Tag Archives: utility

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!

EAMaster 1.0

EAMaster has been updated to v1.0 with new features!

Keith Merrington has updated his handy EAMaster utility to v1.0. This latest build includes two new tools:

  1. A tool to examine files produced by the EAUTIL OS/2 command when stripping EA’s and saving them in a hold file.
  2. A utility to search and optionally correct duplicate or incorrect long name.

If you already have a license for EAMaster, simply download the latest version (which should be available on Hobbes) and install to upgrade your current installation. Your existing registration will be recognized, and you’ll be good to go immediately.

If you don’t yet have a license, please visit our store for more information on this useful package.

EAMaster

New product: EAMaster Extended Attribute manager and editor

Keith Merrington has released a new graphical tool for managing all sorts of EAs on files, from Single Value EAs to Multi-Value EAs, with a variety of content. EAMaster allows you to back up, restore, copy, edit, delete, examine, join, rename EAs, and so much more.

Up to 16 EAs per Multi-Value EA are permitted, each with up to 8 sub-levels per Multi-Value EA, and these windows may all be displayed simultaneously.

Need to find an EA? EAMaster includes a powerful search tool built in. Search for an EA name, EA type, the contents of an EA, or combinations, from one directory to an entire volume at a time.

Extensive online help is available, as well, so even the EA novice should be able to make use of the program right away.

At last a graphical management tool for EAs!

Find EAMaster in the Arca Noae store, in the File & Disk Utilities category.

DFSee 16

DFSee version 16.9 released

DFSee version 16.9 has been released, which is a MINOR release with some bugfixes. Because this is a MINOR release, you get it for FREE if you already have a 16.x key.

Of course, as usual, there are also smaller improvements and bug fixes.

DFSee is a very powerful disk-utility with disk partitioning, filesystem and disk analysis, file recovery/UNDELETE and smart imaging or cloning of partitions or complete disks.

It will require an upgrade if you currently have a registration for an older MAJOR version.

Direct download links from the DFSee website:

https://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/dfsee_install.zip
https://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/dfsee_windows.msi
https://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/dfsee_os2_wpi.exe

Self-booting options:

https://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/dfsee16x_dsk.zip
https://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/dfsee16x_iso.zip
https://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/dfsee16x_stick_iso.zip

Or from the HOBBES website:

http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/pub/incoming/dfsee169.zip
or (after processing):
https://hobbes.nmsu.edu/?dir=%2F&stype=all&sort=type_name&search=dfsee

Functional changes since 16.8

  • RECOVER ExFAT new warning hint when ASSUMING files are contiguous
  • PART Fixed possible crash (string overflow) in certain displays
  • D or DOWN: Correctly go to FS-entry sector, even if bootsec empty
  • EXPORT/IMPORT sector list, fixed displayed the filename used
  • RECOVER, SAVETO and BROWSE streamlined WARNING/ERROR reporting
  • RECOVER, SAVETO and BROWSE recovery, always set file timestamps
  • CMD_WARNING on FileSaveAs alloc fail, is OK, so set timestamps!
DFSee 16

DFSee MAJOR version 16.0 released

In case anyone missed this in the news outlets, here is an abbreviated version of the official DFSee 16.0 release announcement:

DFSee version 16.0 has been released, with significant new functionality and fixes.

It is a MAJOR release, introducing TWO new filesystems with full support including file browsing and recovery, bringing the total number of supported filesystems to around 10!

The new filesystems are:

ISO – The ISO9660 filesystem as used on CDROM’s and DVD media, and perhaps more importantly in .ISO imagefiles representing them.

You can now use DFSee to copy files from a CD/DVD or ISO image.

The Rock-Ridge (Unix/Linux) and Jolliet (Windows long names) extensions are supported as well, selectable where needed.

APFS – The new Apple filesystem, used in iOS and newer macOS versions (High Sierra, Mojave) that moves up a lot of the filesystem limits from the older HFS+ and is optimized for SSD storage.

APFS supports multiple independent volumes in one partition, all sharing the same pool of storage blocks (container), and it is organized using B-trees for almost everything, making access to information really fast.

The APFS support has all the familiar DFSee analysis functions and also supports browsing and file-recovery for normal files. (XATTR and Resource-fork support will be coming soon).

There have also been some improvements in the menu-system like attached submenus to select a partition for PTEdit or LVM, to select an APFS volume from a container or to select between Standard, Jolliet or El-Torito areas within an ISO.

Of course, as usual, there are also many smaller improvements and bug fixes.

This being a major release, it will require an upgrade if you currently have a registration for an older version, so visit the DFSee product page in the ArcaOS store to purchase an upgrade at a great price.

Note: Keys sold on or after January 1, 2019 are valid for version 16.x, with no additional upgrade required.

For key installation instructions, please visit this page.

ArcaOS 5.0.2 Bootable USB Stick Image 2018-02-12 Package Released

AOSBoot USB stickArca Noae is pleased to announce the immediate availability of our new ArcaOS Bootable USB Stick Image 2018-02-12 Package.

This package follows onto the included USB stick creation utility shipped with ArcaOS 5.0.2, allowing you to create a bootable USB ArcaOS 5.0.2 installation stick without a running OS/2 system. The package includes native binaries to restore the stick image from Windows, Mac, and Linux, as well as OS/2. Once the image is restored, eject, re-insert, and simply copy your personalized ISO (separately downloaded) to the stick per the included directions, which are also detailed in the ArcaOS support wiki. The stick may then be inserted into any USB 2.0-controlled port in the target system, which is then booted into the ArcaOS installer.

If you are still running OS/2 and/or eComStation systems and haven’t yet moved up to ArcaOS, this is a great time to do so. It’s never been easier to install any OS/2-based operating system.