Detailed Explanation of CONFIG.SYS~1 - China DOS Union Forum

Because of the love for DOS, I sorted out this thing about configuring CONFIG.SYS. Maybe some friends have never used DOS, but out of curiosity about DOS, they installed the DOS system, so just explain it like this.

Declaration: The author assumes that the reader has certain DOS experience. At least, you know what DOS is

When DOS starts, it requires multiple programs. Among these programs, an important program is CONFIG.SYS. The strange thing is that CONFIG.SYS is neither an executable file nor a DOS file. It is a text file. You can and must edit it. Think carefully that "editing" may not be the most appropriate word. We must work hard for CONFIG.SYS. In fact, the configuration file can make the computer play better potential. A bad CONFIG.SYS file means bad computer work efficiency, and a good configuration file means that the user must be a Microsoft environment programmer or a DOS expert ^_^

One convenient thing about the CONFIG.SYS file is that once you understand how to do it and how to avoid and eliminate some small troubles, you don't need to bother it until you add a certain software or hardware device to the system. Before determining CONFIG.SYS, we encounter hardships and troubles. When such a moment comes, you may as well take a look at this post casually.

Overview:

Compared with WINDOWS 9X, 2K, XP, we must face the fact that DOS' way of knowing how to use the computer is very stupid. When DOS starts to work, it must find a configuration file named CONFIG.SYS on the disk and take out the correct information from it. The configuration file includes a series of commands we call "configuration commands", which tell DOS how to bootstrap, how to use memory, and how to exchange information with various hardware devices configured in the system. If you don't tell it, then sorry, it won't let you use it.

· The name of CONFIG.SYS comes from configuring the system, and its purpose is to make DOS and the computer work better in coordination

Functions of CONFIG.SYS:

CONFIG.SYS mainly completes two aspects of work:

First, CONFIG.SYS gives DOS information on how to carry out work. Most of the information is for the disk drive program. For example, how many disk drives are there in total, how much buffer does DOS allocate for the disk drive, (DOS will not automatically handle these things. Even the latest WINXP needs to install the motherboard driver. Most patches in the motherboard driver are to make the system support DMA66/100 and so on)

Second, the configuration file tells DOS and the computer software which interesting devices are configured. For example, a sound card, CD-ROM, USB flash drive, network device, scanner, or any other interesting device. The configuration file tells DSO and application programs that these devices can be used. This may be the most important (and most headache-inducing) part of CONFIG.SYS.

· Key points of CONFGIS.SYS

DOS has some special regulations and rules for CONFIG.SYS, as follows in sequence:
⊙ CONFIG.SYS must be on the root directory of your boot disk and named CONFIG.SYS
⊙ CONFIG.SYS is a pure text file
⊙ There are more than 20 configuration commands in total, which vary according to the version of DOS. This article defaults to DOS6.XX and above
⊙ But you don't need to memorize these entries by heart
⊙ Empty lines are allowed in CONFIG.SYS
⊙ Some programs install or start up will change the configuration file CONFIG.SYS, and some programs even do it without your permission. Although some changes are beneficial to your system, still, you should pay attention, especially after you install a program and the system is abnormal, then see if CONFIG.SYS has changed.

· Browsing the configuration file

The best way to browse the configuration file is to use an editor, such as DOS Editor.

1. Enter the following command under DOS:

2. After EDIT runs, it is as follows:

If the configuration file is too large, you can use PgDn to turn pages in DOS Editor to see its full picture.

If there is no CONFIG.SYS file on the computer, create this file. The content can be as follows like the above example

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH
FILES=20
BUFFERS=15
LASTDRIVE=Z

The next section, let's see the errors in CONFIG.SYS.

〖To be continue〗

Configuring CONFIG.SYS yourself may cause some errors, and some errors are risky

·Handling errors in CONFIG.SYS

When using the CONFIG.SYS file, we may find some errors, which is also one of the aspects that make DOS so troublesome. Otherwise, Apple Computer wouldn't specifically explain its "Reasons for Buying a Macintosh", in which Apple accused the shortcomings of CONFIG.SYS that made it difficult for users. Microsoft thus upgraded to the "Windows" series and claimed that it no longer supports DOS^_^

When booting the computer, errors in the CONFIG.SYS file will surprise us. When we see these errors scrolling by at a speed that is hard to see, we can only stare wide-eyed. But this situation is not the worst. Usually, when there is an error in the CONFIG.SYS file, the computer will crash.

·Fatal errors

Many times, errors in the CONFIG.SYS file are caused by spelling mistakes.

Boot the computer again. When you see the message "Starting MS-DOS..." on the screen, press the "F5" key immediately. This can tell DOS to skip the two startup files, CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT, and after successful startup, it will only provide a DOS prompt. At this time, you can edit CONFIG.SYS without anything interfering with the PC or DOS.

Use the Editor program to review the CONFIG.SYS file. Usually, errors can be found quickly, and then you can edit, modify, and restart the computer...

If you don't know where the problem is, when you see the message "Starting MS-DOS...", press the "F8" key. The F8 key makes DOS interpret the commands one by one, and it will prompt "Yes or No?" before executing each command, for example

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS ?

Press the Y key to run this command, and press the N key to skip this command. So when you see the next line

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HYMEM.SYS ?y

Unrecognized command in CONFIG.SYS

If you originally wanted to type HIMEM.SYS, this is obviously an illegal operation. Well, since we know where the error is, it's not difficult to modify it.

When you find the problem, you can press the "ESC" key to tell DOS: "Okay, don't prompt anymore, and then run the remaining CONFIG.SYS commands."

There is no need to be too impatient when pressing F5 and F8. Wait at least two seconds after the MS-DOS message appears (which can be considered as eternity for GHz computers) to choose to press these two keys.

The F5 and F8 keys are only effective after DOS version 6. Other DOS versions may display different messages.

If there is no DOS version above 6, or the NON MSDOS system you use does not support F5 and F8, the fault checking work will become very difficult. We need to get a normal boot disk to boot the machine when needed. This is why I didn't talk about the commands in CONFIG.SYS first, but explained the reasons for the errors first.

·Common errors

When booting and running CONFIG.SYS, sometimes the system will be kind enough to prompt some common errors. In addition to the above Unrecognized command, there are also:

Error in CONFIG.SYS line XX

There is a big error in a certain line of the CONFIG.SYS file. This may be a typo, for example, you may have entered the letter "o" when you were supposed to enter the number "0", or you may have entered the letter "l" when you were supposed to enter the number "1", etc. Fortunately, the line number of the error has been given, because almost all DOS editors display the current line number on the screen, and it is very easy to find the error.

Bad or missing ...

The above... will be replaced by a file name, which is likely to be a device driver or other program name. This is because the wrong location is specified for this file. When you reorganize the hard disk and move some files, you also need to change the corresponding location (actually the path) in the CONFIG.SYS file.

·Special errors and device driver errors

There will be very few other errors after modifying the CONFIG.SYS file, which is not as common as the above.

Bad command or Parameters

This prompt indicates that the entered command violates the range of optional values specified by DOS. For example, specifying the RAM virtual disk capacity exceeding 32MB under DOS6.

Invalid contry code or code page

This is an error in specifying the code page after the CONTRY command

xxx CD-ROM driver not found...

You may have unplugged your CD-ROM drive, so the CD-ROM device driver nervously reports that the CD drive has been stolen

Some device drivers generate their own "not enough memory" messages. Third-party developed memory management software (such as QEMM) will have:

Not enough memory to load high; loading low instead

In the next section, we will start to introduce the configuration commands in CONFIG.SYS.

〖To be continue〗

Wow, I just realized that my post is repeated with 'Master Rushi's'~ Depressed, won't write anymore

Isn't it good to look at CONFIG from another angle?
If you really don't want to write anymore, you can change to other topics...
Support you!

5555555, sorry, the content is almost the same. Next time make a batch file.

Hehe.. I see your post is written very well.. I was just thinking of being lazy.. Continue on

That's great. Keep writing, it's very beneficial for both others and yourself.

You write very well, and we beginners have gained a lot. Hope to continue. But maybe I'm too green to understand the configuration file (http://www2.zzu.edu.cn/ie/newdos/uploadImages/20036211634881663.gif). Also, what should be learned after learning the DOS commands?

My CONFIG.SYS (for MS-DOS 7.10) file is as follows:

device=himem.sys
device=emm386.exe noems i=b200-b7ff
devicehigh=setver.exe
devicehigh=vide-cdd.sys /d:IDECDROM
rem devicehigh=cloaking.exe
country=086,936,country.sys
shell=c:\command.com /p /e:640
set comspec=C:\COMMAND.COM
set temp=e:\temp
set tmp=e:\temp
accdate=c+ d+ e+
dos=high,umb
numlock=off
fileshigh=30
fcbshigh=4,0
lastdrivehigh=32
buffershigh=30,0
stackshigh=9,256

The LZ's DOS level is quite good. The articles written are also good. Welcome! Welcome! Keep writing. Hehe...

Okay, wait for me to take my time~~ Sweat

Floor1　waterz	Posted 2003-06-21 00:00
高级用户　Posts 135　Credits 546
Because of the love for DOS, I sorted out this thing about configuring CONFIG.SYS. Maybe some friends have never used DOS, but out of curiosity about DOS, they installed the DOS system, so just explain it like this. Declaration: The author assumes that the reader has certain DOS experience. At least, you know what DOS is When DOS starts, it requires multiple programs. Among these programs, an important program is CONFIG.SYS. The strange thing is that CONFIG.SYS is neither an executable file nor a DOS file. It is a text file. You can and must edit it. Think carefully that "editing" may not be the most appropriate word. We must work hard for CONFIG.SYS. In fact, the configuration file can make the computer play better potential. A bad CONFIG.SYS file means bad computer work efficiency, and a good configuration file means that the user must be a Microsoft environment programmer or a DOS expert ^_^ One convenient thing about the CONFIG.SYS file is that once you understand how to do it and how to avoid and eliminate some small troubles, you don't need to bother it until you add a certain software or hardware device to the system. Before determining CONFIG.SYS, we encounter hardships and troubles. When such a moment comes, you may as well take a look at this post casually. Overview: Compared with WINDOWS 9X, 2K, XP, we must face the fact that DOS' way of knowing how to use the computer is very stupid. When DOS starts to work, it must find a configuration file named CONFIG.SYS on the disk and take out the correct information from it. The configuration file includes a series of commands we call "configuration commands", which tell DOS how to bootstrap, how to use memory, and how to exchange information with various hardware devices configured in the system. If you don't tell it, then sorry, it won't let you use it. · The name of CONFIG.SYS comes from configuring the system, and its purpose is to make DOS and the computer work better in coordination Functions of CONFIG.SYS: CONFIG.SYS mainly completes two aspects of work: First, CONFIG.SYS gives DOS information on how to carry out work. Most of the information is for the disk drive program. For example, how many disk drives are there in total, how much buffer does DOS allocate for the disk drive, (DOS will not automatically handle these things. Even the latest WINXP needs to install the motherboard driver. Most patches in the motherboard driver are to make the system support DMA66/100 and so on) Second, the configuration file tells DOS and the computer software which interesting devices are configured. For example, a sound card, CD-ROM, USB flash drive, network device, scanner, or any other interesting device. The configuration file tells DSO and application programs that these devices can be used. This may be the most important (and most headache-inducing) part of CONFIG.SYS. · Key points of CONFGIS.SYS DOS has some special regulations and rules for CONFIG.SYS, as follows in sequence: ⊙ CONFIG.SYS must be on the root directory of your boot disk and named CONFIG.SYS ⊙ CONFIG.SYS is a pure text file ⊙ There are more than 20 configuration commands in total, which vary according to the version of DOS. This article defaults to DOS6.XX and above ⊙ But you don't need to memorize these entries by heart ⊙ Empty lines are allowed in CONFIG.SYS ⊙ Some programs install or start up will change the configuration file CONFIG.SYS, and some programs even do it without your permission. Although some changes are beneficial to your system, still, you should pay attention, especially after you install a program and the system is abnormal, then see if CONFIG.SYS has changed. · Browsing the configuration file The best way to browse the configuration file is to use an editor, such as DOS Editor. 1. Enter the following command under DOS: 2. After EDIT runs, it is as follows: If the configuration file is too large, you can use PgDn to turn pages in DOS Editor to see its full picture. If there is no CONFIG.SYS file on the computer, create this file. The content can be as follows like the above example DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS DOS=HIGH FILES=20 BUFFERS=15 LASTDRIVE=Z The next section, let's see the errors in CONFIG.SYS. 〖To be continue〗

Floor2　慕白	Posted 2003-06-21 00:00
高级用户　Posts 115　Credits 617
Please continue

Floor3　waterz	Posted 2003-06-21 00:00
高级用户　Posts 135　Credits 546
Configuring CONFIG.SYS yourself may cause some errors, and some errors are risky ·Handling errors in CONFIG.SYS When using the CONFIG.SYS file, we may find some errors, which is also one of the aspects that make DOS so troublesome. Otherwise, Apple Computer wouldn't specifically explain its "Reasons for Buying a Macintosh", in which Apple accused the shortcomings of CONFIG.SYS that made it difficult for users. Microsoft thus upgraded to the "Windows" series and claimed that it no longer supports DOS^_^ When booting the computer, errors in the CONFIG.SYS file will surprise us. When we see these errors scrolling by at a speed that is hard to see, we can only stare wide-eyed. But this situation is not the worst. Usually, when there is an error in the CONFIG.SYS file, the computer will crash. ·Fatal errors Many times, errors in the CONFIG.SYS file are caused by spelling mistakes. Boot the computer again. When you see the message "Starting MS-DOS..." on the screen, press the "F5" key immediately. This can tell DOS to skip the two startup files, CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT, and after successful startup, it will only provide a DOS prompt. At this time, you can edit CONFIG.SYS without anything interfering with the PC or DOS. Use the Editor program to review the CONFIG.SYS file. Usually, errors can be found quickly, and then you can edit, modify, and restart the computer... If you don't know where the problem is, when you see the message "Starting MS-DOS...", press the "F8" key. The F8 key makes DOS interpret the commands one by one, and it will prompt "Yes or No?" before executing each command, for example DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS ? Press the Y key to run this command, and press the N key to skip this command. So when you see the next line DEVICE=C:\DOS\HYMEM.SYS ?y Unrecognized command in CONFIG.SYS If you originally wanted to type HIMEM.SYS, this is obviously an illegal operation. Well, since we know where the error is, it's not difficult to modify it. When you find the problem, you can press the "ESC" key to tell DOS: "Okay, don't prompt anymore, and then run the remaining CONFIG.SYS commands." There is no need to be too impatient when pressing F5 and F8. Wait at least two seconds after the MS-DOS message appears (which can be considered as eternity for GHz computers) to choose to press these two keys. The F5 and F8 keys are only effective after DOS version 6. Other DOS versions may display different messages. If there is no DOS version above 6, or the NON MSDOS system you use does not support F5 and F8, the fault checking work will become very difficult. We need to get a normal boot disk to boot the machine when needed. This is why I didn't talk about the commands in CONFIG.SYS first, but explained the reasons for the errors first. ·Common errors When booting and running CONFIG.SYS, sometimes the system will be kind enough to prompt some common errors. In addition to the above Unrecognized command, there are also: Error in CONFIG.SYS line XX There is a big error in a certain line of the CONFIG.SYS file. This may be a typo, for example, you may have entered the letter "o" when you were supposed to enter the number "0", or you may have entered the letter "l" when you were supposed to enter the number "1", etc. Fortunately, the line number of the error has been given, because almost all DOS editors display the current line number on the screen, and it is very easy to find the error. Bad or missing ... The above... will be replaced by a file name, which is likely to be a device driver or other program name. This is because the wrong location is specified for this file. When you reorganize the hard disk and move some files, you also need to change the corresponding location (actually the path) in the CONFIG.SYS file. ·Special errors and device driver errors There will be very few other errors after modifying the CONFIG.SYS file, which is not as common as the above. Bad command or Parameters This prompt indicates that the entered command violates the range of optional values specified by DOS. For example, specifying the RAM virtual disk capacity exceeding 32MB under DOS6. Invalid contry code or code page This is an error in specifying the code page after the CONTRY command xxx CD-ROM driver not found... You may have unplugged your CD-ROM drive, so the CD-ROM device driver nervously reports that the CD drive has been stolen Some device drivers generate their own "not enough memory" messages. Third-party developed memory management software (such as QEMM) will have: Not enough memory to load high; loading low instead In the next section, we will start to introduce the configuration commands in CONFIG.SYS. 〖To be continue〗

Floor4　waterz	Posted 2003-06-21 00:00
高级用户　Posts 135　Credits 546
Wow, I just realized that my post is repeated with 'Master Rushi's'~ Depressed, won't write anymore

Floor5　慕白	Posted 2003-06-21 00:00
高级用户　Posts 115　Credits 617
Isn't it good to look at CONFIG from another angle? If you really don't want to write anymore, you can change to other topics... Support you!

Floor6　waterz	Posted 2003-06-21 00:00
高级用户　Posts 135　Credits 546
5555555, sorry, the content is almost the same. Next time make a batch file.

Floor7　ricepot100	Posted 2003-06-22 00:00
初级用户　Posts 49　Credits 294
Not bad Keep going

Floor8　zhaolj1983	Posted 2003-06-22 00:00
初级用户　Posts 5　Credits 125
Expert~!

Floor9　如是大师	Posted 2003-06-22 00:00
元老会员　Posts 3,351　Credits 9,654　From 湖北
Hehe.. I see your post is written very well.. I was just thinking of being lazy.. Continue on

Floor10　hunome	Posted 2003-06-22 00:00
银牌会员　Posts 721　Credits 2,265
Well written!

Floor11　MYS	Posted 2003-06-22 00:00
元老会员　Posts 1,637　Credits 5,170　From 广东佛山
That's great. Keep writing, it's very beneficial for both others and yourself.

Floor12　lili390	Posted 2003-06-22 00:00
初级用户　Posts 3　Credits 119
You write very well, and we beginners have gained a lot. Hope to continue. But maybe I'm too green to understand the configuration file (http://www2.zzu.edu.cn/ie/newdos/uploadImages/20036211634881663.gif). Also, what should be learned after learning the DOS commands?

Floor13　Wengier	Posted 2003-06-22 00:00
系统支持　Posts 10,521　Credits 27,736
My CONFIG.SYS (for MS-DOS 7.10) file is as follows: device=himem.sys device=emm386.exe noems i=b200-b7ff devicehigh=setver.exe devicehigh=vide-cdd.sys /d:IDECDROM rem devicehigh=cloaking.exe country=086,936,country.sys shell=c:\command.com /p /e:640 set comspec=C:\COMMAND.COM set temp=e:\temp set tmp=e:\temp accdate=c+ d+ e+ dos=high,umb numlock=off fileshigh=30 fcbshigh=4,0 lastdrivehigh=32 buffershigh=30,0 stackshigh=9,256

Floor14　ko20010214	Posted 2003-06-23 00:00
版主　Posts 1,628　Credits 7,296
The LZ's DOS level is quite good. The articles written are also good. Welcome! Welcome! Keep writing. Hehe...

Floor15　waterz	Posted 2003-06-23 00:00
高级用户　Posts 135　Credits 546
Okay, wait for me to take my time~~ Sweat