OS/2 FAQ List: User's Edition (4 Apr 94)

(4.2) Installing from Drive B

I can't install OS/2 2.1 from Drive B.  What's wrong?

IBM OS/2 2.1 can only be installed starting from Drive A, like DOS (unless 
your BIOS supports booting from Drive B).  After booting from Drive A, 
OS/2 can then be copied from CD-ROM or across a network.  (For more 
information on installation across a network, see Remote Installation and 
Maintenance, IBM Publication No. GG24-3780.  Related publications include 
Automated Installation for CID Enabled OS/2 2.0, IBM Pub. No. GG24-3783, 
and Automated Installation for CID Enabled Extended Services, LAN Server 
3.0 and Network Transport Services/2, IBM Pub. No. GG24-3781.)  If you 
have the wrong disk size go back to your dealer and obtain the correct 
media.  Otherwise you could open your machine and swap floppy drive cable 
connectors, use your system's setup utility to set the new CMOS 
parameters, and then install OS/2 from the "new" Drive A.  Sometimes the 
floppy drive cable connectors will not be the same.  If so you can obtain 
an adapter plug.

You may also use IBM's twin "bootstrap" diskette images [See (3.2) 
Shareware and Freeware Sources and download INS21L.ZIP if your diskette 
labels are blue or INS21M.ZIP if your diskette labels are salmon] to boot 
from a 5.25 inch Drive A and install using 3.5 inch OS/2 diskettes 
inserted into Drive B.  This procedure should only be used if absolutely 
necessary.

Related information:

(3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
(4.1) Installation

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