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Published:
June 16, 1998

DOS For Dummies

Overview

DOS made easy!

Windows may rule the world of popular computing on PCs around theglobe, but DOS still has a place in the hearts and minds ofcomputer users who vaguely remember what a C prompt looks like.Even if DOS (with all its arcane commands and its drab, boringlook) isn't your idea of the best way to get things done on a PC,you'll find plenty of fast and friendly help on hand with the thirdedition of DOS For Dummies.

Here's a plain-speaking reference guide to all the command-linestuff and nonsense that makes DOS work, whether you're a native DOSuser or are an occasional dabbler who needs the operating system torun all those cool games under Windows.

DOS For Dummies, 3rd Edition, avoids all the technicaljargon to cut to the heart of things with clear, easy-to-understandexplanations and step-by-step help for
* Changing disks and drives
* Dealing with the DOS prompt
* Managing files
* Running DOS inside Windows
* Installing and running DOS-based software programs
* Working with the printer and serial ports
* Using the mouse and keyboard
* Troubleshooting problems
* Understanding DOS error messages

All the basic DOS commands, from APPEND to XCOPY, aredemystified to make life in DOS much more bearable. This handyguide has plenty of helpful tips and tricks for bending DOS to yourwill, without having to dedicate your life (and all your free time)to mastering this little corner of the PC.

Author Dan Gookin's first edition of DOS For Dummies became an international best-seller. He considers himself a computer "guru" whose job it is to remind everyone that computersare not to be taken too seriously. His approach to computers islight and humorous, yet very informative. Gookin mixes hisknowledge of computers with a unique, dry sense of humor that keepsyou informed - and awake.

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About The Author

Dan Gookin has written more than 30 bestselling computer books, including PCs For Dummies, Buying a Comptuter For Dummies, Illustrated Computer Dictionary For Dummies, and Word 2000 For Windows For Dummies.

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Computers are supposed to make life easier, not harder. Hard disk management is simply the way you use files on a hard drive. This concept involves some organization, and understanding that organization makes computing much easier. What is a subdirectory? A subdirectory is workspace on a disk. It's almost like a disk within a disk.
No one but a tech-head really likes to install software. A techie takes pride in trying to set the thing up without first reading the manuals. Installation means copying the program you've just bought from floppy disks to your computer's hard drive. It also means more, typically configuring or setting up the program to work with your particular PC, printer, and the rest of that stuff.
You get work done on a computer by running a program. If you're lucky, somebody has set up your computer so that it automatically runs the program you need. Turn on the PC, and — zap! — there's your program. The only time you have a problem is when something goes wrong and the program crashes or doesn't turn on like it's supposed to.
You can protect floppy disks in such a way as to prevent yourself or anyone else from modifying or deleting anything on the disk.When a disk is write-protected, you cannot alter, modify, change, or delete anything on that disk. And you cannot accidentally reformat it. You can read from the disk and copy files from it, but changing the disk — forget it!
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