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1993-08-16
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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 provided
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. Novices should recall that DOS
version 5.0 contains features of all previous DOS versions, so
be sure to study prior DOS tutorials contained elsewhere in PC-
Learn.
TIP: Not sure what version of DOS you are using? At the DOS
prompt, just type the following command:
VER <then press enter/return key>
Changes and additions provided by DOS 5.0:
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.
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 3.1 applications and
large DOS applications such as spreadsheets and database
programs accelerate with access to this additional memory.
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.
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.
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.
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 on 80386 and 80486 computers.
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. When using a cache, frequently needed data
is stored in a fast RAM memory area rather than waiting for
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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