QUOTE(the_fifth_horseman @ Nov 27 2006, 12:34 AM) [snapback]268865[/snapback]
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Now, I'm more confused than usual. Hope my DOS for DUMMIES gets here soon. I don't have a clue what a autoexec.bat and so forth is.[/b]
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Autoexec.bat and Config.sys are two files used by DOS when it starts. They contain all the information about what drivers to load etc.
Anyway, if you're lucky you'll never have to mess with them.
My old machine once needed some modifications to these two files so that I'd have a larger quota of base memory to run Flashback with both music and sound... it was hell to get that all to work right, but in the end I learned a couple things.
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How the heck does someone learn this stuff.[/b]
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Trial. Error. Trial. Error. Smashing head against the wall. Trial. Error. Trial. Error. Depression. Trial. Error. Trial. Success. :P
No, really. Most of the basics are easy to learn, but if you start messing with more advanced things... well, that's where the hard part begins.
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I'm too far from town to take any class. What about that guy that sells a computer course on t.v.??[/b]
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Don't bother. Nowadays they don't even teach anything about DOS on most computer courses.
It's better to spend this time reading the books you've ordered on the subject and the links found in Wikipedia DOS article
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This is awful. You folks are trying to help me and without knowing the terms and what they mean, it's usuless. I know I have a bunch of memory available on the DOS/Gateway. It says there is 79% available. I don't use these machines for much more than playing games. And, I clear all files/cookies and defrag. But, still, without knowing much more...I'm lost....[/b]
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Hey, I was too, back in the days. The biggest problem with DOS is believing you can learn to use it. 
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That last line is scary. "The biggest problem" say it isn't so.
How do you avoid messing with autoexe and bats and stuff if they're there when DOS boots?
With Xeen, I loaded both games, (read on a forum you need both games loaded to play) even following directions for Start, Run and so forth. Typed as instructed and....nothing. A black screen with some white printing appeared and a blinking white line. (reminded me of Safe Mode) Didn't have a clue what it was for, since the manual didn't say anything about it. Can figure out most Win95/98, XP stuff, without ever calling a tech, but don't have a clue how to tweak or mess with DOS that would allow me to play a game.
Don't know why Xeen wouldn't play. When it was being installed, all the little bars, marched across the screen. It utimately told me my games were loaded. The only thing I couldn't do was pick one of the three choices regarding amount of install. I tried the Y..N..arrow keys and so forth, but couldn't make any changes. I wanted a full intall anyway, so it really didn't matter. I wonder if that had anything to do with it.
When the game didn't play, I couldn't figure out how to get out of DOS.....duh...so I turned it off at the switch. Oh Well... Once back in Windows, I thought to delete the two games and try reinstalling. But, I can't find them anywhere. Not in program files, folders, or anywhere else I could think to look. Does DOS stuff hide somewhere I'm not aware of??
Any ideas about that one. Where would one look for a game installed for DOS????
Well, even though you've beaten your head against the wall, on numerous occasions, you all seem to be merrily playing DOS games. Although, with some of the other comments, I don't know how you managed to learn the darn thing.
So, between your auto's and bats, and DOS Boxes, I'm gonna go watch the Northern Lights until my DOS book gets here. Then I will read my book, all your helpful hints and jump into the Artic Ocean. Taking my DOS games with me. Just kidding. I'll just throw the games and book into the ocean. Whoops, the enviornment, can't do that either. Wanna buy a book........cheap.
Couldn't get out of DOS, turned it off at switch.....how pathetic. Be happy.