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Text File | 1995-05-07 | 22.1 KB | 633 lines

~Writing Your Own AUTOEXEC.BAT By: Simon Burrows -and- Alex Willmer `After our great guide to writing your own CONFIG.SYS file in issue `39 of Cheet Sheets, here's our promised guide aimed at tuning your `AUTOEXEC.BAT. As well as setting a few options, your AUTOEXEC.BAT `is also used to automatically load software such as your mouse `driver, memory-resident virus checker etc. As before, this `document starts with some explanation and basic tips, then goes on `to explain individual lines which can be inserted into your `AUTOEXEC.BAT. ~` * * * ~` ════════════════════════ ~` What is an AUTOEXEC.BAT? ~` ════════════════════════ `Once your computer has finished looking through your CONFIG.SYS to `load some important device drivers and memory options, then it's `your turn to tell it what you want to do. For this you use `commands. Instead of having to type all the commands that you `want each time you start your computer, you can put the commands `into a file called AUTOEXEC.BAT. This is a text file with `commands that tell the computer what to do. The word 'AUTOEXEC' `means 'AUTOmatically EXECute' which means the file will load `itself each time your computer boots itself up, and the 'BAT' `file-extention means it is a batch file (simply because it `contains a batch of commands). ~` ══════════════════════════════════════════════════ ~` What is a Batch File, and what does one look like? ~` ══════════════════════════════════════════════════ `A simple batch file might contain the following lines :- ` ECHO OFF ` D: ` CD\UTILS ` INSTALL.EXE ` C: ` CD\GAMES `As you can see, each line of the batch file has a separate `command. Each of these commands could also be typed separately at `the DOS prompt, but by putting them all into a batch file, you can `execute all these commands in turn just by running this batch `file. `This particular batch file is called INSTALL.BAT. It tells the `computer to go to drive D:, change to the \UTILS directory, then `run the file called INSTALL.EXE. When INSTALL.EXE finishes, the `batch file then tells the computer to change the drive to C: and `enter the \GAMES directory. `Your AUTOEXEC.BAT works in exactly the same way. The only `difference is, as I've said, that it runs itself when you boot `your machine up. Because your AUTOEXEC.BAT is loaded once, and `only once, each time your computer is booted up, it will often be `used to load vital software such as your mouse driver, virus `checker, disk cacher etc. ~` ════════════ ~` Safety First ~` ════════════ `Before you do anything to your AUTOEXEC.BAT, you should back it `up. To do this, you first need to get to the directory containing `this file. This is done by entering the following two commands `at the DOS prompt, each one with an [ENTER] press after it :- ` C: ` CD\ `This puts you in the root directory of your main hard-disk (the `location of your AUTOEXEC.BAT). Now you can type the following to `make a back-up of your AUTOEXEC.BAT called AUTOEXEC.BAK :- ` COPY AUTOEXEC.BAT AUTOEXEC.BAK `Now it's a very good idea to make a system-disk. You don't have `to do this, but it can save a lot of hassle if things go wrong! `To do this, first put a blank disk in drive 'A:', and then type `the following :- ` FORMAT A: /S `Now, if you muck up you system, slap this disk in the drive, `restart your computer, and you will be given a DOS prompt. You `can then go about fixing the problem. `If the problem has come about because you have messed up your `AUTOEXEC.BAT during editing, the easiest thing might be to `recover the back-up file you made earlier. To do this, type the `following :- ` COPY C:\AUTOEXEC.BAK C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT ~` ══════════════ ~` Back to Basics ~` ══════════════ `Now you can safely edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT. To do this I recommend `you use the MS-DOS program "MS-DOS Edit". This is found only in `versions of MS-DOS, 5 or above. If you don't have this you'll `have to use MS-DOS's Edlin which is far inferior. For `information about Edlin and Edit, consult your DOS manual. `To use MS-DOS Edit to edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT, type the following `three commands, each with an [ENTER] press after them as before :- ` C: ` CD\ ` EDIT AUTOEXEC.BAT `Don't be lazy and leave out the ".BAT" at the end of the third `command, otherwise MS-DOS Edit will open a new file for you called `just "AUTOEXEC. " which won't work. ~` ═══════════════════════════════ ~` How can I edit my AUTOEXEC.BAT? ~` ═══════════════════════════════ `Once Edit has loaded, a simple (but very effective) text editor `will be displayed, listing the current contents of your `AUTOEXEC.BAT. As with any word-processor, you can move through `the text with the cursor keys (or the mouse), and enter `information by moving the cursor to the required space and typing. `Your AUTOEXEC.BAT may look something like this, although it is `likely to have far fewer lines if this is the first time you have `edited it :- ~` @ECHO OFF ~` PROMPT $P$G ~` PATH C:\;C:\WINDOWS;C:\DOS;C:\MOUSE; ~` SET TEMP=C:\TEMP ~` SET DIRCMD=/ON ~` SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T4 ~` C:\MOUSE\MOUSE.COM ~` C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE /X 1024 512 ~` C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD000 ~` C:\DOS\DOSKEY ~` C:\DOS\VSAFE.EXE `Those lines starting with the path name of a file (the last five `lines) all load up software which could easily be loaded from the `DOS prompt. The first 6 lines, however, are not loading software `but issuing commands, although these lines could also be entered `at the DOS prompt as with any line in a batch file. ~` ═════════════════════════════════ ~` Writing and Editing AUTOEXEC.BATs ~` ═════════════════════════════════ `AUTOEXEC.BAT files, as I have already said, are made-up of a `series of lines, each of which do their own job. The rest of this `document is aimed at helping you understand each line. ~`The "Echo" Command ~`────────────────── `This line is not actually needed to load any software but it is a `command used to preserve sanity!! Normally when you run a batch `file, DOS will list each of the commands as it loads them. This `looks very messy and is almost always a complete waste of time. `Because of this, nearly all batch files will start with the line `"ECHO OFF" which stops your computer from doing this annoying `habit!!!! The line will look like this, and will obviously be `the first line in the AUTOEXEC.BAT so it will affect ALL other `lines :- ` ECHO OFF `Unfortunately, the effect of having "ECHO OFF" does not affect `itself, so when a batch file is loaded with this line in, "ECHO `OFF" will be displayed on the screen. If this is not desired `either, put a '@' sign at the front of the line, and that won't `happen either. Now the line will look like this :- ` @ECHO OFF ~`The "Prompt" Command ~`──────────────────── `As you will know, the "C:\>", "D:\GAMES\FURY>", "E:\UTILS>" etc. `text which is your prompt to enter a new command in DOS is called `a DOS prompt. What you might not know is that you can change the `look of this prompt. It doesn't have to display your current `drive and directory - it could display the time and date, or a `specialised message - it can even be several lines long and in `colour!!! `Normally the line which tells your computer what your prompt `should look like, reads :- ` PROMPT $P$G `This tells your computer to inform you of your current drive and `directory, and put a '>' symbol at the end of this. To have `different prompts is easy... `If you want a specialised message as the prompt, you simply put `this message on the same line as the "PROMPT" command. For `example, if you wanted a prompt that says "What next Bub?", you `would use the following line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT :- ` PROMPT What next Bub? `If you want other things such as the current time and date, you `must use special codes in your prompt line like the $p$g used in `the default prompt. Here's a list of the codes you can use :- ` $Q - = (equal sign) ` $$ - $ (dollar sign) ` $T - Current time ` $D - Current date ` $P - Current drive and path ` $V - MS-DOS version number ` $N - Current drive ` $G - > (greater-than sign) ` $L - < (less-than sign) ` $B - | (pipe) ` $_ - ENTER-LINEFEED ` $E - ASCII escape code (code 27) ` $H - Backspace (to delete a character that has been ` written to the prompt command line) `Example :- `If you want the prompt to have the text 'I'm waiting!', then the `time, then on a new line, the current drive and directory, you `would have your "Prompt" line as follows :- ` PROMPT I'M WAITING! $T$_$P$G `The "I'm Waiting" part tells it what message to have at the start `of the prompt. The two spaces simply separate the message from `the time. The "$T" tells it to display the current time. The `"$_" tells it to go down to the next line. Then the "$P" tells it `to display the current drive and directory, and the "$G" tells it `to round it all off with a '>' sign!!! `If you want your prompt in colour, you'll first need to load `"ANSI.SYS" in your CONFIG.SYS. To do this add the line :- ` DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS `...to your CONFIG.SYS. You can now change the foreground and `background colours of the letters in your prompt by using ANSI `escape sequences. For information on this type the following at `the DOS prompt (so long as you have DOS v6.x or higher), because `it is too complicated to explain in this document :- ` HELP ANSI.SYS ~`The "Path" Command ~`────────────────── `This is a very useful command indeed, which allows you save loads `of time by reducing the need to continuously change directory to `access different programs. Basically, if you type in a file name, `your PC will first check the current directory to see if a file by `that name is situated there, then it checks for the same file in `all directories you specify on the "Path" line. The default `"Path" line which DOS gives you will check the "C:\" directory and `the "C:\DOS\" directory, and windows will usually add `"C:\WINDOWS\" to this too. However, you can add more directories `to this. `All you need to do is type the full path of the directory, and `make sure each new directory you want checked is separated by a `semi-colon (a ';'). For example, here's a path you could use to `check the directories: C:\DOS, D:\WORD, C:\WINDOWS, D:\GAMES :- ` PATH C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;D:\WORD;D:\GAMES ~`Environments ~`──────────── `There are quite a few environments that can be set within DOS. It `is difficult to explain what an 'environment' in computer terms `is, as each one can do a different job. Instead, I will cover the `three most popular ones here and you might get the idea. ~Environment 1 - "Set Temp" `If you run windows with virtual memory this line is essential. If `you do not have it, windows writes it's temporary files (.TMP `files) to the root directory of your hard disk which clutters up `the most important part of the disk with messy and useless `files!!! Instead, though, you can use the "Set Temp" directory to `tell windows (and DOS, I think) to put their useless temporary `files elsewhere!! `Obviously, it's a good idea to put .TMP files in their own `directory so they don't clutter up other software, and now and `again, go into this directory and delete the annoying things since `not only do they get in the way but they can take up a consideable `amount of disk space after a while. `To set the directory where .TMP files are written to as C:\TEMP, `you must put the following line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT :- ` SET TEMP=C:\TEMP ~Environment 2 - "Set DIRCMD" `Whenever you type "DIR" it will give a listing of all the files in `the current directory. If you type "DIR" followed by one of many `commands, you can change the form ths listing takes (eg, by `sorting the files into alphabetical order, by putting all the `words in lower case etc). If there is one of these special `options which you always use when typing "DIR", you can use the `"Set DIRCMD" line to make it so that this command will always be `used even if you don't type it alongside the "DIR" at the DOS `prompt. `Here is a full list of all the commands you could use on the "Set `DIRCMD" line :- ` /P Pauses after each screenful of information. ` /W Uses wide list format ` /AD Displays only directories ` /AR Displays only read-only files ` /AH Displays only hidden files ` /AS Displays only system files ` /AA Displays only files ready for archive ` /ON Displays files in alphabetical order ` /OS Displays files in size order (smallest first) ` /OE Displays files with extensions in alphabetical order ` /OD Displays files in age order (oldest first) ` /OG Group all directories at start of directory listing ` /OC Displays files by compressive ratio (smallest first) ` /S Displays files in directory and all subdirectories. ` /B Uses bare format (no heading information or summary) ` /L Uses lowercase. ` /C Displays file compression ratio ` /CH Uses host allocation unit size. `The line you use to set your directory command is as follows. `Simply replace the '#' sign with one or more of the commands from `the table above (although, beware that some commands will not `perform if used in conjunction with certain others) :- ` SET DIRCMD=# `For example, if you wanted all your directory listings to be in `lower case, alphabetical order, and have the directories grouped `together at the top, you'd use the following line :- ` SET DIRCMD=/OG /ON /L ~Environment 3 - "Set Blaster" `This environment sets the commands for your soundcard. Obviously, `if you don't have a soundcard, you don't need the line. Also, you `will only need the line for those games which don't detect the `card's specifications itself. Those games will require the `information in the shape of this line instead. `The line tells software your soundcard's channel, its IRQ `(Interrupt ReQuest), its DMA (Direct Memory Address) and what type `of soundcard it is. The line would read as below, where '!' is `replaced by the channel, '@' by the IRQ, '#' by the DMA, and '$' `by the type :- ` SET BLASTER=A! I@ D# T$ `For example, my Sound BlasterPro uses the following line, with 220 `as the channel, 5 as the IRQ, 1 as the DMA and 4 as the type :- ` SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T4 ~`Commands ~`──────── `The rest of the lines described in this document are used to run `actual software rather than set options. `As a rule, any lines aimed at just loading software in a batch `file, simply give the full path of the file needed, followed by `the file name. So, for example, this line will load the file `"GWSHARE.EXE" from the directory "C:\DOS\GW" :- ` C:\DOS\GW\GWSHARE.EXE `From here to the end of this document are five examples of popular `software which is often run using AUTOEXEC.BAT, where it is, how `to run it, and what it does :- ~Program 1 - The Mouse Driver `As you will probably know, you will always need to load a mouse `driver before you can use your mouse. A mouse driver tells your `PC how to translate the commands the mouse sends to it. Most `mouses are bought with a driver on disk, but there is usually no `need to use this since there is a driver which comes with DOS `called "MOUSE.COM". Although this only has few features, it seems `to work with just about all mouses and is easy to use. To load `this DOS mouse driver, simply add the following line to your `AUTOEXEC.BAT :- ` C:\DOS\MOUSE.COM ~Program 2 - "Smart Drive" `This is a cache program. Basically, when your computer requests `some information from a disk, "Smart Drive" will take a little `more than the requested amount, and store this in a cache (a `small portion of memory). This is because when information is `requested from a disk, the next request will often be for `information next to this information on this disk. Because "Smart `Drive" has already requested a little more, if this is the case, `your computer can quickly take this from the cache without having `to go back to the disk, which saves time and wear on your drives. `Before loading "Smart Drive" you must have loaded "HIMEM.SYS" in `your CONFIG.SYS (see issue 39 of Cheet Sheets for information on `how to do that). `When you load up "Smart Drive" you can specify the size of the `cache during both DOS and Windows sessions. Obviously, the bigger `the cache, the larger the amount of extra information that will be `requested, so the quicker your system should run in most `circumstances. The InitCacheSize is the cache size whilst running `under DOS. The WinCacheSize is the size of the cache whilst `running under windows. When windows is loaded the cache is `reduced to free more memory for windows itself. `If you don't specify the IntCacheSize and WinChacheSize, the `following defaults are used :- ` Extended │ InitCacheSize │ WinCacheSize ` Memory │ (ICS) │ (WCS) ` ─────────────│────────────────────│──────────────────── ` Up to 1 MB │ All XMS memory │ Zero (no caching) ` Up to 2 MB │ 1 MB │ 256K ` Up to 4 MB │ 1 MB │ 512K ` Up to 6 MB │ 2 MB │ 1 MB ` 6 MB or more │ 2 MB │ 2 MB `The following line should be used to load "Smart Drive" where `'ICS' is the InitCacheSize, and 'WCS' is the WinCacheSize :- ` C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDR /X ICS WCS `(The /X tells smartdrv to use extended memory (useful when using `/AUTO in the EMM386 line of your CONFIG.SYS)). ~Program 3 - "MSCDEX" `If you have a CD-ROM drive, you will have a CD-ROM driver loaded `in your CONFIG.SYS program. As well as this, however, you will `also need "MSCDEX.EXE" loaded in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. This file `will work with any CD-ROM drive. All it does is provide access to `the CD-ROM drive. `Both the "MSCDEX.EXE" line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, and the CD- `ROM driver line in your CONFIG.SYS should have a parameter that `specifies the driver signature for your CD-ROM drive. The `signature specified in your CONFIG.SYS must be the same in your `AUTOEXEC.BAT. This signature is a parameter which reads "/D:" `followed by a label up to 8 characters long. This is normally `something along the lines of 'MSCD000'. `The line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT to load "MSCDEX.EXE" might read `something like this :- ` C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD000 `If this is the case, a corresponding line the CONFIG.SYS might `read as follows (although this greatly depends on what the driver `is called, where it is stored, and what options it supports) :- ` DEVICE=C:\CDROM\CDMIKE.SYS /D:MSCD000 ~Program 4 - "DOSKEY" `If you use DOS a lot and are a fairly slow typer, a very handy `utility is DOSKEY. This remembers the last 20 commands you have `entered at the DOS prompt, which you can then scroll through using `the cursor up and down arrows. This allows you to go back and run `a command you used minutes ago without having to type the command `again. What makes this even better is that it only uses 3K of `memory!!!!! `To load DOSKEY, simply add the following line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT `:- ` C:\DOS\DOSKEY.EXE ~Program 5 - "VSAFE" `As every computer user should know, the use of a virus checker is `essential unless you want to risk losing great amounts of `important data in a matter of minutes. What's even better is the `use of a memory-resident virus checker, which will sit 'silently;' `in your memory continuously checking your memory and your hard `disk for viral activity etc. `Well, have you ever heard of VSAFE? This is DOS's attempt at a `memory-resident virus-checker. This file is very small, easy to `use, and, as soon as it spots a virus wreaking havoc on your `system, it stops all activity and gives a great warning alarm. `You can then shut your system down, and load a virus killer to `kill the virus as soon as possible. `To load VSAFE is easy - simply add the following line to your `AUTOEXEC.BAT :- ` C:\DOS\VSAFE.EXE ~` * * * `Well, there you go folks, there it is. Hope this helps (along `with our guide in issue 39 on writing your CONFIG.SYS) you `understand the more complicated parts of the running of a PC, and `how to optimize performance.... ` ───────────────────────────────────────── ~` By: Simon Burrows -and- Alex Willmer ` ─────────────────────────────────────────