Do you ever want to go back to the old days? Or to use a DOS emulator or to restart your old MSDOS PC? Contrary to popular opinion, DOS is still a usable operating system, which you can use for speed and efficiency. Having trouble with the Windows command prompt? Keep reading…
Steps
Step 1. If you are using a computer with the actual DOS operating system installed, the command prompt should appear automatically when the computer is turned on
If you are on Windows, you will need to launch Command Prompt manually. For most users, this is located in the Accessories folder of the Start menu. You can start the command prompt by also typing the windows + R button, then type “cmd” and hit enter and you should be in front of the Windows Command Prompt.
Step 2. You should see a line that says "C:
"," C: / DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS [yourname]> ", or something similar. This line is called" prompt "and indicates the file path you are currently in. At the end of the prompt, you can type commands followed by parameters, just like a sentence with verbs and pronouns. After each command you will have to press enter. Here are some of the more common commands.
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C: / GAMES> ping nosound
Use MS DOS Step 2Bullet1 -
C: / MY DOCUMENTS> edit essay.txt
Use MS DOS Step 2Bullet2
Step 3. The most important function to learn is the one that allows you to list and navigate between files and directories
Use the dir command to list the files in the folder. Depending on the file path you are in, you may receive output like this:
- . DIR
- .. DIR
- DOS DIR
- GAMES DIR
- WINDOWS DIR
- AUTOEXEC. BAT
- ESSAY. TXT
Step 4. When used alone, the dir command displays the contents of the folder, but there are many useful parameters to use
For example, typing the directory name after the "dir" command will list the contents of that particular directory, and using the / p parameter for very long lists will cause the prompt to wait for your command to move to the next page of the list, rather than listing all the files together by cutting out some entries. Also, the / p parameter can be used with most other commands
Step 5. If you want to enter a folder, type “cd” followed by the file path of the folder (for example, “cd C:
GAMES / GRAPE). If the folder is a subdirectory of the folder you are in, as in the case of “GAMES / GRAPE”, you can only use “cd” followed by the folder name. For example: cd GRAPE. In this case, the CD is the command and the directory is the parameter. The command line also shows your current directory, therefore, typing
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C: \> CD C: / GAMES / GRAPE
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The prompt would change to C: / GAMES / GRAPE>
Use MS DOS Step 5Bullet2
Step 6. Running programs is exactly like running commands
For example, if you want to start the Mortar Mayhem game, you should enter the game directory:
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C: \> cd games / mortar
Use MS DOS Step 6Bullet1 And type the name of the executable, without the extension
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C: / GAMES / MORTAR> mortar
Use MS DOS Step 6Bullet2 The game will then start
Step 7. Now that you know the basic DOS syntax; here are other useful commands
The key in the [square brackets] is an example only.
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del [countdown.txt] - Deletes a file. It does not remove directories, but it can delete their contents.
Use MS DOS Step 7Bullet1 -
move [countdown.txt] [c: / games / grape] - Move a file or folder
Use MS DOS Step 7Bullet2 -
md [grape] - Create a subdirectory
Use MS DOS Step 7Bullet3 -
rmdir [grape] - Remove a directory
Use MS DOS Step 7Bullet4
Advice
- Try FreeDOS if you want to experiment with DOS. FreeDOS is a non-proprietary operating system.
- If you are unsure of the purpose of a command, simply type [COMMAND] / ?. The parameter /? Makes DOS return generic information about the command, explaining how to use it.
- MS DOS is an obsolete system, not to mention ancient. So, don't replace your $ 200 copy of Windows XP with MSDOS. Hardly any modern software is compatible with MS DOS.
- This article is especially suitable for users of MSDOS version 4 or higher.
Warnings
- By following the instructions in this article, you will not start the real MSDOS, but a terminal based on it.
- DOS does not restrict access to system files like windows, so it is easier to delete critical files by mistake, causing the entire system to malfunction.
