OS/2 file transfer question

I have an OS/2 box, and I need one certain file from it. Unfortunately, when I try to copy this file to a floppy, I get an "Access Denied" error. I can dial in with a file transfer utility supplied by the software manufacturer, and transfer nearly any file except the one I need.

I tried using the old NTFSDOS utility to read the file, but it stated that the OS/2 disk signatures are invalid.

I suspect that this is because OS/2 uses a different form of NTFS.

Does anyone have clue for me, or know where I can find an NTFSDOS-type utility for OS/2 disks?

Or, is there an OS/2 command that works like the Unix CHMOD 777 command?

The box is a Dell Optiplex running OS/2 as a platform for Active Voice Repartee voicemail, version 7.48. I own the box, and am the legitimate possessor of all files therein.

OMG!

Now you take me back a while :)

What sort of file is it? like application/extension?

How big? can we use a floppy, or is it CD or null modem cable stuff?

:)

It is a data file. The extension is . AVD ( for "Active Voice Data").

It's used by a voicemail application, to know what mailboxes are valid, have messages, etc.

The file size is about 227KB -- should fit fine onto a floppy. I also have a USB drive available, but I'm not sure that OS/2 supports USB.

Hi, walseloc

And welcome to AO..............please forgive my lack of manners in not saying that before :(

It is at least 8 years since I played with OS2 so please be patient as well! :)

Have you tried booting into safe mode ? I am guessing that an application like voicemail will fire off in your startup routine, so the file is locked when you try to copy it.

In safe mode you will have a better chance.

Cheers

Good Call, that was it.

The voicemail application was running, and couldn't be shut down without shutting down the system.

But by editing the Startit.cmd (called from the Startup.cmd) to prevent the VM from starting, and then rebooting, I was able to save the file to a floppy. Another edit, another reboot, back to normal.

Unlike MS-DOS, which is my OS of choice, apparently OS/2 does not allow you to copy an open file -- I guess it locks them for read/write by a single application at a time.

Here's a weird thing that I found -- just a general weirdness, no idea how this happened -- when I opened the data file with a hex editor (it should have been nothing but voicemail boxes and attributes), I found five segments that appeared to be thumbnail JPEG images. When I cut and pasted these segments into a new file, they turned out to be pornographic.

I'm trying to figure out why someone would bother hiding pornographic thumbnails inside the data files of an OS2 voicemail system that is not networked or otherwise connected. And given the trouble I had transferring the data file, they wouldn't even have been able to retrieve the images remotely. Strange. Wonder if it's an "Easter Egg" of some sort...

But why ask why?

Hi walseloc

Quote:

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Unlike MS-DOS, which is my OS of choice, apparently OS/2 does not allow you to copy an open file -- I guess it locks them for read/write by a single application at a time.

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Actually, I don't think so, but I don't have an OS/2 box in my collection to try it on. I can well remember systems and database design back in those days. You had to define your record locking algorithms or you could be in big trouble :eek:

As a part of the C.R.U.D matrix you would only allow multiple read, but that would generally include print and copy? I would guess that the file is locked by the application, not the operating system.

Pr0n thumbnails?...........voicemail...........maybe some perv created shortcuts to particular people and gave them those thumbnails? I guess they would not know how or where the system stored them?

That is a pure guess

:D