Return-Path: Received: from darkside. (darkside. [210.8.201.180]) by mail. (Weasel v1.20) for ; 05 July 2001 01:00:00 From: "Digest" To: "OS/2GenAu Digest" Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2001 01:00:00 +1000 (EDT) Reply-To: "OS2GenAu" Priority: Normal X-Mailer: CASMailer 1.0 for OS/2 Warp PPC 1.05/G4 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Subject: No. 109 Message-ID: <200107050100.000029G6atmail.> Date:- 05 July 2001 1================================================ From: "Ian Manners" Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 06:29:35 +1000 (EST) Subject: [os2genau] List update Hi everyone http://www.os2site.com/list/ An update on the list archives. I have figured out how to automate the safeguarding of email address's in the archives, so have now removed the username/password protection. The search engine is also up, so you can search the archives for topics. I'll add some nice buttons etc to the list page when I have some time. The server has been running in fallover mode for a few days now with no problems. ie, I pulled the plugout on the os2 dot org dot au server, and it switched over automatically to the os2site dot com server, and I do mean instantly ! This is a standard feature of the list now, with daily backups to the other server. I have done this more out of wanting to see if it works, than for the good of the list ;-) If anyone noticed the botched footers on the emails, my apologies, I used a Unix editor, I've re-edited them with "e" and they are now attatched ok. And a reminder, bounced email address's are removed from the list after two weeks. AND Could we all edit our emails a bit better when repling to people. * PLUG * http://www.ecs-site dot com/ has also had a face lift. Some stats info, os2site, os2org, and ecs-site have weathered 386 attacks on the Apache and Weasel servers in the month of June, the kiddie hackers try anything in the hope of cracking, or taking down a MS IIS webserver. The number of people accessing the sites using Netscape has outstripped those using Explorer for the first time this year, so Netscape usage on Windows also seems to be on the increase ! 114775 Windows users V's 78509 OS/2 Users though. os2 dot org dot au/list/ scored 3586 hits for June os2site dot com scored 65331 hits for June, more than double the normal monthly hits, just goes to show theres still plenty of life left in OS/2 interest, with Australia claiming 3.23% of the hits, Germany claiming 7.07% of the hits, Japan claiming 2.82% of the hits. dot net's claiming 23.22% dot com's claiming 20.30% The rest of the hits are a mixture of the global community. Cheers Ian B Manners http://www.os2site dot com/ 2============================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 17:10:23 +1000 From: Michael Peters Subject: [os2genau] TCPIP configuration I am running eCS preview 1 on a lan with two win boxes. Protocols are IBM OS/2 NETBIOS, IBM OS/2 NETBIOS OVER TCP/IP and IBM TCP/IP. The TCPIP is ver 4.3. The adapter is a simple 3Com Etherlink III Family OS/2. When I installed this stuff I did not install IP masquerading viz. enable IP forwarding in the router page of the TCPIP config notebook. Now I would like to and I'll also continue with the firewall installation. However, when I call up the config notebook ( tcpcfg2.cmd) I get an error message: "Cannot start the local TCP/IP configuration notebook at this time because the remote TCP/IP configuration server is running and has files locked. Stop the remote TCP/IP configuration server to run the local configuration notebook" I get this message after turning off both win boxes, removing TCP/IP Startup from the startup folder and renaming startup.cmd where I have the net start stuff. My TCPIP Configuration folder does not have a TCP/IP Configuration (lan) icon but it does have local and Allow Remote Configuration. If I use Selective Install for Networking I am told: "TCP/IP services cannot be installed until a newer version that is already installed on your system is removed" So..... what to do. Is there a line I can add with an editor to dodge this gui problem. Should I remove TCPIP 4.3 via the icon provided and start again? What a black art! Michael Peters 3============================================== From: "Robert Traynor (BobT)" Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 19:07:44 +1000 (EST) Subject: Re: [os2genau] SET desktop= was:- Lost desktop after a trap e Kris, We are not on the same wavelength here. You are saying, that YOU believe that leaving SET DESKTOP= in the config.sys is dangerous because it will mask a problem. You actually said "as you won't be aware of ini file problems unless it's too late." I understand what you are saying, although you still have not stated how you come by the belief that the FIRST sign of ini file problems are with losing the desktop. I have seen systems where the ini file corruption did not lose the desktop ID.! Anyway, as _I_ said, I REGULARLY run WPTOOLS, UNIMAINT on my system. I also (but did not inform you) have a *.zip backup of the complete desktop, Os2*.ini files, all Windows *.ini files, config.sys and autoexec.bat and all the WarpCentre files and a few others. Since the zip file backup preserves the EAs they are more secure in file system crash from corruption, unlike the os2 archive, which is not to be relied upon (in my opinion). If I did it your way, I would have to wait for a desktop to fail to load. Then stuff around to get my system working again. Then put SET desktop= in my config.sys and HOPE I would get os2 up and running again. My way, the desktop will ALWAYS load, and I would be able to see that the Desktop ID had been reinstated in the log from checkini. Which has never happened (except for the very first time I ran Wptools checkini - 3 years ago). I have done some awful and horrible things to my system at times, often deliberate to see what happens. I have hosed the entire file system, I have hosed the EAs from the Desktop directory. I have had partially corrupted ini files due to Object Desktop and earlier Matrox drivers and a host of others. I have even had the infiles hosed after one of the earlier netscapes locked up my system on another machine during an install of netscape. I have always recovered. And except for the VERY first time, 3 years ago, I have NEVER lost the Desktop ID.! I state again, Desktop ID loss is NOT the first sign of ini file problems. It is only ONE sign of many.! I appreciate your opinion but it is not relevant to me and my repair / backup practices. I think we agree to disagree. :) Regards, BobT. ,-._|\ Robert Traynor (BobT) / Oz \ email rtraynoratnetstra dot com dot au \_,--.x/ 4============================================== From: "Robert Traynor (BobT)" Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 19:17:45 +1000 (EST) Subject: Re: [os2genau] TCPIP configuration Michael, This MAY be relevant to you. If not then Ian or Ed will probably jump in and help you. Quote on from a Newsgroup discussion:- "If you have NOT re-installed MPTS, then delete the file IBMLANLK.LST found in the \OS2\INSTALL directory on the boot drive. This will allow you to start MPTS." Quote off... While it does refer to MPTS it MAY still be relevant to your situation. So, search for the file IBMLANLK.LST and rename it at least and see what happens. Otherwise Ed or Ian or Daryl will probably come up with something. Hope this helps. BobT. On Wed, 04 Jul 2001 17:10:23 +1000, Michael Peters wrote: >I am running eCS preview 1 on a lan with two win boxes. Protocols >are IBM OS/2 NETBIOS, IBM OS/2 NETBIOS OVER TCP/IP and IBM >TCP/IP. The TCPIP is ver 4.3. The adapter is a simple 3Com Etherlink >III Family OS/2. >When I installed this stuff I did not install IP masquerading viz. >enable >IP forwarding in the router page of the TCPIP config notebook. Now >I would like to and I'll also continue with the firewall installation. >However, when I call up the config notebook ( tcpcfg2.cmd) >I get an error message: >"Cannot start the local TCP/IP configuration notebook at this time >because the remote TCP/IP configuration server is running and has >files locked. Stop the remote TCP/IP configuration server to run the >local configuration notebook" > I get this message after turning off both win boxes, removing >TCP/IP Startup from the startup folder and renaming startup.cmd >where I have the net start stuff. My TCPIP Configuration folder >does not have a TCP/IP Configuration (lan) icon but it does have >local and Allow Remote Configuration. If I use Selective Install >for Networking I am told: >"TCP/IP services cannot be installed until a newer version that >is already installed on your system is removed" > So..... what to do. Is there a line I can add with an editor to >dodge this gui problem. Should I remove TCPIP 4.3 via the icon >provided and start again? > What a black art! > > Michael Peters > > ,-._|\ Robert Traynor (BobT) / Oz \ email rtraynoratnetstra dot com dot au \_,--.x/ 5============================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 19:51:28 +1000 From: Ed Durrant Subject: Re: [os2genau] List update Perhaps that should be "failover" not "fallover" ?? (I think have all had systems that have a fallover mode !! Cheers/2 Ed. Ian Manners wrote: > > Hi everyone > > The server has been running in fallover mode > for a few days now with no problems. ie, I pulled > the plugout on the os2 dot org dot au server, and it switched > over automatically to the os2site dot com server 6============================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 20:05:13 +1000 From: Ed Durrant Subject: Re: [os2genau] TCPIP configuration Hi Michael, Firstly before anyone labels this an eCs bug. I had it some time ago on Warp 4 (I guess around FP5 - but that's not relevant). The TCP/IP Stack does not perform IP masqurading AFAIK - one usually uses one of the FX Communications (InJoy) products. Another point the NET commands are related to the "windows networking" (ie Netbeui) not to the Pure TCP/IP 4.x where you are having this problem. In short, you selected a wrong option (or it was autoselected - in which case you could call this an eCs bug) in activating remote administration of TCP/IP. Don't do it ! Use Desktop on Call to go to the box to change TCP/IP settings if neccessary. As I said I have had this problem when I installed TCP/IP V 4.1 soon after it was released. I searched high and low to find how to regain control of TCPCFG2 but to no avail. In the end I simply de-installed and re-installed TCP/IP and was VERY careful not to select remote administration the next time ! Cheers/2 Ed Durrant. Michael Peters wrote: > > I am running eCS preview 1 on a lan with two win boxes. Protocols > are IBM OS/2 NETBIOS, IBM OS/2 NETBIOS OVER TCP/IP and IBM > TCP/IP. The TCPIP is ver 4.3. The adapter is a simple 3Com Etherlink > III Family OS/2. > When I installed this stuff I did not install IP masquerading viz. > enable > IP forwarding in the router page of the TCPIP config notebook. Now > I would like to and I'll also continue with the firewall installation. > However, when I call up the config notebook ( tcpcfg2.cmd) > I get an error message: > "Cannot start the local TCP/IP configuration notebook at this time > because the remote TCP/IP configuration server is running and has > files locked. Stop the remote TCP/IP configuration server to run the > local configuration notebook" > I get this message after turning off both win boxes, removing > TCP/IP Startup from the startup folder and renaming startup.cmd > where I have the net start stuff. My TCPIP Configuration folder > does not have a TCP/IP Configuration (lan) icon but it does have > local and Allow Remote Configuration. If I use Selective Install > for Networking I am told: > "TCP/IP services cannot be installed until a newer version that > is already installed on your system is removed" > So..... what to do. Is there a line I can add with an editor to > dodge this gui problem. Should I remove TCPIP 4.3 via the icon > provided and start again? > What a black art! > > Michael Peters > 7============================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 20:30:00 +1000 From: Ed Durrant Subject: Re: [os2genau] TCPIP configuration Agree with Robert here - If you have a IBMLANLK.LST file somewhere it means an install stage hasn't finished. Actually a lot of components use the IBMLANLK logic (not just networking ones) to be able to replace files that were open at the time an install step ran. At the next reboot IBMLANLK.exe reads IBMLANLK.LST and obeys the commands (copy, rename, delete, move etc) DURING the execution of Config.sys prior to the WPS loading. This is why it is dangerous if you don't reboot when an install program tells you to. The next install step may overwrite the IBMLANLK.LST file and you will lose the steps that were required for the first component. Cheers/2 Ed. "Robert Traynor (BobT)" wrote: > > "If you have NOT re-installed MPTS, then delete the file IBMLANLK.LST > found in the \OS2\INSTALL directory on the boot drive. This will allow > you to start MPTS." > 8============================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 12:31:46 +0200 From: Kris Steenhaut Subject: Re: [os2genau] SET desktop= was:- Lost desktop after a trap e "Robert Traynor (BobT)" schreef: > Kris, > > We are not on the same wavelength here. > > You are saying, that YOU believe that leaving SET DESKTOP= in the config.sys > is dangerous because it will mask a problem. > You actually said "as you won't be aware of ini file problems unless it's too late." > > I understand what you are saying, although you still have not stated how you come by the > belief that the FIRST sign of ini file problems are with losing the desktop. It's not a belief, it's experience. ((:= Yes, I had the entry for to long coz I believed in people saying it won't do any harm. > > I have seen systems where the ini file corruption did not lose the desktop ID.! Of course. A lost desktop ID isn't related directly to the os2.ini file, but in a kind a mangle of the information in/on/about the sectors in the HD. Or a mangled file WP ROOT. SF, or an out of order xcopy operation. For instance, copy the \Winos2 directories and subs from one system to another (but you better DON'T). Or, due to some disk corruption, the desktop isn't anymore the desktop but just a mundane folder. (class being lost). You won't see the difference right away, it will take weeks before you are aware of it. And in all these circumstances the ini files still are OK. It's about corrupted data on disk, really. You know, when the system says "can't find your desktop etc..., the ID still is in the os2.ini file, unchanged; only, on disk the desktop isn't anymore on that specific place. > > Anyway, as _I_ said, I REGULARLY run WPTOOLS, UNIMAINT on my system. > I also (but did not inform you) have a *.zip backup of the complete desktop, A *.zip backup won't do in "desktop ID=lost" circumstances. (Neither do WPtools, I've learned that the hard way). To play it safe, you really need the Unimaint desktop backup/restore. You know, when restoring a desktop, Unimaint deletes the complete directory tree before restoring the backup and matching ini files. Now you know why. > > Os2*.ini files, all Windows *.ini files, config.sys and autoexec.bat > and all the WarpCentre files and a few others. > Since the zip file backup preserves the EAs they are more secure in file system crash > from corruption, unlike the os2 archive, which is not to be relied upon (in my opinion). > I've learned it the hard way, it's quite the opposite. The OS/2 archive might help, on condition it has been made before the disk corruption happened. To say again, it's not about mangled ini files but about disk corruption. But indeed, all archives made after the disk corruption are worthless, as are actually then all archives. That's one of the reasons why Unimaint allows to store at least 10 archives. > > If I did it your way, I would have to wait for a desktop to fail to load. My way is to have enough desktop archives made by Unimaint. It's that what I'm saying all the way. > > Then stuff around to get my system working again. Then put SET desktop= > in my config.sys and HOPE I would get os2 up and running again. > And IF you'll loose your desktop ID you'll be completely lost as there would be no way for Unimaint to recover matching ini-files/desktop/id. And tell me, how do imagine to be aware of lost desktop ID ? You won't/couldn't be right away due to the set desktop= entry in your config. So, in that condition you would be storing worthless archives during months. Not my idea of playing it safe. > My way, the desktop will ALWAYS load, and I would be able to see that the Desktop ID > had been reinstated in the log from checkini. You won't ... > Which has never happened (except for > the very first time I ran Wptools checkini - 3 years ago). > as checkini would log the "false" ID anyway. That's what checkini did here 2 years ago BTW, I don't understand why you are using checkini and Unimaint one against the other. Doesn't make sense. (after my "lost desktop ID experience I purchased Unimaint, should have done that much earlier). > > I have done some awful and horrible things to my system at times, often deliberate > to see what happens. I have hosed the entire file system, I have hosed the EAs from > the Desktop directory. I have had partially corrupted ini files due to Object Desktop > and earlier Matrox drivers and a host of others. I have always recovered. And except for > the VERY first time, 3 years ago, > I have NEVER lost the Desktop ID.! > Well, you beat me by one year of course, but I don't understand what you are trying to say. But if you really want to loose your desktop ID, as I told above, xcopy the Mdos or Winos2 from one system to another. Use an Iomega Zip or CD-R as go between. Not a guarantee for success, but you do have a fair chance. > I state again, Desktop ID loss is NOT the first sign of ini file problems. > That's what I'm saying all the time. What I said is: disappearing objects are sign of lost desktop ID and/or lost classes. And I say again, when the set desktop= entry resides in the config, you won't be aware of that until it's to late. Disclaimer: The xcopy operation I suggested is entirely at your own risk, and I urge everybody not to do such a thing. -- Groeten uit Gent, Kris 9============================================== Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001 07:36:24 -0400 From: Chris Neeson Subject: Re: [os2genau] Lost desktop after a trap e Can anybody usefully connect to Freeonline as an ISP from OS2? I used to be able to connect, using IBM's Dial Other Internet Providers. I can still dial the server succesfully, but I can't get a webpage up anymore ( Netscape goes off to Looksmart's oz site, than claims the document has moved to 'here', which repeat-loops if you select 'here' ). I'm pretty sure it isn't my system ( having done a disk scrub, reinstall and Fixpak apply ). I'd like to know if any other OS2rs can usefully access it as an ISP, from OS2 ( if so, how? ), before escalating to the partly-useful TIO. relevant info: dns : 172.17.1.110 domain name : gw.freeonline dot com dot au <- well, that's what PPP resolves home page : www.freeonline dot com dot au phone Melb 03 96645000 Sydney 02 83375000 Brisbane 07 33805000 Adelaide 08 82995000 Perth 08 94895000 their advice for MacIntosh users includes PPP, so that's what I've been using. 10============================================== Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001 07:47:20 -0400 From: Chris Neeson Subject: [os2genau] Anybody able to use Freeonline as an ISP? ( I've reposted this as a separate subject, my apologies for emailing it under an existing subject! ) Can anybody usefully connect to Freeonline as an ISP from OS2? I used to be able to connect to it usefully, using IBM's Dial Other Internet Providers. I can still dial the server succesfully, but I can't get a webpage up anymore ( Netscape goes off to Looksmart's oz site, then claims the document has moved to 'here', which repeat-loops if you select 'here' ). I can connect successfully to Compuserve ( which also can't display Freeonline webpages ). I'm pretty sure it isn't my system ( having done a disk scrub, reinstall and Fixpak apply ). I'd like to know if any other OS2rs can usefully access it as an ISP, from OS2 ( if so, how? ), before escalating to the also-partly-useful TIO. relevant info: dns : 172.17.1.110 domain name : gw.freeonline dot com dot au <- well, that's what PPP resolves home page : www.freeonline dot com dot au phone Melb 03 96645000 Sydney 02 83375000 Brisbane 07 33805000 Adelaide 08 82995000 Perth 08 94895000 their advice for MacIntosh users includes PPP, so that's what I've been using. my software: OS2v4 TCPIP from the install CD FixPak 5 for OS2 another fixpak for TCPIP itself dialler - Dial Other Internet Provider Regards Chris. 11============================================== From: "John Angelico" Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 22:57:11 +0900 (EST) Subject: [os2genau] OS/2 SIG Meeting Report June 2001 Hi everybody. Here is our report from the Melbourne PC SIG meeting of June 24th. Great fun, but we are now more anxious than ever to get on with the new OS. Well, numbers for our June meeting were up considerably, and most were already seated by 6:30 starting time, reflecting the intense interest in our main topic. Eventually 32 members and guests were present, and we especially welcomed friends from within IBM Australia. Latest Headlines eCS is almost here (again!). The latest release candidates have been subjected to intense testing, working on the premise that eCS will have one chance with jaded PC media journalists accustomed to writing off anything non-Windows. Therefore any flaw especially in the install routines, desktop functions or appearance will consign eCS to oblivion in terms of media "mind-share." Main Topic Following a pause for setup, we introduced our guest presenter Mark Rogers of Orion Solutions, the Australian distributor of Serenity Systems products - primarily eCS of course. Mark began with a CD boot on the SIG machine, and installation direct to the E: drive. This proceeded in two stages: base install after establishing a full operating Workplace Shell in memory (which requires a minimum of 64Mb), and then copying all files to the hard drive in under ten minutes. While the files were copied, Mark showed a number of the features of eCS, until it was time to reboot and transfer over to the hard drive. The second stage was the network install, which proceeded smoothly, including supplying the required driver from another directory, and setting up a User Id and password. We might mention that Mark was demonstrating the features of eCS from the CD-Boot disk - before and while eCS was actually being installed. This was because the System and its Workplace Shell were operating entirely in memory throughout the install. Everyone was impressed by the 'look and feel' of eCS, its desktop objects, snappy icons, etc. Clearly the eCS-GUI team has done a marvellous job on the style and appearance. But there's more! eStylerLite and the eCS Theme Manager (both supplied in the base installation) allow extensive changes to system objects and appearance. eStylerLite allows individual object changes while the Theme Manager applies entire desktop themes (sometimes called "skins" in the Windows world but this is much more thorough-going stuff). Anything which affects base driver operations (eg. video resolution changes) still require a reboot to take effect, but most other aspects can be changed "on the fly." Mark proceeded to demonstrate operational installation of other software supplied in the three-CD set: a) the IBM Warp 4 BonusPak (using the underlying OS/2 technology b) new eCS BonusPak applications and c) third party applications in an AppsPak (specific to each region eg Australia/New Zealand) Applications available include two full office suites (SmartSuite for OS/2 v1.6 and StarOffice for OS/2), Applause Scanner/SCSI software, Desktop On Call (DTOC: similar to PC-Anywhere), Mobile File Store for managing laptops going onto and off a network, desktop functions and utilities (clipboard, file management, zip archive facilities, image file utilities etc) and installers (WiseManager and WarpIn). Mark installed a couple, including the Windows version of Realplayer 8, running it under ODIN under eCS. Thoroughly cool! Here is the full list of applications which Mark supplied for this report eCS Bonus Pack:- Norman Anti-Virus Applause Scanner Software Desktop on Call Macromedia Flash Player The Graham Utilities (Full Function/Use Limited Demo of essential disk tools) InJoy Dialer (internet dialler) Netscape PM FAX (Fax and OCR package) InJoy PPPoE Client - for cable/ADSL/Broadband Internet Surfing. Additional Scanner Drivers Ray Gwinns SIO Drivers (serial ports) SmartSuite 1.6 Star Office 5.1A Stellar Frontiers (game from Stardock Software) eCS Dialog Enhancer (neat extension to file etc dialog boxes) IBM Bonus Pack:- Hyperaccess Lite IBM Works IBM Mobile File Sync. Original Warp 4 Tutorial. Video In - Video Capture software. VoiceType. Third Party:- Asso Edit - an associations editor PillarSofts Enhanced Editor (Cool!) INI Tools Novel Netware Client Netlabs Odin (for running full-scale Windows98/Me/2000 32-bit applications) Odin App - for testing correct install of ODIN. Time limited RSJ CD-Writing Software RealPlayer 8 - Basic. Warpin (installation tool) XWorkplace (extender for the Workplace Shell) We all enjoyed the applications but intense discussion of the future of eCS followed. Mark outlined the Serenity view of eCS as a secure operating environment, network manager and multi-platform applications enabler. eCS is being targeted at small- and medium-business IT consultants. The aim is to supply them with a platform so they can supply their business clients with total managed IT solutions, usually built around a mission-critical function or 'line-of-business' application. With functionality such as office suites, DTOC, Windows and Unix application enablers (eg. Odin), Serenity is positioning eCS as the most secure, stable operating platform for business, and the environment of choice for productivity and competitive advantage. There was plenty of animated discussion over tactics, suggestions for ways to achieve the goal, and examples of available windows of opportunity (pun intended!) whilst acknowledging that the MS-Windows stranglehold won't be broken overnight. Official closing time of 9:30pm passed and we had not even started on the second part of Mark's demonstration - an experimental install onto my ThinkPad model 760EL. We "officially" closed the meeting with thanks and considerable applause for Mark, then continued with the laptop experiment, attended by those interested. Whilst the experiment was a success, the install did not complete, and Mark took away notes on the results. The late-stayers departed for the eatery, only a short drive away, while Mark hied himself back to Wodonga, to continue the task of making eCS the best of the best (something even John Wests wouldn't reject!) Best regards John Angelico OS/2 SIG talldadatmelbpc dot org dot au or talldadatkepl dot com dot au -------------------------------------------- PMTagline v1.50 - Copyright, 1996-1997, Stephen Berg and John Angelico .... eCS: too powerful to be Windows, too easy to be Unix.