Tag Archives: hardware

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!

ArcaOS 5.0: Full support for existing OS/2 applications

Still running a critical application on OS/2? Still have some old, musty Pentium III workstations humming along, and hoping that a power supply doesn’t fail or that the noisy 20GB IDE disk doesn’t develop a bad spot because the workstation can’t recognize anything bigger? Afraid to power it off for fear it won’t start again?

Perhaps it’s time to look at new – yes brand new – hardware for that application. Let’s face it, that app has been around this long because it works. It’s worked all these years just fine. The fact that the hardware is showing its age and the application continues to be useful (critical, in many cases) is a testament to the quality of the software. Why do away with a perfectly good application, just because the moving parts are wearing out?

ArcaOS 5.0 runs all of those great OS/2 applications just like OS/2. Why? Because at its core, ArcaOS 5.0 is OS/2. No emulation. No compatibility mode. Pure OS/2 Warp 4.52 – with updates, fixes, and modifications to be compatible with the latest multi-core and multi-processor hardware available. Replace that old Pentium III with an i5 or i7 or AMD multi-core system, 16 or 32GB of memory, and a 240GB SSD, or move an existing Pentium 4 with 1GB of memory, and a 250GB SATA 3 hard drive from something else. ArcaOS 5.0 has lean hardware requirements, but can take advantage of some of the latest technologies.

Why replace an entire PBX system because the OS/2 workstation which has been storing voicemail all these years is in need of replacement? (We’d call that an often forgotten, yet critical, application.) Move that software onto a new system running ArcaOS 5.0. Need help? Let our team of engineers have a look. We don’t just develop and license software, we design, implement, and manage it, as well.