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Top 10 List

1. I have a new hard drive, but OS/2 won't install on it, or does not see it correctly.

   There is an updated device driver that allows OS/2 to access hard drives larger than 4 gigabytes. Without it, OS/2 will be very confused about your nice, new hard drive. Recently, there has been an update to this driver to support hard drives larger than 8.4 gigabytes. You can download the new driver from IBM's FTP site.

   This same driver supports formatting removable media such as JAZ and ZIP drives as HPFS.

2. How do I get and install the latest Netscape for OS/2? What is the latest version?

   The latest version of Netscape is Netscape Communicator 4.04. Many people still prefer the Netscape Navigator 2.02 because it is smaller and quicker.

   You can download both from IBM's Software Choice Home Page. After you have downloaded Netscape, and the Plug-in Pak that corresponds to the version of Netscape you downloaded, run each program in it's own temporary directory. This will extract the files for installation. Then run, INSTALL and follow the prompts.

3. Should I install the latest FixPak? What is the latest FixPak?

   You can always check on the latest FixPak by visiting IBM's FixPak Home Page or the FixPak News.

   Whether or not to install a FixPak is a question of much debate. Generally, the answer is, If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But, don't assume that because something is not working on your system, a FixPak will cure it. Read over the fix list for a given FixPak and then decide if you need to install it.

   There are two good reasons to install a FixPak. Sometimes software you may want to use (such as Lotus Smart Suite) requires a specific FixPak. The other reason is Y2K support. In general OS/2 and OS/2 applications are well prepared, but there are some very specific fixes included in various OS/2 FixPaks (see Year 2000 Corrections included in OS/2 FixPaks)

4. What version of Java should I be using? Where can I download it?

   OS/2 Warp 4 includes the Java runtime version 1.02. There have been several updates since then.

   The latest version of Java for OS/2 is 1.1.7. This version of Java includes performance enhancements and Y2K fixes. In general, this is the version of Java you should be running.

   You can download it from IBM's Software Choice home page.

5. I want to add a network card to my computer. What should I look for?

   Most network cards include drivers for OS/2. But a few of the newer ones do not. Look on the package for the list of supported operating systems. If it does not explicitly say OS/2 or OS/2 Warp, look for IBM Lan Server or Warp Server. If it mentions any of these operating systems, you're in business.

   You may also want to review Steve Schiffman's Building Your Own Home/Small Business Network

6. I purchased a new 56K modem, but can't find OS/2 drivers for it

   In OS/2 modems do not need drivers. Instead, there is a generic serial port driver that you probably already have installed.

   There are two common reasons that you can't get your modem to work under OS/2. If it is a Plug-n-Play modem, follow the directions in the README (located in the root directory of your OS/2 drive), in section 6.0. Or, if you are attempting to use your modem as COM3, you will need to add additional parameters to the line DEVICE=\OS2\COM.SYS in your CONFIG.SYS. For these details, go to an OS/2 command line and type "HELP COM.SYS".

7. I just installed a new video card but the OS/2 CD-ROM does not include drivers for it

   There have been many updated and new device drivers since Warp 4 was released. The best place to start your search is the online version of the OS/2 Device Driver Pak

8. I want to use a ZIP drive or JAZ drive with OS/2

   You will have limited success if you install the drive using the standard OS/2 device drivers. However, you will have better luck, including the ability to use HPFS if you use the updated IDE Driver available from IBM.

9. I recently purchased a new fast IDE CD-ROM drive. However it did not come with OS/2 drivers

   OS/2 includes a generic driver for IDE CD-ROMs. You should not need any additional drivers. If you are replacing an IDE CD-ROM, you will not need to change anything!

10. I just installed a DVD drive. Where can I find OS/2 software for it?

    At this time, OS/2 does not include support for DVD drives. Keep your eyes on the the OS/2 Device Driver Pak Online site; that's where it will show up first.