I know it's an XP newsgroup, but since I occasionally have to use DOS to
do something that is not possible using Windows, ( like xcopy/s *.jpg
c:\test\*.* ), I was wondering if there have been any updates in DOS
that folks have found that are useful.

There are still a LOT of things that are easy in DOS and cannot be done
(without a LOT of grief) in Windows and I was just thinking that for
Windows only users, how tough it would be be do things like " xcopy/s "
in 20 subfolders. WHY NOT create such utilities in Windows ?

"- Bobb -" <bobb@noemail.123> wrote:

>I know it's an XP newsgroup,

But you're posting here anyway. Moron.

>but since I occasionally have to use DOS to
>do something that is not possible using Windows, ( like xcopy/s *.jpg
>c:\test\*.* ), I was wondering if there have been any updates in DOS
>that folks have found that are useful.

Not since DOS 8.0 was released along with WinME in 2000.

On Sat, 3 Mar 2007 19:49:46 -0500, - Bobb - wrote:


> There are still a LOT of things that are easy in DOS and cannot be done
> (without a LOT of grief) in Windows and I was just thinking that for
> Windows only users, how tough it would be be do things like " xcopy/s "
> in 20 subfolders. WHY NOT create such utilities in Windows ?

There are. Look up Robocopy.

- Bobb - wrote:
> I know it's an XP newsgroup, but since I occasionally have to use
> DOS to do something that is not possible using Windows, ( like
> xcopy/s *.jpg c:\test\*.* ), I was wondering if there have been
> any updates in DOS that folks have found that are useful.
>
> There are still a LOT of things that are easy in DOS and cannot be
> done (without a LOT of grief) in Windows and I was just thinking
> that for Windows only users, how tough it would be be do things
> like " xcopy/s " in 20 subfolders. WHY NOT create such utilities in
> Windows ?

DOS - the 16 bit OS - has not existed in quite some time.
However - your logic is fairly flawed...

You stated, "... I occasionally have to use DOS to do something that is not
possible using Windows, (like xcopy/s *.jpg c:\test\*.*) ..."

You can do that and more in Windows 2000/XP --> simply open a command prompt
or create a batch/cmd script.
In fact - try this:

Start Button --> RUN --> type in:

cmd /K xcopy /?

OK.

If you want to do such things - look for freeware utilities or learn to
write your own short batch scripts?

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

"- Bobb -" <bobb@noemail.123> wrote in message
news:O%(E-Mail Removed)...
>I know it's an XP newsgroup, but since I occasionally have to use DOS to do
>something that is not possible using Windows, ( like xcopy/s *.jpg
>c:\test\*.* ), I was wondering if there have been any updates in DOS that
>folks have found that are useful.
>
> There are still a LOT of things that are easy in DOS and cannot be done
> (without a LOT of grief) in Windows and I was just thinking that for
> Windows only users, how tough it would be be do things like " xcopy/s " in
> 20 subfolders. WHY NOT create such utilities in Windows ?

DOS has been revamped in XP. Some commands have been downgraded (eg
format), or eliminated (eg sys), or greatly enhanced (eg sort). Batch
programs have some enhanced features. There are two types of 'DOS' windows
within XP. They can be created by creating shortcuts to command.com and
cmd.exe. The properties for these two shortcuts are very different and can
be customized in different ways. SomeDOS software may be able to run in
little black DOS window created by one of
these shortcuts but not in the other. You can create a boot floppy from
within WXP by right clicking the floppy drive and selecting format and
checking the 'startup' box. Booting with this floppy brings you to a DOS
prompt, but only the internal DOS commands are available. Most if not all
of the external DOS commands will not run except within a DOS window under
WXP.

I don't know if or where the WXP DOS commands and batch file features are
documented by Microsoft.

-Paul Randall

"Paul Randall" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "- Bobb -" <bobb@noemail.123> wrote in message
> news:O%(E-Mail Removed)...
> >I know it's an XP newsgroup, but since I occasionally have to use DOS to
do
> >something that is not possible using Windows, ( like xcopy/s *.jpg
> >c:\test\*.* ), I was wondering if there have been any updates in DOS
that
> >folks have found that are useful.
> >
> > There are still a LOT of things that are easy in DOS and cannot be done
> > (without a LOT of grief) in Windows and I was just thinking that for
> > Windows only users, how tough it would be be do things like " xcopy/s "
in
> > 20 subfolders. WHY NOT create such utilities in Windows ?


I'm afraid there are lots of misleading statements in your
reply. It is important to realise that DOS is an operating
system, same as Windows XP or Unix. There is no DOS
under Windows!

> DOS has been revamped in XP.
*** No, it has not. DOS is an operating system. It does not exist
*** under Windows XP. You probably wanted to say this:
*** "The Command Prompt under Windows XP provides
*** some DOS-like functions."

> Some commands have been downgraded (eg format),
*** No. Format still works under the Command Prompt.
*** However, it won't let you format the system disk, and
*** for a very good reason too!

> or eliminated (eg sys)
*** The sys command is DOS specific. It would make no
*** sense having it under Windows XP.

>, or greatly enhanced (eg sort). Batch programs have some
enhanced features. There are two types of 'DOS' windows
> within XP.
*** No, there are none. However, there is a Command Prompt.

> They can be created by creating shortcuts to command.com and
> cmd.exe.
*** Command.com is a legacy command processor and
*** should not be used. Many a poster used it by mistake
*** and got very confused.

> The properties for these two shortcuts are very different and can
> be customized in different ways. SomeDOS software may be able to run in
> little black DOS window created by one of
> these shortcuts but not in the other. You can create a boot floppy from
> within WXP by right clicking the floppy drive and selecting format and
> checking the 'startup' box. Booting with this floppy brings you to a DOS
> prompt, but only the internal DOS commands are available.

*** Are you talking about the Recovery Console?

> Most if not all of the external DOS commands will not run except
> within a DOS window under WXP.
>
> I don't know if or where the WXP DOS commands and batch file features are
> documented by Microsoft.

*** Most command line commands have inbuilt help. You see it when
*** you add /?, e.g.
*** xcopy /?
*** format /?
*** ping /?

Paul Randall wrote ::
> I don't know if or where the WXP DOS commands and batch file features are
> documented by Microsoft.

- command /?
- help command
- C:\Windows\Help\ntcmds.chm
- http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...us/ntcmds.mspx

To OP:
- New Command Line tools :
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...new_tools.mspx

- List of "Changes to MS-Dos Commands" and "Unavailable commands" :
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...dos_diffs.mspx

- Command shell overview
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...loverview.mspx



Good Luck, Ayush.
--
XP-Tips [Auto logon for Windows XP] :
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...autologon.mspx

"Pegasus (MVP)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Paul Randall" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> "- Bobb -" <bobb@noemail.123> wrote in message
>> news:O%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >I know it's an XP newsgroup, but since I occasionally have to use
>> >DOS to
> do
>> >something that is not possible using Windows, ( like xcopy/s *.jpg
>> >c:\test\*.* ), I was wondering if there have been any updates in
>> >DOS
> that
>> >folks have found that are useful.
>> >
>> > There are still a LOT of things that are easy in DOS and cannot be
>> > done
>> > (without a LOT of grief) in Windows and I was just thinking that
>> > for
>> > Windows only users, how tough it would be be do things like "
>> > xcopy/s "
> in
>> > 20 subfolders. WHY NOT create such utilities in Windows ?
>
>
> I'm afraid there are lots of misleading statements in your
> reply. It is important to realise that DOS is an operating
> system, same as Windows XP or Unix. There is no DOS
> under Windows!
>
>> DOS has been revamped in XP.
> *** No, it has not. DOS is an operating system. It does not exist
> *** under Windows XP. You probably wanted to say this:
> *** "The Command Prompt under Windows XP provides
> *** some DOS-like functions."

Excuse my phrasing of the orignal post. I do use my own scripts. My
reason for mentioning was merely that most casual users ( all of my
non-business friends) never used a Pc until Windows and have never seen
DOS ( or a DOS shell ) and do not know that they can do " xcopy/s *.jpg
>c:\test\*.* " and instead go into each folder and 'drag and drop' all
the jpg files or Cut and then paste one at a time from one folder to
another. Their PC is for home internet use, pictures and maybe some
offfice apps - none of which would ever show them how to "do it easily".
I've seen a lot of folks doing such things because they do not know that
there is an alternative and I just figured by now someone in the sw biz
would have realized that and added the features to ... XP for example.
I didn't mean to start an argument - just an observation/ discussion.
I'll check out the other tips.
Thanks.

- Bobb - wrote:
> I know it's an XP newsgroup, but since I occasionally have to use DOS to
> do something that is not possible using Windows, ( like xcopy/s *.jpg
> c:\test\*.* ), I was wondering if there have been any updates in DOS
> that folks have found that are useful.
>
> There are still a LOT of things that are easy in DOS and cannot be done
> (without a LOT of grief) in Windows and I was just thinking that for
> Windows only users, how tough it would be be do things like " xcopy/s "
> in 20 subfolders. WHY NOT create such utilities in Windows ?
>

Under winxp and similar, you are able to run dos commands in a virtual
machine provided by the processor instruction set. The version is listed
as a winxp version, but this is of no import since like all versions of
dos, the version of the commands must match that of the dos release.
The main restriction of running in a virtual environment is any program
you run must be well behaved. The help file is gone, but you can still
get useful help by typing a command followed by /?. Some of the commands
are enhanced over their forbears, others are gone, never to be found
again (and missed by only a few).
If you're serious about running dos, or just suffering from acute
nostalgia, do as I do, use bootitng from www.terabyteunlimited.com to
create a true dos fat partition. Actually, I'm not particularly
nostalgic, but still have an old release of the assembler and microsft C
from my working days. Of course I never use them now and even if I did
what would I do with the compiled output, so I suppose it is nostalgia
after all.
Dave Cohen

<snip>

> I didn't mean to start an argument - just an observation/ discussion.
> I'll check out the other tips.
> Thanks.
>

I have no interest in running an argument but I usually reply
when someone posts a whole lot of misleading and incorrect
information in response to a genuine question.