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{{Article
|Author=IBM, [[David E. Reich]]
|Date=1992-04-20 / Version 1.1
|OS=
|File=N/A
|Source=
}}
Version 1.1<br />4/20/92


[[David E. Reich]], IBM Corp.<br />OS/2 Technical Support


                            OS/2 Tips and Techniques
==Introduction==
                                  Version 1.1
This is an informal document, produced by the OS/2 Technical Support Team. It includes tips and techniques describing how to use and navigate
                                    4/20/92
around OS/2 2.0 along with information on known techniques or workarounds for various applications and machine types.


                            David E. Reich  IBM Corp
It is recommended to read the OS/2 2.0 product README file as well as this document.
                            OS/2 Technical Support


This document will continue to be updated. As we discover new techniques and tips, they will be reflected in this paper.


Introduction
The purpose of this document is to provide readers with an awareness of quick and easy ways to accomplish various tasks with OS/2. There are also techniques and information that will help you run your OS/2 system on various machine configurations.
------------


This is an informal document, produced by the OS/2 Technical Support Team.
This document is organized in three sections. Section 1 describes tips and techniques on topics such as backing up a complete set of your INI files and desktop configuration, quickly customizing the WorkPlace Shell and the like. Section 2 will cover application configuration and compatibility topics and section 3 will discuss hardware topics.
It includes tips and techniques describing how to use and navigate
around OS/2 2.0 along with information on known techniques or workarounds for
various applications and machine types.


It is recommended to read the OS/2 2.0 product README file as well as this
If you have any questions or comments on this document, or find anything you feel may be of use to others and would like to see in a future revision of the OS/2 TNT document, please contact the author, or one of the IBM service representatives on Compuserve, BIX, Prodigy, IIN or other applicable service.
document.


This document will continue to be updated. As we discover new techniques
Notes: Compuserve membership services can be reached at 1-800-848-8199 x239.
and tips, they will be reflected in this paper.


The purpose of this document is to provide readers with an awareness of
IBM IIN BBS registration can be reached at 1-800-547-1283.
quick and easy ways to accomplish various tasks with OS/2. There are also
techniques and information that will help you run your OS/2 system on
various machine configurations.


This document is organized in three sections. Section 1 describes tips and
General IBM OS/2 product information and availability can be obtained by calling 1-800-3IBMOS2.
techniques on topics such as backing up a complete set of your INI files and
desktop configuration, quickly customizing the WorkPlace Shell and the like.
Section 2 will cover application configuration and compatibility topics and
section 3 will discuss hardware topics.


If you have any questions or comments on this document, or find anything you
The OS/2 Support Line is available at 1-800-237-5511. This is a free service for the first 60 days.
feel may be of use to others and would like to see in a future revision of the
OS/2 TNT document, please contact the author, or one of the IBM service
representatives on Compuserve, BIX, Prodigy, IIN or other applicable service.


Notes: Compuserve membership services can be reached at 1-800-848-8199 x239.
==Section 1 - General Tips, hints and techniques==


        IBM IIN BBS registration can be reached at 1-800-547-1283.
====Reading the README before install====
The README file for OS/2 2.0 is packed on diskette number 6. If you have a system with a formatted hard disk, you can manually unpack the file
and read it before installation. To do this, boot the install disk. Then when prompted, insert disk 1. Then when asked to press ESC to cancel, press the ESC key. You will get a command prompt. Copy the file UNPACK.EXE from disk 2 onto your hard disk. Then insert disk 6. Make your hard disk the current drive and type:
UNPACK A:\REQUIRED . /N:README
You will them have the readme on your hard disk, suitable for reading and/or printing.


        General IBM OS/2 product information and availability can be
====If your installation procedure aborts====
        obtained by calling 1-800-3IBMOS2.
There may be occasion when your install aborts. For example, if you get a power hit. If you have passed the first reboot, and are in the
graphical installation, you can restart your installation procedure without going through all of the preliminary steps.
:1) Identify which disk was being unpacked when the procedure failed.
:2) Subtract that from 16 and add one. For example, if you were on disk 9, then your result would be 8.
:3) Boot from the install disk, and insert disk 1 when prompted.
:4) When you are asked to press ESC to cancel, press the ESC key. You will get a command prompt.
:5) Use a text editor to edit the CONFIG.SYS file on the hard disk.
:6) In the line starting with FIRSTDISK, edit that to be FIRSTDISK=<the disk number from step 1>
::example: FIRSTDISK=9
:7) In the line starting with NUMDISKS, edit that to be NUMDISKS=<the number from step 2>
::example: NUMDISKS=7
:8) Now remove the diskettes and reboot from the hard disk. You will see the graphical install panel. Select OK, Install and all defaults. You will now be prompted for the disk from step 1, which is the disk where the procedure aborted before. All of your previous Selective Install choices are preserved.


        The OS/2 Support Line is available at 1-800-237-5511. This is a
====Immediately after install====
        free service for the first 60 days.
After installation, and before you run any DOS or Windows programs, we recommend you shut down your system. This only needs to be done once, immediately after you are finished installing OS/2 2.0


====Changing icon text color====
If you want to change the color of the text under the icons in a folder, use the color palette to drag a color to the icon text. To do this, open the color palette. Choose the color. Then press the Ctrl key and while holding that down, use mouse button 2 to click and drag the desired color from the palette to the icon text. Then drop the color there and release the Ctrl key. Note that all icon text within a folder is changed. You cannot do this on a per-icon basis within a folder.


Section 1 - General Tips, hints and techniques
====Creating icons from/for graphical applications====
---------
NOTE: This will only work for graphical applications. Text applications must have custom icons done by hand.


- Reading the README before install
# Bring up the program in a windowed session, and use the system icon (upper left corner) pulldown to change it to a windowed, scaled image.
  ---------------------------------
# Run the program until a nice graphic about the size of an icon appears on the screen. (E.g., Mario standing on the lowest level, poised for action.)
# Select mark from the system icon, and mark the graphic area about the size of a desktop icon. Then select "copy" to move it to the clipboard.
# Open the settings for the program, and select the General tab, to get to the "DOS" icon.
# Select the create another button, which brings up the icon editor.
# Select File/New, and Icon, to create a new icon.
# Select Edit/Paste to paste in your graphic. Clean it up a little with the icon editor, if you want.
# Select File/Save as, and store it as program.ico (eg, Mario.ico) in the same drive and directory as the program (.com, .exe) itself is stored.<br/>Exit the icon editor.
# (You're back at the settings notebook.) Click the Find button, and find the .ico you just stored. Using the Drives tab is the easiest way. Select the icon, and save.
# Exit the settings folder, and voila! The "DOS" icon has been replaced with a snazzy graphic icon, right out of the application.


  The README file for OS/2 2.0 is packed on diskette number 6. If you have
====If you lose some important folders====
  a system with a formatted hard disk, you can manually unpack the file
An interesting thing happened where a user dragged the OS/2 System object
  and read it before installation. To do this, boot the install disk. Then
into a drive folder. The user subsequently closed the drive folder and
  when prompted, insert disk 1. Then when asked to press ESC to cancel, press
all drives objects. The user could not get to the OS/2 System object,
  the ESC key. You will get a command prompt. Copy the file UNPACK.EXE from
because the drives objects were in it, and it was in the drives object!
  disk 2 onto your hard disk. Then insert disk 6. Make your hard disk the
  current drive and type:


    UNPACK A:\REQUIRED . /N:README
All folders are represented in the OS/2 file system. If you run into a
situation like the one described above, you can use the OS/2 command line
to do the following:


  You will them have the readme on your hard disk, suitable for reading
Use the MOVE command to move the folder (a subdirectory within the file system) to the proper place.
  and/or printing.


For example, the OS/2 System folder is called "OS!2 System". You will
notice that each folder has a representative subdirectory under the
"OS!2 2.0 DESKTOP" subdirectory.


  - If your installation procedure aborts
To move a folder that is inaccessible due to a scenario described above,
  -------------------------------------
use the MOVE command to place it in an accessible place.
To move the "OS!2 SYSTEM" folder to the desktop, for example, go into the
subdirectory where "OS!2 SYSTEM" is.
Then type:
  MOVE "OS!2 SYSTEM" \"OS!2 2.0 DESKTOP"
This will move the folder back to the desktop.


  There may be occasion when your install aborts. For example, if you
NOTE: ONLY do this if your folders are inaccessible from the shell!
  get a power hit. If you have passed the first reboot, and are in the
  graphical installation, you can restart your installation procedure
  without going through all of the preliminary steps.


  1) Identify which disk was being unpacked when the procedure failed.
====Quick and easy way to get an OS/2 Window====
  2) Subtract that from 16 and add one. For example, if you were on disk
Add a new menu item to the desktop pop-up menu pointing to CMD.EXE
      9, then your result would be 8.
  3) Boot from the install disk, and insert disk 1 when prompted.
  4) When you are asked to press ESC to cancel, press the ESC key. You will
      get a command prompt.
  5) Use a text editor to edit the CONFIG.SYS file on the hard disk.
  6) In the line starting with FIRSTDISK, edit that to be
      FIRSTDISK=<the disk number from step 1>
      example: FIRSTDISK=9
  7) In the line starting with NUMDISKS, edit that to be
      NUMDISKS=<the number from step 2>
      example: NUMDISKS=7
  8) Now remove the diskettes and reboot from the hard disk. You will see the
      graphical install panel. Select OK, Install and all defaults. You will
      now be prompted for the disk from step 1, which is the disk where the
      procedure aborted before. All of your previous Selective Install
      choices are preserved.


:1) Click with the right mouse button to get the menu.
:2) Open settings
:3) Go to the MENU page
:4) On the primary pop-up entry, select "Create Another"
:5) For the program name, put in OS/2 Window (or whatever you'd like)
:6) For the program name enter C:\OS2\CMD.EXE (or use whatever your boot drive is)
:7) Close all windows opened in steps 1-6.
:8) Now click the right mouse button on the desktop to bring up the menu. You now see your OS/2 Window entry on the menu. Selecting it will give you an OS/2 window.


- Immediately after install
====Enabling the UNDELETE function====
  -------------------------
If you activate the OS/2 UNDELETE function, you should only delete files
from command prompts. Files deleted through the Workplace Shell user
interface are permanently deleted.


  After installation, and before you run any DOS or Windows programs,
To activate this function, simply edit the CONFIG.SYS file, and remove the "REM" from the line beginning
  we recommend you shut down your system. This only needs to be done once,
REM SET DELDIR.......
  immediately after you are finished installing OS/2 2.0
Upon reboot, the undelete function is active


====Preventing STARTUP applications from opening====
OS/2 2.0 has a STARTUP folder which will automatically start any programs
within it at system boot time. Additionally, any programs that were running
when the system was shut down are started upon bootup.


- Changing icon text color
There may be some cases where you have installed an application to
  ------------------------
automatically start and it has somehow become corrupted.
It is sometimes useful to inhibit the auto-start features of the Workplace
Shell. You can do this as follows:


  If you want to change the color of the text under the icons in a folder,
When the system is starting, you will see the Workplace desktop
  use the color palette to drag a color to the icon text. To do this,
background paint. As soon as you see the mouse pointer show up on the
  open the color palette. Choose the color. Then press the Ctrl key and while
desktop, press and hold the CTRL and SHIFT keys then press and hold
  holding that down, use mouse button 2 to click and drag the desired color
the F1 key. You should hold this down for approximately 15 seconds,
  from the palette to the icon text. Then drop the color there and release
or until the desktop icons appear. If the hard disk light stops
  the Ctrl key. Note that all icon text within a folder is changed. You
during this period, your system may be suspended. Release the
  cannot do this on a per-icon basis within a folder.
keys quickly, then resume holding them until the desktop icons appear.


This will inhibit all of the applications in the startup folder from
coming up, and inhibit the auto-start of programs running at the time
the system was shut down.


- Creating icons from/for graphical applications
====Shutting down a mouseless system====
  ----------------------------------------------
The shutdown procedure is accessed from the desktop's menu. To access this
menu without a mouse, first press and hold the CTRL key while pressing the
ESC key. Cursor up to the OS/2 Desktop entry and hit ENTER. Now press the
spacebar to deselect all currently selected icons. Press SHIFT and hit the
F10 key. This will bring up the desktop's menu. You can now cursor down to
the Shutdown option and press enter to shut down the system.


  NOTE: This will only work for graphical applications. Text applications
====Restoring a corrupted desktop====
        must have custom icons done by hand.
There may be cases where your desktop may have been corrupted. An example
is if you booted DOS and tried to rearrange your hard disk and corrupted
either INI files or Extended Attributes. The following mechanisms have been
implemented to help in these cases.


  1. Bring up the program in a windowed session, and use the system icon
:1) There is an undocumented function in OS/2 2.0 that will backup your current INI files and CONFIG.SYS and give you the ones that were set up initially during installation. Note however, that any modifications (such as shadows and associations) since installation will be lost and have to be recreated.<br/><br/>This is function is also useful if you have followed the product documentation and created new INI files you wish to make current. (i.e.- OS/2 1.3 "look and feel" INI files)<br/><br/>The steps are:
      (upper left corner) pulldown to change it to a windowed, scaled image.
::a) Reboot your system.
  2. Run the program until a nice graphic about the size of an icon appears
::b) As soon as you hear a single beep from the system speaker after the Power on Self Test completes (or as soon as you hit the enter key at the MOST menu or power-on password prompt), press and hold the ALT key and press F1. Hold these keys down until you hear rapid beeping from the system indicating that the keyboard buffer is full.
      on the screen. (E.g., Mario standing on the lowest level, poised for
::c) This will back up your old INI files and CONFIG.SYS. You will see a message during the boot process confirming the backup. If you do not see the message, it did not work and you may have to try again. This will not erase any files off of your disk, just restore your desktop to a basic state.<br/><br/>The INI files in the \OS2\INSTALL will be copied and made active. If you have new INI files you wish to make current, place them here (but remember to back up a copy of the old ones). Then execute this procedure.
      action.)
:2) If you have corrupted INI files, or lose objects such as the clock or font palettes, and option (1) above does not help, you can retrieve them by remaking your INI file.<br/><br/>To do this, boot off the install disks. Press ESC to get to a command prompt and change to the \OS2 directory.<br/><br/>Once there, type MAKEINI OS2.INI INI.RC<br/><br/>Then reboot your machine.<br/><br/>This will look at the INI file from installation and merge items in it with your current INI file, thus restoring the lost objects.
  3. Select mark from the system icon, and mark the graphic area about the
:3) If you have corrupted EAs and have lost folders and/or program references, the recommended method is to simply use the templates and recreate them.<br/><br/>The second option is to try step (1), above.<br/><br/>In the event that your desktop objects are so far gone that you cannot use it (this is the last resort), boot your install disks and escape to a command prompt. Then delete the \"OS!2 2.0 DESKTOP" directory and everything underneath it. Then look at item (1), above.
      size of a desktop icon.  Then select "copy" to move it to the clipboard.
  4. Open the settings for the program, and select the General tab, to
      get to the "DOS" icon.
  5. Select the create another button, which brings up the icon editor.
  6. Select File/New, and Icon, to create a new icon.
  7. Select Edit/Paste to paste in your graphic. Clean it up a little with
      the icon editor, if you want.
  8. Select File/Save as, and store it as program.ico (eg, Mario.ico) in the
      same drive and directory as the program (.com, .exe) itself is stored.
      Exit the icon editor.
  9. (You're back at the settings notebook.) Click the Find button, and find
      the .ico you just stored. Using the Drives tab is the easiest way.
      Select the icon, and save.
  10.Exit the settings folder, and voila! The "DOS" icon has been
      replaced with a snazzy graphic icon, right out of the application.


==Section 2 - Application tips==
====Microsoft Windows Product====
In general, it is advisable to not keep the Microsoft Windows product on
your OS/2 system. The reason is that IBM OS/2 2.0 includes a full, working
copy of the Windows code called WIN-OS2. Applications from Windows can be
run under WIN-OS2. We advise that you use OS/2's "Migrate Applications"
utility to capture all of your Windows apps and remove the Windows code.
Many of the files from Microsoft Windows have the same names as WIN-OS2,
but are different. WIN-OS2 offers you the function of running Windows
programs on your OS/2 desktop and if Windows files are also on your disk,
there may be conflicts. So, if you plan to run WIN-OS2, you should remove
the Windows product from your disk.


- If you lose some important folders
====Clipboarding from DOS or OS/2 to WIN-OS2 programs====
  ----------------------------------
If you are using the clipboard to cut. copy or paste from DOS or OS/2
Presentation Manager programs to a Windows (WIN-OS2) application, be sure
that both the OS/2 or DOS application AND the Windows application are
running before doing the mark, then cut or copy from the source. If not,
the copy may not be successful.


  An interesting thing happened where a user dragged the OS/2 System object
====Configuring Program References====
  into a drive folder. The user subsequently closed the drive folder and
OS/2 2.0 is an object-oriented system. Is is very tempting to enter the
  all drives objects. The user could not get to the OS/2 System object,
Drives folders and begin moving program files where you want to use them.
  because the drives objects were in it, and it was in the drives object!
The recommended way to do this is to not move the program files, but to
create Program Reference objects. In the settings for these objects,
you specify where the program file is. An alternative method is to create
a shadow of the program file. This way the files stays where the
application installation program put it, and no matter where it is
subsequently moved, the shadow points to it. You can then place the
shadow(s) wherever you like.


  All folders are represented in the OS/2 file system. If you run into a
====Borland C++====
  situation like the one described above, you can use the OS/2 command line
If you wish to run Borland C++ for DOS under OS/2, you need to set the
  to do the following:
DOS settings for that session for DPMI_DOS_API. This setting must be
DPMI_DOS_API set to ENABLE in order for C++ to function.


  Use the MOVE command to move the folder (a subdirectory within the file
====After Dark for Windows====
  system) to the proper place.
After Dark, the Windows screen saver program, places a TSR (terminate and
stay-resident) program into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file when it install itself.
If you wush to run After Dark in seamless mode (a Windows window on the
OS/2 desktop) then you must remove the reference to After Dark in your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file.


  For example, the OS/2 System folder is called "OS!2 System". You will
====IBM PC LAN Support Program====
  notice that each folder has a representative subdirectory under the
If you use the IBM PC LAN Support Program using the DOS device drivers
  "OS!2 2.0 DESKTOP" subdirectory.
in an MVDM session, it may be necessary to reset the token ring adapter
card. That is, if you open the VDM, then shut it down and subsequently
wish to open another VDM with the LAN program. The file RSTTOK.ZIP can
be found in the IBMFILES section on Compuserve and on the
IBM National Support Center BBS. (For IBM internal users, it can be
found as RSTTOK PACKAGE on OS2TOOLS).


  To move a folder that is inaccessible due to a scenario described above,
====Microsoft Word for OS/2====
  use the MOVE command to place it in an accessible place.
Microsoft Word for OS/2 has experienced problems running on OS/2 2.0.
  To move the "OS!2 SYSTEM" folder to the desktop, for example, go into the
Microsoft is able to provide a fix for this. If you are a registered user
  subdirectory where "OS!2 SYSTEM" is.
of Word for OS/2, you may call Microsoft Support and request this fix.
  Then type:


    MOVE "OS!2 SYSTEM" \"OS!2 2.0 DESKTOP"
====Lotus Freelance Graphics for OS/2====
If you are a user of Lotus Freelance Graphics for OS/2, you may experience
problems installing the software. This has to do with how Freelance
checks for OS/2 version levels. A fix is available from Lotus. You may
also download FLGOS2.ZIP from the IBM BBS or Compuserve (in the IBMFILES
section) or INSTAL.ZIP from the LOTUS section of Compuserve.


  This will move the folder back to the desktop.
====IBM 4029 Postscript driver for WIN-OS2====
If you are installing the IBM4029 WINDOWS Postscript driver for use in
Win-OS/2, use the following steps. Doing it in any other way may create
an invalid entry in your WIN.INI file.
:Click on the Control Panel icon
:Click on the Printers icon
:Click on the button "Add Printer"
:Select from the list of printers "Unlisted Printer" (bottom of list)
:Insert the printer drivers diskette 4
:In the Files and Directories dialog click on "A:"
:Choose PSCRIPT.DRV from files list (PScript driver is being installed)


  NOTE: ONLY do this if your folders are inaccessible from the shell!
:Click on button "Configure"
:Select proper port
:Click button "Setup"
:Select from list of printers "IBM4029 (17 font, 600 dpi)
:Click on "OK" 3 times.
:Exit the Control Panel
:Exit WIN-OS/2, saving changes


==Section 3 - Hardware tips==
====Alternate pointing devices====
There is an undocumented function in the mouse device driver. If you have some alternate pointing device such as a tablet or touch screen,
you may use it in addition to the the regular mouse pointing device.


- Quick and easy way to get an OS/2 Window
1) Install the device driver for the device with the appropriate DEVICE= statement in CONFIG.SYS (this must be an OS/2 device driver)
  ----------------------------------------


  Add a new menu item to the desktop pop-up menu pointing to CMD.EXE
2) Add the following to the end of the DEVICE=C:\OS2\MOUSE.SYS line:
STYPE=xxxxxx$
Where the xxxxx$ is the name of the device (from the device driver's manual)


  1) Click with the right mouse button to get the menu.
3) Upone reboot, both pointing devices will be active.
  2) Open settings
  3) Go to the MENU page
  4) On the primary pop-up entry, select "Create Another"
  5) For the program name, put in OS/2 Window (or whatever you'd like)
  6) For the program name enter C:\OS2\CMD.EXE (or use whatever your boot
                                                drive is)
  7) Close all windows opened in steps 1-6.
  8) Now click the right mouse button on the desktop to bring up the menu.
      You now see your OS/2 Window entry on the menu. Selecting it will
      give you an OS/2 window.


====AOX systems====
If your computer has an AOX add-in processor card and you encounter problems either installing or booting your OS2 system, you should call
AOX support and ask for the latest "flash-prom" code upgrade.


- Enabling the UNDELETE function
====ISA (non Microchannel or non-EISA) bus systems====
  ------------------------------
Some customers with AT-bus(ISA) systems may have disk controllers that are not recognized or supported by 2.0. OEM drivers for their disk controller may not yet be available.


  If you activate the OS/2 UNDELETE function, you should only delete files
SYMPTOMS:
  from command prompts. Files deleted through the Workplace Shell user
:Very slow install
  interface are permanently deleted.
:Very noisy hard disk during install
:FDISK errors
:Disk not recognized


  To activate this function, simply edit the CONFIG.SYS file, and remove
WORKAROUND:
  the "REM" from the line beginning
      REM SET DELDIR.......


  Upon reboot, the undelete function is active
1) Use DOS to edit the CONFIG.SYS on Diskette #1 in the 2.0 package. Diskette #1 is the first diskette AFTER the Install diskette.
:Change the line -
BASEDEV=IBM1S506.ADD
:to
REM BASEDEV=IBM1S506.ADD
2) Boot the Install diskette and proceed with Install through the first five diskettes.


3) After diskettes 1 through 5 are processed, you are asked to reinsert the Install diskette.
:DO SO.
:After copying some files from the Install diskette, you are asked to remove the Install diskette and press Enter to reboot.
:DO NOT DO THIS. LEAVE THE INSTALL DISKETTE IN THE DRIVE.


- Preventing STARTUP applications from opening
4) Press Enter with the Install diskette in the drive. This will boot the Install diskette.
  --------------------------------------------
:You will be asked to insert Diskette #1.
:DO SO.
:Watch the screens carefully. You will see a screen that tells you (on the lower left) to press ESC to exit.
:When you see this, press Esc.


  OS/2 2.0 has a STARTUP folder which will automatically start any programs
5) You are now at a command line. Enter the following commands:
  within it at system boot time. Additionally, any programs that were running
RENAME C:\OS2\IBM1S506.ADD  IBM1S506.XXX
  when the system was shut down are started upon bootup.
COPY  C:\OS2\IBMINT13.I13  C:\OS2\IBM1S506.ADD
Note: If C is not your install drive, adjust the commands accordingly.


  There may be some cases where you have installed an application to
6) Remove the diskette from the drive. Press ALT-CTRL-DEL to reboot the system, and install will pick up where it left off.
  automatically start and it has somehow become corrupted.
  It is sometimes useful to inhibit the auto-start features of the Workplace
  Shell. You can do this as follows:


      When the system is starting, you will see the Workplace desktop
====IBM PS/2 Model 90/95 system====
      background paint. As soon as you see the mouse pointer show up on the
For model 90 systems, you should ensure that your system has engineering change (EC) level ECA-053 and/or ECA-084. ECA-053 is needed
      desktop, press and hold the CTRL and SHIFT keys then press and hold
to address a downlevel processor card which could cause memory parity errors. The ECA-084 is to address a memory riser-card problem that could
      the F1 key. You should hold this down for approximately 15 seconds,
cause memory errors. Your IBM hardware service representative can assist you with this.
      or until the desktop icons appear. If the hard disk light stops
      during this period, your system may be suspended. Release the
      keys quickly, then resume holding them until the desktop icons appear.


      This will inhibit all of the applications in the startup folder from
If your processor card has part number 84F9356 then it should be replaced. (ECA-053)
      coming up, and inhibit the auto-start of programs running at the time
      the system was shut down.


If your memory "riser" card is part number 84F8157, then it should be replaced. (ECA-084)


- Shutting down a mouseless system
For both model 90 and 95 machines, you must ensure that you have matched pairs of memory SIMMs. This means that each pair of SIMMs, as described in your technical reference manual, must be matched as to memory size and speed. Mixing SIMMS can cause some machines to report memory errors.
  --------------------------------


  The shutdown procedure is accessed from the desktop's menu. To access this
====Printing====
  menu without a mouse, first press and hold the CTRL key while pressing the
When instaling auxiliary parallel port expansion cards, you need to ensure that they are configured to share interrupt level 7 (IRQ7).
  ESC key. Cursor up to the OS/2 Desktop entry and hit ENTER. Now press the
Not doing so will cause printing under OS/2 to function erratically.
  spacebar to deselect all currently selected icons. Press SHIFT and hit the
  F10 key. This will bring up the desktop's menu. You can now cursor down to
  the Shutdown option and press enter to shut down the system.


If you send a print job to a printer that is powered off, you may experience a corrupted job when responding to the RETRY dialog after
powering on the printer. You should cancel the job and resubmit it after turning on the printer.


- Restoring a corrupted desktop
There are some printers, when attached to an IBM Model 95 can lose interrupts if DMA Parallel is turned on. By turning off DMA parallel
  -----------------------------
with the reference disk, you can clear this up. This can vary from system to system and printer to printer.


  There may be cases where your desktop may have been corrupted. An example
====SCSI cards====
  is if you booted DOS and tried to rearrange your hard disk and corrupted
The early versions of the IBM 16-bit SCSI adapters may experience problems and report erroneously that the device is not functioning.
  either INI files or Extended Attributes. The following mechanisms have been
This can be corrected by replacing the SCSI card with a card with updated microcode.
  implemented to help in these cases.
 
  1) There is an undocumented function in OS/2 2.0 that will backup your
      current INI files and CONFIG.SYS and give you the ones that were set up
      initially during installation. Note however, that any modifications
      (such as shadows and associations) since installation will be lost
      and have to be recreated.
 
      This is function is also useful if you have followed the product
      documentation and created new INI files you wish to make current.
      (i.e.- OS/2 1.3 "look and feel" INI files)
 
      The steps are:
 
      a) Reboot your system.
 
      b) As soon as you hear a single beep from the system speaker after the
        Power on Self Test completes (or as soon as you hit the enter key at
        the MOST menu or power-on password prompt), press and hold the
        ALT key and press F1. Hold these keys down until you hear rapid
        beeping from the system indicating that the keyboard buffer is full.
 
      c) This will back up your old INI files and CONFIG.SYS. You will see
        a message during the boot process confirming the backup. If you do not
        see the message, it did not work and you may have to try again.
        This will not erase any files off of your disk, just restore your
        desktop to a basic state.
 
        The INI files in the \OS2\INSTALL will be copied and made active.
        If you have new INI files you wish to make current, place them
        here (but remember to back up a copy of the old ones). Then execute
        this procedure.
 
  2) If you have corrupted INI files, or lose objects such as the clock or
      font palettes, and option (1) above does not help, you can retrieve them
      by remaking your INI file.
 
      To do this, boot off the install disks. Press ESC to get to a command
      prompt and change to the \OS2 directory.
 
      Once there, type MAKEINI OS2.INI INI.RC
 
      Then reboot your machine.
 
      This will look at the INI file from installation and merge items in it
      with your current INI file, thus restoring the lost objects.
 
  3) If you have corrupted EAs and have lost folders and/or program
      references, the recommended method is to simply use the templates
      and recreate them.
 
      The second option is to try step (1), above.
 
      In the event that your desktop objects are so far gone that you cannot
      use it (this is the last resort), boot your install disks and escape
      to a command prompt. Then delete the \"OS!2 2.0 DESKTOP" directory and
      everything underneath it. Then look at item (1), above.
 
 
 
 
Section 2 - Application tips
---------
 
- Microsoft Windows Product
  -------------------------
  In general, it is advisable to not keep the Microsoft Windows product on
  your OS/2 system. The reason is that IBM OS/2 2.0 includes a full, working
  copy of the Windows code called WIN-OS2. Applications from Windows can be
  run under WIN-OS2. We advise that you use OS/2's "Migrate Applications"
  utility to capture all of your Windows apps and remove the Windows code.
  Many of the files from Microsoft Windows have the same names as WIN-OS2,
  but are different. WIN-OS2 offers you the function of running Windows
  programs on your OS/2 desktop and if Windows files are also on your disk,
  there may be conflicts. So, if you plan to run WIN-OS2, you should remove
  the Windows product from your disk.
 
 
- Clipboarding from DOS or OS/2 to WIN-OS2 programs
  -------------------------------------------------
  If you are using the clipboard to cut. copy or paste from DOS or OS/2
  Presentation Manager programs to a Windows (WIN-OS2) application, be sure
  that both the OS/2 or DOS application AND the Windows application are
  running before doing the mark, then cut or copy from the source. If not,
  the copy may not be successful.
 
 
- Configuring Program References
  ------------------------------
  OS/2 2.0 is an object-oriented system. Is is very tempting to enter the
  Drives folders and begin moving program files where you want to use them.
  The recommended way to do this is to not move the program files, but to
  create Program Reference objects. In the settings for these objects,
  you specify where the program file is. An alternative method is to create
  a shadow of the program file. This way the files stays where the
  application installation program put it, and no matter where it is
  subsequently moved, the shadow points to it. You can then place the
  shadow(s) wherever you like.
 
 
- Borland C++
  -----------
  If you wish to run Borland C++ for DOS under OS/2, you need to set the
  DOS settings for that session for DPMI_DOS_API. This setting must be
  DPMI_DOS_API set to ENABLE in order for C++ to function.
 
 
- After Dark for Windows
  ----------------------
  After Dark, the Windows screen saver program, places a TSR (terminate and
  stay-resident) program into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file when it install itself.
  If you wush to run After Dark in seamless mode (a Windows window on the
  OS/2 desktop) then you must remove the reference to After Dark in your
  AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
 
 
- IBM PC LAN Support Program
  --------------------------
  If you use the IBM PC LAN Support Program using the DOS device drivers
  in an MVDM session, it may be necessary to reset the token ring adapter
  card. That is, if you open the VDM, then shut it down and subsequently
  wish to open another VDM with the LAN program. The file RSTTOK.ZIP can
  be found in the IBMFILES section on Compuserve and on the
  IBM National Support Center BBS. (For IBM internal users, it can be
  found as RSTTOK PACKAGE on OS2TOOLS).
 
 
- Microsoft Word for OS/2
  -----------------------
  Microsoft Word for OS/2 has experienced problems running on OS/2 2.0.
  Microsoft is able to provide a fix for this. If you are a registered user
  of Word for OS/2, you may call Microsoft Support and request this fix.
 
 
- Lotus Freelance Graphics for OS/2
  ---------------------------------
  If you are a user of Lotus Freelance Graphics for OS/2, you may experience
  problems installing the software. This has to do with how Freelance
  checks for OS/2 version levels. A fix is available from Lotus. You may
  also download FLGOS2.ZIP from the IBM BBS or Compuserve (in the IBMFILES
  section) or INSTAL.ZIP from the LOTUS section of Compuserve.
 
 
- IBM 4029 Postscript driver for WIN-OS2
  --------------------------------------
  If you are installing the IBM4029 WINDOWS Postscript driver for use in
  Win-OS/2, use the following steps. Doing it in any other way may create
  an invalid entry in your WIN.INI file.
 
  Click on the Control Panel icon
  Click on the Printers icon
  Click on the button "Add Printer"
  Select from the list of printers "Unlisted Printer" (bottom of list)
  Insert the printer drivers diskette 4
  In the Files and Directories dialog click on "A:"
  Choose PSCRIPT.DRV from files list (PScript driver is being installed)
 
  Click on button "Configure"
  Select proper port
  Click button "Setup"
  Select from list of printers "IBM4029 (17 font, 600 dpi)
  Click on "OK" 3 times.
  Exit the Control Panel
  Exit WIN-OS/2, saving changes
 
 
 
Section 3 - Hardware tips
---------
 
- Alternate pointing devices
  --------------------------
  There is an undocumented function in the mouse device driver. If you
  have some alternate pointing device such as a tablet or touch screen,
  you may use it in addition to the the regular mouse pointing device.
 
  1) Install the device driver for the device with the appropriate
      DEVICE= statement in CONFIG.SYS (this must be an OS/2 device driver)
 
  2) Add the following to the end of the DEVICE=C:\OS2\MOUSE.SYS line:
 
      STYPE=xxxxxx$
 
      Where the xxxxx$ is the name of the device (from the device driver's
      manual)
 
  3) Upone reboot, both pointing devices will be active.
 
 
- AOX systems
  -----------
  If your computer has an AOX add-in processor card and you encounter
  problems either installing or booting your OS2 system, you should call
  AOX support and ask for the latest "flash-prom" code upgrade.
 
 
- ISA (non Microchannel or non-EISA) bus systems
  ----------------------------------------------
  Some customers with AT-bus(ISA) systems may have disk controllers
  that are not recognized or supported by 2.0. OEM drivers for
  their disk controller may not yet be available.
 
  SYMPTOMS: Very slow install
            Very noisy hard disk during install
            FDISK errors
            Disk not recognized
 
  WORKAROUND:
  1) Use DOS to edit the CONFIG.SYS on Diskette #1 in the 2.0 package.
      Diskette #1 is the first diskette AFTER the Install diskette.
 
      Change the line -
              BASEDEV=IBM1S506.ADD
 
            to
 
      REM BASEDEV=IBM1S506.ADD
 
  2) Boot the Install diskette and proceed with Install through the
      first five diskettes.
 
  3) After diskettes 1 through 5 are processed, you are asked to
      reinsert the Install diskette.
      DO SO.
      After copying some files from the Install diskette, you are
      asked to remove the Install diskette and press Enter to reboot.
 
      DO NOT DO THIS. LEAVE THE INSTALL DISKETTE IN THE DRIVE.
 
  4) Press Enter with the Install diskette in the drive.
      This will boot the Install diskette.
      You will be asked to insert Diskette #1.
      DO SO.
      Watch the screens carefully. You will see a
      screen that tells you (on the lower left) to press ESC to exit.
      When you see this, press Esc.
 
  5) You are now at a command line.
      Enter the following commands:
 
          RENAME C:\OS2\IBM1S506.ADD  IBM1S506.XXX
          COPY  C:\OS2\IBMINT13.I13  C:\OS2\IBM1S506.ADD
 
        Note: If C is not your install drive, adjust the commands
                        accordingly.
 
  6) Remove the diskette from the drive.
      Press ALT-CTRL-DEL to reboot the system, and install will
      pick up where it left off.
 
 
- IBM PS/2 Model 90/95 systems
  ----------------------------
  For model 90 systems, you should ensure that your system has
  engineering change (EC) level ECA-053 and/or ECA-084. ECA-053 is needed
  to address a downlevel processor card which could cause memory parity
  errors. The ECA-084 is to address a memory riser-card problem that could
  cause memory errors. Your IBM hardware service representative
  can assist you with this.
 
  If your processor card has part number 84F9356 then it should be replaced.
  (ECA-053)
 
  If your memory "riser" card is part number 84F8157, then it should
  be replaced.  (ECA-084)
 
  For both model 90 and 95 machines, you must ensure that you have matched
  pairs of memory SIMMs. This means that each pair of SIMMs, as described
  in your technical reference manual, must be matched as to memory size
  and speed. Mixing SIMMS can cause some machines to report memory errors.
 
 
- Printing
  --------
  When instaling auxiliary parallel port expansion cards, you need to
  ensure that they are configured to share interrupt level 7 (IRQ7).
  Not doing so will cause printing under OS/2 to function erratically.
 
  If you send a print job to a printer that is powered off, you may
  experience a corrupted job when responding to the RETRY dialog after
  powering on the printer. You should cancel the job and resubmit it
  after turning on the printer.
 
  There are some printers, when attached to an IBM Model 95 can lose
  interrupts if DMA Parallel is turned on. By turning off DMA parallel
  with the reference disk, you can clear this up. This can vary from
  system to system and printer to printer.
 
- SCSI cards
  ----------
  The early versions of the IBM 16-bit SCSI adapters may experience
  problems and report erroneously that the device is not functioning.
  This can be corrected by replacing the SCSI card with a card with
  updated microcode.
 
- General
  -------
  There have been some intermittent problems using 50 mHz systems with
  AT-style bus machines with a mouse. The mouse can get out of synch.
  Input will function through the keyboard and the mouse, but it is
  recommended to shutdown the system and restart to "resynch" the mouse.


====General====
There have been some intermittent problems using 50 mHz systems with AT-style bus machines with a mouse. The mouse can get out of synch.
Input will function through the keyboard and the mouse, but it is recommended to shutdown the system and restart to "resynch" the mouse.


Thanks to the following contributors:
Thanks to the following contributors:
:Irv Spalten, IBM Corp.
:Dave Blaschke, IBM Corp.
:John Hare and Jeff Muir, IBM Corp.
:Mel Hallerman, IBM Corp.
Anyone else who I may have forgotten.


Irv Spalten              IBM Corp.
[[Category:IBM Publication]]
Dave Blaschke            IBM Corp.
John Hare and Jeff Muir  IBM Corp.
Mel Hallerman            IBM Corp.
 
Anyone else who I may have forgotten.

Latest revision as of 18:29, 20 February 2023

Article Info
Author IBM, David E. Reich
Date 1992-04-20 / Version 1.1
OS Version
Companion File N/A
Source

Version 1.1
4/20/92

David E. Reich, IBM Corp.
OS/2 Technical Support

Introduction

This is an informal document, produced by the OS/2 Technical Support Team. It includes tips and techniques describing how to use and navigate around OS/2 2.0 along with information on known techniques or workarounds for various applications and machine types.

It is recommended to read the OS/2 2.0 product README file as well as this document.

This document will continue to be updated. As we discover new techniques and tips, they will be reflected in this paper.

The purpose of this document is to provide readers with an awareness of quick and easy ways to accomplish various tasks with OS/2. There are also techniques and information that will help you run your OS/2 system on various machine configurations.

This document is organized in three sections. Section 1 describes tips and techniques on topics such as backing up a complete set of your INI files and desktop configuration, quickly customizing the WorkPlace Shell and the like. Section 2 will cover application configuration and compatibility topics and section 3 will discuss hardware topics.

If you have any questions or comments on this document, or find anything you feel may be of use to others and would like to see in a future revision of the OS/2 TNT document, please contact the author, or one of the IBM service representatives on Compuserve, BIX, Prodigy, IIN or other applicable service.

Notes: Compuserve membership services can be reached at 1-800-848-8199 x239.

IBM IIN BBS registration can be reached at 1-800-547-1283.

General IBM OS/2 product information and availability can be obtained by calling 1-800-3IBMOS2.

The OS/2 Support Line is available at 1-800-237-5511. This is a free service for the first 60 days.

Section 1 - General Tips, hints and techniques

Reading the README before install

The README file for OS/2 2.0 is packed on diskette number 6. If you have a system with a formatted hard disk, you can manually unpack the file and read it before installation. To do this, boot the install disk. Then when prompted, insert disk 1. Then when asked to press ESC to cancel, press the ESC key. You will get a command prompt. Copy the file UNPACK.EXE from disk 2 onto your hard disk. Then insert disk 6. Make your hard disk the current drive and type:

UNPACK A:\REQUIRED . /N:README

You will them have the readme on your hard disk, suitable for reading and/or printing.

If your installation procedure aborts

There may be occasion when your install aborts. For example, if you get a power hit. If you have passed the first reboot, and are in the graphical installation, you can restart your installation procedure without going through all of the preliminary steps.

1) Identify which disk was being unpacked when the procedure failed.
2) Subtract that from 16 and add one. For example, if you were on disk 9, then your result would be 8.
3) Boot from the install disk, and insert disk 1 when prompted.
4) When you are asked to press ESC to cancel, press the ESC key. You will get a command prompt.
5) Use a text editor to edit the CONFIG.SYS file on the hard disk.
6) In the line starting with FIRSTDISK, edit that to be FIRSTDISK=<the disk number from step 1>
example: FIRSTDISK=9
7) In the line starting with NUMDISKS, edit that to be NUMDISKS=<the number from step 2>
example: NUMDISKS=7
8) Now remove the diskettes and reboot from the hard disk. You will see the graphical install panel. Select OK, Install and all defaults. You will now be prompted for the disk from step 1, which is the disk where the procedure aborted before. All of your previous Selective Install choices are preserved.

Immediately after install

After installation, and before you run any DOS or Windows programs, we recommend you shut down your system. This only needs to be done once, immediately after you are finished installing OS/2 2.0

Changing icon text color

If you want to change the color of the text under the icons in a folder, use the color palette to drag a color to the icon text. To do this, open the color palette. Choose the color. Then press the Ctrl key and while holding that down, use mouse button 2 to click and drag the desired color from the palette to the icon text. Then drop the color there and release the Ctrl key. Note that all icon text within a folder is changed. You cannot do this on a per-icon basis within a folder.

Creating icons from/for graphical applications

NOTE: This will only work for graphical applications. Text applications must have custom icons done by hand.

  1. Bring up the program in a windowed session, and use the system icon (upper left corner) pulldown to change it to a windowed, scaled image.
  2. Run the program until a nice graphic about the size of an icon appears on the screen. (E.g., Mario standing on the lowest level, poised for action.)
  3. Select mark from the system icon, and mark the graphic area about the size of a desktop icon. Then select "copy" to move it to the clipboard.
  4. Open the settings for the program, and select the General tab, to get to the "DOS" icon.
  5. Select the create another button, which brings up the icon editor.
  6. Select File/New, and Icon, to create a new icon.
  7. Select Edit/Paste to paste in your graphic. Clean it up a little with the icon editor, if you want.
  8. Select File/Save as, and store it as program.ico (eg, Mario.ico) in the same drive and directory as the program (.com, .exe) itself is stored.
    Exit the icon editor.
  9. (You're back at the settings notebook.) Click the Find button, and find the .ico you just stored. Using the Drives tab is the easiest way. Select the icon, and save.
  10. Exit the settings folder, and voila! The "DOS" icon has been replaced with a snazzy graphic icon, right out of the application.

If you lose some important folders

An interesting thing happened where a user dragged the OS/2 System object into a drive folder. The user subsequently closed the drive folder and all drives objects. The user could not get to the OS/2 System object, because the drives objects were in it, and it was in the drives object!

All folders are represented in the OS/2 file system. If you run into a situation like the one described above, you can use the OS/2 command line to do the following:

Use the MOVE command to move the folder (a subdirectory within the file system) to the proper place.

For example, the OS/2 System folder is called "OS!2 System". You will notice that each folder has a representative subdirectory under the "OS!2 2.0 DESKTOP" subdirectory.

To move a folder that is inaccessible due to a scenario described above, use the MOVE command to place it in an accessible place. To move the "OS!2 SYSTEM" folder to the desktop, for example, go into the subdirectory where "OS!2 SYSTEM" is. Then type:

MOVE "OS!2 SYSTEM" \"OS!2 2.0 DESKTOP"

This will move the folder back to the desktop.

NOTE: ONLY do this if your folders are inaccessible from the shell!

Quick and easy way to get an OS/2 Window

Add a new menu item to the desktop pop-up menu pointing to CMD.EXE

1) Click with the right mouse button to get the menu.
2) Open settings
3) Go to the MENU page
4) On the primary pop-up entry, select "Create Another"
5) For the program name, put in OS/2 Window (or whatever you'd like)
6) For the program name enter C:\OS2\CMD.EXE (or use whatever your boot drive is)
7) Close all windows opened in steps 1-6.
8) Now click the right mouse button on the desktop to bring up the menu. You now see your OS/2 Window entry on the menu. Selecting it will give you an OS/2 window.

Enabling the UNDELETE function

If you activate the OS/2 UNDELETE function, you should only delete files from command prompts. Files deleted through the Workplace Shell user interface are permanently deleted.

To activate this function, simply edit the CONFIG.SYS file, and remove the "REM" from the line beginning

REM SET DELDIR.......

Upon reboot, the undelete function is active

Preventing STARTUP applications from opening

OS/2 2.0 has a STARTUP folder which will automatically start any programs within it at system boot time. Additionally, any programs that were running when the system was shut down are started upon bootup.

There may be some cases where you have installed an application to automatically start and it has somehow become corrupted. It is sometimes useful to inhibit the auto-start features of the Workplace Shell. You can do this as follows:

When the system is starting, you will see the Workplace desktop background paint. As soon as you see the mouse pointer show up on the desktop, press and hold the CTRL and SHIFT keys then press and hold the F1 key. You should hold this down for approximately 15 seconds, or until the desktop icons appear. If the hard disk light stops during this period, your system may be suspended. Release the keys quickly, then resume holding them until the desktop icons appear.

This will inhibit all of the applications in the startup folder from coming up, and inhibit the auto-start of programs running at the time the system was shut down.

Shutting down a mouseless system

The shutdown procedure is accessed from the desktop's menu. To access this menu without a mouse, first press and hold the CTRL key while pressing the ESC key. Cursor up to the OS/2 Desktop entry and hit ENTER. Now press the spacebar to deselect all currently selected icons. Press SHIFT and hit the F10 key. This will bring up the desktop's menu. You can now cursor down to the Shutdown option and press enter to shut down the system.

Restoring a corrupted desktop

There may be cases where your desktop may have been corrupted. An example is if you booted DOS and tried to rearrange your hard disk and corrupted either INI files or Extended Attributes. The following mechanisms have been implemented to help in these cases.

1) There is an undocumented function in OS/2 2.0 that will backup your current INI files and CONFIG.SYS and give you the ones that were set up initially during installation. Note however, that any modifications (such as shadows and associations) since installation will be lost and have to be recreated.

This is function is also useful if you have followed the product documentation and created new INI files you wish to make current. (i.e.- OS/2 1.3 "look and feel" INI files)

The steps are:
a) Reboot your system.
b) As soon as you hear a single beep from the system speaker after the Power on Self Test completes (or as soon as you hit the enter key at the MOST menu or power-on password prompt), press and hold the ALT key and press F1. Hold these keys down until you hear rapid beeping from the system indicating that the keyboard buffer is full.
c) This will back up your old INI files and CONFIG.SYS. You will see a message during the boot process confirming the backup. If you do not see the message, it did not work and you may have to try again. This will not erase any files off of your disk, just restore your desktop to a basic state.

The INI files in the \OS2\INSTALL will be copied and made active. If you have new INI files you wish to make current, place them here (but remember to back up a copy of the old ones). Then execute this procedure.
2) If you have corrupted INI files, or lose objects such as the clock or font palettes, and option (1) above does not help, you can retrieve them by remaking your INI file.

To do this, boot off the install disks. Press ESC to get to a command prompt and change to the \OS2 directory.

Once there, type MAKEINI OS2.INI INI.RC

Then reboot your machine.

This will look at the INI file from installation and merge items in it with your current INI file, thus restoring the lost objects.
3) If you have corrupted EAs and have lost folders and/or program references, the recommended method is to simply use the templates and recreate them.

The second option is to try step (1), above.

In the event that your desktop objects are so far gone that you cannot use it (this is the last resort), boot your install disks and escape to a command prompt. Then delete the \"OS!2 2.0 DESKTOP" directory and everything underneath it. Then look at item (1), above.

Section 2 - Application tips

Microsoft Windows Product

In general, it is advisable to not keep the Microsoft Windows product on your OS/2 system. The reason is that IBM OS/2 2.0 includes a full, working copy of the Windows code called WIN-OS2. Applications from Windows can be run under WIN-OS2. We advise that you use OS/2's "Migrate Applications" utility to capture all of your Windows apps and remove the Windows code. Many of the files from Microsoft Windows have the same names as WIN-OS2, but are different. WIN-OS2 offers you the function of running Windows programs on your OS/2 desktop and if Windows files are also on your disk, there may be conflicts. So, if you plan to run WIN-OS2, you should remove the Windows product from your disk.

Clipboarding from DOS or OS/2 to WIN-OS2 programs

If you are using the clipboard to cut. copy or paste from DOS or OS/2 Presentation Manager programs to a Windows (WIN-OS2) application, be sure that both the OS/2 or DOS application AND the Windows application are running before doing the mark, then cut or copy from the source. If not, the copy may not be successful.

Configuring Program References

OS/2 2.0 is an object-oriented system. Is is very tempting to enter the Drives folders and begin moving program files where you want to use them. The recommended way to do this is to not move the program files, but to create Program Reference objects. In the settings for these objects, you specify where the program file is. An alternative method is to create a shadow of the program file. This way the files stays where the application installation program put it, and no matter where it is subsequently moved, the shadow points to it. You can then place the shadow(s) wherever you like.

Borland C++

If you wish to run Borland C++ for DOS under OS/2, you need to set the DOS settings for that session for DPMI_DOS_API. This setting must be DPMI_DOS_API set to ENABLE in order for C++ to function.

After Dark for Windows

After Dark, the Windows screen saver program, places a TSR (terminate and stay-resident) program into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file when it install itself. If you wush to run After Dark in seamless mode (a Windows window on the OS/2 desktop) then you must remove the reference to After Dark in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

IBM PC LAN Support Program

If you use the IBM PC LAN Support Program using the DOS device drivers in an MVDM session, it may be necessary to reset the token ring adapter card. That is, if you open the VDM, then shut it down and subsequently wish to open another VDM with the LAN program. The file RSTTOK.ZIP can be found in the IBMFILES section on Compuserve and on the IBM National Support Center BBS. (For IBM internal users, it can be found as RSTTOK PACKAGE on OS2TOOLS).

Microsoft Word for OS/2

Microsoft Word for OS/2 has experienced problems running on OS/2 2.0. Microsoft is able to provide a fix for this. If you are a registered user of Word for OS/2, you may call Microsoft Support and request this fix.

Lotus Freelance Graphics for OS/2

If you are a user of Lotus Freelance Graphics for OS/2, you may experience problems installing the software. This has to do with how Freelance checks for OS/2 version levels. A fix is available from Lotus. You may also download FLGOS2.ZIP from the IBM BBS or Compuserve (in the IBMFILES section) or INSTAL.ZIP from the LOTUS section of Compuserve.

IBM 4029 Postscript driver for WIN-OS2

If you are installing the IBM4029 WINDOWS Postscript driver for use in Win-OS/2, use the following steps. Doing it in any other way may create an invalid entry in your WIN.INI file.

Click on the Control Panel icon
Click on the Printers icon
Click on the button "Add Printer"
Select from the list of printers "Unlisted Printer" (bottom of list)
Insert the printer drivers diskette 4
In the Files and Directories dialog click on "A:"
Choose PSCRIPT.DRV from files list (PScript driver is being installed)
Click on button "Configure"
Select proper port
Click button "Setup"
Select from list of printers "IBM4029 (17 font, 600 dpi)
Click on "OK" 3 times.
Exit the Control Panel
Exit WIN-OS/2, saving changes

Section 3 - Hardware tips

Alternate pointing devices

There is an undocumented function in the mouse device driver. If you have some alternate pointing device such as a tablet or touch screen, you may use it in addition to the the regular mouse pointing device.

1) Install the device driver for the device with the appropriate DEVICE= statement in CONFIG.SYS (this must be an OS/2 device driver)

2) Add the following to the end of the DEVICE=C:\OS2\MOUSE.SYS line:

STYPE=xxxxxx$

Where the xxxxx$ is the name of the device (from the device driver's manual)

3) Upone reboot, both pointing devices will be active.

AOX systems

If your computer has an AOX add-in processor card and you encounter problems either installing or booting your OS2 system, you should call AOX support and ask for the latest "flash-prom" code upgrade.

ISA (non Microchannel or non-EISA) bus systems

Some customers with AT-bus(ISA) systems may have disk controllers that are not recognized or supported by 2.0. OEM drivers for their disk controller may not yet be available.

SYMPTOMS:

Very slow install
Very noisy hard disk during install
FDISK errors
Disk not recognized

WORKAROUND:

1) Use DOS to edit the CONFIG.SYS on Diskette #1 in the 2.0 package. Diskette #1 is the first diskette AFTER the Install diskette.

Change the line -
BASEDEV=IBM1S506.ADD
to
REM BASEDEV=IBM1S506.ADD

2) Boot the Install diskette and proceed with Install through the first five diskettes.

3) After diskettes 1 through 5 are processed, you are asked to reinsert the Install diskette.

DO SO.
After copying some files from the Install diskette, you are asked to remove the Install diskette and press Enter to reboot.
DO NOT DO THIS. LEAVE THE INSTALL DISKETTE IN THE DRIVE.

4) Press Enter with the Install diskette in the drive. This will boot the Install diskette.

You will be asked to insert Diskette #1.
DO SO.
Watch the screens carefully. You will see a screen that tells you (on the lower left) to press ESC to exit.
When you see this, press Esc.

5) You are now at a command line. Enter the following commands:

RENAME C:\OS2\IBM1S506.ADD   IBM1S506.XXX
COPY   C:\OS2\IBMINT13.I13   C:\OS2\IBM1S506.ADD

Note: If C is not your install drive, adjust the commands accordingly.

6) Remove the diskette from the drive. Press ALT-CTRL-DEL to reboot the system, and install will pick up where it left off.

IBM PS/2 Model 90/95 system

For model 90 systems, you should ensure that your system has engineering change (EC) level ECA-053 and/or ECA-084. ECA-053 is needed to address a downlevel processor card which could cause memory parity errors. The ECA-084 is to address a memory riser-card problem that could cause memory errors. Your IBM hardware service representative can assist you with this.

If your processor card has part number 84F9356 then it should be replaced. (ECA-053)

If your memory "riser" card is part number 84F8157, then it should be replaced. (ECA-084)

For both model 90 and 95 machines, you must ensure that you have matched pairs of memory SIMMs. This means that each pair of SIMMs, as described in your technical reference manual, must be matched as to memory size and speed. Mixing SIMMS can cause some machines to report memory errors.

Printing

When instaling auxiliary parallel port expansion cards, you need to ensure that they are configured to share interrupt level 7 (IRQ7). Not doing so will cause printing under OS/2 to function erratically.

If you send a print job to a printer that is powered off, you may experience a corrupted job when responding to the RETRY dialog after powering on the printer. You should cancel the job and resubmit it after turning on the printer.

There are some printers, when attached to an IBM Model 95 can lose interrupts if DMA Parallel is turned on. By turning off DMA parallel with the reference disk, you can clear this up. This can vary from system to system and printer to printer.

SCSI cards

The early versions of the IBM 16-bit SCSI adapters may experience problems and report erroneously that the device is not functioning. This can be corrected by replacing the SCSI card with a card with updated microcode.

General

There have been some intermittent problems using 50 mHz systems with AT-style bus machines with a mouse. The mouse can get out of synch. Input will function through the keyboard and the mouse, but it is recommended to shutdown the system and restart to "resynch" the mouse.

Thanks to the following contributors:

Irv Spalten, IBM Corp.
Dave Blaschke, IBM Corp.
John Hare and Jeff Muir, IBM Corp.
Mel Hallerman, IBM Corp.

Anyone else who I may have forgotten.