OS/2 Fixpaks
Selecting, Downloading & Installing OS/2 Fixpaks
Notice: The information on this archived page is quite dated and not regularly maintained. Information is preserved for those running older OS/2 systems and for historical reference.
About Fixpaks - Available Fixpaks - Other Fixes - Help Installing Fixpaks - Lists of Available Fixes
About Fixpaks
Fixpaks Update Technologies
IBM supports improvements to OS/2 including new technologies, new hardware and problems that users are experiencing with a series of fixpaks. Some fixpaks are private and intended only for a particular customer experiencing a problem that shouldn't be found by anyone else. Others are public fixpaks that are intended for general application by most users.
Should You Install a Particular Fixpak?
Whether or not to apply a particular fixpak depends upon what the fixpak offers to you and if you feel that you are experiencing problems that a particular fixpak could cure. IBM also lists fixes aimed at Y2K issues, to update device drivers and to incorporate newer devices.
What's in a Fixpak?
Each Fixpak has a Readme2 file which provides a listing of the APARs (problem reports) that are fixed starting with the base system and working down to the current fixpak. The Readme.1st gives the installation instructions. Fixpaks are cumulative so applying the latest fixpak doesn't require installation of any prior fixpaks. The Fixpak Help section has more resources to assist you with installation issues.
RSU or Disk Images?
OS/2 fixpaks can be downloaded and automatically installed onto the machine to be updated using the RSU facility via the Internet. You can also download zipped disk-images and create diskettes.
Disk images make more sense if you have more than one system or have installed software (such as Stardock's Process Commander) that must be disabled or removed in order for a fixpak to be applied successfully. There is also the possibility that a fixpak that is currently available to you may not be there if you need to reinstall it later.
Available Fixpaks
Finding Fixpak Information
- IBM Product Updates includes updates, fixes and fixpaks for Warp 3 and 4 and related software.
- OS/2 TCPIP updates for various versions of OS/2 & DOS.
OS/2 Warp 4 Fixpaks
- Device drivers have been removed from later fixpaks. They are now located in the Device Drivers FixPaks which require a Software Choice subscription.
- Unless you use the RSU facility you'll need LOADDSKF to create diskette images from the files you download and Kicker Disk (CSF) Release F.143 (for FixPak14 or higher).
- FixPak M15 Disk Images and RSU Service. Details in the readme files.
- FixPak M14 Disk Images and RSU Service. Details in the readme files.
- FixPak M12 Disk Images and RSU Service. Details are in the readme files.
OS/2 Warp 3 Fixpaks
- You'll need LOADDSKF to create diskette images from the files you download.
- Fixpak 43 Disk Images
Other Fixes
Driver Updates
Since the IBM Device Driver Pak On-line service is no longer available, you might wish to check hardware or software manufacturers' Websites for updates. Other options include:
- My OS/2 Hardware page has some listings of hardware.
- My OS/2 Software page lists OS/2 software by categories.
- You can also try searching for drivers using the names of your software or hardware manufacturer and specific model as the search key words.
Help Installing Fixpaks
- Frank McKenney's Applying Service to OS/2 Warp is quite dated now, but provides the best information available regarding the process of applying Fixpaks and recovering from errors.
Return to Archived OS/2 Resources index
www.russharvey.bc.ca/os2/fixpaks.html
Updated: December 3, 2007
