
                      
   The OS2 Frequently Given Answers 
                      

    A selection of some of the frequently asked questions from the
    International FIDONET OS2 echo, and, more importantly, their
    frequently given answers.  Version 1.06.  19971022.

  Introduction
  

    The International FIDONET OS2 echo is one of a family of several
    echoes on FIDONET dealing with OS/2.  OS2 deals specifically with
    native OS/2 applications, and general discussion of OS/2 itself (as
    opposed to hardware, programming, DOS+Windows applications,
    networking, or anything covered by another echo in the family).

    The FIDONET OS/2 Echo Family are backboned in all zones, and should be
    available from locally all around the world.  If you cannot find an
    echo from the family, ask your sysop or your echomail feed.

    This selection of Frequently Given Answers is by no means exhaustive,
    but is meant to cover some of the more popular topics that regularly
    come up in the echo.  There is another separate FGA for the OS2DOS
    echo, covering issues pertaining to Virtual DOS Machines, and running
    DOS and DOS+Windows applications under OS/2.

    Readers of the FGA are reminded to *ALWAYS READ THE OS/2 USER GUIDE*.
    Neither the OS2 family of echoes, nor the FGA are meant as a
    substitute for the user guide, and many topics that people regularly
    ask about are in fact covered extensively in the user guide and the
    on-line help for OS/2.  The manual *is* your friend.

    The OS2 FGA document is archived on DoNoR, one of the larger OS/2
    sites in the United Kingdom.  It is available for File Request 24
    hours per day, every day of the year as FGA-OS2.ZIP from 2:440/4.0.

  Newbie questions
  

   HEEEEELLLLLPPPP!

    One of the things that newbies never seem to grasp straight away is
    that imaginitively and *descriptively* chosen subject lines will in
    fact elicit a better response than "help" and its variants.

    A lot of people simply skip messages that have nothing but "help" or
    "OS/2" (or the echo title) as the subject, because they have no wish
    to have to trail through lines and lines of message to find out what
    the thread is all about.  There are far too many messages PER DAY to
    make that exercise a profitable one.

    So learn early.  Use descriptive subject lines that actually give a
    clue as to the problem that you have.  Then people who can help will
    be able to pick the subjects that they know about more easily.  This
    will also help to keep track of the original thrust of the discussion
    when people start replying to your message.


   What is OS/2 ?

    OS/2 is an operating system.  An operating system is the most
    fundamental piece of software on your machine.  Any good "Introduction
    to PCs" type of book should explain what an operating system is and
    what it does, although some do tend to confuse the command-line
    interpreter, which is just an application program, with the operating
    system.  If a book starts talking about running programs "directly
    from DOS" when it really means running them from the command line,
    you'll know that you have come across such a book.

    OS/2 is a multitasking, multithreaded, protected mode, 32-bit
    operating system for PCs with 8MB of RAM or more, a 486 CPU or better,
    and 80MB of free hard disc space.  It supports the HPFS filesystem,
    which is more fault tolerant than FAT is, provides full protection of
    each process from all other running processes, and allows DOS and
    DOS+Windows applications to be run in multiple "Virtual DOS Machines".

    OS/2 Warp version 4 comes with LAN client software for both NetBIOS
    and Netware LANs, peer-to-peer LAN software, TCP/IP for both LAN-based
    and dial-up connection to the Internet (including web browser, Usenet,
    and e-mail software), a Bonus Pack of useful application software
    including a full office suite called IBM Works, Personal
    Communications for OS/2 for 3270-style connection to mainframes, and a
    whole CD-ROM full of device drivers for a wide range of current
    hardware.

    OS/2 does not require DOS in order to run, and can be installed
    completely on a logical drive in an extended partition on your hard
    disc, without altering any of the files on your primary partition.


   What are all these different flavours of OS/2 then ?

    [[ This Frequently Given Answer only applies to OS/2 Warp version 3.
       OS/2 Warp version 4 only comes in one flavour.  ]]

    There are four flavours of OS/2 :

         OS/2 WARP without Windows (uses pre-existing Windows if installed).
         OS/2 WARP with Windows.
         OS/2 WARP Connect without Windows (uses pre-existing Windows).
         OS/2 WARP Connect with Windows.

    As you can see, these are a combination of two factors :  whether a
    copy of Windows is included in the bundle, and whether LAN networking
    software is included in the bundle (i.e. "Connect").

    Because different flavours were released at different times (the above
    are in chronological order, conincidentally), you may find that some
    bugfixes will be shipped in one flavour and absent in another.  If you
    go to IBM's support BBS or FTP site, you will find that FixPacks are
    available for all flavours of OS/2 WARP that will bring all of the
    flavours to the same level.


   What are FixPacks ?

    From time to time, IBM releases FixPacks, which contain fixes for
    problems discovered in OS/2 after the CD-ROM was manufactured, and
    occasionally feature enhancements.

    If you have OS/2 Warp 4 and are directly connected to the Internet,
    you can obtain and apply the fixpacks directly, by opening the
    software updates URL object on your desktop.

    There are three links next to each fixpack on IBM PSP's OS/2 FixPack
    web page.  If you choose the Remote Software Upgrade (RSU) link, then
    your web browser will download and automatically run a REXX script
    that automatically retrieves the fixpack from IBM's FTP site to your
    hard disc and applies it from there (It will ask you for confirmation
    first, don't worry.).

    If you are on Fidonet, the FixPacks are also distributed in the OS/2
    file distribution echo ("filebone").  If you don't know what a
    filebone is, ask your sysop.  If you *are* your sysop and still don't
    know what a filebone is, consult the FSC documents on the subject to
    learn all about TICK and its friends.


   When should I apply a FixPack ?

    FixPacks fix bugs.  If you don't have a problem, then you don't need a
    FixPack.  On the other hand, it is always easiest to ask for technical
    support when you *do* have a problem if you have the latest revision
    level of the operating system.

    Always remember that FixPacks are essentially "snapshots" of OS/2
    development (which is a continuous process), and aren't subjected to
    quite the same amount of rigourous testing that a release version of
    OS/2 is subjected to.  They are subjected to *some* testing, of
    course, which is why some FixPacks appear to be missing (they didn't
    pass the testing and so aren't made into "public" fixpacks).  A
    FixPack that contains a fix for one bug may contain a modification
    aimed at fixing another bug that causes further problems of its own.

    IBM handles bugs by maintaining a database of APARs (Authorised
    Program Analysis Reports), which are, in essence, a description of a
    problem, instructions for replicating the problem, and a summary of
    the machine configuration that the problem occurs on.  Not all APARs
    are bugs, by any means, but FixPacks are described by the APARs that
    they address, or "close".

    Each FixPack contains a summary list of the closed APARs that it
    contains modifications for.  If you have found a defect in OS/2, check
    the APAR list of the latest FixPack to see whether it has been
    addressed.  The full APAR database is available in searchable form on
    the World Wide Web.  Follow the links from the OS/2 home page.

    FixPacks are cumulative, meaning each later FixPack contains all of
    the fixes from all of its predecessors and can be applied directly to
    the original, shipped, version of OS/2.

    If you have a problem that isn't addressed by a FixPack, send IBM PSP
    a completed problem report form, the blank for which can be found
    using the URL object provided on your desktop.



  Applications
  

   What archive programs are available for OS/2 ?

    The Info-ZIP people provide the free zip and unzip programs for OS/2,
    which understand v2.01 format ZIP archives, can handle long filenames,
    and will save and restore extended attributes.

    An OS/2 version of RAR (an archiver that gets even better compression
    ratios than ZIP, by dint of using multi-file compression) is
    available.

    Although there is no ARJ for OS/2, there is an UNARJ for OS/2.

    LHA has been ported to OS/2 as LH.  Also supplied is a utility to turn
    LZH archives into native OS/2 self-extracing archives.

    ZOO 2.10 has been ported to OS/2.

    All of the above archivers are available on the Hobbes OS/2 CD-ROM,
    and on all good OS/2 files sites.


   I want to exchange files between two computers over a null-modem cable.

    If you are looking for a LapLink-alike, then one product to try is
    LinkRight, from

                Rightware Inc.,
                15505 Villisca Terrace,
                Rockville, MD 20855,
                +1 301 762-1151 (telephone)
                +1 301 762-1185 (fax)

    It knows about extended attributes, can use parallel or serial cables,
    and can connect to DOS machines.

    IBM LAN Distance Remote is another product in this vein, which
    simulates a LAN connection over a modem.


   What SuperFAT defragmentation programs are available for OS/2 ?

    There are three SuperFAT defragmentation utilities available for OS/2
    that I know of.  GammaTech sell a SuperFAT defragmentation tool as
    part of their suite of disc maintenance utilities.  The Graham
    Utilites for OS/2 come with a SuperFAT defragmenter.  SafePack for
    OS/2 is a SuperFAT defragmentation tool.

    Consult the Indelible Blue catalogue for details.


   What HPFS defragmentation programs are available for OS/2 ?

    Strictly speaking, HPFS does not require defragmentation like SuperFAT
    does.  HPFS doesn't work like SuperFAT, and file fragmentation is far
    less of an issue on HPFS.

    An HPFS optimiser, HPFSOPT, is included as part of the GammaTech
    Utilities.  Consult the Indelible Blue catalogue for details.


   Where are these "good files sites" ?

    Shareware and freeware programs for OS/2 are available:

    1.  From OS/2 Shareware, one of the largest OS/2 file sites on
        Fidonet.  The number for OS/2 Shareware can be found in the
        Fidonet nodelist.  (If you don't know what a nodelist is, ask your
        sysop.)

    2.  From the FTP site at Hobbes.NMSU.edu.

    3.  From the FTP site at ftp.LEO.org.

    4.  On the "Hobbes OS/2" CD-ROM, which is a subset of the files
        available on the Hobbes FTP site, produced by Walnut Creek CD-ROM
        (and also available from other CD-ROM retailers, such as
        InfoMagic).


   Where are these "good mail-order houses" ?

    The two mail-order houses for OS/2 software that are most often mentioned
    are Indelible Blue

            Indelible Blue, Inc.
            Telephone: +1 919 878 9700
            Telephone (U.S. only): +1 800 776 8284
            FAX: +1 919 878 7479
            BBS: +1 919 790 2489
            Web: http://www.indelible-blue.com/ib

    and BMT Micro.


  Configuration
  

   What is SuperFAT ?  Is that like FAT ?

    SuperFAT is a superset of the old FAT filesystem format.  It includes
    extra facilities for the storage of extended attributes for files.
    The "EA DATA. SF" file in the root directory may look like a normal
    file, and appears that way when using DOS+Windows (which expects the
    old FAT format), but in fact it is maintained by the SuperFAT
    filesystem driver to contain EA data for all files on the partition.

    You cannot delete "EA DATA. SF" by the way, because when a file is
    deleted the SuperFAT filesystem driver opens "EA DATA. SF" to delete
    any extended attributes for the file.  When you try to delete "EA
    DATA. SF" itself, it is found to be already open, and the delete
    operation fails.

    In other words, leave "EA DATA. SF" alone.

    Contrary to popular belief, the "WP ROOT. SF" file is not part of the
    SuperFAT format.  It is maintained by Workplace Shell, not OS/2
    itself, and stores some WPS desktop settings for each drive.  If you
    delete "WP DATA. SF", Workplace Shell will re-create it next time
    that you use WPS to access that drive.


   Should I choose HPFS or SuperFAT ?

    If you are free to make a choice, then HPFS is much the better choice.
    It supports long filenames; it can handle partition sizes up to two
    Terabytes; and especially it doesn't have the ridiculously large
    cluster overheads when used on large partitions that SuperFAT does.

    Most importantly, perhaps, is that HPFS is more recoverable than
    SuperFAT.  There is a lot more redundancy in the filesystem structure
    for HPFS, and CHKDSK is thus far more capable of recovering lost data
    on HPFS partitions in the event of errors or dirty shutdowns.

    For the full HPFS/FAT discussion, and incidental discussions covering
    partition size limitations, there are separate FGAs available in the
    FIDONET OS2 echo covering these subjects.  You can also find some
    information from IBM about it in the Troubleshooting on-line book in
    your Assistance Centre.


   Can I switch to HPFS without repartitioning ?

    Well, yes and no.  You must repartition, because HPFS is a different
    partition type to SuperFAT.  However, if you do not wish to lose data,
    then you may wish to investigate Partition Magic, which is a
    commercially available utility designed to enable you to alter the
    partitioning of your hard disc without losing data.

    Alternatively, you could take the opportunity to ensure that you have
    proper off-line backups of all of your data.


   Why does Warp FDISK report differently to DOS FDISK ?

    One common cause of this is the presence of a MBR-infector "stealth"
    virus, which is loaded before any operating systems are booted, and
    intercepts the BIOS disc routines.  It then remaps all requests to
    read the real MBR to use a "fake" MBR on an otherwise unused portion
    of the disc.

    DOS uses the real-mode BIOS disc drivers, and so all disc hard disc
    requests are passed through the virus.

    So when DOS FDISK runs, it writes to this fake MBR.

    When OS/2 boots, it completely bypasses the BIOS disc drivers and
    installs its own proteted-mode hard disc device drivers.  OS/2 never
    calls the real-mode BIOS disc drivers, and so the virus never gets a
    look in.

    So when OS/2 FDISK runs, it writes to the *real* MBR, which usually
    contains garbage information or viral code.

    The most common virus to cause this is Parity_B.

    Grab McAfee OS2SCAN, F-PROT for OS/2, Dr Solomon AntiVirus for OS/2,
    IBM AntiVirus/2, or CentralPoint AntiVirus for OS/2, and check your
    hard drive.


   Should I use Dual Boot or Boot Manager ?

    Again, if you are free to make a choice, then Boot Manager is the way
    to go.  Not only does it give you more flexibility (it allows you boot
    from partitions on your secondary disc units), but it also protects
    you from yourself to some extent.

    The dangers of Dual Boot are twofold.  Firstly, it plays musical
    chairs with your boot sector and configuration files every time that
    you switch operating systems.  This can, and does, cause confusion.
    Virus detection softwares that checksum the boot sector will go barmy
    every time that you use Dual Boot.

    Secondly, Dual Boot tacitly encourages the mistaken belief that it is
    all right to run DOS disc maintenance programs on an OS/2 SuperFAT
    boot partition.  Apart from the considerations mentioned in another
    answer, even simply using some versions of DOS to manipulate files and
    directories on SuperFAT partitions can mess up EA pointers (Novell DOS
    file passwords will corrupt EA information on SuperFAT partitions, for
    example).


   What can I do to `tune' OS/2 in general ?

    Christopher Johnson of 1:208/613.0 (formerly Chris Johnson of
    1:208/610.0) maintains a list of "Performance Tips for Power Users".
    Currently this is not yet available for File Request, but if you
    netmail him at that address he should be happy to netmail you a copy.

    Rick Meigs' CFGINFO3.ZIP will assist you in optimising CONFIG.SYS, and
    Tony Harrison's FULLPACK.ZIP will assist you optimising your VDM
    settings.  These two are available on most decent FIDONET OS/2 files
    sites, and on most of the IBM BBSes as well (even though they have
    little to do with IBM), or can be File Requested under those names
    from 1:2210/9639.0 (Shadowgate BBS).

    There are other documents and tools widely available that detail the
    settings in CONFIG.SYS, although no information on their whereabouts
    was available at the time of going to press.  If you have such a
    document, please netmail the details to the FGA maintainer for
    inclusion here.


   Why won't DOS+Windows 95 see my OS/2 machine ?

    This is usually because you haven't entered the correct domain name in
    either DOS+Windows 95 (which calls it a "workgroup") or OS/2.

    For OS/2, the LAN domain name and machine name are entered in the
    first page of your Sharing and Connecting configuration notebook
    (which can be found in your LAN Services folder).


  Utilities
  

   How do I set up a RAMDISK in OS/2 ?

    Believe it or not, you use the same command as in PC-DOS, VDISK.

    Open the Command Reference (in your Information folder) and read about
    VDISK.SYS (it's listed under DEVICE) for details.  Or type HELP VDISK
    at the OS/2 command line to go straight to the help text.


   Is there any way of repartitioning my disc from the WPS desktop ?

    Yes, there is.  From the popup menu (right mouse button) of the Drives
    object, and select [Create Partition...].


   When I run CHKDSK on my boot partition, I sometimes get errors.

    This is totally normal and expected behaviour.  When you run CHKDSK on
    an active partition you are likely to get errors, because some data
    (such as the directory entry information) are held in memory whenever
    files are open, and only written to disc when the files are closed.
    This means that the actual physical disc image of an active partition
    will be most likely inconsistent.

    This is, in turn, why the /F(ix) option to CHKDSK will only operate on
    inactive partitions, and yield an error otherwise.

    Your boot partition will always be active, because the EXEs and DLLs
    used by any process count as "open files", and all processes will have
    \OS2\DLL\DOSCALL1.DLL open (for example).  This is why the advice in
    the manual is to boot from floppy in order to CHKDSK the system boot
    partition.

    The partition used by your system swap file (if that is not your boot
    partition) is considered to be always active for the same reason.


   How can I make my life easier and ensure that NumLock is always ON ?

    In OS/2, every session has its own independent keyboard state.  If
    NumLock is on in a full-screen Windows Virtual DOS Machine, this does
    not affect the state of NumLock in the Presentation Manager session.
    As you switch between sessions, you can see that the keyboard locks
    are altered to reflect the current keyboard state of the current
    session.

    Each session initially starts with all of the keyboard shift locks
    OFF.  If you want to turn NumLock ON, you have to ensure that whenever
    a new session (PM, full-screen OS/2, or full-screen Windows) is
    started, a program is run to change the state of the NumLock flag for
    that session.

    Although there are many itty bitty utility programs available to do
    this ( I even wrote a KEYLOCKS.EXE program myself, which is available
    in OS2CLU01.ARJ on any good OS/2 files site.  ), by far the best
    method is to use the command that is built in to JP Software's
    replacement command interpreters:  4DOS, 4OS2, and Take Command for
    OS/2.

    In either AUTOEXEC.BAT or 4START.BAT add :

       if %_shell EQ 0 keybd /n1

    This will be run by 4DOS whenever a Virtual DOS Machine is started by
    OS/2 to run a DOS or DOS+Windows application.

    In 4START.CMD, add :

       if %_shell EQ 0 .and. %_ptype EQ FS keybd /n1

    This turns NumLock ON whenever 4OS2 is started in a full-screen OS/2
    session.  Whenever a windowed OS/2 command line is started, it leaves
    NumLock alone (the keyboard state for windowed OS/2 command lines is
    that of the PM session).

    Finally, create a program object in your Startup folder, the program
    name of which is TCMDOS2.EXE (i.e.  Take Command for OS/2), and the
    parameters for which are

       /c keybd /n1

    This turns on NumLock in the PM session when Workplace Shell is first
    started.



(c) Copyright 1995-1997.  All Rights Reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to redistribute this document in original
form without modification, as long as no fee is charged, and as long as
you realise that I take no responsibility whatsoever for what it does to
your machine, data, cat, or marital status.

Jonathan de Boyne Pollard
FIDONET 2:440/4.3
