The first line changes the MS-DOS command prompt so that it displays your current directory.

The second line tells MS-DOS to look for programs or batch files in the DOS directory. This way you can run programs in that directory without having to specify pathnames in the commands.

Note

The AUTOEXEC.BAT file that came on your hard disk already includes these two lines.

The MS-DOS COPY command provides an easy way to create an AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Follow these steps:

1.If you are creating an AUTOEXEC.BAT file on your hard disk, log onto the root directory of your hard disk. If you are creating an AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the working copy of your MS-DOS Startup disk, insert the diskette in drive A.

2.At the MS-DOS command prompt, type the following and press Enter:

COPY CON: d:\AUTOEXEC.BAT

where d: is the drive that is to contain the AUTOEXEC.BAT file you are creating.

3.Now enter the commands you want to include in the file. Type them exactly as you want MS-DOS to execute them, and in the order you want to perform them. Press Enter at the end of each line. After you type the last command, press Enter to move the cursor to the next blank line.

4.Now press F6 and then Enter. MS-DOS copies everything you typed to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. From now on, MS-DOS runs the commands in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file every time you turn on or reset the computer.

Using MS-DOS With Your Computer 4-43