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HINT OF THE YEAR!: Do you hate to wait any longer than necessary for
your computer to boot? Do you want to save 2 seconds every time? Put
the following line (first, before anything else) in your CONFIG.SYS
file: SWITCHES=/F
This will eliminate the built in two second delay for loading DOS,
and get you going faster.
Now I suppose you're saying, "Yea, sure. I bet it formats the hard drive
or something else nasty." Check it out. Look in your DOS 6 manual
under SWITCHES.
DOS 6 - THE REAL STORY
by the brother-in-law
OK, so you ran out and got DOS 6. WOW, what a bunch of files.
But do you REALLY have to keep all those MEGS of junk just to do
what you need to do? I deleted 1.2 megs of crap just looking around.
Dos 6.0 has even more things added to it than dos 5 (perhaps
this is as it should be), but can't you get rid of some baggage you
don't need? Absolutely!
With well over 100 files, DOS 6 certainly has alot to offer. But
you know you'd never use some of it, if you could figure out what it
all does. To find out what you do and don't need, read through the
following list, and see if you can delete things that just don't do
anything for you.
A MEG of hard drive space is a terrible thing to waste, and
deleting files you don't use is the cheapest way to increase storage.
Besides, you can always reinstall (expand) a file from your dos
disks should you someday need something you've deleted.
The following listing should pretty well match up with your
directory, especially if you use a dos shell that alphabetizes the
files for your convenience.
Before you actually delete anything that you don't think you
nee/want, make life easy on yourself. Just move the files to a new
directory named DOSJUNK, and wait a couple weeks. If nothing
crashes, and all your batch files work, and you don't get that
mysterious "File not found" error when booting up, then DELTREE that
directory. If you have problems, you can always copy a particular
file back into the DOS directory, and kill the rest of them later.
By reading this list, you may learn a few tricks of DOS 6's new
features (like MEMMAKER). The expanded online dos help, and your DOS
6 User's Guide (you really didn't pirate DOS 6, did you?) you should
have a good grip on those mysterious files. What is some of this
stuff, anyway?
. <DIR> So you always wondered what the DOT directory
was, but didn't know who to ask? Consider it to be the equivalent of
a table of contents for the directory it resides in. Unlike as in a
book, if you delete this DOT, you've in effect deleted your table of
contents. Dos says that if your table of contents is empty, then
your directory is empty. Delete DOT, and you've deleted ALL your
files. This is a nice shortcut sometimes. Instead of using DEL *.*
to delete everything, you can type DEL . (you don't even need the
space between DEL and the dot) and you'll get the old "are you sure"
prompt, just the same. Many other dos commands will work using the
DOT, such as COPY and XCOPY.
.. <DIR> DOUBLE DOT is the little trail of bread
crumbs that dos uses to find its way back to the root directory. You
can't mess with it, so don't try.
ANSI.SYS bytes=9065 This is a device driver used to redefine
keys, control cursor postitioon, and create lots of neat colors on
the screen, when used in conjunction with the MODE command. Store it
in your CONFIG.SYS file as: DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS. This device
driver must be loaded by a <DEVICE> or <DEVICEHIGH> command in
your CONFIG.SYS file. Keep it.
APPEND.EXE bytes=10774 JUNK! Enables programs to open data
files in specified directories as if the files were in the current
directory (kind of like the path statement). Do not use this command
when you are running Windows. The specified directories are called
appended directories because, for the sake of opening data files,
they can be found as if they were appended to the current directory.
Don't back it up - kill it. Even if you do use old programs, you're
better off writing batch files that use PATH and SUBST to solve the
problem. Delete it.
ATTRIB.EXE bytes=11165 Displays or changes file attributes.
This command displays, sets, or removes the Read-Only, Archive,
System, and Hidden attributes assigned to files or directories.
Syntax:
ATTRIB [+a] [-a] [+h] [-h] [+r] [-r] [+s] [-s]
where: "+a,-a" serves to set or remove the file's archive attribute
(used for backing up or copying modified files only); "+h,-h" severs
to hide or unhide a file (e.g., type: ATTRIB +H RESUME.DOC to hide
your resume); and "+r,-r" serves to set or remove a file's read-only
attribute.
Using ATTRIB +R \*.EXE /S will protect all EXE files on the
current drive from modification or erasure. Unfortunately, making a
file read-only will not protect it from viruses, since the virus
creators just reset this attribute bit. Keep it.
CHKDSK.EXE bytes=12908 Keep it. Checks the status of a
disk and displays a status report. Can also fix disk errors. The
status report shows logical errors found in the MS-DOS filing
system, which consists of the file allocation table and directories.
It will check for errors such as lost clusters and lost allocation
units; displays formatted disk size and the number of bad sectors;
tells whether a file is fragmented, and the amount of conventional
memory installed and available. The only thing screwy about it is
that if you have lost clusters, it offers to fix them and then
doesn't - unless you first type: CHKDSK/F.
CHKSTATE.SYS bytes=41600 This file is used by MEMMAKER to
check out your computer. After you've run MEMMAKER, it's useless and
can be deleted.
CHOICE.COM bytes=1754 Prompts the user to make a choice in
a batch program. Displays a specified prompt and pauses for the user
to choose from among a specified set of keys. You can use this
command only in batch programs. If you write a batch file now and
then, it's a keeper.
COMMAND.COM bytes=52925 This is DOS's primary command
processor, which includes all internal DOS commands, and it is
fundamental to running MS-DOS. If you delete it, the computer
dies. 'Nuff said.
COUNTRY.SYS bytes 17066 If you use non-U.S. country
types and symbols for things like currency, date, and time, then
install COUNTRY.SYS in your CONFIG.SYS file. If you only use U.S.
codes and symbols, delete it.
DBLSPACE.BIN bytes=50284 A hard drive compression utility
that compressed your files as they are written to your drive, and
uncompresses them as they are read. If you don't use it, delete
DBLSPACE.* and save nearly half a meg.
DBLSPACE.EXE bytes=273068 see above
DBLSPACE.HLP bytes=72173 see above
DBLSPACE.INF bytes=2166 see above
DBLSPACE.SYS bytes=339 see above
DBLWIN.HLP bytes=8597 this one can go too, if you don't use
the above.
DEBUG.EXE bytes=15715 Use it to test and debug executable
files. Also used in some software cracks. If you don't do that sort
of thing, delete it.
DEFRAG.EXE bytes=75017 Sectors on your hard disk are filled
in order, from first to last. As files get deleted, then new ones
added, they get scattered into several fragments as they fill the
empty sectors first, then jump to the next empty sectors. DEFRAG
will arrange your files so they are stored on your drive in the same
order as written. This makes loading faster, and reduces wear on the
drive. A nice side effect is the alphabetization of your directories
and getting the directories listed before the individual files.
Makes finding stuff a lot faster and easier. Run it every couple
weeks if you use your computer much. Definitely a keeper.
DEFRAG.HLP bytes=9227 Help file for the above.
DELOLDOS.EXE bytess=17710 A utility to get rid of your old dos
directory which was created when you updated to DOS 6. You can do
the same thing by deleting the files, then using RD to remove the
directory, or using DELTREE below. Delete it.
DELTREE.EXE bytes=10565 Deletes a directory and all the
files and subdirectories that are in it. Finally, DOS does it right.
This works like PRUNE in XTGOLD. Be careful. Once you delete
something in a directory, then delete the directory, it's gone, and
undelete won't get it back. (Norton Utilities will, but that's some
serious messing around). Keep it.
DISKCOMP.COM bytes=10620 This command performs a
track-by-track comparison of two floppy disks. Rarely useful, it's
up to you to keep/delete, but I got rid of it.
DISKCOPY.COM bytes=11879 Copies the entire contents of one
floppy disk to another floppy disk, track by track, sector by
sector. This only works if both disk are the same size and density.
There are other programs that will copy between drives and disks of
different sizes (POLYCOPY is a good shareware version).This can save
you from having to make a SYS disk then copying your files to it
when you need to copy a sys disk. Useful for copying, keep it.
DISPLAY.SYS bytes=15789 Enables you to display international
character sets on EGA, VGA, and LCD monitors. This device driver
must be loaded by a <DEVICE> or <DEVICEHIGH> command in your CONFIG.
SYS file. If you only use U.S. English, delete it.
DOSHELP.HLP bytes=5667 Part of the HELP system. If you don't
use HELP, you don't know what you're missing.
DOSKEY.COM bytes=5883 The Doskey program recalls MS-DOS
commands and enables you to edit command lines and create and run
macros. Try it, you'll like it. A must keep.
DOSSHELL.COM bytes=4620 Part of dosshell (no shit!). A
Windows-like file and disk manager that works great if you don't
like to work from the command prompt. The main stuff you can do from
command prompt you can do here, without any intimidation for less
experienced users.If you don't use dosshell, type: DELETE DOSSHELL.*
DOSSHELL.EXE bytes=236378 see above
DOSSHELL.GRB bytes=4421 see above
DOSSHELL.HLP bytes=161323 see above
DOSSHELL.INI bytes=11882 see above
DOSSHELL.VID bytes=9462 see above
DOSSWAP.EXE bytes=18756 Every time you swap between
applications using Task Switcher (in DOSSHELL), the current
application's state is written to disk, creating a temporary file
called DOSSWAP.EXE. If you use DOS Shell and Task Swapper, keep it;
otherwise, delete it.
DRIVER.SYS bytes=5406 A device driver for use with certain
external and some non-standard drives. If you don't use drives that
require it, delete it.
EDIT.COM bytes=413 A useful ascii editor with lots of
features. I prefer to use XTGOLD's editor, but keep it anyway.
EDIT.HLP bytes=17898 help for above (REALLY!)
EGA.CPI bytes=58870 Used with the MODE command to display
national character symbols on EGA and VGA symbols. If you got rid
of the rest of these type files, get rid of this one, too.
EGA.SYS bytes=4885 Saves and restores the display when the
MS-DOS Shell Task Swapper is used with EGA monitors. If you don't
have an EGA monitor, delete it.
EMM386.EXE bytes=115294 Provides access to the upper memory
area and uses extended memory to simulate expanded memory. This
device driver must be loaded by a <DEVICE> command in your CONFIG.
SYS file and can be used only on computers with an 80386 or higher
processor. A definite keeper unless you're still on an 8088 or 286
machine.
EXPAND.EXE bytes=16129 Used to uncompress your original dos
files from the dos install disks. As they are, on the disk, they're
unusable. They must be expanded to be used, so keep this one. You
never know when you might need one of the "junk" files you're deleting
now.
FASTHELP.EXE bytes=11481 Displays a list of all MS-DOS 6
commands and gives a brief explanation of each. The information that
the FASTHELP command displays is similar to, but less detailed than,
the information found in MS-DOS Help, so I just kept the other and
got rid of this one.
FASTOPEN.EXE bytes=12034 FASTOPEN buffers the File
Allocatioon Table and directory structure by creating a cache of
recently used directories and filenames. Use it with Smartdrive to
improve disk access speed. It may cause problems with some
applications software. Try it, if it works, keep it.
FC.EXE bytes=18650 File Compare. Compares two files and
displays the differences between them. If you don't do that, don't
keep this.
FDISK.EXE bytes=29333 Use FDISK to create logical hard disk
partitions. FDISK is also used to create partitions for running DOS
and another operating system, such as Unix or OS/2 [gag]. Remember,
creating or changing partitions using FDISK destroys underlying
data, so always backup your drive before using FDISK. Keep it.
FIND.EXE bytes=6,770 One of three DOS filters used in batch
files, it searches files for contents which are then redirected to
another file. Delete it if you don't think you ever will do that.
FORMAT.COM bytes=22717 The FORMAT command creates a new root
directory and file allocation table for the disk. It can also check
for bad areas on the disk, and it can delete all data on the disk.
In order for MS-DOS to be able to use a new disk, you must first use
this command to format the disk. I like to use ConFormat, which will
format a disk while you and your computer do something else. Format
is slow, and there are substitutes, but keep it anyway.
GRAPHICS.COM bytes=19694 Loads a program into memory that
allows MS-DOS to print the information displayed on your screen.
Use the GRAPHICS command only if you are using a color or graphics
adapter. Supports CGA through VGA. Keep it.
GRAPHICS.PRO bytes=21232 Data file for GRAPHICS.COM. Keep
both or neither.
HELP.COM bytes=413 When you get back to the dos prompt, type
HELP and get enough information about dos and its commands to make a
small book. One of the best sources of information you have. Now,
the trick: You must have QBASIC.EXE to run HELP. KEEP IT!
HELP.HLP bytes=294741 A big file, yes, but keep it if you
want to use the HELP command.
HIMEM.SYS bytes=14224 HIMEM is an extended-memory manager
that coordinates the use of your computer's extended memory,
including the high memory area (HMA), so that no two applications or
device drivers use the same memory at the same time. If you have a
386 or above, keep it and use it.
INTERLNK.EXE bytes=17197 Kind of like LapLink, it connects
two computers via parallel or serial ports and enables the computers
to share disks and printer ports. For example, you could connect a
laptop computer to a desktop computer and share files. Keep it if
you use it.
INTERSVR.EXE bytes=37314 Starts the Interlnk server. See
above.
KEYB.COM bytes=14983 Starts the Keyb program, which
configures a keyboard for a specific language (other than U. S.
English). Delete it if you only use U. S. English.
KEYBOARD.SYS bytes=34694 Despite its SYS extension,
KEYBOARD.SYS is really the data file for KEYBOARD.COM. If you need
foreign keyboard characters, keep it. Otherwise, delete it.
LABEL.EXE bytes=9390 Creates, changes, or deletes the volume
label (name) of a disk. Keep it.
LOADFIX.COM bytes=1131 Some early programs were designed
to load after the first 64K of memory because dos was already using
that area. Now that dos loads into upper mem, they may or may not run.
This program forces them to load after the first 64K block, so
they'll run right. Keep it. You just never know when you'll get a
"Packed file is corrupt" message. If you do, run this file and try
it again.
MEM.EXE bytes=32150 A memory mapping program, it tells you
what programs are in memory, where they are and how much RAM they
take. Great for tweaking your system. Keep it.
MEMMAKER.EXE bytes=118628 DOS 6's new, automatic
configuration program. This will configure your system for the
maximum performance and use of upper and EMS/XMS memory. It usually
only needs run once at setup, but if you enjoy tweaking, keep it
anyway. If you don't mess with what you don't understand, learn
about it. After you've used it, you can delete it.
MEMMAKER.HLP bytes=17081 Help file for the above.
MEMMAKER.INF bytes=1642 This file is used to tell memmaker
to ignore certain programs when it configures your machine. See
above.
MODE.COM bytes=23521 Configures system devices. The MODE
command performs many different tasks, such as displaying system
status, changing system settings, or reconfiguring ports or devices.
If you don't do that stuff, delete it.
MONOUMB.386 bytes=8783 If you want to use the monochrome
video area in upper mem for loading programs, this is the trick.
Keep it only if you use it, and chances are, you won't.
MORE.COM bytes=2546 Used in conjunction with other commands
to display one screen of text at a time. for example, the line
MEM/C|MORE will display memory information one screen at a time.
Keep it.
MOVE.EXE bytes=17371 It's about time. This will let you move
a program from one directory to another, not just by copying the
file then deleting the old one, but by changing the file's pointers
so that it now resides in a different directory. I moved 3 one meg
files in 1 second, and didn't need free space to make the copies
before the old files were deleted because it didn't copy them. It
just changed the File Allocation Table listing to reflect their new
home.
Syntax
MOVE [drive:][path]filename[,[drive:][path]filename[...]] destination
The MOVE command also renames directories.
Syntax
MOVE C:\oldname c:\newname
Absolutely, keep it.
MSAV.EXE bytes=172198 Scans your computer for known viruses.
If you live in fear of a sick computer and don't have anything else,
keep it and use it.
MSAV.HLP bytes=23891 Help file for above. NO, REALLY?
MSAVHELP.OVL bytes=29828 see above
MSAVIRUS.LST bytes=35520 see above
MSBACKDB.OVL bytes=63306 Part of the new MSBACKUP program,
it's still not as good as many commercial programs at backing up
your hard drive, but it's far superior to the old BACKUP/RESTORE,
which had a nasty habit of committing suicide on you after it
murdered your files. Keep it if you use it.
MSBACKDR.OVL bytes=67146 see above
MSBACKFB.OVL bytes=68730 see above
provided through the courtesy of the-brother-in-law
MSBACKFR.OVL bytes=72714 see above
MSBACKUP.EXE bytes=5506 see above
MSBACKUP.HLP bytes=314236 see above
MSBACKUP.OVL bytes=133952 see above
MSBCONFG.HLP bytes=45780 see above
MSBCONFG.OVL bytes=47210 see above
MSCDEX.EXE bytes=25377 Provides access to CD-ROM drives.
MSCDEX can be loaded from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file or from the command
prompt. (The device driver that came with your CD-ROM drive must be
loaded from your CONFIG.SYS file.) If it sounds like this has
potential for problems, you're right. If you have a CD rom drive,
better find out if you need this one. Let the battle begin.
MSD.EXE bytes=158470 Kind of like CHECKIT, this will tell
you all about your system, video, processors, ports, ram, etc. If
you like that sort of thing, keep it.
MSTOOLS.DLL bytes=13424 Part of the MSTOOLS for windows stuff.
MWAV.EXE bytes=142640 Anti virus for windows. If you use it,
keep it.
MWAV.HLP bytes=25663 see above
MWAVABSI.DLL bytes=54576 see above
MWAVDLG.DLL bytes=36368 see above
MWAVDOSL.DLL bytes=44736 see above
MWAVDRVL.DLL bytes=7744 see above
MWAVMGR.DLL bytes=21712 see above
MWAVSCAN.DLL bytes=151568 see above
MWAVSOS.DLL bytes=7888 see above
MWAVTSR.EXE bytes=17328 see above
MWBACKF.DLL bytes=14560 Backup for windows. If you use
backup and windows, this one's for you.
MWBACKR.DLL bytes=111120 see above
MWBACKUP.EXE bytes=309024 see above
MWBACKUP.HLP bytes=400880 see above
MWGRAFIC.DLL bytes=6944 Another file for your Windows ToolKit
MWUNDEL.EXE bytes=130496 Undelete for windows
MWUNDEL.HLP bytes=35741 help file for above
NETWORKS.TXT bytes=21450 Info on making your network
compatible with DOS 6. If you don't have a network, delete this.
NLSFUNC.EXE bytes=7036 Loads country-specific information for
national language support (NLS). If you use U. S. English only,
delete it.
POWER.EXE bytes=052 Ya know those power saving laptop
computers? This is for them. It reduces power consumption when
applications and devices are idle for computers that conform to the
Advanced Power Management (APM) specification. Unless you need it,
dump it.
PRINT.EXE bytes=15640 Prints a text file while you are using
other MS-DOS commands. This command can print in the background
while you and your computer do something else. Keep it, for sure.
QBASIC.EXE bytes=194309 No, no GORILLA.BAS program this
time. Does anyone still use basic to write programs? Delete it
UNLESS you use HELP. HELP requires this program to run.
QBASIC.HLP bytes=130881 see above
RAMDRIVE.SYS bytes=5873 Uses part of your computer's
random-access memory (RAM) to simulate a hard disk drive. This
device driver must be loaded by a <DEVICE> or <DEVICEHIGH> command
in your CONFIG.SYS file. Once a RAM drive is created, it is assigned
a drive letter and it behaves like a disk drive, except that it is
volatile. Should you turn off the PC or lose power, then whatever is
on the drive is history. Keep it if you have enough ram to use it.
README.TXT bytes=57349 Notes on Dos 6. You never know when
you might need to know something here, but if you've never read it
before, chances are you don't need it now. Check it out, then delete.
REPLACE.EXE bytes=20226 A useful commands, REPLACE
can be used to update (or replace) existing files in the destination
directory, or just add new files without overwriting existing ones.
Lots of great switches; check it out.
RESTORE.EXE bytes=38294 Used to bring back (sometimes)
earlier dos backups, this file is included for backwards
compatibility. If you didn't use BACKUP before, you don't need
RESTORE now. Bang. Zoom. To the moon, it's gone.
SETVER.EXE bytes=12015 Some software was designed to ask
your computer what release of DOS you were running. It may have
wanted DOS 3.2, and wouldn't run on DOS 2.0. Nobody thought about a
DOS 4, 5, or 6, so when the answer comes back as anything but 3, the
software won't work. This program is used to lie to your programs
when they ask what DOS version you're running. If your software
thinks it will only run under DOS 3, and you're on DOS 6, SETVER can
be used to tell your program it's running DOS 3 when it asks. Useful
for old, or odd software. I've never needed it...
SHARE.EXE bytes=10912 Used primarily on networks, SHARE
provides for file sharing and record-locking capabilities. Even if
you're not on a netwwork, some applications - such as ObjectVision 2.
0 - require it for file sharing. Keep it.
SIZER.EXE bytes=7169 Used by the MemMaker memory
optimization program to determine the size in memory of device
drivers and memory-resident programs. When you're done with
MEMMAKER, you're done with this program.
SMARTDRV.EXE bytes=42073 The latest version, and a good
improvement. Loads the SMARTDRV.EXE device driver to perform double
buffering. Double buffering provides compatibility for certain
hard-disk controllers that cannot work with memory provided by
EMM386 or Windows running in 386 enhanced mode. To find out whether
you need to use double buffering, see <SMARTDRV.EXE??Notes>. Replace
your old SMARTDRV file with this one. Don't let the terminology
confuse you. Chances are, SMARTDRV.EXE will greatly benefit your
computer. Keep it.
SMARTMON.EXE bytes=28672 Windows program, Smartdrive
Monitor. Lets you control, adjust and monitor your SMARTDRV.EXE
program to see how it's doing. Nice, but not NEEDED.
SMARTMON.HLP bytes=10727 help file for above
SORT.EXE bytes=6922 Want your directory list alphabetized
when you see it? Use DOSKEY and SORT to make a macro to save the
keystrokes, or type DIR > SORT. Useful and time saving. Keep it.
SUBST.EXE bytes=18478 Substitutes a drive letter for a
directory name, or one drive for another. SUBST is necessary for
really old programs that don't understand subdirectories, such as
DPS III+. It's also useful with the PATH command to replace
references to really long, or nested, subdirectories. If you have
something on your hard drive that needs to be installed from a
floppy, use the SUBST command to make your computer think it's
reading the A: drive when it installs from another directory on C:.
Note: To use drive letters greater than E, add the LASTDRIVE command
to your CONFIG.SYS file. Keep it.
SYS.COM bytes=9379 Makes a disk bootable by copying
COMMAND.COM and two invisible files: IO.SYS (or IBMBIO.SYS) and
MSDOS.SYS (or IBMDOS.SYS) to a floppy. KEEP IT.
TREE.COM bytes=6898 Displays a listing of a disk's directory
structure, including files, with the /F switch. More than anything
else, this program will give you a visual representation of
directories and help you understand their structure. Keep it.
UNDELETE.EXE bytes=26420 While this program does restore
files that were previously deleted by using the <DEL> command it
also has three levels of protecting files against accidental
deletion?? Delete Sentry, Delete Tracker, and Standard. Learn to use
this one. Success rates are better the sooner you try it after the
deletion in Standard mode. If you regularly say OH SHIT!, then set
up the Delete Sentry system. It'll save your butt someday. KEEP IT.
UNFORMAT.COM bytes=12738 Like undelete, it can bring back
files you thought were gone. FORMAT usually checks to see if your
disk and it's existing format are good. It doesn't really erase all
the files unless you tell it to (through switches). UNFORMAT may/may
not get your files back; it all depends. KEEP IT.
VFINTD.386 bytes=5295 Part of windows anti viral software.
Use the others, and you'll need this one.
VSAFE.COM bytes=62576 Anti Virus software. If you want to
try to stop virus problems, use it. Keep it.
WNTOOLS.GRP bytes=3741 Part of the windows toolbox
XCOPY.EXE bytes=15820 Hey, you don't know what you're
missing. This little understood program copies files, including
those in multiple subdirectories. It does everything that the internal
command COPY can do - but more and faster. Check it out. Good
switch support. Keep it.
Hey. I spent a lot of time compiling this list. All I ask is that
the name "the brother-in-law" be left intact in this file. Thanks.