Tag Archives: blue lion

Why update or upgrade to ArcaOS 5.1.1?

If you’re holding off upgrading from ArcaOS 5.0 to 5.1 or updating from 5.1.0 to 5.1.1, here are a few things to consder to get you off the fence.

ArcaOS 5.1.1, over a year and a half in development, incorporates over 50 improvements and refinements, from smoother installation and better integration with other operating systems to better stability and usability of the system. Here are a few points to consider from the changelog:

Now available in four languages (with more on the way): English, German, Spanish, and Russian. More comfortable computing in your native language? This is all made easier with ArcaOS 5.1.1.
For existing English installations, upgrading from 5.0 or updating from 5.1.0 could not be easier. Back up your system, boot from the installation media, select the option to update/upgrade, and select your existing installation from the list. The rest of the procedure is automatic.
Multimedia support has been upgraded and enhanced. Not only has the multimedia subsystem been translated to the system language, but if you have a CD collection and a modern PC, ArcaOS now handles digital transfers and supports the GnuDB CD track identification database.
Both remote control of the ArcaOS system and control of other systems from ArcaOS has been greatly enhanced with a new VNC server and client, supporting features found in UltraVNC, such as chat, file transfer, and encryption for web clients.
Of course we’ve also included the latest ACPI and updated device drivers for USB, video, mouse (new, major revision), FAT32 filesystem (for better interoperability and data exchange with other operating systems), and even a new keyboard driver for better operation on more hardware.

In short, 5.1.1 is the most stable, best performing ArcaOS release to date, and provides a truly modern OS/2 computing experience for PCs. It’s also quite at home in a virtual environment, running under Oracle VirtualBox or VMware ESXi or Workstation.

Best of all, for ArcaOS 5.1 licensees with active support subscriptions, the update from 5.1.0 to 5.1.1 is absolutely free. Let your subscription lapse? You can still renew and get the 5.1.1 release for no additional charge. Still running 5.0? Now is a great time to take advantage of the steep upgrade discounts offered to upgraders.

Arca Noae Managing Member, Lewis Rosenthal, to speak at Warpstock Europe 2025

It’s official: Arca Noae’s Managing Member, Lewis Rosenthal, is scheduled be live and in person at Warpstock Europe 2025 in Amersfoort, The Netherlands, May 16-18, to speak about Arca Noae, ArcaOS, new features in version 5.1.1, and future plans for the OS.

More information on this informative event is available on the Warpstock Europe website.

ArcaOS 5.1.1 now available

Arca Noae is proud to announce the general availability of ArcaOS 5.1.1 in English, German, Spanish, and Russian.

ArcaOS 5.1.1 continues to support installation on the latest generation of UEFI-based systems, as well as the ability to install to GPT-based disk layouts. This enables ArcaOS 5.1.1 to install on a wide array of modern hardware. Of course, ArcaOS 5.1.1 is just as much at home on traditional BIOS-based systems, offering enhanced stability and performance across both environments.

This release is free of charge to those with active ArcaOS 5.1 Support & Maintenance subscriptions, and there is no charge for requesting additional language ISOs (though your total number of ArcaOS 5.1 installations may not exceed the number of ArcaOS 5.1 licenses you have).

ArcaOS 5.1.1 can be used for new installs or to upgrade any prior English version of ArcaOS 5. If installing from USB stick, the USB install stick may be created using any major operating system at hand (Windows, Linux, MacOS, and of course, OS/2, eComStation, and ArcaOS). Once built, the USB stick can be inserted into any USB port in the target system to boot into the ArcaOS installer/updater in either UEFI or traditional BIOS mode (alternatively, the DVD image may be burned to physical media and also booted to either UEFI or traditional BIOS systems).

For a complete list of updates in this release, see the ArcaOS wiki. Be sure to review the README.TXT, as well, as this contains critical information to ensure that you get up and running fast, and includes tips for getting things adjusted right away.

This upgrade is available at a steep discount with your valid ArcaOS 5.0 Support & Maintenance subscription (and your remaining subscription time will be added to the included support term). To download your fresh ISO, simply visit your customer portal page and select the Download Center link on the navigation panel to the left. From there, click the “Upgrade to 5.1” button, and proceed to checkout.

If your ArcaOS 5.0 Support & Maintenance subscription has already expired, you may still upgrade at less than the cost of a new ArcaOS 5.1 license. Follow the procedure above to order your upgrade, and the discount will be reflected in your cart.

New ArcaOS 5.1.1 license purchases are initially built as English. To request a different language, simply visit your Download Center, select the Build ISO Again button, and choose your language.

Need more convincing? How about a commercial operating system which doesn’t spy on you, does not report your online activity to anyone, and gives you complete freedom to choose the applications you want to use, however you want to use them? How about an operating system which isn’t tied to any specific hardware manufacturer, allowing you to choose the platform which is right for you, and fits perfectly well in systems with less than 4GB of memory or even virtual machines?

Arca Noae is committed to continuing the development, support, maintenance, and refinement of the OS/2 platform. The next release of ArcaOS is already in the works. The future looks bright for Arca Noae and ArcaOS!

ArcaOS named Best Alternative OS of 2025 by TechRadar!

It is always gratifying to receive acclaim from our peers and the educated press. It seems that TechRadar has listed ArcaOS as #1 in their list of Best alternative operating systems of 2025, albeit with some slight misstatements in their overview (which we have brought to their attention).

One of the points which is specifically incorrect is the negative notion that ArcaOS is “for older PCs.” ArcaOS 5.1 should install on many or most new or recent Intel or AMD-based hardware. It is capable of booting on UEFI-only systems, without the aid of a CSM, using our proprietary 64-bit UEFI loader, and then booting ArcaOS (which itself is 32-bit) just as it would on a traditional BIOS system.

ArcaOS 5.1 also supports booting from GPT partitioned media, making it a great companion OS for multiboot configurations where the disk (or SSD) has already been partitioned this way and where it may be impractical to wipe and convert to MBR-style partitioning.

In fact, it is also something to note that ArcaOS is specifically not intended for use on “older” hardware, such as ISA, EISA, or MicroChannel, as most of the device drivers for those architectures were removed from ArcaOS prior to its initial release.

Another misstatement in the article pertained to pricing which quoted figures for licensing of the 5.0 release which itself is no longer available (though support for 5.0 continues with no stated EOL). Also, if you already have an ArcaOS 5.0 license, generous upgrade discounts apply should you want to move up to ArcaOS 5.1.

Considering new hardware for ArcaOS?

If you are thinking about a new computer, you may be wondering if a new system will run ArcaOS. Most modern hardware will run ArcaOS just fine. But if you want to know more, Arca Noae has some resources to help.

We have a wiki page with quick information about Choosing a System for ArcaOS. We also have a list of a few systems that we have tested on our Tested Hardware page. Don’t be discouraged if the system you are considering is not on the list of tested hardware; we can’t test everything, and new systems are being released all the time. Additionally, you might want to try looking at some of the information available in the OS/2 World wiki (note: Arca Noae is not affiliated with OS/2 World).

If you have access to the new computer (or an identical model on display at a local retailer), and it is a UEFI system, we have a System Evaluation tool that may help with your decision. The System Evaluation tool is available on your ArcaOS install DVD or USB stick, and also as a separate stand-alone tool. To use the System Evaluation tool you don’t need to install anything, ArcaOS is not required, and you don’t need an ArcaOS license for the stand-alone version. You can download the stand-alone System Evaluation tool here and follow the directions to add it to a FAT formatted USB stick. Note that the stand-alone version is probably newer than the one on the ArcaOS install medium.

In order to boot to the System Evaluation tool, it will be necessary to disable Secure Boot if it has been enabled. Many display systems at retail stores run in a “kiosk mode” which sets Secure Boot, disables access to the BIOS settings, and may also disable access to USB ports. When unsure, ask a sales clerk for assistance (and be sure to introduce him or her to ArcaOS!).

The System Evaluation tool cannot guarantee that a given system is capable of running ArcaOS to its fullest potential, but it should be able to assist in at least ruling out systems where it cannot detect known, supported hardware devices. It should also be able to provide a good estimate of the amount of memory which will be visible to ArcaOS below the 4GB boundary (you might want to avoid systems with extremely low memory headroom).

Happy testing!

Couldn’t make it to Warpstock 2024 in Pittsburgh? Stream it live!

Warpstock 2024 begins this Friday, September 27, at 9am EDT.

Lewis Rosenthal and Alex Taylor will be among those presenting this year on a variety of topics of interest concerning ArcaOS. In addition, Lewis will be moderating a 2-part roundtable discussion focused on how people are using the OS/2 platform today, and how they see themselves using it in the future. For more details and for info on all sessions, please visit the event sessions page, and for the complete schedule, visit the event calendar.

Questions may be posed via YouTube Chat as well as IRC during the event.

The WarpEvents YouTube channel is the place to watch the event stream.

The URL for the #Warpstock IRC channel is: ircs://irc.libera.chat:6697/Warpstock (TLS encrypted),
or irc://irc.libera.chat/Warpstock (plain text), or https://web.libera.chat/ (web interface, type #Warpstock into the Channel field).

While visiting the Warpstock website, please consider donating. Warpstock Corporation is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization promoting education, information, and social opportunities to those persons interested in computer operating systems and related software.

Arca Noae turns 10

Very quietly on July 28, Arca Noae, LLC marked its tenth year since its founding in 2014. On this occasion, we at Arca Noae would just like to take a moment to thank our valued customers, clients, and fans for their business, continued dedication to the OS/2 platform, and for their love of ArcaOS, from the warm reception we received at our humble beginnings to the overwhelming excitement at the initial release of ArcaOS Blue Lion nearly three years later, in 2017, and right up through our current versions and updates.

Last year, we released ArcaOS 5.1, which has been a major milestone in OS/2 history, as the first version capable of installing and booting on modern UEFI-based systems without the aid of a Compatibility Support Module (CSM), and the first version to be able to utilize GPT partitioned storage devices.

Today, we stand on the cusp of delivering ArcaOS 5.1.1, which promises to be the first ArcaOS version available in languages other than English, and is slated to include many fixes and enhancements to the installation process for 5.1.

Our continuing mission is to provide support for modern hardware on the OS/2 platform, to make ArcaOS easier to use and more functional for daily computing needs for home users, small-medium sized businesses, and enterprise customers. In that, we see no end in sight.

Thanks for traveling with us on our journey.

Reminder: Warpstock Europe 2024, Rheine, Germany, June 7-9

As we mentioned previously, the OS/2 VOICE Foundation will be hosting Warpstock Europe 2024 June 7-9 in Rheine, Germany.

VOICE is planning to provide a live video stream via YouTube, though the best Warpstock Europe experience is always in person.

Time is running out to register for Warpstock Europe, however! To register, use this link before May 24. For more information (travel, schedule of presentations, presenters, and more) please visit the Warpstock Europe website.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to see, hear, and meet with people directly and indirectly involved with shaping the design and focus of ArcaOS, and working to keep it connected to our ever-changing landscape of information technology.

Warpstock Europe 2024, Rheine, Germany

The OS/2 VOICE Foundation is pleased to announce that the working schedule for Warpstock Europe 2024 is now online. Warpstock Europe will be held June 7-9 in Rheine, Germany.

The event will be held in Hotel Lücke (the hotel’s site is available in English and German). Presenters and attendees should register with the hotel for sleeping accommodations. The discounted room rate for Warpstock Europe attendees is €104 per night, which includes breakfast.

VOICE is planning to provide a live video stream via YouTube, as well. Of course, the fullest Warpstock Europe experience is in person, where you have the ability to interact with presenters and other like-minded people. Please see the Warpstock Europe website for details.

Access for the 3-day event (including 2-course lunch each day) is €215. You may order your Warpstock Europe access through this link before May 24. For travel information and the schedule please visit the Warpstock Europe website.

Among other presenters, Arca Noae Managing Member, Lewis Rosenthal, will be on hand to present and to meet with attendees. Come join the discussion, and learn some new things about ArcaOS!

If you would like to present in person or remotely, please contact the VOICE President, Roderick Klein, via email at president AT os2voice DOT org. There are still presentation slots available, and some others have not yet been confirmed. (Note: Due to strict budget constraints, presenters must also purchase access to Warpstock Europe 2024.)

Arca Noae Status Update: Wi-Fi Drivers

We are aware that many people have been asking about availability of drivers for new wireless networking adapters. If you’ve followed our driver roadmap and our Warpstock presentations, you might be aware of the fact that these drivers are still in development.

Wi-Fi drivers are by their nature considerably more complex pieces of code than wired ethernet drivers. As a result, they take a considerably longer time to build than wired ethernet drivers. The complexity and multi-functionality requirements of Wi-Fi drivers, and the radically different architecture of unix (or Linux) means that Wi-Fi drivers cannot be created by simply compiling a FreeBSD driver for OS/2 as is generally possible for MultiMac wired ethernet drivers. Wi-Fi drivers need to be developed specifically for OS/2, with the capability to handle expected wireless communication protocols and be manageable by XWLAN, the de facto standard for Wi-Fi device and profile management on the OS/2 platform. All of this work is extremely time consuming and requires comprehensive knowledge of Wi-Fi operations and OS/2 networking.

ArcaOS 5.1 is the first version of OS/2 capable of not only booting on modern UEFI hardware with or without the availability of a Compatibility Support Module (CSM), but also the first to be able to access – and indeed, boot from – GUID Partition Table (GPT) disk layouts. All of this work was prioritized above Wi-Fi driver development, under our guiding philosophy of “if the system can’t boot, not much else matters.”

As addressed in our FAQ, the standard workaround for lack of a Wi-Fi driver is to use a small wireless bridge device. Indeed, this is not a solution, but a workaround until such time as Wi-Fi drivers are available for more modern chipsets.

We understand that wireless drivers are very important to a some of our users. We are doing what we can to address that need while simultaneously continuing to improve the ArcaOS experience overall. We appreciate everyone’s continued patience.