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Desktop doesn't launch. Also some programs.

Started by szdl, 2008.09.24, 01:31:00

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szdl

#30
Quote from: Fahrvenugen on 2008.10.01, 16:38:12
I agree that it sounds like something messed up on the hard disk and / or an ini issue, but one other thing to try:

Revert back to VGA mode.

A while back I ran into an issue on one of my machines where SNAP got messed up and my desktop never came up (the system would hang on a black screen).  By doing the ALT-F1 upon boot trick and selecting the VGA option, I was able to get the system back up and running.   I then ran the uninstall of SNAP, then reinstalled SNAP, and it worked.

I don't know if this will help, but with everything else you've tried, it is worth a try.




It can't be ini issue, because replacing the ini files has no effect.

The grafical interface comes up, mouse is working, just the folders don't.
I can use an os2 command window or minishell from startup.cmd without any problems.

But the "Desktop" doesn't launch..
(See the forum history.)




djcaetano

Quote from: szdl on 2008.10.02, 16:35:21
It can't be ini issue, because replacing the ini files has no effect.

The grafical interface comes up, mouse is working, just the folders don't.
I can use an os2 command window or minishell from startup.cmd without any problems.

But the "Desktop" doesn't launch..
(See the forum history.)

  Maybe this is not your problem, but once I had a similar problem
when I removed the "PROGRAMS" or "FOLDERS" from SET AUTOSTART
line on CONFIG.SYS (I can't remember if it was PROGRAMS or FOLDERS).
   So, search for the line SET AUTOSTART on your CONFIG.SYS and verify
if it is, at least, this way:

SET AUTOSTART=PROGRAMS,TASKLIST,FOLDERS

DavidG

#32
Quote from: szdl on 2008.10.02, 16:35:21
Quote from: Fahrvenugen on 2008.10.01, 16:38:12
I agree that it sounds like something messed up on the hard disk and / or an ini issue, but one other thing to try:

Revert back to VGA mode.

A while back I ran into an issue on one of my machines where SNAP got messed up and my desktop never came up (the system would hang on a black screen).  By doing the ALT-F1 upon boot trick and selecting the VGA option, I was able to get the system back up and running.   I then ran the uninstall of SNAP, then reinstalled SNAP, and it worked.

I don't know if this will help, but with everything else you've tried, it is worth a try.


It can't be ini issue, because replacing the ini files has no effect.

The grafical interface comes up, mouse is working, just the folders don't.
I can use an os2 command window or minishell from startup.cmd without any problems.

But the "Desktop" doesn't launch..
(See the forum history.)


I agree.  It sounds like the video driver in some way got corrupted.  If it can boot up in VGA mode, then the SNAP or whatever driver you are using is corrupted.

David

szdl

Quote from: David Graser on 2008.10.02, 21:00:26
Quote from: szdl on 2008.10.02, 16:35:21
Quote from: Fahrvenugen on 2008.10.01, 16:38:12
I agree that it sounds like something messed up on the hard disk and / or an ini issue, but one other thing to try:

Revert back to VGA mode.

A while back I ran into an issue on one of my machines where SNAP got messed up and my desktop never came up (the system would hang on a black screen).  By doing the ALT-F1 upon boot trick and selecting the VGA option, I was able to get the system back up and running.   I then ran the uninstall of SNAP, then reinstalled SNAP, and it worked.

I don't know if this will help, but with everything else you've tried, it is worth a try.


It can't be ini issue, because replacing the ini files has no effect.

The grafical interface comes up, mouse is working, just the folders don't.
I can use an os2 command window or minishell from startup.cmd without any problems.

But the "Desktop" doesn't launch..
(See the forum history.)


I agree.  It sounds like the video driver in some way got corrupted.  If it can boot up in VGA mode, then the SNAP or whatever driver you are using is corrupted.

David

I think, it's not problem. The screen resolutin is OK, it's the same as before.
Tha main problem is, that some programs doesn't start.


szdl

Quote from: djcaetano on 2008.10.02, 18:48:17
Quote from: szdl on 2008.10.02, 16:35:21
It can't be ini issue, because replacing the ini files has no effect.

The grafical interface comes up, mouse is working, just the folders don't.
I can use an os2 command window or minishell from startup.cmd without any problems.

But the "Desktop" doesn't launch..
(See the forum history.)

  Maybe this is not your problem, but once I had a similar problem
when I removed the "PROGRAMS" or "FOLDERS" from SET AUTOSTART
line on CONFIG.SYS (I can't remember if it was PROGRAMS or FOLDERS).
   So, search for the line SET AUTOSTART on your CONFIG.SYS and verify
if it is, at least, this way:

SET AUTOSTART=PROGRAMS,TASKLIST,FOLDERS


I checked. This is not problem.

ivan

Two things come to mind.

1)  Is there anything in the desktop dir?  It should contain sub dir with the name of each foldes you had on the desktop.  If it does not then you will never get it back unless you have a backup of it.

2)  How did you change the ini files?  They are read only for a start.  The only was to change them is before you get to a graphics screen, that is , you must boot from disks or cd or the boot blob at start up.  If you try any other way what ever you copied will be overwritten by the ini files in memory when you shut down so going back to the old ones.


szdl

Quote from: ivan on 2008.10.05, 01:07:31
Two things come to mind.

1)  Is there anything in the desktop dir?  It should contain sub dir with the name of each foldes you had on the desktop.  If it does not then you will never get it back unless you have a backup of it.

2)  How did you change the ini files?  They are read only for a start.  The only was to change them is before you get to a graphics screen, that is , you must boot from disks or cd or the boot blob at start up.  If you try any other way what ever you copied will be overwritten by the ini files in memory when you shut down so going back to the old ones.



The subdirs are OK under the Desktop dir.

I changed the ini files with boot disk.


ivan

OK that's a start.  Now, have you tried to revert to bog standard VGA?  This will give some indication if the video driver is corrupt in some way.

Another thing please post your full config.sys as there may be something missing that is causing the problem.

At the moment there is insufficient information available to try and debug your system by remote control.  For example, what programs don't start and more importantly what programs do?

szdl

#38
Quote from: ivan on 2008.10.07, 19:47:36
OK that's a start.  Now, have you tried to revert to bog standard VGA?  This will give some indication if the video driver is corrupt in some way.

Another thing please post your full config.sys as there may be something missing that is causing the problem.

At the moment there is insufficient information available to try and debug your system by remote control.  For example, what programs don't start and more importantly what programs do?

I think I don't have to revert to VGA, because there are no base gui problems. The PM comes up correctly, everything is in the same resolution, then before. The starting programs work well. Just the Desktop and the folders can't start. You know, on a correct system the pmshell.exe runs in two instances: first the base GUI starts, then the second pmshell opens the desktop folder.
At me the first is OK, but the second is not. I use an OS/2 command window (via startup.cmd), from where I can start programs (and MiniShell).

The config.sys was not changed after and before the error, so it must work.

These programs does NOT START:

pmshell.exe's second instance
DOS (and Win16) sessions
ODIN sessions (including Innowin - The Innotek Odin, like Acrobatreader 4/5 etc.)
Innotek's Java 1.4.2
Older Firefox (1.x, 2.x) and Mozilla (Including IWB)
Rexx sessions
Printer setup dialogs in programs
Lotus Smartsuite
Opera 5.

These programs load, but don't start. It can be seen with the "top" command line utility, or in FM/2's "Kill" window.
But they can't be killed!

And system shutdown doesn't work too (with the "shutdown" command, or from MiniShell (mshell) utility - because I can't use wps shutdown..).


These programs START CORRECTLY:

pmshell.exe 's first instance (the base GUI)
most VIO programs (eg. File Commander etc.)
simple, or mostly real native os/2 programs, that do not need too much "WPS things"
(e.g.: PMView, PMMail, Lucide, FM/2 and similar progs are working)
Java 1.1, 1.3.1, 1.4.1 (IBM, Golden Code) are OK!
Firefox 3, Seamonkey works!

Internet connection is OK too.

So, what is this? :-)


ddan

If after two weeks, you've gotten nowhere, maybe it's time to re-install? It's not that big of a hassle, and by now, would have saved many hours. Also, I doubt that figuring out the actual problem here will ever be of value, as it's become clear is a unique crash.

ivan

QuoteThe config.sys was not changed after and before the error, so it must work.

Famous last words. 

I have a client who had a problem that all the normal remedies didn't fix.  We tried for several days over the phone, at last he brought the box round.  One of the first things I looked at were the configuration files (ibmlan.ini and other network files as this was supposedly a lan problem), in the end I looked at config.sys  and eventually found the problem, somehow a line had been corrupted so that a driver didn't load.
 
I'm not saying you have the same problem but it is one that should be eliminated.  My client swore blind that there wasn't any problem with ANY of his config files.

Your problem is looking more like one in which something doesn't get loaded at startup.  Therefore it points to configuration files, os2.ini, os2sys.ini or config.sys being the main ones, so check them then check them again and get someone else to check them for you as well as we all generally read what we expect to see.

If all else fails then a re-install is all that's left as ddan says

Andi

Reverting to VGA is only litte work. Simply <ALT><F1> and <F4> I think. I've no idea if video driver is your problem and probably your right on that. But if I were in your situation and someone would suggest me to try it out, I would spend this <2 minutes at least to proof that I'm right.

Fahrvenugen

#42
Quote from: szdl on 2008.10.09, 03:23:55

...
These programs does NOT START:

pmshell.exe's second instance
DOS (and Win16) sessions
ODIN sessions (including Innowin - The Innotek Odin, like Acrobatreader 4/5 etc.)
Innotek's Java 1.4.2
Older Firefox (1.x, 2.x) and Mozilla (Including IWB)
Rexx sessions
Printer setup dialogs in programs
Lotus Smartsuite
Opera 5.

These programs load, but don't start. It can be seen with the "top" command line utility, or in FM/2's "Kill" window.
But they can't be killed!

And system shutdown doesn't work too (with the "shutdown" command, or from MiniShell (mshell) utility - because I can't use wps shutdown..).


These programs START CORRECTLY:

pmshell.exe 's first instance (the base GUI)
most VIO programs (eg. File Commander etc.)
simple, or mostly real native os/2 programs, that do not need too much "WPS things"
(e.g.: PMView, PMMail, Lucide, FM/2 and similar progs are working)
Java 1.1, 1.3.1, 1.4.1 (IBM, Golden Code) are OK!
Firefox 3, Seamonkey works!

Internet connection is OK too.

So, what is this? :-)



Well, as I suggested earlier, if this were my machine, the next thing I'd try is revert back to VGA then reinstalling SNAP, then checking all the DOS based device driver(s), and check for things in the config.sys like protectonly=yes (and if it is there change it to protectonly=no)

I'd also remove all the Innotek stuff and reinstall it.

And if the Innotek Font Engine is installed, I'd remove (or disable) it (just to make sure it isn't causing problems). 

Why do I suggest the video issue as a place to start?  Simple.

DOS and WinOS/2 both rely on a working video driver that has both the PM side, the DOS side, and the Seamless side of the driver.  I've had machines where neither DOS nor WinOS/2 would work in either fullscreen or seamless mode, even though PMShell came up.  Reverting to VGA and then reinstalling SNAP has fixed it for me.  If the DOS side of the driver is corrupt, then none of the Dos or WinOS/2 stuff will start.  Furthermore any application that makes a call to any of the DOS side of the video driver will fail to work properly.  If the portion of the driver that hooks the Dos stuff into the PM stuff is corrupted, then even stranger things can happen even if you don't use any dos or win3.1 applications!

Odin stuff also hooks into the video sub-system in interesting ways to get the Win32 screens to display on OS/2.  In fact, there are certain video drivers that Odin / Innowin stuff just won't work with because they're missing the needed hooks (If you don't believe me then have a look at some of the readme documentation...  I've got an old S3 based video card that Odin stuff won't work at all on with the "native" S3 driver, but if I use it with SNAP in the GENGRAD settings it all works fine...)

Innotek Java 1.4.2 is built on Innowin / Odin, so the same as above would apply.

For the older versions of Firefox / Mozilla, this may be the same issue.  As I recall the older versions - some of them would load up the ipluginw.dll upon startup needed for plug-ins to work, and if you have either the Flash7 or the Innotek Java1.4.2 plugin installed, the plugin could be loading up portions into memory upon starting of Firefox.  Both of these plugins are based on Innowin / Odin. 

Also the older versions of Firefox seemed to have issues with some video drivers and how they interacted with each other.  Does anyone remember the old version of Firefox that used to display some pictures and images upside down and then randomly crash?  The fix for the upside down images was to upgrade the video driver (even though everything else on the system appeared to work properly)... the crash was fixed with a later build of firefox.

Opera 5 - is also based on Odin stuff, see comments above.

Lotus Smartsuite - is based on Open32  (which also is part of the foundation of Odin / Innowin). 

For the REXX and printer dialogues, I can't make a guess without more information.  But I still believe that video is a good item to try.

Of course I could be incorrect, but that's the nature of trying to fix a problem such as the one you have - you try different things until you find something that works, and all the potential solutions will be incorrect until you find the one that works.





szdl

Quote from: Fahrvenugen on 2008.10.10, 05:47:20
Quote from: szdl on 2008.10.09, 03:23:55

...
These programs does NOT START:

pmshell.exe's second instance
DOS (and Win16) sessions
ODIN sessions (including Innowin - The Innotek Odin, like Acrobatreader 4/5 etc.)
Innotek's Java 1.4.2
Older Firefox (1.x, 2.x) and Mozilla (Including IWB)
Rexx sessions
Printer setup dialogs in programs
Lotus Smartsuite
Opera 5.

These programs load, but don't start. It can be seen with the "top" command line utility, or in FM/2's "Kill" window.
But they can't be killed!

And system shutdown doesn't work too (with the "shutdown" command, or from MiniShell (mshell) utility - because I can't use wps shutdown..).


These programs START CORRECTLY:

pmshell.exe 's first instance (the base GUI)
most VIO programs (eg. File Commander etc.)
simple, or mostly real native os/2 programs, that do not need too much "WPS things"
(e.g.: PMView, PMMail, Lucide, FM/2 and similar progs are working)
Java 1.1, 1.3.1, 1.4.1 (IBM, Golden Code) are OK!
Firefox 3, Seamonkey works!

Internet connection is OK too.

So, what is this? :-)



Well, as I suggested earlier, if this were my machine, the next thing I'd try is revert back to VGA then reinstalling SNAP, then checking all the DOS based device driver(s), and check for things in the config.sys like protectonly=yes (and if it is there change it to protectonly=no)

I'd also remove all the Innotek stuff and reinstall it.

And if the Innotek Font Engine is installed, I'd remove (or disable) it (just to make sure it isn't causing problems). 

Why do I suggest the video issue as a place to start?  Simple.

DOS and WinOS/2 both rely on a working video driver that has both the PM side, the DOS side, and the Seamless side of the driver.  I've had machines where neither DOS nor WinOS/2 would work in either fullscreen or seamless mode, even though PMShell came up.  Reverting to VGA and then reinstalling SNAP has fixed it for me.  If the DOS side of the driver is corrupt, then none of the Dos or WinOS/2 stuff will start.  Furthermore any application that makes a call to any of the DOS side of the video driver will fail to work properly.  If the portion of the driver that hooks the Dos stuff into the PM stuff is corrupted, then even stranger things can happen even if you don't use any dos or win3.1 applications!

Odin stuff also hooks into the video sub-system in interesting ways to get the Win32 screens to display on OS/2.  In fact, there are certain video drivers that Odin / Innowin stuff just won't work with because they're missing the needed hooks (If you don't believe me then have a look at some of the readme documentation...  I've got an old S3 based video card that Odin stuff won't work at all on with the "native" S3 driver, but if I use it with SNAP in the GENGRAD settings it all works fine...)

Innotek Java 1.4.2 is built on Innowin / Odin, so the same as above would apply.

For the older versions of Firefox / Mozilla, this may be the same issue.  As I recall the older versions - some of them would load up the ipluginw.dll upon startup needed for plug-ins to work, and if you have either the Flash7 or the Innotek Java1.4.2 plugin installed, the plugin could be loading up portions into memory upon starting of Firefox.  Both of these plugins are based on Innowin / Odin. 

Also the older versions of Firefox seemed to have issues with some video drivers and how they interacted with each other.  Does anyone remember the old version of Firefox that used to display some pictures and images upside down and then randomly crash?  The fix for the upside down images was to upgrade the video driver (even though everything else on the system appeared to work properly)... the crash was fixed with a later build of firefox.

Opera 5 - is also based on Odin stuff, see comments above.

Lotus Smartsuite - is based on Open32  (which also is part of the foundation of Odin / Innowin). 

For the REXX and printer dialogues, I can't make a guess without more information.  But I still believe that video is a good item to try.

Of course I could be incorrect, but that's the nature of trying to fix a problem such as the one you have - you try different things until you find something that works, and all the potential solutions will be incorrect until you find the one that works.







I reverted back to VGA. But it couldn't help..

What to do now?


djcaetano

Quote from: szdl on 2008.10.14, 23:50:12
I reverted back to VGA. But it couldn't help..
What to do now?

  This is the first time I have no f***ing clue on what happened to
a "crashed" OS/2 system! :/

  Man, these are odd times! :P

  Well, since "crying" will not do any good, backup whatever data you
believe is important and do a clean reinstall.
  Maybe it could be a good time to get the latest eCS 2.0, if you were
running something older. At least it will save you dozens of hours
updating drivers and subsystems.