Draft:Recommended VM configurations/OS/2

Back to main navigation

This page provides recommended configurations for installing builds in a specific emulator or hypervisor. This page is by no means exhaustive, and your mileage may vary, so you may have to adjust some settings to your liking as it sees fit.

Overview[edit source]

OS/2 is best run on 86Box (especially OS/2 1.x, which crash on processors newer than the 486 without patching), even supporting IBM's PS/2 models that OS/2 was originally designed for. OS/2 Warp 4 should also be able to run well on VirtualBox, and also have Guest Additions support for this version.

For eComStation and ArcaOS, using VirtualBox or VMware is recommended.

Notes[edit source]

86Box[edit source]

  • Use the x86 version of 86Box if possible. x64 versions of 86Box may have potential CPU emulation issues that can cause emulator crashes, particularly with Socket 7 and higher machines.
  • In order to properly configure networking, the proper addresses must be set in the network setup as described in the 86Box documentation.
  • Avoid using the default "RAM Disk [max. speed]" option for the ESDI or IDE hard drive speed, as it can cause problems on OS/2 due to performing instructions faster than some applications or drivers can support. Instead, use the RPM speed closest to the year of the build's compilation.
  • Unless mentioned, leave each other setting as their default values.
  • For best results, use the latest developer release of 86Box.
  • Certain component names may change or be removed in later versions of 86Box, so certain configurations may not be compatible with all versions of 86Box. Most configurations are also not interchangeable with PCem or VARCem.

OS/2 1.1 - 1.2[edit source]

IBM[edit source]

86Box logo (2021).png 86Box Configuration
Setting type Configuration
Machine
  • Machine: [i386DX/i486 MCA] IBM PS/2 model 70 (type 3)
  • CPU type: Intel i386DX, 20 MHz
  • Memory: 4 MB
  • FPU: 387
Display
  • Display: Internal controller, 8514/A enabled
Input devices
  • Mouse: Microsoft Serial Mouse
Sound
  • Sound card: None
Network
  • Network: None
Ports (COM & LPT)
  • Port(s): Serial ports 1 and 2 enabled, parallel port 1 enabled
Storage controllers
  • HD controller: [MCA] IBM PS/2 ESDI Fixed Disk Adapter
  • FD controller: Internal controller
  • SCSI controller: None
Hard disks
  • Hard drive: ESDI (0:0) drive, 615 cylinders, 6 heads, 17 sectors (30 MB)
Floppy & CD-ROM drives
  • Floppy drive(s): One 3.5" 1.44 MB drive (A:)
  • CD-ROM drive(s): None
Notes
An IBM PS/2 model 70/80 reference disk is required to set up the BIOS information on the system.

Microsoft[edit source]

86Box logo (2021).png 86Box Configuration
Setting type Configuration
Machine
  • Machine: [80286 ISA] AMI IBM AT
  • CPU type: Intel 80286, 8 MHz
  • Memory: 8192 KB (8 MB)
  • FPU: 287XL
Display
  • Display: [ISA] VGA, 8514/A enabled
Input devices
  • Mouse: Microsoft Serial Mouse (COM1)
Sound
  • Sound card: None
Network
  • Network: None
Ports (COM & LPT)
  • Port(s): Serial ports 1 and 2 enabled, parallel port 1 enabled
Storage controllers
  • HD controller: [ISA16] PC/AT IDE Controller
  • FD controller: Internal controller
  • SCSI controller: None
Hard disks
  • Hard drive: IDE (0:0) drive, 462 cylinders, 8 heads, 17 sectors (30 MB); [1989] 3500 RPM
Floppy & CD-ROM drives
  • Floppy drive(s): One 3.5" 1.44 MB drive (A:)
  • CD-ROM drive(s): None

OS/2 1.3[edit source]

IBM[edit source]

86Box logo (2021).png 86Box Configuration
Setting type Configuration
Machine
  • Machine: [i386DX/i486 MCA] IBM PS/2 model 80 (type 3)
  • CPU type: Intel i386DX, 33 MHz
  • Memory: 4 MB
  • FPU: 387
Display
  • Display: Internal controller, 8514/A enabled
Input devices
  • Mouse: Standard PS/2 Mouse
Sound
  • Sound card: None
Network
  • Network: None
Ports (COM & LPT)
  • Port(s): Serial ports 1 and 2 enabled, parallel port 1 enabled
Storage controllers
  • HD controller: [ESDI] IBM PS/2 ESDI Fixed Disk Adapter
  • FD controller: Internal controller
  • SCSI controller: None
Hard disks
  • Hard drive: ESDI (0:0) drive, 681 cylinders, 16 heads, 63 sectors (203 MB); [1989] 3500 RPM
Floppy & CD-ROM drives
  • Floppy drive(s): One 3.5" 1.44 MB drive (A:)
  • CD-ROM drive(s): None
Notes
An IBM PS/2 model 70/80 reference disk is needed to set up the BIOS information of the machine.

Microsoft[edit source]

86Box logo (2021).png 86Box Configuration
Setting type Configuration
Machine
  • Machine: [i386DX ACC 2168] Juko AT046DX3
  • CPU type: Intel i386DX, 33 MHz
  • Memory: 8 MB
  • FPU: 387
Display
  • Display: VGA, 8514/A enabled
Input devices
  • Mouse: Microsoft Serial Mouse
Sound
  • Sound card: None
Network
  • Network: None
Ports (COM & LPT)
  • Port(s): Serial ports 1 and 2 enabled, parallel port 1 enabled
Storage controllers
  • HD controller: [ISA16] PC/AT IDE Controller
  • FD controller: Internal controller
  • SCSI controller: None
Hard disks
  • Hard drive: IDE (0:0) drive, 681 cylinders, 16 heads, 63 sectors (203 MB); [1989] 3500 RPM
Floppy & CD-ROM drives
  • Floppy drive(s): One 3.5" 1.44 MB drive (A:)
  • CD-ROM drive(s): None

OS/2 2.x[edit source]

86Box logo (2021).png 86Box Configuration
Setting type Configuration
Machine
  • Machine: [i386DX/i486 OPTi 495] DataExpert SX495
  • CPU type: Intel i386DX, 33 MHz
  • Memory: 16 MB
  • FPU: Internal
Display
  • Display: [ISA] VGA, 8514/A enabled
Input devices
  • Mouse: Microsoft Serial Mouse (COM1)
Sound
  • Sound card: None
Network
  • Network: None
Ports (COM & LPT)
  • Port(s): Serial ports 1 and 2 enabled, parallel port 1 enabled
Storage controllers
  • HD controller: Internal controller
  • FD controller: Internal controller
  • SCSI controller: None
Hard disks
  • Hard drive: IDE (0:0) drive, 1024 cylinders, 16 heads, 63 sectors (504 MB); [1992] 3600 RPM
Floppy & CD-ROM drives
  • Floppy drive(s): One 3.5" 1.44 MB drive (A:)
  • CD-ROM drive(s): None
Notes
This configuration applies to all versions of OS/2 2.x.

OS/2 Warp 3[edit source]

86Box logo (2021).png 86Box Configuration
Setting type Configuration
Machine
  • Machine: [i486 (Socket 3) Contaq 82C597] Visionex Green-B
  • CPU type: Intel i486DX2, 50 MHz
  • Memory: 32 MB
  • FPU: Internal
Display
  • Display: [VLB] S3 Vision864 (Phoenix)
Input devices
  • Mouse: Microsoft Serial Mouse (COM1)
Sound
  • Sound card: [ISA16] Sound Blaster AWE32, IRQ set to 7
Network
  • Network: [ISA] 3Com EtherLink II, IRQ set to 5
Ports (COM & LPT)
  • Port(s): Serial ports 1 and 2 enabled, parallel port 1 enabled
Storage controllers
  • HD controller: Internal controller
  • FD controller: Internal controller
  • SCSI controller: Adaptec AHA-154xCF, BIOS address C800H
Hard disks
  • Hard drive: SCSI (0:00) drive, 1024 cylinders, 16 heads, 63 sectors (504 MB); RAM Disk (max. speed)
Floppy & CD-ROM drives
  • Floppy drive(s): One 3.5" 1.44 MB drive (A:)
  • CD-ROM drive(s): SCSI (0:01) CD-ROM drive at 20x speed
Notes
This configuration also applies to OS/2 Warp Connect, though network settings only apply to the Connect edition. If using 86Box 4.0, set the CD-ROM drive type to "(SCSI) TOSHIBA CD-ROM XM-3301TA 0272".

OS/2 Warp 4[edit source]

Virtualbox logo.png VirtualBox Configuration
Setting type Configuration
General
  • Operating System: OS/2 Warp 4
System
  • Base Memory: 64 MB
  • Chipset: PIIX3
  • Pointing Device: PS/2 Mouse
  • I/O APIC: Disabled
  • EFI: Disabled
  • Processor(s): 1 CPU
Display
  • Video Memory: 16 MB
  • Graphics Controller: VBoxVGA
  • 3D Acceleration: Disabled
Storage
  • Floppy: One floppy controller
  • Hard drive: IDE 4 GB drive
Audio
  • Audio controller: Sound Blaster 16
Network
  • Network adapter: Enabled
Serial Ports
  • Ports: All ports disabled
USB
  • USB Controller: Disabled
Notes
The floppy controller is only needed if setting up OS/2 Warp 4.0. The OS/2 Warp 4.5.x line uses a boot CD instead of floppy disks, making the floppy controller obsolete. If asked for the primary graphics adapter, select the "Scitech Display Doctor" option and continue.

OS/2 Warp 4.0[edit source]

86Box logo (2021).png 86Box Configuration
Setting type Configuration
Machine
  • Machine: [Socket 7 (Single Voltage) i430FX] QDI FMB
  • CPU type: Intel Pentium, 90 MHz
  • Memory: 64 MB
  • FPU: Internal
Display
  • Display: [PCI] S3 Trio64V+ (Phoenix)
Input devices
  • Mouse: Microsoft Serial Mouse (COM1)
Sound
  • Sound card: [ISA] Sound Blaster v2.0
Network
  • Network: [PCI] AMD PCnet-PCI II
Ports (COM & LPT)
  • Port(s): Serial Ports 1 and 2 enabled
Storage controllers
  • HD controller: Internal controller
  • FD controller: Internal controller
  • SCSI controller: None
Hard disks
  • Hard drive: IDE (0:0) 4161 cylinders, 16 heads, 63 sectors (2 GB) drive
Floppy & CD-ROM drives
  • Floppy drive(s): One 1,44 MB floppy drive
  • CD-ROM drive(s): ATAPI (0:1) CD-ROM at 48x speed
Notes
If using 86Box 4.0 or later, set the CD-ROM drive type to "HITACHI CDR-8130 0020".

OS/2 Warp 4.5x[edit source]

86Box logo (2021).png 86Box Configuration
Setting type Configuration
Machine
  • Machine: [Socket 8 i440FX] Intel VS440FX
  • CPU type: Intel Pentium Pro, 200 MHz
  • Memory: 128 MB
  • FPU: Internal
Display
  • Display: [PCI] S3 ViRGE/GX2 (357)
Input devices
  • Mouse: Standard PS/2 Mouse
Sound
  • Sound card: [ISA] Sound Blaster v2.0
Network
  • Network: [PCI] AMD PCnet-FAST III
Ports (COM & LPT)
  • Port(s): Serial Ports 1 and 2 enabled
Storage controllers
  • HD controller: Internal controller
  • FD controller: none
  • SCSI controller: None
Hard disks
  • Hard drive: IDE (0:0) 4161 cylinders, 16 heads, 63 sectors (2 GB) drive
Floppy & CD-ROM drives
  • Floppy drive(s): None
  • CD-ROM drive(s): ATAPI (0:1) CD-ROM at 56x speed
Notes
If asked for the primary graphics adapter, leave the "S3 Virge Family GRADD" option set and continue. If using 86Box, 4.0 set the CD-ROM drive type to "HITACHI CDR-8130 0020".

eComStation 1.x[edit source]

Virtualbox logo.png VirtualBox Configuration
Setting type Configuration
General
  • Operating System: eComStation
System
  • Base Memory: 256 MB
  • Chipset: PIIX3
  • Pointing Device: PS/2 Mouse
  • I/O APIC: Disabled
  • EFI: Disabled
  • Processor(s): 1 CPU
Display
  • Video Memory: 16 MB
  • Graphics Controller: VBoxVGA
  • 3D Acceleration: Disabled
Storage
  • Floppy: No floppy controller
  • Hard drive: IDE 4 GB drive
Audio
  • Audio controller: ICH AC97
Network
  • Network adapter: Enabled
Serial Ports
  • Ports: All ports disabled
USB
  • USB Controller: Disabled