DOS stands for Disk Operating System. DOS controls the computer’s hardware and provides an environment for programs to run. This system program must always be present when working with your computer.
There are a variety of reasons why you need DOS. A few of them are listed below to satisfy your curiosity.
Most computers on campus have an internal clock that will automatically set the date and time for you when you turn the computer on. However, if your computer does not have this feature or your computer has two floppy drives, you will need to do the following steps to set the date and time.
DOS will let you check or change the date and time once it has been set. The procedure to do this is as follows:
4. If the correct time is displayed, simply press return. If the time is incorrect, type the correct time and press return.
The DIRECTORY command is like a table of contents in a book. This directory will list the following information:
NOTE: At the end of the listing, there is a line that shows the number of bytes free on the hard drive.
When you type the DIR command and press return, the files begin to scroll vertically on your screen. If you have a lot of files it is difficult to read each one. By holding down the Control Key (CTRL) and the letter S at the same time, you are able to freeze the listing to view your files. When you are finished, press the spacebar for the list to continue.
You can add a PAUSE command to your directory command which will allow you to view your directory one screen at a time.
2. The screen freezes after it fills the screen with the files that are listed first in the directory.
The F3 function key can be used to recall the last DOS command you typed in. If you would like to retrieve a previously entered command, you can also press the up arrow key continuously until you reach the desired command you were looking for.
NOTE: You can also type out each letter in your last command by using the right arrow key or the right cursor key. After you use the F3 key to recall a command, you can use the backspace key to edit any part of the command or add to your command.
You can print a list of your files in your directory by instructing DOS to send the information to your printer.
Laserjet printers and other sheetfeeder printers will not eject the page after the dir>prn command. You must take the printer off-line and press the form feed button. Remember to press the on-line button when you are done in order to continue using the printer.
Instead of using the directory command to look for one particular file, you can type the name of the file after the DIR command at the C:\> prompt.
The * symbol is referred to as a wildcard and stands for any character or group of characters. This is helpful when you want to list files that start with a particular letter or group.
When the screen get full of information, you may want to clear it. To do this, type CLS at the C:\> prompt and press return.
NOTE: You can also use the COPY command to print a file by typing: copy quick.ltr prn and press return.
NOTE: Filenames cannot be more than eight characters in length. File extensions cannot be more than three characters in length.
If you need to check the contents of a particular file or any DOS file, you will need to use the TYPE command.
NOTE: Never use the TYPE command with files that have the .com, .exe, .sys, and .bas extensions. These are program files and will only display junk on the screen.
NOTE: You can also rename a group of files that have the same name but different extensions. Type the RENAME command then the filename followed by the dot and the wildcard, space and then type the new filename followed by a dot and the wildcard character. It will look like this: filename.* newfilename.*
To create a subdirectory, you will need to use the MAKE DIRECTORY command, a.k.a. MD. The MD command is useful for organizing files on your hard drive. With subdirectories, you can create and store related files together. For example, one subdirectory could be used to store all word processing files and another for all spreadsheet files.
Once you have created a subdirectory, to move to that directory, you will use the CHANGE DIRECTORY command, a.k.a. CD.
You can set or change the standard system prompt to display the name of the directory or subdirectory you are currently working in.
2. The DOS prompt tells you that you are working in the C directory (drive) and in the Info subdirectory.
4. The single dot stands for the current directory. The double dots stand for the parent directory (root). The dots are often referred to as place markers.
3. Notice that a copy of Sales.bob is copied into the subdirectory Info. The original file is also in the root directory.
When copying a group of files from the root directory into a subdirectory, it is necessary to use the wildcard character * along with the COPY command.
List Files in a Subdirectory
The CHANGE DIRECTORY, a.k.a. CD, command will let you list files in your subdirectory from your hard drive.
The CHANGE DIRECTORY, a.k.a. CD, command will let you list files in your subdirectory from your hard drive.
The DIRECTORY command is also used to get a listing of all the files in the root directory while in a subdirectory. The backslash character \ represents the root directory.
NOTE: The backslash character \ directs DOS to read from the root directory. The *. requests the listing of the subdirectories.
Periodically it is a good idea to delete files from the hard disk which are no longer needed or used. DOS makes it easy to remove these files with the DELETE command, a.k.a. DEL.
NOTE: Never type DEL *.* when you are in the root directory. It will destroy all DOS files that are necessary to boot and operate the computer.
RULE 2: You cannot be in the subdirectory that you wish to remove. You will need to return to the root directory (C:\> prompt).
2. The A drive will be the drive that you insert your disk into; hence, the a: after the Format command and press return.
3. You will be prompted with the message: "Insert new diskette for drive A: and press enter when ready."
5. Once this formatting process is done, the following message will appear: "Format Completed." Then you will be prompted for a volume label. Simply press return again.
NOTE: If you receive a message like: "Track 0 bad" or "Disk unusable," your disk may be the wrong capacity. You can get help with this error message by typing:
Sometimes there is a need to copy all the files on one floppy diskette to another floppy. First you will need a blank formatted disk (refer to section on formatting disks.)
2. When asked to put in the source disk, put in the diskette that has the information you want to copy into drive A and press return.
4. Once this process is complete, you will be prompted to write to another duplicate diskette (Y/N). Press N.
