Installing Gimp 2.2.8


The easiest way to use Gimp is with HOBLink/2, it is included with eComStation 1.2. Alex Taylor has written a WarpIN install routine for setting up the GIMP version 2.2.8 (the latest OS/2 version) to run without needing the XFree86/2 server installed.


I spent two days trying to install Gimp manually (missing dll). Then I found Alex's home page and the packages that he created for Gimp. I would like to thank F.Giessler for the Gimp port and Alex for his warpin packages.


If HOBLink/2 is not an option for you, than you can use XFree86 v4.5. I will cover installing XFree86 (at later date) at the end of this article.


Installing Gimp 2.2.8


Please carry out the following steps to run X applications on an OS/2 computer.


  • Gimp 2.2.8 - Download the four Warpin pagckes from Alex Taylor's web site to the same directory.
    • XFree86-4_5_0-runtime.wpi
    • GIMP-2_2_8-install.wpi
    • GIMP-2_2_8-required-libs.wpi
    • GIMP-2_0_7-help.wpi
  • First install the XFree86 runtime. It will install in the x:\usr directory on the drive that you specify. And it will also ask for an user name.
  • Next install GIMP 2.2.8. It should detect the GIMP-2_2_8-required-libs.wpi package and add it to the install process automatically. The Gimp help files are automatically installed too. Now reboot.
  • Open up Xsettings for HOBLink/2. Go to the last tab and select USE DIVE EXTENSIONS.
  • On the COLOR tab, select AUTO for X color depth.
  • On the COLOR tab, I selected PALETTE MANAGER COLORS, but every time I open the Xsettings it show System static colors. So this may or may not matter.
  • Then start the X11 server and try starting the GIMP. If all goes well, the GIMP should start up and prompt you for some configuration paths. Fine chick not included :) Cheers!


hot chick not included!



Installing XSane 0.992 for OS/2



Installing Xfree86 v4.5


***Note: I got Xfree86 up and running within a couple of minutes. But I have not double tested these instructions. And your video card may not be supported, I use a Radeon 9200 series. However, OS2MT does have uninstall options.


I think the easiest way to install Xfree86 is with the OS/2 Maintenance Tool (OS2MT). The homepage is here: www.os2mt.tk


OS2MT can be used to easily find and install software on OS/2 or eCS. Imagine, with just 2 mouse clicks you can download the files needed and install FireFox, Thunderbird, OpenSSH, Samba, XFree86 and many more.


After installing OS2MT, look under the UNIX category for XFree86. Click the START button to download and then edit the install options to pick which drive you want XFree86 to be install on. And finally click INSTALL.


There are some fixes that need to be installed for XFree86 . Download the files to a temporary directory. Open a command prompt and change to the temporary directory. Enter this command:


Replace x with the drive that you install XFree86

unzip * -d x:\

Next add two lines to the CONFIG.SYS file:

DEVICE=x:\usr\X11R6\lib\xf86sup.sys
SET EMXOPT=-c -h2048

Make sure that these statements are added to PATH & LIBPATH

E:\USR\BIN;E:\USR\X11R6\BIN;
E:\USR\LIB;E:\USR\X11R6\LIB;

And that is it with XFree86. Reboot and install Gimp according to the instructions above. Start the X11 server and to start Gimp type: GIMP-2.2


Please send corrections and comments!