I want to learn how to use DOS

[NeoWarrior]

I want to learn how to use DOS because most of the hacking/assembling programs for ROMS use that OS. I need to know the basics first so I could try more advanced stuff. If someone here have used DOS for anything I will apreciate any kind of advice.

[Iconoclast]

Originally Posted by NeoWarrior

I want to learn how to use DOS because most of the hacking/assembling programs for ROMS use that OS. I need to know the basics first so I could try more advanced stuff. If someone here have used DOS for anything I will apreciate any kind of advice.

I have used DOS in several instances.

I'll start out with 'navigation' DOS, what I would call it. Using DOS requires an understanding of directory structure, for one thing. For now, think of a DOS prompt as a sort of 'Windows Explorer'.

You can switch drives by typing the drive letter of the drive you want to browse. For example, if you enter 'C:' in the DOS prompt, it takes you to drive C (usually your hard drive) if you aren't already there. Try other drives your PC may have.

Next, use the 'CD' command to change your current directory (or folder) you're viewing. There should be a folder on your hard disk C's root directory named 'WINDOWS'. To enter the folder using DOS, make sure you are browsing the root of the C drive, and type: CD WINDOWS.

To get to a folder like C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32, you do not have to type CD WINDOWS and then CD SYSTEM32 to get to that directory. You can just type CD C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32, or if you're already in the root of drive C, just CD WINDOWS\SYSTEM32.

To return to the parent directory of the directory you're in, use what is called a directory transversal, or enter this in DOS: "CD .." The two dots symbolize going up a directory. You can go up two folders/directories at the same time by entering "CD ..\..". Obviously, you can go up any number of directories at once.

Now you know pretty much everything about navigating in DOS. Now, I'll teach viewing files in a directory and opening them.

In Windows XP, if you are running a DOS prompt, you can open any file using DOS. But with the MS-DOS operating system running alone, you can only get it to read BAT, COM, and EXE files. BAT files are MS-DOS batch files that are scripted to perform commands in DOS for the user running it. COM files are always MS-DOS compatible executable applications. EXE files are also executable files, but they might not be readable in DOS mode if they were designed for the Windows OS.

Do you understand so far?

[NeoWarrior]

Originally Posted by Iconoclast

I have used DOS in several instances.

I'll start out with 'navigation' DOS, what I would call it. Using DOS requires an understanding of directory structure, for one thing. For now, think of a DOS prompt as a sort of 'Windows Explorer'.

You can switch drives by typing the drive letter of the drive you want to browse. For example, if you enter 'C:' in the DOS prompt, it takes you to drive C (usually your hard drive) if you aren't already there. Try other drives your PC may have.

Next, use the 'CD' command to change your current directory (or folder) you're viewing. There should be a folder on your hard disk C's root directory named 'WINDOWS'. To enter the folder using DOS, make sure you are browsing the root of the C drive, and type: CD WINDOWS.

To get to a folder like C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32, you do not have to type CD WINDOWS and then CD SYSTEM32 to get to that directory. You can just type CD C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32, or if you're already in the root of drive C, just CD WINDOWS\SYSTEM32.

To return to the parent directory of the directory you're in, use what is called a directory transversal, or enter this in DOS: "CD .." The two dots symbolize going up a directory. You can go up two folders/directories at the same time by entering "CD ..\..". Obviously, you can go up any number of directories at once.

Now you know pretty much everything about navigating in DOS. Now, I'll teach viewing files in a directory and opening them.

In Windows XP, if you are running a DOS prompt, you can open any file using DOS. But with the MS-DOS operating system running alone, you can only get it to read BAT, COM, and EXE files. BAT files are MS-DOS batch files that are scripted to perform commands in DOS for the user running it. COM files are always MS-DOS compatible executable applications. EXE files are also executable files, but they might not be readable in DOS mode if they were designed for the Windows OS.

Do you understand so far?

I understand everything you are telling me about the commands and searching but I have a question: What is the difference between DOS & MS-DOS? That puzzles me.

[pizzaman]

MS stands for MicroSoft and DOS stands for Disk Operating System. It's the same thing, it's just that people use the term DOS because it's shorter. I guess Iconoclast isn't as bright as he says on this matter.

[Iconoclast]

Originally Posted by pizzaman

I guess Iconoclast isn't as bright as he says on this matter.

I didn't even say I was bright at all. Why did you say that? Just wondering; you worry me sometimes...I am actually proud of being morbid, sometimes, anyway.

And for future reference, it"$ Microsoft, not MicroSoft. Not that it matters that much. I don't mean to sound overcorrective or anything; I just don't want you spreading capitalization errors to anybody else.

[DarthBrady]

And dont forget, Microsoft isnt the only company ever to use an operating system called DOS.

Apple also released a version of of DOS, called Pro-DOS. It was the the First operating system to ever use a non-text based Graphical user interface, called Appleworks. This was ran on the Apple IIe Model sytems.