The following should dispel the mystery surrounding DASDDRVR.SYS. Model 85, 90, and 95 Systems Don't Need DASDDRVR DASDDRVR functions are performed by updated Reference / Diagnostics diskettes, EPROM updates [T1 and T2], and/or Flash updates. What is it?
IBM could have chosen to replace thousands of BIOS chips on PS/2 motherboards, yet went with the software approach. Why? A program installs DASDDRVR.SYS on a PS/2 hard disk drive, and adds a statement to CONFIG.SYS. Then when the system is booted, the BIOS patches overwrite the BIOS code in memory (that was copied from the BIOS ROM chips). Not only does this give IBM and the user the flexibility of later replacing DASDDRVR.SYS with a newer version containing additional BIOS patches, if necessary; but it also eliminates the down time and inconvenience that would result from taking the system to an authorized servicer to have the BIOS ROM replaced. Who needs it?
DOS 3.3 and later users with specific problems with a listed PS/2 should install DASDDRVR.SYS. The install program determines which fixes apply to that system. PS/2 models not on the list do not need DASDDRVR.SYS, and will not benefit by installing it. Why isn't DASDDRVR.SYS
required on OS/2 or
AIX-based PS/2s?
What problems does it fix?
[July
1991]
How do I get and install
it?
If you have the latest Reference Diskette,
use
it. If not, you may look for the PS/2 System
Update Diskette (P/N 04G3288. This diskette
contains a version of
DASDDRVR.SYS, but it is possible that by the time you
read this and order
it, a newer version may have been released on a new
Reference Diskette.
Still, a fairly recent version is better than an older
one you may have
on the Reference Diskette that came with the
system. If DASDDRVR.SYS
is already installed on a system, but you don't know
whether it is the
latest, just look at the file size. The current
version (as of July
1991) is 3,068 bytes). Installation is a snap. Simply
insert the diskette
in the A: drive, and type: A:INSTALL from the
C> prompt. That's
all there is to it! The install program copies the DASDDRVR.SYS file
to the hard
disk drive, and updates CONFIG.SYS to use it.
After rebooting the
system you are done. One final note: This driver may be ordered and installed by anyone. It includes instructions, and does not require dealer intervention. |