Welcome to Config/Autoexec Manager. You have selected the BEST multiple configuration manager in the world!! q
This program will allow you to effectively manage an unlimited number of AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS file combinations. It will load and/or execute the desired configuration into the root file directory and restart your system executing that configuration. CAM offers a wide variety of commands and selections in the new Object-Oriented Programming environment.
Help is not currently available.
Configuration Menu Options
Select
View
Active
Root
Config
Autoexec.Bat
Config.Sys
Register
Shell
Exit
Configuration
Select (Alt-E)
Select A Configuration
Opens the Available
Configurations dialog box and allows you to add, rename, execute, view active configurations, load configuration on boot drive, reboot your system, or edit the configuration with the editor. }
You can use the menu bar to select an existing configuration. The highlighted configuration is the selected configuration.
Available functions: M
New Load Active
Rename Reboot Edit
Execute
New/Rename Configuration
This dialog box contains information needed for each configuration. This information consists of a configuration description, filename, optional password, attribute, destination, and disk cache and flush command used by the configuration.
The attribute is the file attribute of the configuration files. The destination is where the configurations files will be copied, either the first or secondary boot drive.
Executing A Configuration
This option will load the configuration files in the root directory of the boot drive and reboot your system automatically.
Loading A Configuration
This option will copy the selected configuration files to the root directory of your system's boot drive. It option will not restart your system. It will only load the selected configuration files on the boot drive.
Rebooting/Restarting Your Computer
This option will reboot or restart your system using a cold or warm boot process designated in your CAM Setup.
A warm boot is faster because it bypasses the equipment check and RAM count that normally happens when your system is first powered on. A cold boot performs these tests just like powering on your system.
View Active Configuration
Displays the Active Configuration dialog box which contains the description of the Active and Copied Configurations. This allows you to see which configuration is currently in use by CAM.
You can close the dialog box by pressing the Ok button or clicking on the close icon of the box in the upper left corner of the dialog box.
Editing Selected Configuration Files
This option will open a small dialog box to choose either to edit the AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, or Both configuration files. After the selection is made, the editor is invoked allowing you to edit the desired files.
Configuration
View Active (Alt-V)
View Active Configuration
Displays the Active Configuration dialog box which contains the description of the Active and Copied Configurations. This allows you to see which configuration is currently in use by CAM.
You can close the dialog box by pressing the Ok button or clicking on the close icon of the box in the upper left corner of the dialog box.
Configuration
Root Config
View Root Configuration Sub-Menu
When selected, a sub-menu will drop down giving you two files to view. These files are the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files residing in the root directory of your boot drive. This selection will allow you to view these files to see what they currently contain.
Configuration
Root Config
AUTOEXEC.BAT
View Root AUTOEXEC.BAT File
When selected a window will open containing the root directory AUTOEXEC.BAT of your boot drive. This selection is allowed only for viewing the file.
To close the window, press the icon in the upper left of window frame or the Alt-F3 selection at the bottom of your screen on the status line. If your mouse is not active, then press the Alt-F3 keys simultaneously.
Configuration
Root Config
CONFIG.SYS
View Root CONFIG.SYS File
When selected a window will open containing the root directory CONFIG.SYS of your boot drive. This selection is allowed only for viewing the file.
To close the window, press the icon in the upper left of window frame or the Alt-F3 selection at the bottom of your screen on the status line. If your mouse is not active, then press the Alt-F3 keys simultaneously.
Configuration
Register
Register Config/Autoexec Manager Gold 3.0
This selection will open a series of windows for you to input the required information to complete and submit your application for registration. When selected, a Registration Information window will open and you will be prompted to complete your name, company name (if applicable), address, city, state, zip code, phone number (business or home), and country. You are to also select the type of registration, corporate or personal, your source of CAM and your source's phone number.
After this information is completed, a Registration Options window will open where you will select the quantity of your order. Simply use your mouse or your TAB key to select and input the quantity you will be registering. '
When you have given the required information for your registration application, the Registration Form will be created. You will have three selections: print your registration form, view your registration form, or save your registration information in a DOS file to be printed at a later time.
REMINDER!!!
This is only a shareware version, which is for a limited use of thirty days. If you continue to use this program beyond the given demonstration period, you will be required to register your copy, otherwise you will in violation of Federal copyright laws and applicable state laws.
Configuration
DOS Shell
Invoke DOS Shell
Selecting this option will allow you to exit to the DOS command prompt while keeping CAM running in memory. This will allow you to use DOS commands of your choice and provide a temporary access to DOS, if needed. r
To return to CAM, type EXIT at the DOS command prompt and CAM will continue to function at the place you left. ^
When you select this function, you are not exiting out of CAM permanently, just temporarily.
Configuration
Exit (Alt-X)
Exit to DOS
Selecting this function will allow you to exit from CAM and return to DOS. All CAM files will be closed and options will be saved. From this function, you will be completely exiting out of CAM and halting all CAM function.
System
System Menu Options
Directory
Environment
Time
Change
Change
Format
Date
Change
Change
Format
Information
CMOS
Values
Memory
Partition
System
Directory
View A Directory and/or File
When selecting this function, the View A File dialog box is opened. The dialog box contains an input line where you can input the file name you desire to view, the down arrow icon which contains a history list of previously viewed file names, a double column listbox containing a list of the files in the current directory or CAM directory.
The bottom two line of the dialog box will display information about the file that is highlighted by the menu bar. This information is the current directory path, file name, size, date, and time of the highlighted file in the double column list box.
There are three action buttons active in this dialog box: the Open, Cancel, and Help buttons. Pressing the Open button will open the highlighted file or the file named on the input line. This button is activated by pressing the Enter or Return key. The file that is listed in the input line or highlighted in the double column list box will be viewed. If the Cancel button or the Esc key is pressed, the View A File dialog box will be closed. When the Help button or the F1 key is pressed, the Help file for the View A File is displayed.
System
Environment
View DOS Environment
When this function is selected the View DOS Environment window is opened displaying the DOS environment variables. This information can contain information regarding the prompt, path, comspec statements and various set variables which are set for the active configuration.
This window is closed by pressing the icon in the upper left corner of the window, pressing the Alt-F3 selection on the bottom line of the screen, or pressing the Alt-F3 key combination.
System
Time
Time Options Sub-Menu
When this item is selected, the Time Options Sub-Menu is displayed. This menu will contain the selections for Changing Your System Time and Changing Time Format.
System
Time
Change Time
Change System Time
This selection will open the Change System Time dialog box. This dialog box contains the time format example and an input line containing the current time. 1
The Change System Time dialog box contains two action buttons, the Ok and Cancel. Pressing the Ok button or pressing the Enter key will set the current system time to the time dislayed on the input line. Pressing the Cancel button or Esc key will close the dialog box without changing the system time.
System
Time
Change Format
Change Time Display Format
This selection will allow you to change the time format displayed on the first line of the screen. You have the option of displaying the seconds or the am/pm indicator. You also have the option of changing the refresh rate or update rate of the clock on the screen.
System
Date
Date Options Sub-Menu
Selecting this option will open the Date Options Sub-Menu. This sub-menu contains two selections: changing system date and change date format. Each selection will open their independent dialog box to make the appropriate changes.
System
Date
Change Date
Change System Date
When the option is selected, the Change System Date dialog box will open. This dialog box contains the date input example format and an input line displaying the current system date. The system date can be entered in the input line and the system date can then be updated. Z
The Ok and Cancel action buttons are used to open and close the dialog box respectively.
System
Date
Change Format
Change Date Display Format
This selection will open the Change Date Format dialog box. You have the option to change the displayed date format to the American, Japanese, or European date formats and also can display the current day-of-the-week. Z
The Ok and Cancel action buttons are used to open and close the dialog box respectively.
System
Information
View System Information
This selection will open the System Information dialog box displaying various information about your system. This information will contain the CPU type, video type, system type, memory, mouse, and other information about the existing ports and operating system on your computer. N
This information is stored in the CAM directory in a file named SYSINFO.DAT.
This information can be compared to the information in the CMOS Information dialog box to determine the affect different configurations have on your system.
System
CMOS Values
View CMOS Information
This selection will display the information contained in your computer's CMOS setup. If your CPU is not at least a 80286, then this selection is deactivated because there is not a CMOS setup for 8086 and 8088 CPU types. K
This information is stored in the CAM directory in a file named CMOS.DAT.
This information can be compared to the information in the System Informaton dialog box to determine the affect different configurations have on your system.
System
Memory Map
View Memory Map
This selection will open the Viewing Memory Map window containing a listing of active programs in conventional memory. This information is particularly useful to see which programs are not in upper memory.
This information can be compared to the information in the System Informaton and CMOS Information dialog boxes to determine the affect different configurations have on your system.
System
HD Partition
View Hard Disk Partition Table
When this option is selected, the dialog box will display your partition table information on your hard disk. This information will contain the partition type, starting and ending tracks and sectors, relative and total number of sectors contained in each partition, and total number of bytes on your hard disk.
Setup
Setup Options Menu
This pull-down menu contains the CAM Options and Mouse Options Selections.
See: Options, Mouse
Setup
Options
Change CAM Setup Options
This selection will open the Change Setup Options dialog box. This dialog box contains the information that you specify for CAM to operate. This information consists of the primary and secondary boot drives, the CAM default directory, reboot options, root configuration file attribute settings, and your generic AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS configuration path and file names.
Setup
Mouse
Change Mouse Settings
This selection will open the Mouse Options dialog box where you can set the speed of your mouse, and reverse your mouse buttons for right or left handed mouse users. If no mouse is present, then this selection is deactivated and cannot be used.
Files
CAM Text Files Menu
This pull-down menu contains the following selections:
See: License, Readme, History
Files
License
View CAM License Agreement
This selection will allow you to view the LICENSE file included with this version of CAM. This document contains the License Agreement that you and Scott Miller agree to by using this program.
Files
Readme
View CAM Readme
This selection will allow you to view the README file included with this version of CAM. This document reflects the last minute changes in CAM and certain helpful hints about CAM.
Files
History
View CAM History
This selection will allow you to view the HISTORY file of CAM. This document gives you a brief overview about the development of CAM.
Window (Alt-W)
Window Management Menu
The Window menu contains commands to close, move and perform other window-management commands.
Most of the windows in this program have all the standard window elements, including scroll bars, a close box, and zoom icons. >
For more about windows and their elements, refer to windows. :
Window-management commands
Size/Move Cascade
Next Zoom
Previous Close
Tile
Window
Size/Move
Choose this command to change the size or position of the active window.
Size
If you press Shift while you use the arrow keys, you can change the size of the active window. Once you've adjusted its size or position, press Enter. Q
If a window has a Resize corner, you can drag that corner to resize the window.
Move
When you choose Window
Size/Move, the active window moves in response to the arrow keys. Once you've moved the window to where you want it, press Enter. F
You can also move a window by dragging its title bar with the mouse.
Window
Choose Next to cycle forwards through the windows on the desktop.
Window
Previous
Choose Previous to cycle backwards through the windows on the desktop.
Window
Tile
Choose Window
Tile to tile all file viewers on the desktop. L
Tiled Windows
Window
Cascade
Choose Window
Cascade to stack all file viewers on the desktop. A
Cascaded Windows
Window
Zoom
Choose Zoom to resize the active window to the maximum size. If the window is already zoomed, you can choose this command to restore it to its previous size. {
You can also double-click anywhere on the window's title bar (except where an icon appears) to zoom or unzoom the window.
Window
Close
Choose Close to close the active window.
You can also click the Close box in the upper right corner to close a window.
CAM Help Options Menu
This pull-down menu contains the following selections.
See: Contents, Index, About
Contents
Editor
Commands
Commands
Config/Autoexec
Manager
Ordering
Information
Commands
AUTOEXEC
Commands
CONFIG
Commands
CAM Commands
Configuration Menu Commands
Select
View
Active
Active
Copied
Root
Config
Autoexec.Bat
Config.Sys
Register
Registration
Options
DOS
Shell
Exit
Available Configurations
Dialog Box Commands
Available
Configurations
New
Load
Active
Rename
Reboot
Edit
Execute
Available Configurations Command Buttons
New
Load
Rename
Reboot
Delete
Edit
Execute
Cancel
Active
System Menu Commands
Directory
Environment
Time
Change
Change
Format
Date
Change
Change
Format
Information
CMOS
Values
Memory
HD
Partition
Options Menu Commands
Options
Mouse
Mouse
Options
Text Files Menu Commands
License
Readme
History
Window Movement Commands
Size/Move
Cascade
Next
Zoom
Previous
Close
Tile
Help Menu Commands
Index
About
AUTOEXEC.BAT Commands
CALL
ECHO
FOR
GOTO
IF
PAUSE
REM
SHIFT
DOS Commands
APPEND
COMMAND
DATE
DIRCMD
DOSKEY
LOADHIGH
MEM\DEBUG
MODE
PATH
PROMPT
SET
SUBST
TIME
MISC Commands
AUTOEXEC.BAT
COMSPEC
CONFIG.SYS
CONFIG.SYS
Commands
CONFIG.SYS Commands
BREAK
BUFFERS
COUNTRY
DEVICE
DEVICEHIGH
DOS
DRIVPARM
FCBS
FILES
HMA
INSTALL
LASTDRIVE
SHELL
STACKS
SWITCHES
HELP Index
CAM Commands
Configuration Menu Commands
Select
View
Active
Active
Copied
Root
Config
Autoexec.Bat
Config.Sys
Register
Registration
Options
DOS
Shell
Exit
Available Configurations
Dialog Box Commands
Available
Configurations
New
Load
Active
Rename
Reboot
Edit
Execute
Available Configurations Command Buttons
New
Load
Rename
Reboot
Delete
Edit
Execute
Cancel
Active
System Menu Commands
Directory
Environment
Time
Change
Change
Format
Date
Change
Change
Format
Information
CMOS
Values
Memory
HD
Partition
Options Menu Commands
Options
Mouse
Mouse
Options
Text Files Menu Commands
License
Readme
History
Window Movement Commands
Size/Move
Cascade
Next
Zoom
Previous
Close
Tile
Help Menu Commands
Contents
About
AUTOEXEC.BAT Commands
CALL
ECHO
FOR
GOTO
IF
PAUSE
REM
SHIFT
Command Types
BATCH
Config.Sys
DOS
External
Internal
Network
CONFIG.SYS Commands
BREAK
BUFFERS
COUNTRY
DEVICE
DEVICEHIGH
DOS
DRIVPARM
FCBS
FILES
HMA
INSTALL
LASTDRIVE
SHELL
STACKS
SWITCHES
Device Drivers
ANSI.SYS
device
driver
DISPLAY.SYS
DRIVER.SYS
EGA.SYS
EMM386.EXE
EMM386.SYS
HIMEM.SYS
PRINTER.SYS
RAMDRIVE.SYS
SMARTDRV.SYS
DOS Commands
APPEND
COMMAND
DATE
DIRCMD
DOSKEY
LOADHIGH
MEM\DEBUG
MODE
PATH
PROMPT
SET
SUBST
TIME
MISC Commands
AUTOEXEC.BAT
COMSPEC
CONFIG.SYS
CONFIG.SYS
Commands
Help
About
View Program Information
This selection will open a dialog box describing the program name, version number and author's name.
Available Configurations Dialog
This dialog box displays a listbox containing the available configurations that you can select. If there are more configurations than are displayed, then you can use the up or down arrow keys to move the highlighted bar over the configuration description you would like to use. The mouse cursor can be placed over the up or down arrow indicators to move the highlighted bar over the configuration description you want to use. @
The following command buttons are displayed in the dialog box: Y
New Load
Rename Reboot
Delete Edit
Execute Cancel
Active
New
Adding A New Configuration
Pressing this button allows you to define a new configuration. After a new configuration is created, it is then added to the available configurations list.
Rename
Pressing this button allows you to edit or rename the highlighted configuration from the available configurations list.
You are able to rename the description, filename, password, and disk cache filename and flush buffer commands. After editing, the new values are retained.
Delete
Deleting A Configuration
Pressing this button allows you to delete the highlighted configuration from the Available Configurations list. This function will delete all information pertaining to that configuration. You have the option to delete the files associated with the configuration you have selected for deletion.
Execute
Execute Selected Configuration
Selecting this option will copy the highlighted or selected configuration to the root drive directory and will reboot the computer.
Active
Viewing Active/Loaded Configuration
Pressing this button will open the Active Configuration dialog box. This dialog box contains the description of the Active and Loaded configurations that are in use by your system.
Load
Load Selected Configuration
This option will allow you to load or copy the highlighted or selected configuration files to the root directory of the boot drive. C
This selection will only copy the files, not reboot the computer.
Reboot
Reboot Computer
The selection will reboot the computer using the selected boot option designated in the CAM Setup options dialog box.
Edit
Edit Selected Configuration File(s)
This selection will open a dialog box to choose which file(s) to edit of the highlighted or selected configuration. You have the option to edit either the AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, or both configuration files.
Cancel
Exiting from Avialable Configurations
Pressing this button will allow you to exit the Avialable Configurations dialog box.
Registration Dialog Box
The dialog box prompts the user for required registration information, such as the user's name, address, phone, registration type, and source name and phone number. This information is required to complete the online registration form.
After this information is obtained from the user, the Registration
Options dialog box is opened to finalize the registration process.
Once the required information has been completed, then the registration form will be printed out and mailed to address indicated on the registration form for processing along with appropriate registration fee.
Registration Form Storage Options
The dialog box contains a selection list to either print out your registration form or save the registration form as a disk file. If you save your form as a disk file, the file will be named REGISTER.FRM. This file can be printed at a later date.
View CMOS Values
This dialog box contains your system's CMOS data values. This information consists of type of floppy disks and hard disks, total random access memory or RAM, video type, math coprocessor (if installed), and various checksums or configuration checks to determine if your CMOS battery, hard disk controller, and configured memory is correct. E
This dialog box can be closed by pressing the Ok or Cancel buttons.
Change Date
This option will allow you to change your system's current date setting.
Change Date Format
This option will allow you to change the date display format on the top left corner of your screen. The day of the week can be added to the date displayed.
View System Information
This dialog box contains specific information about your system. This information ranges from your machine type, BIOS date, math coprocessor, video type, mouse type, floppy and hard disk size and capacity, extended/expanded memory, bus type, number of serial, parallel, and game ports, keyboard type, and operating system. E
This dialog box can be closed by pressing the Ok or Cancel buttons.
View Hard Disk Partition Table
This dialog box contains the hard drive partition table data for the current hard drive in use. This information consists of Partition ID, bootability, starting and ending side, sector, and track number, relative number of sectors, total number of sectors the partition occupies. A total disk space in bytes is displayed below the table. E
This dialog box can be closed by pressing the Ok or Cancel buttons.
Change Time
This option allows you to change your current system time.
Change Time Format
This option will allow you to change the display time format in the upper right corner of your screen. The time can be displayed as regular (AM, PM), or as military time, with the option of displaying the seconds.
Input Configuration Password
This option will allow you enter a password for a given configuration. If the password is not correct, then the selected configuration will not be executed.
Configuration File Error
Configuration Files Do Not Match. Take the appropriate corrective action.
Deleting Configuration Description and/or Files
This dialog box will allow you to delete the selected configuration description and disk files associated with the configuration.
Save Registration Form types
Viewing A Text File
This option will allow you to view the selected file from the file selection dialog box.
Changing System Time
Changing System Date
Options
Mouse
The Mouse command brings up the Mouse
Options dialog box, where you can set various options that control how your mouse works, including: R
how fast a double-click is
which mouse button (right or left) is
active
Mouse Options
Active Configuration
The configuration which is active in memory, i.e., the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS file combination that have been loaded into memory since the last restart of your system.
Copied Configuration
The configuration, AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS file combination, that has been copied to the root directory of your boot drive by CAM.
This configuration may or may not be active in memory. If the descriptions for the Active and Copied configurations are the same, then the copied configuration will have been activated. Otherwise, the Copied configuration is not activated until the computer is restarted or rebooted.
Command Type: DOS
DOS commands are basic instructions provided with DOS.
Command Type: Batch
Batch commands are internal commands that you can use to direct how a batch program runs.
Command Type: Config.Sys
CONFIG.SYS commands are commands that you can use to customize your system. These commands are useful for such tasks as installing device drivers, setting limits on files and buffers, and carrying out DOS commands during CONFIG.SYS processing.
Command Type: Internal
Internal commands are stored in the COMMAND.COM file, which is loaded into memory when you start your system. They include the simpler, more commonly used commands you need on a regular basis. Because internal commands are a part of COMMAND.COM, you never see their names in a directory listing. These commands remain resident in memory and are available to you at all times.
Command Type: External
External commands exist as separate files on your disk. When you use the DIR command to view the files on your DOS system disk, you see the external commands in the list of filenames and directory names. The filename of an external command has a .COM, .EXE, or .BAT extension.
External commands sometimes perform in ways similar to programs. For that reason, some users may refer to them as utilities.
Command Type: Network
Not all DOS commands are designed to be used on a network. If this command type is designated on the Command Type line, then you can use the command on a network.
Device Driver
Hardware that you use to communicate with your computer is called a device. Devices such as a keyboard and mouse provide your computer with necessary information (input). Other devices, such as a monitor or printer, receive information from your computer (output). Each device has its own characteristics that can be customized.
For every device, there is a program that DOS uses to control it. Such a program is called a device driver. For example, DOS uses a device driver to control how information is read to and from a floppy disk drive. DOS has built-in device drivers for your keyboard, monitor, hard and floppy disk drives, and ports. DOS includes other device drivers that are installable. Installable device drivers are stored on disk. When you want to use an installable device driver, DOS installs it by transferring it from disk to memory.
When DOS starts, it looks for the CONFIG.SYS file, which specifies devices to install and which installable device drivers to use.
Defines functions that change display graphics, control cursor, movement, and reassign keys. The ANSI.SYS device driver supports the use of ANSI escape sequences to control your system's screen and keyboard. An ANSI escape sequence is a sequence of ASCII characters, the first two of which are the escape character (1Bh) and the left-bracket character (5Bh). The character or characters following the escape and left-bracket characters specify an alphanumeric code that controls a keyboard or display function. Case is significant for all characters you use in ANSI escape sequences. For more information on ANSI escape sequences, refer to your DOS manual.
Parameter
[drive:][path]
Specifies the location of the ANSI.SYS file.
Switches
Remaps extended keys independently on 101-key keyboards.
Specifies the display adapter in use. The only valid value is EGA. The EGA value supports both EGA and VGA display adapters. If you omit the type parameter, DISPLAY.SYS checks the hardware to determine which display adapter is in use. You can also specify EGA or MONO as values for type, but they have no effect because code-page switching is not enabled for these devices.
hwcp
Specifies the number of the code path that your hardware supports. The following list shows the code pages that DOS supports and the country or language for each:
437 United States
850 Mulitlingual (Latin I)
852 Slavic (Latin II)
860 Portuguese
863 Canadian-French
865 Nordic
Specifies the number of code pages the hardware can support in addition to the primary code page specified for the hwcp parameter. Valid values for n are in the range 0 through 6. This value depends on your hardware. For EGA display adapters, the maximum value for n is 6.
Specifies the number of subfonts the hardware supports for each code page. The default value is 2 if type is EGA. D
For more information about DISPLAY.SYS, refer to your DOS manual.
Creates a logical drive that you can use to refer to a physical floppy disk drive.
A logical drive is a pointer to a physical disk drive in your system. The logical drive is associated with a drive letter (for example, A or B). You can specify parameters to describe the disk drive to DOS.
Parameter
[drive:][path]
Specifies the location of the DRIVER.SYS file.
Switches
/d:number
Specifies the number of the physical floppy disk drive. Valid values for number are in the range 9 through 127. The first physical floppy disk drive (drive A) is drive 0; a second physical floppy disk drive is drive 1; a third physical floppy disk drive, which must be external, is 2. For a computer with one floppy disk drive, both drives A and B are numbered 0; for a computer with multiple floppy disk drives, drive B is numbered 1.
Specifies that the physical disk drive can detect whether the drive door is closed (change-line support).
/f:factor
Specifies the type of disk drive. Valid values for factor are as follows:
0 160K/180K ro 320K/360K
1 1.2 megabyte (MB)
2 720K (3.5 inch disk) or other
7 1.44 MB (3.5 inch disk)
9 2.88 MB (3.5 inch disk)
The default value for factor is 2. .
Generally, if you use the /f switch, you can omit the /h, /s, and /t switches. Check the default values for these switches to make sure they are correct for the type of disk drive you are using. To determine the appropriate values for the disk drive, see the disk-drive manufacturer's doeumentation. H
If you specify the /h, /s, and /t switchs, you can omit the /f switch.
/h:heads
Specifies the number of heads in the disk drive. Valid values for heads are in the range 1 through 99. The default value is 2. To determine the correct value for your disk drive, see the disk-drive manufacturer's documentation.
/s:sectors
Specifies teh number of sectors per track. Valid values for sectors are in the range 1 through 99. The default value depends on the value of /f:factor, as follows: G
/s:9 /f:0
/s:15 /f:1
/s:9 /f:2
/s:18 /f:7
/s:36 /f:9
To determine the correct value for your disk drive, see the disk-drive manufacturer's documentation.
/t:tracks
Specifies the number of tracks per side on the block device. Valid values for tracks are in the range 1 through 999. The default value is 80, unless /f:factor is 0, in which case the default value is 40. To determine the correct value for your disk drive, see the disk-drive manufacturer's documentation. B
For more information about DRIVER.SYS, refer to your DOS manual.
EGA.SYS Syntax: DEVICE=[drive:][path]EGA.SYS
Saves and restores the display when Task Swapper is used with EGA monitors. If you have an EGA monitor, you must install the EGA.SYS device driver before using Task Swapper.
Parameter
[drive:][path]
Specifies the location of the EGA.SYS file.
NOTE:
If you are using a mouse on a system that has an EGA monitor, you can save memory by installing EGA.SYS before you install your mouse driver. O
For more information about EGA.SYS or Task Swapper, refer to your DOS manual.
EMM386.SYS or EMM386.EXE
Syntax: EMM386 [on|off|auto] [w=on|w=off]
Enables or disables EMM386 expanded-memory support on a computer with an 80386 or higher processor. \
To display the current status of EMM386 expanded-memory support, use the following syntax:
EMM386
Parameters
on|off|auto
Activates the EMM386.EXE device driver (if set to on), or suspends the EMM386.EXE device driver (if set to off), or places the EMM386.EXE device driver in auto mode (if set to auto). Auto mode enables expanded memory support only when a program calls for it. The default value is on.
w-on|w=off
Enables or disables Weitek coprocessor support. The default value is w=off. 6
NOTES:
1) Installing The EMM386.EXE Device Driver
You must use the DEVICE command to install the EMM386.EXE device driver before you can use the EMM386 command. To use the EMM386.EXE device driver and the EMM386 command, your computer must have an 80386 or higher processor. If you try to use the EMM386 command on a computer that does not have an 80386 or higher processor, DOS displays the following message:
EMM386 driver not installed
2) Reactivating EMMM386 Expanded-Memory Support
If EMM386.EXE was loaded when DOS started but is not currently in use, the on parameter reactivates expanded-memory support. /
3) Suspending EMM386 Expanded-Memory Support
If EMM386 expanded-memory support is currently active, handle 0 is the only handle allocated, and EMM386.EXE is not providing access to the upper memory area, then the off parameter suspends EMM386 expanded-memory support. When EMM386 expanded-memory support is off, the Lotus/Intel/Microsoft Expanded Memory Specification (LIM EMS) header is changed so that programs cannot use expanded memory. 7
4) Enabling And Disabling Weitek Coprocessor Support
If the w=on parameter is specified and the off parameter (different from the w=off parameter) is not, EMM386 enables Weitek coprocessor support. The high memory area (HMA) must be available to enable Weitek coprocessor support.
If you specify the w=on or w=off parameter and no Weitek coprocessor is installed in your computer system, DOS displays the following error message: #
HIMEM.SYS manages programs' use of extended memory and of the high memory area (HMA). This prevents programs from simultaneously using the same area of memory. You install the HIMEM.SYS device driver by adding a DEVICE command for it in your CONFIG.SYS file. The DEVICE command for HIMEM.SYS must precede any DEVICE commands for programs or device drivers that use extended memory (such as SMARTDRV.SYS, RAMDRIVE.SYS, and EMM386.EXE).
Parameter
[drive:][path]
Specifies the location of the HIMEM.SYS file.
Switches
/hmamin=m
Specifies the amount of memory (in kilobytes) a program must use before HIMEM.SYS permits the program to use the high memory area. Valid values for m are in the range 0 through 63. The default value is 0.
/numhandles=n
Specifies teh maximum number of extended memory-block (EMB) handles that can be used simultaneously. Valid values for n are in the range 1 through 128. The default value is 32. Each additional handle requires an additional 6 bytes of resident memory.
/int15=xxxx
Allocates the specified amount of extended memory (in kilobytes) for Interrupt 15h interface. Some older programs use a conflicting extended-memory scheme. To use memory allocated by this switch, programs must recognize VDIsk headers. To ensure enough memory is available, add 64 to the value you want to specify for xxxx. Valid values for xxxx are in the range 64 through 65535. If you specify a value less than 64, the value becomes 0. The default value is 0.
/machine:xxxx
Specifies teh A20 handler to be used. An A20 handler is a part of your computer that gives it access to the high memory area. The xxxx value can be any of the following codes or their equivalent numbers: ;
Code Number A20 Handler
---- ------ -----------
at 1 IBM AT
ps2 2 IBM PS/2
pt1cascade 3 Phoenix Cascade BIOS
hpvectra 4 HP Vectra (A and A+)
att6300plus 5 AT&T 6300 Plus
PRINTER.SYS
Supports code-page switching for the parallel ports PRN, LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3. See your DOS manual for details on code-page switching. D
Specifies the number of the parallel port for which you want to support code- page switching.
type
Specifies the printer in use. The following list shows valid values for type and the printers represented by each value:
4201 IBM Proprinters II and III Model 4201
IBM Proprinters II and III XL Model 4202
4208 IBM Proprinter X24E Model 4207
IBM Proprinter XL24E Model 4208
5202 IBM Quietwriter III Model 5202
4019 IBM LaserPrinter Model 4019
hwep
Specifies the code page your hardware supports. The following list shows the code pages that DOS supports and the country or language for each: ~
437 United States
850 Multilingual (Latin I)
852 Slavic (Latin II)
860 Portuguese
863 Canadian-French
865 Nordic
Specifies the number of code pages your hardware can support in addition to the code page specified in the hwep parameter.
EXAMPLES
The following command loads the PRINTER.SYS device driver for use with the IBM Proprinter X24E Mdoel 4207, loads code page 850, and prepares PRINTER.SYS to support two additional code pages: 1
DEVICE=C:\DOS\PRINTER.SYS LPT1:=(4208,850,2)
RAMDRIVE.SYS
Creates a FAM disk in your systems's random-access memory (RAM) to simulate a hard disk drive. RAM disks are much faster than hard disks because the information they containis always loaded into memory. RAM disks are temporary- any data you place on a RAM disk is lost when you turn off your computer. You can set up as many RAM disks as you want, limited only by the amount of memory your computer has. To do this, add one RAMDRIVE.SYS line to your CONFIG.SYS file for each additional RAM disk.
Specifies the size (in kilobytes) of the RAM disk. Valid values for disksize are in the range 4 through 31744. The default value is 64.
sectorsize
Specifies the disk sector size (in bytes). Valid values for sectorsize are 128, 256, and 512. The default value is 512. If you include a value for the sectorsize parameter, you must also include a value for the disksize parameter. Although you can change the sectorsize value, the default value is strongly recommended.
numentries
Specifies the number of files and directories you can create in the RAM disk's root directory. Valid values for numentries are in the range 2 through 1024. The default value is 64. If you include a value for the numentries parameter, you must also include values for the disksize and sectorsize parameters.
Switches
Creates the RAM disk in extended memory instead of in expanded or conventional memory.
Creates the RAM disk in expanded memory instead of in extended or conventional memory.
EXAMPLES
To create a RAM disk in extended memory and allocate 64K (the default amount) of extended memory to RAMDRIVE.SYS, add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file:
DEVICE=RAMDRIVE.SYS /e
Since no location is specified, DOS searches for RAMDRIVE.SYS in the root directory of your startup drive.
Suppose you want to install RAMDRIVE.SYS in expanded memory and allocate 4MB (4096K) of expanded memory to the RAM disk. To do this and to specify that RAMDRIVE.SYS is located in the DOS directory on drive C, add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file: %
DEVICE=C:\DOS\RAMDRIVE.SYS 4096 /e
For more information on RAMDRIVE.SYS, consult your DOS manual.
SMARTDRV.SYS
Creates a disk cache in extended or expanded memory.
A disk cache can significantly speed up DOS disk operations. You can control the size of the SMARTDRV.SYS memory cache, and you can set up the disk cache in expanded or extended memory. P
Specifies the initial size (in kilobytes) of the memory cache. Valid values for initcachesize are in the range 128 through 8192. The default value is 256.
mincachesize
Specifies a minimum cache size (in kilobyes). Some programs can reduce the cache size. If you don't specify a value, there is no minimum cache size (that is, a program can reduce the cache size to zero). This parameter is useful only if you are running Windows v3.0 or later. For more information, see the Microsoft Windows User's Guide.
Switch
Specifies that you want SMARTDRV.SYS to put the disk cache in expanded memory. If you omit this switch, SMARTDRV.SYS puts the cache in extended memory.
EXAMPLES
To create a disk cache in extended memory and set a cache size of 256K (the default size), add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file:
DEVICE=SMARTDRV.SYS
Since no location is specified, DOS searches for SMARTDRV.SYS in the root directory of your startup drive. :
Suppose you want to create a disk cache in extended meory, allocate a cache size of 2048K, and ensure that programs cannot reduce the size of the cache to less than 1024K. To do this and to specify that SMARTDRV.SYS is located in the DOS directory on drive C, add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file: '
DEVICE=C:\DOS\SMARTDRV.SYS 2048 1024
NOTE: This information on SMARTDRV.SYS is meant to give you a brief explanation of the use of SMARTDRV.SYS. For more information, see your DOS manual or Microsoft Windows User's Guide.
PAUSE Syntax: PAUSE
Suspends processing of a batch program and displays a message prompting the user to press any key to continue.
Command Type: BATCH, Internal
NOTES:
1) Prompting the user to continue the program
DOS displays the following message in response to the PAUSE command:
Press any key to continue...
2) Dividing a batch file into sections
If you press Ctrl-C to stop a batch program, DOS displays the following message:
Terminate batch job (Y/N)?
If you press Y (for Yes) in response to this message, the batch program ends and control returns to the operating system. Therefore, you can insert the PAUSE command before a section of the batch file you may not want to process. While PAUSE suspends processing of the batch program, you can press Ctrl-C and then Y to stop the batch program.
EXAMPLE
Suppose you want a batch program to prompt the user to change disks in one of the drives. To do this, you might create the following batch file: \
@echo off
.begin
copy a:*.*
echo Please put a new disk into drive A
pause
goto begin
In this example, all the files on the disk in drive A are copied to the current directory. After the displayed comment prompts you to place another disk in drive A, the PAUSE command suspends processing so that you can change disks and then press any key to resume processing. This particular batch program runs in an endless loop. The GOTO BEGIN command sends the command interpreter to the BEGIN label of the batch fiel. To stop this batch program, press Ctrl-C and then Y.
SUBST Syntax: SUBST [drive1: [drive2:]path]
-or-
SUBST drive1: /d
Associates a path with a drive letter.
The drive letter you assign represents a virtual drive, because you can use the drive letter in commands as if it represented a physical drive.
Command Type: DOS, External
To display the names of the virtual drives in effect, use the following syntax:
SUBST
Paramters
drive1:
Specifies the virtual drive to which you want to assign a path.
drive2:
Specifies the physical drive that contains the specified path (if different from the current drive).
path
Specifies the path that you want to assign to a virtual drive.
Switches
Deletes a virtual drive. .
NOTES:
1) Using other commands with SUBST
The following commands do not work, or should not be used, on drives used in the SUBST command: ASSIGN, BACKUP, CHKDSK, DISKCOMP, DISKCOPY, FDISK, FORMAT, LABEL, MIRROR, RECOVER, RESTORE, and SYS.
For more information on these commands, see your DOS manual.
Examples
The following command creates a virtual drive Z for the path B:\USER\BETTY\FORMS: $
Enables programs to open data files in specified directories as if these files were in the current directory.
The specified directories are called appended directories because, for the sake of opening data files, they can be found as if they were appended to the current directory. H
To display the list of appended directories, use the following syntax:
APPEND
To cancel the existing list of appended directories, use the following syntax:
APPEND ;
Command Type: DOS, External, Network
Parameters
[drive:]path
Specifies the drive (if other than the current dirve) and directory that you want to append to the current directory. You can specify multiple entries of [drive:]path, seperating the entries with semicolons.
When used by itself (APPEND ;), cancels the existing list of appended directories.
Switches
/x[:on|:off]
Specifies whether DOS is to search appended directories when executing programs. If you use the /x:on switch, the program does search appended directories. If you use the /x:off switch, the program does not search appended directories. You can abbreviate /x:on to /x. If you want to specify x:on, you must do it the first time you use APPEND after starting your system. After that, you can switch between x:on and x:off.
/path:on|/path:off
Specifies whether a program is to search appended directories for a data file when a path is already included with the name of the file the program is looking for. The default setting is /path:on.
Assigns the list of appended directories to an environment variable named APPEND. This switch cna be used only the first time you use APPEND after starting your system. If you use /e, you can use the SET command to display the list of appended directories. For information about environment variables, see SET.
Example
To allow programs to open data files in a directory named LETTERS on the disk in drive B and in a directory named REPORTS on the disk in drive A as if the files were in the current directory, type the following command:
APPEND B:\LETTERS;A:\REPORTS
To append the same directories and keep a copy of the list of appended directories in the DOS environment, type the following commands: *
APPEND /e
APPEND B:\LETTERS;A:\REPORTS
These must be te first APPEND commands you use after starting your system. M
For information about setting a search path for executable files, see PATH
COMSPEC
An environmental variable that contains the location of the DOS COMMAND.COM file.
Starts a new instance of the DOS command interpreter, COMMAND.COM.
A command interpreter is a program that displays the command prompt at which you type commands. Use the EXIT command to stop the new commnad interpreter and return control to the old one. .
Specifies where the command interpreter is to look for the COMMAND.COM file when the transient part of the program needs to be reloaded. This parameter must be included if COMMAND.COM is not located in the root directory. This parameter is used to set the COMSPEC environment variable.
device
Specifies a different device for command input and output. For more information, see your DOS manual.
[dos-drive:]dos-path
Specifies the location of COMMAND.COM.
Switches
/e:nnnnn
Specifies the environment size, where nnnnn is the size in bytes. The value of nnnnn must be in the range 160 through 32768. DOS rounds this number up to a multiple of 16 bytes. The default value is 256.
Should be used only when COMMAND is used with the SHELL command in the CONFIG.SYS file. The /p switch makes the new copy of the command interpreter permanent. In this case, the EXIT command cannot be used to stop the command interpreter. If you specify /p, DOS runs your AUTOEXEC.BAT batch program when it carries out the corresponding SHELL command.
/c string
Specifies that the command interpreter is to perform the command specified by string and then stop.
/msg
Specifies that all error messages should be stored in memory. Usually, some messages are stored only on disk. This switch is useful only if you are running DOS from floppy disks. You must specify the /p switch when you are using the /msg switch.
Examples
The following command specifies that the DOS command interpreter is to start a new command interpreter from the current program, run a batch program named MYBAT.BAT, and then return to the first command interpreter:
COMMAND /c MYBAT.BAT
The following command specifies that COMMAND.COM is located in the DOS directory on drive C:
C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM /e:1024
Since the full path for COMMAND is specified, DOS sets the COMSPEC environmental variable to C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM. This command also creates an environment of 1024 bytes for this command interpreter.
Related Commands: SHELL
DIR Syntax: DIR [drive:][path][filename] [/p] [/w]
Displays a list of a directory's files and subdirectories. p
When you use DIR without parameters or switches, it displays the disk's volume label and serial number; one directory or filename per line, including the filename extension, the file size in bytes, and the date and time the file was last modified; and the total number of files listed; their cumulative size, and the free space (in bytes) remaining on the disk. '
Command Type: DOS, Internal, Network
Parameters
[drive:][path]
Specifies the drive and directory for which you want to see a listing.
[filename]
Specifies a particular file or group of files for which you want to see a listing.
Switches
Displays one screen of te listing at a time. To see the next screen, press any key.
Displays the listing in a wide format, with as many as five filenames or directory names on each line.
/a[[:]attributes]
Displays only the names of those directories and files with the attributes you specify. If you omit this switch, DIR displays the names of all files except hidden and system files. If you use this switch without specifying attributes, DIR displays the names of all files, including hidden and system files. The following list describes each of the values you can use for attributes. The colon (:) is optional. Use any combination of these values, and do not seperate the values with spaces: 0
h hidden files
-h files that are not hidden
s system files
-s files other than system files
d directories
-d files only (not directories)
a files ready for archiving (backup)
-a files that have not changed since the last backup
r read-only files
-r files that are not read-only
/o[[:]sortorder]
Controls the order in which DIR sorts and displays directory names and filenames. If you omit this switch, DIR displays the names in the order in which they occur in the directory. If you use this switch without specifying sortorder, DIR displays the names of the directories, sorted in alphabetic order. The colon (:) is optional. The following list describes each of the values you can use for sortorder. Use any combination of the values, and do not seperate these values with spaces:
n in alphabetic order by name
-n in reverse alphabetic order by name (z through a)
e in alphabetic order by extension
-e in reverse alphabetic order by extension (z through a)
d by date and time, earliest first
-d by date and time, latest first
s by size, smallest first
-s by size, largest first
g with directories grouped before files
-g with directories grouped after files
Lists every occurrence, in the specified directory and all subdirectories, of the specified filename.
Lists each directory name or filename, one per line (including the filename extension). This switch displays no heading information and no summary. The /b switch overrides the /w switch.
Displays unsorted directory names and filenames in lowercase. This switch does not convert extended characters to lowercase.
Examples
Suppose you want DIR to display one directory listing after another, until it has displayed the listing for every directory on the disk in the current drive. Suppose also that you want DIR to alphabetize each directory listing, display it in wide format, and pause after each screen. To specify such a display, be sure the root directory is the current directory and then type the following command:
DIR /S/W/O/P
For more information, see your DOS manual.
MEM Syntax: MEM [/program|/debug|/classify]
Displays the amount of used and free memory in your system.
You can use the MEM command to display information about allocated memory areas, free memory areas, and programs that are currently loaded into memory. Y
To display the status of your system's used and free memory, use the following syntax:
Command Type: DOS, External, Network
Switches
/program or /p
Displays the status of programs that are currently loaded into memory. You cannot use the /program switch with the /debug switch or the /classify switch. You can abbreviate /program as /p.
/debug or /d
Displays the status of currently loaded programs and of internal drivers, and displays other programming information. You cannot use the /debug switch with the /program or /classify switches. You can abbreviate /debug as /d.
/classify or /c
Displays the status of programs loaded into conventional memory and upper memory area. This switch lists the size of each program in decimal and hexadecimal notation, provides a summary of memory use, and lists the largest memory blocks that are available. You cannot use the /classify switch with /program or /debug switches. You can abbreviate /classify as /c.
Example
Suppose your system has both expanded and extended memory. To display the status of your system's total memory - conventional, expanded, extended - and to display a list of programs currently loaded into memory, type the following command:
Loading a program into the upper memory area leaves more room in conventional memory for other programs. '
Command Type: DOS, Internal, Network
Parameters
[drive:][path]filename
Specifies the location and name of the program you want to load.
parameters
Specifies any command-line information required by the program. &
NOTES:
1) DOS=UMB command required
To use the LOADHIGH command, you must include the DOS=UMB command in your CONFIG.SYS file. ,
For more information, see your DOS manual.
HMA or High Memory Area
The high memory area consists of a section of your computer's random access memory (RAM) from 640K to 1024K. This section of memory is mostly controlled by DOS, but there are free areas in which programs can be placed to run.
AUTOEXEC.BAT
A startup procedure is one or more commands that DOS carries out each time you start you system. These commands set the characteristics of your devices, customize information that DOS displays, and start batch programs and other programs.
DOS comes with a startup procedure that is defined in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. This file is located in the root directory of your startup disk or boot drive. Each time you start your system, DOS carries out the commands stored in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
This file can be modified using a text editor that saves files as unformatted ASCII text. You can run the AUTOEXEC.BAT file without restarting your system by typing AUTOEXEC at the command prompt.
See also:
AUTOEXEC.BAT
Commands
Most Common AUTOEXEC.BAT Commands
Every command in an AUTOEXEC.BAT file can be used in other batch programs. The following are the most common AUTOEXEC.BAT commands: a
Calls one batch program from another without causing the parent batch program to stop.
Command Type: Batch, Internal
Parameters
[drive:][path]filename
Specifies the location and name of the batch program you want to call. Filename must have a .BAT extension.
batch-parameters
Specifies any command-line information required by the batch program.
Example
To run the CHECKNEW.BAT program from another batch program, include the following command in the parent batch program:
CALL CHECKNEW
For more information, see your DOS manual.
DATE Syntax: DATE [mm-dd-yy]
Displays the date or allows you to change the date from your terminal or from a batch program. }
DOS records the current date for each file you create or change; this date is listed next to the filename in the directory. &
Command Type: DOS, Internal, Network X
Parameter mm-dd-yy Sets the date you specify. Values for day, month, and year must be seperated by periods (.), hyphens (-), and slash marks (/). The date format depends on the COUNTRY setting you are using in your CONFIG.SYS file. The following list shows the valid values for the month, day, and year portions of the mm-dd-yy parameter. P
mm 1 through 12
dd 1 through 31
yy 80 through 99 or 1980 through 2099
NOTES: 1) Adjusting For Days In A Month DOS is programmed to change months and years correctly, whether the month has 28, 29, or 31 days.
2) Using The Date Command In Your AUTOEXEC.BAT File When you use an AUTOEXEC.BAT file, DOS does not automatically display a prompt for a date when you start your system. To prompt users for the date every time the system is restarted, include the DATE command in AUTOEXEC.BAT. &
3) Changing The Date Format It is possible to change the mm-dd-yy format to display the date in other formats. You can add the COUNTRY command to your CONFIG.SYS file to change the date format to the European standard (dd-mm-yy) or to the Scientific International (Metric) format (yy-mm-dd).
Starts the Doskey program, which recalls DOS commands, edits command lines, and creates macros.
The doskey program is a terminate-and-stay resident program. You can use doskey to customize and automate DOS command lines. When installed, doskey occupies about 3 kilobytes of resident memory. &
Command Type: DOS, External, Network
Parameters macroname=[text] Creates a macro that carries out one or more DOS commands (a Doskey macro). Macroname specifies the name you want to assign to the macro. Text specifies the commands you want to record.
Switches /reinstall Installs a new copy of the Doskey program, even if one is already installed. In the latter case, the /reinstall switch also clears the buffer.
/bufsize=size Specifies the size of the buffer in which Doskey stroes commands and Doskey macros. The default size is 512 bytes. The minimum buffer size is 256 bytes.
/macros Displays a list of all doskey macros. You can use a redirection symbol (>) with the /macros switch to redirect the list to a file. You can abbreviate the /macros switch as /m.
/history Displays a list fo all commands stored in memory. You can use a redirection symbol (>) with the /history switch to redirect the list to a file. You can abbreviate the /history swithch as /h. 5
/insert|/overstrike Specifies whether new text you type is to replace old text. If you use the /insert switch, new text that you type on a line is inserted into old text (as if you pressed the INSERT key). If you use the /overstrike switch, new text replaces old text. The default setting is /overstrike. H
See your DOS manual for a complete listing of Doskey commands and use.
ECHO Syntax: ECHO [on|off]
Turns the command-echoing feature on or off, or displays a message.
When you run a batch program, DOS typically displays (echoes) the batch program's commands on the screen. You can turn this feature on or off by using the ECHO command. I
To use the ECHO command to display a message, use the following syntax:
ECHO [message]
Command Type: Batch, Internal
Example The following example shows a batch program that includes a three-line message preceded and followed by a blank line: [
echo off
echo.
echo This batch program
echo formats and checks
echo new disks
echo.
If you want to turn ECHO off and you do not want to echo the ECHO command itself, include an at sign (@) before the command, as follows:
@echo off
You can use the IF and ECHO commands on the same command line, as follows: .
if exist *.rpt echo The report has arrived.
Parameters
on|off
Specifies whether to turn the command-echoing feature on or off. To display the current ECHO setting, use the ECHO command without a parameter.
message
Specifies text you want DOS to display on the screen. 3
NOTES
1) Using A Message With The ECHO Command
The ECHO message command is useful when ECHO is off. To display a message that is several lines long without displaying other commands, you can include several ECHO message commands after the ECHO off command in your batch program.
2) Hiding The Command Prompt
If you use the ECHO off command on the command line, the command prompt does not appear on your screen. To redisplay the command prompt, type ECHO on. (
3) Preventing DOS From Echoing A Line
You can insert an at sign (@) in front of a command in a batch program to prevent DOS from echoing that line.
4) Echoing A Blank Line
To echo a blank line on the screen, you can type ECHO and then a period (ECHO.). There must be no intervening space. 1
5) Displaying Pipes And Redirection Characters
You cannot display a pipe (|) or redirection character (> or <) by using the ECHO command.
Related Command: PAUSE
FOR
Syntax:
To use FOR in a batch program, use the following syntax: :
FOR % %variable IN (set) DO command [command-parameters]
To use FOR from the command prompt, use the following syntax: 8
FOR %variable IN (set) DO command [command-parameters]
Runs a specified command for each file in a set of files. Z
You can use the FOR command within a batch program or directly from the command prompt. %
Command Type: DOS, Batch, Internal
Parameters
% %variable or %variable
Represents a replaceable variable. The FOR command replaces % %variable (or %variable) with each text string in the specified set until the command (specified in the command parameter) processes all the files. Use % %variable to carry out the FOR command within a batch program. Use %variable to carry out FOR from the command prompt.
(set)
Specifies one or more files or text strings that you want to process with a specified command. The parentheses are required.
command
Specifies the command that you want to carry out on each file included in the specified set.
command-parameters
Specifies any parameters or switches that you want to use with the specified command (if the specified command uses any parameters or switches). +
NOTES:
1) Using the IN and DO keywords
IN and DO are not parameters, but they are required in the FOR command. If you omit either of these keywords, DOS displays an error message.
Example
Suppose you want to use the TYPE command to display the contents of all files in the current directory that have the extension .DOC or .TXT. To do this and ot use the replaceable variable %f, type the following command at the command prompt: %
FOR %f IN (*.DOC *.TXT) DO TYPE %f
For more information, see your DOS manual.
GOTO Syntax: GOTO label
Directs DOS to a line in a batch program marked by a label you specify.
The GOTO command directs DOS within a batch program to a line identified by a label. When DOS finds the label, it processes the commands beginning on the next line.
Command Type: Batch, Internal
Parameter
label
Specifies the line in a batch program to which DOS should go. $
NOTES:
1) Valid values for label
The label parameter can include spaces but cannot include other seperators, such as semicolons or equal signs. 7
2) GOTO uses the first eight charaters of each label
The GOTO command uses only the first eight characters of a label. Therefore, the labels "hithere01" and "hithere02" are both equivalent to "hithere0".
Example
The following batch program formats a disk in drive A as a system disk. If the operation is successful, the GOTO command directs DOS to a label named "end":
echo off
format a: /s
if not errorlevel 1 goto end
echo An error occurred during formatting.
:end
echo End of batch program.
For more information, see your DOS manual.
IF Syntax: IF [not] ERRORLEVEL number command
IF [not] string1==string2 command
IF [not] EXIST filename command
Performs conditional processing in batch programs.
If the condition specified in an IF command is true, DOS carries out the command that follows the condition. If the condition is false, DOS ignores the command.
Command Type: Batch, Internal
Parmeters
Specifies that DOS should carry out the command only if the condition is false.
errorlevel number
Specifies a true condition only if the previous program run by COMMAND.COM returned an exit code equal to or greater than number.
command
Specifies the command that DOS should carry out if the preceding condition is met.
string1==string2
Specifies a true condition only if string1 and string2 are the same. These values can be literal strings or batch variables (%1, for example). Literal strings do not need quotation marks.
exist filename
Specifies a true condition if filename exists.
Example
The following example displays the message "Cna't find data file" if DOS cannot find the file PRODUCT.DAT: 6
if not exist PRODUCT.DAT echo Can't find data file
For more information, see your DOS manual.
MODE
Syntax:
Because the MODE command can perform many different tasks, the syntax necessary to carry out each task is different is different. Therefore, this reference is only a brief overview of the command in general. See your DOS manual for a detailed description of the MODE command. &
Command Type: DOS, External, Network %
NOTES:
1) Using The Mode Command
The following is a list of tasks for which you can use the MODE command. Following each task is the name of the command description as it appears in this chapter.
Reconfiguring a printer attached to a parallel port (PRN, LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3) for printing at 80 or 132 characters per line, 6 or 8 lines per inch, or both (if the printer supports these features).
Configuring the baud rate, parity, and number of data bits and stop bits of a serial communications port (COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4) for use with a specific printer, modem, or other serial device. =
Displaying the status of all devices or of a single device.
Redirecting printer output from a parallel port to a serial port so that the serial port becomes the system's default printer port. ,
Preparing devices for code-page switching. a
Selecting another display adapter or changing the configuration of the current dispaly adapter. (
Setting the keyboard/s typematic rate. .
2) Requirement For ANSI.SYS and DISPLAY.SYS
Mode can perform some tasks, such as setting the display mode, only if you have included a DEVICE command for the ANSI.SYS device driver in your CONFIG.SYS file. You must install DISPLAY.SYS to use MODE (set device code pages) for code page switching. *
3) Adding Mode Commands To AUTOEXEC.BAT
Although you can type each form of the MODE command at the command prompt, you can also use MODE commands within your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to reconfigure your system automatically each time you turn on or restart your computer.
PATH Syntax: PATH [[drive:]path[;...]]
Sets a search path for executable files.
DOS uses the PATH command to search for executable files in the directories you specify. By default, the search path is the current directory only. ?
To display the current search path, use the following syntax:
PATH
To clear all search-path settings other than the default setting (the current directory), use the following syntax:
PATH;
Command Type: DOS, Internal, Network
Example The following command specifies that DOS is to search three directories to find external commands (the three paths for these directories are C:\USER\TAXES, B:\USER\INVEST, AND B:\BIN): +
PATH C:\USER\TAXES;B:\USER\INVEST;C:\BIN
Parameters [drive:]path Specifies a drive, directory, and any subdirectories to search.
; When used as the only parameter, clears all search-path settings and specifies that DOS is to search only the current directory.
NOTES: 1) Current Directory DOS always searches in the current directory first, before it searches directories in the search path. F
2) Length Limit For The PATH Command The maximum length of the path command is 127 characters. To fit more directories in the search path, you can shorten directory names, use the SUBST command to redirect directories to logical drives (which shortens the entries on the PATH command line), or use the APPEND /x:on command. R
3) Files With The Same Name, Different Extensions You might have some files in the same directory that share the same filename but have different extensions. For example, you might have a file named ACCNT.COM that starts an accounting program and another file named ACCNT.BAT that connects your system to the accounting system network.
DOS searches for a file by using default filename extensions in the following order of precedence: .COM, .EXE, and .BAT. To run ACCNT.BAT when ACCNT.COM exists in the same directory, you must include the .BAT extension to the command line. 1
4) Two Or More Identical Filenames In The Path You might have two or more files in the search path that have the same filename and extension. DOS searches for the specified filename first in the current directory. Then it searches directories in the order in which they are listed in the PATH command. v
5) Specifying Multiple Paths To specify more than one path for DOS to search, separate entries with a semicolon (;).
6) Using Path In Your AUTOEXEC.BAT File If you place the PATH command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, DOS automatically initiates the specified search path every time you start your computer.
Related Command: APPEND
PROMPT Syntax: PROMPT [text]
Changes the DOS command prompt.
You can customize the command prompt to display any text you want, including such information as the name of the current directory, the time and date, and the DOS version number. &
Command Type: DOS, Internal, Network
Examples The following example sets the command prompt to display the current drive and path followed by the greater than sign (>):
PROMPT $p$g
The following command displays a two-line prompt in which the current time appears on the first line and the current date appears on the second line: "
PROMPT Time is: $t$_Date is: $d
If your CONFIG.SYS file loads ANSI.SYS, you can use ANSI escape sequences in your prompts. The following command, for example, displays yor prompt in reverse video mode and returns to usual video mode for other text:
PROMPT $e[7m$n:$e[m
The characters following the escape code ($e) are ANSI escape sequences. ]
Parameter text Specifies any text and information you want included in your system prompt.
The following list shows the character combinations you can include instead of, or in addition to, any character string(s) in the text parameter. The list includes a brief description of the text or information that each character combination adds to your command prompt:
$q = (equal sign)
$$ $ (dollar sign)
$t Current Time
$d Current Date
$p Current Drive and Path
$v 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)
NOTES: 1) Using The Prompt Command Without The Text Parameter When you use the PROMPT command without specifying a value for text, PROMPT resets the command prompt to the default setting, the current drive letter followed by a greater-than sign (>).
2) Using The $p Value For Text If you include the $p character in the text parameter, DOS reads your disk after you enter each command to determine the current drive and path. This can take extra time, especially for floppy disk drives.
Related Commands: DATE, TIME
SET Syntax: SET [variable=[string]]
Displays, sets, or removes DOS environment variables.
You use environment variables to control the behavior of some batch files and programs and to control the way DOS appears and works. The SET command is often used in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to set environment variables each time you start DOS.
Command Type: DOS, Internal, Network
Examples To set an evironment variable named Include so that the string C:\INC (the INC directory on Drive C) is associated with it, type the following command:
SET include=c:\inc
You can then use the string C:\INC in batch files by enclosing the name INCLUDE with percent signs (%). For example, you might include the following command in a batch file in order to display the contents of the following directory associated with the INCLUDE environment variable:
dir %include%
When DOS processes this command, the string C:\INC replaces the %include%.
Another possible use for the SET command is in a batch program that adds a new directory to the path environment variable, as the following example shows: r
@echo off
rem ADDPATH.BAT adds a new directory
rem to the PATH environment variable,
set path=%1;%path%
Parameters
variable
Specifies the variable you want to set or modify.
string
Specifies the string you want to associate with the specified variable. :
NOTES:
1) Displaying The Current Environment Settings
When you type the SET command alone, DOS displays the current environment settings. These settings usually include the COMSPEC and PATH environment variables that DOS uses to help find programs on disk. PROMPT and DIRCMD are two other environment variables that DOS uses.
2) Using Parameters
When you use a SET command and specify values for both "variable" and "string", DOS adds the specified "variable" value to the environment and associates "string" with that variable. If "variable" already exists in the environment, the new "string" value replaces the old "string" value.
If you specify only a variable and an equal sign (without a string) for the SET command, DOS clears the "string" value associated with the variable (as if the variable is not there at all).
3) Using SET In Batch Files
When creating batch files, you can use the SET command to create variables and use them in the same way as you would the numbered variable %0 through %9. You can also use the variables %0 through %9 as input for the SET command. .
4) Calling A SET Variable From A Batch File
When you call a "variable" value from a batch file, you must enclose the value with percent signs (%). For example, if your batch program creates an environment variable named Baud, you can use the string associated with Baud as a replaceable parameter by inserting %baud% on the command line. (
5) Effect Of SET On Environment Space
After you use a SET command, DOS might display the following message:
Out of environment space
This message means the available environment space is insufficient to hold the new variable definition. [
Related Commands: PATH, PROMPT,
SHELL, DIR,
COMMAND
SHIFT Syntax: SHIFT
Changes the position of replaceable parameters in a batch file.
Command Type: Batch, Internal
NOTES:
1) How the SHIFT command works
The SHIFT command changes the values of hte replaceable parameters %0 through %9, by copying each parameter into the previous one. In other words, the value of %1 is copied to %0, the value of %2 is copied to %1, and so on. This is useful for writing a batch file that performs the same operation on any number of parameters. 7
2) Working with more than 10 command-line parameters
You can also use the SHIFT command to create a batch file that can accept more than 10 parameters. If you specify more than 10 parameters on the command line, those that appear after the tenth (%9) will be shifted one at a time into %9.
3) Shifting parameters back
There is no backward SHIFT command. Once you carry out the SHIFT command, you cannot recover the first parameter (%0) that existed before the shift.
Example
The following batch file, MYCOPY.BAT, shows how to use the SHIFT command with any number of parameters. It copies a list of files to a specific directory. The parameters are the directory name followed by any number of filenames.
@echo off
rem MYCOPY.BAT copies any number of files
rem to a directory.
rem The command uses the following syntax:
rem mycopy dir file1 file2 ...
set todir=%1
:getfile
shift
if "%1"=="" goto end
copy %1 %todir%
goto getfile
:end
set todir=
echo All done!!
TIME Syntax: TIME [hours:[minutes[:seconds[.hundredths]]][a|p]]
Displays the system time or sets your computer's internal clock. Y
DOS uses time information to update the directory whenever you create or change a file. &
Command Type: DOS, Internal, Network
Examples
To set your computer's clock to 1:36PM, use either of the following commands: !
TIME 13:36
- or -
TIME 1:36p
Paramaters
hours
Specifies the hour. Valid values are in the range 0 through 23.
minutes
Specifies minutes. Valid values are in the range 0 through 59.
seconds
Specifies seconds. Valid values are in the range 0 through 59.
hunderdths
Specifies hundredths of a second. Valie values are in the range 0 through 99.
Specifies AM or PM for the 12-hour time format. If you type a valid 12-hour time but do not type A or P, TIME uses A (for AM). 0
NOTES:
1) Specifying An Invalid Time Format
If you specify the time in an invalid format, DOS displays the following message and then waits for you to specify the time: !
Invalid Time.
Enter new time:
2) Changing The Time Format
You can change the TIME format by changing the COUNTRY in your CONFIG.SYS file. Depending on the country code, DOS will display the time in the 12-hour format or the 24-hour format. If you are setting the time in the 12-hour format, be sure to specify P for hours after noon. 0
3) Ensuring That DOS Prompts You For The Time
If you want DOS to prompt you for the current time whenever you start your system, you can add the TIME command to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. DOS will automatically prompt you for the time and date if you do not have an AUTOEXEC.BAT file. #
Related Commands: DATE, COUNTRY
CONFIG.SYS
A startup file that contains a group of commands that DOS carries out that load installable device drivers and reserve space in system memory for information processing. This file resides in the root directory of your startup disk or boot drive. You can modify this file to configure your system as needed.
This file can be modified using a text editor that saves files as unformatted ASCII text. If you modify the CONFIG.SYS file on your system, your system must be restarted for the changes to take effect.
See also:
CONFIG.SYS
Commands
CONFIG.SYS Commands
There are fifteen (15) commands you can include in the CONFIG.SYS file. Except for the BREAK and REM commands, you can't type these commands at the command prompt; they must be included in the CONFIG.SYS file. The following is a listing of each CONFIG.SYS command:
BREAK FILES
BUFFERS INSTALL
COUNTRY LASTDRIVE
DEVICE REM
DEVICEHIGH SHELL
DOS STACKS
DRIVPARM SWITCHES
FCBS
BREAK Syntax: BREAK [ON|OFF]
Sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking. 1
You can press CTRL+C to stop a program or an activity (file sorting, for example). Typically, DOS checks for CTRL+C only while it reads from the keyboard or writes to the screen or printer. If you set BREAK to ON, you extend CTRL+C checking to other functions, such as disk read and write operations.
Command Type: DOS, Config.Sys
Examples
To display the current BREAK setting, type BREAK at the command prompt. 4
In your CONFIG.SYS file, use the following syntax:
BREAK=ON|OFF
Parameter
ON|OFF
Turns extended CTRL+C checking on or off. ,
NOTES:
1) Including BREAK in CONFIG.SYS
The default setting for BREAK is OFF. You can include the BREAK command in your CONFIG.SYS file to enable extended CTRL+C checking every time you start your system. %
2) BREAK=ON slows down your system
The disadvantage of setting BREAK=ON is that it slightly decreases the speed of your system.
BUFFERS Syntax: BUFFERS=n[,m]
Allocates memory for a specified number of disk buffers when your system starts.
Command Type: Config.Sys \
Example To create 20 disk buffers, include the following command in your CONFIG.SYS file:
BUFFERS=20
Parameters
Specifies the number of disk buffers. The value of n must be in the range 1 through 99. t
m Specifies the number of buffers in the secondary buffer cache. The value of m must be in the range 1 through 8.
NOTES:
1) Default Settings
The default settings for the number of disk buffers depends upon the configuration of your system, as shown in the following table:
Configuration
Buffers(n)
Bytes
< 128K of RAM, 360K disk
2
--
< 128K of RAM, > 360K disk
3
--
128K to 255K of RAM
5
2672
256K to 511K of RAM
10
5328
512K to 640K of RAM
15
7984
The default setting for the number of buffers in the secondary cache (m) is 1. U
If you specify an invalid value for n or m, BUFFERS uses the default value instead. %
2)Using the secondary buffer cache
Using the cache can speed up certain disk operations.
COUNTRY Syntax: COUNTRY=xxx[,[yyy][,[drive:][path]filename]]
Enables DOS to use international time, dates, currency, case conversions, and decimal seperators.
The COUNTRY command configures DOS to recognize the character set and punctuation conventions observed when using one of the supported languages. See your DOS manual for customizing your system for international use and related commands.
Command Type: Config.Sys
Example To convert international currency, time, date, and case to French conventions, add the following command to your CONFIG.SYS file:
COUNTRY=033
For this example, assume that the COUNTRY.SYS file is in the root directory of the startup drive. If COUNTRY.SYS is in a different location, you specify the location in [drive:]path on the command line. N
To specify a code page with the country code for France, type the following:
COUNTRY=033,850
If you omit the code page but include the [drive:][path]filename parameter, you must still type the comma that would have preceded the code page, as the following example shows: !
COUNTRY=033,,C:\DOS\COUNTRY.SYS -
Parameters xxx Specifies the country code. .
yyy Specifies the code page for the country. d
[drive:][path]filename Specifies the location and name of the file containing country information.
NOTES: 1) Changing default settings DOS uses the United States as the default setting. You can use the country command in your CONFIG.SYS file to change the setting.
If you do not specify the location and name of the file containing country- specific information, DOS tries to find the COUNTRY.SYS file in the root directory of your startup drive.
Example If you plan to use an ANSI escape sequence to control the screen and keyboard, you should add the following command to your CONFIG.SYS file (assuming DOS files are in the DOS directory on drive C):
DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS k
Parameters [drive:][path]filename Specifies the location and name of the device driver you want to laod. W
[dd-parameters] Specifies any command-line information required by the device driver. h
NOTES: 1) Using standard device drivers The standard installable device drivers provided with DOS are
ANSI.SYS, DISPLAY.SYS,
DRIVER.SYS, EGA.SYS,
PRINTER.SYS, RAMDRIVE.SYS,
EMM386.SYS, HIMEM.SYS, and
SMARTDRV.SYS.
The files COUNTRY.SYS and KEYBOARD.SYS are not device drivers. DOS loads these files whenever necessary. Do not try to load either of these files with the DEVICE command. If you do, your system locks up and you cannot restart DOS.
2) Installing device drivers for other products When you purchase a mosue, a scanner, or a similar product, the manufacturer usually includes device-driver software. To install a device driver, specify its location and name on a DEVICE command line in your CONFIG.SYS file.
3) Installing a third-party console driver If you install both DISPLAY.SYS and a third-party console driver, such as VT52.SYS, the third-party device driver must be installed first. Otherwise, the third-party device driver may disable DISPLAY.SYS.
Related Commands: DEVICEHIGH
DEVICEHIGH
Syntax: 6
DEVICEHIGH=[drive:][path]filename [dd-parameters]
To specify the minimum amount of memory that must be available before DEVICEHIGH attempts to load a device driver into the upper memory area, use the following syntax: @
Loads device drivers into the upper memory area. p
Loading a device driver into the upper memory area frees more bytes of conventional memory for other programs.
Command Type: Config.Sys
Example If you include the following commands in your CONFIG.SYS file, DOS attempts to load a device driver named MYDRIV.SYS into the upper memory area of an 80386 computer: P
Parameters [drive:][path]filename Specifies the location and name of the device driver you want to load into the upper memory area. U
dd-parameters Specifies any command-line information required by the device driver.
hexsize Specifies the minimum amount of memory (the number of bytes, in hexadecimal format) that must be available before DEVICEHIGH attempts to load a device driver into the upper memory area. You must use both SIZE and hexsize, as shown in the second syntax line. =
NOTES: 1) Using the DOS=UMB command To use teh DEVICEHIGH command, you must also include the DOS=UMB command in your CONFIG.SYS file. If you do not specify this command, all device drivers are loaded into conventional memory, as if you had used the DEVICE command. For more information about UMB switch, see DOS.
2) Installing HIMEM.SYS and a UMB provider Before you can load a device driver into the upper memory area, you must use the DEVICE command to install the HIMEM.SYS device driver and then again to install an upper-memory block (UMB) provider. These commands must appear before the DEVICEHIGH command in your CONFIG.SYS file. If your computer has an 80386 or higher type processor, you can use EMM386.EXE as the UMB provider. If your computer has a different processor, you must supply a different UMB provider. On some computers, you might even be able to use HIMEM.SYS itself as the UMB provider. For more information, see the DEVICE command.
3) Specifying a size limit If the device driver you specify on the DEVICEHIGH command line attempts to allocate more buffer space than is available in a block of the upper memory area, your system may lock up. You can try using the hexsize parameter to avoid this problem. In hexsize, indicate, in hexadecimal format, the amount of memory the device driver needs. To find this value for a particular device driver, load the driver into conventional memory and use the MEM\DEBUG command. This method is usually, but not always, effective.
4) If no upper memory area is available If there is not enough upper memory area available to load the device driver you specified with the DEVICEHIGH command, DOS will load it into conventional memory (as if you had used the DEVICE command). %
Related Commands: LOADHIGH, DEVICE
Syntax: =
DOS=[high|low[,umb|,noumb]
-or-
DOS=[high,|low,]umb|noumb
Specifies that DOS is to maintain a link to the upper memory area or is to load a part of itself into the high memory area (HMA).
Command Type: Config.Sys
Parameters umb|noumb Specifies whether DOS should maintain a link between conventional memory and the upper memory area. The UMB parameter provides this link. The NOUMB parameter disconnects this link. The default setting is NOUMB.
high|low Specifies whether DOS should attempt to load a part of itself into the HMA. Use the HIGH parameter to enable DOS to load itself into the HMA. Use the LOW parameter to keep all fo DOS in conventional memory. The default setting is LOW.
NOTES: 1) Must install HIMEM.SYS for DOS=UMB or DOS=HIGH You must install the HIMEM.SYS device driver before you specify either DOS=UMB or DOS=HIGH. 9
2) Using the UMB parameter You must specify the DOS=UMB command in order to load programs and device drivers into the upper memory area. Using the upper memory area frees more space in conventional memory for programs. IN addition to using this command, you must install an upper memory block (UMB) provider.
3) Using the HIGH parameter If you specify the HIGH parameter, DOS attempts to load part of itself into the HMA. Loading part of DOS into the HMA fress conventional memory for programs.
4) Combining parameters You can include more than one parameter on a single DOS command line, using commas to separate them. For example, the following command lines are valid:
DOS=UMB,LOW
DOS=HIGH,UMB A
You can place the DOS command anywhere in your CONFIG.SYS file. )
Defines parameters for block devices when you start DOS. The drivparm command modifies the parameters of an existing physical drive. It does not create a new logical drive. The settings specified in the drivparm command override the driver definitions for any previous block device.
Command Type: Config.Sys
Example Suppose your system has an internal tape drive with one head on drive D that is configured at startup to write 20 tracks of 40 sectors per track. To reconfigure this tape drive to write 10 tracks of 99 sectors each, add the following command to your CONFIG.SYS file: %
DRIVPARM=/d:3 /f:6 /h:1 /s:99 /t:10
Switches /d:number Specifies the physical drive number. Values for number must be in the range 0 through 255 (for example, drive number 0 = drive A, 1 = drive B, 2 = drive C, and so on). J
/c Specifies that the drive can detect whether the drive door is closed.
/f:factor Specifies the drive type. The following list shows the valid values for factor and a brief description of each. The default value is 2.
0 = 160K/180K or 320K/360K 1 = 1.2 megabyte (MB) 2 = 720K (3.5 inch disk) 5 = hard disk 6 = tape 7 = 1.44 MB (3.5 inch disk) 8 = read/write optical disk 9 = 2.88 MB (3.5 inch disk)
/h:heads Specifies the maximum number of heads. Values for heads must be in the range 1 through 99. The default value depends on the value you specify for /f:factor.
/t Specifies an electronically compatible 3.5 inch floppy disk drive. (Electronically compatible drives are installed on your computer and use your existing floppy-disk drive controller.) Use the /i switch if your computer's ROM BIOS does not support 3.5 inch floppy disk drives. ,
/n Specifies a non-removable block device.
/s:sectors Specifies the number of sectors per track that the block device supports. Values for sectors must be in the range 1 through 99. The default value depends on the value specify for /f:factor.
/t:tracks Specifies the number of tracks per side that the block device supports. The default value depends upon the value you specify for /f:factor.
NOTES: 1) Using the /i switch Use the /i switch if your system does not support 3.5 inch floppy disk drives. (Some IBM AT compatible systems do not have a ROM BIOS that supports 3.5 inch floppy disk drives.)
2) Disk drive change-line support Change-line support means that the physical disk drive can detect whether the drive door is open. Change-line support improves performance by letting DOS know when one floppy disk has been replaced by another. The /c switch allows DOS to make use of change-line support. To find out whether your disk drive has change-line support, see your disk drive documentation.
3) Creating a logical drive DRIVPARM modifies the parameters of an existing physical drive and does not create a new logical drive.
FCBS Syntax: FCBS=x
Specifies the number of file control blocks (FCBs) that DOS can have open at the same time. P
A file control block is a data structure that stores information about a file.
Command Type: Config.Sys
Example To specify that DOS can have up to eight file control blocks open at the same time, add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file:
FCBS=8
Parameter x Specifies the number of file control blocks that DOS can have open at one time. Valid values for x are in the range 1 through 255. The default value is 4.
NOTES: 1) Limitation on opening files If a program tries to open more than x files by using file control blocks, DOS might close the files that were opened earlier.
2) Recommended use of the FCBS command You should use the FCBS command only if a program requires you to do so. Most newer programs do not require the file control blocks. However, some older programs might require you to use the FCBS command in your CONFIG.SYS file.
FILES Syntax: FILES=x
Sets the number of files that DOS can access at one time.
Command Type: Config.Sys u
Example To specify that DOS can access up to 20 files at one time, add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file:
FILES=20
Parameter x Specifies the number of files that DOS can access at one time. Valid values for x are in the range 8 through 255. The default value is 8.
NOTE: Although the default setting for the x parameter is 8, some programs require a larger value. A typical setting is 20.
Loads a memory-resident program into memory when you start DOS. 4
Memory-resident programs stay in memory as long as your system is on. They can be used even when other programs are active. You can use the INSTALL command to load DOS memory-resident programs such as FASTOPEN, KEYB, NLSFUNC, and SHARE. See your DOS manual for details of these memory-resident programs.
Command Type: Config.Sys j
Example Suppose you want to install FASTOPEN.EXE, located in the DOS directory on drive C, from your CONFIG.SYS file instead of from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file or command line. In addition, you want to specify that Fastopen is to track the opening of up to 100 files and directories on drive C. To do this, include the following command in your CONFIG.SYS file: $
INSTALL=c:\dos\fastopen.exe c:=100 t
Parameters [drive:][path]filename Specifies the location and name of the memory-resident program you want to run. S
command-parameters Specifies parameters for the program you specify for filename.
NOTES: INSTALL does not create an environment for a program it loads. Therefore, slightly less memory is used if you load a program with INSTALL rather than from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Some programs might not run correctly if they are loaded with INSTALL. Do not use INSTALL to load programs that use environment variables or shortcut keys or that require COMMAND.COM to be present to handle critical errors.
LASTDRIVE Syntax: LASTDRIVE=x
Specifies the maximum number of drives you can access. L
The value you specify represents the last valid drive DOS is to recognize.
Command Type: Config.Sys l
Example The following command sets the last drive to M, giving your computer access to 13 logical drives:
LASTDRIVE=M
Parameters x Specifies a drive letter in the range A through Z. The minimum value for this parameter is the letter that corresponds to the number of drives installed on your system. For example, one drive=A, two drives=B, and so on. u
NOTES: 1) Default Setting The last drive, by default, is the one after the last drive being used on your computer.
2) Effect On Memory DOS allocates a data structure in memory for each drive specified by LASTDRIVE, so you should not specify more drives than are necessary.
REM Syntax: REM [comment]
Enables you to include comments (remarks) in a batch file or in your CONFIG.SYS file. H
DOS ignores any batch command or CONFIG.SYS line that begins with REM. !
Command Type: Batch, Config.Sys q
Example The following example shows a batch file that uses remarks for both explanations and vertical spacing:
@ECHO OFF REM This batch program formats and checks new disks. REM It is named CHECKNEW.BAT. REM ECHO Insert new disk in drive B. PAUSE FORMAT B: /V CHKDSK B:
Suppose your want to include in your CONFIG.SYS file an explanatory comment before the COUNTRY command. To do this, add the following lines to CONFIG.SYS: ,
REM Set country code to France COUNTRY=033 Y
Parameter comment Specifies any string of characters you want to include as a comment.
NOTES: 1) Using The ECHO Command To Display Comments The REM command does not display comments on the screen. You must use the ECHO ON command in your batch or CONFIG.SYS file in order to display comments on the screen. }
2) Restrictions On Batch-File Comments You cannot use a redirection character (> or <) or pipe (|) in a batch file comment.
3) Using REM To Add Vertical Spacing Although you can use REM without a comment to add vertical spacing to a batch file, you can also use blank lines. DOS ignores the blank lines when processing the batch program.
Specifies the name and location of the command interpreter you want DOS to use.
If you want to use your own command interpreter (instead of COMMAND.COM), you can specify its name by adding a SHELL command to your CONFIG.SYS file.
Command Type: Config.Sys
Example Suppose the file NEWSHELL.COM is in a directory named BIN on your startup drive, and suppose you want to use NEWSHELL.COM as your command interpreter. To do this, add the following command to your CONFIG.SYS file:
SHELL=\bin\newshell.com
Suppose you add the line SHELL=NEWCMDP.COM to your CONFIG.SYS file, and suppose the NEWCMDP.COM command interpreter accepts the switches /c, /p, and /e. You can now use any of these switches on the SHELL command line. Thus, the following command line would be valid:
SHELL=newcmdp.com /c /p /e
The SHELL command is the preferred method of using COMMAND to increase the size of the environment. To increase the environment size is 512 bytes, add the following command to your CONFIG.SYS file:
SHELL=command.com /e:512 /p
To start a DOS command interpreter located in the directory OLD on drive C, add the following command to your CONFIG.SYS file: +
SHELL=c:\old\command.com c:\old /3:256 /p u
Parameters [[drive:]path]filename Specifies the location and name of the command interpreter your want DOS to use. w
parameters Specifies any command-line parameters or switches that can be used with the specified command interpreter.
NOTES: 1) Default Setting The default command interpreter for DOS is COMMAND.COM. If you do not use a SHELL command in your CONFIG.SYS file, DOS searches for COMMAND.COM in the root directory of your startup drive. You need to use the SHELL command if you want to specify a COMMAND.COM file that is not in the root directory or if you do not want to use the default environment size for COMMAND.COM.
2) Using Switches With A Command Interpreter The SHELL command itself does not accept any switches, but if the command interpreter does, you can include them on the SHELL command line.
STACKS Syntax: STACKS=n,s
Supports the dynamic use of data stacks to handle hardware interrupts.
Command Type: Config.Sys
Example To allocate 8 stacks of 512 bytes each for hardware-interrupt handling, add the following command to your CONFIG.SYS file:
STACKS=8,512 p
Parameters n Specifies the number of stacks. Valid values for n are 0 and numbers in the range 8 through 64. s
s Specifies the size (in bytes) of each stack. Valid values for s are 0 and numbers in the range 32 through 512. X
NOTES: 1) Default Settings The default settings for the STACK command are as follows:
Computer Stacks ---------------------------------- ------ IBM PC, XT, PC-Portable 0,0 Other 9,128
2) Special Cases For Stack Allocation Upon receiving a hardware interrupt, DOS allocates one stack from the specified number of stacks. When you specify 0 for the n and s values, DOS allocates no stacks. If the values are 0, each running program must have enough stack space to accomodate the computer's hardware interrupt drivers. Many computers operate correctly, saving some memory for programs, with n and s values of 0. If, however, your computer becomes unstable when you set these values to 0, return to the default values.
SWITCHES Syntax: SWITCHES=/k
Forces an enhanced keyboard to behave like a conventional keyboard. /
You use this command in your CONFIG.SYS file.
Command Type: Config.Sys
Example If you want DOS to use conventional keyboard functions even though you are using an enhanced keyboard, add the following command to your CONFIG.SYS file:
SWITCHES=/k
NOTES: 1) When To Use The Switches Command If you have a program that does not correctly interpret input from an enhanced keyboard, add this command to your CONFIG.SYS file so your enhanced keyboard will use conventional keyboard functions.
2) Using The /k Switch With ANSI.SYS If you use the SWITCHES=/k command and you install the ANSI.SYS device driver, use the /k switch on the DEVICE command line for ANSI.SYS.
Editor Commands
Block
Commands
Cursor
movement
Commands
Insert
Delete
Commands
Miscellaneous
Commands
Block Commands
Mark block begin
Ctrl-K B
Mark block end
Ctrl-K K
Mark single word
Ctrl-K T
Copy block
Ctrl-K C
Move block
Ctrl-K V
Delete block
Ctrl-K Y
Read block from disk
Ctrl-K R
Write block to disk
Ctrl-K W
Hide/display block
Ctrl-K H
Print block
Ctrl-K P
Indent block
Ctrl-K I
Unindent block
Ctrl-K U
Cursor-Movement Commands
Character left
Ctrl-S or Left arrow
Character right
Ctrl-D or Right arrow
Word left
Ctrl-A or Ctrl-Left arrow
Word right
Ctrl-F or Ctrl-right arrow
Line up
Ctrl-E or Up arrow
Line down
Ctrl-X or Down arrow
Scroll up
Ctrl-W
Scroll down
Ctrl-Z
Page up
Ctrl-R or PgUp
Page down
Ctrl-C or PgDn
Insert & Delete Commands
Insert mode on/off
Ctrl-V or Ins
Insert line
Ctrl-N
Delete line
Ctrl-Y
Delete to end of line
Ctrl-Q Y
Delete character left
Ctrl-H or Backspace
Delete character
Ctrl-G or Del
Delete word right
Ctrl-T
Misc. Commands
Menu bar
F10
Save and edit
Ctrl-S or F2
Close active window
Alt-F3
Tab
Ctrl-I or Tab
Tab mode
Ctrl-O T
Auto Indent on/off
Ctrl-O I
Restore line
Ctrl-Q L
Find
Ctrl-Q F
Find & replace
Ctrl-Q A
Repeat last find
Ctrl-L
Abort operation
What is Config/Autoexec Manager?
Config/Autoexec Manager is the simplest multiple configuration manager in the world!!
If you are running Windows 3.x, Stacker, or DOS as your operating system, then you need CAM. CAM will allow you to successfully manage multiple CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT file combinations with a few simple key or mouse strokes.
Most of today's programs are large and complex, thus requiring their own particular configuration. CAM will help you manage, load, and execute each of these configurations with ease.
Order your copy today!!
Ordering Information
Print out the Registration Form.
Mail your Registration Form and Fee to:
Scott Miller
772 Airways Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
All materials and files contained and used herein is the property of Scott Miller. Said materials and files pertinent to the operation and execution of this program is not to be hacked, destroyed, remanufactured, reengineered, and the like. Misuse of said materials is direct violation of Federal and State Laws governing software copyrights and International Treaties. Such violations are punishable under applicable laws by fines and imprisonment!!
Additional items are in the Disclaimer in the License Agreement which also apply.
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