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---------------------------------------------------------------- ADVANCED DOS COMMANDS ---------------------------------------------------------------- This tutorial covers advanced DOS commands, updates for DOS version 5.0, keyboard shortcuts, function key assignments and a special functional index of DOS commands which is located at the end of the tutorial. Life gets more interesting the longer you stay in the game. The more you want to accomplish with a computer, the more you need advanced DOS commands. But first, let's take a side trip to the keyboard and study some powerful DOS shortcuts. ---------------------------------------------------------------- FUNCTION KEY USE ---------------------------------------------------------------- The keyboard function keys labelled F1 through F10 access a special buffer storage area of DOS. Additional key combinations offer other shortcuts. Some keyboards have twelve function keys while others have the function keys arranged along the top of the keyboard rather than stacked along the side. The best way to understand how the function keys work is to pause and explain the concept of a keyboard buffer which is little more than a temporary storage area in the computer's memory. A buffer is necessary because the activities of input and output (using the keyboard or printer) are much slower than those activities which interact with the speedy RAM memory chips and CPU. Data from the keyboard is placed into a memory buffer area until you signal the PC that you are ready to move on to the next task. Usually this signal is the carriage return or enter key. A buffer storage area can vary in size. For the DOS command line buffer, up to 127 characters can be contained. When data is entered into the keyboard buffer is stays there until flushed out. DOS allows some limited repeating and editing of data stored in the buffer (data you previously typed at the keyboard) by use of the function keys. The FUNCTION Keyboard: The following discussion applies to the function keys WHEN YOU ARE USING DOS! When you use an application such as your word processor or database program the function keys will probably have different uses! The function keys assume different roles for different programs. F1 through F5 have special meaning within DOS. They help in reissuing/editing the last DOS command typed. F1 Repeats one character per keystroke of the previous DOS command typed. F2 Repeats characters stored in the buffer up to the character you typed after pressing F2. F3 Repeats the entire LAST command. USEFUL! Repeat last command and edit it over again with other function keys or the backspace key. F4 Deletes all characters in the buffer up to the character you typed after F4. The buffer is not displayed. To see the buffer on screen tap F3. F5 Stores the current line for re-editing. F5 is used with the other four keys so you can repair long DOS commands which weren't typed in properly. When you press F5 the current line will be marked and the cursor will move down one line WITHOUT a new prompt. Then use the other function keys to finish editing. The main Keyboard Delete key deletes character on or to the right of the cursor Backspace key removes last character typed - to the left of cursor Insert key puts keyboard into insert mode Escape key voids current input and exits or escapes to previous settings PageUp key in many applications moves you up one screen of text PageDown key in many applications moves you down one screen of text Left and right arrow keys move cursor left and right without deleting Numlock key toggles (goes back and forth) between numbers on the numeric keypad and cursor control (functions such as page down, move cursor right, etc) Pressing two or more keys at the same time produces further results. You may hold down the Control (Ctrl) key and then press another key for a required result. Here are some two key combinations. Hold down the first key, then press the second: Shift-PrtSc prints one screen of data on your printer. Control-C or Control Break Aborts current DOS command. USEFUL! Control-H or backspace removes last character typed Control-P or Control-PrtSc sends output to printer until turned off by typing same key combination (Control P) a second time. Whatever appears on screen will be sent to printer until turned off with control P a second time. This is a little used, often forgetten and HIGHLY useful key combination! Control Numlock or Control S pauses screen output. Press any key to continue Control-Alt-Delete keys together shuts down computer and WIPES OUT all computer data! This is also called a "warm boot" as compared to a cold boot (completely turning off computer, then turning back on again.) Either of these methods means that ALL DATA AND PROGRAMS LOST from RAM memory but whatever data stored on disk(s) remains. Other keys have special meanings and can be confused with their look-alike twins: the slash (/) and Backslash (\) are different but easily confused as are the apostrophe (') and grave accent (`), and also the capital O and Zero (0.) ---------------------------------------------------------------- ADVANCED DOS COMMANDS AND METHODS ---------------------------------------------------------------- Now on to some of the more advanced DOS commands, files and methods which we continue from the previous DOS tutorial: -- AUTOEXEC.BAT -- is not a DOS command but a small text file which gives the user an automatic way to specify a precise series of DOS commands whenever the computer is started each day. Within AUTOEXEC.BAT you can specify system variables such as the PATH and PROMPT commands, load or start a menu system with a variety of program choices, load memory resident "TSR" programs such as a calculator or notepad, run other batch files or start one specific program such as your word processor every time the computer is turned on. You can create or modify an AUTOEXEC.BAT file with any word processor which saves text in ASCII (plain text) format. Additional comments and explanations about the AUTOEXEC.BAT file are provided in the batch file tutorial elsewhere within PC-Learn. Following is a listing of the contents within a sample AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Note that it is simply a series of DOS commands which will be given every time the computer is first turned on: echo off date time path \dos;\wp;\util;\doc;\bat prompt $P$G verify on mode bw80,r type menu -- CONFIG.SYS -- is not a DOS command, but a small text file which tells DOS the system setup information or "custom configuration" of your computer. Whenever additional hardware is added such as a tape drive, mouse, ram drive or other device, you will usually add a DEVICE command to the CONFIG.SYS file so that DOS can recognize the new hardware or software device. Performance can also be increased by adding other parameters to the CONFIG.SYS file such as the FILES and BUFFERS commands. On startup, CONFIG.SYS helps DOS determine the configuration of hardware, RAM memory, keyboard, ramdisk, hard drives and other "customizations" to your system and is usually stored in the root or main directory of your hard drive. The CONFIG.SYS file can be prepared or altered with your word processor operating in ASCII mode (plain text). You could also use the COPY CON command or any text editor such as Edlin to prepare a CONFIG.SYS file. Following is a listing of the contents within a sample CONFIG.SYS file: device=ansi.sys device=vdisk.sys buffers=20 files=20 -- MODE -- (External) is a command to setup the printer, display and communications outputs of your computer. Use mode when you have several printers or two or more monitors such as both color and monochrome. Example: A>mode CO80 (set display mode to color,80 columns wide) Example: B>mode lpt1=com1 (set printer to com port number 1) Example: A>mode com1:10,n,8,1,p (set modem transmission settings) Example B>mode bw80,r (set monitor to b&w text, 80 columns wide) -- MORE -- (External) causes the display to pause when reading a long file or directory. More is always combined with other DOS commands. See below for an example using the MORE command. -- REDIRECTION AND PIPING -- Are not DOS commands but powerful methods for sending information to or through other DOS utilities. Some commands, for example DIR, can use MORE, SORT and other DOS "filters" with a special vertical bar | in a method called "piping". Piping is best explained as "filtering" a DOS action through yet another DOS program or command. Example A>dir|more (DIR listing is "piped" through MORE to pause after each screenful of information) Try it with a long listing! Example: B>type letter.txt|more (the file letter.txt is "piped" through MORE) -- < and > -- are input/output symbols. They help DOS send and receive signals properly. You can redirect the output from or towards a particular device. For example if the output of a file normally goes to the screen you could redirect it with the > symbol to the printer. Or you could redirect the input for a DOS command from a file, rather than the keyboard so you would not have to answer a series of questions - the file would provide the keystrokes. Example: A>sort<letter.txt>letter.new (sort letter.txt and output to a new file called letter.new) Example: B>dir>prn (meaning produce a directory listing, but send the output to the printer, rather than the screen) Example: format b:<special.txt (format a floppy and accept input keystrokes from the file special.txt rather than input from the keyboard so you don't have to answer yes/no or pause) These piping and redirection methods are powerful and subtle. -- SORT -- (External) sorts data lists in alphabetical or reverse order. It is frequently used with redirection and piping methods to sort directories, lists of text or to output its actions into a new file or directly to the printer. Example: A>dir|sort Example: sort<letter.doc>new.doc -- GRAPHICS -- (External) allows you to print the contents of a graphics display (e.g., a lotus graph on the screen) while using the SHIFT-PRTSC key combination mentioned earlier. Graphics mode software uses medium resolution CGA color displays or other graphics displays which will not print using the standard SHIFT- PRTSC key until the DOS graphics system has been loaded. Graphics is a memory resident program which uses some RAM memory. If a screen display will not print on your printer by tapping SHIFT-PRTSC, trying running graphics first then retry SHIFT-PRTSC. Example: A>graphics -- FIND -- (External) searches for words and phrases in a file. You cannot use wild cards (? and *). You must use quotes surrounding the phrase or word which is sought. Example: A>find "chocolate candy bars" letter.txt bones.wks (meaning: search for "chocolate candy bars" within the two files letter.txt and bones.wks then report any occurrences) -- ASSIGN -- (External) tells DOS to send disk requests for one drive to the other. Effectively renames your a drive the b drive and vice versa. Allows you to access only certain drives for security reasons (remote modem use, for example). By itself, assign simply restores the normal drive configurations and names. DISKCOPY and FORMAT commands ignore assign! Use of assign command is rare. Example: B>assign c=a -- PATH -- (Internal) tells DOS where to search for executable files in the subdirectories you specify. Allows simultaneous searching of many subdirectories at once. Path eliminates the need to search through many subdirectories manually. Frequently a PATH command is used in your autoexec.bat file when starting the computer. A path command is highly recommended for use with all hard drives and, as stated, is embedded within the AUTOEXEC.BAT file as a permanent command. Example: C>path \letters;\finance;\utils -- PROMPT -- (Internal) allows change of the DOS prompt - for example, the dull A> on screen. $P shows the active directory. $G shows the > symbol. This can be set in the main autoexec.bat file to initialize the prompt every time you start your computer. With the proper commands you can dramatically change your prompt to even display words, pictures or phrases rather than a typical C> See batch file tutorial covered later. Example: A>prompt $P$G. (result is: a:\> ) -- TREE -- (External) shows the structure of the subdirectories on your disk. You can check the arrangement of the root (main) and all subdirectories. Tree/f shows all file names. Example: B>tree/f -- ATTRIB -- (External) allows a file to be set as "read only" (non-erasable). Attrib +r marks for read only. Attrib -r removes this. Protects files from modification or removal. Attrib alone displays file attributes. A small r appears to the left of a files directory listing if that file is read only (protected). Only available in DOS 3.0 and later. Example: A>attrib +r letters.doc -- BACKUP & RESTORE -- (External) used to making spare copies (backups) of hard disk data. Copies groups of files to floppies. Restore reverses the process and puts the files from floppies to hard disk. Backup/m copies only files modified since the last backup. Backup/s copies all subdirectories and their files. Backup/d copies files modified after the date you specify. Backup/a adds files to a disk that already contains other files. Files copied to floppies with backup can't be used (they are "encoded") until they are restored ("unencoded"). Restore/s puts back all subdirectory files. Example: A>backup c:\*.* a:/s Example: C>restore a:\*.* c:/s -- EDLIN -- (External) is a small word processor/text editor which prepares text files. DOS version 5.0 uses an upgraded text editor called EDIT which is easier to use the Edlin. Edlin's output is ASCII (plain text). Edlin is rudimentary and provides editing line by line. Other word processors and text editors can output ASCII files more quickly and easily, but Edlin is good for short jobs such as preparing batch files. The COPY CON command (discussed earlier) will do the job also. The entire list of Edlin commands is detailed in your DOS manual. Example: A>edlin go.bat (starts Edlin and loads the file go.bat) -- RAMDRIVE.SYS -- (used in MS-DOS, see below) (External) -- VDISK.SYS -- (used in PC-DOS, see below) (External) Both of the above files are equivalent "ramdisks" which allow you to construct an artificial software disk drive in RAM computer memory. It is very fast and is also known as a virtual disk. RAMDRIVE.SYS or VDISK.SYS is usually placed in the CONFIG.SYS file via the DEVICE command. RAMDRIVE.SYS or VDISK.SYS is available in DOS 3.0 and later. DOS 2.0 users can use alternative "add in" RAMDISK utilities to produce the same result. Within the CONFIG.SYS file the following statement might appear for users of this device: Example: device=vdisk.sys 128 (sets up a ramdisk of 128,000 bytes in size) ---------------------------------------------------------------- DOS VERSION 5.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------- DOS COMMAND FUNCTIONAL INDEX --------------------------------------------------------------- Curiously, most computer manuals list DOS commands arranged alphabetically rather than by FUNCTION, in logical groupings. Next, a brief functional index which is helpful for most beginners. PC-Learn tutorials do not attempt to present every DOS command, since some are best reviewed from your primary DOS manual. However, once you study this index, you will probably be able to locate the DOS command you need in your DOS manual. File management commands: ATTRIB Change or display file attributes COMP Compare two files COPY Copy one or several files DEL Delete one or several files DIR Display directory listing ERASE Delete one or several files FC Compare two files RENAME (REN) Rename file or files REPLACE Replace current files VERIFY Turn on/off write accuracy verification check XCOPY Copy one or several files Disk management commands: ASSIGN Redirect disk access to alternate drive CHDIR (CD) Change directory, display current directory CHKDSK Check disk/files for fragmention, optional repair DISKCOMP Compare floppy diskettes DISKCOPY Produce identical copy of diskette JOIN Join a drive to a directory MKDIR (MD) Make a directory on disk RMDIR (RD) Remove a directory from disk SUBST Substitute drive for a directory TREE Display directory organization of disk DOS command, help, menu and screen commands: APPEND Set search path for non executable file CLS Clear the monitor screen COMMAND Start the central command processor DOSKEY Start command line enchancer/macro features DOSSHELL Start DOS shell/menu features/task switching EXPAND Expand file(s) from stored/compressed state HELP Display help for one or more DOS commands PATH Set search path for executable files PROMPT Configure the displayed screen prompt SET Set environment variable SETVER Set/reset DOS version number VER Display version of DOS File disaster/recovery/prevention commands: BACKUP Backup hard disk files to floppies MIRROR Backup partition table/create delete tracking file RECOVER Recover damaged files RESTORE Restore files backed up with BACKUP SHARE Start file-sharing utility for LAN networks UNDELETE Recover accidentally deleted files UNFORMAT Unformat/recover formatted disk Batch file commands: CALL Call/start one batch file from another ECHO Turn on/off screen echo, display message EXIT Stop command processor FOR Run command once for each element of a repetition GOTO Jump to another line of a batch program IF Run command if condition stated is satisfied PAUSE Pause batch program execution until key press REM Remark/comment in batch program SHIFT Shift replaceable parameters to left Text file commands: EDIT Start full screen editor/mini-word processor EDLIN Start rudimentary line editor FIND Locate a search string of characters MORE Display data one screen at a time SORT Sort text file data into sequential order TYPE Display internal contents of file Disk setup and configuration commands: FASTOPEN Install cache for rapid disk use FDISK Configure hard disk partition(s) FORMAT Prepare disk to receive data LABEL Modify, label or delete disk volume label SYS Copy DOS system files to disk VOL Display disk volume label and serial number RAM Memory setup and configuration commands: EMM386 Install 80386 high memory manager LOADFIX Load program above 64K memory area LOADHIGH Load program into upper memory area MEM Display memory use map Hardware setup, keyboard, printing and configuration commands: BREAK Turn on/off break testing CHCP Change code page (foreign keyboard) CTTY Set console device DATE Display or set date GRAFTABL Install graphics characters (foreign keyboard) GRAPHICS Install graphics screen printing capability KEYB Install alternate keyboard layout MODE Configure printer or modem ports, screen NLSFUNC Install language support capabilities PRINT Print spooler installation TIME Display or set time Writing programs, changing programs: DEBUG Start machine code debugger/assembler EXE2BIN Convert EXE format file to COM format file QBASIC Start Quick Basic interpreter programming system Tutorial finished. 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