Stupid OS/2 Tricks


System Tips

WorkPlace Shell Tips

Presentation Manager Tips

Command Line Tips

Win-OS/2 Tips

Warp Tips

compiled by M. Woo
Champaign-Urbana OS/2 Users Group
release 5, Jan 1995

Information about this document:


Copyright 1993-95 M. Woo.

All Rights Reserved. This work, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced or redistributed in any form without permission.




Types of "tricks" included

This file contains various tips and tricks for OS/2 which have been gathered over time from various sources. Creation of this text was inspired by the "Clever Tricks" section of Tim Sipples' excellent Frequently Asked Questions list, a must read for all OS/2 owners.

The type of tips and tricks included in this text are those which cover features of OS/2 that people often ask about, short REXX scripts which do interesting things, as well as other items which hopefully don't overlap information already contained in Tim Sipples' FAQ (well, not by TOO much, anyway).

The tricks contained in this text do not make references to any specific product names, other than those components included in OS/2 itself. However, it may occasionally have been necessary to mention generic classes of utilities which are not included as part of OS/2.

A Japanese language INF version of Stupid OS/2 Tricks should now be available. Contact A. Kikuchi at kiku@ymtl01.yamato.ibm.co.jp for details.

Related subject(s):




How to submit tips and tricks

If you know of any neat OS/2 tips or tricks that you're dying to share, please send them along. They would be greatly appreciated!

If your tip or trick is used, your name will be listed along with it for all to see!

Neat OS/2 tricks can be sent to:

Internet, m-woo@uiuc.edu

Fidonet, Sysop @ 1:233/4.0

Please also send any corrections to either of the addresses above.

(these addresses are //not// subject to change sometime soon)




Revisions

HTML revision marks

Revisions/additions to this HTML file will be displayed in bold type (not available on all WWW browsers) and surrounded with double forward slashes (//). //This is a revision.//

Related subject(s):




Revision schedule

This text will be updated when the number of new tips and tricks gathered warrants a new version.

The creation of the INF version of Stupid OS/2 Tricks will always have priority over the creation of the HTML version, therefore, the HTML version may lag behind the INF version.

Revision History:

Related subject(s):


Release #2

Release #2 - Dec 1993

Changed:

  • Using Elvis v1.8c beta instead of v1.6
  • Corrected info in "Getting more out of your command line"
  • Corrected typos in SETMOUSE.CMD (this is important!!!)
  • Added note to "Adding an 'open folder' entry to the desktop's popup menu"
  • Improved BITMAP.CMD
  • Added:

  • Getting Epson ActionLaser 1500 to work
  • Using keyboard shortcuts in PM
  • Navigating in notebooks without a mouse
  • Shutting down from a REXX script automatically
  • Curing "jumpy mouse"
  • Retrieving a "changed" icon
  • Pasting between Windows applications
  • Associating data files with programs
  • Getting memory back from unused caches
  • Changing the default view of a folder
  • Dealing with OS/2 !! SYS messages on boot
  • Using multiple arguments at the OS/2 command line
  • Using EPM as a customized command shell
  • Setting the startup directory for command line objects
  • Restoring last desktop backup
  • Creating new printer objects
  • Viewing *.inf files more conveniently
  • Formatting a diskette with the detach command
  • Creating your own templates
  • Using less memory for DOS images
  • Replacing your Shredder if deleted

  • Release #3

    Release #3 - Jan 1994

    Changed:

  • Added comment to "Prevent restarting automatically"
  • Added note to "Speeding up some IDE drives"
  • Corrected code and added comment to SETFONT.CMD.
  • Replaced SETMOUSE.CMD with an improved version, SETPTR.CMD
  • Added:

  • Starting seamless Windows from the command line
  • Resizing a command line window permanently
  • Making the system "sleep"
  • Substituting REPLACE for the COPY command
  • Deleting "undeletable" objects
  • Speeding up opening folders
  • Managing your icons
  • Enlarging the mouse cursor
  • Manipulating objects through the Window List
  • Booting OS/2 in full-screen mode
  • Completing shutdown
  • "Touching" a file's date and time
  • Adjusting your swap file
  • Adding command sessions to the desktop's popup menu
  • Using SVGA.EXE under real DOS
  • Selecting listbox entries without a mouse
  • Making "no-shows" re-appear
  • Opening multiple command line sessions from the desktop menu
  • Creating a command line calculator
  • Loading a DOS device driver into high memory
  • Starting a DOS session with maximum free memory
  • Fixing "locked" INI files
  • Using START to avoid the dreaded "clock"
  • Coloring OS/2 command line sessions

  • Release #4

    Release #4 - Apr 1994

    Changed:

  • Added code to BIGDOS.CMD to make DOS session open in foreground
  • Removed ICONRES.CMD because it was copyrighted.
  • Added 2.11 note to "Maximizing windows when opening"
  • Added 2.11 note to "Retrieving a 'changed' icon"
  • Added note to "Rebooting from the command line"
  • :Added 2.11 note to "Backing up the *.ini files"
  • Added info to "Curing 'jumpy mouse'"
  • Added:

  • Opening the parent folder
  • Playing audio CDs via REXX
  • Copying fullscreen text to the Clipboard
  • Displaying custom DOS settings at the command line
  • Using Windows File Manager on your OS/2 desktop
  • Fixing seamless Windows on some 2.11 CSD systems
  • Jumping between windowed sessions
  • Playing media files from the command line
  • Editing object names on the desktop
  • How to use the included REXX scripts
  • Determining if you have a buffered UART in your computer
  • Moving a template object without creating a copy
  • Changing the long name (icon text) of a file or folder without changing the real name
  • Starting an OS/2 command line from a folder's directory
  • Adding INF files to the desktop popup menu

  • Release #5

    Release #5 - Jan 1995

    Changed:

  • Unfortunately, it became necessary to expand on the copyright statement
  • Added a separate section for OS/2 Warp-specific tips
  • Added warning to "Changing the standard mouse pointer"
  • New version of BITMAP.CMD
  • Added note to indicate that author's address is now more or less permanent
  • Now using the IPF compiler from the IBM OS/2 Developer's Toolkit v2.1

    Added:

  • Opening a windowed command line in the background
  • Recreating a "lost" template
  • Viewing the Nowhere subdirectory
  • Using PMREXX as a scrolling command window
  • Backing up INI files in the background
  • Tearing off Launchpad drawer
  • Opening the Settings notebook
  • Changing printing from polling to interrupt-driven
  • Closing the parent folder when opening an object
  • Recovering a deleted Launchpad
  • Keeping the system running, even through traps
  • Obtaining information about your hardware
  • Editing animated folder icons
  • Bringing the Launchpad to the top
  • Setting the swap file
  • Setting video modes
  • Speeding up opening folders II
  • Closing parent folders automatically
  • Setting default folder appearance
  • Creating OS/2 Warp boot diskettes
  • Caching your cdrom drive
  • Resetting Boot Manager to have no default partition
  • Switching temporarily to a different directory
  • Associating icon with executable
  • Booting DOS from a C: partition within OS/2
  • Resetting the boot record
  • Canceling print jobs from the command line
  • Adding more LPT ports in Win-OS/2
  • Customizing the Launchpad

  • 
    
    

    How this document was created

    This document was written using the OS/2 port of Elvis v1.8c beta. The HTML document was viewed during creation using the //WebExplorer for OS/2 by IBM.//


    
    
    

    Disclaimer

    I don't claim to be an expert on OS/2, so I can't guarantee that all the tips and tricks presented in this document will work with all configurations of OS/2. Thus, the following disclaimer:

    The reader/user assumes all responsibility, liability and risk for any damages, incidental or consequential, resulting from the use of the information provided in this document. No warranty is expressed or implied, and this document is only guaranteed to use space on your disk.


    
    
    

    Go to System Tips


    M.Woo
    Internet: m-woo@uiuc.edu
    Fidonet: Sysop, 1:233/4.0