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ECS installation documentation

Started by jdeb, 2011.12.20, 05:40:16

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jdeb

New to ECS but old OS/2 user from the 90's. I got tired of Windows and Linux. I forgot how much I loved the OS/2 Desktop. I have the system up and running (in my signature) and all is relatively good. I noticed that some of the flash video's (espn, yahoo fantasy stat tracker) don't work or lock mozilla up. Snap is o.k. but needs some work apparently. Anyway, I am working on that but and from what I read, they are common problems... Not why I am posting though. I am not impressed at all with the install directions that come with it. I think the info is essentially there but man it is confusing and poorly laid out. I nailed it out of the gate but I am considering re-installing after further research. So I have some questions...

1. Is there better installation documentation anywhere? Suntan Special for ECS looked pretty good in terms of installation but was for version 1.2 (is 2.1 the same).

2.  I guess the support feature from the ECS site is non existent. I have created a few support tickets and they never have responded (been a month). Kind of deflates my perception of $149.00 cost plus future subscription fees. I figured a couple of them out looking on here and Blond Guys web-site. Is this the best alternative or am I going to annoy people in the forum here?

3. Is there any good way to update ECS? I have read the documentation (help and cd) and it is very unclear. I ended up ordering the Suntan Special because that made sense to me and has in-depth documentation, that Blond guy is pretty awesome but I suppose this may not be the place to toot the guy's horn.

4. I have some older OS/2 Warp books and software somewhere but have not put any serious effort in finding them. Will they (books) still apply in your opinion?

5. I have darn near every commercial game sold for OS/2, StarDock, and PMView software etc.. if I recall correctly. Will the registration data still apply and work?

Thanks
Foxconn P41A-P, Intel E7500, 2 GB DDR2 800, ATI X300, ADATA Sata II 64 GB SSD, 160GB WD Sata II HD, Intel Pro 100/1000, Antec Basiq 350W PS, Antec 300 Case, ECS 2.1

sXwamp

This site contains some more info and help !

http://www.os2notes.com/


Greggory

jdeb

Foxconn P41A-P, Intel E7500, 2 GB DDR2 800, ATI X300, ADATA Sata II 64 GB SSD, 160GB WD Sata II HD, Intel Pro 100/1000, Antec Basiq 350W PS, Antec 300 Case, ECS 2.1

Pete

Hi jdeb

What version of Flash did you install? - Flash 5 is a bit outdated and does not work with video that requires a later version; Flash 10 is simply not ready for use especially if SMP is involved.

My workaround for Flash video is

1] Do *not* install the flash plugin for the browser

2] Use a Firefox/Seamonkey extension called FlashBlock to prevent the browser trying to load Flash when displaying a web page.

3] What also comes in handy is software such as ClipGrab to download a copy of Flash video then play it using a choice of modern media players such as vlc, mplayer(smplayer gui), kplayer.

Not sure what you mean by "Snap is o.k. but needs some work apparently". Maybe you can elaborate?

As regards your other points:-

1] Not sure if there is better installation documentation anywhere. If there is it should start with *Always* use the Advanced Install option to have control over what gets installed and where.

I'm sure eCS would not mind if you created better installation documentation and offered it to them.

2] Yes, eCS Support can be slow. I'm not sure how they decide on priorities of problems reported but guess if the problem does not rate high enough it goes to the back of the queue.

3] Update eCS with what exactly? There is the eCS Maintentance Tool that is designed to apply any eCS system updates.

4] Mainly, Yes.

5] I guess that depends on the game/software but there is no obvious reason why not.


Regards

Pete




abwillis

Quote from: Pete on 2011.12.20, 16:50:37
Hi jdeb

What version of Flash did you install? - Flash 5 is a bit outdated and does not work with video that requires a later version; Flash 10 is simply not ready for use especially if SMP is involved.

The SMP issue can currently be worked around by marking seamonkey.exe or firefox.exe as mpunsafe...
Flash development should pick up soon, the build system of Odin has been reworked by Dmitry so that it uses GCC and Kbuild instead of VAC and the old build system.  This should make syncing with WINE easier.  The current Odin source will allow Flash 11.1 to be used... some things that did not work in 10.22 do work in 11.1 but some things that did work don't.

Joop

Quote from: jdeb on 2011.12.20, 05:40:16
1. Is there better installation documentation anywhere? Suntan Special for ECS looked pretty good in terms of installation but was for version 1.2 (is 2.1 the same).
?? What is wrong in your eyes, what did you miss?

ivan

Somehow I don't think that eCS will ever have the quantity and quality of documentation that IBM produced for OS/2.

Warp Connect had 5 physical books with the CD, varying from 13 pages for the bonuspak to 371 pages in the user guide.  The beta version of Warp 4 came with a 30 page booklet covering install and changes in usage from Warp 3, plus a little on voicetype.

I only got 4 books with the full version of Warp 4.

Those books covered everything from partitioning the hard disk to the way to install the base OS either on its own or how it could coexist with windows or linux.  All of this written so it could be understood by anyone.

I can't say for sure, only second hand, but it is my understanding that eCS does not come with that wealth of information for the base OS which is OS/2 because it takes time and money to produce and Mensys doesn't have an over-abundance of either but they should be congratulated for what they have done.

ivan

jdeb

Quote from: Pete on 2011.12.20, 16:50:37
Hi jdeb

What version of Flash did you install? - Flash 5 is a bit outdated and does not work with video that requires a later version; Flash 10 is simply not ready for use especially if SMP is involved.

My workaround for Flash video is

1] Do *not* install the flash plugin for the browser

2] Use a Firefox/Seamonkey extension called FlashBlock to prevent the browser trying to load Flash when displaying a web page.

3] What also comes in handy is software such as ClipGrab to download a copy of Flash video then play it using a choice of modern media players such as vlc, mplayer(smplayer gui), kplayer.

Not sure what you mean by "Snap is o.k. but needs some work apparently". Maybe you can elaborate?

As regards your other points:-

1] Not sure if there is better installation documentation anywhere. If there is it should start with *Always* use the Advanced Install option to have control over what gets installed and where.

I'm sure eCS would not mind if you created better installation documentation and offered it to them.

2] Yes, eCS Support can be slow. I'm not sure how they decide on priorities of problems reported but guess if the problem does not rate high enough it goes to the back of the queue.

3] Update eCS with what exactly? There is the eCS Maintentance Tool that is designed to apply any eCS system updates.

4] Mainly, Yes.

5] I guess that depends on the game/software but there is no obvious reason why not.


Regards

Pete





Pete, thank you for the detailed responses, I appreciate that very much.

Flash 1] I did install Flash 5, so I guess I should not have. I am used to watching some things that require it and I just kind of assumed it would work. Your replies in #2 and #3 will work for me just fine. Thanks for that.

I am using the snap graphics for my x300 vs. the Panorama. It seems to work fine, I finally got around to adjusting the settings and everything looks good. I read where people were having trouble with it but I have not.

1] Maybe I will make a video of the installation. Do you think that would be helpful along with a written copy?

2] I am not worried about the support so much, I was just venting a little. One was about the flash, the other was about SMP. I am reading up on the SMP and I am not ready to post any questions on that. I like to try things and read up first and if I get stuck then I will post.

3] Another ECS support ticket I did was on the updating (ECSMT). I was looking for instructions on it. I found some on the cd or in the help folder but it does not work. I am getting errors that I am missing something but I am not by the PC at this time. I was simply asking them for documentation on how to installation and configuration. Still have not found anything...

Foxconn P41A-P, Intel E7500, 2 GB DDR2 800, ATI X300, ADATA Sata II 64 GB SSD, 160GB WD Sata II HD, Intel Pro 100/1000, Antec Basiq 350W PS, Antec 300 Case, ECS 2.1

jdeb

Quote from: Joop on 2011.12.20, 22:30:49
Quote from: jdeb on 2011.12.20, 05:40:16
1. Is there better installation documentation anywhere? Suntan Special for ECS looked pretty good in terms of installation but was for version 1.2 (is 2.1 the same).
?? What is wrong in your eyes, what did you miss?

Thank you for the reponse

Wrong may be a strong word. It seemed to jump around a lot. I think I was getting confused. Upon reflection, I get the impression they assume you were going to install it along with another OS (s). So when I do it again, I will print it out and cross out the things that do not apply. This is an ECS only box and I plan on it being my only OS. Once the honeymoon is over, I am going to install it on my Lenovo X60 laptop as well.
Foxconn P41A-P, Intel E7500, 2 GB DDR2 800, ATI X300, ADATA Sata II 64 GB SSD, 160GB WD Sata II HD, Intel Pro 100/1000, Antec Basiq 350W PS, Antec 300 Case, ECS 2.1

jdeb

#9
Quote from: ivan on 2011.12.21, 00:39:23
Somehow I don't think that eCS will ever have the quantity and quality of documentation that IBM produced for OS/2.

Warp Connect had 5 physical books with the CD, varying from 13 pages for the bonuspak to 371 pages in the user guide.  The beta version of Warp 4 came with a 30 page booklet covering install and changes in usage from Warp 3, plus a little on voicetype.

I only got 4 books with the full version of Warp 4.

Those books covered everything from partitioning the hard disk to the way to install the base OS either on its own or how it could coexist with windows or linux.  All of this written so it could be understood by anyone.

I can't say for sure, only second hand, but it is my understanding that eCS does not come with that wealth of information for the base OS which is OS/2 because it takes time and money to produce and Mensys doesn't have an over-abundance of either but they should be congratulated for what they have done.

ivan

Right. That is what I remember as well. The ECS site is poorly laid out and I get the impression that the community is where it is at. Documentation is all over the place. I guess in a perfect world, I wish that portion (books, online documentation) was more like Linux but not a big deal. Maybe when I get back in the groove, I can help in some way to make it more attractive for new users. The help files that come with the installation are strangely organised in my opinion. I think it is strange because I have been using Linux for so long, probably just different more so than strange.
Foxconn P41A-P, Intel E7500, 2 GB DDR2 800, ATI X300, ADATA Sata II 64 GB SSD, 160GB WD Sata II HD, Intel Pro 100/1000, Antec Basiq 350W PS, Antec 300 Case, ECS 2.1

Blonde Guy

Hey, thanks for the kind words. I've got to check this site more often.

I think OS/2 World is the best place to ask for user help. I often direct people here. If you live near the San Francisco Bay Area in California, USA, then come to the BayWarp monthly meeting with your laptop and we'll try to fix it right there.

That won't work for desktops (we used to meet at a computer store, and we could fix anything.)

I look at eCS and OS/2 as a community, and I try to make it a better place to live. Documentation is a sore point, and there are too many websites (my own included) that try to fix that. The only thing that ties it all together are the internet search engines.
Expert Consulting for OS/2 and eComStation

jdeb

Quote from: Blonde Guy on 2011.12.21, 17:44:32
Hey, thanks for the kind words. I've got to check this site more often.

I think OS/2 World is the best place to ask for user help. I often direct people here. If you live near the San Francisco Bay Area in California, USA, then come to the BayWarp monthly meeting with your laptop and we'll try to fix it right there.

That won't work for desktops (we used to meet at a computer store, and we could fix anything.)

I look at eCS and OS/2 as a community, and I try to make it a better place to live. Documentation is a sore point, and there are too many websites (my own included) that try to fix that. The only thing that ties it all together are the internet search engines.

Hey! That is a surprise to have you respond ;D Where is my order! (just kidding) I think I ordered it on Monday and I live in Michigan so I don't think it will be here this week with the holidays and all. I also do not think I will be showing up at your user OS/2 group any time soon, I still have not got around to buying that private jet ;) Maybe I will come by if I visit my brother in Chico, it is only 3 hours south, right? I used to belong to one that met once a month back in the 90's at Stardock's corporate office in Farmington, MI. All of us pocket protector guys would meet and eat Twinkies, and pizza. Man we would lug in our desktops which seemed like they were 100 lbs... crt monitor too!

I just bought a Lenovo X60 off of ebay for 50.00 not working. I soldered the power jack, replaced the cmos battery and it runs like a champ, at least with Slackware. Going to install ECS on it. Hey, quick question. Can I install the Suntan Special on both my laptop and desktop or do I have to buy another license?
Foxconn P41A-P, Intel E7500, 2 GB DDR2 800, ATI X300, ADATA Sata II 64 GB SSD, 160GB WD Sata II HD, Intel Pro 100/1000, Antec Basiq 350W PS, Antec 300 Case, ECS 2.1