OS/2 Warp & CD-Writers FAQ

By Fernando Cassia

Source: http://web.archive.org/web/20050319043124/http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/fcassia/oldfaq.htm

= Welcome to the OS/2 Warp & CD-Writers =



Frequently Asked Questions
Featured in OS/2 Magazine (Vol4, Number 1) Created and maintained by Fernando Cassia. - This site is ALWAYS under construction, watch your step!

FAQ History / What's New:
Also included Joliet 1.0 specs in OS/2-friendly file formats, and information on Rock Ridge Extensions. Finally, I updated [ASC-OS2.ZIP] and [WARP4ASC.ZIP] to the latest drivers from Advansys (Version 2.8, dated 10/97). Also added info on Elektroson's removal of OS/2 references from their web site and uncertain future of Gear/2. Buffer Underruns: what they are and How to Prevent them
 * V2.3 (1998-6-26):Added information about Warp 4's JOLIET read support, known problems with Joliet CDs burned using Adaptec EZ-CD Creator, plus how to create Joliet CDs in OS/2.
 * V2.21 (1998-1-2):Minor maintenance and info about CD-RW drives, and a note on IDE and Parallel-port drives.
 * V2.2 (1997-8-18):Added links for RSJand their CD Writer for OS/2 product. Added links to download the OS/2 demo version.
 * V2.1 (1997-4-07):How to make Gear 3.30 for OS/2, Unite CD-Maker for OS/2 and EasyCD co-exist on the same system.
 * V2.0 (1997-3-15):Unite CD-Maker HP6020 support info - Notes on HFS/2 driver and CD-Maker compatibility.
 * V1.9 (1997-1-28):Gear for OS/2 supports the HP6020! : config tips to make Gear recognize it!.
 * V1.8 (1997-1-16):Added info on [[#UNITEREQUEST|requesting session-linking support for Unite CD-Maker.

and 'TOP FIVE REASONS I LIKE CD-R' (funny quote).
 * V1.7 (1996-1-7):Information about the new HP 6020i cd-writer.
 * V1.6 (1996-12-26):New, easier AdvanSys SCSI driver installation for Warp 4.0 users!
 * V1.5:Added information about the v1.27 firmware update for the HP4020i.

Changed all dates to Year-Month-Day format. And changed this to HTML TABLE.
 * V1.4 (1996-9-30):Added JavaScript code for scrolling text messages, and this link to

The OS/2 Warp and Hewlett Packard (HP) Scanjet 3C and 4C Scanner FAQ
 * V1.3:Moved 'History' to the top, added info about OS/2 WARP 4.0 a.k.a. Merlin

(IBM fixed everything!), Added links to www.cd-info.com and Greg Volk's HP SureStore FAQ.
 * V1.2 (1996-9-7):Added the "About CD-R technology" section.
 * V1.1 (1996-9-2):Added info on Easy CD PRO 3.0
 * V1.0 (1996-9-1):Original Version

THERE IS NO INDEX FOR A REASON: to make you read the whole FAQ, so you do not ask questions already answered.

About this FAQ file:
This document is an attempt to minimize problems for current owners and also potential buyers of HP SureStore CD-Writers. I've decided to make this home page after reading usenet posts from OS/2 Warp (3.0) users asking about CD-R software or drivers.

All the initial information comes from my personal experience with the HP 4020i working first on Warp Connect Fullpack, and now under Warp 4.0. That means days of research, dozens of exchanged e-mails, and about two initial months of desperate Net surfing. If you have a HP CD-Writer running under OS/2 please send me your experiences with the hardware and software.

In particular I am looking for information on new versions of the drive that might come up in the future.

- Thanks in advance, Fernando.

HP CD Writers and OS/2 Warp - Frequently Asked Questions
by Fernando M. Cassia


 * Revision: 2.3 (June 26, 1998)

HP SureStore 4020 and 6020 Hardware/Software description:

The HP 4020 and 6020 are 2x CD-Writers, that also works as a 4x and 6x readers respectively. They come bundled with a SCSI Interface (SCSI2, Bus-Mastering, ISA), two blank CD-R discs, and a CD-ROM containing Windows applications and drivers.

My unit, bought 06/96, included 16bit windows software while newer packages might also include windows 95 versions of the software in addition to, or replacing, 16 bit applications.

Q: Can I use the bundled SCSI Interface with OS/2?

A: YES!. The controller that ships with the HP4020i and 6020i is a ABP5150 - Bus-Master ISA 240 from Advanced System Products, Inc. It has no BIOS so it cannot control a boot device, but it can control any secondary devices. I didn't try connecting anything else besides the CD-Writer.

If you have problems connecting other SCSI devices to this controller (tape backup, zip drives, etc.) you can contact AdvanSys technical support at support@advansys.com.

Q: What is the recommended installation procedure for this CD-Writer?

A: First, I'd recommend you install the bundled software and drivers over MS-DOS or PC-DOS and Windows 3.1x (or windows 95) using OS/2's dual-boot or Boot Manager, respectively. Once you have the unit installed and running in Windows, you can proceed to configure it under OS/2.

This is very useful to eliminate any possible I/O conflicts and verify if the hardware functions properly before attempting installation on OS/2. Take note of the SCSI controller I/O address and DMA channel.

Q: Where I can get the SCSI controller drivers for OS/2?

A: AdvanSys provides an OS/2 Universal Driver that supports all the AdvanSys SCSI Adapters for the OS/2 2.1 and OS/2 Warp Releases. You can get it from here, as well as from their Tech Support BBS at 1-408-383-9540 (9600,N,8,1) and their ftp site: ftp.advansys.com (login: anonymous). [asc-os2.zip|Download the drivers now!] - Latest Release: 2.3.6 (May 28, 1996)

These drivers are newer than those included with the demo version of Unite CD Maker v2.1 for OS/2 (Archived) (2.3.3).

Q: Can I install OS/2 from the HP4020i?

A: Yes, if your HP SureStore is the only CD unit in your system, you can use it to install OS/2:.
 * 1) Download the AdvanSys SCSI drivers from this home page.
 * 2) Make a back-up copy of the second installation diskette included with the CD-ROM version of OS/2 Warp 3.0 (labeled "Diskette for CD-ROM (1)"). This diskette must be modified to install the ASC driver.
 * 3) Make space on the diskette by removing at least two of the SCSI drivers included. (DPT20XX.ADD, BTSCSI.ADD, AHA152X.ADD, AHA154X.ADD, AHA164X.ADD, AHA174X.ADD, AIC7770.ADD, AIC7870.ADD).
 * 4) Extract ASC.ADD from the Advansys drivers zip file, and copy it to the floppy disk.
 * 5) Edit the CONFIG.SYS file on the floppy and add the line "BASEDEV=ASC.ADD" at the bottom. Remove or comment out with REM the BASEDEV lines in CONFIG.SYS for the driver files that you removed from the diskette.
 * 6) That's it, when you start installation OS/2 will recognize the cd-writer as a normal cd-rom unit.

Q: I have OS/2 already installed, how do I install the SCSI drivers on Warp 3.0?

A:
 * 1) Download the AdvanSys SCSI drivers from this home page.
 * 2) Extract the zip file contents to an empty, formatted disk.
 * 3) Select "System Setup" from the "OS/2 System" folder.
 * 4) Double-Click on "Device Driver Install" and follow the directions to install the driver. Specify the floppy disk as "Source Directory".
 * 5) Re-boot your system. The CD-Writer will be now recognized as a normal CD-ROM unit.

Q: Is there an easier way to install the AdvanSys SCSI drivers on Warp 4.0?

A: Yes there is!. In case you have Warp 4.0 already installed in your system, I have just modified the SCSI.TBL file included with Warp 4.0, adding an entry for the Advansys controller.

Download this file (WARP4ASC.ZIP), place it in the root dir of the OS/2 boot drive (usually C:), and UNZIP it with sub-directories (using OS/2 UNZIP). After this, just go to 'System Setup', and select 'Selective Install'.

With this hack installed, when you click on 'SCSI Support' you will see a NEW entry: 'AdvanSys ABP-5150 Bus Master ISA [HP SureStore]' just select it, click on 'Continue' and you're done. No floppy disks needed!.

Q: Are there any known problems with these SCSI drivers?

A: Yes, with Warp 3.0, my system (Pentium PCI motherboard, 6x IDE (Atapi) CD-ROM), sometimes refused to boot after installing the Advansys SCSI drivers. It simply stopped after displaying the OS/2 logo. However, after a hard reset at that point, it booted fine.

Solution: The IBM1S506.ADD (IDE) driver should precede the ASC.ADD driver in the CONFIG.SYS file if the system boots from an IDE drive. Always move the "BASEDEV=IBM1S506.ADD" line to the top of your config.sys. Beware: if you do this change your letters for the IDE CD-ROM and CD-Writer will be swapped.

Q: OS/2 Warp 3.0 (and Warp Connect) recognizes the SureStore as a CD-ROM, but how can use it as a Writer?

A: Until a August '96, the answer to this question was only one: Buy a native OS/2 CD-R program (See the 'Native CD-recording software' section below for options available).

With this minimum level of support (just adding the OS/2 SCSI drivers), the Windows software bundled with the drive (EasyCD for Windows, Easy-CD Audio, Alchemy and Magic Lantern) will not work: the programs end with a windows error message. This is because the OS2CDROM.DMD shipped by IBM with OS/2 Warp 3.0 (and Connect) does not support all features of the HP 4020. This does not apply to OS/2 4.0 aka Merlin!, see below for OS/2 4.0 specific info.

Q: So, is there a way to use Windows CD-R software under OS/2?

A: Yes!. Here is a [hp4020i2.zip|modified OS2CDROM.DMD driver] for Warp 3.0 which supports multi-session and digital audio transfer. Install the SCSI driver, then this fix, and reboot your computer. Then, proceed to install the HP SureStore software under Win-OS/2, but do it from the HP software CD (do not use the included diskette!).

EasyCD will work now!. (Note: you should have plenty of ram (16 mb or more) to minimize disk swapping caused by the Win-OS2 session, remember that the PC must be able to sustain a continuous data transfer rate during CD recording).

This driver was built by Rob Sims, an engineer from HP. (I think he deserves an "OS/2 Ambassador" medal, if not a job at PSP, OS/2 certainly needs more guys like him). While no support is provided for this OS2CDROM.DMD fix by HP, he has included his e-mail address for any comments or questions. If you use this then [mailto:robsims@depeche.lvld.hp.com e-mail him]!.

You can also obtain this from:

Q: Is this fix only for the bundled software or does it work with other mastering software?

A: I have installed Easy-CD PRO/MM v3.0 (the 16-bit version for Win 3.1/WfW and Windows 95) under Win-OS2 and it works too. This 'Pro' version is sold by Adaptec (they bought Incat), and includes the 'Waves' utility to convert WAV files of any sampling rate and resolution to 44.1 kHz and 16 bits in one step. A group of files converted together is saved in a single WAV file. As a separate step, Waves converts 44.1 kHz 16-bit WAV files to CD-DA standard audio tracks. This version also support writing more than 20,000 files per CD, which is not possible with the version bundled with the HP SureStore.

Q: What about OS/2 Warp 4.0 (a.k.a. 'Merlin')?(9/24/96)

A: This comes, again, from the always helpful Rob Sims:

You don't need to apply any patches to OS2CDROM or VASPI. Everything is fixed in OS/2 Warp 4 - vaspi has been fixed and OS2CDROM.dmd patched to understand the writer, so you can install EasyCD for Windows and use it right away. (Great work IBM!).

Q: What are the native OS/2 applications available for CD-Recording?

A: There are currently three native OS/2 cd-recording solutions that I know:

From RSJ Software GmbH (Germany). Web Page: http://www.rsj.de/us/cd_os2.htm This is one of the most advanced cd-r packages for OS/2. Every CD-R professional should have it. Click here to download a 30-DAY TRIAL COPY of their OS/2 VERSION '''OS/2 Version no longer available stand-alone. The status of their multi-OS bundle is unknown too, as the Elektroson web site now shows separate web pages for Unix and Mac versions, and has removed all references of Gear for OS/2. (But it's still listed on the support forms).'''
 * 1) Unite CD Maker (Current version: 2.21c. - Version 2.1 was reviewed in the Nov. 95 issue of OS/2 Magazine)
 * 2) RSJ CD-Writer for OS/2
 * 1) Gear for OS/2 (Last version: 3.31 part of their 'multi-OS bundle' CD, which includes Gear for Windows, for OS/2 Warp, and for Macintosh)

Q: I am a beginner with this technology, which is the best software?

Choosing software is very subjective, and it depends on what you plan to do with your CD-Writer. Two of the three native os/2 solutions listed (Unite CD-Maker and Gear for OS/2) are available in 'Demo' versions from the publisher's web pages. The demo versions are fully functional copies of the software, but limit you to storing a few megabytes on each recording session.

So, you can try two of the three native os/2 solutions, and if you bought the original HP SureStore kit and install the fix described previously, then you already have the bundled windows software and can now use it. It's up to you to decide.

My personal ranking of cd-r software for os/2:

As you see I'm highly opinionated (is that a word?, sorry English is not my native language, e-mail any typos please).
 * 1) RSJ CD Writer for OS/2
 * 2) UNITE CD MAKER for OS/2
 * 3) EasyCD for Windows
 * 4) GEAR 3.3x & 3.3x MM for OS/2:

Q: Will we ever see a OS/2 version of Unite CD Maker with session linking support?

Here is the answer I've got from Brian Held at Unite:

"Enhancements will only be added to the product (Unite CD-Maker for OS/2) as required by demand. Unfortunately, Multi-session linking will require a fairly significant effort, and no development time has been scheduled. I currently have you in the unsupported functionality database, and will inform you of any future plans to enhance it."

If you're interested in getting an os/2 product with session linking, e-mail Brian Held at [bheld@cirunite.com] asking to be added to their 'unsupported functionality database' with 'session linking' as your request. Or better, e-mail [cpayne@cirunite.com], she is in charge of marketing. If they get enough requests they may support it.

Q: On Warp 3.0, I have installed the OS2CDROM.DMD fix, why did Unite CD-Maker stop working?.

A: Yes, this is normal. Unite CD-Maker disables OS2CDROM.DMD and installs its own manager (CTCDROM.DMD) that supports the enhanced "use as drive" multi-session features of the cd-burner object. If you install the fix by loading OS2CDROM.DMD instead of CTCDROM.DMD, this extended functionality will be lost.

Q: On Warp 3.0, is there a way to make EasyCD for Windows and Unite CD-Maker co-exist?

(BTW: On Warp 4 nothing of this is needed).

A: On Warp 3.0, can EasyCD and Unite work on the same system if you first install the SCSI drivers for the Advansys Card, then the OS2CDROM.DMD fix, and last, Unite CD Maker.

In this way, the VASPI.DLL fix will enable EasyCD for Windows to work under win-os2, while CTCDROM.DMD will provide the functions needed by Unite CD Maker. (Just make sure that you have the CTCDROM.DMD line enabled and the OS2CDROM.DMD line REM'd out).

Q: Is it possible to install and run GEAR 3.3x for OS/2, Unite CD-Maker 2.1 for OS/2 and EasyCD for Windows on the same system?.

A: Yes, just make sure that, after you have Unite and EasyCD working, that Gear drivers are correctly installed. Gear installs its own driver, which should be at the bottom of CONFIG.SYS as follows: (OS2ASPI and CTCDROM.DMD already installed)

REM *****  Gear specific settings (begin)   ***** REM *****  Gear needs it's OWN ASPI interface driver to be loaded at boot time:   ***** DEVICE=D:\OS2\APP\GEAROS2\GEARDRV.SYS REM *****  Gear needs the following setting in order to be able to read (static) user specific settings   ***** SET GEARDIR=D:\OS2\APP\GEAROS2 REM *****  Gear specific settings (end)   *****

Q: I have installed the freeware OS/2 HFS driver and now I can't change sessions using Unite's CD-Burner object, what's up?

A: The freeware driver HFS/2, available at http://www.student.nada.kth.se/~f96-bet/HFS/ allows OS/2 to access Macintosh HFS-formatted floppies and removable media (including CD-ROMs but I was unable to test that since I don't have any CD-ROM discs in HFS format).

HFS/2 consists of several pieces, a FILE SYSTEM driver (HFS.IFS), a FILTER driver (HFSIFS.FLT), and a CONTROL PROGRAM (HFS.EXE). Well, I found that with HFS/2 installed and HFS.EXE running, Unite's 'CD Burner' object will stop working. It will let you change current sessions on a multi-session disc, but while it informs it worked, it will continue accessing the LAST session on disc.

The solution?. When you want to change the active session of a disc using the CD Burner object, STOP or kill the HFS.EXE process. When you are done with that and want to re-enable hfs support, simply open an os/2 window and restart HFS.EXE.

Q: Where I can get more information about the HP-4020i in general (not OS/2-related)?

A: Greg Volk has compiled a very complete FAQ file for the HP4020i, you can visit it at http://www.cd-info.com/CDIC/Technology/CD-R/HP-FAQ.html

Q: What's the story about the HP4020i firmware?

A: The 4020i was first shipped with version 1.14 firmware. This original version was buggy and was quickly replaced with version 1.20. The unit I bought came with v1.20 firmware. I have burnt about a dozen data CDs using this firmware and haven't had any problems.

However, while it is stable, v1.20 has some bugs, including: not recording CD-XA discs correctly, and switching the right and left audio channels when recording a CD Audio disc. HP released a v1.25 firmware upgrade to improve overall compatibility and allow disc at once recording. This v1.25 firmware was password-protected at HP's web site, you had to request the password to HP technical support by e-mail.

Not only that, but you had to state WHY you needed to upgrade. Many users had problems installing v1.25, and HP's decision to password-protect the files and discourage upgrades (i.e. "only download it if something you need doesn't work") made things worse, as some users got very angry at HP. It seems that after many messages from the customers, they listened to the complaints, and have now (finally!) released v1.27 firmware, which is not password protected and *very* stable and doesn't seem to have the installation problems of 1.25. I've upgraded my unit (booted to DOS just to be safe) from 1.20 to v1.27 and I haven't had a problem with it.

To summarize:
 * 1.14 - Buggy release firmware.
 * 1.20* - Stable, no CD-XA ability.
 * 1.25* - Flash may not work correctly, supposedly CD-XA able. Many users reported problems. Was password-protected.
 * 1.27 - First version not password-protected. VERY stable. No problems reported so far. HP encourages upgrading (unlike previous versions).

Q: What's the latest HP4020i firmware available, should I update it ?

A: The first publicly available (not password protected) release of the HP 4020i firmware is version 1.27, which you can download from the Hewlett-Packard technical support web page at http://www.hp.com:80/isgsupport/cdr/00index.html. Or, you can download it by clicking the following link:

4020_127.exe (10/16/96)

HP SureStore CD-Writer Firmware 1.27 Upgrade. HP states 'if your drive has firmware less than 1.27, you should download and use this application'.

Beware: after updating firmware to v1.27, make sure that you record only on 'fresh' blank discs. If you try to record an additional session (previously written using v1.20 firmware) using v1.27, you might damage ALL data on the disc.

Q: What are the specs for the new HP 6020 cd-writer?

A: Hewlett-Packard has launched in the latest Comdex show what they call its 'next-generation CD-R technology'. This unit has faster read capabilities (6x), is available both internally and externally, and comes supporting either SCSI- or parallel-port connectivity.

The 6020 uses the same Phillips 2000 drive and command set as the HP4020i.

Q: What is the current level of support for the new HP 6020 drive from HP?

(Contributed by [mailto:bpace@ibm.net Brooks Pace]).

A: " Just wanted to give you a update that you might want on your page. Unite CD-Maker has JUST added support for the HP 6020 as well as for the Sony 926S and the Philips CDD-2600. You need version 2.1C to get it or if you already have 2.1b you can get a file off their webpage with the needed DLLs to get support for those drives new drives".

"One big drawback with this unit is that the 6020i firmware is HARD CODED. It can not be updated as with the 4020i. (big mistake on the engineers)".

Q: How can I make GEAR for OS/2 recognize the HP6020?

A: You must have their latest OS/2 version, 3.31. You can recognize the CD of this GEAR version by the Green print on the silver CD. If all the text on the silver CD is in blue color, you have version 3.30 / 4.00. Gear for OS/2 was included on the Gear Multi-platform CD (which included Gear for Windows, for OS/2 Warp, and for Macintosh in a single CD). You can still find this version, but only as part of bundles with 2x generation writers.

Add the following ID string to the correct recorder type in the GEARCDR.CFG file (it's an plain ascii file, so you can use your favorite text editor). [Philips 2000] HP     CD-Writer 6020;ATAPIDISCINFO=TRUE;RDSPEEDBITS=0023

Gear for OS/2 Install tips:

There is an OS/2 Command-file (INSTALL.CMD) on the GEAR CD that should enable you to install GEAR 3.xx correctly in Warp 4.0 systems or Warp 3 systems at fixpak 17 level or higher (This is included in case you get a SYS3175 error from the .exe install).

Also check your CONFIG.SYS for the following line: BASEDEV=OS2ASPI.DMD and place /ALL behind it. This should enable you to use a scsi 'type-5' device both as a Reader & Writer.

But be careful that no other application tries to access the CDR while burning. The "/ALL" parameter allows an ASPI application to access a device which is allocated by another device manager (e.g. OS2CDROM.DMD). Because this other device manager (e.g. OS2CDROM.DMD) has allocated the device he does NOT care about any other access but his own. Because ASPI wasn't designed for multitasking systems (there are no features like an allocate or release of a device) nearly all programmers ignore the possibility that other applications access a device at the same time.

If this concurrent access happens, an ASPI-call could be rejected by the ASPI manager. An application exception (error message) will occur.

What is a buffer underrun and how can I prevent them?

A: A buffer underrun is a situation where your PC can't keep up with the data transfer rate needed by your cd-writer (300,000 bytes/second for 2x and 600,000 for 4x writers) and the cd recording fails. Since the cd-recording ('burning') process is destructive and the cd-r format does not allow the laser to be turned off during a writing session, a buffer underrun error means that the cd-r disc is not useable anymore (the data recorded is corrupted), and you now have a useless disc (often called coasters or frisbees). This is often caused by:

1) Running other programs or cpu/disk-intensive tasks while recording.

2) High fragmentation on the hard disk files.

Buffer underruns can be easily prevented by following these simple rules:

1) Disable any CPU Monitors, POP-up reminder programs and schedulers.

2) Log off the network (OS2PEER) and close Network Messaging.

3) Try to store the data to be recorded on a partition formatted with HPFS file system.

4) If you the FAT file system is your only choice, then DEFRAG the volume before recording.

You can use Gammatech Utilites for OS/2 from Softouch Systems to defrag HPFS and FAT volumes without having to boot DOS.

'''What about the new cd-rw drives? Does any OS/2 software support them?'''

A: Currently only RSJ supports cd-rw drives, and allows you to erase contents on rewritable discs. To get the list of CD-RW drives currently supported, I strongly suggest that you contact RSJ GmbH before making a purchase decision.

Q: I have just purchased a Parallel-port, or IDE (Atapi) CD-Recorder and it does not work!

A: You MUST do some market research, including reading this FAQ ;-) BEFORE purchasing a device for use under a non-Windows operating system like OS/2, Linux, BeOS or others. Currently, all OS/2 CD-Writing software supports only SCSI devices.

Quickly, RUN, don't walk, RUN to the place where you bought that drive, and exchange it for a SCSI one.

If you need an external device, you can get a SCSI one. Fortunately nobody has taken the time and effort to write drivers and modify CD-R programs to include support for these brain-damaged parallel port devices. If you want reliability and speed, that rules out Parallel port devices.

The parallel port was not designed for maintaining a constant data stream speed, so parallel port devices HOG your CPU, no matter how well engineered are the underlying O/S and drivers, and are much more subject to buffer underruns and loss of data.

It bears repeating: RUN, don't walk, RUN, and get a SCSI device.

About CD-R technology:
Q: What is multi-session?:

Q: What are "Rock Ridge Extensions"?

A: Rock Ridge is the standard used by Unix systems to save long filenames to a CD-ROM, along with their unix file attributes. It supports about 140 characters for long filenames, and when recording to CD most CD-R software will always set the file attributes to default values.

Keep in mind that in Unix, file systems are case sensitive while in OS/2 they are not.

Q: Can I create Rock Ridge CDs in OS/2?

A: Yes, RSJ will always write ISO9660, Joliet and Rock Ridge to the CD. Each time a CD is attached, the standard providing the longest filenames will be used to read the directories.

All known operating systems behave similar, that is, they will always use the directory tree which preserves as much information about the filenames as possible.

'''Q: What is this thing "Joliet"? or "How can I read these long-filename CDs created with Windows95/NT on my OS/2 Warp system?'''

Joliet is a proprietary extension to the ISO 9660 standard. ISO 9660, in what is called "ISO9660 Level 2" supports filenames up to 32 characters long. Joliet was developed by Microsoft for Windows 95, to allow CDs to be recorded using long filenames up to 64 characters in length, including spaces, and using the Unicode character set.

Most CD-R and CD-ROM discs using long filenames and created using Windows 95 or NT based mastering software will be often created using the JOLIET format.

Earlier versions of OS/2 (including Warp 3.0 and earlier versions and Warp 4.0 without any fixpak applied) did not include JOLIET support, so an OS/2 user who wanted to access Joliet CDs would lack the ability to see long filenames, and in some cases wont be able to see any file at all.

Q: Is it possible to add JOLIET support to my OS/2 system?

A: YES. Back in September '97, IBM released [CDFS-JOL.EXE|beta-level drivers with JOLIET support]. These drivers were later released in final (non beta) form, integrated into OS/2 Warp 4 Fixpaks. (To my knowledge, JOLIET support is present in Warp 4.0 at fixpak 4 or higher level).

After installation of the updated "Joliet-Aware" CDFS.IFS you should enable JOLIET support by adding a "/W" switch to the CDFS.IFS line in your CONFIG.SYS. So it should read: IFS=C:\OS2\BOOT\CDFS.IFS /W DEVICE=C:\OS2\MDOS\VCDROM.SYS

'''Q: I have installed the latest Warp 4 fixpak, yet I am unable to see long filenames in CDs recorded using Joliet... all I get are DOS-standard 8.3 truncated filenames, WHAT's UP?'''

A: To answer this you first need to know how long filenames work in the Windows world:

Microsoft's kludge to add long filename support to FAT allows the user to create file and folder names up to 256 characters long, which may include spaces, but this kludge works in the following manner: A DOS-standard (8+3) filename is created along with the LFN extension; these names are created automatically by Windows 9x. Long filenames are truncated and the tilde (~) is added; a number may also be added to distinguish between files which would otherwise have identical names when truncated. For example, the filename "RANTS TO LOU.DOC" might become "RANTS ~1.DOC".

Most Win9x CD-R software store long filenames on CD-R in a similar way. These Joliet-aware win32 programs (the most popular seem to be Adaptec Easy CD Creator and Easy CD Pro 95) will automatically create a matching ISO-9660 file system by truncating the long filenames when necessary, and ALSO store the Joliet format filenames.

The 8.3 names are stored in the ISO-9660 filesystem, while the long filenames are stored in the Joliet file system. (A CD can be burned in such a way as to write two (or more) filesystems on one physical disk, sometimes with the different filesystems referring to the same files (the same physical locations on the media).

When you put a CD-R disc in a windows 95 pc and see long filenames correctly, but in the OS/2 system (with Joliet support added) you only see the short truncated names, it simply means that OS/2 is not recognizing the Joliet filesystem on that CD!. OS/2's "Joliet-aware" CDFS.IFS should NOT have any trouble with the "dual iso9660+joliet" CDs, because if the CD is burned with a version of Joliet that OS/2 understands, OS/2 will use the Joliet filesystem instead of the truncated iso9660 filenames.

I am contacting OS/2 Device Driver guru Sam Detweiler at IBM in order to find more about this issue and post back to the FAQ. (I have a few CD-R discs recorded by other people on Win95 systems that exhibit this problem).

In the meantime, what you can do to avoid this problem if you routinely have to read CDs with long filenames written in Windows 9x systems using Joliet, is to tell these people *NOT* to use Adaptec Easy CD Creator or Easy CD Pro 95. One program known to write Joliet format correctly (which OS/2 understands correctly) is GEAR 4.x for Win95/NT.

'''Q: I am interested in knowing more about the Joliet specs. Where can I find more info?'''

A: Here. I have included the Joliet 1.0 specs converted to the following OS/2-friendly formats:
 * StarOffice 4.0 (Starwriter4, 18,957 bytes) swjoliet.zip
 * Lotus WordPro (Smartsuite for Warp 4, 32,330 bytes) [lwjoliet.zip lwjoliet.zip]
 * IBM Works (11,890 bytes) iwjoliet.zip

'''Q: Is any OS/2 software able to burn CDs using Joliet? What about Rock Ridge CDs? And what is the best to use?'''

A: RSJ CD Writer is able to create everything: ISO9660 level 0-1-2, Rock Ridge, and Joliet. Unite CD Maker also allows you to create something it calls "HPFS" which is not really hpfs but a way to let you use characters allowed by HPFS but not by ISO9660 on 'level2' files. However these files can be only read back in an OS/2 system.

In short: If a CD is going to be used in OS/2 or Unix, Rock Ridge is preferred to Joliet, because Joliet limits the length of a single filename to 64 characters. However if you have to share CDs with Windows users and need long filenames up to 64 characters, you'll have no choice but to stick to ISO9660 or use Joliet.

Finally, if you only need to record 8.3 files, even simple Windows 3.x software under Win-OS2 (like EasyCD) will be enough.

Top five reasons I like CD-R
By James F. Rorie, Jr. 

5) Chicks dig coasters. 4)  SCSI termination is a stimulating challenge. 3) I can get a lot of house cleaning done during a defrag. 2)  My blood pressure was dangerously low to begin with. 1) A 10 pack is cheaper than a weekend in Las Vegas... and the odds are slightly higher.

Jim, The Punch-Drunk CD-R Master