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FIXING SOME PC-DOS 3.3 BUGS
Every day, more copies of 3.3 DOS are being installed in Tandy
1000-SX,TX, etc. computers. At least in my area, these are PC-DOS.
I have been booting up with this version for some time, now, and
find it to have valuable advantages - and a couple of glitches. The
job, then, is to fix the glitches and enjoy the improvements. To this
end, I submit my findings.
First, the advantages:
1) There have been some improvements in a few of the com-
mands. Some new ones have been added, and a couple
eliminated. Some of the DOS 3.2 commands are gone, but
the one or two I missed are compatible between 3.2 and
3.3, so that they may be added to your 3.3 files with-
out conflict with 3.3's COMMAND.COM.
2) In my case, the biggest improvement has been in the
ANSI.SYS command, as I make much use of .BAT (Batch)
files. I recommend fuller use of these files, especi-
ally in the Root Directory to start up all programs
and to return to a menu upon exit from the program.
a) Under previous versions it has been impossible to
"nest" batch files without fooling around with the
%1,%2 mess. The new 3.3 allows the use of a new
command, "CALL". In a batch file, you now precede
all but the last execution command with "CALL", e.g.
CALL ws2, CALL mouse, etc. Just remember that an
.EXE command might be the start of a batch, and thus
should be preceded by CALL.
b) The second valuable (to me) improvement is the add-
ition of "@" as an invisibility aid. There is no-
thing more bothering to me than starting any batch
file with "echo off" to clear the screen of clutter,
only to find "ECHO OFF" appear ON the screen, even
if briefly. Now just start with "@echo off", and
presto!, blank screen.
Now, a mixed blessing...DOS 3.3 is apparently set up to format
3-1/2' diskettes at 360K. At first glance this would seem to be a
deadly imperfection. However, it can be turned to our advantage.
In order to format a 3-1/2' disk at 720K, it is necessary to make
use of the DRIVER.SYS command. You'll have to refer to your DOS
manual to get the right parameters for your particular drive set-up.
Put DEVICE=DRIVER.SYS [plus parameters] into your CONFIG.SYS file.
This will allow you to format at 720K. This tactic will automati-
cally assign a second Drive letter to that drive (say, D).
Now watch this! You can now copy files to the same drive. For
example to copy a file from one disk to another, just type "copy
a:[filename] d:". All the right instructions will be given to you
on-screen; what you won't see is "you cannot copy a file to itself".
Please note, that to take full advantage of the above you MUST
put DEVICE=ANSI.SYS and DEVICE=DRIVER.SYS into your CONFIG.SYS
file.
I hope the above will be of use to you, and will appreciate
your reactions and any further suggestions.
Fred R. Wolfe, Jr. (73100,2616)
4333 E. Fairmount Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85018