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Chapter 1 describes how to use DISKCOPY to copy your MS-DOS
and Reference diskettes. To make backups of other diskettes, use the
DISKCOPY command or the MENU program. See Chapter 5 or see
your MS-DOS Reference Manual for more instructions on using
DISKCOPY and MENU.
If you have a hard disk, it’s best to put most of the programs and data
files you use regularly on the hard disk. Keep backup copies of all
your program files on diskettes, and regularly copy important data
files to diskettes as well. For more information, see “Backing Up” in
Chapter 5 and check your MS-DOS Reference Manual.
Using a Single Diskette Drive
The MS-DOS operating system expects the computer to have at least
two diskette drives, and it displays prompts and messages accordingly.
If your system has a single diskette drive, MS-DOS treats your one
drive like two logical drives. This helps you perform operations that
normally require two diskette drives.
Usually, MS-DOS recognizes the first diskette drive (the top drive on
the Equity 386) as drive A and a second diskette drive as B. If you
have only one diskette drive, MS-DOS can treat it as both A and B.
For example, if you give a command to copy from A to B, MS-DOS
copies from the first diskette you place in the drive (A) to the
computer’s memory. Then MS-DOS prompts you to insert another
diskette (for drive B) and copies from memory to the new diskette.
When copying is complete, you see a prompt to insert the original
diskette (for drive A).
Because you may often swap diskettes this way, it is important to
remember which diskette is which. One way to avoid accidentally
losing data is to hold the diskette for one drive in your left hand and
the diskette for the other in your right. It is also a good idea to write-
protect your original diskette.
Using the Equity 386
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