Title: Ultimate DOS Mission
——On Building a Super DOS System
Author: Zhao Wancheng
Unit: Dongguan Guancheng No.1 Middle School
Address: Xueyuan Road, Dongguan
Postcode: 523000
Personal Homepage:
http://warmrose.126.com
E-mail:
warmrose@21cn.com
Ultimate DOS Mission
——On Building a Super DOS System
Abstract: DOS was once a glorious operating system. Although it is now an era when Windows shines brightly, DOS is still developing; and DOS also has its powerful functions and special roles that other operating systems, especially Windows, cannot replace. This article focuses on exploring the importance and practicality of building a truly powerful and brand-new DOS system, and hereby illustrates that treating DOS correctly is the driving force for the new development of DOS!
Keywords: DOS; New-type DOS system; Long file names; USB; Network management; NTFS; File management; Disk management; Super DOS system
DOS (Disk Operation System) was once a popular PC operating system in the world. Just because of Microsoft's "Windows strategy", it has almost become "the forgotten generation" in our country now. The era of DOS has passed, which is an undeniable fact, but DOS has not disappeared since Microsoft gave up. Instead, there are still many followers at home and abroad. Compared with Windows, DOS is more convenient, faster, more stable, and more efficient to operate, and it also has the underlying and free openness that Windows systems do not have. Therefore, treating DOS correctly is the driving force for the new development of DOS! Recently, the author has had many exchanges and discussions with several forum moderators and netizens on this view on the "DOS Union Forum" and has benefited a lot. Therefore, this article is written to describe how to build a super DOS system suitable for our use.
Regarding how to write these feelings, the author has had a lot of considerations. Finally, he decided to use the names of weapons in Gu Long's famous martial arts novel "Seven Weapons" combined with the application of DOS in this form one by one to illustrate, so as to complete the ultimate DOS mission. Everyone is welcome to contact the author to discuss together!
The Everlasting Sword - New-type DOS System
The main judgments on the "death sentence" of DOS are as follows: it does not support long file names and USB devices, has poor network capabilities, does not support NTFS, etc. What's more, it is inconvenient to operate, and users need to remember quite a lot of commands, which makes most ordinary users dare not and will not operate the computer.
Only by constantly making progress can we gain the support of users! Currently, new-type DOS is still emerging in an endless stream and has powerful functions. For example, ROM-DOS, DR-DOS, Free-DOS, etc. Most of them support the FAT32 format, long file names, and have certain network processing capabilities. In particular, Free-DOS is a free system, which is currently developed by many programmers in the world. Just like Linux, it is believed that it will achieve relatively large development. Therefore, DOS is actually not dead. On the contrary, it has made considerable progress in many aspects. And the new-type DOS system will definitely further expand its living space and be recognized by users in continuous progress.
The Peacock Feather - Support for Long File Names
After Windows 95 was launched, the "bad reputation" that DOS does not support long file names also came into being, because DOS only supports the 8.3 format. If you use DOS to view the long file names of Windows, you can only see something like program~1.exe, which makes people feel confused. After the efforts of countless programmers, DOS can now fully support long file names. Even MS-DOS, which has been abandoned by Microsoft for many years, can support long file names. The peacock without a tail finally spreads its feathers! The main methods to achieve this are as follows:
1. New-type DOS systems perfectly support long file names. For example, the systems such as ROM-DOS mentioned above already have perfect support for long file names by themselves;
2. Brand-new DOS commands that support long file names. For example, the Odi's LFN tools software package, which contains commands such as LDIR, LCD, LCOPY, LREN, etc., and supports the FAT32 format, etc. Using them is like using external commands, which are essential tools in our DOS toolbox;
3. The method of external drive programs. The most stable one is DOSLFN, and its use is also quite simple. You only need to enter DOSLFN after the prompt;
Among the three methods, personally, it is considered that the first method has more or less compatibility problems with MS-DOS and is not suitable for use in Windows to avoid unnecessary problems; the second method can only be regarded as a "treating the symptoms but not the root cause" method, but it is also more convenient and easier to operate; the third method is the one recommended by the author. It fundamentally solves the defects of any DOS long file names, and is fully compatible with Windows, so that no errors will occur when it handles Windows failures. The only shortcoming is that it will occupy a small amount of memory.
The Jade Saber - Support for USB
Many people, even friends engaged in computer work, think that DOS cannot support USB devices! USB is an interface standard, and the inability to support USB is also one of the reasons why many people give up DOS. But after the author has conducted many tests, he can finally tell everyone: DOS can definitely support some USB devices, and the operation is quite convenient! Because now there is the DUSE 4.4 version, this "Jade Saber"! Now the author is taking the Patriot Storage King USB hard disk as an example under MSDOS to illustrate its use method:
>DUSELDR DUSE.EXE VERBOSE DRIVES=2 XFER=8 SEC=2048 NOCD?
(The DUSE.EXE can also be placed as a device in the DEVICE item of CONFIG.SYS for use)
It should be noted that the parameters of DUSE are relatively many and the setting is relatively complicated. Once the setting is incorrect, it may be impossible to use USB devices. For USB hard disks, the setting of the SEC value is the most important.
Of course, it is undeniable that not all USB devices can work well under DOS. For example, USB interface digital cameras cannot be used at all. After all, there are still quite a lot of difficulties or problems in the development of device drivers and application programs under DOS, and it is still necessary for the majority of programmers to continue to improve.
The Affectionate Ring - Perfect Network Management Capability
The network has become the main way for human emotional communication, and it is also one of the most important main attack directions in the IT industry. In the early DOS era, it has created a former network giant: NOVELL! That is to say, DOS actually also has perfect network management capabilities, but it was "blocked" in MS-DOS. Microsoft has focused its eyes on the NT series that fully supports the network. In network management work, various problems are often encountered. How to let DOS handle them? There are mainly the following two methods:
1) DOS peer-to-peer network: Regarding this method, the author likes to use the Netware Lite 1.1 software. It is a very easy-to-use DOS peer-to-peer network tool launched by Novell. Due to space limitations, the author will not make a detailed description. It should be noted that it is best to select the client and server methods during installation, and it is best to understand the use of the NOVELL network NET command during use, otherwise one will be at a loss;
2) DOS workstation logging in to the server: This method requires the support of two software: Microsoft Network Client v3.0 for DOS (MSClient) and the client software ICADOS32 of MetaFrame. The function of MSClient is to connect and share the resources of the server, and ICADOS32 plays the role of logging in to the server.
Using these two methods, we can all conveniently realize the network management of DOS. Using these methods, the author has also realized remote cloning without using the multicast method of GHOST. Those who are interested may as well have a try.
The Parting Hook - NTFS Integrating into the DOS Embrace
Now Microsoft is vigorously promoting the 2000 and XP series constructed by the NT core. The NT series has a brand-new NTFS disk format, which is more secure, reliable, and stable, but DOS and Win9X series cannot read it. That is to say, in DOS or Win9X, the partitions formatted with NTFS cannot be seen at all, let alone operated and used. The purpose of doing this will of course make the NT series more secure, but it makes us at a loss when the NT series crashes and cannot start... After all, most people are now using the Windows XP operating system. However, now it is good. With the professional version of NTFS for DOS, we can operate the files in the NTFS format under DOS. When the NT series has problems, it provides a very good solution.
NTFS for DOS is quite easy to use. You only need to enter >ntfspro after the DOS prompt and press Enter. Just note that its versions are divided into read-only (free) and read-write (commercial software) versions. After downloading, when installing it on the hard disk, you must also copy the 7 files (totally 3.2M) of c_1252.nls, c_437.nls, l_intl.nls, ntoskrl.exe, autochk.exe, ntdll.dll, ntfs.sys under the NT system to a certain folder, and the execution line must be added with the parameter /P. The most convenient method is to put them in the same folder as NTFS for DOS. In addition, entering the /? parameter after ntfspro can understand some of its parameters, such as /L can customize the NT system drive letter.
This is a very easy-to-use software, but it is powerful. It builds a bridge between DOS, Win9x, and the NT series, bringing the long-lost NT back to the DOS embrace, and also provides a most direct and convenient method for us to handle NT system failures.
The Overlord Spear - Memory Management
DOS can only use 640K of basic memory. This is also the view of many people. Of course, it is a fact that DOS has not supported memory well due to historical reasons. Fortunately, now there are these two "Overlord Spears", QEMM and UMBPCI. Both of these software can replace EMM386.EXE, allowing DOS to make full use of the upper memory to save the already pitifully small basic memory. The author more recommends using QEMM. The author has used this software for nearly ten years and finds that its compatibility is quite perfect. The freed basic memory can be as high as 630K. What's more important is that it will automatically configure, so that users can obtain more available memory without doing it themselves. And with its continuous version updates, it gets along quite "harmoniously" with the Chinese character system; while UMBPCI is more updated and slightly stronger in function compared with QEMM. However, there may be some compatibility problems on some motherboards, but it is very small and suitable for use on boot disks.
The Fist - Disk and File Management
The use of disks and files is the most common work we encounter in our daily life, and disk management is the strong point of DOS, which is much more powerful than the Windows series, such as the processing of partition tables and boot sectors, etc., and it is quite convenient to operate. Of course, the FDISK and Format commands of DOS itself have limited functions and slow speed. The author strongly recommends the SPFDISK software. It is only more than 100K, but it is an excellent tool for partitioning, quick formatting, and multi-system management. It can recognize partitions of various formats, such as NTFS, ext2, etc. The most important thing is that multiple systems can be established on one hard disk, which do not affect each other, realizing the multi-C drive technology. The author has installed several operating systems such as Win98SE, Win2000 Server, WinXP, RedHat Linux on his 80G hard disk with it. Moreover, the software interface is all in Chinese (traditional). The author thinks that it is much more powerful than other partitioning and multi-system software, and it is also the only partitioning tool that the author currently retains.
In terms of file management, the first choice is the VC (Volkov Commander) software. The 4.99 free version is currently spread on the Internet. It supports long file names, double-window operation, and the interface is similar to the once very famous Norton Commander, but the function has completely surpassed the latter; another one is the DOS Navigator 2.7 version, which is also a free version, and the function is comparable to VC. With these "fist" tools for file management, DOS will be more convenient and easier to use.
Through the above introduction, I think everyone will view DOS with a new perspective. Although DOS has been abandoned by most people, in practical applications, such as network management, disk partitioning, post-processing of system crashes, etc., DOS still plays a powerful and irreplaceable role! The author often encounters various problems or even complete crashes of computers or network systems in campus network management. How to solve these failures conveniently and quickly? After many explorations, a super DOS system has been built, which has a multiplier effect on solving practical problems. This system is engraved on the author's rescue CD. Now the author will simply summarize the ideas:
1) Use Format a:/s to build a Win98SE boot disk (DOS7.0), and copy some commonly used tools and drivers, such as smartdrv.exe, himem.sys, cdrom and mouse drivers, etc.; these files can be replaced by other tool software. However, the author personally thinks that Microsoft's these files have better compatibility;
2) Support for long file names: DOSLFN, LFNTOOLS;
3) Support for USB hard disks: of course DUSE, and a USBCDROM can also be selected;
4) Support for NTFS: NTFS for DOS and related files;
5) Support for network: MSClient, ICADOS32, NWLite, IPXCOPY.EXE, etc.;
6) Disk tools: SPFDISK, PartitionMagic for DOS 8.0, NDD 2002, etc.;
7) File tools: either VC or DN;
8) Other software: decompression tools RAR, UNDISKP, etc.;
In fact, there are many good software under DOS, and the functions and operability are not necessarily worse than those of Windows. However, the author thinks that the main purpose of this super DOS system is to be used for "after-sales" work, so it is enough to install some related tools.
Final Words: DOS is a compact operating system, running quickly and with relatively high efficiency. Currently, there are still many programmers adding various functions to it, improving its performance, and solving its defects. If we make good use of it in practical work, we can also obtain better and faster results. Therefore, treating DOS correctly means making full use of DOS to complete our work. DOS can be competent for many tasks. The key lies in how users apply it. Just as a martial arts master will have a satisfactory weapon, I hope everyone can make good use of this inexpensive DOS weapon to complete various ultimate missions.