Thinkpads Forum

Does anyone know where to find USB drivers for OS/2? I still use it on my Thinkpad 600. IBM has closed their software downloads to anyone who doesn't purchase a software subscription. They should rot in China. Doesn't matter if you bought the software in the box, you're out of luck. Anyone know of any other sites that might have the drivers? I only need the basic drivers, nothing fancy, so I can use my USB memory sticks.

http://www.os2warp.be

http://hobbes.nmsu.edu

members download section at
http://www.ecomstation.com

http://www.os2bbs.com

http://www.ecssite.com
http://www.os2site.com

Here are a few sites to check.

Many thanks. I'll follow these up.

By now, you've seen that most of the sources Big Warp Guy gave you are fee-based for OS/2.

Remember 1999?
There are three ways to go:
1 - keep using free stuff as long as you want.
2 - buy an annual subscription from IBM
3 - buy and register eComStation

If you choose #3, it works out of the box.

If you choose #1, and it sounds like you did, then using Google really hard will find free USB drivers for OS/2. Read the readme carefully -- USB is a stack. You need the following.

BASEDEV=USBUHCD.SYS /V
BASEDEV=USBD.SYS
BASEDEV=USBHID.SYS
BASEDEV=USBMSD.ADD /FLOPPIES:0

And most memory sticks will work. The first line will be different for each type of hardware. I've posted what worked on my Thinkpad. Your Thinkpad is old, and has USB 1.1. Most memory sticks are USB 2.0. The memory stick makers tested on Windows. They do not care that you want to use OS/2. The SanDisk brand works well on my OS/2 machines.

Neil

Neil, thanks for the info. I'll give your solution a shot.

Richard

Richard Beeson wrote:Does anyone know where to find USB drivers for OS/2? I still use it on my Thinkpad 600. IBM has closed their software downloads to anyone who doesn't purchase a software subscription. They should rot in China. Doesn't matter if you bought the software in the box, you're out of luck. Anyone know of any other sites that might have the drivers? I only need the basic drivers, nothing fancy, so I can use my USB memory sticks.

You can obtain a Passport Advantage account for free just by signing up with IBM. From there you search for Warp and when it comes up you opt to purchase a 'maintainence contract' . Depending on the whim of IBM, you'll pay as little as $65 to as high as $120 (or perhaps a bit higher, I'm not sure anymore). The contract is good for one year from date of purchase and IBM will send you the latest release of OS/2 Warp 4.52 along with 9 other CDs of various updates and files - including (although certainly not needed) three floppy installation disks should you ever need them.

If, otoh, you would prefer not to sign up with IBM I will report that the latest USB drivers for OS/2 are often found on the Gnutella Network and offered by a variety of what must be OS/2 users. Gnutella is, of course, the network all P2P (Xnap, Limewire, BearShare, etc) users rely on to find files they would otherwise not have privy too.

Hope that helps!

Tim, thanks for the info. Maybe I'll try Gnutella. I use the OS/2 pretty rarely. I just want the capabality to be there when I need it. But I don't like the idea of paying for basic drivers. No wonder IBM lost the OS wars.

Richard

Blonde Guy wrote:By now, you've seen that most of the sources Big Warp Guy gave you are fee-based for OS/2.

Remember 1999?
There are three ways to go:
1 - keep using free stuff as long as you want.
2 - buy an annual subscription from IBM
3 - buy and register eComStation

If you choose #3, it works out of the box.

If you choose #1, and it sounds like you did, then using Google really hard will find free USB drivers for OS/2. Read the readme carefully -- USB is a stack. You need the following.

BASEDEV=USBUHCD.SYS /V
BASEDEV=USBD.SYS
BASEDEV=USBHID.SYS
BASEDEV=USBMSD.ADD /FLOPPIES:0

And most memory sticks will work. The first line will be different for each type of hardware. I've posted what worked on my Thinkpad. Your Thinkpad is old, and has USB 1.1. Most memory sticks are USB 2.0. The memory stick makers tested on Windows. They do not care that you want to use OS/2. The SanDisk brand works well on my OS/2 machines.

Neil

You can get any OS/2 "fee based" file on Xnap or Limewire. Search for "OS2 USB" and you'll find them. Whatever you do, avoid eComStation. Piece of junk. They ripped me off good. I bought an IBM subscription. THAT worked. Blond Guy is right. Use the config.sys statements above.

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OK, is it just me, or is anyone else having a problem with determining just whom is bashing whom?

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nonny wrote:OK, is it just me, or is anyone else having a problem with determining just whom is bashing whom?

gentlemen..
be nice to nonny..
she is a moderator and a trusted friend and advisor..

...

Tim Martin, aka OS2Guy, should have better read his in the bottom mentioned Website where it is said "Where to BUY Passport Advantage".
Thomas

Richard Beeson wrote:Does anyone know where to find USB drivers for OS/2? I still use it on my Thinkpad 600. IBM has closed their software downloads to anyone who doesn't purchase a software subscription. They should rot in China. Doesn't matter if you bought the software in the box, you're out of luck. Anyone know of any other sites that might have the drivers? I only need the basic drivers, nothing fancy, so I can use my USB memory sticks.

Hi, Richard,

You may wish to check the drivers page on my web site at:

http://www.os2warplinks.com/main/drivers.htm

This page has a fairly long list of links to international web sites that specialize in driver downloads for OS/2 Warp.

Good Luck !!