Epson Apex 386SX/20 Canadian Product User Manual - Page 63

An Introduction to DOS, Loading DOS, System Messages, or hold down

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3-1 An Introduction to DOS DOS stands for Disk Operating System. This is a set of commands used to control the operations of a computer and its peripheral components. DOS makes it easy for you to use applications and create and manage files on your computer. DOS also lets you use devices with the computer. Loading DOS Loading DOS means to copy all the DOS programs into the computer's electronic memory. You should follow the instructions below to start DOS. Starting DOS when the computer is off: • Insert DOS disk 1 into disk drive A and close the drive lever. ž Turn on the computer and respond to the prompts displayed on the monitor. Starting DOS when the computer is on: If you don't have a DOS disk in your disk drive when you start your computer, you will see the following message on the screen following the RAM test: Non-system disk or disk error Replace and strike any key when ready Then, you should: • Insert DOS disk 1 into disk drive A and close the drive lever. • Press the reset button on your front panel (hardware reset) or hold down the , and keys at the same time (software reset) to reboot your system. Starting DOS from your hard disk: If you have a hard disk, install DOS on the disk. Your PC will boot automatically whenever you turn on the power. System Messages Refer to your MS-DOS User's Guide and Reference manual for information on system messages. 2 Chapter 3: Operating Your System

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3-1 An Introduction to DOS
DOS
stands for Disk Operating System. This is a set of commands
used to control the operations of a computer and its peripheral com-
ponents. DOS makes it easy for you to use applications and create
and manage files on your computer. DOS also lets you use devices
with the computer.
Loading DOS
Loading DOS means to copy all the DOS programs into the computer’s
electronic memory. You should follow the instructions below to start
DOS.
Starting DOS when
the
computer is off:
Insert DOS disk 1 into disk drive A and close the drive lever.
ž
Turn on the computer and respond to the prompts displayed
on the monitor.
Starting DOS when
the
computer is on:
If you don’t have a DOS disk in your disk drive when you start your
computer, you will see the following message on the screen following
the RAM test:
Non-system disk or disk error
Replace and strike any key when ready
Then, you should:
Insert DOS disk 1 into disk drive A and close the drive lever.
Press the reset button on your front panel (hardware reset)
or hold down the
<Ctrl>, <Alt>
and
<Del>
keys at the same
time (software reset) to reboot your system.
Starting DOS from your hard disk:
If you have a hard disk, install DOS on the disk. Your PC will boot
automatically whenever you turn on the power.
System Messages
Refer to your
MS-DOS User’s Guide and Reference
manual for infor-
mation on system messages.
2
Chapter 3: Operating Your System