In message <[log in to unmask]>, 
Dan Tamkun <[log in to unmask]> writes
>Hello from UConn,
>       I was entrusted to work on a "Fisons Instruments PlasmaQuad VG" 
>that had a computer controller with a faulty HDD. Therefore I need to 
>replace the HDD as well as Install a fresh copy of IBM's O/S 2 and then 
>reload the software. The big problems with this are that we have 
>neither the Fisons software nor O/S2. Wondering if anyone could be of 
>service in these regards?

That isn't a good state of affairs. Do you have any previous backups of 
the system hard disk with the installed software at all?

Do you know what version of OS/2 and Fisons software you were running 
and for that matter what model of PlasmaQuad? Too late to help you now, 
but anyone running ancient hardware and software would be well advised 
to make a full backup of a working disk image (and then verify that it 
works).

Existing large users of OS/2 can possibly still buy OS/2 Warp from IBM 
on an exceptional basis if you plead hard enough and pay their price. 
But unless you are very good friends with IBM sales this may be a bit 
tricky...

http://www-01.ibm.com/software/os/warp-withdrawal/

A more modern version of "OS/2" with networking is still available 
shrink wrapped. I don't know how compatible it is with Fisons software 
since it is much newer and some improvements made to OS/2 for Y2k 
compliance added interesting quirks to the user interface on some 
applications. A viable product compatible with OS/2 is still marketed as 
eComStation:

<http://www.ecomstation.com/product_info.phtml?url=nls/en/content/compari
son.html&title=Comparison%20table>

Is a fairly helpful comparison of late OS/2 dialects against the newer 
versions. If using old OS/2 pay particular attention to the hardware 
limitations on disk size which might well be a problem. I find their 
price too high and retro website annoying YMMV. There are other cheaper 
OS/2 fan club clones with varying levels of compatibility and popularity 
about.
(this is not an endorsement of its suitability - merely providing info)

Sorry I can't help with the manufacturers software except to suggest 
that you start digging in the deepest recesses of lab cupboards or ask 
Thermo.
>
>P.S. Haven't put a new HDD yet, just wondering if it needs to be a 
>particular size; or if I can throw in something large and it will by 
>default only recognize the first X(Max Data/OS) Mb/Gb, or will I have 
>to find something that is closer to the original HDD size. All help 
>appreciated!
> Dan Tamkun

I think original OS/2 may baulk at physical hard disks larger than 4GB. 
This is from distant memory and it is possible there is some kludge 
around it using one of the many advanced disk partition managers on big 
disks.

Good luck in your quest. I think you are going to need it!

Regards,
-- 
Martin Brown
Nezumi Scientific Software
North Yorkshire, England