As the title states, I would like to know just how to install the guest additions under VirtualBox. I like VirtualBox more than VPC, because it supports more OSes that I use than VPC 2007. It works perfectly under virtualbox, and the VPC additions are a breeze to install, but as I stated, VPC is not an ideal solution for me.
I read the readme on installing the guest additions for OS/2, but I'm stumped.
VirtualBox Guest Additions Driver for OS/2 (Beta)
Prerequisites:
- the generic VESA gradd driver is being used (gengradd)
Updated installation instructions:
- boot to the OS/2 command prompt (alt-f1 while the white blob is displayed during early boot, then f2)
- copy all files into the directory c:\OS2Additions
- make a backup copy of c:\os2\dll\gengradd.dll
- copy our gengradd.dll to c:\os2\dll
- copy libc063.dll to c:\os2\dll
- comment out the 'device=c:\os2\boot\mouse.sys' line in c:\config.sys (put 'rem' in front)
- append 'device=c:\OS2Additions\vboxguest.sys' to c:\config.sys
- append 'device=c:\OS2Additions\vboxmouse.sys' to c:\config.sys
- add 'c:\OS2Additions\VBoxService.exe' to the start of c:\startup.cmd
- reboot
Basically, I would like to know how I would complete the tasks listed in the readme.
PS. I'm in love with OS/2. I find it a refreshing change from Windows and Linux. I find it to be more powerful than even Linux when it comes to what you can do with a stock install.
Hi
I do not have virtualbox installed but it looks to me as though you simply need to boot to a command line, copy some files and edit the config.sys and startup.cmd files. However, there is a good chance that if you are not familiar with OS/2 this could seem like a mountain/molehill to climb :-)
My interpretation of your posted "Updated installation instructions:"
- boot to the OS/2 command prompt (alt-f1 while the white blob is displayed during early boot, then f2)
This means that you start the boot process but when a little square blob with OS/2 appears in the top left corner of the screen, just as booting starts, you need to press Alt and F1 keys.
This should bring up a blue screen (but not a Windows BSOD :-) at which you need to press F2 key.
The system should then boot to a command line allowing you to perform the following actions.
- copy all files into the directory c:\OS2Additions
Presumably you have some files on floppy/CD/DVD that are needed in c:\OS2Additions (the boot drive involved here is C: I take it?) so a command something like this:
[C:\]copy a:\additions\* c:\OS2Additions\*
should copy the required files. Change drive letter:\directory to suit your system.
- make a backup copy of c:\os2\dll\gengradd.dll
Use a command like this:
[C:\]copy c:\os2\dll\gengradd.dll c:\os2\dll\gengradd.dll.bak
- copy our gengradd.dll to c:\os2\dll
Use a command like this:
[C:\]copy a:\gengradd.dll c:\os2\dll\gengradd.dll
- copy libc063.dll to c:\os2\dll
Use a command like this:
[C:\]copy a:\libc063.dll c:\os2\dll\libc063.dll
You are going to need to use an editor for the rest of the instructions so I suggest we use TEdit, a rather basic but capable text mode editor.
[C:\]tedit config.sys
should start the editor with the config.sys file open so you can do the following:
- comment out the 'device=c:\os2\boot\mouse.sys' line in c:\config.sys (put 'rem' in front)
This line should be changed to:
REM device=c:\os2\boot\mouse.sys
- append 'device=c:\OS2Additions\vboxguest.sys' to c:\config.sys
Add this line to the end of the config.sys file:
device=c:\OS2Additions\vboxguest.sys
- append 'device=c:\OS2Additions\vboxmouse.sys' to c:\config.sys
Add this line to the end of the config.sys file:
device=c:\OS2Additions\vboxmouse.sys
At this point you should save this file (config.sys) by pressing F2 and then press F8 and add c:\startup.cmd to the EDIT line as you need to edit that file as well.
- add 'c:\OS2Additions\VBoxService.exe' to the start of c:\startup.cmd
Add this line to the end of the startup.cmd file:
c:\OS2Additions\VBoxService.exe
Use F2 to save the file and then F3 to quit the editor.
- reboot
An instruction which can be instigated using this command:
[C:\]setboot /b
Hope the above helps
Pete
That's exactly what I was looking for! Thanks a lot. I like OS/2 so much better than Windows or Linux. I recently discovered it when I got bored, and starting looking up ways to get Windows 3.11WFWG to access the net, then I stumbled upon OS/2. I have a penchant for older operating systems, so you have just made my day.
Even though I'm not a total noob to the command line, I do like the way you structured your explanation. Very concise, very thorough, and easy to understand.
Hi
Just in case you get "bitten" by the OS/2 bug but want to use it on fairly modern hardware you should be pointed at www.ecomstation.com
eCS(eComStation) V1.2R will install on 64bit systems - OS/2 does not, or not without a bit of hassle - and has a few updated bits.
The "due sometime but currently overdue" eCS2.0 will include, amongst other things, ACPI support which seems to be necessary for recent/current mainboards.
It is possible to get access to the ACPI drivers and other "Reserved Features", including eCS2.0 beta downloads, by purchasing a Software Subscription when purchasing eCS1.2R. I think that also gives a free upgrade to eCS2.0 when it is officially released.
As I said, Just in case you ever need to know... :-)
Regards
Pete
My PC is way too modern for OS/2. That's why I have no choice but to virtualize it. I highly doubt eComStation supports Intel's P35 chipet, SATA drives, and a Radeon HD2900XT. It's a shame too, because if I didn't game, I would switch to OS2/eComStation in a heartbeat.
I followed your instructions to a t, but for some reason, my cursor still gets trapped in the virtualbox OS/2 window when I click inside of it. Either I did something wrong, or it just doesn't support pointer integration for OS/2.
I guess I have no choice but to use VirtualPC. I like VirtualBox better, because it supports more guests, is faster, lighter, and has a feature called seamless mode, which is extremely cool, but I need pointer integration, since it's a total PITA to have the VM take over the mouse everytime I click inside it.
Brbaum, you'd be surprised what eCS supports. Your HD2900xt wont have hardware accel of any level, but with Panorama SNAP and Shadow Buffer on, eCS will drive it to native resoltion/refresh/color space and be pretty damned quick with it. My specs are in my Signiature, and I have no problems with eCS. So long as you have the latest DANI drivers, SATA (non-raid) are more or less a breeze to use. I can let you borrow an eCS 2.0 RC4 ISO if you'd like, or you can look in some less than scrupulous places for it, to be sure you can get eCS to boot!
Also, If eCS supported my printers/scanner/mp3 players, and I didnt game, Id be eCS all the way :)
I have my SATA drive emulated as IDE under the BIOS, so I guess it won't be an issue. And I'll take you up on that offer.
I assume since eComStation supports NTFS, that I will be able to install it without needing any 3rd party partitioning tools? If I do need such a tool, can I install it to a JFS partition?
eCS should only go onto JFS, HPFS is too damned slow :\ You might need to work some magic with DFSEE (www.dfsee.com) to fix some LVM information to the partitions on the drive so that IBM LVM can work with the partitions, but that really should be all.
I typically do Cleanup Partition tables (keep partitions), fix CHS values to geometry (LVM style), add/edit LVM information (for all partitions), and that should about do ya, and everything should remain intact. When in doubt, read the docs though.
Be wary of the eCS NTFS driver, its pretty much garbage. It can/does trash files and create filesystem errors, especially if you use the Read/Write driver. The "Read Only" [included with eCS] driver can do some damage too, but its rare. I tried to probe the waters with the idea of using NTFS-3G as our base for our NTFS support, but no one saw any value in that idea, but I still say that its necessary.
Contact me and I will get you an ISO. I'd prefer through AIM [send file with hash check/resume is always a plus lol] if you can, my AIM is right here on the site.
If it comes down to it, I can just use FAT32. The partitioning software I used (PartedMagic) supports a billion filesystems. I just hope I don't have to use that dfsee thing. It looks like a nightmare to use, and this is coming from someone who is trying to learn C++.
And I use Pidgin, so I can log onto AIM, but I'm not sure it supports file hashes & hash checks. Would it be possible to upload it to a site like rapidshare & the like?
You cant install eCS to anything other than HPFS or JFS, and you need the LVM information for eCS to install/boot anyway. Every volume eCS comes in contact with needs LVM info, so you are going to need to learn to love DFSEE, because without it, you are more or less buggered. Its probably the best partitioning tool I've ever used. Intuitive? Not really. Ugly? plenty and then some. Powerful? Oh god yes. Its saved my ass more times than I can count, and has fixed the retardedness caused by GPARTED ::)
Try using Pidgin, I'm online right now.
Gotcha. My screenname is brgerbaum (I can't think of good usernames).
Quote from: brbaum on 2008.04.06, 07:10:31
If it comes down to it, I can just use FAT32. The partitioning software I used (PartedMagic) supports a billion filesystems. I just hope I don't have to use that dfsee thing.
----- snip -----
Hi
The fat32 driver available for OS/2 based systems is on www.netlabs.org
If PartedMagic does not understand LVM systems it will cause problems - that is where DFSee comes in, fixing the problems other partitioning software cause :-)
It is also the only tool currently available to OS/2 based systems that can fat32 format a drive which comes in handy from time to time.
Yes, DFSee "looks like a nightmare to use" but a perusal of the relevant docs and lots becomes clearer.
Probably the main joy of DFSee for "non-techie" users is that with their Registration comes a good deal of support. When a drive starts "misbehaving" in some way (eg Partition Tables not matching) all a user needs to do is follow instructions to produce the necessary logs and email them to support. The answer is usually fast and resolves the problem.
Regards
Pete
Quote from: brbaum on 2008.04.06, 03:36:20
.... I highly doubt eComStation supports Intel's P35 chipet, SATA drives, ...
I'm using (updated) OS/2 and eComStation on P35 chip set. SATA drives are working too, but sometimes it's necessary to switch to 'compatibility' mode in bios.
Quote from: brbaum on 2008.04.06, 03:36:20
My PC is way too modern for OS/2. That's why I have no choice but to virtualize it. I highly doubt eComStation supports Intel's P35 chipet, SATA drives, and a Radeon HD2900XT. It's a shame too, because if I didn't game, I would switch to OS2/eComStation in a heartbeat.
I'm using eComStation on a Gigabyte P35 motherboard and an Intel Q6600 quad-core processor - eCS supports modern hardware :)
Quote from: Paul Smedley on 2008.04.07, 14:02:40
Quote from: brbaum on 2008.04.06, 03:36:20
My PC is way too modern for OS/2. That's why I have no choice but to virtualize it. I highly doubt eComStation supports Intel's P35 chipet, SATA drives, and a Radeon HD2900XT. It's a shame too, because if I didn't game, I would switch to OS2/eComStation in a heartbeat.
I'm using eComStation on a Gigabyte P35 motherboard and an Intel Q6600 quad-core processor - eCS supports modern hardware :)
Can I assume that it's ECS 2.0 beta with the latest ACPI and that all 4 processors are working? I'm really interested to know because I will upgrade my machine some time soon.
Thanks!
cytan