Epson 386, PLQ 20 User Manual

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EPSON

EQUITY™386/20

User’s Guide

Y18499100101

IMPORTANT NOTICE

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

Epson America makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, by or with respect to anything in this manual, and shall not be liable for any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or for any indirect, special, or consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so this exclusion may not apply to you.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise’, without the prior written permission of Epson America, Inc. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of information contained herein. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this publication, Epson America assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. Further, this publication and features described herein are subject to change without notice.

TRADEMARKS

Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. Equity is a trademark of Epson America, Inc. Centronics is a registered trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corporation. GW-BASIC, Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS, and XENIX are registered trademarks of

Microsoft Corporation.

Hercules is a registered trademark of Hercules Computer Technology Corporation.

IBM is a registered trademark and AT and XT are trademarks of International

Business Machines Corporation. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. lotus and Lotus 1-2-3 are registered trademarks of Lotus Corporation. XTREE is a registered trademark of Executive Systems, Inc.

Q50188034

FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

FOR AMERICAN USERS

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that

interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient the receiving antenna

Relocate the computer with respect to the receiver

Move the computer away from the receiver

Plug the computer into a different outlet so that the computer and receiver are on different branch circuits.

If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/

television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:

“Television Interference Handbook.”

This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Stock No. 004-000-00450-7.

Note: If the interference stops, it was probably caused by the computer or its

peripheral devices. To further isolate the problem: Disconnect the peripheral devices and their input/output cables one at a

time. If the interference stops, it is caused by either the peripheral device or its I/O cable. These devices usually require shielded I/O cables. For Epson peripheral devices, you can obtain the proper shielded cable from your dealer. For non-Epson peripheral devices contact the manufacturer or dealer for assistance.

This equipment has been certified to comply with the limits for a Class B

WARNING

computing device, pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules. Only peripherals (computer input/output devices, terminals, printers, etc.) certified to comply with the Class B limits may be attached to this computer. Operation with non-certified peripherals is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception.

The connection of a non-shielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will invalidate the FCC Certification of this device and may cause interference levels which exceed the limits established by the FCC for this equipment.

iii

Introduction

How to Use This Manual Where to Get Help

Setting Up Your System

1 Unpacking ....................................

Removing the Diskette Drive Protector Card

Choosing a Location

Connecting a Monitor

4 Connecting a Printer

Using the Parallel Interface

Using the Serial Interface 5 Connecting the Power Cord 6 Connecting the Keyboard

Setting the Monitor Type

8 Turning On the Computer

Loading MS-DOS

Copying System Diskettes

Running the Setup Program

Starting the Setup Program Setting the Amount of Memory Setting the Display Type Setting the Auto Speed Function Setting the Shadow RAM Function Setting the Coprocessor Function Setting the Mass Storage Setting the Real-time Clock Leaving the Setup Menu

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1 2 4

1-1

1-2 1-3 1-4 1-6 1-7 1-8 1-9

1-10 1-12 1-12 1-14 1-15

2-1 2-2 2-3 2-5 2-6 2-8 2-9 2-9

2-11 2-13

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

Checking the Hard Disk Partitioning the Hard Disk

Creating the Primary Partition Creating the Extended Partition on a 40MB Disk Creating the Extended Partition on a 90MB Disk

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Contents v

3-1 3-2

3-4 3-5 3-6 3-7

Formatting the Primary Partition

Copying the Remaining Files to the Hard Disk Formatting the Extended Partition Booting From the Hard Disk

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3-9 3-11 3-12 3-13

Using the Equity 386

Locking the Computer Selecting the Execution Speed Selecting the Monitor Type Controlling the Volume Resetting the Computer

Special Keys on the Equity 386 Keyboard Using Disks and Disk Drives

How Disks Store Data Types of Diskette Drives Caring for Diskettes and Diskette Drives Inserting and Removing Diskettes Write-protecting Diskettes Making Backup Copies Using a Single Diskette Drive Using Two Diskette Drives

Using a Hard Disk Drive

Turning Off the Computer

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

Starting and Exiting MS-DOS Drive Designators The Default Drive

Changing the Default Drive The MS-DOS Command Format Entering MS-DOS Commands Creating and Managing Files

Naming Files

Copying Files Renaming Files

Deleting Files

Printing Files

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4-1

4-1 4-2

4-3 4-4 4-4 4-5

4-8 4-8 4-10 4-12 4-13 4-15 4-16 4-17 4-18 4-18 4-21

5-1 5-1

5-2 5-2 5-3 5-3 5-4

5-5 5-5 5-6 5-8 5-9

5-10

contents

Using Directories

The Default Directory Using Pathnames

Including Filenames With Pathnames Including Drive Letters With Pathnames and

Filenames Listing the Contents of a Directory Creating Directories Removing Directories Changing the Default Directory

Formatting Diskettes

Formatting Diskettes With a Hard Disk Formatting Diskettes With Two Diskette Drives Formatting Diskettes With One Diskette Drive

(No Hard Disk)

Backing Up

Using the DISKCOPY Command Using the BACKUP Command

Using the Epson HELP Program Using the Epson MENU Program

MENU Program Options

Using the XTREE Utility

Running XTREE

Cautions .....................................

Using an AUTOEXEC.BAT File

Creating an AUTOEXEC.BAT File

Using Memory Beyond 640KB

About EEMM386.EXE Using HDCACHE and EEMM386.EXE

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5-10 5-12 5-12 5-13

5-14 5-15 5-16

5-16 5-16 5-17 5-18 5-18

5-19 5-20 5-20 5-23 5-23 5-25 5-26 5-27 5-28 5-29 5-30 5-30 5-32 5-33 5-34

6 Installing Options

Adding Memory Modules Installing Option Cards

Removing the Cover Installing an Option Card

Changing Jumpers on the SPF Card Removing an Option Card Replacing the Cover

Post-installation Setup

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Contents

6-1

6-1 6-3 6-3 6-6

6-10 6-17

618 6-19

vii

Appendixes

Troubleshooting

Error Messages The Computer Won’t Start The Computer Locks Up Monitor Problems

Diskette Problems Hard Disk Problems Software Problems Printer Problems

Option Card Problems

Power-on Diagnostics

System Device Check Clock and CMOS RAM Check

RAM Check .....................................

Keyboard Controller and Keyboard Check Display Card Check Optional RAM Check Floppy Disk Drive Seek Check Hard Disk Controller and Hard Disk Check

Performing System Diagnostics

Starting System Diagnostics Modifying the DEVICE LIST Selecting a Test

Resuming From an Error System Board Check Memory Check Keyboard Check Monochrome Display Adapter and CRT Check

Monochrome Adapter Check

Attribute Check

Character Set Check

Video Check

Sync Check

Run All Above Checks

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A-1 A-1 A-2 A-2

A-4 A-5

A-6

A-7

B-1

B-2 B-3

B-3 B-4 B-4 B-4 B-5

C-1

C-1 C-3 C-5 C-6 C-7 C-7 C-8 C-9

C-10 C-10 C-11 C-11 C-11 C-12

viii

Contents

Color Graphics Adapter and CRT Check

Color Graphics Adapter Check Attribute Check Character Set Check 40-column Character Set Check 320x200 Graphics Mode Check 640x200 Graphics Mode Check

Screen Paging Check

Light Pen Check .............................

Color Video Check

Sync Check.. ............................... C-19

Run All Above Checks

Floppy Disk Drives and Controller Check

Sequential Seek Check Random Seek Check

Write, Read Check .............................

Run All Above Checks

Math Coprocessor Check Parallel Port (Printer Interface) Check

Alternate Parallel Port Check

Parallel Port (on Video Adapter) Check

Serial Port (RS-232C) Check

Alternate Serial Port Check Dox-matrix Printer Check Hard Disk Drives and Controller Check

Seek Check

Write, Read Check .............................

Read, Verify Check Run All Above Tests

Error Codes and Messages

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C-12 C-13 C-13

C-13 C-14

C-15 C-16 C-16 C-17 C-18

C-19 C-19 C-20 C-21 C-21 C-22 C-22 C-22 C-23 C-23 C-23 C-25 C-25 C-26 C-27 C-27 C-28 C-29 C-30

Physically Formatting a Hard Disk

Formatting and Checking Options ....................

Conditional Format (Normal)

Unconditional Format ..............................

Destructive Surface Analysis Non-destructive Surface Analysis

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Contents

D-1 D-2 D-3 D-6 D-8 D-9

E Hard Disk Drive Types

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E-1

Specifications

CPU and Memory Controllers Interfaces

Power Supply

Mass Storage

Keyboard ........................................

Environmental Requirements

Physical Characteristics

Glossary

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F-1 F-1 F-1 F-1 F-2

F-2 F-3 F-3 F-3

Contents

Introduction

The Epson® Equity™ 386/20

is a versatile, high-performance personal computer. Its 80386 microprocessor and 20 MHz operation speed make this a fast machine, and you can easily upgrade it by adding memory and installing options.

The Equity 386 is available in these configurations:

A single diskette drive system with one 1.2MB (megabyte) diskette drive

A hard disk drive system with one 40MB hard disk and one

1.2MB diskette drive

A hard disk drive system with one 90MB hard disk and one

1.2MB diskette drive.

You can install additional diskette or hard disk drives up to a maximum of four drives total.

All models of the Equity 386 include 1MB of internal memory, nine option slots, and built-in serial and parallel interfaces.

You can expand the computer’s memory up to 16MB by adding memory modules to the main system memory card. Specific memory configurations allow the computer to access the memory 32 bits at a time, making it twice as fast as systems that use a 16bit address.

Because of its industry standard architecture, the Equity 386 is fully compatible with the current installed base of personal computer hardware and software. You can install just about any optional device that is compatible with the IBM® Personal Computer, PC XT”, or PC AT”. The Equity 386 has six 16-bit option slots and three 8-bit option slots.

You may also want to install an 80387 math coprocessor to speed up mathematical calculations. Check with your authorized Epson dealer

to see which options are available.

Introduction 1

The Equity 386 offers a shadow RAM feature which lets you speed up processing by moving the ROM BIOS and VIDEO ROM into the RAM area of memory. When the ROM data is in RAM, the computer can access information and display text and graphics on the

screen faster. Your computer comes with version 3.3 of MS-DOS®-the operating

system by Microsoft@-and version 3.2 of the GW-BASIC® programming language. You’ll find reference manuals for both MS-DOS and GW-BASIC packed in the box with the computer. You probably also purchased other software; you can use virtually any

application program designed for the IBM PC, PC XT, PC AT, and

386 machines on your Equity 386. As a supplement to MS-DOS, Epson has included several time-saving

utilities that make MS-DOS easier to use: HELP MENU, and XTREE®. The HELP program lets you display information on the screen about any MS-DOS command. MENU provides an easier way to run many of the most common MS-DOS commands. XTREE is a file management utility that simplifies all file and directory operations.

MS-DOS is not the only operating system you can use with your computer. If you have a hard disk, for example, you also may want to use the more powerful MS® OS/2. Among other capabilities, MS OS/2 provides multitasking, dual mode processing, and online

help. With Epson’s version of MS OS/2, you can have both MS-DOS and MS OS/2 on your Equity 386; this way, you can select which operating system to load each time you turn on the computer. Ask your Epson dealer for more information. (In particular, be sure to

check the amount of RAM required to run MS OS/2.)

How to Use This Manual

This manual explains how to set up and care for your Equity 386. It

also describes how to use your computer and run diagnostic checks.

You probably do not need to read everything in this book; see the

following chapter summaries.

2 Introduction

Chapter 1 provides simple step-by-step instructions for setting up your computer. On the inside back cover are illustrations identifying the different parts of the Equity 386; you may want to refer to this while you are setting up your system.

Chapter 2 describes how to run the Setup program to define your

computer’s configuration. You must do this for a new computer before you use it. You may need to do it again later, if you change the configuration.

Chapter 3 explains how to prepare the hard disk for use. If your

computer has a hard disk, you must follow the instructions in this

chapter before you can use it. If you don’t have a hard disk, skip this

chapter.

Chapter 4 covers some general operating procedures, including how

to use and care for your disks and disk drives.

Chapter 5 provides basic instructions for using MS-DOS with your

computer.

Chapter 6 describes some of the options you can use in your

Equity 386 and contains instructions for installing option cards.

Appendix A contains troubleshooting tips in case you encounter any

problems while using your computer.

Appendix B provides information about the power-on diagnostics.

Appendix C outlines the system diagnostic checks you can perform

on your computer. If you are having trouble with any part of the

hardware, you may want to run some of these diagnostic checks. Appendix D describes how to perform a hardware-level format of a

new hard disk that either you or your dealer have installed in the computer. You need to do this only if you are using a hard disk that has never received this type of low-level format; it is not the same type of format you perform with the MS-DOS FORMAT command.

Appendix E lists the types of hard disk drives you can use in the Equity 386.

Introduction 3

Appendix F gives the technical specifications for the Equity 386. At the back of the manual you’ll find a glossary of the computer

terms used in this manual and an index.

Where to Get Help

Customer support and service for Epson products are provided by a network of authorized Epson dealers and service centers throughout the United States. Epson America provides product information and toll-free support to its dealers and service centers.

Therefore, we ask that you contact the business where you purchased your Epson product to request assistance. If the people there do not have the answer to your question, they can obtain it through Epson’s toll-free dealer support program.

Epson is confident that this policy will provide you with the assistance you need. If you need to find an Epson dealer or service center in your area, please call our Customer Information number at

1-800-922-8911.

4 Introduction

Chapter 1

SETTING UP YOUR SYSTEM

Setting up your Epson Equity 386 personal computer is easy. Just follow the 10 steps in this chapter, which describe how to set up your

computer, start MS-DOS, and make copies of your system diskettes. As you set up your computer, you may want to leave the back flap of

this book open so you can refer to the two illustrations identifying the different parts of the computer.

When you finish setting up the computer, go on to Chapter 2 and follow the instructions there to run the Setup program. If you have a

hard disk, you’ll then need to perform the procedures in Chapter 3 to

prepare your hard disk for use.

Unpacking

As you remove your system components from their cartons, be

sure to inspect each piece. If anything is missing or looks damaged, check with your Epson dealer.

Setting Up Your System

1-1

Besides this manual, you should have the following:

l The computer and power cord

The keyboard with attached cable

Keys for locking the computer

Four diskettes: three that contain the MS-DOS operating system

and the GW-BASIC programming language (Startup, Operating 1, and Operating 2), and a Reference diskette

l An MS-DOS Reference Manual and a GW-BASIC Reference

Manual.

In addition to these items, you need a compatible video monitor and display adapter card, and you may also have a printer or other peripheral device.

You’ll also find a registration card with the computer. Fill this card out now and mail it to Epson. With your registration card on file, Epson can send you update information.

Be sure to keep your packing materials. They provide the best protection for your computer if you need to transport it later.

Removing the Diskette Drive Protector Card

A diskette drive protector card occupies the slot in the diskette drive in your computer. This card is inserted at the factory to protect the read/write heads in the drive. To remove it, turn the diskette drive latch up until it is horizontal. This causes the card to pop out slightly so you can pull it out of the slot, as shown in the following illustration.

1-2

Setting Up Your System

(If you have a second diskette drive, be sure to remove the card from that drive too.)

Save the protector card and reinsert it whenever you move the computer. If you don’t plan to use your computer for a week or more, reinsert the card to help prevent dust from entering the disk drive.

Choosing a Location

Before you set up your Equity 386, it’s important to choose a

comfortable, convenient location where it can run properly. Select a location that provides the following:

A large, sturdy desk or table that can easily support the weight of your system, including all its components.

A flat, hard surface. Soft surfaces like beds and carpeted floors attract static electricity, which can erase data on your disks and damage the computer’s circuitry. Soft surfaces also prevent proper

ventilation.

Good air circulation. Air must be able to move freely under the system as well as behind it. Leave several inches of space around

the computer to allow ventilation,

Setting Up Your System

1-3

l Moderate environmental conditions. Protect your computer from

extremes in temperature, humidity, dust, and smoke. Avoid direct sunlight or any other source of heat. High humidity also hinders operation, so select a cool, dry area.

Appropriate power sources. To prevent static charges, connect all your equipment to 3-prong, 120-volt grounded outlets. You need one outlet for the computer, one for the monitor, and additional outlets for a printer and any other peripherals. You can plug one peripheral into the auxiliary power outlet on the back panel of the Equity 386, reducing the number of wall outlets you need.

No electromagnetic interference. Locate your system away from

any electrical device, such as a telephone, that generates an

electromagnetic field.

Connecting a Monitor

The procedure you use to connect your monitor to the

computer depends on the type of monitor you have. See your monitor manual for detailed instructions or follow the general guidelines below.

The monitor type must match the video card in the computer. If you have a color card, you can use one of three connectors: a nine-pin,

female D-shell connector for an RGB monitor, an RCA connector for a composite video monitor, or a 15-pin female D-shell connector for a

VGA monitor. Check the following table to make sure your card and

monitor match.

1-4 Setting Up Your

System

Monitor/video card compatibility

Monitor

Monochrome

Color or

or enhanced color

VGA monochrome Video graphics array

Place your monitor on top of or near the computer. It is easiest to

Video card

Monochrome, graphics,

or enhanced graphics Graphics, color graphics,

or enhanced graphics

Output type One 9-pin output (TTL

compatible) One 9-pin RGB output or one

RCA-type jack for composite

video One 15-pin analog output

connect the monitor cable if the backs of the monitor and the computer are facing you.

If necessary, connect the monitor cable to the monitor. (Some monitors come with permanently attached cables.)

Connect the appropriate end of the monitor cable to the video card connector on the back of the computer, as shown below. If

the plug has retaining screws, tighten them by hand or with a

screwdriver, depending on the screw type.

Setting Up Your System

1-5

4. Plug the monitor’s power cord into the monitor’s power inlet, as shown below.

Plug the other end of the power cord into an electrical outlet.

Connecting a Printer

The Equity 386 has a parallel interface and a serial interface.

You can easily connect a printer or other device that has either type of interface-just follow the instructions below. Epson, of course, offers a full range of printers; check with your dealer for more

information.

1-6

Setting Up Your System

Using the Parallel Interface

The Equity 386 parallel interface is Centronics®-compatible and uses a DB-25S connector. Most Epson printers have parallel interfaces.

To connect a printer to the computer, you need an IBM-compatible printer cable. If you are not sure which one you need, check with your Epson dealer. Once you have the correct printer cable, follow these steps to connect your printer to the parallel interface on the

computer:

Place the printer next to your computer.

Before you connect the printer, be sure the power switches on the computer, monitor, and printer are off.

One end of the printer cable has a 25-pin, D-shell male connector; this is the smaller connector. Connect this end to the parallel port on the back panel of the computer, as shown below. If the plug has retaining screws, tighten them by hand or with a screwdriver, depending on the screw type.

Setting Up Your System

1-7

Connect the other end of the cable to the printer as shown

below. To secure the cable, squeeze the clips at each side of the

printer port and push them into place.

Plug the printer’s power cord into an electrical outlet.

Using the Serial Interface

If you have a printer, modem, mouse, or any other peripheral with a serial interface, you can connect it to the serial (RS-232C) port on the back of the computer.

1-8

Setting Up Your System

serial port

The Equity 386 uses a DB-9P male connector, so be sure you have a

compatible cable (or an adapting cable that converts the 9-pin output to the standard 25-pin output). To connect a serial device, follow the

same steps as above for connecting a parallel device. You need to ensure that the serial port is set up so it functions

properly. If you are using the port for a serial printer, you need to redirect printer output to the serial port instead of the parallel port. You can do this in MS-DOS using the MODE or SETMODE command (or the MENU program). See your MS-DOS Reference Manual for instructions.

Connecting the Power Cord

Follow these steps to connect the power cord:

Make sure the power switch on the computer is turned off.

Insert the power cord into the AC power inlet on the back panel, as shown below. To avoid an electric shock, be sure to plug the

cord into the computer before plugging it into the wall socket.

Plug the other end of the power cord into a three-prong, 120-volt, grounded electrical outlet.

Setting Up Your System

1-9

Connecting the Keyboard

Follow these steps to connect the keyboard:

Turn the computer around so you are facing the front.

2. Pull open the cover on the lower left corner of the computer’s front panel. You need to push down slightly on the tab as you open the cover.

3. Plug the keyboard cable into the socket, as shown below. Do not force the connector, but be sure to insert it all the way.

1-10

Setting Up Your System

Push the cable into the notch at the left side of the computer, as

4. shown below, so the cable leads away to the side of the computer.

Close the keyboard cable cover.

You can change the angle of the keyboard by adjusting the legs on

the bottom. Turn the keyboard over and lift each leg upward until it locks into place, as shown below. You can lock the legs to a low or high position, or leave them flat.

Setting Up Your System

1-11

Setting the Monitor Type

In addition to connecting the monitor, as you did in step 3,

you must set the monitor switch on the front panel to match the type of monitor you are using. To access the monitor switch, open the cover to the right of the keyboard cable socket cover, as shown below. You need to push down slightly on the tab as you open the cover.

monitor switchmonitor switch

Slide the switch left for a monochrome monitor or right for a color monitor.

Turning On the Computer

After you set up your system, you’re ready to turn on the

power. But first read the following safety rules to avoid accidentally damaging your computer or injuring yourself:

Never turn the computer on or off with a protector card in the diskette drive.

Do not dismantle any part of the computer. Only remove the cover to install and remove optional devices. If there is a hardware problem you cannot solve after reading the section in Appendix A on troubleshooting, check with your Epson dealer.

Always turn off the power, disconnect the computer’s power cord, and wait five seconds before you remove the computer’s cover.

Do not unplug cables from the computer when the power is on.

l-12 Setting Up Your System

Never turn off or reset your computer while a disk drive light is on. This can destroy data stored on disk or make a whole disk unusable.

Always wait at least five seconds after you switch off the power

before you switch it on again. Turning the power off and on

rapidly can damage the computer’s circuitry.

l Do not leave a beverage on top of or next to your system or any

of its components. Spilled liquid can damage the circuitry of your components.

Follow these steps to turn on your system:

Make sure the power cord is plugged into the power inlet on the back panel of the computer and into a 3-prong, 120-svolt, grounded electrical outlet.

Turn on the monitor, printer, and any other peripheral devices connected to the computer. (Always turn on the monitor and

any peripheral devices before you turn on the computer.)

Insert the Startup diskette into the diskette drive, as shown below. When it is in all the way, turn the latch down (clockwise) to lock the diskette in place.

Setting Up Your System

1-13

(For more instructions on inserting, removing, and caring for diskettes, see Chapter 4.)

You can turn on your computer with or without the MS-DOS Startup diskette in the drive. With the Startup diskette in the top drive (A) as it is now, the computer loads MS-DOS from that drive. (If the drive is empty, the screen displays a message prompting you to insert a system disk.)

To turn on the power, flip up the switch on the right side of the computer, toward the back. The power light on the computer’s front panel lights up. After a few seconds, the computer starts to perform an internal self test.

If you cannot see the screen display clearly, use the controls on your monitor to adjust the brightness and contrast until characters on the screen are clear and bright. If the display is not stable, check your monitor’s horizontal and vertical hold controls.

Loading MS-DOS

After the computer completes its self test, it displays how much

RAM (random access memory) is available and then loads MS-DOS, the operating system. You see a prompt similar to this:

Current date is Mon 02-13-89

Enter new date (mm-dd-yy)

You do not need to enter the date because you will soon be entering the correct date and time when you run the Setup program in Chapter 2. Press

The screen displays the time prompt next:

Current time is 16:21:15 Enter new time

Press

Enter

You then see the MS-DOS version number and copyright information, followed by the MS-DOS command prompt:

1-14

Setting Up Your System

Enter

to accept the displayed time.

to accept the displayed date.

This means the operating system is ready for you to enter a command. The command prompt identifies the current operating drive: A, B, or C, for example. Usually, drive A is the top diskette drive; B is the second diskette drive, C is the first hard disk drive, and D is used for a second hard disk drive.

The command prompt appears on the screen whenever you load MS-DOS, complete an MS-DOS command, or exit an application program.

Copying System Diskettes

MS-DOS, it is important that you make copies of your four system diskettes right away. Use only the copies (usually called “working copies”) for daily use and store the originals in a safe place.

Now that you have set up your system and loaded

To copy your system diskettes, you need four blank, 360KB, double-

sided, double-density, 5¼-inch diskettes. (Although you will probably be using 1.2MB diskettes in your Equity 386, the system diskettes have a capacity of 360KB. There ore, you must use 360KB diskettes to make the copies.)

Follow these steps:

Remove the Startup diskette from the diskette drive by turning the latch up and pulling out the diskette. Then insert the diskette labelled “Operating 1 diskette. The Operating 1 diskette contains the DISKCOPY program which you will use to make the copies.

” and turn the latch down to secure the

Setting Up Your System

1-15

Type the following and press

DISKCOPY A: A:

You see these messages:

Insert

SOURCE diskette in drive A:

Enter:

Press any key when ready . . .

Drive A (the top drive) already contains a diskette you want to copy (the source diskette), so just press any key. The DISKCOPY program copies the contents of the Operating 1 diskette to the computer’s memory, and then you see the following:

Insert TARGET diskette in drive A:

Press any key when ready . . .

Remove the Operating 1 diskette and insert a blank diskette (which is to be the target) in the drive. Then press any key.

If the diskette is not formatted, the DISKCOPY program formats it. Then the program begins copying the data from the computer’s memory to the formatted diskette. When the copy is complete, you see this prompt:

Copy another diskette

Press Y so you can make a copy of the Operating 2 diskette.

Again, you see the prompt to insert the source diskette.

Remove the copy of the Operating 1 diskette (which you just made) and insert the Operating 2 diskette. Then follow the instructions above and the prompts on the screen to make a copy of this diskette.

Repeat the procedure for the Startup and Reference diskettes.

When you finish copying the last diskette and the Copy

another diskette (Y/N)?

to the MS-DOS command prompt.

After you have copied the four system diskettes, be sure to label them carefully so you know which one is which. Write on the labels before you attach them to the diskettes to prevent damaging the diskettes. Store the originals in a safe place and use the copies.

1-16 Setting Up Your System

(Y/N)?

prompt appears, press N to return

Chapter 2

Running the Setup Program

The first time you use your Equity 386 after setting it up, you need to

run the Setup program on the Reference diskette to define the computer’s configuration. This is a simple procedure you must do at least once. You may need to do it again later if you change something.

The Setup program lets you set (or change) the following for your computer:

Amount of memory installed

Type of video display adapter installed

l Auto speed function l Shadow RAM function

Math coprocessor function

Number and type of disk drives installed

Real-time clock’s time and date.

The information you define with the Setup program is stored in the CMOS RAM, which is permanent because it is backed up by a battery. Whenever you turn on the computer, it searches the CMOS RAM for the correct installation information. If the computer discovers a difference between the information in CMOS RAM and your computer, it prompts you to run the Setup program.

Running the Setup Program

2-1

Starting the Setup Program

Follow these steps to start the Setup program:

Insert the working copy of your Reference diskette into the diskette drive.

Press the (See Chapter 4 for more information about resetting the computer.)

After the computer performs its self test, it loads the setup and diagnostics programs automatically from the diskette and displays this menu:

RESET

OPERATIONMENU

button (shown below) to reset the computer.

RESET button

1-Setup 2-Format hard disk 3-System diagnostics 4-Prepare hard disk for moving

0-Exitto DOS for more utilities Enter selection number:-

This is the menu for the setup and diagnostics programs on the

Reference diskette. The first option, Setup, is the only one you need at this point. (See the appendixes in this manual for information about the diagnostics programs.)

2-2 Running the Setup Program

Press 1 and then Enter to select the Setup option. The screen displays the main Setup menu:

Exit

Memory

Display

Auto speed

Shadow RAM Coprocessor Mass storage

Real-time clock

Use 4 and t to move the cursor block through the options on this menu. Once you highlight the option you want, press Enter to select it. Each option on the main menu (except Exit) leads to an additional submenu of choices.

Follow the instructions below to verify or change the values for the Setup options.

Setting the Amount of Memory

Your computer has two types of memory: base memory and extended memory. The base (or main) memory in the Equity 386 is set at 640KB, which is the maximum value and is recommended for most applications. You may, however, need to reduce the main memory (usually to 512KB) to run certain software applications that require a smaller main memory size.

The value you set for the extended memory depends on the total

amount of memory available in your computer above the 1MB of main memory. This amount consists of any additional RAM you have installed on the main system memory card and on any memory expansion card you may have installed.

Running the Setup Program

2-3

Follow these steps to set the amount of memory:

Press 1 to highlight the smaller box appears beneath the main Setup menu:

If the displayed settings are correct, press t to return to the main menu.

change the Main memory setting press

changes to 256 KB. Press Enter again to change it to 512 KB. If you press Enter again, the value returns to 640 KB.

To change the Expansion memory setting, press J to highlight the

Expansion

time, press + until the value matches the amount of memory in your computer. To decrease it one megabyte at a time, press

For example, to increase the expansion memory to 3MB (added to the 1MB of main memory), press + three times. The screen displays the following:

option. To increase the memory one megabyte at a

Memory

option and press

Enter.

The value

-1

If you prefer, you can increase and decrease the memory in 64KB increments using the + and - keys.

When you finish setting the amount of memory, highlight

** SAVE SETTINGS

menu.

2-4

Running the Setup Program

** and press

Enter

to return to the main

Setting the Display Type

Follow the steps below to set the type of display adapter you are using with your Equity 386. Note that with this option you are selecting the type of display adapter (the video card) you are using-not the type of monitor, which may be called something different.

Highlight beneath the main menu:

Display

and press

Enter.

The following box appears

Special opt ions

If you have installed an EGA or VGA card in your computer, this is the correct setting. Press t to return to the main menu.

To change the setting, press these options:

is the display adapter type currently selected.

Enter.

Another box appears with

Running the Setup Program

2-5

3. Highlight the option that matches your display adapter. If you are not sure which one to choose, follow these guidelines:

If you have an EGA or VGA card, select

Special options.

(If you are using a compatibility mode provided by the video card, you may need to set the DIP switches on the video card, which will override the display setting in CMOS RAM.)

l If you have a color graphics adapter (CGA) attached to an

RGB (color) monitor, select

If you have a monochrome display adapter (MDA), a

Color/graph. 80 col.

monochrome graphics adpater (MGA), or a Hercules® MGA attached to a monochrome monitor, choose

80 col.

If you have a composite color monitor, such as a color

Monochrome

television with a video input, try selecting Color/graph 80

col. If the resolution is poor, run Setup again and select

Color/graph. 40 col.

If you have any other combination of monitor and video card, consult the documentation supplied with your video card.

Once you have highlighted the monitor type, press see your new selection as the display type.

Enter. You

Highlight **SAVE SETTINGS ** and press Enter.

Setting the Auto Speed Function

The Equity 386 can operate at 20 MHz or 8 MHz and you can select

either speed using the switch on the front panel of the computer. (See “Selecting Execution Speed” in Chapter 4.) You’ll probably use the

faster speed for almost all your operations. Some copy-protected

application programs, however, require the computer to run at 8 MHz while accessing the program on diskette. These programs also usually require you to leave a key disk-the diskette that contains the copy protection-in the diskette drive. If you use a copy-protected program often, you may want to enable the Auto speed function.

2-6 Running the

Setup Program

When Auto speed is enabled, your computer automatically switches to 8 MHz whenever it needs to access a diskette drive. It runs at 20 MHz for all other operations.

There are different types of copy-protected programs, and depending on the type you have, you may or may not want to enable the Auto speed function. Follow these guidelines:

l If you are using a copy-protected program that can run only on a

diskette or that requires a key disk, try to start the program at

20 MHz. If this works, you do not need to enable the Auto speed function. If you can’t load the program at 20 MHz, enable Auto speed.

If you are using a copy-protected program that does not require a key disk, but requires a special procedure to install the program

on the hard disk, set the speed switch on the front panel to

8 MHz while you are installing the program. Once it is installed,

set the switch to 20 MHz, where you should be able to leave it

while you load and run the program. If this does not work, try

loading the program at 8 MHz and then switch to 20 MHz to use

it. Do not use Auto speed.

Follow these steps to change the Auto speed setting:

Highlight

If the displayed setting is correct, press t to return to the main

menu.

To change the setting, press

Auto speed

and press

Enter.

You see this box:

The option changes to

Auto

speedenabled.

3. Highlight the main menu.

Follow the same procedure if you later need to disable Auto speed.

** SAVE SETTINGS

** and press

Running the Setup Program

Enter

to return to

2-7

Setting the Shadow RAM Function

A computer can access RAM (random access memory) faster than ROM (read only memory). The Equity 386 provides a shadow RAM feature that enables it to copy data from ROM areas in the computer to the RAM area so it can perform certain operations faster. If you enable the shadow RAM function through the Setup program, the

Equity 386 automatically copies the data stored in ROM to RAM

whenever you turn on or reset the computer.

Specifically, there are two ROM areas that can be copied to EXAM: the system ROM BIOS and the video ROM. Enable both of these to improve system performance and increase the speed with which your screen displays text and graphics.

Follow these steps to enable (or disable) shadow RAM:

Highlight

If the displayed settings are correct, press t to return to the main

menu.

To enable shadow RAM for the BIOS, press

Shadow RAM

and press

Enter.

You see this box:

Enter. You

BIOS enabled.

3. To enable shadow RAM for the video, highlight and press

Highlight ** SAVE SETTINGS ** and press Enter.

2-8

Running the Setup Program

Enter.

The line changes to VIDEO

VIDEO disabled

enabled.

see

Now, whenever you turn on or reset your computer, it automatically copies the system ROM BIOS and video ROM to RAM.

If you later want to disable either shadow RAM function, follow the same procedure; when you select the option and press

enabled

changes back to

disabled.

Enter,

the

Setting the Coprocessor Function

The Setup program assumes you have not installed an 80387 math coprocessor in your Equity 386. If you have, you need to change the coprocessor option, as follows:

Highlight

Press

Coprocessor

-1

Enter.

The option changes to 80387

and press

Enter.

This box appears:

installed.

3. Highlight setting and return to the main menu.

If you later remove the coprocessor and need to change the setting in the Setup program, follow the same procedure to change it back to

80387 not installed.

*** SAVE SETTINGS

*** and press

Enter

to save the

Setting the Mass Storage

Follow these steps to set the mass storage (disk drive) configuration for your computer:

Highlight as this:

Mass storage

and press

Enter.

Running the Setup Program

You see a menu such

2-9

If the settings displayed match the configuration of disk drives in your computer, press t to return to the main menu. If one of the settings is incorrect, change it as described in the following steps.

To change the value for one of the diskette drives-drive example-highlight

appears:

Highlight the type of drive that matches the second diskette drive installed in your computer; then press Enter to select it. The second menu disappears and the mass storage menu shows the new setting.

change the value for drive C, the hard disk, highlight that option. Then use the + or value until the number matches the type of drive installed in your computer. If you have the 40MB hard disk supplied with the Equity 386, the number is 17. If you have the 90MB hard disk, the number is 42. For other types of drives, see Appendix E for a list of hard disk drive types. If you are not sure which one you have, consult your dealer.

Drive B

: and press

key to increase or decrease the

Enter.

A second menu

for

Use this same procedure if you need to change the setting for a second hard disk drive installed in your computer (drive D).

When all the disk drive settings are correct, highlight ** SAVE

SETTINGS

2-10

Running the Setup Program

** and press

Enter.

Setting the Real-time Clock

The real-time clock in your computer keeps track of the time and date

at all times-even when the computer is turned off. Use the Real-time clock option to set the time and date for your computer the first time you run the Setup program. You may need to use it again later to adjust the time for daylight saving time. The Equity 386 automatically changes the date for leap years.

Follow these steps to set the real-time clock:

Highlight the

see the current setting for the time and date:

Real-time clock

option and press

Enter. You

17:1@54

@j-21-1988

To change the time, highlight appears:

Using a 24-hour time period, enter the time in the exact format shown in the box. Use two digits for each part (you can omit the seconds, if desired); the Setup program automatically inserts the colons (:). For example, to change the time to 1:30 p.m., you would type the following:

Time

Date

Time

and press

Enter.

This box

Running the Setup Program

2-11

If you enter an invalid time-for example, a number greater than 23 for the hours or greater than 59 for the minutes or secondsthe computer beeps and ignores your entry. Try again.

When the time is correct, press Enter.

To set the date, highlight Date and press Enter. You see this box:

Enter the date in the exact format shown in the box, using two digits for the month and day and four digits for the year; the program automatically inserts the dashes. For example, to set the date for April 30, 1989, you would type the following:

04301989

If you enter an invalid date-for example, a number greater than

12 for the month or greater than the number of days in that

month-the computer beeps and ignores your entry. Try again. When the date is correct, press

6. When both the time and date are correct, press t once or twice to return to the main Setup menu.

2-12

Running the Setup Program

Enter.

Leaving the Setup Menu

When you finish setting the options in the Setup menu, highlight the

Exit option

and press

Enter.

You see a summary such as this:

Memory size

Display type

Coprocessor

Mass storage

Main Expansion

Drive A: Drive B: Drive C: Drive D:

640 KB 3072 KB

*Special options* 80387 not installed

1.2 MB

360 KB Type 17

None

Change settings

Exit without saving

**EXIT AND SAVE**

There is a second screen of information you need to check. To display that screen, press

Real-time clock Time

Auto speed Shadow RAM

PgDn.

You see the following:

Date

BIOS VIDEO

13:35:31 la4-3!J-89

disabled enabled

enabled

To go back to the previous screen, press

PgUp.

Running

the

Setup Program

2-13

Check each list to see if all the information is correct. If any setting is incorrect, highlight Setup menu appears and you can change the setting.

If you did not make any changes or you want to cancel the changes you made, highlight Exit without saving and press Enter. The

Operation menu appears on the screen. Press 0 and Enter to return

to the MS-DOS command prompt. (If you changed the time or date,

however, the new setting will be in effect.) If you want to save the settings you made, remove the Reference

diskette and insert the Startup diskette in the drive. Highlight

** EXIT AND SAVE**

new settings and resets the computer using the new configuration. The computer loads MS-DOS and displays the date prompt. Press

Enter

the time. The A> prompt appears on the screen.

once to accept the displayed date and a second time to accept

Change settings

and press

Enter.

The program stores the

The main

If the computer displays a setup error message while it is starting up, run the Setup program again and check all your settings.

2-14

Running

the

Setup Program

Chapter 3

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

If your Equity 386 has a hard disk, follow the instructions in this chapter to prepare the hard disk before using it for the first time. This chapter describes how to do the following:

Use the FDISK command to create a primary partition and an extended partition on the hard disk, and then designate the extended partition as one or more logical drives

Use the SELECT command to format the primary partition and to copy the MS-DOS operating system files to the hard disk

Use the COPY command to copy the remaining MS-DOS files to the hard disk

Use the FORMAT command to format the extended partition.

These instructions describe how to prepare the entire hard disk

for use by MS-DOS. If MS-DOS is the only operating system you plan to use, follow the instructions in this chapter to partition and format the entire hard disk for MS-DOS. Otherwise, follow these guidelines:

If you are not using MS-DOS at all, prepare the hard disk with the operating system you are using.

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

3-1

l If you are using MS-DOS and another operating system, use

MS-DOS to partition and format the space on the hard disk you want to be used by MS-DOS. Then use the other operating system to prepare the rest of the disk space. For example, if you have a 90MB hard disk and want to use 30MB for MS-DOS and 60MB for XENIX®, use MS-DOS to prepare the first 30MB (as described in this chapter) and then use XENIX to prepare the other 60MB.

If you are using MS-DOS and MS OS/2, prepare the entire hard disk according to the instructions in this chapter and then follow the instructions in the MS OS/2 Setup Guide to install MS OS/2 on the hard disk.

To perform the procedures in this chapter, you’ll enter MS-DOS

commands and use the working copies of your MS-DOS diskettes and Reference diskette. If this is the first time you have used an operating system, you may want to first read Chapter 5 for basic information about MS-DOS or see your MS-DOS Reference Manual for complete information on the operating system.

Checking the Hard Disk

Your Epson dealer may have already partitioned your hard disk and formatted it so it automatically loads MS-DOS when you turn it on. If this is the case, you do not need to run FDISK or SELECT

If you are not sure whether your hard disk has already been prepared for use, do the following:

Turn on or reset your computer without a diskette in drive A. If MS-DOS loads automatically from the hard disk, it is both partitioned and formatted, and it contains the MS-DOS system files. You do not have to perform the procedures described in this chapter. If it does not start, the disk may have been partitioned but not yet formatted for MS-DOS, or it may be partitioned and formatted but missing the MS-DOS system files; go on to step 2.

3-2

Preparing a Hard Disk

for

Use

If MS-DOS does not start, you need to check whether the disk

has been partitioned. To do this, place the MS-DOS Startup

diskette in drive A and hold down the Ctrl key and Alt key and

press Del to start MS-DOS.

Press Enter twice to accept the date and time prompts. Then

type FDISK and press

Display Partition Information option. If the hard disk is

partitioned, the screen displays a table of information about the

partition(s); go on to step 4 to see if the disk is formatted. If the

hard disk is not partitioned, the screen displays the following

message:

No partitions defined.

Press

ESC

to exit the FDISK program. If no partitions exist, follow the instructions in this chapter to partition and then format the disk.

Type C : and press Enter to log onto the hard disk. Type DIR

and press hard disk.

If DIR is successful (it lists the files and directories in the current directory), the hard disk is formatted. If necessary, go on to “Copying the Remaining Files to the Hard Disk,” in this chapter for information on using the COPY command to copy your

MS-DOS system and reference files to the hard disk. Be aware

that you should copy the files on all your MS-DOS diskettes to the hard disk.

Enter

Enter.

to display a list of the files and directories on the

Press 4 and

Enter

to select the

If DIR is not successful (it does not display a list of files and directories or you get an error message), the hard disk needs to be formatted. You must format each partition on your hard disk separately. Go back to step 3 and use FDISK to discover how many partitions are on your hard disk, and then go on to

“Formatting the Primary Partition” and “Formatting the Extended Partition” in this chapter for instructions on formatting your hard disk.

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

3-3

Partitioning the Hard Disk

Partitioning is necessary because, while your hard disk can store either 40MB or 90MB of data (depending on which Equity 386 model you purchased), MS-DOS cannot manage more than 32MB at a time.

The partitioning process divides the single physical disk drive into two

or more logical drives. After you have followed the steps in this chapter, you will be able to access each logical drive as though it were a separate physical device. The first logical drive will be drive C, the second will be drive D, and so on.

The first logical drive (drive C) is also called the primary partition. All remaining logical drives together make up what MS-DOS calls the

extended partition.

The instructions in this chapter tell you how to create a primary

partition of 32MB and to divide the extended partition into

maximum-sized logical drives. Thus, on a 40MB physical drive, these instructions create a drive C of 32MB and a drive D of 8MB. On a 90MB physical drive, these instructions create a 32MB drive C, a 32MB drive D, and a 26MB drive E. If you prefer to create smaller logical drives, see the instructions for FDISK in your MS-DOS

Reference Manual.

3-4

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

Creating the Primary Partition

Follow the steps below to create a primary partition on your hard disk:

Insert the working copy of the MS-DOS Startup diskette in

1. drive A.

Turn on the computer (if it is not on already).

At the

displays the FDISK Options menu. Press 1 to select the Create DOS partition option and press

prompt, type FDISK and press

Enter.

Press 1 to select the Create Primary DOS partition option and

press

Enter.

The screen displays the following prompt:

Do you wish to use the maximum size for a DOS

partition and make the DOS partition active

(Y/N). . . . . . . . . . .?[Y]

Enter.

The screen

Press Y to create a maximum-sized partition and press

screen displays the following message and prompts:

Enter.

System will now restart

Insert DOS diskette in drive A:

Press any key when ready . . .

Press any key to restart the system (the MS-DOS Startup diskette

is already in drive A). Your computer begins reloading MS-DOS, displaying the preliminary copyright information and then the date prompt.

Press

Enter

The system now recognizes the primary partition and MS-DOS

automatically designates the primary partition as drive C. The

prompt reappears.

twice to accept the date and time shown.

A >

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

The

3-5

Creating the Extended Partition on a 40MB Disk

If you have a 40MB hard disk, follow these steps to create an 8MB

extended partition and designate it as drive D. (See the instructions

below if you have a 90MB hard disk.)

Insert the working copy of the MS-DOS Startup diskette in drive A (if it is not there already).

At the

prompt, type

displays the FDISK Options menu.

Press 1 to select the Create DOS Partition option and press

Enter.

Press 2 to select the Create Extended DOS Partition option and

4. press Enter. The screen displays a message similar to this:

Total disk space is 1021 cylinders. Maximum space available for partition

is 252 cylinders.

Enter partition size . . . . . . . . . . [252]

Press

Enter

following message:

to accept the partition size. The screen displays the

FDISK and press

Enter.

The screen

Extended DOS partition created

and shows you information about the partitions you have created.

Press ESC to return to the FDISK Options menu. FDISK

automatically displays the Create Logical DOS Drive(s) option and a message similar to this:

No logical drives defined Total partition size is 252 cylinders. Maximum space available for logical

drive is 252 cylinders.

Enter logical drive size . . . . . . [252]

Press

3-6 Preparing a Hard Disk

Enter

logical drive for the extended partition and designates it drive D.

to accept the logical drive size. FDISK creates a

for

Use

Press ESC twice. The screen displays the following message and prompts:

System will now restart

Insert DOS diskette in drive A: Press any key when ready . . .

Press any key to restart the system (the MS-DOS Startup diskette is already in drive A). Your computer reloads MS-DOS, displaying the preliminary copyright information and the date prompt.

10. Press Enter twice to accept the date and time shown.

The system now recognizes the primary partition as drive C and the

extended partition as drive D. The A > prompt reappears. After creating the partitions, you must format each one separately.

Follow the instructions later in this chapter.

Creating the Extended Partition on a 90MB Disk

If you have a 90MB hard disk, follow these steps to create a 58MB

extended partition and divide it into a 32MB drive D and a 26MB drive E.

Insert the working copy of the MS-DOS Startup diskette in drive A (if it is not there already).

At the

prompt, type

displays the FDISK Options menu.

Press 1 to select the Create DOS Partition option and press

FDISK and press

Enter.

The screen

Enter.

Press 2 to select the Create Extended DOS Partition option and press

Enter.

The screen displays a message similar to this:

Total disk space is 1021 cylinders. Maximum space available for partition

is 657 cylinders.

Enter partition size

. . . . . . . . . .

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

[657]

3-7

Press

Enter

following message:

to accept the partition size. The screen displays the

Extended DOS partition created

and shows you information about the partitions you have created.

6. Press EsC to return to the FDISK Options menu. EDISK

automatically displays the Create Logical DOS Drive(s) option and a message similar to this:

No logical drives defined Total partition size is 657 cylinders. Maximum space available for logical

drive is 364 cylinders.

Enter logical drive size

Press similar to this:

Enter

to accept the logical drive size. A message appears

. . . . . .

[364]

Total partition size is 657 cylinders. Maximum space available for logical

drive is 293 cylinders.

Enter logical drive size . . . .

[293]

Press

Enter

appears:

to accept the logical drive size. The following message

All available space in the Extended DOS Partition is assigned to logical drives. Press Esc to return to FDISK options.

Press

ESC

twice. The screen displays the following message and

prompts:

System will now restart

Insert DOS diskette in drive A:

Press any key when ready . . .

3-8

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

10. Press any key to restart the system (the MS-DOS Startup diskette is already in drive A). Your computer reloads MS-DOS, displaying the preliminary copyright information and the date

prompt.

11.

Press

Enter

twice to accept the date and time shown.

The system now recognizes the primary partition as drive C and the extended partition as drives D and E. The A > prompt reappears.

After you create the partitions, you must format each logical drive

separately. Follow the instructions below.

Formatting the Primary Partition

Use the SELECT command to format the primary partition, drive C.

SELECT automatically does the following:

l Formats the partition

Labels the partition

Copies the MS-DOS system files to the hard disk.

After you have done this, MS-DOS boots automatically from this partition on the hard disk every time you turn on or reset your

computer (as long as there is no diskette in drive A). Follow these steps to format the primary partition:

Insert the working copy of the MS-DOS Startup diskette in drive A (if it is not there already).

At the A> prompt, type the following and press Enter:

SELECT A: C:\DOS 001 US

Preparing a Hard Disk

for

Use

3-9

The screen displays this message and prompt:

SELECT is used to install DOS the first time. SELECT erases everything on the specified target and then installs DOS. Do you want to

continue (Y/N)?

Press Y. Formatting does not begin immediately The screen displays the following:

WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST! Proceed with Format (Y/N)?

Press Y and Enter to begin formatting the primary partition. The

screen continuously displays the changing head and cylinder numbers.

Besides formatting the hard disk partition, SELECT copies the operating system files to the hard disk. When the procedure is

complete, the screen displays the following:

Format complete System transferred Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)

It is a good idea to enter a name (label) for the partition to protect it from being accidentally formatted later. If you want to

name the partition, type up to 11 characters and press you do not want to name it, just press Enter.

The screen first displays disk space information and then displays

the following message:

Enter.

Reading source file(s)...

SELECT copies the rest of the files from the Startup diskette to the hard disk. When all the files are copied, the A> prompt reappears. The primary partition on the hard disk is now

formatted.

3-10 Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

Copying the Remaining Files to the Hard Disk

Follow the instructions below to copy the files on your other MS-DOS diskettes and the Reference diskette to drive C, the primary partition on the hard disk:

Remove the MS-DOS Startup diskette from drive A and insert the diskette labeled Operating 1 in the drive.

You should still be logged onto drive A. If not, type A :, and press

Enter.

At the A> prompt, type the following and press Enter:

COPY *.* C:\DOS

MS-DOS copies all the files from the diskette to the \DOS

subdirectory on the hard disk. The file names appear on the screen as they are copied.

When the A> prompt reappears, remove the Operating I diskette and repeat the procedure for the Operating 2 and Reference diskettes. Store all your diskettes in a safe place.

The procedures described above copy all the files on the MS-DOS and Reference diskettes to the \DOS subdirectory on drive C. You may, however, want to store some of these commands in other subdirectories so they are easier to find. (The file COMMAND.COM, which is included on the Startup and Operating 1 diskettes, must remain in the root directory.) For information on creating subdirectories, see Chapter 5 or see your MS-DOS Reference Manual.

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

3-11

Formatting the Extended Partition

Once you have formatted the primary partition and copied the remaining MS-DOS files to the hard disk, follow this procedure to format the extended partition:

Insert the working copy of your MS-DOS Startup diskette in

drive A (if it is not there already).

At the

The screen displays this message and prompt:

prompt, type the following and press

Enter:

FORMAT D:/V

WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE D: WILL BE LOST! Proceed with Format (Y/N)?

4. Press Y and The screen continuously displays the changing head and cylinder

numbers. When the procedure is complete, the screen displays the following message:

Enter

to begin formatting the extended partition.

Format complete

Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)

It is a good idea to enter a name (volume label) for drive D, to

protect it from being accidentally reformatted later. If you want to

name this drive, type up to 11 characters and press do not want to name it, just press Enter.

The screen displays information about the total disk space

available on drive D. The A > prompt reappears.

If you have created additional logical drives on your hard disk,

repeat steps 1 through 5 above for each additional logical drive.

Substitute the appropriate drive letter in the FORMAT command. For example, to format drive E, type the following and press

Enter:

Enter. If

FORMAT E: /V

you

3-12 Preparing a Hard Disk

for

Use

Booting From the Hard Disk

Now you can boot your system (load MS-DOS) from drive C on your

hard disk. Be sure there is no diskette secured in drive A when you turn on or reset your computer. Otherwise, your computer tries to boot MS-DOS from the disk in drive A. If drive A is empty (or the latch is up), MS-DOS is booted from drive C.

Turn off the computer, wait at least five seconds, and then turn it back on. After the computer completes the power-on self test, the screen displays the date prompt. Press

and time shown.

The C > prompt appears, indicating that the computer has

successfully loaded MS-DOS from your hard disk.

Enter

twice to accept the date

Preparing a Hard Disk for Use

3-13

Chapter 4

Using the Equity 386

This chapter covers the following basic procedures for using your

Equity 386 computer:

l Locking the computer

Selecting execution speed

l Selecting monitor type

Controlling the volume

Resetting the computer

Using special keys on the keyboard

Using disks and disk drives

Turning off the computer.

Locking the Computer

The key lock on the front panel allows you to lock the cover on the

computer and disable the keyboard and the security. This provides a safeguard against someone accessing confidential information or altering your computer’s internal hardware.

RESET

button for

For example, you may want to lock the computer while you are running an application program that features a screen demonstration that should not be interrupted. When the computer is locked, it ignores anything typed on the keyboard.

You can lock the computer whether the power is on or off. To lock it, insert the key with the notch pointing up, as shown in the following

illustration. Then, while pressing the key in slightly, turn it clockwise

to the

LOCK

position.

Using the Equity 386

4-1

notch

To unlock the computer, insert the key with the notch pointing right

and turn the key counterclockwise, to the You can remove the key in either a locked or unlocked position. Your Equity 386 comes with two keys; store them safely in different

locations in case you misplace one. Be sure the computer is unlocked before you try to use the keyboard;

otherwise it will not respond to anything you enter.

U N LOCK

position.

Selecting Execution Speed

The Equity 386 can operate at two speeds: 8 MHz or 20 MHz. At 20 MHz, the computer performs all tasks faster, and you will probably use this speed for almost everything you do. Certain application programs, however, have specific timing requirements for diskette access and can run only at the slower speed. See the manual for your

application program to determine if this is the case.

4-2

Using the Equity 386

Use the

speed; move it left for 8 MHz or right for 20 MHz.

CPU SPEED

switch on the front panel to change the CPU

CPU speed switch

Selecting the Monitor Type

When you set up your computer, you used the switch on the front

panel to select the type of monitor you are using with your Equity 386: either monochrome or color. If you sometimes use an alternate monitor that is the other type or if you later get a new monitor, don’t forget to change the switch to match the monitor. Move the switch left for a monochrome monitor or right for a color monitor.

Using the Equity 386 4-3

Controlling the Volume

Your Equity 386 has a speaker which enables it to beep when you perform certain operations. You can control the speaker’s loudness with the the right to make the sound louder or to the left to make it quieter.

VOLUME

knob on the front panel, shown below. Turn it to

POWER - HDD

volume control knob

Resetting the Computer

You can reset the Equity 386 to load a different operating system or to reload the current operating system. For example, if an error occurs

and the computer does not respond to your keyboard commands,

you can reset the computer and try again. However, resetting erases

all data in the computer’s temporary memory (RAM) that you have not stored, so reset your computer only when necessary.

You can stop the operation of an MS-DOS command and some

application programs by holding down

Ctrl

and pressing either C or

Break. Both key combinations send the ASCII code 03-which is

known as the Break signal-to the computer. These methods are less

severe than resetting and may not erase the data in RAM; so try one of these Break commands before you reset the computer.

4-4 Using the Equity 386

To reset the computer, MS-DOS must be either on a diskette in drive

A or on the hard disk. There are three ways to reset. Because each is more powerful than the last, try them in the order listed here:

If you are using MS-DOS, hold down Ctrl and Alt and press the

Del key on the numeric keypad at the right of the keyboard. The

screen goes blank for a moment and then the computer reloads

MS-DOS. If this does not correct the problem, try the second

method.

Press the even when the keyboard does not respond to your commands. If this does not correct the problem, try the third method.

Remove any diskette from the diskette drive(s). Turn off the computer using the power switch on the right side. Wait five seconds and then turn the power back on. Reload the operating

system.

RESET

button on the front panel. This method works

Special Keys on the Equity 386 Keyboard

Certain keys on your keyboard serve special functions when your computer is running application programs. The following illustration

shows the Equity 386 keyboard, and the table that follows describes

the special keys.

Using the Equity 386

4-5

Key functions

Key

Tab

I++I

Caps Lock

Shift

Ctrl

Alt

Backspace

Enter

Insert (Ins) Delete (Del)

Purpose Moves the cursor one tab to the right in normal mode

and one tab to the left in shift mode. Changes the letter keys from lower- to uppercase;

changes back to lowercase when pressed again. The numeric/symbol keys on the top row of the keyboard are not affected.

Produces uppercase characters or the top symbols on the keys when used with the main character keys. Produces lowercase characters when Caps Lock is on.

Works with other keys to perform special (control) functions, such as editing operations in MS-DOS and GW-BASIC.

Works with other keys to enter alternate character codes or functions.

Moves the cursor back one space, deleting the

character to the left of the cursor.

Ends a line of keyboard input or executes a

command. Turns the insert function on and off.

Deletes the character marked by the cursor.

4-6 Using the Equity 386

Key

Home, End Page Up (PgUp)

Page Down (PgDn)

t +,l+

Purpose

Control cursor location.

Num Lock

Esc F1 - F12

Print Screen

(Prt SC) SYS Rq (Req)

Scroll Lock

Pause Break

The

Num Lock, Scroll Lock,

Changes the function of the numeric/cursor keys from numeric to cursor positioning; changes back when

pressed again. Cancels the current command line or operation.

Perform special functions within application programs.

Prints the screen display on a line printer.

Generates the System Request function

In some applications, controls scrolling

Suspends the current operation

Terminates the current operation

and

Caps Lock

keys work as toggles; press the key once to turn on a function and again to turn it off. When the function is enabled, the corresponding light on the upper-right corner of the keyboard is on. When the function is disabled, the light is off.

Using the Equity 386

4-7

Using Disks and Disk Drives

The disk drives in your computer allow you to store data on disk, and

then retrieve and use it when you like. All Equity 386 systems have at least one diskette drive; you may also have a hard disk drive and/or a second diskette drive in your system.

This section explains how disks work and tells you how to do the

following:

Use different types of diskettes and diskette drives

Care for your diskettes and diskette drives

Insert and remove diskettes

l Write-protect diskettes

Make backup copies of your diskettes

Use a single diskette drive

Use two diskette drives

Use a hard disk drive.

How Disks Store Data

The diskette you insert in your computer’s diskette drive is made of

flexible plastic coated with magnetic material. It is enclosed in a square jacket that is either slightly flexible (5¼-inch diskettes) or hard (3½-inch diskettes).

Unlike a diskette, a hard disk is rigid and fixed in place. It is sealed in a protective case to keep it free of dust and dirt. A hard disk stores data the same way that a diskette does, but it works much faster and has a much larger storage capacity.

All disks are divided into data storage compartments by sides, tracks, and sectors. Double-sided diskettes store data on both sides. On each side, there are concentric rings, called tracks (or sometimes called cylinders), on which a disk can store data. Double-density diskettes have either 40 or 80 tracks on each side and high-density diskettes have 80 tracks on each side.

4-8 Using the Equity 386

A hard disk consists of two or more platters stacked on top of one another; so it has four or more sides with many more tracks per side than a diskette. (The number of tracks depends on the capacity of the hard disk. You do not need to know how many sides and tracks your hard disk has.)

A disk is further divided by sectors. To understand what a sector is, picture the spokes on a bicycle wheel radiating from the center of the wheel to the tire. The space between one spoke and the next is like a sector on a diskette; the lines dividing the sectors cut across the tracks. (See the figure below.) A diskette can have 8, 9, 15, or 18 sectors per track. The number of sectors on a hard disk depends on the type of hard disk.

track

Your computer uses the read/write heads in a disk drive to store and

retrieve data on a disk. To write to a disk, the computer spins it in the drive to position the area on the disk where the data is to be written under the read/write head. A diskette has an exposed area where the read/write head can access it.

Using the Equity 386

4-9

Because data is stored magnetically, you can retrieve it, record over it,

and erase it-just as you play, record, and erase music on a cassette tape.

Types of Diskette Drives

Your computer has at least one 1.2MB diskette drive. You may also have a second diskette drive, and it may be the same type or it may be different. The following list describes the types of diskette drives you can use in the Equity 386 and which diskettes you should use with them:

l 360KB drive-With this drive, use 5¼-inch, double-sided, double-

density, 48 TPI (tracks per inch), 360KB diskettes. (You can also use single-sided, 160KB or 180KB diskettes.) These diskettes contain 40 tracks per side, 8 or 9 sectors per track, and hold up to 360KB of information which is approximately 150 pages of text. (With 8 sectors per track, a diskette holds up to 320KB.) KB stands for kilobyte; each kilobyte equals 1024 bytes. Each byte represents a single character, such as A, $, or 3.

1.2MB drive-With this drive, use 5¼-inch, double-sided, highdensity, 96 TPI, 1.2MB diskettes. These diskettes contain 80 tracks per side, 15 sectors per track, and hold up to 1.2MB of information-approximately 500 pages of text. MB stands for megabyte; each megabyte equals 1,048,576 bytes (1024KB).

720KB drive-With this drive, use 3½-inch, double-sided, doubledensity, 135 TPI, 720KB diskettes. These diskettes contain 80 tracks per side, 9 sectors per track, and hold up to 720KB of information-approximately 300 pages of text.

1.44MB drive-with, this drive, use 3½-inch, double-sided, highdensity, 135 TPI, 1.44MB diskettes. These diskettes contain 80 tracks per side, 18 sectors per track, and hold up to 1.44MB of information-approximately 600 pages of text.

If your computer has more than one type of these drives or if you use diskettes from other computers with other drive types, you need to be aware of certain incompatibilities between the drives and the diskettes they use.

4-10

Using the Equity 386

Note

You must format new diskettes before you can use them with an

operating system, Formatting erases all the data an a diskette and prepares it to receive- new data; so be sure to format only new blank diskettes or diskettes that contain data you want to erase,

‘See Chapter 5 for instructions on formatting diskettes.

Drive and diskette incompatibilities

Because of the size difference, you cannot use 3½-inch diskettes in a 5¼-inch drive or vice versa. There are also certain limitations on using diskettes that are the same size as the drive but have different capacities. The tables below summarize the possibilities and limitations.

5¼-inch drive/diskette compatibility

Drive type Diskette types it can read from and write to 360KB

1.2MB

WARNING If you

write

while it is in a 1.2MB drive, you may not be able to read it or write to it in a 360KB drive later.

160KB, 180KB, 320KB, or 360KB 160KB, 180KB, 320KB, 360KB, or 1.2MB

to a 360KB (or 160KB, 180KB, or 320KB) diskette

3½-inch drive/diskette compatibility

Drive type 720KB

1.44MB

Because of these incompatibilities, you should indicate the density and diskette type when you label your diskettes. (Usually this information appears on the manufacturer’s label.)

Diskette types it can read from and write to 720KB

720KB, 1.44MB

Using the

Equity 386

4-11

If you have any combination of the above drives (360KB, 1.2MB,

720KB, or 1.44MB), you can copy files from one drive to anotherusing the COPY or XCOPY command-as long as the correct diskette type is in each drive. You can use these commands to copy files between the hard disk and any type of diskette. You cannot use

the DISKCOPY command to copy from one drive to another if the two drives are not the same type.

Caring for Diskettes and Diskette Drives

Follow these basic precautions to protect your diskettes and avoid

losing data:

Do not remove a diskette from the diskette drive or turn off the computer while the drive light is on. This light indicates that the computer is copying data to or from a diskette. If you interrupt this process, you can destroy data.

Remove all diskettes before you turn off the computer. Keep diskettes away from dust and dirt. Small particles of dust or

dirt can scratch the magnetic surface and destroy data. Dust can also ruin the read/write heads in a diskette drive.

Never wipe, brush, or try to clean diskettes in any way. Keep diskettes in a moderate environment. They work best at

normal room temperature and in normal humidity. Don’t leave your diskettes sitting in the sun, or in extreme cold or heat.

Keep diskettes away from magnetic fields. (Remember that diskettes store information magnetically.) There are many sources of magnetism in your home or office, such as electrical appliances, telephones, and loudspeakers.

Do not place diskettes on top of your monitor or near an external

hard disk drive.

Never touch a diskette’s magnetic surface. The oils on your

fingertips can damage it. Always hold a diskette by its protective jacket. When using a 3½-inch diskette, do not slide the metal shutter; this exposes the diskette’s surface.

4-12 Using the Equity 386

Do not place anything on top of your diskettes and be sure they

do not get bent. A diskette does not rotate properly in the drive if it has been damaged.

Carefully label your diskettes. Attach labels firmly but gently, and only along the top of a diskette (next to the manufacturer’s label). Do not stick several labels on top of one another; too many labels can make it difficult to insert and remove the diskette in the drive.

For 5 1/4inch diskettes, it is best to write on the label before you attach it to the diskette. If you need to write on a label that is already on a diskette, use only a soft-tip pen, not a ballpoint pen or a pencil. Always indicate the drive and density type on the label.

Store diskettes in a proper location, such as a diskette container. Do not store diskettes flat or stack them on top of each other, When you are not using them, keep your 5 1/4-inch diskettes in their protective envelopes.

Inserting and Removing Diskettes

To insert a diskette into a 5¼-inch drive, hold it with the label facing up and and the read/write slot leading into the drive.

Using the Equity 386

slot

4-13

Slide the diskette into the slot until it is in all the way, Then turn the latch down to lock it in a vertical position. This keeps the diskette in place and enables the read/write heads in the disk drive to access the diskette.

To remove the diskette, turn the latch up until it is horizontal and the edge of the diskette pops out. Carefully pull out the diskette, place it in its protective envelope, and store it in a proper location, such as a

diskette container.

If you have a 3½-inch diskette drive, insert the diskette with the label facing up and the metal shutter leading into the drive, as shown below. Slide the diskette into the drive until it clicks into place.

To remove a 3½-inch diskette, press the release button to release it.

When the diskette pops out of the drive, pull it out and store it properly.

4-14

Using the Equity 386

Write-protecting Diskettes

You can write-protect a diskette to prevent its data from being altered. When a diskette is write-protected, you can read it and copy data from it, but you cannot store new data on the diskette or delete any files it contains. If you try to change data stored on a write-protected

diskette, MS-DOS displays an error message.

To write-protect a 5¼-inch diskette, cover the small, rectangular

notch (shown below) with an adhesive write-protect tab. Writeprotect tabs usually come with new 5¼-inch diskettes when you buy them.

write-protect

notch

To remove the write protection, peel off the write-protect tab.

Using the Equity 386

4-15

On a 3½-inch diskette, the write-protect device is a small switch on the lower-right corner on the back, shown below. To write-protect a

3½-inch diskette, slide the switch toward the edge of the diskette until it clicks into position, exposing a hole in the corner.

write-protect switch

To remove the write protection, slide the switch toward the center of

the diskette until it clicks into position so the hole is covered.

Making Backup Copies

It is important to make copies of all your data and system diskettes. Copy all diskettes that contain programs, such as the original MS-DOS and Reference diskettes that come with the Equity 386, and use only the copies. Store your original MS-DOS diskettes in a safe place away from your working diskettes. Back up your data diskettes regularly, whenever you revise them, to keep them up-to-date, and store them away from your originals.

4-16

Using the Equity 386

Chapter 1 describes how to use DISKCOPY to copy your MS-DOS

and Reference diskettes. To make backups of other diskettes, use the DISKCOPY command or the MENU program. See Chapter 5 or see your MS-DOS Reference Manual for more instructions on using DISKCOPY and MENU.

If you have a hard disk, it’s best to put most of the programs and data

files you use regularly on the hard disk. Keep backup copies of all

your program files on diskettes, and regularly copy important data

files to diskettes as well. For more information, see “Backing Up” in

Chapter 5 and check your MS-DOS Reference Manual.

Using a Single Diskette Drive

The MS-DOS operating system expects the computer to have at least

two diskette drives, and it displays prompts and messages accordingly.

If your system has a single diskette drive, MS-DOS treats your one

drive like two logical drives. This helps you perform operations that

normally require two diskette drives.

Usually, MS-DOS recognizes the first diskette drive (the top drive on

the Equity 386) as drive A and a second diskette drive as B. If you

have only one diskette drive, MS-DOS can treat it as both A and B.

For example, if you give a command to copy from A to B, MS-DOS

copies from the first diskette you place in the drive (A) to the

computer’s memory. Then MS-DOS prompts you to insert another

diskette (for drive B) and copies from memory to the new diskette.

When copying is complete, you see a prompt to insert the original

diskette (for drive A).

Because you may often swap diskettes this way, it is important to remember which diskette is which. One way to avoid accidentally losing data is to hold the diskette for one drive in your left hand and the diskette for the other in your right. It is also a good idea to writeprotect your original diskette.

Using the Equity 386

4-17

If you have only one diskette drive and no hard disk, you need to use

that drive to load the operating system as well as the application programs you are using. First load the operating system; this copies it to the computer’s memory (RAM) so you do not need to leave the system diskette in the drive. Then you can remove that diskette and insert the program diskette you want to use, and load that into memory too. See your application program manual for detailed instructions.

If you have a hard disk and one diskette drive, you can load the operating system and application programs from the hard disk, create

and store your data there, and use the diskette drive just for copying data to or from diskettes.

Using Two Diskette Drives

If you have two diskette drives, you can use the top drive (A) for

loading the operating system and application programs and the second drive (B) for creating data. If you have a hard disk, you will

probably need the diskette drives just to copy files to and from the

hard disk and to copy diskettes.

Using a Hard Disk Drive

Working with a hard disk is similar to working with a diskette. However, the hard disk provides several advantages:

l The 40MB hard disk can store as much data as 33 1.2MB

diskettes and the 90MB hard disk can store the equivalent of

approximately 75 1.2MB diskettes.

Your computer can perform all disk-related operations faster.

You can store all your frequently used programs and data files on the hard disk, eliminating the inconvenience of swapping

diskettes to access different files.

4-18 Using the Equity 386

The added storage capacity makes it easy to move back and forth

between different programs and data files. However, because it is so

easy to add programs and files to your hard disk, you may find

yourself trying to organize hundreds of files.

MS-DOS lets you keep related files together in directories and subdirectories so they are easier to find and use. See Chapter 5 for instructions on how to use directories.

Epson also includes the XTREE utility with MS-DOS. XTREE provides simple menus that allow you to move, create, delete, and rename files and directories, as well as view and execute files. See Chapter 5 for an introduction to XTREE or see your MS-DOS Reference Manual for complete instructions.

If your Equity 386 has a hard disk drive, follow these precautions to protect it from damage and to avoid losing data:

l Never turn off the computer when the hard disk drive light is on.

This light indicates that the computer is copying data to or from

the hard disk. If you interrupt this process, you can lose data.

l Never attempt to open the hard disk drive. The disk itself is

enclosed in a sealed container to protect it from dust.

If you are going to move your computer (even to another part of the room) and you are using a non-Epson hard disk, run the program called HDSIT to prepare the hard disk before moving. See “Preparing the hard disk for moving,” below, for instructions.

A hard disk must be partitioned and formatted before you can use it. Be sure you have performed the procedures in Chapter 3 to prepare your hard disk for use.

You can enhance the performance of your hard disk by using the MS-DOS HDCACHE command. See your MS-DOS manual for instructions on using HDCACHE.

Using the Equity 386

4-19

Backing up the hard disk

While the hard disk is very reliable, it is essential to back up your

hard disk files to diskettes in case you lose some data accidentally.

Make copies of all your system and application diskettes before

copying the programs to the hard disk. After you create data files on

the hard disk, be sure to copy them to diskettes whenever you revise

them to keep your backup diskettes up-to-date.

You can use the MENU utility or the BACKUP command to back up your hard disk files. Use the MENU utility or the DISKCOPY command to make copies of your system and program diskettes. For instructions on using these programs, see Chapter 5 or see your MS-DOS manual.

Preparing the hard disk for moving

If you are using the 40MB or 90MB hard disk supplied with the Equity 386, it automatically moves the read/write heads to a safe region when you turn off the computer. This prevents the heads from

altering any of the data on the disk if the computer is bumped accidentally-in its current place or while being moved to a new

location. If you are using another type of hard disk, however, and you need to

move your computer across the room or across the country, you should run the HDSIT program just before turning off the computer. For each hard disk installed in the computer, the HDSIT program moves the read/write heads to a region of the disk surface that does not contain data, and locks them securely in position.

To run HDSIT, exit any program you are using so the MS-DOS

command prompt is on the screen. If you copied the MS-DOS files to the hard disk according to the instructions in Chapter 3, HDSIT is in the \DOS directory on drive C. Log onto that directory (if necessary) by typing CD \DOS. Or you can just insert the Reference diskette in drive A and type A: to log onto that drive. Then type the following and press

HDSIT

4-20

Using the Equity 386

Enter:

You see a screen of information reminding you that the heads will not be unlocked until you reset the computer or turn the power off and

on again. Next the program moves the heads and disables the keyboard. You can now turn off the computer and prepare to move it

to the new location.

Turning Off the Computer

Before turning off your computer, save your data, exit the program

you are using, and remove any diskettes from the disk drives. Turn off

the computer first, then turn off the monitor and any peripherals.

Using the

Equity 386

4-21

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

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

Enter

to accept the

5-1

Drive Designators

MS-DOS uses letters to identify the disk drives in your system. If you

have one diskette drive, that device is known as drive A. If you have two diskette drives, one is called drive A, the other drive B.

If you have one hard disk drive, MS-DOS identifies its primary partition as drive C, even if you have only one diskette drive. If you have more than one physical hard disk drive, the primary partition of the second drive is known as D, the primary partition of the third is E, and so on.

If you have used the FDISK command (described in Chapter 3) to

create one or more extended partitions, the logical drives that make

up the extended partition(s) are identified by the letters immediately following the names of all the primary partitions. For example, if you have one physical drive that’s partitioned into three logical drives, the logical drives are C, D, and E. If you have two physical drives partitioned into a total of five logical drives (three on the first physical drive and two on the second), the first physical drive is divided into logical drives C, E, and E while the second physical drive is divided into logical drives D and G.

The Default Drive

At any given time, MS-DOS considers one disk drive to be the default drive. The default drive is the one on which MS-DOS executes your next command, unless you tell it to do otherwise. For example, if the default drive is C, and you issue the DIR (directory) command, MS-DOS lists the files stored on drive C. If the default drive is D and you type WP and press D for a file called WI’ and executes the instructions in that file.

The MS-DOS command prompt tells you which drive is the current default. The command prompt consists of the drive letter followed by a “greater-than” symbol. (Depending on how your system has been set up, the command prompt may also include additional information.) Thus, when you see C > displayed on your screen, you know that the default drive is C. The command prompt also lets you know that MS-DOS is ready to receive a command from you.

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Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

Enter,

MS-DOS looks on drive

Changing the Default Drive

To change the default drive, type the letter of the drive you want to

change to, followed by a colon. Then press Enter. For example, to change the default from A to C, type C : and press Enter. MS-DOS acknowledges the change by displaying the command prompt C >. Changing to a new drive is also sometimes called logging onto that drive.

To access a program or file without first changing the default drive, use a drive identifier with the filename. For example, if you are logged onto drive A and type B : PROGRAM, MS-DOS loads and executes the file named PROGRAM from drive B but stays logged onto drive A.

The MS-DOS Command Format

To enter an MS-DOS command, you need to type the command in the correct format. The command format provides MS-DOS with the

information needed to perform a task.

The MS-DOS command format consists of the command name, parameters, and delimiters. The command name tells MS-DOS the task you want the computer to perform. Parameters specify details

such as what data you want to process and where to locate or store a

file. Delimiters are characters such as spaces or commas that separate

command names and parameters. For example, the command to format a diskette in drive A is:

FORMAT A:

FORMAT is the command name to execute the file FORMATCOM. The A: is a parameter that tells the command what to format-in this case, the diskette in drive A. The space between FORMAT and A: is the delimiter that lets MS-DOS distinguish the command name (FORMAT) from the parameter (A:).

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

5-3

Some commands also have optional switches you can use. A switch is a type of parameter that alters the effects of a command. For example, suppose you want to format a 360KB diskette in your 1.2MB diskette drive. To do this, you need to add a switch to the FORMAT command like this:

FORMAT A: /4

Without the /4 switch, FORMAT would try to format the diskette as a 1.2MB capacity diskette. Switches are generally preceded by a forward slash ( / ).

Each MS-DOS command is either internal or external. Internal commands are commands that are built into MS-DOS and can be

used at any time once MS-DOS is loaded into memory. External commands are stored on your system diskettes as program files. To run an external command, MS-DOS must be able to locate the file containing the command’s instructions. If it cannot find the file,

MS-DOS gives you an error message. See your MS-DOS Reference Manual for more information on the

command format. Also see your MS-DOS Reference Manual for

command descriptions that tell you which parameters and delimiters

are required for each command and which optional parameters and

switches you can use.

Entering MS-DOS Commands

You can enter an MS-DOS command whenever you see the

MS-DOS command prompt. Type the command name and any

necessary parameters and delimiters and then press

the command. You can type command names and parameters in

either uppercase or lowercase letters.

If you make a mistake when typing a command and you notice it before you press

Use the Backspace key to back up to the error so you can correct it

Press

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Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

Enter,

ESC

to cancel the command line.

you can do either of two things:

Enter

to execute

If you press Enter when a command line has an error in it, the screen displays an error message. Usually, the command prompt reappears so you can try again. Type the correct command and press

Enter.

Creating and Managing Files

All your data and programs are stored in files. A data file contains information, such as words, numbers, or pictures. A program file contains instructions that the computer can understand and execute.

The kind of file you create depends on the MS-DOS command or

application program you use to create it. In general, a data file that you create using an application program is stored in a special format. If you use a different application program to read that file, you may encounter problems.

When you create a file, you need to give it a name. You must name your files in a certain format required by MS-DOS.

Naming Files

Each file must have a unique filename so you can retrieve it when you need to. The filename consists of two parts: the name and the

extension.

You can choose a name up to eight characters long. Create a name that identifies the information the file contains. The name can contain any characters or numbers except for blank spaces and the following symbols:

“‘/[I

The extension is optional and can be up to three characters long. You can use the extension to further identify a file or to describe what

type of file it is, such as a text file or program file. When you use an

extension, separate it from the filename with a period. For example,

an MS-DOS filename might look like this:

:I<

>+=;

DATA.TXT

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

5-5

Some application programs add extensions to the files you create.

These application programs use the extension to determine whether it

is a compatible data file. Avoid using the same extensions as your application programs. Also, do not use uppercase and lowercase letters to distinguish between files. MS-DOS does not recognize the difference and displays all filenames in uppercase.

Certain extensions are reserved for program files. You must not use these extensions for your data files. The reserved extensions are

.COM, .EXE, and .BAT Files with these extensions are also

sometimes called

executable

files.

The .BAT extension denotes a particular kind of executable file called

a batch file. Batch files can be used to automate sequences of

MS-DOS instructions. Even if you are not a programmer, you may want to create some batch files to assist you in your work. A particularly useful kind of batch file, called an autoexecute batch file

(or “AUTOEXEC” file ) is discussed later in this chapter.

Copying Files

You can use the COPY command to copy individual files or groups of files. COPY is an internal command; you can use it any time you see the MS-DOS command prompt. You can also use the XCOPY command to copy individual files or groups of files. XCOPY, an external command, is more versatile than COPY. For details about XCOPY, see your MS-DOS Reference Manual.

You can use the COPY command to copy files in several ways:

You can copy individual files from a diskette or the hard disk to a diskette or hard disk

You can copy a group of files using wildcard characters

You can copy one or more files and give them new names

You can combine or merge files into one file.

5-6 Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

A few rules apply when copying files:

l You must tell MS-DOS where to find the original file and where

to store the copy.

l You cannot create a new file with the same name and in the same

directory as an existing file.

If an existing file on the destination diskette or directory has the same name as the file you are copying from, the copy

automatically replaces the existing file. There is no warning that the existing file is being replaced, so be careful that you do not accidentally erase a file you want to keep.

If you are copying to another disk, that disk must have been previously formatted.

To use the COPY command, type COPY at the command prompt, followed by the drive identifiers and necessary filenames. Then press

Enter

to execute the command.

For example, to copy the file named REPORT from the diskette in drive A to the diskette in drive B using the same name for the copy as for the original file, type the following and press

Enter:

COPY A:REPORT B:

If you want to copy the file named REPORT from the diskette in drive A to the diskette in drive B using a new name, FACTS, for the copy, type the following and press

Enter:

COPY A:REPORT B:FACTS

To copy the file named REPORT to the same diskette or directory

and name the copy FACTS, type the following and press Enter:

COPY REPORT FACTS

In the example above, you can omit the drive identifiers because the

original file and the copy are both on the current drive.

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

5-7

An easy way to copy a group of files is by using wildcard characters in the filenames. You can use two wildcard characters: * and ?. The

asterisk represents any group of characters and the question mark

represents any single character. For example, to copy all the files on the diskette in drive A to the

diskette in drive B, type the following and press

COPY A:*.* B:

To copy all files with names that begin with the four letters “MEMO” and end with any single character, type the following and press

Enter:

COPY A:MEMO? B:

You can also use the COPY command to combine a number of files into one file. For example, to create a new file called DATA that consists of the files REPORT, FACTS, and MEMO, type the following and press

COPY REPORT + FACTS + MEMO DATA

In the above example, the files are located on the current drive, so no drive identifiers are necessary. To copy REPORT, FACTS, and MEMO from drive A to the DATA file and press

Enter:

on drive B, type the following

COPY A:REPORT + A:FACTS + A:MEMO B:DATA

Renaming Files

You can use the RENAME command to change the name of a file or group of files on the same disk and directory. For example, to rename

a file named PROSPECT (in the default directory) to CLIENT, type

the following and press

RENAME PROSPECT CLIENT

You can shorten the RENAME command to REN. To change the

name of a file from HAMMERS to WRENCHES, therefore, you can type the following and press

REN HAMMERS WRENCHES

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Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

Enter:

You can use wildcards to rename groups of files. For example, to change just the extensions of all files on drive B with the extension

.NEW to .OLD, type the following and press Enter:

REN B:*.NEW *.OLD

rename all files that begin with the same five characters

“MEMOS” but end with one varying character, type the following and press

Enter:

REN MEMOS? MEMOS?.OLD

See your MS-DOS Reference Manual for more information on the RENAME command.

Deleting Files

You can delete files you no longer need with the DEL (delete) command. For example, to delete REPORT.AUG from drive B, type the following and press

DEL B:REPORT.AUG

To delete the file WRENCHES from drive B, type the following and press

Enter:

DEL B:WRENCHES

You

can use wildcards to delete groups of files. For example, to delete

all files on the diskette in drive A, you could type the following and

press

Enter:

DEL A:*.*

Because deleting all files is a somewhat drastic operation, MS-DOS

prompts you to confirm your intentions when you use the *.*

wildcard combination with the DEL command. A synonym for DEL is ERASE. Thus, you could substitute ERASE

for DEL in any of the preceding examples.

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

5-9

Printing Files

If you have a printer attached to your computer, you can print files with the PRINT command. Of course, you will probably be printing files with the application programs you use with MS-DOS, but if you need to print a file from the command prompt, follow the steps below.

To print a file named STATS.NBA on drive A:

Make sure your printer is on and ready to print.

2. At the command prompt, type the following and press Enter:

PRINT A:STATS.NBA

MS-DOS prompts you for the name of the printing device connected to your computer. (This is usually the name of the

communications port that the printer cable is connected to, such as LPT1.)

Type the name of the device, such as LPT1, and press Enter. MS-DOS prints the file on your printer.

See your MS-DOS Reference Manual for more information on the PRINT command.

Using Directories

You can create many files on a diskette, and a hard disk can store thousands of files. To help you organize this much information, MS-DOS lets you subdivide a disk into logical units called directories. Directories allow you to arrange your disk so that files of similar type or purpose are kept together.

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Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

Whenever you format a hard disk or a diskette, MS-DOS creates one directory for you. This directory is called the root directory. Any subsequent directories you create are logically subordinate to the root directory; that is, they are subdirectories of the root directory. A simple directory structure might look like this:

Root directory

WORDPROC

SPRDSHT

DOS

This arrangement would enable you to keep your word processing programs and data files in a directory called WORPROC, your

spreadsheet program and data files in a directory called SPRDSHT, and the MS-DOS files (as well as the other files copied from your

Reference and Startup diskettes) in a directory called DOS. The few

files that MS-DOS needs to find as soon as you boot your system (COMMAND.COM, CONFIG.SYS, and perhaps AUTOEXEC.BAT) could remain at the top level of the structure, in the root directory.

As the number of files in your WORDPROC and SPRDSHT directories grow, you can create additional directories subordinate to those two-like this, perhaps:

Root directory

WORDPROC SPRDSHT

DOS

This structure would let you segregate your business word processing files from your personal word processing files and your sales

spreadsheets from spreadsheet files used for financial projections. Your directory structure may be as simple as this example, or much

more complex. You can organize your disk(s) to suit your own needs, and you can modify the structure as your needs change.

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

5-11

Here are some additional points to note about directories:

On the root directory, the total number of files and subdirectories must not exceed 512.

l All directories other than the root directory can have any

number of files and subdirectories.

l Subdirectories are named the same way files are. The name can

include as many as eight characters, and you can add an

extension of up to three characters.

The root directory does not have a name. It is identified by a

backslash (\) character.

l Diskettes have root directories, just as hard disks do, and you can

create subdirectories on diskettes the same as on hard disks.

The following sections discuss the basics of creating, deleting, and using directories.

The Default Directory

MS-DOS always recognizes one directory as the default or current directory, just as it always recognizes one drive as the default drive.

The default directory is the one in which MS-DOS performs your

commands, unless you tell it to do otherwise. If you want to run a program or access a data file that is not stored in the default directory, you can either change directories (making a different directory the default) or include a pathname in your command.

Using Pathnames

A pathname tells MS-DOS how to find its way to the directory you

want to access. There are two basic types of pathnames: relative and absolute. A relative pathname tells MS-DOS how to find its way to the desired directory from the current default directory. An absolute pathname tells MS-DOS

from

the root

5-12

directory.

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

ow to find its way to the desired directory

---

Here is an example of an absolute pathname:

\WORDPROC\PERSONAL

The backslash at the beginning of this pathname tells MS-DOS to

start its journey at the root directory, proceed down the directory tree to WORDPROC, then continue down the tree to PERSONAL.

Here is an example of a relative pathname:

SALES

Because this pathname does not begin with a backslash, MS-DOS assumes that the starting point of the path is the current default directory. This pathname thus tells MS-DOS to find a directory named SALES subordinate to the current default directory. Note that if the directory structure of your disk matched the one in the examples above, you would have to be logged onto the SPRDSHT directory in order for this pathname to be valid.

Relative pathnames can tell MS-DOS to move upward in the directory tree as well as downward. The symbol . . (two periods) in a pathname tells MS-DOS to move upward one level in the tree. Thus, if the default directory were WORDPROC (in the foregoing example), the pathname . . \DOS would tell MS-DOS to move up one level from WORDPROC (in this case to the root directory) and then find

a subdirectory called DOS.

You can use either relative or absolute pathnames at any time. It doesn’t matter which you use, provided the pathname leads to an

existing directory.

Including Filenames With Pathnames

You typically use a pathname when you want to access a file that is

not stored in the current default directory. The name of the file you want to access is specified at the end of the pathname, like this:

TYPE\WORDPROC\PERSONAL\JEANl204.DOC

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

5-13

This command tells MS-DOS to list on screen (TYPE) the contents of

the file JEAN1204.DOC, which is stored in the directory \WORDPROC\PERSONAL. Note that the filename is connected

to the pathname by a backslash character-the same character used

to separate the various directories in the pathname itself.

Including Drive Letters With Pathnames and Filenames

As mentioned earlier in this chapter, if you want to access a file stored on a drive other than the default drive, you have to include a drive designator (A:, for example) along with the filename. If the file you want is not stored in the default directory of that drive, you need to include a pathname as well as the drive designator.

For example, suppose you are logged onto the root directory of drive C, and you want to list the contents of the file JEAN1204.DOC which is stored in the directory \WORDPROC\PERSONAL of

drive D. The last time you were logged onto drive D, the default directory on that drive was drive D’s root directory. If you issue the

command

TYPE D:JEAN1204.DOC

MS-DOS attempts to find the file you want in the root directory of

drive D. Because the file is not there, you get an error message. To correct the problem, add a pathname to the command, like this:

TYPE D:\WORDPROC\PERSONAL\JEANl204.DOC

If you do not know what the default directory on another drive is, it is a good idea to include the full pathname whether you need it or not. You can never give MS-DOS too much information.

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Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

Listing the Contents of a Directory

To list the files in the current directory, type DIR and press

MS-DOS lists the names of the files in the current directory on the current drive. If the listing is too long to fit on one screen, add the /P switch to the command, like this:

DIR /P

This switch causes MS-DOS to pause after displaying each screenful of information. To see the next screenful, press any key. Another way to view a long directory is to use the /W switch:

DIR /W This results in a wide-format directory listing. To list the contents of a different drive or a different directory, include

the appropriate drive designator and/or pathname in the command. For example, to see what is in the root directory of the diskette in drive A, type the following and press

DIR A:\

Directory listings include the following information about each file:

the name and extension, the size in bytes, and the date and time the

file was created or last modified (whichever is later). Subdirectories in

the directory are listed along with files; they are identified as subdirectories by the letters < DIR >. At the bottom of the listing, MS-DOS indicates the number of bytes on the disk that are still available for use.

Enter:

Enter.

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

5-15

Creating Directories

The MKDIR command lets you create directories. To create a LEDGER directory under your root directory, for example, type the following and press

MKDIR\LEDGER

You can abbreviate the name of this command to MD. For example,

to create a SALES directory under the LEDGER directory, type the following and press

\ LEDGER\ SALES

Enter:

Removing Directories

To delete a directory from a disk, use the RMDIR command (or its shorthand equivalent, RD). For example, to remove the directory

ACCOUNTS, which is subordinate to the directory LEDGER, you could log onto the LEDGER directory, type the following, and press

Enter:

ACCOUNTS

A directory must be empty before it can be deleted. If it contains any files or subdirectories, attempting to delete it will produce an error message.

Changing the Default Directory

To change from one directory to another, use the CHDIR command, or its shorthand equivalent, CD. For example, to change to the root directory from anywhere in the directory tree, type the following and press

Enter:

CD \

If you are in the LEDGER directory and you want to change to ACCOUNTS,

press

Enter:

CD ACCOUNTS

5-16 Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

a subdirectory of LEDGER, type the following and

To change from ACCOUNTS back to LEDGER, you can use the special symbol . . or you can use an absolute pathname. (The . . symbol always designates the parent directory.) In other words, you can type:

CD . .

CD \ACCOUNTS

Formatting Diskettes

Before you can store data on a new diskette, you must format it. Formatting prepares the diskette so that MS-DOS can write to it. You need to do this only once, before you use the diskette for the first time.

You can reformat previously used diskettes. This process erases all data on the diskette. Always be sure you do not want to save any of the data on a used diskette before you format it.

The formatting procedure you use depends on whether your computer has one or two diskette drives and whether it has a hard disk. Follow the instructions below for your configuration.

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

5-17

Formatting Diskettes With a Hard Disk

If necessary, log onto drive C. If you are not in the directory where the file FORMAT.COM is stored, change to that directory.

2. When you see the C > prompt, type the following and press

Enter:

FORMAT A:

You see this prompt:

Insert new diskette for drive A: and strike ENTER when ready

Insert the diskette you want to format in drive A and press

Enter.

4. When the diskette is formatted, you see a message similar to this:

Format complete 1213952 bytes total disk space 1213952 bytes available on disk Format another (Y/N)?

At this point, you can either format another diskette by pressing Y and Enter, or return to the MS-DOS command prompt by pressing N and

Enter.

Formatting Diskettes With Two Diskette Drives

1. Make sure you are logged onto drive A, with your working copy of the MS-DOS Startup diskette in the drive.

When you see the A > prompt, type

Enter.

You see this prompt:

Insert new diskette for drive B: and strike ENTER when ready

3. Insert the diskette you want to format into drive B and press

Enter.

5-18 Using

MS-DOS

with Your Equity 386

FORMAT B

: and press

When the diskette is formatted, you see a message similar to this:

Format complete

1213952 bytes total disk space 1213952 bytes available on disk Format another (Y/N)?

At this point, you can either format another diskette by pressing Y and Enter, or return to the MS-DOS command prompt by

pressing N and

Enter.

Formatting Diskettes With One Diskette Drive (No Hard Disk)

Insert the working copy of your MS-DOS Startup diskette in drive A.

When you see the

Enter:

FORMAT A:

You see this prompt:

Insert new diskette for drive A: and strike ENTER when ready

prompt, type the following and press

Remove the MS-DOS Startup diskette from the diskette drive. Insert the diskette you want to format into drive A and press

Enter.

When the diskette is formatted, you see a message similar to this:

Format complete 1213952 bytes total disk space 1213952 bytes available on disk Format another (Y/N)?

At this point, you can either format another diskette by pressing

Y and Enter, or return to the MS-DOS command prompt by pressing N and

Enter.

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

5-19

Backing Up

It’s very important to keep backup diskettes containing copies of the files you create. You can copy data and program files several ways:

You can use the COPY or XCOPY command to copy individual files or groups of files.

l You can use the DISKCOPY command to make an exact

duplicate of a diskette.

You can use the BACKUP command to back up hard disk files to diskettes. Because BACKUP can split large files across two or more diskettes, it makes more efficient use of diskette space than COPY It also gives you a way to back up files that are larger than

the capacity of your diskettes.

DISKCOPY and BACKUP are described below. The COPY command is described in the previous section, “Copying Files.” See your MS-DOS Reference Manual for information on XCOPY.

Using the DISKCOPY Command

The DISKCOPY command lets you copy all the files on one diskette to another diskette. (You cannot use DISKCOPY to copy to or from a hard disk.) The procedure for copying diskettes depends on whether you have one or two diskette drives. Follow the instructions below for your configuration.

Using DISKCOPY with one diskette drive

1. Make sure your original diskette is write-protected. (See Chapter 4 for instructions.)

5-20 Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

If you have a hard disk, make sure you are logged onto the directory that contains the DISKCOPY.COM file. If you don’t have a hard disk, make sure your working copy of the MS-DOS Operating 1 diskette is in drive A.

At the MS-DOS command prompt, type the following and press

Enter:

DISKCOPY A: A:

MS-DOS displays this message:

Insert SOURCE diskette in drive A:

Press any key when ready . . .

4. If necessary, remove the Operating 1 diskette from drive A. Insert the diskette you want to copy from (the source) in the diskette drive and press any key. DISKCOPY starts to copy the contents of the diskette to the computer’s memory.

When the memory is full, the screen displays this message:

Insert TARGET diskette in drive A:

Press any key when ready . . .

Remove the diskette from drive A and insert the blank diskette

(the target) in the drive. Press any key. DISKCOPY checks to see if the new diskette is. formatted. If it is not, DISKCOPY formats

the diskette. The copy operation begins when the format is

complete.

When DISKCOPY has copied the data from memory to the copy diskette, the screen prompts you to insert the source diskette again to copy the remaining data to the computer’s memory. Insert the original diskette in drive A and press any key.

Once DISKCOPY has copied the rest of the original diskette’s data to the computer’s memory, the screen prompts you to insert

the target diskette (the copy) again to copy the remaining data

from memory to the diskette. Insert the copy diskette and press

any key.

Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

5-21

When the copy is complete, you see this message:

Copy another diskette (Y/N)?

Press Y and Enter to copy another diskette or N and Enter to return to the MS-DOS command prompt.

Using DISKCOPY with two diskette drives

When you use the DISKCOPY command with two diskette drives, be sure to specify both diskette drives (A: and B:). If you don’t, MS-DOS copies the diskette in drive A to a second diskette that you insert in drive A, requiring you to swap diskettes during the copy process. (MS-DOS prompts you when you need to change diskettes.)

Make sure your original diskette is write-protected. (See Chapter 4 for instructions.)

If your system has a hard disk, log onto the directory where the file DISKCOPY.COM is stored. Otherwise, insert your working copy of the MS-DOS Operating 1 diskette in drive A.

At the command prompt, type the following and press

DISKCOPY A: B:

Enter:

MS-DOS prompts you to insert your diskettes:

Insert SOURCE diskette in drive A: Insert TARGET diskette in drive B: Press any key when ready . . .

Insert the diskette you want to copy from (the source) into drive

A and the diskette you want to copy to (the target) into drive B.

Then press any key. DISKCOPY checks to see if the target

diskette is formatted. If it is not, DISKCOPY formats the diskette. The copy operation begins when the format is complete.

When the copy is complete, you see this message:

Copy another diskette (Y/N)?

Press Y and Enter to copy another diskette or N and Enter to return to the MS-DOS command prompt.

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Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386

Epson 386, PLQ 20 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Introduction

How to Use This Manual

Where to Get Help

Unpacking

Removing the Diskette Drive Protector Card

Choosing a Location

Connecting a Monitor

Connecting a Printer

Using the Parallel Interface

Using the Serial Interface

Connecting the Power Cord

Connecting the Keyboard

Setting the Monitor Type

Turning On the Computer

Loading MS-DOS

Copying System Diskettes

Starting the Setup Program

Setting the Amount of Memory

Setting the Display Type

Setting the Auto Speed Function

Setting the Shadow RAM Function

Setting the Coprocessor Function

Setting the Mass Storage

Setting the Real-time Clock

Leaving the Setup Menu

Checking the Hard Disk

Partitioning the Hard Disk

Creating the Primary Partition

Creating the Extended Partition on a 40MB Disk

Creating the Extended Partition on a 90MB Disk

Formatting the Primary Partition

Copying the Remaining Files to the Hard Disk

Formatting the Extended Partition

Booting From the Hard Disk

Locking the Computer

Selecting Execution Speed

Selecting the Monitor Type

Controlling the Volume

Resetting the Computer

Special Keys on the Equity 386 Keyboard

Using Disks and Disk Drives

How Disks Store Data

Types of Diskette Drives

Caring for Diskettes and Diskette Drives

Inserting and Removing Diskettes

Write-protecting Diskettes

Making Backup Copies

Using a Single Diskette Drive

Using Two Diskette Drives

Using a Hard Disk Drive

Turning Off the Computer

Starting and Exiting MS-DOS

Drive Designators

The Default Drive

Changing the Default Drive

The MS-DOS Command Format

Entering MS-DOS Commands

Creating and Managing Files

Naming Files

Copying Files

Deleting Files

Printing Files

Using Directories

The Default Directory

Using Pathnames

Including Filenames With Pathnames

Including Drive Letters With Pathnames and Filenames

Listing the Contents of a Directory

Creating Directories

Removing Directories

Changing the Default Directory

Formatting Diskettes

Formatting Diskettes With a Hard Disk

Formatting Diskettes With Two Diskette Drives

Formatting Diskettes With One Diskette Drive (No Hard Disk)