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                                M S -- D O S
 
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                         K>BYTE: Feb, Mar, Apr '86


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I.  FROM  THE FEBRUARY 1986 ISSUE OF KBYTE (KAYPRO USERS ASSOCIATION OF FORT
COLLINS)


MS-DOS  USERS GUIDE:  I've long suspected that the people who write  those
users  guides  that  come  with  computer systems only do  it  only  as  a
sideline.  I'm  convinced that all of them either have been or  should  be
developing and breaking code for the Department of Defense!

Well,  in regard to the effective use of the MS-DOS operating system, help
has  arrived in the form of an aftermarket manual titled "RUNNING  MS-DOS"
by Van Wolverton.  This fantastic tool is published by Microsoft Press,  a
Division of the Microsoft Corporation.  The latest (second,  1985) edition
of  the manual contains approximately 400 pages and covers MS-DOS  through
Version  3.1.  The  manual  is  written in clear,  concise  terms  and  is
intelligently arranged:   The  first 2/3 is a tutorial of all commands  so
that you can to follow through on your computer. The remainder is a quick,
convenient  reference of all commands with a condensed example of each and
a  page  reference to detailed information.  The examples  throughout  the
manual  are  worth  the price of admission in themselves.    This  is  one
manual that you will refer to for a long time!

"USING MS-DOS" is available at most book stores,  such as B.  Dalton,  and
retails for $21.95. Hats off to Van Wolverton!!

                                            Rick Mattingly, KUAFC
~~~~


NEC V-SERIES MICROPROCESSOR:  How would you like to speed up the operation
of  your MS-DOS or PC-DOS machine and run CP\M software as well?  NEC  has
now made this possible with the release of their V-Series  microprocessing
chip.  This  chip replaces the Intel 8088 or 8086 chip which your  machine
presently  uses.  This  installation simply involves unplugging the  Intel
chip and plugging in the NEC chip!

Through  the  miracle  of new  technology  and  miniaturization,  the  NEC
microprocessor  makes it all possible by containing both instruction  sets
in a single chip.    With the NEC chip,  MS-DOS applications,   especially
math  oriented software,  such as spreadsheets,   will operate  noticeably
faster.  The  NEC processor is totally upward compatible with the 8088 and
8086; therefore software will perform just as it did before, only faster.

Before you can run your CP/M software, you must do several things.   First
you  must  transfer the CP/M program to an MS-DOS  disk  format.  You  can
accomplish  this easily with transfer software,  such as "Uniform."   Then
you must have an interpreter program to run the CP/M application. Numerous
software  firms,  including  Microsolutions  (the people  who  brought  us
Uniform),  now  market  interpreters.    Moreover,  Public Domain  already
offers several interpreters are already which will do the job nicely.  One
of these,  V20-80.COM,  will be available from the KUAFC disk library this
month.  I renamed V20-80.COM to RUN.COM;   I need only type "RUN filename"
to  run my CP/M software in the MS-DOS environment!  (One word of  caution
regarding  CP/M software operation;  although the CP/M software  will  run
just  fine,   key reassignments may be necessary in some cases.  Remember,
you  are running the software on a different machine from that  originally
intended  and  the  keyboard  assignments  may  very  likely  be  somewhat
different.  Many  software packages allow the changing of key  assignments
through their 'Configuration' utilities.)

With  the  NEC  microprocessor,  you  can  even  run  MS-DOS  applications
simultaneously with CP/M software.  For example,  you can run a CP/M  word
processor along with the MS-DOS SideKick utility.  The ability to run CP/M
software  on your MS-DOS machine is exiting:  You can still take advantage
of the many excellent programs written for CP/M.  Moreover, many users who
are  presently operating CP/M systems and who have considered  MS-DOS  can
now  make  the move with the knowledge that they can easily  transfer  the
applications and information they have developed under CP/M.

Speed-up  of MS-DOS applications and the ability to run CP/M  applications
runs  around  $25 and the NEC V30 (8086 replacement) runs about  $5  more.
Typical  machines  that use the 8088 are the IBM PC,  Kaypro  PC,  Leading
Edge,  etc.  The Compaq is one machine that uses the 8086.    If in doubt,
you  will  find the  microprocessor number stamped on the outside  of  the
casing.   NEC is scheduled to release the V40 and V50 the first quarter of
'86.  These are true 16 bit microprocessors. A 32 bit V60 is scheduled for
late  '86.    I will relay more information to you on these as it  becomes
available.

If  you would like to know more about this little marvel,  plan to  attend
the February MS-DOS SIG of the KUAFC.  For details about the meeting,  see
the announcement in the opening pages of this issue of K>BYTE.

You  will find additional information in the following  articles:  "Turbo-
charging Your PC With The V-Series," PC Magazine,  December 24,  1985  and
"Intel's Speed Trip," Micro Cornucopia,  Dec-Jan, 1985/6.

You  may purchase the NEC V-Series chips at Classic Computers in the  Fort
Collins  area.   You  may also order them by mail from numerous places  as
advertised in the various computer mags. Caution: I have seen many ads for
so called "accelerators" in the $100 range which are actually nothing more
than V-Series microprocessors. Don't fall for this one!!


                                                  --Rick Mattingly, KUAFC


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II.  FROM THE MARCH, 1986,  ISSUE OF KBYTE

A  BETTER  PROMPT FROM MS-DOS:  After you've used your MS-DOS system  for  a
while  you  will begin to wish for more assistance on the  computer's  part.
After all, that's what team spirit is all about isn't it? There are numerous
utility commands built into the MS-DOS operating system to provide this type
of  help.  One  of  these utilities is the "PROMPT"  command.  This  command
controls ...  what else?  ... the prompt! Instead of the plain old A> prompt
how about something a little more informative, such as:

12:07 A:\WORDSTAR >

This prompt indicates the present time and that you are operating on drive A
in a subdirectory named WORDSTAR (especially helpful if you're using a  hard
disk). The prompt command has one parameter: prompt <string>, where <string>
is any one or a combination of the following characters:
 
       Character        Produces
 
         d              The current date
         p              The current directory
         n              The current drive
         t              The current time
         v              The DOS version number
         g              A greater-than sign (>)
         l              A less-than sign (<)
         b              A vertical bar (|)
         q              An equal sign (=)
         e              An Escape character
         h              A backspace
         $              A dollar sign
         _              A signal to end the current line and start a new one
                          (the character is an underscore, not a hyphen)

To  build  a custom prompt you must remember one rule and that is that  each
character  which  you  use from the above list must be  preceded  with  a  $
symbol.  Thus,  to  build the prompt string which would display the  example
given  earlier  you  would type the following from the normal  system  drive
prompt:

A> prompt $t$h$h$h$h$h$h $p $g

When  compared  with the command character list this prompt string  says  to
display  the current time ($t),  the current directory ($p),  and a  greater
than sign (>). But wait, what are all those $h sequences doing in there? The
command 'prompt $t' will return not only the hours, but the seconds as well.
Since,  in  the  case of our example prompt,  we did not  want  the  seconds
displayed we would enter a $h (backspace erase) for each character and space
involved  (this has no affect at all on the speed in which the custom prompt
line will be displayed).  Also, please note the spaces in the prompt command
line.  You must place a space where you want one to appear in the  resulting
custom prompt!

You  can also create a custom prompt which uses multiple lines if you  wish;
such  as the date and time on the first line and current drive and directory
on the second.  This is done by placing a '$_' (underscore,  not hyphen  ...
remember?)  in  the  command string where you wish the resulting  prompt  to
break.  To get really fancy you can take advantage of the fact that you  can
also  enter  any  other  characters or words you wish in  the  command  line
without  a preceding $ symbol.  Without a preceding $ symbol  the  following
character(s)  will  be  displayed as is.  In this fashion  you  could  enter
something ridiculous, such as "Your Wish Is My Command:", at the end of your
custom prompt.

To  get  back to your normal system prompt at any time just type  PROMPT  by
itself and the old reliable A> prompt will return.  If you wish to save your
custom  prompt and have it activate each time you boot up your system  place
the command string in an AUTOEXEC.BAT file. What's an AUTOEXEC.BAT file? ...
Oh no!!  ...  well, we'll talk about that in the next issue. Until then play
around with the prompt command and have some fun!!

                                                 -- Rick Mattingly, KUAFC

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III> FROM THE APRIL 1986 ISSUE OF K>BYTE


MS-DOS  BATCH  FILES  :   In last month's  issue  we  discussed  the
building  of  custom prompts and the ability to save your work in  a
Batch File.  A batch file is nothing more than a file which contains
a series of commands which you wish to have executed  automatically.
What makes batch files especially powerful in the MS-DOS environment
is  that  commands built into the operating system  which  interface
with them to increase their ability.

When  you  type something at system prompt,  DOS assumes it to be  a
command string. The operating system will attempt to follow out your
command request in a particular sequence:

1.  Is the request a built-in command,  such as DIR or COPY?  If so,
DOS executes the built-in command.

2.  If  the string is not a built-in command,  the operating  system
next checks to see if it ends with EXE or COM. If so, it looks for a
program  ending with one of these extensions and executes it  if  it
finds it.

3.  If your command string does not have an EXE or COM extension the
operating system  checks to see if it ends with a .BAT extension. If
it  does the system will look for a batch file by the name which you
specified.

All  of this is done in a flash each time you type a command  string
from  the  DOS  prompt and press enter.   This means  that  you  can
automate the series of commands you normally do manually.  Just type
the  series  of commands into batch files using your  favorite  text
editor or COPY CON.   DOS will save your file and execute the series
of  commands  any time you type the filename at the  system  prompt.
Use any name you like for the file,  but remember that the extension
must be .BAT!   You could, for example, automate  your custom prompt
structure by placing the commands into a batch file.  After that you
will  only  need  to  type the batch file name  to  run  the  entire
structure.   A batch file is very similar to a program in that  both
send commands to the processor.

If   you  create  a  batch  file  and  give  it  the  special   name
AUTOEXEC.BAT,  you  will  have taken the batch file process  a  step
further.  Upon  cold  booting the system  either by turning  on  the
computer  or  by pressing the reset button,   the  operating  system
automatically checks for a file named AUTOEXEC.BAT.  If it finds it,
it executes it immediately.   By this means you can create a default
setup for the particular application you have on the disk,  as  well
as   things  like  custom  DOS  prompts.   For  example,   you   can
automatically  create a custom prompt,  set up memory  requirements,
set  up  your printer and activate the software application of  your
choice. Meanwhile, go get your morning cup of coffee!

The  uses  for  batch files are virtually endless in  that  you  can
automate  almost any activity which you would normally do  manually.
With the "replaceable parameters," for example,  you can perform the
same operation on multiple files with different names; you can place
"remark  statements" into the batch file which will prompt the  user
for  some  action.    Normally,  once a batch  file  opens   another
software package,  such as WordStar or Lotus,  the automated process
is  suspended until the user exits the software,  at which time  the
batch  file takes over again.  By using a separate utility,  such as
KEY-FAKE.COM (in the KUAFC MS-DOS disk library),  you can even  pass
input into another software package,  such as WordStar or Lotus, and
have  the  batch file continue unattended.  If you wish to cancel  a
batch  file  operation  in midstream just  type  CTRL-C.  The  batch
operation  will stop and you will be prompted with "Terminate  batch
job?  (Y/N) _".  If you type "Y" you will be taken to the DOS prompt
and if you type "N" the batch file will continue where it left off.

Anytime  you find yourself doing the same operation over  and  over,
consider  automating the process with a batch file.  Batch files can
make life a whole lot easier.  Do some research on the MS-DOS  batch
file process and next time .... BATCH IT!!

                                             --Rick Mattingly, KUAFC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


 THE KAYPRO PC AND THE INTEL 8087 MATH COPROCESSOR:   The Intel 8087
Math  Coprocessor  is an enhancement chip which typically  increases
the speed of certain math oriented software applications by a factor
of  two to ten.   Types of software which the 8087 will benefit  are
spreadsheets,  statistics,  CADD applications,  etc.  However,  only
software  written  to  access the 8087 can  take  advantage  of  it.
Fortunately  many  newer commercial packages are written  this  way,
including Lotus 1-2-3,  SuperCalc 3,  Framework,  Symphony, AutoCad,
Prodesign  II,  and  many others.   The Intel 8087 Math  Coprocessor
retails for around $225.00 and is well worth the  price,  especially
in an office environment.

The  Kaypro PC comes to you already set up to take advantage of this
coprocessor by means of an empty socket on the processor board.  You
can  have  your  dealer  install the chip  or  you  can  install  it
yourself.  If you wish to install it yourself,  you are in luck with
the Kaypro PC,  which is designed for easy access: All the processor
logic  chips are one of the cards rather than the motherboard.   The
"Kaypro User's Guide" which came with your machine includes  section
on  installing circuit cards.   This section explains how to  remove
the  cabinet  cover and how to locate the various cards.  The  Intel
8087 is to be installed on the Processor Card (or board),  the  card
in  the first slot to the left as you face the computer.  Follow the
instructions  in the manual for removing this card  (pay  particular
attention to the common sense part of the instructions and you won't
cook your computer ... or yourself!!).  To remove the processor card
you  must  disconnect the speaker by removing two additional  screws
and  detach the Keyboard Interface Cable by gently unplugging it  at
the card. You will also find a grounding cable attached under one of
the screws which holds the speaker. When you remove the speaker just
let this cable hang out of the way.   When you reinstall the speaker
don't  forget to reattach the grounding cable and check to  be  sure
that  the terminal end is securely held  between the locking nuts on
the back of the keyboard lock.   Place the card "chips up" on a flat
surface.    Note  an empty socket near the top right corner  of  the
card:   This  is the 8087 socket.  Following the Intel  instructions
insert  the 8087.  Note that chips can be installed in either one of
two directions ...,  but only one is correct!! Check the base of the
socket  and you will find a small circular indentation at  one  end.
You  will  find  a  matching indentation on  the  8087.  Mate  these
indentations for proper installation.

Now,  for  the part that the Kaypro manual doesn't explain  ...  and
which could be detrimental to your mental state!!  Note the bank  of
dip  switches  near the top left corner of the card.    REVERSE  THE
POSITION OF DIP SWITCH NO.  1.  This will allow the system to access
the 8087;  otherwise the system will ignore it!  Reinstall the  card
into the machine, close up and ... ENTER THE FAST LANE!!

                                         -- Rick Mattingly, KUAFC
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