Skip to main content

Section 3 Introduction

Section 3 Preparing and Examining Disks 

INTRODUCTION

This section guides you through the commands used to prepare and examine disks. The commands presented includes:

FORMAT     Used to prepare a disk for use with DOS and/or files.
SYS              Used to transfer DOS to a formatted disk.
VOL             Used to display a disk volume label.
LABEL        Used to display or change a disk volume label.
DIR              Display a list of filename on the designated disk or directory.
CHKDSK    Checks available disk space and displays memory.
MEM           Displays total available memory type.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

MEM

MEM The MEM command was introduced in DOS version 4.01 and memory information. The MEM command is entered alone or with a modified slightly in MS-DOS 5.00. MEM is used to display system memory information. The MEM command is entered alone or with a parameter. MEM-Displays to all system memory values, including expanded and extended memory values. MEM PROGRAM--Displays programs presently loaded in memory with used and unused memory. You may use /P if you are using DOS 5.00 MEM/DEBUG--Dispiays a list of programs, device drivers, install drivers, and used unused memory. You may use / if you are using DOS 5.00. MEM CLASSIFY (or MEM /C)-Displays programs and cor-responding memory usage. The largest available memory block is also displayed. You may use /C if you are using DOS 5.00. Typing MEM and pressing Enter displays information similar to the following (typical of DOS 5.00): C:\>MEM                  ...

Disk Construction

The various parts of standard 5.25- and 3.5-inch disks are contained in Figure 1-2. A description of each part is also provided. Write protect notch--When covered, prevents information from being recorded on the disk; when uncovered, information can be recorded. Temporary label--An adhesive-backed label allowing the contents of a disk to be identified. Permanent label--When used, contains disk manufacturer and capacity information. Exposed recording surface--Metal oxide surface used to magnetically record data. Do not touch! Protective jacket --House magnetic disk; provides protective cover. Disk sleeve (envelope)--Used to store disks;prevents  accidental contact with exposed surface. Protective slide --Protects magnetic media surface; slides open when inserted into a diskette drive (only on 3 1/2-inch diskettes). Figure 1-2 The Parts of a Floppy Disk Construction : Almost everyone is familiar with audio recording tape. The tape is a long, flexible acetate or mylar strip coated wit...

Path

The PATH command is used to provide access to files located in other directories or on other disks. The PATH command is usually entered as a line in an AUTOEXEC.BAT (or batch) file, which most often contains one or more DOS commands. The AUTOEXEC.BAT file is automatically executed upon system turn-on to run one or more desired programs without the need for user intervention. Other batch  files are executed upon command. When an AUTOEXEC.CAT file is used, each command contained in the file executes as it is encountered. The creation and use of batch files is described in Section 8. To illustrate the PATH command, assume you have a program named GATOR.COM that is located in a sub directory. You are not sure if it is cn disk C or disk A, so you want to search both disks and execute the command when found. To complicate matters, you are not sure if the program is in the SWAMP sub directory or the MUD sub directory. Here is where the PATH command comes to your rescue. To set up a search...