- EPSON Equity 386/20 - User Manual

Chapter 5
Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386
Your Equity 386 comes with version 3.3 of MS-DOS. This operating
system manages your computer by organizing the computer’s memory,
controlling the monitor display, accepting keyboard input, and
directing external communications.
To communicate with the operating system, you use MS-DOS
commands. How much you need to know about MS-DOS depends
on how you plan to use your computer. If you plan to use it for
running application programs only, the few MS-DOS commands
you’ll need are introduced in this chapter. If you plan to use advanced
features or create your own programs, see your MS-DOS Reference
Manual for a complete description of MS-DOS.
Starting and Exiting MS-DOS
Before you can run an MS-DOS application program, MS-DOS must
be running in memory If you have a hard disk that you prepared
according to the procedures in Chapter 3, MS-DOS is loaded
automatically when you turn on the computer. If you do not have a
hard disk, insert your working copy of the MS-DOS Startup diskette
in drive A and then turn on or reset the computer. The computer then
loads MS-DOS from drive A.
When the date and time prompts appear, press Enter to accept the
date and time shown. The screen then displays the MS-DOS
command prompt, A > or C >. This tells you that MS-DOS is loaded
and identifies the current drive.
Before you turn off the computer, make sure the A > or C > prompt
is displayed. Then remove your diskettes, turn off your computer, and
turn off any peripherals.
Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386
5-1