Guru Guy's Vintage Computer Software Shop
IBM's OS/2 WARP
OS/2 is a computer operating system, initially created by Microsoft and IBM, then later developed by IBM exclusively. The name stands for Operating System/2 because it was introduced as part of the same line as IBM's "Personal System/2 (PS/2)" line of second-generation personal computers. OS/2 is no longer marketed by IBM, and IBM standard support for OS/2 was discontinued on 31 December 2006. Currently, Serenity Systems sells OS/2 under the brand name eComStation.
The collaboration between IBM and Microsoft unraveled in 1990, between the releases of Windows 3.0 and OS/2 1.3. Initially, at least publicly, Microsoft continued to insist the future belonged to OS/2. Steve Ballmer of Microsoft even took to calling OS/2 "Windows Plus". However, during this time, Windows 3.0 became a tremendous success, selling millions of copies in its first year alone.
Guru Guy hopes most of this rare OS/2 Retail Boxed software will end up in a well deserving Museum so curators please be in touch!
Below are the following items for sale:
IBM OS/2 2.1
IBM OS/2 for Windows 3.1
IBM OS/2 Warp 3.0 Connect
IBM OS/2 Warp 4.0
IBM Communications Server for OS/2 Warp
<-- Shop Homepage
Released: May 1993
In May 1993, IBM released OS/2 version 2.1. It was an incremental improvement over 2.0 and especially at first glance OS/2 2.1 didn't look noticeably different from its predecessor.
IBM's OS/2 2.1 was released to address support for the newly released Windows 3.1.
Another feature of this release was the inclusion of Multimedia Presentation Manager/2. In version 2.1, MMPM/2 was shipped with the OS but it was separate and had its own installer program. It only included drivers for Sound Blaster and Pro Audio Spectrum cards.
An OS/2 Desktop after the installation of MMPM/2 looked like this:
Condition Brand new, sealed retail boxed software! Genuine and Rare considering it is 16 years old!!! Contents 3.5" Media, Manuals, registration cards etc. Price £99.99 + Postage; Contact to buy now.
This was the release from IBM that targeted existing Windows Users. It was cheaper than the full-fledged "Blue Spine" edition which included DOS and Windows 3.1, and was the most popular version of OS/2 at the time.
Condition Great condition, especially for its age! Comes complete with sealed media! Box may show slight wear/age.
Contents 3.5" sealed media, a whole host of manuals, registration cards etc. Price £69.99 + Postage; Contact to buy now.
Released: October 1994 (Warp 3.0), May 1995 (Warp 3.0 Connect)
OS/2 version 3.0 was labelled as "OS/2 Warp" to highlight the new performance benefits, and generally to freshen the product image. "Warp" had originally been the internal IBM name for the release: IBM claimed that it had used Star Trek terms as internal names for past OS/2 releases, and that this one seemed appropriate for external use as well.
OS/2 Warp offered a host of benefits over OS/2 2.1, notably broader hardware support, greater multimedia capabilities, Internet-compatible networking, and it included a basic office application suite known as IBM Works.
Warp 3.0 came in two flavours: basic Warp called "Red Spine" because of the appearance of the box (labeled "Enhances your existing DOS and Windows") would use the existing windows installation to offer compatibility within OS/2. This version was prevalent because most people already owned Windows 3.1 which came preloaded on nearly all new computers. The other version was Warp with Windows & OS/2 called "Blue Spine" (the box said "Includes DOS and Windows application support").
OS/2 Warp Connect, which had full LAN client support built-in, followed in mid-1995.
Condition Used but extremely well looked after item - this is the "blue" edition which was more expensive. As pictured.
Contents 3.5" Media, CDROM, Lotus Notes CDROM, User's Guide to OS/2 Manual, Unused Registration card etc. Price £99.99 + Postage; Contact to buy now.
IBM OS/2 WARP 4.0Released: September 1996
Warp 4 added Java and speech recognition software. IBM also released server editions of which bundled IBM's LAN Server product directly into the operating system installation.
Warp 4 was fully focussed around networking and the internet, with the box saying "The easiest way to a connected world".
Warp 4 was the last widely distributed version of OS/2, and IBM soon announced the end of marketing the operating system to individual users.
Condition This unit is an unused corporate recovery, new in the box, plastic has been torn but contents are intact and appear totally unused (diskettes are still shrink wrapped). VERY RARE!
Contents CDROM, Manuals, Reg Cards etc. Price £129.99 + Postage; Contact to buy now.
^ Back to Top ^
IBM Communications Server for OS/2 Warp v4.1 [Upgrade]Released: 1996
Manufacturer description
The IBM Communications Server product line meets the challenge of today's changing business environment. Communications Server offers Internet and intranet solutions that allow your company to take advantage of network computing advances - like information access, electronic commerce, and collaboration.
With IBM Communications Server, you choose applications based on your business needs, not on your network. With various local area networks, mergers, consolidations, and changes to organizational structure, is your network still able to connect applications, data, and people - regardless of where they are? Communications Server brings you true networking, interconnecting people and applications, even when platforms and network configurations are diverse.
Communications Server brings you the reliability, open standards, scalability, and security you've come to expect from IBM. Communications Server is the solution to meet your needs of today and tomorrow.
Condition This comes in the original packaging, but the box shows its age (and some minor damage) but the contents are in excellent condition! Requires OS/2 Warp 3 or above.
Contents CDROM Media, 200+ page manual, 'Proof of Entitlement' sheet. Price £99.99 + Postage; Contact to buy now.
^ Back to Top ^Return to Guru Guy's Vintage Computer Software's Webshop homepage.
