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Document ID: DJON-3GEHFE

Aptiva - Invoking DOS commands when a computer is turned on

Applicable to: United States

A fast and efficient way to invoke DOS commands automatically when your system is turned on is to add the command to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. There are many DOS commands that do not load into memory automatically when you turn your computer on, but are needed to perform special functions. For example, the GRAPHICS command (or GRAPHICS /R) must be invoked to print graphic screen images with the [Print Screen] key. The PRINT.COM file must be invoked to use the Print option on the File menu in the DOSShell. The MODE command is often used by owners who have monochrome displays. By adding these commands to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file (a file that is read every time the computer is turned on) the commands are automatically invoked when the system is turned on. Doing this saves a couple of steps. You do not have to go to the DOS prompt and issue the command.

To add DOS commands to your system's AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you can use the DOS Editor. Do the following

1. Go to the DOS prompt.

2. Enter: Edit C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT or E C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT (depending on the type and version of DOS you are running , "EDIT" for MSDOS and "E" for PCDOS).

3. The file should open on your screen. DOS commands can be added anywhere in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. However, it is a good idea to put them near the beginning of the file so that they will not interfere with lines that may start other programs, near the end of the file. If you put the command after the last line in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, it may never be executed. A good place to add the commands would be just after the PATH= line. If you do not have a PATH= line, it's a good idea to put the command after the @ECHO OFF line (which is probably the first line). If you see this line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, move the cursor to the end of this line.

4. Press [Enter] to create a new line. The cursor should be flashing on the new line. If you are adding the DOS command before the PATH= statement, type in C:\DOS\ and the DOS command that you want to add to AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you add the command after the PATH= line, you will not need the C:\DOS\ before the command you add. If, for example, you often use the GRAPHICS /R, you would type: C:\DOS\GRAPHICS /R. If you normally use the Print command in the DOSShell, you would type: C:\DOS\PRINT /D:LPT1

5. After you have entered all the commands you wish to enter, click File on the menu bar and choose Save.

6. Then click File again, and choose Exit

You should now restart your computer to test the new AUTOEXEC.BAT. Verify there are not any errors occurring and that the new commands you added are working properly.

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	Hint Category	DOS/Windows 3.x
	Date Created	23-04-97
	Last Updated	23-03-99
	Revision Date	23-03-2000
	Brand	IBM Aptiva
	Product Family	Aptiva, PS/1
	Machine Type	2011, 2144, 2168, 2121, 2123, 2133, 2155
	Model	2R5; 2R7; 2R8; M30; M35; M50; 2R6; 4R7; 4R8; M40; M54; M58; 1R2; 66P; 67P; 86P; OR8; 1R1; 1R3; 1R5; 22P; 24P; 25P; 27P; 29P; 63P; 67P; 82P; 83P; OR6; OR7; OR9; 1R0; 1R1; 26P; 62P; 2R0; P30; C01; C34; M01; NEA; T35; U35; A62; A82; A94; B82; C42; C92; G42; M82; S92; 081; 087; 131; 137; K37; N31; N81; 11E; 13T; 14C; 16E; 17A; 18A; 18T; 19C; 21C; 23C; 28A; 46M; 51D; D50; G11; G13; G43; G46; G46; G49; G49; G50; G53; M40; M40; M46; M46; P11; P13; P43; P50; P53; R04; R05; R06; R09; R38; R42; R43; R44; R84; R86; R87; RO3; S11; S13; S43; S45; S45; S47; S47; S48; S48; S50; S53; W11; W13; W42; W42; W43; W45; W45; W50; W53; 20E; 22T; 24C; 24M; 28V; 39E; 41T; 43C; 45V; 48E; 50T; 52C; 55V; 72E; 74T; 76C; 78C; 79C; 81A; 82E; 84T; 86C; 87C; CC1; D53; G14; G44; G52; G54; G72; G76; G78; G82; NM1; P14; P44; P57; P71; P74; P76; P78; P84; R14; R15; R16; R17; R18; R51; R52; R57; R58; R62; R63; R67; R71; R89; R93; R96; R97; S14; S44; S50; S54; S70; S75; S76; S78; S80; W14; W44; W48; W54; W67; W76; W77; W78; Z33; 28V; 31E; 33T; 37C; 38C; 51E; 54T; 56C; 57C; 88V; BB1; G57; G87; OR1; OR3; OR4; OR5; P89; R28; R29; R31; R74; R78; R82; R98; S55; S85; SR1; US1; W52; W82
	TypeModel	2011C01
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