A few rules apply when copying files:

•You must tell MS-DOS where to find the original file and where to store the copy.

•You cannot create a new file with the same name and in the same directory as an existing file.

•If an existing file on the destination diskette or directory has the same name as the file you are copying from, the copy automatically replaces the existing file. There is no warning that the existing file is being replaced, so be careful that you do not accidentally erase a file you want to keep.

•If you are copying to another disk, that disk must have been previously formatted.

To use the COPY command, type COPY at the command prompt, followed by the drive identifiers and necessary filenames. Then press Enter to execute the command.

For example, to copy the file named REPORT from the diskette in drive A to the diskette in drive B using the same name for the copy as for the original file, type the following and press Enter:

COPY A:REPORT B:

If you want to copy the file named REPORT from the diskette in drive A to the diskette in drive B using a new name, FACTS, for the copy, type the following and press Enter:

COPY A:REPORT B:FACTS

To copy the file named REPORT to the same diskette or directory and name the copy FACTS, type the following and press Enter:

COPY REPORT FACTS

In the example above, you can omit the drive identifiers because the original file and the copy are both on the current drive.

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386 5-7