How to Use MS DOS

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: If you're on a computer that has DOS as an operating system

   If you're using a Windows computer, you'll need to start the command prompt manually.
   
   For most computers, it should be located under 'Accessories' in the Start menu.
   
   It can also be accessed by typing "<windows button>" and "R".
   
   Then type in "cmd" without the quotes and you should be in DOS, also known as a Command Prompt.
2. 2

   Step 2: the command prompt should appear automatically when the computer is turned on.

   This is called the command prompt, and it also serves the useful purpose of showing what directory you're currently in.
   
   At the end of this prompt, you type commands (think verbs) followed by arguments (think nouns
   -- when the verb needs a noun, that is), then press enter.
   
   Here are some sample commands:
   C:\GAMES>ping nosound C:\MY DOCUMENTS>edit essay.txt , Use the dir command to list the contents of your hard disk or the directory (or "folder") that you're in.
   
   Depending on where you are, you might get something like this: .
   
   DIR ..
   
   DIR DOS DIR GAMES DIR WINDOWS DIR AUTOEXEC .BAT ESSAY .TXT , For example, typing the name of a directory after dir will give you the contents of that directory instead, and /p is useful for very long lists because it will stop and wait for you to press a key every time it reaches the end of the screen. /p can also be used in most other commands that print on the screen. , cd C:\GAMES\GRAPE).
   
   If the directory is a subdirectory of the directory you're currently in, like if you were already in GAMES in the previous example, you could also just type cd GRAPE.
   
   Here, ' cd ' is the command and the directory is the argument.
   
   The command prompt also shows the name of your current directory.
   
   So, typing C:\> CD C:\GAMES\GRAPE Would change the command prompt to C:\GAMES\GRAPE>
   
   For example, if I wanted to start the game Mortar Mayhem, I would navigate to the directory it's in:
   C:\> cd games\mortar Then type the name of the EXE file, without the extension.
   
   C:\GAMES\MORTAR> mortar And now the game would run. , The things in are only examples. del
   - Deletes a file.
   
   Does not remove directories, but does clear their contents. move
   - Moves a file or folder md
   - Creates a subdirectory rmdir
   - Removes a directory.
3. 3

   Step 3: You should see a window with "C:\>"

4. 4

   Step 4: "C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\>"

5. 5

   Step 5: or something similar.

6. 6

   Step 6: The most important thing you should be able to do is list the contents of directories

7. 7

   Step 7: and navigate them.

8. 8

   Step 8: When used on its own

9. 9

   Step 9: dir will show the contents of your current directory

10. 10

    Step 10: but there are many useful arguments for the dir command.

11. 11

    Step 11: If you want to enter a directory

12. 12

    Step 12: type cd

13. 13

    Step 13: then the path and name of the directory (ex.

14. 14

    Step 14: Executing programs is exactly like commands.

15. 15

    Step 15: Now that you know the basic syntax of DOS

16. 16

    Step 16: here are some other useful commands.

Detailed Guide

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