Current Shareware 1994 January/SHAR194.ISO/dos_util/pcl60a.zip/PART2.EXE/DOS5.TUT

Text File | 1993-07-13 | 26KB | 543 lines

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                                DOS VERSION 5.0

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       In 1991 Microsoft made DOS more powerful, smarter, sleeker and
       vastly more helpful. A variety of major and minor changes to this
       classic operating system provide something useful for everyone.
       While most computer owners can take advantage of this cornucopia
       of new features, a few may not need to upgrade to DOS 5.0. Let's
       examine the "new and improved" DOS.

       Five major changes were made with DOS version 5.0:

       1) An on-line help system was added so that users could access
       brief "help screens" for reminders about specific DOS command
       syntax and usage. The DOS manual was also substantially improved
       and rewritten.

       2) By using the extended or "high memory" system of computers
       equipped with 80286, 80386 or 80486 CPU processors and additional
       RAM memory beyond the conventional 640K, DOS 5.0 can now load
       memory resident programs, device drivers and even DOS itself
       into extended memory thus leaving more room in conventional
       memory for application software - a potent plus for memory
       starved software. Up to 622K of memory can be made available to
       conventional memory. Microsoft Windows 3.0 applications and
       large DOS applications such as spreadsheets and database
       programs accelerate with access to this additional memory.

       3) A new extended memory manager allows 80386 or 80486 computers
       to turn extended memory into LIM (Lotus-Intel-Microsoft)
       expanded memory. This provides popular programs such as Lotus
       123 and others with the capability to automatically use memory
       more effectively and releases additional conventional memory for
       data and application software.

       4) New commands such as UNDELETE, MIRROR and UNFORMAT were added
       to allow for the recovery of accidentally deleted files or
       subdirectories. A new DOSKEY command was also added to allow for
       convenient recall of previous DOS command keystrokes and also
       provides keyboard macro commands.

       5) A new graphical interface or shell and full screen "mini-word
       processor" text editor was made available. Users can work from
       the DOS prompt command line or the new shell and text editor.
       The GWBASIC language system, present in most versions of DOS,
       was provided with a fresh new interface and editor. The setup or
       installation routine for DOS 5.0 cleverly allows users to backup
       earlier DOS files - just in case they need to return to a
       previous DOS version - and smoothly glides through installation
       without the need to completely reformat a hard drive from
       scratch, an annoying hallmark of earlier DOS versions.

       Beyond these major features, smaller items provide icing on a
       useful software cake:

       A new SETVER command allows the user to change the apparent DOS
       version number so that older, finicky programs which demand a
       unique version of DOS run properly.

       The DOS directory or DIR command has been updated with
       additional switches which let users sort directory listings in a
       variety of ways without using the cumbersome SORT command.

       Hard drive users also benefit from DOS 5.0 modifications. DOS
       5.0 can now create hard drive data partitions of up to 2
       gigabytes and can now function with more than two physical
       drives at a time. In a series of hard drives, now only one drive
       is required to contain a DOS partition for the entire system to
       work - a substantial savings in hard disk space.

       However, not all computer owners need to upgrade to DOS 5.0.

       Owners of older 8088 and 8086 CPU equipped machines - XT class
       computers - may find the urge to upgrade to DOS 5.0 to be less
       than overwhelming since the advanced memory management features
       are unusable on a machine having only 640K of RAM memory.
       However the new UNDELETE, UNFORMAT and MIRROR commands, refined
       editor, DOSKEY utility, improved Qbasic programming language
       interface and on-line help may be reason and convenience enough
       to upgrade.

       Owners of 80286, 80386 or 80486 CPU equipped machines will
       probably wish to upgrade to DOS 5.0 to take advantage of the
       additional conventional memory which can be released for
       application software as well as the relocation of device drivers
       into high memory.

       New or modified DOS 5.0 commands include:

       -- DOSKEY -- (External)

       This DOS utility allows you to recall and edit DOS commands you
       previously entered at the DOS prompt. Unlike pressing the F3 key
       which recalls only the last command typed, DOSKEY gives you
       access to all previous commands typed and allows you to edit
       or change them. Keyboard macros or series of keystroke sequences
       may also be recorded and edited. DOSKEY is a memory resident TSR
       program (terminate and stay resident) which uses about 3K of
       conventional memory.

       Note that in the syntax examples which follow, you may use
       one or several switches following a command if you wish:

       (Example)   DOSKEY /REINSTALL /HISTORY /OVERSTRIKE

       In the above example three parameter switches follow the
       command.

       Note in DOS syntax examples which follow that the bracket
       symbols [ and ] are NOT typed at the DOS prompt, but only serve
       to indicate an OPTIONAL parameter or switch.

       If you see a | symbol within a syntax example, it means run
       EITHER the command prior to the | OR run the command following
       the |, but NOT both commands at the same time. Do not confuse
       the | symbol given in a syntax example with the "piping symbol"
       which is a DOS redirection method sometimes used in DOS
       commands. For example, the syntax entry below provides for
       EITHER the /INSERT switch OR the /OVERSTRIKE switch.

       DOSKEY syntax is:

       DOSKEY [/REINSTALL] [/BUFSIZE=size] [/MACROS] [/HISTORY]
              [/INSERT|/OVERSTRIKE] [macro=[text]]

       Parameters:

       /REINSTALL        Installs new copy of DOSKEY
       /BUFSIZE=size     Set buffer size to "size" bytes (default=512)
       /MACROS           Display current macros
       /HISTORY          Display command history
       /INSERT           When editing, default to insert mode
       /OVERSTRIKE       When editing, default to overstrike mode
       macro             Name of macro to load or run
       text              Macro definition

       Note that macros override or take precedence over internal
       commands such as DIR and CLS. Using this feature you can
       define new, personal DOS commands.

       (Example)     DOSKEY FINDIT=DIR \$1 /S /B

       Using the above DOSKEY definition you have created a new command
       called FINDIT such that when you type FINDIT *.WKS all
       spreadsheet files (which usually end in WKS) will be displayed
       and listed on screen. DOSKEY can use advanced DOS characters
       such as piping, input and output redirection and replaceable
       parameters (e.g., |, >, <, $1)

       -- DOSSHELL -- (External)

       This is a useful menu program for those preferring a visual
       "point and shoot" method of dealing with DOS and managing files,
       rather than typing commands at the DOS prompt. It is mouseable
       and provides a file viewer and task switcher so you can jump
       between software programs and return exactly where you left off
       without having to exit each application software program
       in progress.

       DOSSHELL syntax is:

       DOSSHELL [/G[:res[n]]|/T[:res[n]]] /B

       Parameters:

       /G                Start DOSSHELL in graphics mode
       res               Sets screen resolution with L = low res,
                         M = medium res, H = High res.
       n                 Resolution number which varies depending
                         on video card/adapter in use
       /T                Shell is run in text mode
       /B                Shell is run in black and white mode

       Several functions can ONLY be run from DOSSHELL. For example,
       DOSSHELL's rename function can rename a subdirectory which
       cannot be done with the RENAME command from the DOS prompt
       command line. Likewise, the task switching function can only be
       run from DOSSHELL and cannot be activated from the command line
       DOS prompt.

       -- EDIT -- (External)

       This is a full-screen text editor or "mini-word processor" which
       offers a practical, intuitive alternative to the previous DOS
       EDLIN text processor. EDIT features text search and replace
       capabilities, pull-down menus, on-line help, and block moves.

       EDIT syntax is:

       EDIT [[d:] [path] filename] [/B] [/G] [/H] [/NOHI]

       Parameters:

       filename          Name of the file to be edited
       /B                Run editor in black and white mode
       /G                Run editor with fast updates on CGA screens
       /H                Display maximum number of allowable lines
       /NOHI             High intensity colors are removed/suppressed

       EDIT will not run without the companion file QBASIC.EXE in the
       current directory or path. When you start EDIT, internal changes
       are made to QBASIC's editor and you are in fact running a
       modified version of QBASIC's own editor!

       -- EMM386 -- (External)

       This utility is a memory manager for the "upper memory area" of
       DOS, sometimes called the UMA. It can make your computer's
       extended memory simulate expanded memory - if you have extra RAM
       memory installed beyond the conventional 640K amount. This is
       useful for software programs such as a spreadsheet which can
       increase performance when given access to expanded memory. Users
       of computers having an 80386 or 80486 CPU can also load programs
       and device drivers into this upper memory area. Typically those
       using upper or high memory will have 1 Meg, 2 Megs or even 4
       Megs of RAM memory available.

       EMM386 syntax is:

       EMM386 [ON|OFF|AUTO] [W=ON|OFF]

       Parameters:

       ON                Enables the EMM386 device driver
       OFF               Disables the EMM386 device driver
       AUTO              Device driver placed in auto mode
       W=ON              Enables Weitek math coprocessor
       W=OFF             Disables Weitek math coprocessor

       Note that a few software applications will not work with the
       EMM386 driver due to virtual-8086 CPU operation of EMM386.
       Placing EMM386 in either OFF mode (shuts driver off until
       reactivated with the ON command) or AUTO mode (automatically
       disables when application begins, then enables EMM386 when
       application exits) solves this problem. You cannot switch EMM386
       to OFF or AUTO mode when EMM386 is providing expanded memory to
       an application such as your spreadsheet or if there are TSR
       software programs or device drivers loaded into upper memory
       which EMM386 is managing.

       -- HELP -- (External)

       This command provides help/reminder screens about DOS command
       syntax and use. To obtain a complete list of all DOS commands,
       simply type HELP at the DOS prompt. Slightly faster, if you need
       help with only a single command is to type  HELP /?

       If you know the specific DOS command for which you need help,
       simply type HELP and the command name. (Example) HELP COPY

       HELP syntax is:

       HELP [command]

       -- HIMEM.SYS -- (External)

       This device driver manages extended memory including the HMA
       (high memory area) and prevents programs from simultaneously
       using the same area of memory. HIMEM.SYS is usually installed
       via a statement in your CONFIG.SYS file and should precede in
       the CONFIG.SYS file other device drivers which use extended
       memory such as EMM386, SMARTDRIVE.SYS or RAMDRIVE.SYS.

       -- LOADHIGH -- (External)

       Allows the user to load a TSR program such as a calculator or
       other "popup" program into the upper memory area of RAM.

       LOADHIGH syntax is:

       LOADHIGH [d:] [path] filename [parameters]

       Parameters:

       filename          Name of the program to load into high memory
       parameters        Parameters used by the program loaded

       Warning: note that LOADHIGH will, without notice, load a program
       into conventional lower memory if there is insufficient upper
       memory to accomplish the task. LOADHIGH will not warn you of
       this result, but you can use the MEM/C command to determine
       where the program was loaded or to verify memory configuration
       if in doubt.

       -- MEM -- (External)

       This DOS 5.0 utility provides a concise listing of memory use.
       It provides information on which programs, device drivers and
       buffers are in use, memory consumed, free memory and location of
       all software. Works with conventional, expanded and extended
       memory.

       MEM syntax is:

       MEM [/CLASSIFY|/DEBUG|PROGRAM]

       Parameters:

       /CLASSIFY         Provide list of programs in conventional and
       or /C             upper memory

       /DEBUG            Provide list of programs and device drivers
       or /D             loaded in memory

       /PROGRAM          Provide list of programs in memory
       or /P

       The /C parameter switch is perhaps the most useful for
       determining contents of upper memory and may called from a batch
       file such as AUTOEXEC.BAT to confirm critical upper memory
       usage.

       -- MIRROR -- (External)

       This unique utility creates a special "tracking" file which
       stores the location of files which have been deleted but can be
       located and "unerased" with the UNDELETE and UNFORMAT commands.
       By keeping a detailed record of deleted files by loading MIRROR,
       chances are improved for file recovery in case an unwanted
       deletion occurs. It can also backup a copy of the hard disk
       partition tables to floppy in case of massive file deletions or
       virus infection. MIRROR has three distinct functions.

       MIRROR syntax and parameters are:

       MIRROR /PARTN     Creates a backup copy of hard disk partition
                         tables.

       MIRROR d: [/1]    Creates MIRROR disaster recovery file used by
                         UNFORMAT command

       MIRROR /Tdrive[-entries] [...]

                         The above command places MIRROR in memory
                         resident mode and provides deletion tracking
                         in memory which can be used by the UNDELETE
                         command

       MIRROR /U         Removes the MIRROR utility from memory

       Parameters:

       /PARTN            Makes backup of disk partition tables
       /1                Retains only latest disk information
       /Tdrive           Provide deletion tracking for drive specified
       entries           Within a range of 1 to 999, provide deletion
                         tracking for the specified number of entries
                         for the specified drive


       The value of the MIRROR command lies in frequent use to prevent
       data loss due to accidental formatting, virus infection or
       other disk problems where sensitive files must be reliably
       maintained.

       -- QBASIC -- (External)

       Entire volumes have been written about Qbasic, also known as
       QuickBasic. It is a complete programming language that allows
       you to design custom software for jobs which DOS programming cannot
       provide. Qbasic provides a way to construct small databases,
       printing software, calculators or simple business accounting
       software. Qbasic, as delivered with DOS 5.0, is an interpreter
       which must be present at all times along with your software
       program.

       A basic compiler, which is an entirely different programming
       package, allows you to build standalone software packages which
       do not require a Qbasic interpreter to be present. Qbasic
       includes a workable program text editor for easy program
       construction. Basic programs use the extension BAS. For example
       you might see a file named BASEBALL.BAS which is run by loading
       it into the Qbasic interpreter. If you load Qbasic then can't
       figure how to get back to DOS, type the command  SYSTEM  then
       hit the return key/press enter.

       Qbasic syntax is:

       QBASIC [/B] [/EDITOR] [/G] [/H] [/MBF] [/NOHI] [[/RUN][d:]
               [path]filename]

       Parameters:

       /B                Starts Qbasic in black and white mode
       /EDITOR           Starts only the DOS editor
       /G                Fast screen update on CGA displays
       /H                Display maximum number of lines
       /MBF              Change the internal Qbasic functions as follows:
                         CVD to CVDMBF
                         CVS to CVSMBF
                         MKS$ to MKSMBF$
                         MKD$ to MKDMBF$
       /NOHI             Suppress colors in high intensity hues
       /RUN              Run program specified by filename
       filename          Name of Basic program to run

       You can now run a Qbasic program from a batch file, then return
       control back to the original batch file. Use the /RUN parameter
       switch and make the final statement in the Qbasic program  SYSTEM.

       -- SETVER --  (External)

       This small, but necessary utility is of use when you need to
       reset the internal DOS version number - such as DOS 5.0 - to an
       earlier version number so that older software which checks this
       number will run reliably. SETVER also updates a list of
       programs and the required DOS version number each program needs.
       If a program refuses to load and run or reports an incorrect DOS
       version number, SETVER may be the utility you need. Simply add
       the name of the problem software application and required DOS
       version number to the SETVER data list. Note that SETVER only
       works when it is loaded with a DEVICE or DEVICEHIGH statement
       in the CONFIG.SYS file. When you update or change entries in the
       SETVER data table, you must restart your computer to update the
       changes.

       SETVER syntax is:

       SETVER [d:path] [filename] [n.nn] [/DELETE] [/QUIET]

       Parameters:

       d:path            Drive and path where SETVER is stored
       filename          Filename of software program to which a
                         version number is given
       n.nn              Version number to report: 2.11, for example
       /DELETE           Delete an entry from the SETVER data table
       /QUIET            Remove/suppress messages when /DELETE
                         is active

       -- SHELL -- (External)

       This utility is a versatile menu system which lets you move,
       copy, delete, view and manage files with a point and click menu
       interface. File viewing is available in either ASCII plaintext
       or hexadecimal display mode. An onboard task switcher lets you
       start a software application, freeze the screen and data, exit
       to a different application then later return to your first
       application where you left off. New file management capabilities
       allow you to search an entire hard drive for a file, alter file
       attributes and even associate data files with a parent software
       application. Once the data is associated or "linked" to its
       parent software application, you can start the program simply by
       clicking on the data file - such as a spreadsheet template or
       word processing document. The shell display operates in graphics
       modes including 43 and 60 line displays. The shell consists of
       several operational files and help screens such as SHELLB.COM,
       SHELLC.EXE, SHELL.ASC, SHELL.CLR, SHELL.HLP and SHELL.MEU.

       -- SMARTDRIVE.SYS -- (External)

       This utility creates a disk cache in RAM memory which can speed
       up the performance of software applications which frequently
       access the hard drive. By using a cache, frequently needed data
       is stored in a fast RAM cache memory area rather than waiting on
       the more slowly accessed disk. By default, SMARTDRIVE.SYS is
       installed to extended memory to conserve conventional memory
       space for software applications. Using the /A switch after the
       command forces installation to expanded memory. Since
       SMARTDRIVE.SYS is a device driver, it must be installed as a
       DEVICE statement in your CONFIG.SYS file.

       -- UNDELETE -- (External)

       Allows accidentally deleted files to be recovered. Since DOS
       deletes files by merely removing the filename from a master
       index called the allocation table, it is possible to recover the
       data if a recovery attempt is made SOON after the file is
       deleted to prevent newer files from eventually erasing the older
       data. Using the DOS MIRROR program substantially increases the
       recovery chance from file deletion disasters.

       UNDELETE syntax is:

       UNDELETE [[d:][path]filename] [/LIST|/ALL] [/DOS|/DT]

       Parameters:

       filename          Name of file(s) to undelete
       /LIST             List the file which might be recoverable
       /ALL              Undelete all files without prompting for
                         first letter of each filename
       /DOS              Ignore delete tracking file
       /DT               Use delete tracking file

       A quick shortcut if you need to undelete several files without
       halting to supply the first letter of each one is to move to the
       directory where the files were stored by using the CHANGE
       DIRECTORY or CD command, then enter   UNDELETE /ALL. Since you
       are in the directory in question, UNDELETE will recover all
       files which you can later rename if necessary.

       -- UNFORMAT -- (External)

       Provides the capability to restore the directory structure of a
       floppy or hard disk which has been accidentally formatted with
       the FORMAT command or restructured with the RECOVER command.
       Also provides capability to rebuild damaged hard disk
       partition/allocation tables. Works with local drives - will not
       work with drives which are part of a LAN (local area network.)
       Use UNFORMAT to display hard disk partition info by typing the
       command: UNFORMAT /PARTN /L

       UNFORMAT syntax is:

       UNFORMAT /PARTN [/L]    Restores hard drive partition table

       UNFORMAT d: [/U] [/L] [/TEST] [/P]
                               Above unformats a hard or floppy disk

       UNFORMAT d: /J          Verifies that a disk contains MIRROR
                               data file

       Parameters:

       /PARTN                  Saves copy of hard disk partition tables

       /L                      Displays partition info for selected
                               drive. Without the /L switch: list every
                               file and subdirectory found and ignore
                               MIRROR data file if existent.

       /U                      Unformat a disk without using MIRROR
                               data file

       /TEST                   Perform test unformat. Do not actually
                               unformat.

       /P                      Send report/data to printer port LPT1

       /J                      Verify MIRROR data file

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