Using Ms-dos 6.22

(1)

Contents at a Glance

Introduction 1

I DOS Fundamentals

1 DOS and the Personal Computer 11 2 Starting DOS 23

3 Using DOS Commands 41 4 Using the DOS Shell 57 II Files and Directories

5 Understanding Files and Directories 99 6 Understanding Disks and Disk Drives 127 7 Preparing and Maintaining Disks 149 8 Managing Your Files 191

9 Protecting and Recovering Your Data 231 III Controlling DOS

10 Working with System Information 275 11 Controlling Your Environment 293 12 Using Peripherals 307

13 Controlling Devices 317

14 Understanding the International Features of DOS 339

IV Maximizing DOS 15 Using the DOS Editor 361 16 Understanding Batch Files 389 17 UnderstandingANSI.SYS 415 18 Mastering DOSKEY and Macros 431 19 Configuring Your Computer 441 20 Networking DOS 471

21 Connecting to the Internet 483 22 Third-Party Utilities 493

V Appendixes

A Files Supplied with MS-DOS 6.22 503 B DOS Environment Variables 519 C DOS Messages 529

D DOS and DOS Utility Programs’ Keyboard Commands 563

E ASCII and Extended ASCII Codes 573 F Command Reference 583 G Glossary 959 Index 965

Using

MS-DOS

Jim Cooper

Contributors to previous editions: Allen L Wyatt, Sr. Bruce Hallberg Ed Tiley Jon Paisley

6.22 Third Edition

201 W. 103rd Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46290

(2)

Special Edition Using MS-DOS 6.22,

Third Edition

Copyright  2002 by Que

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be repro-duced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the pub-lisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for dam-ages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

International Standard Book Number: 0-7897-2573-8

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001087888

Printed in the United States of America First Printing: May 2001

04 03 02 01 4 3 2 1

Trademarks

All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capi-talized. Que cannot attest to the accuracy of this informa-tion. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.

Warning and Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided is on an “as is” basis. The author and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information con-tained in this book.

Associate Publisher Dean Miller Acquisitions Editor Michelle Newcomb Development Editor Maureen McDaniel Managing Editor Thomas F. Hayes Project Editor Heather McNeill Copy Editor Chuck Hutchinson Indexer Chris Barrick Proofreader Maribeth Echard Technical Editor James A. Glocke Team Coordinator Cindy Teeters Interior Designer Ruth Harvey Cover Designers Dan Armstrong Ruth Harvey Page Layout

Heather Hiatt Miller Stacey Richwine-DeRome

(3)

About the Author

Jim Cooper is a Senior Systems Engineer currently working for a services and

infrastruc-ture provider in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has worked in the information technology field for more than 12 years and holds numerous certifications, including MCSE+I and MCT. He has contributed chapters to numerous other books for Pearson Technology Group.

(31)

Tell Us What You Think!

As the reader of this book, you are our most important critic and commentator. We value your opinion and want to know what we’re doing right, what we could do better, what areas you’d like to see us publish in, and any other words of wisdom you’re willing to pass our way. As an Associate Publisher for Que, I welcome your comments. You can fax, e-mail, or write me directly to let me know what you did or didn’t like about this book—as well as what we can do to make our books stronger.

Please note that I cannot help you with technical problems related to the topic of this book, and that due to the high volume of mail I receive, I might not be able to reply to every message.

When you write, please be sure to include this book’s title and author as well as your name and phone or fax number. I will carefully review your comments and share them with the author and editors who worked on the book.

Fax: 317-581-4666

E-Mail: [email protected] Mail: Dean Miller

Que

201 West 103rd Street Indianapolis, IN 46290 USA

(32)

I

n this introduction

Who Should Read This Book? 2 What Hardware Do You Need? 2 What Versions Are Covered? 2 What Is Not Covered? 3 How Is This Book Organized? 3 Conventions Used in This Book 7

(33)

2 Introduction

After its introduction in 1981, MS-DOS was the most widely used operating system in the world. Hundreds of thousands of programs have been written for MS-DOS.

Special Edition Using MS-DOS 6.22, Third Edition represents Que Corporation’s continuing

commitment to provide the best computer books in the industry. Over the years, this book has evolved as DOS has evolved, culminating in what you are reading right now. Keeping pace with technology and explaining it clearly, simply, and completely has been Que’s goal. This book, which is a comprehensive learning tool and reference volume for users of MS-DOS, reflects the maturity of DOS and the far-reaching impact that DOS has had on the computing industry. Even the most popular operating system today, Windows 95/98/ME, is still based on an upgraded version of DOS.

Special Edition Using MS-DOS 6.22, Third Edition offers DOS users a comprehensive source

of information that can help them organize their work with the PC more effectively and make their hardware respond more efficiently.

Who Should Read This Book?

This book is written and organized to meet the needs of a large group of readers. It is suited for readers who have a basic familiarity with DOS but need more information to increase their knowledge and sharpen their skills. Special Edition Using MS-DOS 6.22, Third

Edition is also a comprehensive reference on DOS for the more advanced user.

Maybe you have just learned to use your PC and are looking to move beyond the basics. Perhaps you have upgraded your hardware to a more powerful PC, with more memory and disk capacity. Or maybe you have upgraded your version of DOS and want to take advan-tage of its new or expanded features. If you find that you fit into any of these categories, this comprehensive edition is a “must have” volume.

What Hardware Do You Need?

This book applies to the family of personal computers with Intel x86-based processors. There are literally thousands of manufacturers today making PCs, too numerous to list here. MS-DOS will run on virtually any model available today, although you might encounter problems locating drivers for newer hardware components, such as sound and network cards.

What Versions Are Covered?

We have discovered that the vast majority of readers are using MS-DOS version 6.x. This book is focused on DOS version 6.22, although limited information is available for those using an older DOS version. (The best advice we can offer is that you upgrade your system. If you are using a version of DOS older than 6.0, upgrade right away; you will find it well worth the time and effort.) Throughout this book, specific versions of DOS are indicated.

(34)

3 How Is This Book Organized?

When a particular reference applies to both DOS 6.0 and 6.22, however, the more generic

DOS 6 designation is used.

What Is Not Covered?

This book does not include the DEBUGor LINKcommands, nor does it include a technical reference to the applications programming interface that DOS provides for programmers. For information on how to install or upgrade your version of DOS, you should refer to a separate book—your MS-DOS manual. Special Edition Using MS-DOS 6.22, Third Edition assumes that you already have DOS installed and are using it.

Also not included in this book are computer-specific setup or configuration commands. Although these commands often are distributed with the same disks as DOS, they are too variable to be covered adequately here. Your computer-supplied manual and your PC dealer are the best sources of information about these machine-specific features.

How Is This Book Organized?

You can flip quickly through this book to get a feeling for its organization. Special Edition

Using MS-DOS 6.22, Third Edition approaches DOS in a logical, functionally defined way.

The material in this book is arranged in four main parts and a set of appendixes that include a Command Reference, and a glossary.

Part I: DOS Fundamentals

Part I, “DOS Fundamentals,” is devoted to explaining the fundamental role of DOS in a working PC:

■ Chapter 1, “DOS and the Personal Computer,” looks at today’s PCs. The chapter

explores the major components of the PC and addresses the use of system and periph-eral hardware. In this chapter, you get a feel not only for your system but also for sys-tems with different keyboards, displays, and peripherals. You also learn the role of DOS in relation to your system.

■ Chapter 2, “Starting DOS,” steps through the process of booting DOS and explains

important concepts along the way. You also learn how you can control the booting process through setting up multiple configurations.

■ Chapter 3, “Using DOS Commands,” introduces and explains how to use DOS

com-mands. You learn the concepts behind issuing commands at the DOS command line. The chapter explains syntax, parameters, and switches in an easy-to-learn fashion. Important keys and various examples of the DOS command are also covered, along with information on how to access the DOS built-in help system.

Using Ms-dos 6.22

Contents at a Glance

Using

MS-DOS

Jim Cooper

6.22

Third Edition

Special Edition Using MS-DOS 6.22,

Third Edition

Trademarks

Warning and Disclaimer

Table of Contents

About the Author

Tell Us What You Think!

I

n this introduction

Who Should Read This Book?

What Hardware Do You Need?

What Versions Are Covered?

What Is Not Covered?

How Is This Book Organized?

Part I: DOS Fundamentals