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Messages - JTA

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1
Not trying to convince you to run windows ... the host os can be either windows or linux. The host os, if windows, is stripped of everything that MS does to it to make it objectionable ... at this point, it's more of a service. If host os is linux, it's like running a "server" version, so it's also stripped down.

These days, even mac is linux, so there's no reason it can't be the host os. And yes, I believe folks have used mac versions of virtualization to run ArcaOS. The goal is to bypass OS/2 limitations on modern hardware, where said limitations just won't go away.

Again, many folks live with all the problems of OS/2 or ArcaOS natively on modern hardware, with OS/2 pulling that modern hardware back into the past, or not supporting it to much of a degree. Nothing wrong with that, if the limitations are acceptable ...

When you have time (and if you haven't done so allready), you'll enjoy all the threads where folks try to envision 64-bit OS/2, or such ... the barriers are formidable, the numbers (of users) are small (I think more folks are using WinXP thru Win7 than will ever use OS/2 variants), and dev is most likely reducing down (perhaps to zero).

I do my best to help fight this tide with AToF, which could feasibly help turn that tide ...

In any case, best of luck with however you choose to run OS/2!


2
WRT Sabon's many recent comments and thread posting, and specifically to "where now, OS/2?":

Current OS?2 problems:
  - platform ... it's 32-bit, and this won't easily change
  - hardware (running os/2 native), device drivers (wifi, etc.), and so on ...
  - software ... little to no new native apps, but much porting of unix/linux apps to os/2

and much more. Searching this and other forums points out the many problems with OS/2. That said, there is still much that can be done with it, and I think it will last quite some time.

What I do to solve all the above problems, is:
  - run a host os (Win10) ... solves all 64-bit, device driver, etc. type of problems
  - run virtualbox on this host os ... run any os in a vm, and more than one ... test anything, forever
  - run one or more OS/2 (ArcaOS) in vm's ... solves many os/2 ram, fs, wifi, etc. (guest additions)
  - run Winflector on host os ... 64-bit apps on host os are delivered into OS/2, in a window.

My original notes on all this are in the virtualization subforum ... AToF threads ... this should carry us on OS/2 long into the future. Perhaps it will give us time to get some form of OS?2 to 64-bits.

Specifically for developers, you can run multiple OS/2 vm's, perhaps one that is compiling, while your main OS/2 desktop is serving up your desktop of daily stuff. Host OS is running in the background, doing everything else on your 64-bit machine ... yep, Win10 is in effect, slaved to OS/2 and doing things for OS/2.

If you (or anyone) think there is some problem that AToF can't solve, or that doesn't have a modern workaround, please let me know (in a new thread, in the virtualization sub-forum).

I use AToF daily, finally getting the most out of my 64-bit, 64gb ram, and SSD's machine, running OS/2 (ArcaOS). I test all kinds of weird OS's ... from early dos, win, os/2 version, thru linux/unix, on up to mainframe os's ... all of them in vm's under the host os, and it all just works. None of the OS's know that they aren't running natively, but they have access to the modern world.

Many on this forum want to run OS/2 (ArcaOS) natively, as the host os ... nothing wrong with that, other than it is very problematic. Arca Noae's efforts are huge in this area, and we get a version of OS/2 that will carry us far, if you can work around or look past those problems.

ArcaOS works very well for me in a vm. But, I can't run natively, so a host os, virtualbox, winflector, and everything else in one or more vm's is my answer to every single one of OS/2's problems, as described in this forum. This will carry me way into the future, and OS/2 will continue to do everything I need it to do, via the AToF system.

Hope this helps ...

3
Applications / Re: qemu and ARCAOS 5.1
« on: September 29, 2025, 10:52:21 pm »
Without knowing exactly what the host os and version is, and what the QEMU version is, I'd say to make sure these are at the latest versions available. I saw notes to the effect that a fix was put in to later versions of qemu to help OS/2 Warp and ArcaOS.

With QEMU, we typically get our Windows binaries from a german developer who builds the released code, and makes it available to all (for win versions only) ... the dev's website is pointed at from the QEMU site.

On the startup string, I'd start adjusting each (one at a time), and seeing what happens; adjust from your working 5.0.6 set, or from one of the sources I suggested.

For example:
  - bump the ram to 4096, and retest ... see if amount of ram is an issue.
  - change the vga line, to look more like the other examples, and see if that helps

Always just one change at a time, and revert back to your baseline for the next change.

Did ArcaOS offer any help with QEMU ... as in, a startup string that they like?

Hope this helps ...


4
Events / Re: Warpstock 2025 - Nov 7-9
« on: September 29, 2025, 08:24:29 pm »
If the mission statement includes "an annual technology conference", then presumably, you want folks to actually attend, in person and remotely. I would think you'd want more to attend this year than last year.

All of my threads are full of ideas ... but I've written enough ... time for others to chime in. Perhaps you need a new thread, with the board (even if all volunteer) deciding (leading) on how to approach it, either on this forum, or on the Warpstock site.

If everyone is very happy with the status quo, then by all means, leave it alone and continue chugging towards whatever the end state is.

I've given the conference two shots ... one in person, and one remotely. If something changes conference-wise, maybe I can look forward to it in 2026. I won't be there this year with any presentations, as for too many reasons to list it's just no longer a viable venue to push new ideas.

I'm looking for that other venue ...

5
Events / Re: Warpstock 2025 - Nov 7-9
« on: September 29, 2025, 04:59:49 pm »
I'm looking at numbers (attendance, views, etc.) for where to put my "presentation ideas", and at fewer than 20 people or so attending warpstock (in person and remote), and the YT videos from said yearly events in the 50 - 200 views range, there isn't a lot there to make the expense of presenting worth it.

On this forum, an idea can have views of multiple 1000's ... implying lots of folks out there want to do something with OS/2. But, this Warpstock board doesn't seem to want to capitalize on that.

So, I'm having to look elsewhere to get my ideas out in front of the public. My presentations in 2023 showed me that Warpstock may not be the right venue, and my remote attendance in 2024 showed that the board isn't really interested in promoting Warpstock (a great brand name). I won't be presenting in this year's warpstock, and I can't see what effort the board will put into next year's ...

It's your conference ... if the board can't get in front of this, and tackle promoting (website, conference, presentations) and remote attendance (new and improved, to increase viewership), I don't know who can, as none of the rest of us have ownership (in Warpstock).

If you want to change Warpstock up, then perhaps you can draw new folks into the process ... new website, new ideas, more new folks, fundraising, etc. If it's just a call for volunteers, to perpetuate more of the same old same old, and end up with even less attendees/views than last year, I'll pass. That feels more like a small club of set members, with the rest of us looking in and wondering what's going on.

Again, I'm looking for where to place my ideas, and apparently, Warpstock isn't it ...

Good luck with your conference ...

6
Events / Re: Warpstock 2025 - Nov 7-9
« on: September 28, 2025, 04:29:51 pm »
Looking at earlier threads, I note that for the 1st 6 months of the year after Warpstock 2024, there wasn't much signs of life on the Warpstock site ... this is not a good start to building an exciting list of presentations and Warpstock 2025 interest. Now, we are one month and a week out ...

You can ask individuals for "ideas for presentations", but that seems to put the burden for any change upon those from whom you ask ... whereas, I believe the burden is on the Warpstock board to come up a new method of developing the presentation effort, starting with day 1 right after Warpstock 2025.

Or, continue with the old method of a generic and simple "ask", midway thru the year or thereabouts ...

The former, if the board can come up with a new way to build up interest into presentation ideas and support for Warpstock attendance, in-person *AND* remote, might pull folks back in again. This is 2026 effort ...

The latter (the old method) ... sigh ...

7
Applications / Re: qemu and ARCAOS 5.1
« on: September 28, 2025, 01:17:36 am »
Can you share your ArcaOS 5.1.x start string for qemu, version of qemu, and host os you are using?

These are not mine, but here's some start strings found around the web, for versions of OS/2:
  - ecomstation 2.x:
qemu-system-x86_64 -m 2048 -device vmware-svga,vgamem_mb=4 -device pcnet,mac=6E:C0:E6:AA:6B:BD,netdev=net0 -netdev user,id=net0 -drive file=ecomstation21.qcow2 -device ac97 -rtc base=localtime -cdrom ecs21_cd1_en_us.iso  -boot d

  - ArcaOS 5.0.x:
qemu-system-x86_64 -m 8192 -device VGA,vgamem_mb=4 -device pcnet,mac=6E:C0:E6:AA:6B:BD,netdev=net0 -netdev user,id=net0 -drive file=arcaos50.qcow2 -device ac97 -rtc base=localtime -cdrom ArcaOS-5.0.iso  -boot d

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/qemu_kvm/comments/1gek98d/install_and_run_ecomstation_21_and_arcaos_50_in/

Other resources:
  os2world.com/wiki/index.php/Installing_ArcaOS_on_QEMU_with_Windows_10_Host

ArcaOS 5.1.0 was first version to support UEFI? So, perhaps some UEFI investigation, to fallback to CSM or something else, for QEMU? Or, as you are running a licensed 5.1.0, perhaps open a ticket with ArcaNoae?

Hope this helps ...

8
Events / Re: Warpstock 2025 - Nov 7-9
« on: September 23, 2025, 11:17:58 pm »
I had problems with last year's event, where the IRC toolset just didn't give me parity with being there in person. I would type away in the tool (asking q's, mentioning ideas, etc.), and nobody noticed at the other end, and nothing of what I typed seemed to get onto the radar of the folks presenting or managing the conference. I did not feel the parity in attending as if I was there in person.

Look at the 2024 thread where I and others mentioned wanting a better remote conferencing tool, and we were even willing to pay for it, but it didn't seem to garner in support from the board, or even attention. No mention of what can, or could, be done for remote attending folks for this year ... so, no need to attend.

On the presentation side, Warpstock (corp) doesn't seem to drive interest in presentations and being there at the conference, either in person or remote ... the Warpstock site is woefully out of date, and there is no advertising of presentations.. I even get an "access denied" when trying to visit the current list of presentations (event pages link) ...

Perhaps for next year, start asking for ideas on day 1 after this year's conference (or, as the last session of this year), and constantly promote, advertise, and otherwise build an exciting list of presentations for the next event such that more folks are drawn in. Maybe there is even time enough to get it done for this year, with a tad less than two months.

To recap:
  - If no better tool to access the conference than IRC, I can't get excited about attending this year's conference, remotely.
  - If the presentations aren't better developed and promoted, I can't get excited about attending ...

OS/2 could be more (new ways to use it, alternatives to difficulties using it, problem-solving with it) ... Warpstock could be more (modern/updated website, relevant information, exciting event details, more articles) ...

9
Setup & Installation / Re: Extremely slow Warp 4.52 installation.
« on: September 05, 2025, 04:01:11 pm »
This is a really old system, and I believe you are trying to boot a really old OS (if it's 4.52 stock) ... both of these are most likely out of sync with what you installed on it back in the day (warp 3, 4?).

If you were able to get 3 or 4 (or something) on it back then, then perhaps check to see if that can be repeated today, and then look into the upgrade processes to finally get to 4.52 plus fixes. This gets you to a known starting point. Save that image (for reload), and test in other directions ...

I'd think you need a more modern boot CD, such as in the links provided ... this is the only way I can think of to get all the fixes into place that have occurred over the years, for the installer routines. Even then, it's a gamble, given the weird combinations of hardware & bios, not the least of which is IDE issues, master/slave, installer switches, etc.

Only other thing I can offer is to possibly try a HDD-based install (and get the CD drive off the bus), where you put all the installation files into a mount-point, and arrange to kick off the install from that directory with some boot diskettes. There are instructions that can be searched for on the 'net, if you feel like gathering all the modern pieces, creating an install dir, and giving it a shot. This would possibly bypass much IDE (CD Drive?) grief ... certainly another data point.

If you have a real love for the old hardware, and are willing to keep trying, you'll eventually hit on a winning combination. It will take time, but it's why we explore all the old stuff in the first place ...

If you just wanted to see OS/2 running, and explore it a bit, consider virtualization. I run OS/2 in a VM (ArcaOS, 4.52, etc. all the way down to 1.xx) ... it's much easier to try out combinations, at virtual/vm speeds ... no hardware issues, no browser issues (see the virtualization subfolder on this forum).

Hope this helps ...

10
Setup & Installation / Re: Extremely slow Warp 4.52 installation.
« on: September 04, 2025, 03:29:33 pm »
Second possibility is to redo your OS/2 boot cd (assuming you're booting from a stock cd) ... try looking at a site like:

  www.os2usr.org/w4bootcd.html

and then rebuild a new OS/2 4.52 boot cd using all their their suggestions, and the latest drivers for hardware.

The article is a point in time for an older v4 install, but hopefully you can sort thru what's needed for 4.52

Hope this helps ...

11
Setup & Installation / Re: Extremely slow Warp 4.52 installation.
« on: September 04, 2025, 03:13:14 pm »
Review this old post:

www.os2world.com/oldforum/index.php?topic=1402.0

I'd tend to agree with the old post's comments that you've got some IDE issues that win98 can get past, and OS/2 cannot. Don't know if you'll need two IDE controllers to separate hdd and cd, or if it's a jumper issue, or data cable issue. But, read the whole thing and see if their tips on IDE are of use ...

Hope this helps ...

12
Programming / Re: Powerbasic for OS/2
« on: July 30, 2025, 02:13:26 am »
You'll want to look around for various IBM, Microsoft, and 3rd-party "basic" compilers/interpreters/etc ... if you search this forum, you'll find links where folks talk about some of these, like:

https://www.os2world.com/forum/index.php/topic,1446.0.html  (reply 23 looks interesting)

And then, various google searches for OS/2 dev tools and apps, such as:

https://www.os2site.com/sw/dev/basic/index.html

Note that many of these are for older versions of OS/2, so who knows how they'll run under ArcaOS or whatever OS/2 you've got running. Perhaps BASIC programmers who also use ArcaOS will chime in, and give their input on the best thing to run these days, on a "modern" ArcaOS.

Hope this helps ...

13
Programming / Re: Powerbasic for OS/2
« on: July 30, 2025, 12:07:53 am »
I usually start with Wikipedia ... many folks (humans) verify Wikipedia ... but, for the most part, you are on your own to verify the content of any AI tools (and you most likely might head to Wikipedia to start that process).

Wikipedia has TurboBasic/PowerBasic page(s). Nowhere in the history of TurboBasic/PowerBasic/Borland, as relayed in Wikipedia, was there an OS/2 version.

Also, nothing on archive.org ... a second place to investigate. If ever there was a version, it usually makes its way here.

Finally, the forum might be a place for further inquiry:
  forum.powerbasic.com/

Borland had a few OS/2 products, but I can't find that PowerBasic (or TurboBasic) was one of them.

Hope this helps ...

14
Virtualbox, and most other virtualization software packages, have a "shared folders" concept. This requires "guest additions" to be enabled on the os within the VM; as you are running ArcaOS, I believe the guest additions are already enabled.

You only need to go into Virtualbox, find and enable a shared folder for your ArcaOS VM, and it will then show up in ArcaOS.

Read more about this in the Virtualbox Administration Guide, available from the Virtualbox download website.

Hope this helps ...

15
Applications / Re: [Looking] Info about MS LAN Manager
« on: July 11, 2025, 06:43:51 pm »
To get at the history of things (such as OP's MS-NET or LanMan categories), I usually rummage through sources like:

- wikipedia:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS-Net
- old books (sometimes online)

These are loaded with references, resources, links, etc., and you will lose hours of your life rummaging ... sorry about that! For example, the above wikipedia link will launch you into more protocols, nos's, and details than you might have wanted, so I'll let you decide how far down the rabbit hole you want to go.

Many might think MS invented *all* of DOS, OS/2, NetBIOS/NetBEUI, MS-NET, SMB, Lan Manager, and so on ... as you rummage, you'll find the "originators or partners" of all of the above, where MS got a jump start, or partnered with someone else to get the ball rolling. For example:

  "BAF Protocol: The very first name for the protocol formerly known as SMB. The SMB protocol was originally developed by Dr. Barry A. Feigenbaum at IBM and, according to legend, was originally given his initials. It was later renamed SMB and, more recently, CIFS." (repeated in several sources I've found, so most likely "true" ***)

BIO: I've seen much, since the early '80's ... built my first 286 pc with dos, wordperfect, autocad in the '80's, then into unix workstations and pc's with pc-nfs (and "thick ethernet") in the mid-80's. At Sematech starting in '87/'88, ran networks of 100's (near 1000's) of PS/2's with dos, os/2, ms-net (fileservers), lan manager, and built all kinds of UNIX workstations (SUN, HP, IBM, and more). We "networked" (tied in) with the internet via the University of Texas at Austin in those days, until we got our own pipes to the budding "internet". Lots of fun (seriously) ...

Software: still going through hundreds, if not 1000's of diskettes, cd's, etc., converting to digitial (about 90 to 95% success rate). What others haven't already put on archive.org ...

Virtualization: allows me to fiddle again with all this old stuff ... while there's pc's, ps/2's, and unix in my storage containers, rebuilding it all in Virtualbox and similar is just so much easier these days, and allows many new possibilities ... such as AToF (run OS/2 problem-free, with 64-bit apps, modern browsers, etc.: see the virtualization sub-forum on OS2World!)

Enjoy the long and winding road ...

*** "As best I can tell after lots of rummaging ... YMMV ... trust but verify!

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