SLC Chapter 5 Basic MS-DOS Usage
CHAPTER 5
BASIC MS-DOS USAGE
Introduction
If you are a newcomer to computing you may be a total loss as to how to start using your
computer. This section is especially for you. Here we explain what MS-DOS is, how it interacts
with your computer, and why you need it no matter what software you intend to use. We also
explain how to use the basic MS-DOS commands that are essential for managing the information
stored on your hard disk and diskettes.
Your MS-DOS software comes with a complete user’s manual with comprehensive instructions on
how to use the program and it is this manual you will have to read to really understand all about
MS-DOS. If you are new to computing, we strongly recommend that you take some time to read
the first few chapters of the MS-DOS manual to gain a basic knowledge of PC usage. However,
the information we provide here should be enough to get you started, and once you are started,
you will quickly find out that computing really is as easy as everyone says it is.
What is MS-DOS?
MS-DOS stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System. Microsoft is the name of the company that
produces the program and Disk Operating System (DOS) is a somewhat abbreviated description of
what the program does. For the rest of this manual we shall refer to it simply as DOS since there
are operating systems available from other companies besides Microsoft. DOS is also known as the
system software or the operating system. What you call it is not important but what is important is
this – You can do nothing with your computer before you have loaded DOS. No matter what
software you want to use, be it WordStar, Lotus 1-2-3, Dbase III, a computer game, or even
something that you have written yourself, you will not be able to load that software before you
have loaded DOS.
The essential part of the DOS program acts as a bridge between your hardware and your software.
It communicates with the hardware and controls the flow of information to and from your
keyboard, disk drive and monitor. It also provides you with the tools for manipulating the data
stored on your computer, allowing you to copy and delete files, see what files you have stored,
rename files etc. etc. In short, no matter whether you like it or not, you are going to have to get
used to using DOS. DOS includes many commands you may never use depending on what you
intend to use your computer for, but you will use some commands every time you turn on your
computer.
Loading Dos
There are basically two ways to load DOS – the first is to load it from a floppydiskette, the second
is to load it from a hard disk. To load Dos from a hard disk you must have first installed it from the
original floppy diskette onto the hard disk. To load DOS from a diskette you simply place the DOS
system diskette in your floppy disk drive and turn on your computer. Note that we say the DOS
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SLC Chapter 5 Basic MS-DOS Usage
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