Computer Science АС (ГСФ) / CS Work at lab classes / 1 MS DOS

BASIC DOS COMMANDS

In the procedure that follows, for those step requiring a DOS command, the command may

be given, in which case it will be shown in bold and within brackets; for example [dir *.]. Type

the command exactly as shown, but without the brackets, then press “Enter”. DOS

commands are not case sensitive, so they can be entered in either upper or lower case.

1. Follow the instructor’s instructions to load a clean copy of the MS-DOS Operating

System.

2. It is sometimes useful to know only directories (or folders) that are available on the drive.

This can be accomplished using the DIR command. Type [dir *.].

3. Record all the directories shown:

1) _________________, 2) _________________, 3) _______________ 4)

_________________, 5) _________________, 6) _______________

4. Change directory location, move into the DOS directory. [cd \dos]

5. The prompt should now show the name of the directory you reside in. What is the prompt

shown ____________________.

6. Obtain a directory listing of all the files in the DOS directory. [dir]

7. Did you notice that the listing scrolls off the top of the screen! You can control that by

using the page option with the DIR command. Type the command [dir /p], the listing

will stop when one screen is full. Press any key to list the next page. Continue until all files have been displayed, the DOS prompt will then appear.

8. Type the following command [dir /w]. The option /wstands for wide.

9. Finally, the two options can be combined. [dir /w /p]

10. Move back to the root directory. [cd \]. What is the prompt shown now?

____________________ .

11. Move into one of the other directories and obtain a directory listing of all the files in it.

12. Move back to the root directory (see step 10 above).

13. To find the version of DOS that you’re using, type [ver]. What version of DOS is installed?

______________________.

14.Using the help command. Type [help]. Navigate and become familiar with the various

options available within help.

15. What is the command for displaying a directory listing? _______________.

16. List the first two examples given in the help section for the command format. a)

_______________________, b) __________________

17. How are the following character combinations interpreted by the prompt command?

$P = ________________________________________________________

$G = ________________________________________________________

$D = ________________________________________________________

$T =_________________________________________________________

$V = ________________________________________________________

$N = ________________________________________________________

Exit help. Using the mouse, pull down the File menu, and select Exit; Or, using the

keyboard, press the following three keys [Alt-F-X

18. Change the prompt to show the date instead of the local directory. What is the new

prompt? _______________________.

19. Change the prompt to show the current time. What is the new prompt?

________________________.

20. Change the prompt back to the original.

21. Display the default Path. [path]. What is the default path? _________. This is the

location/s that DOS will look for files that are not in the current directory.

22. Change the default path to instruct DOS to look in the root directory, the DOS directory,

and the Check it directory. [path c:\;c:\dos;c:\checkit].

23. What is the new path? ______________________________________.