Learn DOS From Beginning To Advanced

In This Section We Will Be Learning The Following Topics The remainder of this section provides an overview of DOS and DOS commands. Specially, information about the following topics are provided. The structure of DOS A DOS command summary The name that DOS uses to address the different computer input/output devices The way that your keyboard interacts with DOS  Click the text above to redirect to posts.

What is DOS? Your disk operating system (DOS) performs a number of essential jobs. These includes: Controlling the way various application programs, such as word processors, electronic worksheets, database managers, accounting programs, etc., operate with your computer. DOS creates an environment that lets these programs "talks" to your computer and its input and output devices (printers, modems, display screen, keyboard, disk drivers, etc.). Keyboard and program-generated information is read, interpreted by DOS, and transferred to the selected computer device. Data being returned by your computer device. Data being returned by your computer is again translated by DOS into useful information and written to an output device, such as your display screen, printer, or disk. Providing "housekeeping" and file management utilities that perform useful tasks such as: Disk preparation (formatting, copying, etc.) File operation (creating, displaying, copying, combining, renami...

Restarting With Ctrl-Alt-Del Pressing the Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys simultaneously restarts your computer system. This process is called warm boot,  reset, or reinitialization. If your computer "hangs" ( or crashes ) for some reason, it may be necessary to reset with Ctrl-Alt-Del to get it going again. You should do this only as a last resort. If the Ctrl-Alt-Del key sequence has no effect, it means that the codes are being send from your keyboard are no longer being received and interpreted by your computer. If this happens, you must turn the power off, wait several seconds, and turn the power back on again to resume operation. If you have a fixed disk, you should wait until disk rotation stops before turning your computer back on.

As discussed in the previous Blog post we have discussed about Standard Typing Key, Special Control Key.  In this we are gonna discuss about Function Keys. Function Keys:  Because each program reacts differently with special control keys, it is necessary to learn what each does when you begin using a new software product. DOS uses the function keys F1 through F6, in addition to several other keys. A list functions and corresponding keys is contained in the following Table 1-1. Table 1-1 DOS and the Keyboard

Keyboards vary with the brand of computer. However, almost all computer keyboards have similarities. Here, the categories of keys used by computer keyboards are described. Keyboard Layout    The keyboard layout of two typical personals computers are shown in Figure 1-1.                                            Figure 1-1    Typical Keyboard Layout Standard Typing Keys:  The standard typing keys are the same as those used on a conventional typewriter. These include letter and number keys, the Tab key, and the Shift keys. The Shift key is used to type uppercase letters and the symbols above the upper row of number keys, just as soon as on a typewriter. The Caps Lock key lets you type in uppercase without pressing Shift key. When the Caps Lock is on, pressing Shift produces lowercase characters. There are also several special character keys available to y...

As a minimum, you should be familiar with computer connection and turn-on procedures. If you have a printer, you should know how to connect it your computer, set switches, and load paper and ribbons. You should also be familiar with your system's monitor type, keyboard, available memory, and storage subsystem. In particular, you should check the versions of DOS you are using. Many commands have been added in recent DOS releases. If you have an old version, such as 2.01, some commands may not be available for your use. However, with only a few exceptions, this blog describes the basic set of DOS commands available to most DOS versions beginning with DOS versions 2.01. Commands introduced in later versions of DOS are identified for you. Finally, you should be familiar with your keyboard. If you are not fully familiar with your keyboard, read the descriptive information and compare it to your keyboard.

The various versions of DOS operates with Intel's 8086, 8088, 80186, 80286, 80386, and 80486 family of microprocessors. DOS-based computers are being used around the world by an estimated fifty million people for thousands of useful applications. This includes hundreds of computer models ranging from desktop to laptop computers from nearly as many suppliers. With a growing base of complex software programs, the need for more memory and file storage is increasing. Today, it is not uncommon to find DOS-based microprocessors sporting from one to sixteen megabytes (million characters) of memory and 50 to more than 300 million characters (or bytes) of disk storage. Within the past few years extended memory specifications have been developed to let the microcomputer load greater amounts of executable code and data into memory. Having access to greater amounts of memory achieves greater execution speeds that rival those attained by many minicomputers, giving rise to new breed of super mic...