Introduction to DOS

When a system crashes and the Windows Recovery Utility is used it provides the user with a DOS prompt and not the normal windows graphical interface so it is vital that you have a basic understanding of DOS. Also some repairs for software problems require the running of DOS utilities and DOS commands. You have already used serveral DOS commands in the networking unit, IPCONFIG, PING and TRACERT. In this unit you will be introduced to some of the most basic but useful DOS commands.

Use the DOS Tutorial web site to learn some basic DOS commands. As you read through the pages have a DOS window open at the same time and try out the commands that are described. You will then use these same commands to complete the DOS Lab.

1. Open up a DOS screen - Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. Copy down the prompt that is shown on the screen.

Before moving on with this lab be sure that you are on the C: drive of your computer and NOT the H: drive which is on the server. To change to the C: just type in C: and press enter.

2. What does the cd command do? If you are not sure type in the help command to find out more about this command. Type cd /?

3. DOS refers to folders as directories. In DOS the C:\> directory is typically called the root directory, this is where all other files and directories (or folders) are typically located. To get to this directory type cd \ which means change to the root directory.

4. Copy down the results of the ver command.

5. What does the dir command stand for and what does it do?

6. Type in this command and list at least three directories that are displayed.

7. Which directory do you think the XP operating system would be found in?

8. What does the /p switch do when used with the dir command?

9. What is the md command short for?

10. I want to make a folder called CompRep and then I want to create a sub folder inside the CompRep folder called Networking. Write out the complete commands that would be used to accomplish this.

11. What does the rd command do? Be very careful with this command!

12. Click on the DOS Tutorial Part 2 at the bottom of the tutorial to answer the next questions. Explain each part of this command: copy c:\dos\edit.com c:\fruit

13. What does the asterisk in DIR *.txt command do?

14. What would the following command do? (DO NOT try this command!) C:\> DEL *

15. What does the ren command do?

16. Use the help command to find out more about the switches available with the rd command. Describe two switches for this command and be sure to indicate what each switch does.