

5. Save the Form to disk (as file name OS2PROB.TXT for example).  

6. Upload the file to CompuServe Mail or the Internet, and send the Form to 
IBM.  (The exact procedure will depend on the service and the software you 
use.)  
  
You may use the Problem Report Form as many times as you need to, but please 
include only one problem per copy.  If you wish, you can use the Defect 
Report Form found on Page 493 of the OS/2 2.1 Using the Operating System 
manual instead of this form.  
  
------  Submit an OS/2 Problem Report  ------
  
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<< THIS SUPPORT IS ELIGIBLE FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS ONLY >>
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
  
Customers should use this form to report a suspected OS/2 DEFECT to 
IBM support.
  
IBM employees should refer to the OS2DFECT FORUM in IBMPC for instructions on 
how to report an OS/2 defect.
  
If you have How-to or other questions about OS/2, please refer to these 
sources:
  
- The OS/2 on-line help and README.
- If you have a CompuServe ID, you may submit an item to the 
  appropriate section within the forums under IBMOS2 (GO IBMOS2).
- Many bulletin board systems contain user forums where OS/2 users 
  share information and ideas on OS/2.
  
Please provide as much information as possible on your problem.  Feel free to 
add additional space, or remove sections of the form that are not relevant to 
your problem.
  
CONTACT PERSON: __________________________________
  
PHONE NUMBER:   (___) ___-____ x____     Phone number where you can be 
FAX NUMBER:     (___) ___-____ x____     contacted between 8-5, M-F.
  
Note: Support will normally be handled electronically through 
      CompuServe mail.  IBM may contact you via telephone if it 
      appears it will expedite resolution to the problem.
  
Would you rather be contacted by phone?   Y _  N _ 
  
ONE LINE DESCRIPTION OF THE OS/2 PROBLEM:
  ___________________________________________________________________
  
DETAILED PROBLEM DESCRIPTION - If possible, provide step-by-step recreation 
scenario.  Also, please include any fixes or workarounds you may have already 
tried.
  __________________________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________________________
  
Enter any error messages that occur: ________________________________
  
Select the appropriate answers by placing an "X" in the space indicated.
Can you recreate the problem?                      Y _   N _ 
Has the problem occurred on more than one system?  Y _   N _ 
  
OS/2 OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION:
OS/2 for Windows .........:  _   CSD Level: _______
OS/2 Version 2.1 .........:  _   CSD Level: _______
OS/2 Version 2.0 .........:  _   CSD Level: _______
OS/2 1.3 Standard Edition :  _   CSD Level: _______
OS/2 1.3 Extended Edition :  _   CSD Level: _______
  
NOTE - CSD = Corrective Service Diskette.
       Use the SYSLEVEL command to determine, if unknown.
  
HARDWARE CONFIGURATION (provide as much as possible):
Brand and model of PC: ____________________________________
Microprocessor:   Intel _  Other (specify) _______________
Type:     286 _  386SX _  386 _  486SX _   486 _   Pentium _ 
   Speed: __ MHz 
Total RAM ....:   __ MB 
Disk drive ...: ____ MB 
File System:   FAT _     HPFS _ 
Manufacturer: ___________________ Model # _______
Type: IDE _  SCSI _  MFM _  RLL _  Unknown _ 
Manufacturer and model # of disk controller: ______________________
Manufacturer, revision #, and date of System BIOS: __________________
Manufacturer and model # of video adapter: __________________________
Manufacturer and model # of display: ________________________________
Memory installed on video adapter: _____  EGA _  VGA _  SVGA _  XGA _ 
Diskette Drive A:  3 1/2" _  5 1/4" _ 
Diskette Drive B:  3 1/2" _  5 1/4" _ 
List other adapters installed:   _____________________
                                 _____________________
                                 _____________________

TRAP INFORMATION - If a TRAP occurs and results in the 16 bit trap display 
similar to the following, enter any of the register values that you recorded:
  
  SESSION TITLE: __________________________________________________
  TRAP____
  AX=____   BX=____   CX=____   DX=____    BP= ____   SI=____   DI=____
  DS=____   ES=____   FLG=____  CS=____   IP=____   SS=____   SP=____
  MSW=____ CSLIM=____   SSLIM=___   DSLIM=___    ESLIM=____   CSACC=__
  SSACC=__ DSACC=__     ESACC=__   ERRCD=____   ERLIM=____  ERACC=__
  ________________________________________________________________
  ________________________________________________________________
  ________________________________________________________________
  
If a TRAP occurs and results in the 32 bit trap display similar to the 
following, enter any of the register values that you recorded:
  
  TRAP ____
  ERRCD=____     ERACC=____    ERLIM=________   EAC=________  EBX=________
  ECX=________  EDX=________   ESI=________  EDI=________   EBP=________
  FLG=________   CS:EIP=____:________  CSACC=____   CSLIM=________
  SS:ESP=____:________  SSACC=____   SSLIM=________   DS=____  DSACC=____
  DSLIM=________  CR0=________   ES=____  ESACC=____  ESLIM=________
  CR2=________ FS=____  FSACC=____  FSLIM=________   GS=____  GSACC=____
  GSLIM=________
  
THE SYSTEM DETECTED AN INTERNAL PROCESSING 
ERROR AT LOCATION ##____:________ - ____:____.   _____, ____   ________
INTERNAL REVISION _.___,  __/__/__
  
PRINTER - If this is a printer problem, please provide the following:
  Printer Vendor: __________________   Model ....: ________________
  Driver Name ..: __________________   Port Used : ________________
  Printer is attached to: Local _    LAN Server _    Host _ 
  
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER - If this is a problem with Communications Manager,
please provide answers in this section:
  
  OS/2 Extended Services ............: _   CSD Level: _______
  OS/2 EE Communications Manager 1.3 : _   CSD Level: _______
  Describe your Communications Manager configuration (DFT, T-R, etc):
  ________________________________________________________________
  ________________________________________________________________
  
LOCAL AREA NETWORK - If this is a local area network problem, please enter 
information about the LAN involved:
  
  LAN SERVER:     OS/2 LAN Server Version 1.3 : _   CSD Level: ________
                  OS/2 LAN Server 2.0 Entry ..: _   CSD Level: ________
                  OS/2 LAN Server 2.0 Advanced: _   CSD Level: ________
                  OS/2 LAN Server 3.0 Entry ..: _   CSD Level: ________
                  OS/2 LAN Server 3.0 Advanced: _   CSD Level: ________
  
  LAN REQUESTER:
                  LAN Server 3.0 Requester....: _   CSD Level: ________
                  LAN Server 2.0 Requester....: _   CSD Level: ________
                  OS/2 1.3 Requester..........: _   CSD Level: ________
  
  DOS LAN REQUESTER:
                  LS 3.0 Requester ...........: _   CSD Level: ________
                  LS 2.0 Requester ...........: _   CSD Level: ________
                  OS/2 1.3 Requester .........: _   CSD Level: ________
                  DOS Version: ____  DOS Vendor: _________________
  
  Is the failing system a Domain Controller?  Y _    N _ 
  Is the failing system an additional server? Y _    N _ 
  
DATABASE MANAGER - If this is an OS/2 DATABASE MANAGER problem, please enter 
information about the DataBase Manager problem below.
  
  SQL Error Code ....: ________
  Secondary Return Code: ________
  Error occurs when database is being accessed as:
  Stand Alone ......: Y _  N _ 
  Requester (Client): Y _  N _ 
  Database Server ..: Y _  N _ 
  Using RDS ........: Y _  N _ 
  Using LAN ........: Y _  N _ 
  If the error is occurring at a requester, can the problem be recreated 
  at the server? .....: Y _  N _ 
  Error occurs in which application?
  Query Manager.....: _ 
  LI ..............: _  (Command Line Interface)
  User Application..: _ 
  If a trap has occurred, provide the SQLABEND results:
  _________________________________________________________________
  _________________________________________________________________
  _________________________________________________________________
  
  PLEASE REVIEW ALL OF THIS PROBLEM REPORT BEFORE SENDING.  When you are 
  ready to send this OS/2 Problem Report, send the form via CISMAIL 
  to ---
  
  Base problems   -   Base Support,     76711,610
  ES/LS problems  -   ES/LS Support,    76711,611
  (ES = IBM Extended Services, LS = IBM LAN Server)
  
  (To send from the Internet use address 76711.610@compuserve.com

[End of Part 3 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!
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!news.kei.com!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!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 (4 of 4)
Message-ID: <1993Nov22.214040.8216@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 21:40:40 GMT
Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu
Expires: Fri, 31 Dec 1993 05:59:59 GMT
Lines: 1251
Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu comp.os.os2.misc:85654 comp.os.os2.apps:26002 news.answers:14983 comp.answers:2744

Archive-name: os2-faq/user/part4
Version: 2.1D

[Part 4 of 4]

  or 76711.611@compuserve.com, as appropriate.)
  
  
  Related information: 
  
  (4.5) Technical Support 
  (4.7) Online Services 
  

(4.11) OS/2 BBSes

What OS/2 BBSes can I dial?  

The following BBSes hold large OS/2 libraries:  

 
  Fernwood                 (203) 483-0348
 
  The Bin BBS              (206) 451-1905
 
  OS/2 Source BBS          (303) 744-0373
 
  Denver OS/2 BBS          (303) 755-6859
 
  Inside Technologies BBS  (313) 283-1151
 
  OS/2 Woodmeister         (314) 446-0016
 
  Pyramid/2                (415) 494-7497
 
  Gateway/2                (314) 554-9313
 
  Bay Area OS/2            (510) 657-7948
 
  OS/2 San Diego           (619) 558-9475
 
  OS/2 Las Vegas           (702) 433-5535
 
  OS/2 Shareware           (703) 385-4325
 
  Greater Chicago Online   (708) 895-4042
 
  OS/2 Exchange BBS        (904) 739-2445
 
  Abaforum (Barcelona)     34-3-589.38.88
 
  IBM UK                   44-256-336655
 
  OS/2 UK                  44-454-633197
 
  IBM Denmark              45-42-88-72-22
 
  Copenhagen UG BBS        45-48-24-45-80
 
  OS/2 Norway              47-22-38-09-49
 
  IBM Norway               47-66-99-94-50
 
  IBM Germany              049-7034-15-2160
 
  OS/2 Australia           61-2-241-2466
 
  Soft/2 Shareware         61-8-370-7339
  (Adelaide)
 
 
(The monthly Worldwide OS/2 BBS Listing, available from these BBSes, lists 
others.)  The IBM PC Company BBS (modem 919-517-0001) has some 
shareware/freeware as well, along with CSDs [See (4.6) Corrective Service 
Diskettes] and the PS/2 Assistant (an invaluable resource for locating 
almost any sort of information on OS/2).  For information on IBM's OS/2 BBS 
phone 800-547-1283.  IBM Canada maintains several support BBSes:  

      (416) 946-4244 
      (416) 946-4255 
      (514) 938-3022 
      (604) 664-6464 
      {{ (604) 380-5441 }} 
      

  
  Related information: 
  
  (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
  (4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes 
  

(4.12) IBM Telephone Directory

IBM has so many telephone numbers.  Which do I use?  

Here are some of the telephone numbers at IBM that are of particular 
importance to OS/2 users.  The list is by no means complete, and future 
releases of the OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions List will add more.  

o IBM Help Center (800-756-4IBM).  The "800 number for all 800 numbers" in 
the United States.  If you're not sure which number to call, start here.  
The operator will stay on the line until you're satisfied you've reached the 
right party.  

o IBM Information Center (800-IBM-3333).  IBM's United States "switchboard" 
-- can be used to reach any IBM employee.  

o IBM OS/2 Hotline (800-3-IBM-OS2).  Accepts orders for OS/2, certain OS/2 
software titles, OS/2 video cassettes, t-shirts, mouse pads, computer 
furniture, and other OS/2-related items.  For United States residents.  

o IBM OS/2 Technical Support (800-992-4777).  The product support line for 
OS/2 in the United States.  Look in the inside front cover of your OS/2 
Using the Operating System manual for support information.  

o IBM PC Technical Books (800-765-4IBM).  Accepts orders for most IBM 
publications from anyone in the United States.  

o IBM Personal Systems Software Canada (800-465-1234).  For general 
inquiries and orders from Canadian residents for any OS/2-related product.  

o IBM Publications Canada (416-474-7000).  Accepts orders for any IBM 
publication, including the OS/2 Online Book Collection, shipped to any 
Canadian address.  

o IBM Publications U.S.  (800-879-2755 opt.  1).  Accepts orders for any IBM 
publication shipped to any address in the United States.  
  
  
  Related information: 
  
  (4.5) Technical Support 
  

(5.0) Using OS/2

 The following questions are addressed in this section: 

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

 (5.2)  I prefer Windows.  How do I make OS/2 2.1 resemble Windows
        (or OS/2 1.3)?

 (5.3)  Sometimes OS/2 2.1 will freeze when I run an application.  What
        do I do?

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

 (5.5)  How do I add new Adobe Type Manager Typefaces? 

 (5.6)  How do I tweak OS/2 2.1 for maximum performance? 

 (5.7)  How do I measure OS/2 performance and memory usage? 

 (5.8)  My background bitmap does not display correctly.  What's wrong? 

 (5.9)  How do I boot a real version of DOS from within OS/2 2.1? 

 (5.10)  Are there any clever tricks that apply to OS/2 2.1? 

 (5.11)  How do I use REXX?  What does it do? 

 (5.12)  What ANSI escape sequences can be used? 


(5.1) Making OS/2 Resemble Unix

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 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources.  A uucp 
package, UUPC/Extended, is available via anonymous ftp from 
ftp.clarkson.edu, directory /pub/uupc; mail help@kew.com with questions.  

In addition, the Hamilton C Shell is available from Hamilton Labs (phone 
508-358-5715 or mail 3890321@mcimail.com).  The Thompson Toolkit, a 
Bourne-like shell, and awk are published by Thompson Automation (phone 
206-224-1639).  MKS (phone 519-884-2251 or mail pat@mks.com) publishes a 
number of standard Unix utilities for OS/2.  Hippix (Hippo Software, phone 
801-531-1004) provides a set of low cost Unix-like command utilities (such 
as grep, awk, sh, and vi) along with a POSIX programming library.  An OS/2 
version of lint is available from Gimpel Software (phone 215-584-4261).  For 
OS/2-specific X Windows server support, IBM provides an optional package 
available with its TCP/IP 2.0 for OS/2.  The TCP/IP 2.0 base package 
includes a multithreaded news reader as well.  

DOS and Windows based utilities and aids still work fine under OS/2 2.1.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 (3.8) Networking Products 
 

(5.2) Making OS/2 Resemble Windows

I prefer Windows.  How do I make OS/2 2.1 resemble Windows (or OS/2 1.3)?  

Spend some time with the Workplace Shell first.  Browse the online Tutorial, 
Master Help Index, and Start Here facilties.  Consult the Unofficial Guide 
to the Workplace Shell, available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources.  

If you still prefer Windows-like behavior, follow the instructions beginning 
on Page 401 in the OS/2 2.1 Using the Operating System manual.  

Note that you can run the Win-OS/2 Program Manager "seamlessly" on your OS/2 
desktop, and you can use it to launch DOS, Windows, and OS/2 applications.  
Using the Program Manager in this way can make even hard core Windows users 
more comfortable.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 

(5.3) Recovering from Crashed Sessions

Sometimes OS/2 2.1 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.  If you do not get any 
response, press CTRL-ESC or ALT-ESC repeatedly until the dialog appears.)  
Note that the Workplace Shell 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 (5.10) Clever 
Tricks.  To restore the desktop to "factory defaults," use ALT-F1 when OS/2 
2.1 starts.  See Appendix C of the OS/2 2.1 Using the Operating System 
manual for details.  Note that if you have installed an OS/2 Service Pak 
[See (4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes] the ALT-F1 sequence will restore 
your desktop to the state it was found in just before installation of the 
Service Pak.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (4.6)  Corrective Service Diskettes 
 (5.10) Clever Tricks 
 

(5.4) Starting Background Processes

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.  

If you wish to start a DOS session with nondefault settings, use a utility 
such as STARTD.  If you wish to start an OS/2 session from a DOS session, 
try OS2EXEC.  Both (and several others) are available from (3.2) Shareware 
and Freeware Sources.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 

(5.5) Adobe Type Manager

How do I add new Adobe Type Manager typefaces?  

OS/2 2.1 comes with built-in Adobe Type Manager (ATM) for OS/2 and Win-OS/2.  
A basic set of typefaces (Courier, Helvetica, and Times New Roman) comes 
with OS/2 2.1 and is installed (if selected) for use under both OS/2's and 
Win-OS/2's ATM.  

Each typeface you install under OS/2 and/or Win-OS/2 should come with at 
least two separate files with PFB and AFM extensions.  To install a typeface 
for use under Win-OS/2, use the ATM Control Panel.  The Win-OS/2 ATM Control 
Panel will then build a PFM file from the AFM file if a PFM file is not 
already included.  To install a typeface for use with OS/2-specific 
applications, select OS/2 System -> System Setup -> Font Palette -> Edit 
Font -> Add.  

PFM files may converted to AFM files using the PFM2AFM utility, available 
from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources.  (However, these converted AFM 
files sometimes produce unusual results.)  AFM files for Adobe commercial 
typefaces are available via Internet anonymous ftp from ftp.mv.us.adobe.com; 
the PFB files are available for purchase from Adobe.  Many public domain 
typefaces for OS/2's ATM are available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware 
Sources.  Atech Software's (phone 800-786-FONT) AllType and Ares Software's 
(phone 415-578-9090) FontMonger convert between TrueType and Adobe Type 1 
formats (as does the popular Fontographer utility).  

Typeface files may be shared by OS/2 ATM and Win-OS/2 ATM.  To do so, 
install the typefaces using both the Font Palette and Win-OS/2 ATM Control 
Panel, specifying the same target path each time (most conveniently 
\PSFONTS).  

Note that IOPL=YES should appear in CONFIG.SYS; the modules WPPWNDRV, 
BVHSVGA, and PMATM are marked as requiring I/O privilege.  

 
 Related information 
 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 

(5.6) Performance Tuning

How do I tweak OS/2 2.1 for maximum performance?  

For OS/2 overall, the CONFIG.SYS parameters MAXWAIT, TIMESLICE, PRIORITY, 
PRIORITY_DISK_IO, PROTECTONLY, and cache settings (in the DISKCACHE line, 
for FAT; or IFS line, for HPFS) can be tweaked.  The swap file should be 
placed on the most used partition on the least used hard disk, and its 
location is controlled by the SWAPPATH line.  See the online Command 
Reference for details.  

FAT partitions should be periodically defragmented.  A shareware 
defragmenter for DOS called DOG (Disk OrGanizer) works well, as do many 
others.  (You can boot DOS from a floppy disk to run such a utility.)  

For the Workplace Shell, drag shadows of most often used items to the 
desktop or to folders closer to the "surface" -- opening folders takes time.  
Drag shadows of program objects you use often (e.g.  the Win-OS/2 full 
screen Program Manager) to the Startup folder.  Disable animation (go to 
OS/2 System -> System Setup -> System -> Window).  Use the faster Details 
View when opening drive and folder objects; to set Details View as the 
default, open the settings notebook for the object, select the Menu tab, 
click on ~Open, then the Settings button, then select the Default Action.  

Try reducing the number of on screen colors or dropping down in screen 
resolution to enhance speed.  Close (not just minimize; check the Window 
List) unnecessary objects and applications.  Use the Monochrome scheme from 
the Scheme Palette -- it provides marginally faster screen updates.  
Consider adding more RAM.  

For DOS programs, run full screen instead of windowed if speed is important.  
In DOS Settings for each application:  reduce conventional, XMS, DPMI, and 
EMS memory allocations to the bare minimums required for maximum 
performance; turn off VIDEO_RETRACE_EMULATION unless necessary; adjust 
IDLE_SENSITIVITY; turn off DOS_BACKGROUND_EXECUTION if not needed; change 
the HW_TIMER setting (particularly for games); enable VIDEO_FASTPASTE if 
possible; turn on HW_ROM_TO_RAM.  Communications programs should use 
hardware handshaking where possible (use OS/2's MODE COMx command if 
necessary), and a buffered UART can prove helpful.  (DOS programs running 
under OS/2 will not be aware of a buffered 16550AF UART.  OS/2 virtualizes 
the serial port and manages the buffer itself.)  For faster printing set the 
DOS program's output port to LPTx.OS2 (where x is the printer port number) 
-- use a "print to file" option if necessary.  Disable any DOS print 
spoolers; rely on OS/2's spooler instead.  Increase CONFIG.SYS's 
PRINTMONBUFSIZE values.  Other, standard steps to enhance DOS performance 
(e.g.  increasing BUFFERS in CONFIG.SYS) of course apply.  

For Windows programs, run using a full screen desktop if speed is vital.  
The Win-OS/2 Full Screen icon set up by the installation program has poor 
Settings.  For better performance perform some of the same steps outlined in 
the preceding paragraph, including VIDEO_RETRACE_EMULATION off.  The same 
printer output advice also applies.  Consider disabling the Public setting 
in the Clipboard.  If available, set VIDEO_8514A_XGA_IOTRAP to off.  If 
mouse control is lost when switching to/from the Win-OS/2 session, try 
setting VIDEO_SWITCH_NOTIFICATION off.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility 
 (5.7) Measuring Performance and Memory Usage 
 

(5.7) Measuring Performance and Memory Usage

How do I measure OS/2 performance and memory usage?  

OS/2 does not treat system resources like DOS.  Memory is treated as a 
virtual resource, used intelligently.  For example, OS/2 will retain unused, 
"dormant" code in memory if that memory is not otherwise required, on the 
assumption that that code may be used again.  Also, all but a small portion 
of OS/2 (and most applications, no matter how many are running) may be paged 
to disk should a large amount of physical memory be required.  Utilities 
which display "free" memory, then, are only useful for rough, relative 
measurements.  (Such utilities also often fail for another reason:  many 
only report the largest contiguous block of free physical RAM.  And a few 
will never report more than 16 MB of RAM because they were designed for OS/2 
1.x.)  

Similarly, utilities which purport to measure system load (e.g.  Pulse) 
should not be relied upon for definitive performance measurement.  
Subjective assessments are often much more reliable.  Pulse (and similar 
utilities) rely on a measurement of processor time allocated to a thread 
running at OS/2's lowest priority.  This method is sometimes subject to 
erroneous results.  

That said, more rigorous system performance optimization and monitoring 
tools include System Performance Monitor/2 (IBM Program No.  5871-3415), 
BenchTech (Synetik, phone 303-241-1718), OR/SysMon (International OS/2 User 
Group, phone 44-285-641175 or FAX 44-285-640181), CPU Monitor (Bon Ami), and 
Performance 2.1 (Clear & Simple, phone 203-658-1204).  

Note that OS/2's swap file is designed to behave with hysteresis.  It will 
not shrink in size as easily as it grows, under the assumption that swap 
space needed once may be needed again.  It should shrink given enough time 
and continued, less intense system loads.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (5.6) Performance Tuning 
 

(5.8) Displaying Background Bitmaps

My background bitmap does not display correctly.  What's wrong?  

Color bitmap images used for the Workplace Shell screen or folder 
backgrounds may not display correctly (may have distorted or missing colors) 
due to incorrect matching with OS/2's default palette.  Unlike Windows, OS/2 
does not adjust the palette to accommodate background bitmaps (to keep the 
rest of the desktop from experiencing color distortions).  (Palette control 
is now available to applications running under the 32-bit graphics engine 
with an appropriate display driver, however.)  

To remedy the problem you may use the numerous background images which have 
been specifically prepared for the Workplace Shell [available from (3.2) 
Shareware and Freeware Sources] or you may use an image editing/conversion 
utility which can create a proper, system palette-matched bitmap file.  For 
example, JoeView [available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources] may 
be used to import noninterlaced GIF, Windows BMP, and PCX files and save 
them as palette-matched OS/2 BMP files.  

Note that background bitmap images impose some additional overhead, taking 
up RAM and disk resources.  You should probably use them sparingly.  Also, 
if you have set a Win-OS/2 background bitmap you may experience desktop 
color distortions when running Windows programs "seamlessly."  Disable the 
Win-OS/2 background bitmap to remedy the problem.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (2.2) SuperVGA Support 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 

(5.9) Specific DOS Sessions

How do I boot a real version of DOS from within OS/2 2.1?  

Booting a real version of DOS under OS/2 provides certain features that the 
OS/2 emulated DOS sessions cannot.  For example, a specific DOS session can 
provide access to devices (like CD-ROM drives) and networks for which there 
are only DOS device drivers.  A specific DOS session can also help get DOS 
applications which generate spurious "divide by zero" errors running again.  

You will be able to run one such session per hardware device.  So, for 
example, if you have your DOS networking software loaded in one specific DOS 
session, you may not start another, similar session.  

Specific DOS sessions are discussed in the online Command Reference (under 
VMDISK), the Master Help Index, and the printed Installation Guide (Appendix 
E).  You should consult those resources first.  However, if you are still 
unsure how to configure your system to run specific DOS sessions, follow 
these steps:  

1. Create a bootable DOS diskette.  Insert your DOS system diskette into 
Drive A and reboot.  When you arrive at the "A>" prompt, type FORMAT A:  /S 
and press ENTER.  (Note that you may wish to format the diskette for the 
smallest capacity possible, to save hard disk space later on.  For example, 
a 5.25 inch double density -- not high density -- diskette may be formatted 
to just 160K by adding the /1 /N:8 parameters to the FORMAT command.)  When 
prompted, insert a blank diskette into Drive A and press ENTER.  When the 
FORMAT operation is complete, remove the diskette and restart OS/2.  

2. Copy FSFILTER.SYS to the diskette.  Double click on OS/2 System -> 
Command Prompts -> OS/2 Window.  Insert the diskette you just formatted into 
Drive A. Copy the following file to your startable diskette:  
\OS2\MDOS\FSFILTER.SYS.  

3. Set up CONFIG.SYS.  Using a text editor (like the OS/2 System Editor) 
create the file A:\CONFIG.SYS with the following lines at the top:  
      
      DEVICE=FSFILTER.SYS
      DEVICE=C:\OS2\MDOS\HIMEM.SYS
      DEVICE=C:\OS2\MDOS\EMM386.SYS
      DEVICE=C:\OS2\MDOS\ANSI.SYS
      
Change the "C:"  drive letter if OS/2 is installed on another drive.  Add 
any other lines as required for your application (like CD-ROM or 
networking), but do not include any XMS, EMS, mouse, or memory management 
device drivers.  Make sure that everything is referenced with a drive letter 
and path, as above.  

4. Set up AUTOEXEC.BAT.  Likewise, create a file named A:\AUTOEXEC.BAT and 
make sure that the first line reads:  
      
      C:\OS2\MDOS\MOUSE
      
changing "C:"  if necessary.  Add any additional lines (like PATH, SET 
PROMPT, and so on) as required by your application.  {{ Make sure that 
\OS2\MDOS is referenced in the PATH.  }} 

5. Test your DOS diskette.  Once you have configured the CONFIG.SYS and 
AUTOEXEC.BAT files as you wish, double click on OS/2 System -> Command 
Prompts -> DOS from Drive A:.  A DOS session should start.  Test for the 
functionality you need (like access to your CD-ROM reader or network).  If 
the session is not working properly, press CTRL-ESC and shut down the 
session, edit CONFIG.SYS and/or AUTOEXEC.BAT as required, and repeat the 
test.  

6. Create the diskette image.  When you are satisfied that your specific DOS 
session diskette functions properly, go back to the OS/2 Window and type 
VMDISK A:  C:\DOS.IMG to create a diskette image file.  (If you want the 
file to be located on another drive or in another directory, change "C:\" 
accordingly.)  

7. Create a program object for your specific DOS session.  Drag a program 
object from your Templates folder to any target folder.  When the notebook 
opens, enter a single asterisk (*) in the Program Name field, then click on 
the right arrow in the lower right.  Select either DOS Window or DOS Full 
Screen for the session type, as desired.  Click on the DOS Settings button, 
and scroll down until you find the DOS_STARTUP_DRIVE property.  Enter 
C:\DOS.IMG in the field at the upper right.  (If your image file is not 
located on Drive C in the root directory, make the necessary changes.)  
Change any other DOS Settings if necessary.  Click on the Save button, then 
click on the General tab.  Give your program object a name.  Then close up 
the notebook.  
  
You should now be able to double click on your new program object to start 
your specific DOS session.  If you require access to your diskette drive 
(Drive A), use the FSACCESS command.  See the online Command Reference for 
details.  

When formatting your bootable DOS diskette, you may wish to use additional 
command line parameters to create a diskette with a reduced capacity.  The 
"smaller" the diskette, the less room the diskette image file created by 
VMDISK will take on your hard disk.  See your DOS manual for details, or use 
the example given above.  

  
  Related information: 
  
  (1.3) DOS and Windows Compatibility 
  

(5.10) Clever Tricks

Are there any clever tricks that apply to OS/2 2.1?  

o To force DIR to display your directories in alphabetical order, with the 
subdirectories listed first, add the line 
    
    SET DIRCMD=/O:GN
    
to CONFIG.SYS; and, if you wish the same for your DOS command line sessions, 
add the same line to AUTOEXEC.BAT.  You may also wish to run DOSKEY to 
enable the command history feature.  (Shutdown and reboot for changes to 
CONFIG.SYS to take effect.)  

o Hold down SHIFT while resizing text windows to make size changes 
permanent.  

o If you want to configure your printer port(s) for shared access (so that 
DOS programs like LapLink, for example, can use them directly), go to your 
printer object, click on it with mouse button two, select Open -> Settings, 
select the Output tab, then double click on the port you wish to share.  
Check the appropriate box.  

o While running a DOS graphics program in a window, use the graphics cut and 
paste feature to clip a picture and paste it into the Icon Editor.  You can 
then quickly and easily create custom icons for your applications.  

o To disable the automatic application restart feature, create a STARTUP.CMD 
file in the root directory of your OS/2 boot drive with the following REXX 
script:  
    
    /*  */
    call RxFuncadd 'SysLoadFuncs', 'RexxUtil', 'SysLoadFuncs'
    call SysLoadFuncs 
    call SysIni 'USER', 'PM_WorkPlace:Restart', 'DELETE:'
    'exit'
    
or add the line 
    
    SET RESTARTOBJECTS=STARTUPFOLDERSONLY
    
to your CONFIG.SYS.  To manually disable automatic application restart when 
booting OS/2, hold down the left CTRL, left SHIFT, and F1 keys 
simultaneously from the time the mouse pointer appears until icons are 
displayed on the desktop.  

o Use the Alarms applet to automatically start programs at specified times.  

To start the Alarms applet minimized, put /I in the Optional Parameters 
section of its program object settings.  

o If you wish to dispense with the Workplace Shell (and its overhead), 
particularly on low memory systems, change the line SET RUNWORKPLACE...  in 
CONFIG.SYS to read SET RUNWORKPLACE=C:\OS2\CMD.EXE (replacing C, if 
necessary, with a different drive letter).  In fact any program with job 
control (e.g.  Enhanced Editor, HyperAccess/5) can be used as the shell.  [A 
character mode alternative to the Workplace Shell, MenuMaster, is now 
available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources.] 

o To implement a small scroll back buffer for your OS/2 command line 
windows, use the command MODE CO80,102.  This procedure may be automated by 
adding /K MODE CO80,102 in the Optional Parameters section of the OS/2 
Window program object settings.  

o If you do not want any command line parameters passed to a program object 
that you start (for example, if you customize the desktop menu so that it 
has an additional option which starts a command line prompt) place a lone % 
in the Optional Parameters section of the program object settings.  If you 
do wish to pass parameters, but you want the extraneous information that the 
Workplace Shell passes to the object to be ignored, try putting && REM % in 
the Optional Parameters section after the parameters you wish passed.  

o If you want to move an icon a small distance, "grab" it from the edge 
nearest the direction you want to move the icon.  

o A clever way to manipulate files that are locked when the Workplace Shell 
is running (e.g.  display drivers) is to add the line CALL=CMD.EXE at the 
end of CONFIG.SYS.  Then Shutdown and reboot.  The system will restart with 
an OS/2 command line prompt.  Type EXIT to proceed into the Workplace Shell.  
Using CALL is also a convenient way to configure OS/2's serial ports using 
the MODE command.  For example:  
    
    CALL=C:\OS2\MODE.COM COM2:38400,N,8,1,OCTS=OFF,RTS=ON,BUFFER=ON
    
configures COM2 for high speed RTS handshaking and buffered I/O.  [Moreover, 
the MODE command can be used to determine whether your system has a buffered 
UART (National Semiconductor 16550A or equivalent), nearly essential for 
high speed communications.  Use the command:  

    MODE COMx 

(where x is the communications port number) from an OS/2 command line.  If 
you see anything but "BUFFER = N/A" then you have a buffered UART for that 
port.] 

You can use either CDDBOC or SHIFTRUN instead of CALL; both utilities are 
available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources.  

Another way, which works well with display drivers, is to copy the new 
DLL(s) to its(their) own directory (say, C:\NEW), then place that directory 
name first in LIBPATH in CONFIG.SYS.  Shutdown and reboot.  OS/2 will use 
that(those) DLL(s) before it attempts to use the one(s) located in \OS2\DLL.  
[This method is required when using a 16-bit OS/2 2.0 display driver with 
OS/2 2.0 CSD Level 06055 or later.  See (4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes.] 
To switch back to the old driver, edit CONFIG.SYS and remove C:\NEW from 
LIBPATH, then Shutdown and reboot.  

o To shutdown without a mouse, press CTRL-ESC, select the Desktop, then 
press the spacebar (to deselect any icons, if necessary), SHIFT-F10, and 
select Shutdown.  

o If your video driver does not support "seamless" Windows, try running the 
Win-OS/2 Program Manager in a DOS window.  

o Selective Install should be used with caution when changing mouse or 
display drivers.  Verify that proper changes have been made to CONFIG.SYS.  

o If your settings notebooks (or PM Sticky Pads) do not display but are 
listed in the Window List, click on the name of the settings notebook in the 
Window List (brought up with CTRL-ESC) with mouse button two and select 
Cascade.  

o If your \OS2\*.INI files have grown large, use the CopyINI or WPSBackup 
utilities to shrink them.  Both are available from (3.2) Shareware and 
Freeware Sources.  

o To restart the Workplace Shell (without saving desktop settings, perhaps 
after an accidental Arrange), use a utility such as psPM [available from 
(3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources] to terminate PMSHELL.  

o To get rid of a WPS object that cannot be deleted, try one of the 
following:  

- Insert a blank diskette in Drive A, click on the stubborn object with 
mouse button two, select Move, select the Path page, enter A:\, press ENTER, 
then format the diskette; 

- Use the WPSTools or Black Hole, available from (3.2) Shareware and 
Freeware Sources.  (The WPSTools can also recreate desktop objects that have 
been lost.)  

o To load a device driver into high memory in a particular DOS session 
change the DOS_DEVICE setting for the session and add SIZE=0 before the path 
and filename for the device driver.  For example, the following DOS_DEVICE 
entry:  

    SIZE=0 C:\OS2\MDOS\ANSI.SYS 

loads the ANSI.SYS device driver into high memory in that particular 
session.  

o If you wish to create diskettes from MAKEDSKF (.DSK) image files, such as 
those contained on the CD-ROM version of OS/2, and you do not wish to use 
the DOS and OS/2 utility LOADDSKF, you may use a workstation.  For example, 
on an IBM RS/6000 or Sun workstation you may use the command:  

    dd if=(input filename) of=/dev/rfd0 ibs=1b obs=60b conv=sync 

o To reboot the machine from the command line, use:  
    
    SETBOOT /IBD:C
    
Change the last letter (C) if you want to boot from another drive.  {{ Disk 
buffers will be flushed, but Workplace Shell settings will not be saved.  }} 

o The settings notebooks now support drag and drop operations for assigning 
icons and for changing menus.  

To change the icon for an object, first open the settings notebook (click on 
the object with the secondary mouse button, then select Open -> Settings).  
Click on the General tab.  Then drag any other object to the icon located on 
the General page of the settings notebook.  The object's icon will change to 
match.  If you want to restore it to its former state, click on the Undo 
button.  

To assign actions to menus, open the settings notebook, then click on the 
Menu tab.  Click on any of the items in the Available menus section (or 
Create another).  To add an Action, drag the desired program object to the 
Actions on menu section.  

o To quickly maximize a window, double click on its title bar.  To restore 
the window to its former size, double click on the title bar again.  

o Select the Flowed setting (on the View page of the settings notebook) for 
fastest display when opening folders.  

o If you have UNDELETE enabled, but you want to delete an occasional file 
without the overhead incurred by having UNDELETE capability, use the /F 
parameter with the DEL command.  Using this parameter (in either a DOS or 
OS/2 Window) will bypass the routine which moves the file(s) to the 
directory specified by the DELDIR environment variable.  The file(s) is(are) 
deleted faster, but you will not be able to undelete it(them).  The /N 
parameter will prevent prompting ("Are you sure?").  

o OS/2 2.1 now includes the ability to set a power on password.  However, if 
you have forgotten your password, and you cannot unlock your desktop when 
you turn your machine on, try the following.  Start OS/2 from a diskette 
boot [see (4.4) Starting OS/2 from Diskette] to get a command line prompt.  
At the prompt, enter the following commands:  
    
    C:
    
(assuming OS/2 is installed on Drive C; change if necessary) 
    
    MAKEINI OS2.INI LOCK.RC
    
o If you are using a 1024x768 display driver (such as 8514/A), but you do 
not want the icons scaled up in size from 32x32 to 40x40, patch the display 
driver file (e.g.  \OS2\DLL\8514_32.DLL) using DEBUG or a similar utility.  
Search for the hexadecimal byte sequence 28 00 28 00 20 00 20 00 and replace 
the two 28 values with 20.  Reboot for the change to take effect, and be 
sure to keep a backup copy of the original file.  

o To hide your entire desktop, single click on any icon on the desktop, 
press CTRL-ESC, then press CTRL-SHIFT-ESC.  To return the desktop to normal, 
press CTRL-ESC then double click on Desktop.  

o If you would like to have a Presentation Manager application start up 
minimized, first set up a program object for it by dragging a Program 
template from the Templates folder.  Then, on the first page of the 
notebook, enter the full path and filename of the PM program, but 
deliberately misspell it.  Click on the arrow in the lower right to turn the 
page, then check the Start minimized checkbox.  Click on the left arrow to 
turn the page back, then correct the misspelling.  Fill in any other 
information, as desired, then close up the notebook.  The program object is 
now ready to start your PM application minimized.  

o To get approximately 730K free in your DOS sessions, change 
VIDEO_MODE_RESTRICTION in the session's settings to CGA (unless your 
application requires more than CGA graphics capabilities).  Note that you 
may have to place the line:  

    DOS_RMSIZE=639 

in your CONFIG.SYS file to get this much free memory.  

o {{ In a full screen, character mode OS/2 session it is normally impossible 
to copy text from the screen to the Clipboard.  To get around the problem, 
try setting your printer object to hold all print jobs, press the 
PrintScreen key while the full screen OS/2 session is active, return to the 
printer object and double click on the print job icon for the PrintScreen, 
then cut and paste from the editor.  }} 
  
  
  Related information: 
  
  (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
  (4.4) Starting OS/2 from Diskette 
  (4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes 
  

(5.11) REXX

How do I use REXX?  What does it do?  

REXX is built into every copy of OS/2 (where it is also known as Procedures 
Language/2).  It is a general purpose, interpreted programming language 
which was first released on IBM mainframes over a decade ago.  REXX is 
extremely easy to learn and use.  It is particularly strong at string 
manipulation, and it has features which are difficult to implement in 
compiled languages (like the ability to read its own source code or execute 
a string as a command).  

OS/2 applications can use REXX as a common scripting language, which means 
that users need not learn separate macro or script languages for each 
application.  For example, the OS/2 versions of Lotus 1-2-3 and Borland 
ObjectVision will interface with REXX.  OS/2's multimedia extensions 
(MMPM/2) contain a REXX interface, so REXX programs can play, record, and 
manipulate sound and video files.  And REXX can be used to create complex 
batch files (with interactive prompting), since it is integrated so tightly 
into OS/2's command processor.  Moreover, A pair of REXX visual builders 
(programming tools which help create even complex REXX applications quickly 
and easily using simple, drag and drop manipulation of on screen objects), 
HockWare's VisPro/REXX and Watcom's VX REXX, are now available.  

For more information on OS/2's REXX interpreter, see the REXX Information 
online documentation located in the Information folder.  For more 
information on REXX generally, consult the REXX Frequently Asked Questions 
List [available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources].  

Here are some REXX hints and tips:  

o If you wish to place program output in the REXX queue (for processing by a 
REXX program), try 
    
    DIR *.TXT | RXQUEUE 
    
as an example.  (In other words, pipe the program output to RXQUEUE.)  To 
use this program output in your REXX program, try 
    
    /* Sample */
    WHILE QUEUED() > 0 
    PARSE PULL X 
    SAY X 
    END 

o To execute REXX commands interactively from the command line, use the 
REXXTRY command.  For example:  
    
    REXXTRY DO X=1 TO 10;SAY X;END
    
  
  
  Related information: 
  
  (0.2) Recent Developments 
  (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
  (3.6) Multimedia (MMPM/2)
  

(5.12) ANSI Escape Sequences

What ANSI escape sequences can be used?  

ANSI escape sequences provide cursor and screen control in OS/2 character 
mode sessions.  By default ANSI support is turned ON (although it may be 
turned off with the command ANSI OFF).  ANSI support is also available in 
DOS sessions if the device driver ANSI.SYS is loaded.  See the online 
Command Reference for details.  

The following ANSI escape sequences are available:  

  Key       
  ESC       Refers to ASCII code 27 (i.e. the Escape key) 
  #         Replace with the appropriate number 
  ....      Replace with additional attributes, if desired 
  
  Escape Code Sequence          Function 
  Cursor Controls               
  ESC[#;#H or ESC[#;#f          Moves cursor to line #, column # 
  ESC[#A                        Moves cursor up # lines 
  ESC[#B                        Moves cursor down # lines 
  ESC[#C                        Moves cursor forward # spaces 
  ESC[#D                        Moves cursor back # spaces 
  ESC[#;#R                      Reports current cursor line and column 
  ESC[s                         Saves cursor position for recall later 
  ESC[u                         Return to saved cursor position 
  Erase Functions               
  ESC[2J                        Clear screen and home cursor 
  ESC[K                         Clear to end of line 
  Set Graphics Rendition        
  ESC[#;#;....;#m               Set display attributes where # is 
                                0 for normal display 
                                1 bold on 
                                4 underline (mono only) 
                                5 blink on 
                                7 reverse video on 
                                8 nondisplayed (invisible) 
                                30 black foreground 
                                31 red foreground 
                                32 green foreground 
                                33 yellow foreground 
                                34 blue foreground 
                                35 magenta foreground 
                                36 cyan foreground 
                                37 white foreground 
                                40 black background 
                                41 red background 
                                42 green background 
                                43 yellow background 
                                44 blue background 
                                45 magenta background 
                                46 cyan background 
                                47 white background 
  ESC[=#;7h                     Put screen in indicated mode where # is 
                                0 for 40x25 black and white 
                                1 40x25 color 
                                2 80x25 black and white 
                                3 80x25 color 
                                4 320x200 color graphics 
                                5 320x200 black and white graphics 
                                6 640x200 black and white graphics 
                                7 to wrap at end of line 
  ESC[=#;7l                     Resets mode # set with above command 
  Keyboard Reassignments        
  ESC[#;#;....#p                The first ASCII code defines what is
                                to be changed; the remaining codes define
                                what it is to be changed to; strings are
                                permitted. Examples:
                                ESC[65;81p - A becomes Q 
                                ESC[81;65p - Q becomes A 
                                ESC[0;68;"dir";13p - Assign the F10 key
                                    to a DIR command.
                                The 0;68 portion is the extended ASCII
                                code for the F10 key and 13 is the ASCII
                                code for a carriage return. 
                                Other function key codes: F1=59, F2=60,
                                    F3=61, ... F10=68.
  
You can use ANSI escape sequences in the PROMPT environment variable to 
create complex command line prompts.  See the online Command Reference 
(under PROMPT) for details.  

For example, if you have a color monitor, try editing your CONFIG.SYS file 
so that 
  
  SET PROMPT=$e[32;40m$e[1m[$P]$e[0m
  
to obtain a more colorful OS/2 command line prompt.  (Case is significant in 
the example given.)  You can do the same for your DOS sessions if you edit 
PROMPT in AUTOEXEC.BAT, assuming you have ANSI.SYS loaded.  Note that the $i 
portion of your PROMPT will enable the help line at the top of the window or 
screen.  It is not included in the example above.  

To change the background color of your OS/2 command line sessions, modify 
your CONFIG.SYS file so that this line is changed as shown:  
  
  SET OS2_SHELL=C:\OS2\CMD.EXE /K BLUESCR.CMD
  
changing the drive letter, if necessary.  Then create a file named 
BLUESCR.CMD which contains the following lines:  
  
  @ECHO OFF 
  PROMPT=$e[32;44;1m
  PROMPT $p$g
  CLS 
  
Save the file to a directory that is named in the SET PATH line of your 
CONFIG.SYS file.  Reboot.  Then, when you start an OS/2 command line, the 
background color will be different.  You can change the numbers in the first 
PROMPT line to obtain different colors.  

If you are using JP Software's 32-bit 4OS2, and you would like the name of 
the current working directory to appear in the title bar, try using the 
following command:  
  
  PROMPT `%@exec[window"%_cwd"]$h[$p]`
  
  
  Related information: 
  
  (5.10) Clever Tricks 
  

(6.0) Miscellaneous

The following questions are addressed in this section:  

 (6.1)  What can I do to promote OS/2? 

 (6.2)  How can I create INF files? 


(6.1) Promoting OS/2

What can I do to promote OS/2?  

OS/2 is selling well, but there are steps you can take to assure that 
hardware devices and software will be available for OS/2 in the future.  
Customer requests do matter.  

o Politely, firmly, and repeatedly request driver support from printer, 
video adapter, and other hardware manufacturers.  

o When you receive a mailing for DOS/Windows software with a postpaid 
envelope, return the order form marked "Please send information on your OS/2 
version."  

o Start a user group at your location.  Contact Gene Barlow (phone 
214-402-6456) {{ or Kathy Fanning }} at IBM or mail ibmpcug@vnet.ibm.com for 
assistance.  Think about how you can publicize your user group.  For 
instance, most local newspapers and television stations will print/broadcast 
meeting announcements for free.  Your local cable television company will be 
happy to broadcast a videotape of your meeting on the public access channel.  

o Correspond with members of the computer trade press.  Ask for reviews of 
OS/2 software, hardware compatibility testing with OS/2, OS/2 benchmarking, 
etc.  Respond politely but forcefully to press you think unfair; praise good 
reporting.  

o When you purchase a new system, ask the vendor to install OS/2 2.1, and to 
offer credit for dropping DOS and Windows.  If the vendor refuses, you may 
wish to take your business elsewhere.  Compaq, Everex, AST, Northgate, ALR, 
Unisys, Dell, Tangent, IBM, and Ariel Design all offer systems with OS/2 2.1 
preloaded.  

o Make sure your company (or yourself) specifies OS/2 compatibility when 
purchasing new products.  

o Demonstrate OS/2 to friends, relatives, and associates.  

o Ask your computer store to stock OS/2 software titles, have OS/2 
demonstration machines, etc.  

o Pass along useful OS/2 shareware and freeware to your local BBS.  Be sure 
to register OS/2 shareware.  

o Write an outstanding piece of shareware or freeware [See (4.5) Technical 
Support for details on joining DAP].  IBM has been known to recognize such 
work with rewards.  Also, ask authors of DOS/Windows shareware and freeware 
if they would port to OS/2, or volunteer.  

o Recommend products that work well under OS/2; dissuade people from 
purchasing products that do not.  

o Wear OS/2 pins, shirts, buttons, and other souvenirs.  Contact the 
Lees/Keystone OS/2 Merchandise Center (phone 914-273-6755 or FAX 
914-273-9187) or the IBM OS/2 Hotline (phone 800-3-IBM-OS2) to order such 
items.  

o Join Team OS/2, an international organization of volunteers who are OS/2 
enthusiasts and are actively sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with 
others.  These activities include supporting OS/2 user groups, running OS/2 
BBSes and online conferences, demonstrating OS/2 at retail stores and other 
public places, encouraging and helping others to install OS/2, answering 
OS/2 questions, and much more.  Membership is not limited to IBM employees.  
For information on Team OS/2 events you should monitor the TEAMOS2 echomail 
conference on your local FidoNet BBS.  If your local BBS does not carry 
TEAMOS2, ask your system operator to get it.  See (4.11) OS/2 BBSes for the 
names and numbers of several BBSes which carry TEAMOS2.  To join Team OS/2, 
send your name, address(es), and telephone number to Vicci Conway (netmail 
76711.1123@compuserve.com or FAX 407-982-1229).  Include information on your 
activities to date and a one line description of yourself for the public 
Team OS/2 list.  
  
  
  Related information: 
  
  (3.2)  Shareware and Freeware Sources 
  (4.5)  Technical Support 
  (4.11) OS/2 BBSes 
  

(6.1) Creating INF Files

How can I create INF files?  

Creating INF files (like the OS/2 Frequently Asked Questions List) is 
remarkably straightforward.  All you need is the Information Presentation 
Facility Compiler (IPFC), part of the IBM Developer's Toolkit for OS/2 2.1 
(available separately as IBM Part No.  61G1416 or as part of many 
development environments such as Borland C++ for OS/2), and a text editor 
(like the Enhanced Editor included with OS/2).  

Online IPFC documentation is included with the Toolkit, but you may also 
wish to order the printed Information Presentation Facility Guide and 
Reference, IBM Publication No.  S10G-6262.  See (4.9) Books and Magazines 
for ordering instructions.  Note that the Toolkit is part of the low cost 
OS/2 Developer's Connection CD-ROM.  See (4.5) Technical Support for 
details.  

If you wish to include illustrations in your INF file you can use any 
graphics software which can generate OS/2 bitmaps and/or metafiles.  (For 
example, you may create your illustration in PM Chart, paste the 
illustration into Picture Viewer, then save the illustration as a metafile.  
Both PM Chart and Picture Viewer are included with OS/2 2.1.)  A screen 
capture utility [like PM Camera or Galleria, available from (3.2) Shareware 
and Freeware Sources] can also prove useful.  

 
 Related information: 
 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 (4.5) Technical Support 
 (4.9) Books and Magazines 
 

(7.0) Glossary

{{ The following terms are often used in conjunction with OS/2:  

  Term              Definition 

  APAR              A bug fix which has been (or will be) created by IBM to
                    address a very specific problem.
                    (Example: "Please send me APAR 09761.") 

  CID               "Configuration/Installation/Distribution": a term
                    usually used to refer to the ability to install an
                    operating system or application remotely, over a
                    network.  (Example: "IBM TCP/IP 2.0 for OS/2
                    is now CID-enabled.")  See (4.2) Installing from Drive
                    B.

  CSD               "Corrective Service Diskette(s)": see (4.6) Corrective
                    Service Diskettes.

  DASD              "Direct Access Storage Device": disk space (most
                    commonly a hard disk drive).  (Example: "I do
                    not have enough DASD for this new application.") 

  DMA               "Direct Memory Access": circuitry provided on all PCs
                    to allow peripherals (such as disk controllers) to
                    transfer data to memory directly, without the assistance
                    of the computer's processor.  Appropriate use of DMA can
                    often help to improve overall system performance.

  EA                "Extended Attribute": up to 64K of assorted data stored
                    with any file under OS/2.  Such data may include file
                    type (e.g. "Plain Text"), icons, comments, and other
                    information which is best left outside the file itself.
                    Only OS/2 applications can create and modify extended
                    attributes.

  ES                "Extended Services": see (3.9) Extended Services. 

  FAT               "File Allocation Table": the disk format introduced by
                    DOS.  See HPFS.

  GA                "General Availability": available for purchase as a
                    shrinkwrapped product from IBM and its dealers.

  HPFS              "High Performance File System": see (1.5) High
                    Performance File System.

  IPL               "Initial Program Load": starting a PC's operating system
                    (i.e. booting or rebooting).  (Example: "Please IPL
                    your system now.")  See also RIPL.

  LA                "Limited Availability": available only from IBM to
                    certain customers.

  multitasking      Running two or more applications "simultaneously,"
                    dividing the computer processor's attention among them.
                    (In fact, the two or more applications only appear to 
                    run simultaneously because the processor switches 
                    between them rapidly.)  Cooperative multitasking, such 
                    as that found in Microsoft Windows and Macintosh System
                    7, requires that each application be written so as to
                    "surrender" the computer's processor at regular
                    intervals so that it can devote attention to other
                    running applications.  If one application for some 
                    reason refuses to yield the processor, all other
                    applications stop running.  Preemptive multitasking, as
                    found in OS/2 and Unix, for example, leaves the 
                    operating system in charge of delegating processor time
                    to each running application.  The amount of attention
                    given depends the operating system's scheduler, the
                    logic which assesses (and perhaps adjusts) the
                    priorities of various tasks and assigns processor
                    attention accordingly.

  multithreading    An operating system's ability to manage what are
                    sometimes called lightweight processes, namely subtasks
                    which are spawned by applications.  For example, a word
                    processor may be written so that any printing operation
                    is put in a separate thread.  This thread is then run
                    alongside the word processor itself, in the background,
                    so that control returns immediately to the user of the
                    word processor.  See multitasking.

  PM                "Presentation Manager": the underlying services used by
                    programmers and the Workplace Shell (see WPS) to provide
                    windows, scroll bars, dialog boxes, and other essential
                    interface elements.

  PMR               "Problem Management Record": a number assigned by IBM
                    to track a customer-reported problem. (Example: "I have
                    opened PMR Number 9X534; please reference this number if
                    you call again.") 

  RIPL              "Remote Initial Program Load": the capability to boot
                    (start) a PC (load its operating system) over a network.
                    See IPL.

  seamless          Refers to the ability to run Windows applications
                    alongside OS/2 and DOS applications on the Workplace
                    Shell (see WPS) desktop as opposed to the full screen
                    Win-OS/2 desktop.  (Example: "Will this video driver
                    support seamless Windows?")

  SMP               "Symmetric Multiprocessing": a set of technologies in
                    which two or more computer processors (CPUs) are managed
                    by one operating system to provide greater computing
                    power to applications.  With SMP, processors are treated
                    more or less equally (with applications able to run on
                    any or perhaps all processors in the system,
                    interchangeably, at the operating system's discretion).
                    Simple MP usually involves assigning each processor to a
                    fixed task (such as managing the file system), reserving
                    the single main CPU for general tasks.  OS/2 currently
                    supports so-called HMP (Hybrid Multiprocessing), a
                    version of MP which provides some elements of SMP, using
                    add-on IBM software called MP/2.  OS/2 SMP is slated for
                    release in late 1993.

  SP                "Service Pak": see CSD.  Sometimes numbered (e.g. "SP
                    2") to refer to a particular Service Pak.

  Win-OS/2          IBM's customized version of Windows, based on
                    Microsoft's own source code, which provides
                    compatibility with Windows applications under OS/2. 

  WPS               "Workplace Shell": OS/2's most commonly used user
                    interface which provides icons, folders, drag-and-drop
                    configuration, settings notebooks, and other features
                    necessary for user interaction with the operating system
                    and its applications.
   }} 

  
  Related information: 
  
  (1.5) High Performance File System (HPFS)
  (3.9) Extended Services 
  (4.2) Installing from Drive B 
  (4.6) Corrective Service Diskettes 
  

[End of Part 4 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!
