Ever wonder where OS/2 stores a lot of its files? Here is a list of the basic directories a user needs to know about. It is not a complete list in that there are certain sub-directories where you should definitely stay out of (some are mentioned below):
| DIRECTORY\SUB-DIRECTORY | PURPOSE/CONTENTS |
|---|---|
| x:\OS2 | Represents the root directory containing several OS/2 command files (.CMD) and executable programs (.EXE); you are advised to leave these files alone. |
| x:\OS2\APPS | Basic OS/2 programs accompanying the product, such as the "Productivity" tools (EPM Editor, Pulse, Seek and Scan, etc.) and "Games" (Solitaire, Mahjongg, Chess, etc.). A good place to store supplemental OS/2 utilities. |
| x:\OS2\BITMAP | Bitmap (.BMP) graphical files as used by the "background" settings of the desktop. Got a new bitmap you want to put on your desktop? Put the file in this sub-directory; not a bad place for storing all of your graphical files as well. |
| x:\OS2\BOOK | Important INF files used for the OS/2 tutorials; you are advised to leave them alone (unless disk space is an issue and you feel competent in the use of the product). |
| x:\OS2\BOOT | Files used at time of machine boot-up; stay out. |
| x:\OS2\DLL | Dynamic Link Library (.DLL) - chunks of program code used at time of program execution; good place to store additional DLL files but stay out otherwise. |
| x:\OS2\HELP | Important HLP file for OS/2 HELP; you are advised to leave them alone (unless disk space is an issue and you feel competent in the use of the product). |
| x:\OS2\INSTALL | Files used for software installation/upgrades; stay out. |
| x:\OS2\MDOS | Includes native DOS programs accompanying OS/2 (Check Disk, the DOS Editor, etc.). Several subordinate sub-directories are also included to emulate a DOS/Windows 3.x environment. |
| x:\OS2\MDOS\WINOS2 | WinOS/2 sub-directory: Includes several basic Windows 3.x programs (Write, Clock, Notepad, Solitaire, etc.). Also, this is where you store bitmap (.BMP) files, and sound files (.WAV) for use under a WinOS/2 session (such as a background image and startup sound). |
| x:\OS2\POINTERS | Mouse pointer sub-directory; where mouse pointer (.PTR) files are maintained. |
| x:\OS2\SYSTEM | Key OS/2 system files, such as the SWAPPER.DAT file; stay out. |
| C:\Desktop | A directory used to maintain files on the desktop (mostly temporary files). If you download files (such as HTML, JPG, and GIF) from the Internet directly to your desktop, this is the sub-directory where they are maintained. |
| x:\javaos2 | Java support for OS/2. |
| x:\MMOS2 | Root directory for OS/2 multimedia. |
| x:\MMOS2\MOVIES | Sub-directory where animation files (.AVI) are maintained. |
| x:\MMOS2\SOUNDS | Sub-directory where sound files (.WAV and .MID files) are maintained. |
