OS/2 Warp Technical detail PCM Compatibility Testkit Frequently Asked Questions Q. What is the OS/2 Compatibility Test Program? A. The compatibility test program is a test process that ensures your hardware will be compatibile with OS/2. Primarily, this program is for system manufacturers, but component manufacturers also have the opportunity to use the test process to ensure compatibility with OS/2. Q. What OS/2 products can be tested with the OS/2 Compatibility Testkit? A.Convenience Package 1 and 2 for OS/2 Warp 4, Convenience Package 1 and 2 for OS/2 WARP 4 Server for e-business. Q. Who can join the OS/2 Compatibility Test Program? A. All personal computer manufactures and independent hardware vendors who want to be certain their products are compatible with OS/2. Q. What does it mean to join the OS/2 Compatibility Test Program? A. It means your systems are actively being tested for compatibility and test results are submitted and verified for entry into the OS/2 Hardware Compatibility List. Q. Why should I be interested about OS/2 compatibility? A. Your customers will be asking if your hardware is compatible with OS/2. Also, OS/2 compatibility is required by many businesses, governmental operations and international organizations. Q. How will my customers know my systems are OS/2 compatible? A. Customers will be aware systems are OS/2 compatible from several sources. First, you will receive a letter from IBM Personal Software Products, confirming that the systems for which test results were submitted, have passed the OS/2 Compatibility test. You may disclose this letter to your customers and use it to satisfy bid requirements. Next, when your systems are OS/2 compatible, they are entered on the OS/2 Compatibility List. Q. What is the benefit if our systems are OS/2 compatible? A. Compatibility will ensure to your customers that your systems have been tested and proven to be compatible. Q. What happens when my company joins the OS/2 Compatibility Test Program? A. As a participant of the compatibility test program, you are provided the current OS/2 Compatibility Testkit. This package permits you to begin testing. Q. Where else in my company can the OS/2 Compatibility Test Program be used? A. Some OEM's have taken the testkit code and implemented it in their assurance labs. This ensures your systems are OS/2 compatible when the systems exit your development process. Q. Can I make copies of the testkit code and documentation ? A. Yes you can make up to 10 copies. After the test are complete, the test code is to be removed from the test systems. Q. How long does the compatibility test process take? A. The latest version of the testkit involves a standalone 4 system LAN attached enviornment, after initial setup of the environment, a system can be tested for both BASE and LAN coverage in about 3-4 days. Q. How will I know if testing is successful? A. When testing is complete, a testcase summary is presented. Q. What happens after I complete OS/2 compatibility testing? A. You provide a Test Results Diskette Image to the program office. Q. What is the process after I submit the Test Results Diskette? A. Once the test results are received, they will be verified and you will be informed. When tests are successful, you will receive a letter confirming OS/2 compatibility and the systems are entered into the next update of the OS/2 Compatibility List. Q. What happens if the test are not successful? A. If your tests do not pass, then the problems will be addressed by our analysis team who will work with you and track the problem until solved. If a test is unsuccessful because of a hardware incompatibility, then the OS/2 development staff will work with you for a solution. Q. What is the confidentiality of the test information? A. Test information is considered IBM Confidential and is not available to anyone outside of the OS/2 Compatibility Test Program Office. Q. Will future releases of OS/2 require compatibility testing? A. It is in both of our interest to ensure our customers get the best quality hardware and software that is available. The OS/2 Compatibility Test Program will enhance the quality of both products. Q.Will there be future releases of the OS/2 Compatibility Testkit? A.The testkit is updated as needed by the OS/2 product line, with updates being made available from the PCM Testkit Home Page. Q. Will the criteria for OS/2 compatibility remain the same as each new testkit becomes available? A. Yes, the base criteria for OS/2 compatibility will remain the same as new testkits become available. In addition, tests may be added to support new functions. Q. Is there a cost associated with the OS/2 Compatibility Test Program? A. Not at this time. Q. What methods are available to do OS/2 compatibility testing? A. A testkit is available that enables OEM's to perform OS/2 compatibility testing on systems at your facility. Q. What systems should the OS/2 compatibility test focus on? A. All systems should be tested and entered into the OS/2 Compatibility List. If some of your systems are configured the same, and sold under different logos, then you may follow the directions in the Testkit documentation for equivalent systems and may list 1 or more as you require. Q. How does the OS/2 Compatibility Testkit process work? A. This process starts with the delivery of the testkit materials. The testkit materials consists of the following: * OS/2 Compatibility Testkit on CD-ROM, including online test documentation. * Tips and Hints on using and running the PCM Testkit. Once you decide which version of OS/2 you need for testing, and have obtained the product, the testkit materials you receive and updates you download, you will have everything you need to load OS/2 and to run the tests. The test documentation will guide you through each test. When your tests are complete, you submit the Test Results Diskette to the program office where test results are verified. Q. Is there a license agreement that covers the OS/2 Compatibility Testkit? A. The OS/2 Compatibility Testkit has the license agreement in the package. Please read that document before you open the package. Q. What is the level of testing that is done for OS/2 system compatibility? A. The OS/2 compatibility test will test key components of OS/2 running on your systems. For example: * Installation & Initialization * Communications * Queues/Pipes * File Systems/File Management * Loader/Scheduler/Switcher * Batch Processing * Memory * Numeric processing * DOS Video * Presentation Space * PM Desktop/Video/Exerciser/Messaging * Code Page Segments * Master Index * Tutorial * Command Reference * Graphics Engine * Picture Utility * System Editor * LAN Transports