Chapter 3

Using MS-DOS With Your Computer

Your computer comes with version 3.3 of MS-DOS. This operating system manages your computer by organizing the computer’s memory, controlling the monitor display, receiving keyboard input, and accessing data.

To communicate with the operating system, you use MS-DOS commands. How much you need to know about MS-DOS depends on how you plan to use your computer. If you plan to use it just to run application programs, the few MS-DOS commands you’ll need are introduced in this chapter. If you plan to use advanced features or create your own programs, see your MS-DOS Reference Manual for a complete description of

MS-DOS.

This chapter covers the following topics:

Starting and exiting MS-DOS

Using drive designators

Types of MS-DOS commands

Entering an MS-DOS command

Creating and managing files

Using directories

Formatting diskettes

Backing up data

Using special Epson utilities

Using an AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

Using MS-DOS With Your Computer 3-1