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WebSite Information => Comments, Suggestions & Questions => Topic started by: bazmyslik on January 25, 2021, 05:24:38 am

Title: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on January 25, 2021, 05:24:38 am
Hi,
We all know the situation with Ray Gwinn, author of SIO2K. For many years, SIO2K has not developed or sold a license for many years. There is simply no way to legally obtain a registered version.

I have a computer with OS / 2 in a location where I have not been physically present for 2/3 months. When a power failure occurs or an OS / 2 error occurs, I have the option to restart my computer remotely. But that's not valid for me, because OS / 2 stays still and waits for the click that the unregistered version of SIO2K requires to continue and run OS / 2. It can't be done remotely :-(

I have a question and the current request: is there anyone who has purchased and owns a registered SIO2K that does not require user confirmation when running OS / 2? Is there such a person at all? For several years I have been searching in vain for a registered version of SIO2.

Is no one really the owner and wouldn't someone be willing to sell or donate a registered version given that Ray Gwinn is not communicating and cannot be obtained from him? Thank you so much for the information and help.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: David Graser on January 25, 2021, 07:04:18 am
At one time, it was reported that Ray was willing to open source his software, but nothing ever materialized.

Here is the old link in the forum.

https://www.os2world.com/forum/index.php/topic,1820.15.html

I am not sure why the source code and key could not have been uploaded to Hobbes.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Martin Iturbide on January 25, 2021, 03:14:20 pm
Hi

Ray Gwinn was active on  facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ray.gwinn) some days ago. I'm trying again to see if we can get a freeware license for the community.

I also tried to get the source code some time ago but he needed physical presence of someone to help him with the machine. I can not recall where he was located in the US.

Regards
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Martin Iturbide on January 25, 2021, 03:31:44 pm
Hi Robin

Excuse me if I ask too much, but I was wondering what is your need for SIO2K, what is been used for? Just to see if we can find some workaround. Is the OS/2 machine requiring a modem or some specific serial device that requires SIO2K?

Regards
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Martin Iturbide on January 25, 2021, 05:53:00 pm
Hi

Ray has replied to me that he cannot make licensed versions of SIO2K, since he lost the code that makes licensed versions.
I'm asking if he can turn SIO2K as "AS IS" freeware and if it can be possible to share the license code of someone with the community. I need his confirmation.

I'm not a user of SIO2K. How is the registration process? is it just including an serial number on the application or text file, or the binary has to be produced with the serial number?

Regards
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Lars on January 25, 2021, 09:30:01 pm
...or to change the code to remove the license check ...
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: R.M. Klippstein on January 25, 2021, 11:58:26 pm
Hi Robin I was working wirh I.B.M on OS/2.0 beta about the same time Ray put out his SIO drivers. I remember getting his drivers and I had them on 3 1/2 " Floppy Disks. I don't know if I still have them or not, I was living in the U.S. at the time and may have left or lost them up there, but I also have  a bunch of floppy's down here which I will "dig up" and see if I still have the drivers. This will take me some time but I will let you know if I come up with them. Whether they will still be readable or not is another question.

klipp
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Martin Iturbide on January 26, 2021, 02:49:51 pm
Hi

I have some partial good news. Ray Gwinn authorized to share the registered version of SIO and SIO2K. But currently I don't have the registered version of SIO2K (that is why is partial good news). If someone has the registered version of SIO2K please let me know.  For what I was able to research the latest version of SIO2K was 2.03, released June 6, 2002.

Regards
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on January 26, 2021, 06:58:05 pm
Hi

Ray Gwinn was active on  facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ray.gwinn) some days ago. I'm trying again to see if we can get a freeware license for the community.

I also tried to get the source code some time ago but he needed physical presence of someone to help him with the machine. I can not recall where he was located in the US.

Regards

I know this. The conditions of continuing as set by Ray are not absolutely feasible. No one will go home to it and develop software that is no longer commercially valuable.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on January 26, 2021, 07:03:58 pm
Hi

Ray Gwinn was active on  facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ray.gwinn) some days ago. I'm trying again to see if we can get a freeware license for the community.

I also tried to get the source code some time ago but he needed physical presence of someone to help him with the machine. I can not recall where he was located in the US.

Regards

Yes, released on June 6, 2002, works relatively well for me. But when starting the computer it requires a "press any key" and I'm 150 km away from the computer :-( My system FidoNet and BBS works until something goes wrong. Then I can remotely turn the computer off and on again, but "press any key "I really can't remotely :-( That's why I'm looking for a registered version.

I know this. The conditions of continuing as set by Ray are not absolutely feasible. No one will go home to it and develop software that is no longer commercially valuable.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on January 26, 2021, 07:10:05 pm
Hi Robin I was working wirh I.B.M on OS/2.0 beta about the same time Ray put out his SIO drivers. I remember getting his drivers and I had them on 3 1/2 " Floppy Disks. I don't know if I still have them or not, I was living in the U.S. at the time and may have left or lost them up there, but I also have  a bunch of floppy's down here which I will "dig up" and see if I still have the drivers. This will take me some time but I will let you know if I come up with them. Whether they will still be readable or not is another question.

klipp
That would be wonderful. 98% of everything is legally purchased. I don't have SIO2K from 2002, because between 2000 and 2005 I was absent from FidoNet and BBS and after 2005 Ray Gwinn no longer worked and did not sell a license and this situation remained as follows :-(
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on January 26, 2021, 07:14:58 pm
Hi Robin

Excuse me if I ask too much, but I was wondering what is your need for SIO2K, what is been used for? Just to see if we can find some workaround. Is the OS/2 machine requiring a modem or some specific serial device that requires SIO2K?

Regards

I need a V-Modem for eCS and ArcaOS. The VM uses FidoNet software FrontDoor for IP connections and BBS software PCBoard also for IP connections. These software were originally made only for communication with an analog modem, but they also work via a V-Modem. There is no software for V-Modem other than SIO2K for OS / 2 :-(
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on January 26, 2021, 07:21:24 pm
Hi

Ray has replied to me that he cannot make licensed versions of SIO2K, since he lost the code that makes licensed versions.
I'm asking if he can turn SIO2K as "AS IS" freeware and if it can be possible to share the license code of someone with the community. I need his confirmation.

I'm not a user of SIO2K. How is the registration process? is it just including an serial number on the application or text file, or the binary has to be produced with the serial number?

Regards

If my memory serves me right, then after paying, Ray sent sio2k.sys directly to the customer. So everyone received their sio2k.sys
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on January 26, 2021, 07:24:01 pm
...or to change the code to remove the license check ...

My colleague and I have been trying unsuccessfully for 2 years :-( Ray spent more time securing the license than his own functionality :-(
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Pete on January 26, 2021, 09:42:36 pm
Hi Robin

I think the version included with eComStation 1.1/1.2 was registered to eComStation (or Serenity Systems). Not sure if it will work on non-eCS systems but have attached it for you to try.


Regards

Pete
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Lars on January 26, 2021, 11:39:26 pm
...or to change the code to remove the license check ...

My colleague and I have been trying unsuccessfully for 2 years :-( Ray spent more time securing the license than his own functionality :-(
Of course it needs access to the code. But I thought Ray had agreed to that.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on January 27, 2021, 01:54:54 am
Hi Robin

I think the version included with eComStation 1.1/1.2 was registered to eComStation (or Serenity Systems). Not sure if it will work on non-eCS systems but have attached it for you to try.


Regards

Pete

I have all versions of eCS and of course I also tried this version of SIO2K from 1.2, but it is combed and does not work with VModem :-(
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Dave Yeo on January 27, 2021, 02:16:35 am
...or to change the code to remove the license check ...

My colleague and I have been trying unsuccessfully for 2 years :-( Ray spent more time securing the license than his own functionality :-(
Of course it needs access to the code. But I thought Ray had agreed to that.

IIRC, the problem was that Ray can't get downstairs to the basement or such anymore and was looking for someone local to help to get the source from storage or similar.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on January 27, 2021, 02:39:24 am
...or to change the code to remove the license check ...

My colleague and I have been trying unsuccessfully for 2 years :-( Ray spent more time securing the license than his own functionality :-(
Of course it needs access to the code. But I thought Ray had agreed to that.

I can understand that. I'm 71 and I also have problems remembering where I have it :-) In its place I would search and certainly find at least one registered version and add to those interested. There won't be many of them, I would say less than 10 :-)
IIRC, the problem was that Ray can't get downstairs to the basement or such anymore and was looking for someone local to help to get the source from storage or similar.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: David Graser on January 28, 2021, 07:56:08 am
I may have a registered copy of sio160d.  Not sure.  If anything, the trial version may be later than what some users have.  I am not sure if a key is required or his version is mailed working version.

I have uploaded the zip.

Just found a later version 2.  This may be the registered version.  Having never seen this version anywhere except in my archives, I believe this version may be the real McCoy, the registered updated version.   Version two had some major enhancements over 1.6.

Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Igor on January 28, 2021, 10:43:07 am
I have the SIO2K version 11-14-00 - Beta 014 with beta tester key (256 ports). If there is a need and permission from Ray, I am ready to post it.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Rick Smith on January 28, 2021, 04:27:57 pm
I have the SIO2K version 11-14-00 - Beta 014 with beta tester key (256 ports). If there is a need and permission from Ray, I am ready to post it.
I found that one as well, but when installed it claimed to be expired.  So not sure if I got ahold of a bad one?

Rick
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Igor on January 28, 2021, 04:54:26 pm
I found that one as well, but when installed it claimed to be expired.  So not sure if I got ahold of a bad one?
I'm sorry, but I have no way to check it at all. No equipment available...
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Harald Kamm on January 28, 2021, 07:26:20 pm
Just found a later version 2.  This may be the registered version.  Having never seen this version anywhere except in my archives, I believe this version may be the real McCoy, the registered updated version.   Version two had some major enhancements over 1.6.

The last available version was 2.03.

http://cyberia.dnsalias.com/cgi-bin/maxfind.exe?Action=Search&SearchStr=s2kv203.zip&DateButton=Month&DateStr=2020-12-29&MultiPage=0

Best, Harald
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Martin Iturbide on January 28, 2021, 08:48:49 pm
Hi

I will like to get the registered versions of SIO and SIO2K to make it available at hobbes for free.  Like a told before Ray Gwinn authorized to share the registered versions of this software.

I have knowledge of these latest version:
- SIO version 1.60d, released March 17, 1997
- SIO2K version 2.03, released June 6, 2002.

I would like to get the registered versions of those latest releases, but for the moment any registered version is good for me.

For what I know there is no registration key, the registered version was a different compiled version. If someone can confirm I will appreciate it.

Regards
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: David Graser on January 29, 2021, 06:56:03 am
Hi

I will like to get the registered versions of SIO and SIO2K to make it available at hobbes for free.  Like a told before Ray Gwinn authorized to share the registered versions of this software.

I have knowledge of these latest version:
- SIO version 1.60d, released March 17, 1997
- SIO2K version 2.03, released June 6, 2002.

I would like to get the registered versions of those latest releases, but for the moment any registered version is good for me.

For what I know there is no registration key, the registered version was a different compiled version. If someone can confirm I will appreciate it.

Regards

The 2.02 version I uploaded is the unregistered version.  On bootup, it tells you it is unregistered.
The 2.03 version link is the shareware unregistered version.  Again  tells on on bootup.

In the docs, it states that a registered version can be downloaded when purchased, so there appears to be no key.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Rick Smith on January 29, 2021, 09:19:41 am
Hi

I will like to get the registered versions of SIO and SIO2K to make it available at hobbes for free.  Like a told before Ray Gwinn authorized to share the registered versions of this software.

I have knowledge of these latest version:
- SIO version 1.60d, released March 17, 1997
- SIO2K version 2.03, released June 6, 2002.

I would like to get the registered versions of those latest releases, but for the moment any registered version is good for me.

For what I know there is no registration key, the registered version was a different compiled version. If someone can confirm I will appreciate it.

Regards

There is an authorized hack/reg for 160d it’s called SIOREG.ZIP when I track it down I’ll upload it to you

Rick
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Pete2 on February 23, 2021, 01:54:35 pm
I was at one time a registered SIO2k user but had to revert to com.sys for reasons I can't remember any more(!) The attached file is a zip of the directory created by the installation. To install, unpack it where you want it to be and follow the instructions for manual installation in install.txt - basically just adding config.sys entries. I've tested this and the drivers seem to load ok, but I couldn't test with any hardware attached to the COM port.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Rick Smith on February 24, 2021, 02:36:44 am
Hi

I will like to get the registered versions of SIO and SIO2K to make it available at hobbes for free.  Like a told before Ray Gwinn authorized to share the registered versions of this software.

I have knowledge of these latest version:
- SIO version 1.60d, released March 17, 1997
- SIO2K version 2.03, released June 6, 2002.

I would like to get the registered versions of those latest releases, but for the moment any registered version is good for me.

For what I know there is no registration key, the registered version was a different compiled version. If someone can confirm I will appreciate it.

Regards

This is an author authorized registration for sio160d I do not believe it will work for sio2k however....

enjoy

Rick
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Lars on February 24, 2021, 11:50:56 am
I was at one time a registered SIO2k user but had to revert to com.sys for reasons I can't remember any more(!) The attached file is a zip of the directory created by the installation. To install, unpack it where you want it to be and follow the instructions for manual installation in install.txt - basically just adding config.sys entries. I've tested this and the drivers seem to load ok, but I couldn't test with any hardware attached to the COM port.

If Ray Gwinn agreed to open up SIO2K for general use, I'd just repack the original install zip with all the files that there are in SIO2K.ZIP. As far as I understood from past discussion, the install (or rather the registration) process will modify the driver binaries with the registration info (which seems to leave the file dates intact ...).
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Fahrvenugen on March 05, 2021, 06:12:34 pm
Hi,

I know that I have a registered copy of both the last 1.60d build and SIO2K on my system. I don't have it handy right now, but I should be able to find both this weekend.  I'll be happy to upload it as Ray has given his blessing to do so.

Martin - if you've got a copy of the message from Ray authorizing this I'd like to include it in the ZIPs, just so that people don't think I'm inappropriately violating Ray's copyright.

Cheers.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Martin Iturbide on March 05, 2021, 08:41:09 pm
Martin - if you've got a copy of the message from Ray authorizing this I'd like to include it in the ZIPs, just so that people don't think I'm inappropriately violating Ray's copyright.

Hi Fahrvenugen, I send yoou over e-mail the screenshot of my chat with Ray Gwinn.

Regards
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Fahrvenugen on March 06, 2021, 06:00:06 am
Hi all,

I found my registered versions of both SIO 1.60d and SIO2K (Version 2.0.3).  As far as I can tell this version of SIO2K may be one of the final ones to be sent out by Ray.  I had stayed pretty up to date with releases.  Checking my emails from that time (2002) I had been providing Ray with feedback on my testing of the driver on Warp 3.  This driver does work with properly with Warp 3 with Fixpak 40 (at least it did in 2002).

The ZIP's are close to original as possible with the addition that I've added the screen shot of the discussion that Martin had with Ray giving permission to distribute the registered version of SIO2K.

As far as I can tell they should work and show up as registered at boot, but if someone can grab these and do a quick install / test to confirm that the registration comes through in the ZIPed files then that would be a positive thing (at one point I think SIO used a hidden key file for registration if memory serves, but I could not find such a file in these installs.  In my own testing they both seemed to work showing the registered version, my install method was to unzip the files in a folder and modify the config.sys per the documentation). 

Martin - presuming these installs run registered as expected, if you'd like to add them either to the online wiki / information that you maintain here at OS2World or to Hobbes I'm good with that.

Cheers!
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Martin Iturbide on March 06, 2021, 04:34:38 pm
Martin - presuming these installs run registered as expected, if you'd like to add them either to the online wiki / information that you maintain here at OS2World or to Hobbes I'm good with that.

Thanks to the people that shared the files. I will be uploading those to Hobbes.

Regards
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Fritz Chwolka on March 09, 2021, 07:12:08 pm
 :)  Thanks ...

I have the registered 1.6 for 10 coms  but didn't found my 2.0 version so I'm happy with your help.

(http://)
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on March 10, 2021, 11:25:09 am
Hi all,

I found my registered versions of both SIO 1.60d and SIO2K (Version 2.0.3).  As far as I can tell this version of SIO2K may be one of the final ones to be sent out by Ray.  I had stayed pretty up to date with releases.  Checking my emails from that time (2002) I had been providing Ray with feedback on my testing of the driver on Warp 3.  This driver does work with properly with Warp 3 with Fixpak 40 (at least it did in 2002).

The ZIP's are close to original as possible with the addition that I've added the screen shot of the discussion that Martin had with Ray giving permission to distribute the registered version of SIO2K.

As far as I can tell they should work and show up as registered at boot, but if someone can grab these and do a quick install / test to confirm that the registration comes through in the ZIPed files then that would be a positive thing (at one point I think SIO used a hidden key file for registration if memory serves, but I could not find such a file in these installs.  In my own testing they both seemed to work showing the registered version, my install method was to unzip the files in a folder and modify the config.sys per the documentation). 

Martin - presuming these installs run registered as expected, if you'd like to add them either to the online wiki / information that you maintain here at OS2World or to Hobbes I'm good with that.

Cheers!

I unpacked the package and uploaded the whole unpacked in place of the original unregistered version and HEUREKA works !!!

It is only a question of how two identical registered copies will behave against each other. Ray, if I remember correctly, had protection so that it would not work and thus prevent theft :-(

I'll verify it, but I need a few hours to get another computer up and running with ArcaOS.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: Fahrvenugen on March 11, 2021, 12:19:46 am

It is only a question of how two identical registered copies will behave against each other. Ray, if I remember correctly, had protection so that it would not work and thus prevent theft :-(

I'll verify it, but I need a few hours to get another computer up and running with ArcaOS.

Please do give it a try to verify, but from what I know it *should* work fine, at least the SIO2K version.

Keep in mind that while it is certainly functional and works well, from what I remember SIO2K was still considered by Ray to be in a beta/testing (but still good enough for paid registered versions) state at the time of 2.0.3.  One of the email exchanges that I had with him at the time suggested that he'd be okay with me installing it on more then one of my machines but didn't want me to distribute it to other people (which is why I wanted to be sure we had permission from Ray before just uploading it here).  As I mentioned earlier I was one of the few people providing him with Warp 3 testing / functionality feedback on the driver and had it installed on both my Warp 3 and 4 machines.  If there was to be a protection issue then I suspect he'd have indicated as such and I would probably have run into issues running the same driver on more then one machine.

Glad to hear it works for you!  It is always better to have something boot and not have to press the any key during bootup.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on March 12, 2021, 09:19:58 pm

It is only a question of how two identical registered copies will behave against each other. Ray, if I remember correctly, had protection so that it would not work and thus prevent theft :-(

I'll verify it, but I need a few hours to get another computer up and running with ArcaOS.

Please do give it a try to verify, but from what I know it *should* work fine, at least the SIO2K version.

Keep in mind that while it is certainly functional and works well, from what I remember SIO2K was still considered by Ray to be in a beta/testing (but still good enough for paid registered versions) state at the time of 2.0.3.  One of the email exchanges that I had with him at the time suggested that he'd be okay with me installing it on more then one of my machines but didn't want me to distribute it to other people (which is why I wanted to be sure we had permission from Ray before just uploading it here).  As I mentioned earlier I was one of the few people providing him with Warp 3 testing / functionality feedback on the driver and had it installed on both my Warp 3 and 4 machines.  If there was to be a protection issue then I suspect he'd have indicated as such and I would probably have run into issues running the same driver on more then one machine.

Glad to hear it works for you!  It is always better to have something boot and not have to press the any key during bootup.

I have SIO2K installed with me 420/333 and my colleague 423/81 with him and the connection is going fine without any problems or restrictions. You are very satisfied and thank you very much.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: milosb on March 14, 2021, 09:12:49 am

I have SIO2K installed with me 420/333 and my colleague 423/81 with him and the connection is going fine without any problems or restrictions. You are very satisfied and thank you very much.

VMODEM protocol is not used between 420/333 and 423/81...
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on March 14, 2021, 12:48:45 pm

I have SIO2K installed with me 420/333 and my colleague 423/81 with him and the connection is going fine without any problems or restrictions. You are very satisfied and thank you very much.

VMODEM protocol is not used between 420/333 and 423/81...

Oh, I got it wrong. Only I use VMODEM on 420/333. I am sorry. So the connection of two identical S / N SIO2K has not been verified yet.
Title: Re: SIO2K Ray Gwinn
Post by: bazmyslik on March 23, 2021, 07:43:53 am

It is only a question of how two identical registered copies will behave against each other. Ray, if I remember correctly, had protection so that it would not work and thus prevent theft :-(

I'll verify it, but I need a few hours to get another computer up and running with ArcaOS.

Please do give it a try to verify, but from what I know it *should* work fine, at least the SIO2K version.

Keep in mind that while it is certainly functional and works well, from what I remember SIO2K was still considered by Ray to be in a beta/testing (but still good enough for paid registered versions) state at the time of 2.0.3.  One of the email exchanges that I had with him at the time suggested that he'd be okay with me installing it on more then one of my machines but didn't want me to distribute it to other people (which is why I wanted to be sure we had permission from Ray before just uploading it here).  As I mentioned earlier I was one of the few people providing him with Warp 3 testing / functionality feedback on the driver and had it installed on both my Warp 3 and 4 machines.  If there was to be a protection issue then I suspect he'd have indicated as such and I would probably have run into issues running the same driver on more then one machine.

Glad to hear it works for you!  It is always better to have something boot and not have to press the any key during bootup.

Bad news :-( I verified the connection of two computers with SIO2K obtained here and registered on Lorne Tyndale and two of the same S / N can not be used :-( Ray Gwin has it protected and therefore calmly gave consent to the distribution :-(