Term
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Definition
| Software that allows you to perform usefull functions, such as write documents using a word processor, or work with spreadsheets using a program like Excel |
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Term
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Definition
| The disk containing the programs that are used to start an OS. In the case of DOS, the complete OS can fit on a single floppy disk or on a hard disk. Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP are all too big to fit on a floppy disk, and normally boot the initial boot files from teh root directory of the system partition |
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Term
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Definition
| A small ROM-BIOS program that searches for a boot sector on disk. Once it finds one, it loads it into memory. The boot sector program then looks on the disk from which it was loaded for system files, which it will, in turn, load into memory. |
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Term
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Definition
| The minimum disk space that a file system can give to a file. This is also known as an allocation unit. |
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Term
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Definition
| A method of starting up a computer by turning on the power switch. |
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Term
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Definition
| In real mode, the first 640 KB of RAM that can be used as the worspace for the operating system, applications programs, and data. |
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Term
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Definition
| An older term for a type of file that can contain other files as well. The newer term is folder. |
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Term
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Definition
| The user interface of DOS. It includes, at minimum, the current drive letter followed by a blinking cursor, indicating that the command interpreter is ready for input. |
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Term
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Definition
| Software that is added to an OS to control a physical component (a device). A component-specific is needed for each unique hardware device connected to a computer. |
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Term
Extended Partition
only one can be primary, and one can be extended. MS-DOS will boot from a primary partition, but not from an extended partition. |
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Definition
| A partition type that can contain one or more logical drives, each of which can use a portion of the partition. FDISK can create only two partitions on a physical drive; |
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Term
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Definition
| A version of the FAT File system used on hard disks by DOS and other operating systems. |
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Term
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Definition
| The FAT file system available with Windows since Windows 95 OSRS (OEM Services Release 2) in the fall of 1996. |
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Term
| file allocation table (FAT) |
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Definition
| The component of the FAT file system that an OS uses to track where files reside on disk as it allocates space to the files. |
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Term
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Definition
| A component of file or directory entries that determines how an operating system handles the file. In teh FAT file system, the attributes are read-only, archive, system, hidden, volume label, and directory |
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Term
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Definition
| A command program that DOS stores within the operating system code that remains in memory. These are stored COMMAND.COM |
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Term
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Definition
| A portion of a physical hard drive that is treated as a separate drive with a drive letter assigned to it. |
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Term
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Definition
| Use in the context of an operating system's treatement of a command entered at the command line. To divide the command into its components. DOS command interpreter divides an entry based on special delimiter characters, such as the space character. |
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Term
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Definition
| (n) An area of a physical hard disk that defines space that will be used for logical drives. (v) To define the space to be used for logical drives using a program such as the MS-DOS FDISK program. |
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Term
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Definition
| A partition type that can only have one logical drive, which is assigned to the entire space defined by teh partition. MS-DOS and Windows 9x can only have a single primary partition (plus one extended partition), while Windows NT/2000/XP can have up to four primary partitions. |
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Term
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Definition
| In a FAT file system, a directory with special characters: It is at the top level of the directory hierarchy, and it the only directory created automatically when a logical drive is formatted. |
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Term
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Definition
| The ability of an operating system to run just one task at a time. |
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Term
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Definition
| The disk containing the programs that are used to start an OS. In the case of DOS, the complete OS can fit on a single floppy disk or on a hard disk. Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP are all too big to fit on a floppy disk, and normally boot the initial boot files from teh root directory of the system partition |
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Term
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Definition
| A set of rules for correctly entering a specific command at the command line. The rules include the placement of the command name and the parameters that can be used to modify the behavior of the command. |
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Term
| terminate and stay resident (TSR) |
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Definition
| The characteristic of some small DOS programs that stay loaded in memory when inactive, but can be quickly activated when needed. |
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Term
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Definition
| A program that allows a user to perform useful tasks, such as computer management or diagnostics. It is distinguished from an application program, which is usually used for office productivity, or other non-computer management tasks. |
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Term
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Definition
| Restarting a computer without a power-down and power-up cycle, by using a key combination (for example, CTRL-ALT-DELETE) or a hardware reset button. |
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Term
MD (creating & removing directories)
The syntax is MD [drive:]path. |
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Definition
| An internal command for creating a new directory. |
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Term
| CD Creating & removing directories |
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Definition
| an internal command to move between directories. |
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Term
DIR
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| Lists the contents of a directory (internal command). |
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Term
CD
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| Changes the directory (internal command). |
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Term
CLS
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| Clears the display screen (internal command). |
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Term
COPY:
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| copies a file (internal command) |
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Term
REN
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| renames a file or directory (internal command). |
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Term
MD
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| Makes a directory (internal command) |
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Term
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Definition
| Displays the contents of a file on the display screen (internal command). |
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Term
RD
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| removes an already empty directory (internal command). |
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Term
XCOPY
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| Copies entire directories, as well as files (external command). |
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Term
DISKCOPY
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| makes a floppy disk-to-floppy disk copy (external command). |
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Term
DELTREE
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| Deletes an entire directory and its contents (eternal command). |
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Term
HELP
File Management Commands |
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Definition
| Displays a listing of DOS commands and provides their syntax (external command). |
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Term
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Definition
CP/M was an important predecessor to DOS
Many versions of DOS, several introduced by Microsoft (MS)
MS created PC DOS for IBM
Later licensed DOS as MS-DOS to other manufacturers
MS-DOS 5.0 first version available as a separate product
PC DOS now works on Microsoft/Intel compatible computers
Digital Research (of CP/M fame) introduced DR-DOS in 1987
DR-DOS 8.0 introduced in 2004 by DeviceLogics
FreeDOS distributed without charge under GNU GPL license |
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Term
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Definition
DOS for backward compatibility with DOS apps
DOS when you need a small OS
DOS is more compact than Windows and hence useful for embedded systems or for portability
DOS is popular as an operating system due to its ability to pack all startup files on a single floppy disk
The floppy disk is also known as the startup disk
Startup disk accommodates additional files, such as drivers and utilities
Startup disk can be used for booting up a computer and running special diagnostic programs |
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Term
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Definition
Processor mode limits
Memory limits
Multitasking limits
Hard drive limits
Processor Mode Limits
Only supports real mode of operation of Intel processors
Newer Intel processors start in the real mode, and newer OSs (Windows, Linux, UNIX) switch the processor from the real mode to the protected mode
Memory Limits
Intel processors in real mode use only 1 MB
640 KB of RAM (conventional memory) is workspace for the OS, applications and data
384 KB of addresses reserved for system BIOS and RAM and ROM on adapters
Multitasking Limits
DOS is a single-tasking OS
Hard Drive Limits
DOS only supports hard drives up to 7.8 GB
DOS uses logical drives that are 2 GB or less and within the 7.8 GB total disk space limit
A logical drive is a portion of the physical hard drive with a letter assigned to it |
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Term
| DOS Hardware Requirements |
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Definition
The general DOS hardware requirements for MS-DOS 6.22 and IBM PC-DOS
An IBM or compatible personal computer
6MB of free hard disk space for the DOS utilities
512KB of memory |
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Term
| Preparing for DOS Installation |
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Definition
Assure that the computer is a complete system with all the necessary components
Setup program partitions and formats the hard disk
Partition: an area of a physical hard disk that contains one or more logical drives |
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Term
| Partitioning a Hard Disk in MS-DOS |
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Definition
Physical format is done at the factory Master Boot Record (MBR), the 1st sector on disk, contains the partition table Partitioning is the first step to prepare a hard disk Each partition needs a logical format within each logical drive Partitioning and formatting included in OS installation FDISK – the partitioning program of MS-DOS Primary partition has only one logical drive 2GB is maximum primary partition size in MS-DOS Extended partition contains one or more logical drives After partitioning, then format logical drives |
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Term
| Installing DOS on a Hard Disk |
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Definition
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Term
| FAT File System Components |
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Definition
FAT Table
File allocation table (FAT) – DOS records disk space usage
Cluster – minimum space allocated to a file
FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32
FAT16 – used on hard disks
FAT32 – available since Windows 95 OEM SR2
FAT12 – used on floppy disks
The number refers to the size of each entry in the FAT table. Length of entry limits the number of entries the FAT table can hold.
How Cluster Size Affects Partitions
FAT16 file system limited to 65,525 clusters
Maximum cluster size 32,768 bytes (32K)
65,525 x 32,768 = 2GB (maximum partition size supported by the FAT16 file system) Root Directory and Other Directories
The FAT and the root directory are the two primary components of the FAT file system
DOS uses the FAT to record the location of a file on the disk
A directory is a place where DOS stores information about files, including a reference to the FAT table
Root directory is the top level directory
Root Directory and Other Directories (continued)
Parent directory contains other directories
Child directory (subdirectory) is within a parent
Each directory entry contains the name of a file or directory, the time and date of its creation or modification, its size, attributes, and beginning cluster information |
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Term
| Using a Directory and the FAT Table to find a File |
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Definition
Directory is like a phone directory for DOS
Finds file name and listing in the directory
Reads the starting cluster number in directory
Looks in the FAT table (like a map of city) for location on disk |
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Term
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Definition
A file name is up to eight characters, followed by a period, and an extension of up to three characters
A file name and extension can include alpha- numeric characters and a few special characters, but no spaces
Use the wildcard characters asterisk (*) and question mark (?) to locate files and folders |
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Term
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Definition
BAK, BAS, BAT, COM, DOS, EXE, SYS, and TXT are some common file extensions and file types recognized by DOS
Executable Files
COM, EXE, and BAT are the three types of files that can be executed by DOS |
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Term
| Creating a Simple Batch File |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
Determine the manner in which DOS handles files
Hidden
Volume label
Directory
Read-only
Archive
System |
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Term
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Definition
Creates or changes a volume label (name)
If a volume has a label, FORMAT requires the name before reformatting |
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Term
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Definition
Displays and modifies attributes
Works on read-only, archive, system, and hidden files
Works in both MS-DOS and Windows on FAT and NTFS |
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Term
| Success at the DOS Prompt |
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Definition
Success means correctly entering commands and getting desired results
Important for working with DOS and other OSs
What is the Correct Syntax?
Syntax is a set of rules for correctly entering a specific command at the command line
The HELP command can be used to find the syntax for a command
COMMAND /?
How is a Command Interpreted?
COMMAND.COM interprets the command entered at the prompt
COMMAND.COM loads each command into the memory, and issues additional instructions to the command
COMMAND.COM parses the command entry based on special delimiter characters |
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Term
| Using the Online Help in DOS |
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Definition
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Term
| How is a Program Found and Loaded? |
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Definition
COMMAND.COM loads the command named at the beginning of the command line
Must find the actual program code
First checks its own list of internal commands
Then looks for an external command in the current directory, and then in a list called the search path |
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Term
| Learning to Manage Files and Directories |
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Definition
File management in DOS is centered on the abilities and limits of the FAT file system
It is essential to design a directory structure to save and organize files |
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Term
| Learning to Manage Files and Directories |
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Definition
Designing a Directory Structure for File Management
DOS directory/folder structure is hierarchical
Drive | Directory | File Name
TREE command can be used to view the entire directory structure
Store data in a separate directory from applications |
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Term
| Learning to Manage Files and Directories |
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Definition
Creating and Removing Directories
MD (Make Directory) will create a directory
CD or CHDIR (Change Directory) allows movement between directories
RD (Remove Directory) deletes an empty directory |
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Term
| Learning to Manage Files and Directories |
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Definition
Use File Management Commands
DOS commands are divided into internal commands and external commands
Internal commands are loaded into the memory along with DOS |
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Term
| Learning to Manage Files and Directories |
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Definition
Use File management commands (continued):
DIR (Directory), MD, CD, CLS (CLear Screen), COPY, REN (REName), RD, and TYPE are some of the internal commands
XCOPY, DISKCOPY, and DELTREE are often-used external commands |
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Term
DOS commands and their functionality
Working with the DOS Command Prompt |
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Definition
CD...Moves from the parent directory from the present directory
DIR/? - Lists the available syntax for the DIR command
DIR/P - Lists data one page at a time
VER - displays the MS-DOS version |
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Term
| Why You Should Learn the DOS Bootup Process |
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Definition
Personal computers are multi-purpose devices.
Understanding the normal startup process of the system helps troubleshoot problems that occur during boot-up. |
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Term
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Definition
IO.SYS handles hardware interaction and loading of drivers
MSDOS.SYS is the kernel of DOS
COMMAND.COM is the command interpreter |
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Term
| Why You Should Learn the DOS Bootup Process |
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Definition
Personal computers are multi-purpose devices.
Understanding the normal startup process of the system helps troubleshoot problems that occur during boot-up.
DOS Configuration Files
CONFIG.SYS – adds device drivers and modifies DOS settings
BUFFERS DOS
DEVICE FILES
DEVICEHIGH STACKS
AUTOEXEC.BAT batch file loaded during bootup
PATH PROMPT SET |
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Term
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Definition
A PC can be booted up by:
Turning on the power switch of the PC (a cold boot)
Using the Ctrl-Alt-Delete key combination to reboot the system (a warm boot)
The processor loads a special ROM-based program, called Power-On Self-Test (POST)
POST runs a series of small diagnostic tests on the hardware, and loads the bootstrap loader
The bootstrap loader is a small program in the ROM BIOS
On a hard drive, the bootstrap loader looks into the MBR (master boot record) and reads the partition table for the primary active partition
The bootstrap loader loads the boot sector from the logical drive, which, in turn, runs the operating system loading program |
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Term
| Creating a DOS Startup Floppy Disk |
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Definition
Using FORMAT to create a startup disk
Using SYS to create a startup disk
Using Windows to create a startup disk |
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Term
| Using FORMAT to Create a Startup Disk |
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Definition
The FORMAT command prepares the diskette and places a new root directory and FAT on the disk
The /S switch option places the system files on the diskette |
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Term
| Create a Startup Floppy Disk Using FORMAT |
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Definition
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Term
| Using SYS to Create a Startup Disk |
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Definition
The SYS command places the DOS system files on a previously formatted floppy disk
To put the DOS system files on a floppy disk enter sys a: |
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Term
| Using Windows to Create a Startup Disk |
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Definition
In Windows 95 and 98 go to Control Panel | Add/Remove Programs | Startup Disk
In Windows XP format a disk from within My Computer or Windows Explorer and select the option to create a MS-DOS startup disk |
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Term
| “Non-System Disk” error message |
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Definition
The OS loader program (boot sector) is unable to locate the IO.SYS, or MSDOS.SYS, or both
Rectify by ensuring that the OS is booted from the disk that holds the OS |
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Term
| Bad or Missing Command Interpreter” error message |
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Definition
Implies that the file COMMAND.COM is missing or that the version is different than IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS
Rectify by copying the COMMAND.COM file with the correct date and time from the floppy disk to the hard disk |
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Term
| Bad Command or File Name” error message |
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Definition
Implies that the command name or the file name (or a directory name) used in the command line is incorrect
Rectify by identifying typos and re-entering the command correctly |
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Term
| A request to enter the current date and time |
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Definition
Means that DOS did not find an AUTOEXEC.BAT file
If you previously had one, investigate why and how you don’t now |
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Term
| Finding DOS and Understanding Its Strengths and Weaknesses |
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Definition
One reason DOS is still in limited use today is its small size, which makes it a choice for embedded systems
Another reason is that its system files easily fit on a floppy disk, leaving room for other small programs
Technicians can run diagnostic utilities from a DOS floppy disk
Windows can run DOS in a virtual DOS machine
Some applications run too slowly or not at all in a virtual machine, so they must be run on a computer running DOS
DOS can only access real-mode of the Intel processors
DOS is a single-tasking operating system
DOS provides limited services for DOS applications
DOS applications can only use conventional memory
Microsoft no longer supports or sells MS-DOS
IBM sells PC DOS 2000
Digital Research sold DR-DOS to Novell
DR-DOS is now sold through DeviceLogics
Versions of DOS can be found for free on the Internet |
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Term
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Definition
The MS-DOS Setup program will partition and format a hard drive, if needed
Hardware requirements for MS-DOS are minimal:
An IBM or compatible PC
6MB of free hard disk space
512KB of memory |
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Term
| How the FAT File System Works |
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Definition
DOS uses the FAT16 file system, and only uses conventional memory
The FAT file system uses the 8.3 naming convention for files and directories
It is best to use only alphanumeric characters
A file’s extension can indicate the type of file
File attributes determine how DOS handles a file or directory
File attributes are read-only, archive, system, hidden, volume label, and directory |
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Term
| Working with the DOS Command Prompt |
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Definition
The ATTRIB command allows you to view and manipulate the read-only, archive, system, and hidden attributes
Internal command are part of COMMAND.COM and are always available and fast to access
CLS, COPY, REN, DEL, MD, RD, CD, and TYPE are internal DOS commands
External commands are in individual files, which must be where DOS can find them
XCOPY, DELTREE, FORMAT, FDISK, and DISKCOPY are external commands |
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Term
| Describe the DOS Bootup Process and Create Startup Disks |
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Definition
It is important to understand the bootup process of an OS in order to troubleshoot failures that occur during bootup
A hard boot of a PC occurs when you turn on the power switch
A soft boot of a PC occurs when you press CTRL-ALT-DELETE
Many computers have a Reset button, which resets a running computer without a power- down and power-up cycle
The order of events during bootup of DOS is:
Cold or warm boot
POST
Bootstrap loader looks on A: or C: drive and loads the boot record
IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS are loaded
CONFIG.SYS (if it exists) is read and used by MSDOS.SYS
COMMAND.COM is loaded
DOS bootup order of events (continued)
AUTOEXEC.BAT (if it exists) is read and used by COMMAND.COM
The DOS prompt is displayed
To create a DOS startup disk, you can:
Use the DOS Setup program
Use the SYS or FORMAT command
Use the Startup Disk option in Windows 9x
Format a floppy disk in Windows XP |
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Term
| Troubleshoot Common DOS Problems |
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Definition
A “Non-System Disk” error message means that the OS loader cannot find IO.SYS or MSDOS.SYS
Most likely cause is a data floppy disk left in drive A:
Remove the floppy and reboot the computer
A “Bad or Missing Command Interpreter” message means that COMMAND.COM is missing or is a different version than IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS
Boot from a DOS floppy disk of the correct version, and copy COMMAND.COM to the root of C:
A “Bad Command or File Name” error message means you need to check your spelling and reenter the command
If you are required to enter the date and time when you boot up a computer there is probably no AUTOEXEC.BAT on the root of the boot disk. Create one, even if it is empty, and most PCs will use the internal clock for the time |
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Term
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Definition
| A command program stored on disk, rather than the OS cod that remains in memory. Will look to disk command, if cannot find in memory |
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Term
| File Allocation Table (FAT) |
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Definition
| OS uses this to track where files reside on disk as it makes space for the files |
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