Starting and Exiting MS-DOS
Before you can run an MS-DOS application program, MS-DOS
must be running in memory.
When you turn on your computer, it loads MS-DOS from the
hard disk automatically. The screen then displays the MS-DOS
command prompt, C : \>. This tells you that MS-DOS is
loaded and identifies the current drive.
Before you turn off the computer, make sure the MS-DOS
command prompt is displayed. Then remove your diskettes,
turn off your computer, and turn off any peripherals.
Another way to load MS-DOS is by turning on the computer
with the Startup diskette in drive A. You may need to do this if
your hard disk is not functioning. You must use this method if
your computer does not have a hard disk. Follow the
instructions in the next section.
Loading MS-DOS From a Diskette
Follow these steps to load MS-DOS from a diskette in drive A:
1.
When your computer is off, insert the Startup diskette into
drive A. (For detailed instructions on inserting diskettes,
see “Inserting and Removing Diskettes” in Chapter 3.)
2.
Turn on any peripheral equipment, then turn on your
computer. The computer loads MS-DOS into its memory
where it will remain until you turn off the computer. Once
MS-DOS is loaded, you see a date prompt, such as the
following, which appears every time you load MS-DOS:
Current date is Mon 11-06-89
Enter new date:
3. You may enter the correct date in the format shown, such
as 12 - 25 - 89 (you do not need to enter the day of the
week), or you may accept the date shown by pressing
Enter.