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

(4.4) Starting OS/2 from Diskette (and CHKDSK)

How do I access HPFS partitions on my hard drive without booting from the 
hard drive?  I'm getting error messages now -- how do I "repair" my hard 
disk?

With IBM OS/2 2.1, insert the Installation Diskette, Shutdown (if 
necessary), and reboot.  When prompted insert Diskette 1 and press ENTER. 
 When prompted, press ESC.  You will be given an OS/2 command line prompt. 
 From there you can make necessary changes to your hard disk -- an OS/2 
character mode text editor on diskette is handy for such changes.  (Make 
sure you backup CONFIG.SYS before making any changes so that you can 
easily revert to the old version should things go wrong.)

You may use this diskette boot method to run CHKDSK on your FAT or HPFS 
volumes.  After you reach the command line, insert Diskette 2.  Do not log 
to another drive.  Type CHKDSK X: /F to repair most kinds of damage to 
your hard disk, replacing X with the appropriate drive letter.  OS/2 
CHKDSK will also mark your hard disk as accessible, if possible, should 
OS/2 "lock it out" for some reason.  It will also allow Workplace Shell 
drive objects to open properly if they are not functioning correctly. 
 Repeat twice for each drive letter you wish to check and/or repair.

"Errors" may be reported by CHKDSK if OS/2 was booted from the hard disk. 
 These "errors" are normal.  Since the hard drive is in use by OS/2 itself 
(and files are open) CHKDSK is unable to accurately report errors.

The best way to avoid the need to perform CHKDSK is to always select 
Refresh then Shutdown.  Click on the Workplace Shell desktop background 
using mouse button two to bring up the appropriate menu.  Also, avoid 
manipulating OS/2-related files when using native DOS.  Finally, enable 
autochecking for all your hard disk volumes.  For HPFS volumes use the 
/AUTOCHECK parameter in the IFS=...HPFS line in your CONFIG.SYS.  For FAT 
volumes use the AC parameter in the DISKCACHE line of your CONFIG.SYS. 
 See the online Command Reference for details.

Several utilities [including BOOTOS2; See (3.2) Shareware and Freeware 
Sources] can create a single, bootable OS/2 diskette (as a convenience). 
 Preloaded versions of OS/2 2.0 can create a bootable diskette pair from 
the Welcome folder.  (This step, along with a full BACKUP after a diskette 
boot, should be performed immediately upon receipt of any IBM preloaded 
OS/2 2.0 system.)

Related information:

(1.5) High Performance File System 
(3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources

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