1. Introduction to Operating Systems
Lesson 2
Disk Operating System: DOS

2. Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS
Objectives
Understand why DOS is important to Windows 3.1 and Windows 9x users.
Prepare the hard disk for installation of DOS.
Install DOS correctly on your personal computer.
Create and use directories for file management.
Create, view, print, copy, move, delete, and rename files in DOS using the text editor.
Recognize common error messages in DOS.
Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS

3. Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS
What Is DOS?
DOS stands for Disk Operating System.
DOS is the underlying operating system of Windows 3.11, 95, and 98.
You may need DOS commands to troubleshoot or repair these older Microsoft operating systems.
Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS

4. Preparing for Installation
Install a new hard drive.
Low-level format the drive (usually done by the manufacturer).
Use FDISK to partition the new hard drive.
High-level format the drive using the FORMAT command.
Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS

5. Installing the Operating System
Basic settings:
DATE/TIME
COUNTRY
KEYBOARD
INSTALL TO
Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS

6. Basic Functionalities
Environment
Command-line user interface
Command prompt
Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS

7. Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS
Basic Commands
DIR MD CD
EDIT
TYPE
PRINT
COPY
MOVE
DISKCOPY
DELETE
RENAME RD
Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS

8. Common DOS Error Messages
Abort, Retry, Fail?
Access denied
Bad command or file name
Bad or missing command interpreter
Drive not ready error
Duplicate filename or file not found
File cannot be copied onto itself
File creation error
File not found
General failure
Insufficient disk space
Internal stack overflow
Invalid directory
Invalid drive specification
Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS

9. Common DOS Error Messages (continued)
Invalid filename or file not found
Invalid media, track 0 bad or unusable
Invalid number of parameters
Invalid parameter
Invalid switch
Non-system disk or disk error
Not ready, reading drive X
Write fault error
Write protect
Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS

10. Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS
Summary
DOS controls the flow of information between you and the computer, allows you to store information on your computer, allows you to retrieve information stored on your computer, interprets and translates the software you have on your computer, gives you access to all its functions, and allows you to fix your system when Windows 3.1 or 9x cannot load properly.
Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS

11. Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS
Summary (continued)
You prepare your hard drive to hold data by using two external utilities: FDISK and Format.
Install DOS correctly on your personal computer.
Create and use directories for file management.
Create, view, print, copy, move, delete, and rename files in DOS.
There are many commands in DOS that help you do more things with the operating system.
Recognize common error messages.
Lesson 2 – Disk Operating System: DOS